There had been a cancellation, and Vance got Cammy in to see a doctor for a consultation at the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital yesterday. More tests needed to be run, but the preliminary report was that surgery wouldn’t be needed and that Cammy was a prime candidate for treatment with Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Systems. “Mom, listen to this. Cammy was injured in a car accident a few years ago, but now—”
“I don’t want to hear about it, and if you think for one minute that I’ll want to be a grandmother, you’re crazy.”
Meg didn’t think she understood. “I want to tell you about this exciting news about Cammy. She might walk again.”
“Oh, Meg, you don’t want to take on someone else’s problems. A guy with a kid who can’t walk?” Mom shook her head. “Marry him and you’ll be sorry.” She brushed her maroon hair away from her eyes.
“No, I won’t.” Meg couldn’t quite believe her mother’s cold-hearted reaction.
“You’ll suffocate in a small town. Just like I did.”
Meg shook her head to the contrary. “I’m happy here. In fact, I wish I would have been open-minded enough to get to know Dad and his other family—” She halted. “No, make that my family—years ago. They’re fun-loving, sweet, decent people.”
“Well, there’s gratitude for you.” Mom sat back hard in her chair. “What am I? Chopped liver?”
“No, of course not, but—”
“But?” She lifted her brows.
“But.” Meg squared her shoulders. “You’re searching for something that’s not really out there.” Seeing her mother’s look of confusion, she clarified. “Mom, it’s like you’re digging for gold in a litter box.”
“Oh? And you think you’ve struck it rich here in Hicksville?”
“Yes, I do, because I’ve found people here who love me in the purest sense of the word. They’re not just out to get something from me in return. They care about what happens to me, and now I can be a better person and give right back to them. And to my community.”
“They’ve brainwashed you.” Mom looked aghast. “These nuts have brainwashed you.”
Meg couldn’t hold back the tiny smirk pulling at her mouth. “If you believe that, then I suppose you won’t want to hear that I attend Bible studies and go to church. And that I like it.”
The living color drained from Mom’s face. “This is worse than I thought.” She pushed back her chair, stood, and walked to the stainless breakfast counter.
Meg watched her, feeling a sense of remorse for slinging this information at her. But she knew from experience that nothing short of shock got through to her mother.
“Okay, listen.” Mom made her way back to the table. “I want to buy you a plane ticket to Arizona. As a birthday gift.”
“I don’t want it. I’m staying here.”
“Maybe getting away for a while would be a good thing. You know, you can think, get your head together.”
“It’s as together as it’s going to get, but thanks anyway. I appreciate the offer.”
The muscles around Mom’s lips tightened with anger.
Meg didn’t want to fight with her. “Mom, it’s Thanksgiving. Can we just let bygones be bygones and enjoy the day together? We don’t have to spend it at Grams’ house if you don’t want to. We can find something else to do.”
Mom’s hardened expression didn’t change. “Forget it. And just know this, Meg: no daughter of mine will live in Miracle, Kentucky, or anywhere near it. I worked hard to get us out of here. If you stay, you’re committing an unpardonable sin against me, my very person, and I’ll never forgive you.” She grabbed her purse and stormed from the lobby.
For several long moments, Meg couldn’t breathe. She felt crushed by the weight of her mother’s ultimatum. And, yet, there wasn’t anything to deliberate. Meg had made her choice a long, long time ago.
Chapter Twenty-seven
Two weeks later, an unusual cold snap moved through Central Kentucky and snowflakes wafted on the frosty, Friday afternoon air. Loretta bent to place the folded “heart and soul” Queenie under the Christmas tree. Wrapped in white tissue paper with a fat, pink satin bow, it made for an inviting gift. She’d watch Meggie open it on Christmas Eve when the rest of the family came for dinner after the five o’clock Christmas service. Loretta was just glad she’d finished Meg’s quilt, and with time to spare, too.
“You all set, Retta?”
She swung around when Tom entered the room. “Yes, I am.”
“I gotta taste for that country fried steak the Depot Restaurant serves up.”
“Sounds good to me.” She fetched her coat from out of the closet.
“Heard from Meg?”
“Saw her this morning. She thought maybe we’d see her, Vance, and Cammy tonight at supper.”
“Good, good.” Tom gave a thoughtful nod. “They sure make a fine couple—Meg and Vance, I mean.”
“Yes, they do.”
“Think Vance’ll pop the question soon?”
“I suspect so.”
The clocks all went off, marking the half hour.
“Time’s a-wasting. We’d best go if you want to get a seat. You know how crowded the Depot gets on Friday nights.”
“You’re right.” Loretta turned back to Tom. He stood there, all dressed up in a multi-colored sweater that hung over black denim trousers. He looked real nice, and she appreciated his effort.
She smiled and stepped closer to him. “Did I ever tell you that you’re my best friend?”
“Don’t have to. I already know.”
She put her hands on either side of his wrinkly face and planted a kiss square on his mouth.
Tom turned as red as a beet.
Laughter bubbled up inside her as she walked to the door.
“Retta?” His voice took on a sudden somberness. “Some folks in town wonder how come you and me don’t get married.”
She paused to think it over before pivoting to face him again. “Maybe it’s because you never asked me.”
“Well, I would.” He rubbed his jaw, looking uncomfortable. “But marriage is an awful big step.”
“Yes, it is, and you’re much too young to get tied down.”
He snorted at the quip but looked none-too-amused.
“I’m sorry, Tom. Seriously, when the time comes where you feel good and ready, why, then, you just go ahead and propose to me like a regular gentleman.”
“Maybe I will.”
Loretta thought he looked troubled. She hoped he hadn’t felt obligated to bring up the subject of marriage. She truly was happy with things just the way they were.
“Of course, if you should decide to propose to me, there’s no guarantee I’ll say yes.”
He drew his brows together, obviously surprised.
“Now, let’s go eat before I faint from hunger.”
“Don’t boss me, Retta.”
“Oh, hush, you ol’ cantankerous thing!” She batted a hand at him before donning her winter coat.
Relief washed over his features, as though everything in his world had righted itself.
They walked outside and climbed into his car.
“Just look at those snow flurries, swirling in the air. So pretty.” Loretta pulled on her gloves.
Tom started up the engine and smiled at her. “Feels sorta like Christmas already, don’t it?”
Meg tried to absorb the sights around her. Blue, red, green, yellow, and white lights blinked on the decorated Christmas tree that filled an entire corner of Grams’ living room. Both wrapped and unwrapped presents were scattered about, and friends and family members seemed to fill up the rest of the space. As a girl, Meg used to avoid such get-togethers whenever visiting Dad, and she’d hid herself away somewhere with a book. Now, she thrived on them.
Meg shifted, getting comfy on the sofa. Beside her, Cammy sat opening a gift from Kelly.
“Red high heels with pointy toes!” The child’s blue eyes lit up as she inspected the shoes. “
Wow!”
Meg laughed and eyed her sister, who wore an amused grin of her own.
“They’re too big for you right now. They’re for when you can walk again.”
A happy smile curved Cammy’s pink lips.
“Maybe they’ll fit by the time you go to your first homecoming dance.”
“Yeah!”
Kelly stood from where she sat on the floor and hugged Cammy.
Sitting on the other side of Meg, Vance cleared his throat.
Kelly gave him a sheepish look. “That is, if your dad allows you to go to homecoming, of course.”
“I don’t know. I’ve seen how y’all behave at those homecoming dances.”
Meg ribbed him with her elbow.
Vance laughed. “Okay, well, good thing there’s time to think about that one.”
“Thank you, Kelly.” Cammy put the lid on the shoebox and handed it to Meg, who added it to the child’s ever-growing pile of gifts near the coffee table.
“Wow! Look what I got!
“Me, too!”
Meg smiled at her twin cousins, who waved handheld video games in their palms.
“Thanks, Uncle Paul.” Both redheaded boys spoke in unison.
“Can I see your games?” Cammy craned her neck around Kelly.
“How about after you finish here? You’ve got more of your own gifts to open.” Meg handed her another one.
Cammy’s expression lit with excitement as she tore into another present. “This is the best Christmas ever. I never got so many presents before in my whole life.”
Meg had to admit the little darling was certainly making a haul. American Girl clothes for the doll her grandma Liz had given her; Hannah Montana books and CD; a board game from Dad and Donna; and all kinds of clips and barrettes for her hair from Leah.
Cammy remembered her manners and thanked everyone for their generosity.
Then came the very special gift from Grams.
“You sewed this just for me?” Cammy gaped as she ran her hand over the beautiful Queenie with all kinds of shoes printed in the fabric. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mrs. Jorgenson!”
“You’re very welcome, honey.”
Meg opened her own gift from Grams, too, and fingered the expertly stitched, multicolored quilt. She unfolded it to get a better view of the pattern. Every other square was either a heart or a cross, except for the four middle squares, which spelled out the word “LOVE” in a diamond shape.
“Oh, Grams, this is lovely.”
“And it’s you: all heart ’n soul.” Grams’ eyes lit with sincerity.
Meg held the Queenie to her chest. “I’ll treasure it for the rest of my life. Thank you.”
The doorbell rang, and when Leah entered, both Meg and Vance stood. They left Cammy in the company of Kelly, who, over the past months, had unofficially adopted her as a little sister.
“Merry Christmas!” Meg wrapped her arms around her friend, then helped her out of her coat and hung it in the closet.
Leah’s cheeks were pink from a nip in the December wind. “Look what Dave bought me.” She held out her narrow wrist and showed off the silver bangle. “He had it sent to me from overseas. Wasn’t that thoughtful?”
“He’s an okay guy.” Vance gave her a thumbs-up, and Leah’s face turned fuchsia.
Meg stood by smiling. Everyone liked Dave, and Leah’s father didn’t have any more reservations about the man.
“Come on in, Leah. Would you like some eggnog?”
At Leah’s nod, Meg led the way into the dining room, where an array of foods, from thick slices of country ham and angel biscuits to bourbon balls, had been set out on the table for all to enjoy.
Vance poured eggnog into a short glass and handed it to Leah. “Yep, I think any guy who gives a woman jewelry at Christmastime oughta to be commended.”
“Oh, I commended him.” Leah laughed and took a sip. “The best I could by e-mail, anyway.”
Wearing a grin, Vance lifted a decorated tray filled with candy canes. There were thirteen of them, and each came with a note card, tied with a red ribbon, on which passages of Scripture detailing the Christmas story had been printed. “Time to pass these out.” He nodded toward the living room. “Come on.”
Meg and Leah followed. He handed out the candy while Dad got everyone’s attention.
“These here aren’t just regular candy canes.” He smiled at the kids and turned the cane upside down. “Now it’s a J for Jesus, and y’all know it’s His birth we’re celebrating on Christmas. And see these red stripes on the candy? The Bible says that by His stripes we are healed. Jesus died and rose again and everyone who believes in Him will join Him in heaven one day. Now ain’t that happy news?”
The children nodded.
“So when you eat this candy cane, you remember that, now.” He shifted his stance and gazed around the room. “Let’s commence reading the Christmas story. Some of you were lucky enough to get a candy cane with a number on it, eight through twenty” He turned to Grams. “I believe you go first, Mama.”
“‘The Gospel of Luke, chapter two verse eight: And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.’”
One by one, people read from their cards.
Cammy was the last one to read. “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”
A moment’s pause, as everyone’s hearts seemed touched by what they’d heard.
Then Dad spoke up again. “Well, now, there’s supposed to be one more.” He glanced around the room until his gaze found Meg. “Meggie, I believe it was on your candy cane.”
She shook her head, holding up her cane, noting nothing of significance.
“Oh, my bad. I gave her the wrong one.” Vance reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out another red and white candy cane.
She took the proffered candy but didn’t see anything special about this one, either—until Vance let go of the white ribbon. There, dangling from a loop in the bow, was a diamond engagement ring.
Hoops of laughter, giggles, and cheers suddenly filled the room. Cammy clapped her hands. Leah smiled with tears in her eyes.
Meg felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. She couldn’t breathe. Her face flamed with embarrassment and her heart swelled with joy.
Vance got down on one knee. “Marry me?”
“Yes.” She could barely eke out the word, but she didn’t even have to think about the answer.
He laughed and stood, then enfolded her in his arms. Meg just wanted to hide in his embrace. How utterly embarrassing.
“Meg, you are, like, so fun to tease.” Ryan’s voice rose above the din. “You walk right into everything. It’s great.”
“Aren’t you surprised, Meg?” Cammy’s face was flushed from all the excitement.
“Oh, I’m surprised, all right.” She stepped back. “I guess I’m not used to hanging out with such pranksters.” She shot a glance at Vance.
“This is no prank, Meg.” With one arm still looped around her shoulders, he half-hugged her to him. “I want you to be my wife.”
“I knew it! I knew it! I knew it!” Cammy was cheering from the couch. “Me and Jesus had it planned all along.”
Vance stared at his daughter and raised a brow.
“Speaking of pranksters.” Grams gave each of her three sons a pointed stare. “I was always the target of one joke or another.”
At that precise moment, her clock collection rang and sang, and everyone laughed all over again.
Sometime later, when the activity in the house died down, Meg and Vance walked Leah outside to her car. The cold air felt refreshing as it filled Meg’s lungs.
“Oh, I almost forgot!” Leah began to dig in her purse. “Kent told me to give you something.”
“Kent?” Meg crossed her arms. She hadn’t been on speaking terms with him since her birthday.
“He left
yesterday. You know he resigned from Fairview, right?”
“No, I didn’t.” Meg was stunned to hear the news. “He left? Right in the middle of the school year? The kids are going to be so sad.”
“I know. But—” Leah pulled out an envelope and handed it to Meg. “Kent got a better job offer in Orlando and somehow got out of his contract here.”
“So he moved to Florida?” Standing next to Meg, Vance leaned one arm on Leah’s car and set his other hand on his hip. “That’s a long ways from Minnesota. I thought he had kids up there.”
“He does, but he can’t get visitation rights and he’s never been happy in Kentucky. Besides, all the hills around here were hard on his Corvette.”
Meg rolled her eyes.
Leah pulled her coat more tightly around her neck. “If you ask me, he’s running from God, but he won’t get far. The world is only so big.”
“I imagine he’s running from something.” Meg couldn’t seem to help the facetious remark.
She heard Vance’s soft chuckle.
“It’s too bad, you know. I mean, Kent was always nice to me.” Leah sighed. “I never did understand why Dave told me to stay away from him after he met Kent.”
“I do.” Meg didn’t elaborate, as Leah already knew what happened. Instead, she turned the envelope in her hand, inspecting it beneath the far-reaching glow of the yard light. It was business-sized, so it couldn’t be a Christmas card, unless it was one of those homemade holiday newsletters.
“Leah, let’s get you into your car before we all catch a chill.” Vance moved to open her door.
“Good idea.”
“Wimps. It’s like forty degrees out here. That would be a heat wave this time of year in Chicago.”
“It’s practically freezing to us Southerners.” Leah laughed. “Merry Christmas—and congratulations to both of you.” She hugged them both before climbing in and starting up the vehicle’s engine.
Meg and Vance waved as she drove off.
“Here, you can read this.” Meg handed the envelope to Vance as they made their way back into the house.
In the kitchen, Vance tore into it and read the letter inside. Meg peeked at it and saw the missive was typed out on Baldwin Manufacturing letterhead.
Love Finds You in Miracle, Kentucky Page 26