Christmas Joy

by Nancy Naigle

  He cast his gaze in Joy’s direction. “She’s very beautiful. I believe I can see the resemblance.”

  “So maybe you two could do coffee.”

  “Aunt Ruby, let’s just concentrate on you getting well.”

  “Well, doesn’t hurt to do a little multitasking, and it’s the holidays, after all. Who wants to be single over the holidays?”

  “She has a point,” Johnny offered.

  “Let’s get her well first.” Joy turned her attention back to her aunt. “No matchmaking until you can walk.”

  “I bet you can get a discount on flowers in the gift shop to give Joy on y’all’s first date.”

  Joy felt the flush fill her cheeks. “You better leave before she gives you a goat as a dowry to marry me.”

  “Always did want a goat,” he teased.

  “I’ll be waiting right here for you, Aunt Ruby.”

  Ruby wiggled her fingers in a wave as Johnny spun her around in the wheelchair like a top.

  Chapter Eleven

  Joy walked down to the cafeteria to find a light snack and bottle of water to take back to Ruby’s room. Visitors and nurses nodded politely and smiled as they passed. If she ever had to spend time in a rehabilitation center, she hoped she could come to one like this. It wasn’t so unlike some of the nicer hotels she’d stayed in.

  Once back in Ruby’s room, she settled into the overstuffed recliner next to the window and nibbled on a bag of raw almonds.

  If Joy had realized that she’d have some quiet time, she would have brought her work computer with her. She could have worked on some of the year-end reviews that had to be done in the next few weeks. At least here she wouldn’t have the constant interruptions of her staff and phone calls. Flipping through her iPhone, she deleted several messages she’d been copied on from the office that did not require any action on her part, and responded to one from Renee that was an update on the project plan. They were on schedule, but Margie had pulled one of their team to work on a project that had dropped in at the last minute. Renee said it wasn’t impacting the schedule, but Joy could sense the frustration in Renee’s rant. She’d never have mentioned it if it didn’t bother her. On a brighter note, Renee had shared that the announcements for the promotions were going to be made at the gala.

  There wasn’t much Joy could or needed to do for work. And as happy as she was that she kept things so up to date on the project plan that anyone could pick it up and run with it, it also gave her a slight sense of dread. She liked feeling needed.

  Ruby needed her right now, though, so it was a blessing that she could be here. “Yes. A blessing. Perfect timing, in fact,” she said to no one as she grabbed a pad of paper from the bedside table and began a new list of all the things she needed to get done this week.

  Before the page was even half full, Ruby’s voice called from the doorway. Handsome Johnny wheeled her in, flashing an eye roll in Joy’s direction.

  Johnny seemed experienced, but was he ready for the likes of her aunt? “So, how’d you make out on your first physical therapy session?”

  “About as good as you having a chance to find a husband in your thirties without my help,” Ruby said. “We both need an accelerated plan. They had me sitting and standing about five million times. I mean, really, don’t they know I’ve been sitting and standing for darn close to seventy years?”

  “It’s incremental, Miss Ruby. Trust me, you’ll be begging for a break soon.”

  “Yes, well, overachieving does kind of run in our family,” Joy said to Johnny.

  Aunt Ruby raised her chin. “In everything except you getting married. I’d been married for years by the time I was your age. I did tell you she’s single, didn’t I, Johnny?”

  “You might have mentioned it,” he said, giving Joy a wink.

  Joy bristled at the smooth gesture. Not her type. At all. “I’ve got time. I will have you know that it is just an ugly rumor that women have less of a chance to marry once they pass thirty … which I have not. Market research shows that I’ll have just as good a chance at love later, when I’m darned good and ready, as I do right now. So you can just stop worrying about me.”

  “I just want you to be happy.”

  “Who says I’m not?”

  “You need more than just a job to enjoy life, honey. When your momma named you Joy, it was because she wanted for you all the things she hadn’t been able to have. She wanted you to see the world, experience things, fall in love, have a family, dream dreams, and all that stuff. Not just work, work, work.”

  “I love my work.”

  “How do you know you won’t love other things?”

  Joy opened her mouth to argue, but Ruby actually had a point. How did she know? “I tell you what. I’ll work on it.”

  “That’s all I can ask.”

  “And you’ll stop with the matchmaking?”

  “Well, don’t go half crazy. I’m your aunt. It’s part of the job description.”

  “Great.” Joy knew when she was beat.

  Johnny laughed. “Let’s get you into one of these chairs, Miss Ruby.”

  “Thank you, dear.” Ruby raised a hand at him as he went to take her arm and help move her to the chair. “I can do it. I’ve mastered standing and sitting, remember.” She swatted at him like a cat.

  He backed off, and as soon as Ruby’s bony butt hit the chair, he wheeled the empty wheelchair toward the door. “One of us from the physical therapy team will be back at seven o’clock tonight for just a quick little stretching session. We’ll do it bedside. Won’t take too long, but we want to keep you moving.”

  Poor guy didn’t even wait for a response. Probably afraid he’d get an earful from Ruby.

  “I could do this at home,” Ruby argued.

  “I heard that.” He turned and looked over his shoulder. “You might even end up enjoying it if you give it half a chance. Don’t knock it. You haven’t even been here long enough to know.”

  She crossed her arms. “Oh, I know. Now, out with you!”

  Aunt Ruby shook her head as Johnny wheeled out of sight. She bunched her lips like she had one more thing to say to him, then seemed to mentally push the thought aside and turned back to Joy. “Now, about those decorations. I’ve got some details for you. You might want to write these down.”

  Joy raised the list she’d already started, and Ruby rolled on with her dictation.

  “I have some hardbound journals on the bookshelf in the living room. Middle right shelf. Red and green, of course. One might be silver. Anyway, all my notes from the past few years from the planning for the home tour are in there. Some of it is journaling, but you can just ignore that hogwash. At least it will give you a starting point.”

  “You were always so organized. I think I got those skills from living with you.”

  “Good. One of my best gifts to give. You are the closest thing I have to a daughter of my own. I’m so glad you’re here. I really appreciate it, but are you sure you can take the time off with no problem?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ve got it covered.”

  “Good—because, honey, there is a lot to do. You’ll need to start making the cookie dough and freezing it so as we get closer to the date of the cookie crawl, we can bake them fresh. I usually spend the Thursday and Friday before baking all day long. I’m sure I’ll be there to help you, but it’s the only way to stay on schedule. I’ve usually got the freezer in the barn half-filled by now. Shame on me for not getting started last week. I sure hope you remember some of these recipes. I’m still using the ones that my mother made.”

  “That’ll be fun. I haven’t done any baking in … well, aside from a birthday cake for a girl at work, I may not have baked since we last baked holiday cookies together.”

  “That is far too long. Old family recipes and baking are good for the heart and soul.”

  “Hope I remember how.”

  “It’s like riding a bike. You’ll be fine, but we are behind.”

  “I’ll catc
h up. You just tell me what to do.”

  “Oh goodness, so much to do.” She tapped her finger to her lips. “All the recipes are in the wooden box on the shelf to the right of the sink next to the cookbooks. The ones that we can make the dough ahead and freeze have a blue highlighter line across the top. They’ll be easy to find. Look through the notebooks and see what I’ve done before. I always switch things up each year so the locals feel like it’s worth it to pay and come to the house again and again. It’s how we raise money. It’s important, and something I can do.”

  “Okay. Got it. Cookies. Journals.”

  “The ornaments are up in the attic.”

  “You put boxes in your attic?”

  “No, silly. My Handy Andy does that for me. He’s very helpful. Let him help. He loves it as much as I do.”

  Joy could just picture some old fart with tousled gray hair, a bushy mustache, and green Dickies hiked up under his armpits maneuvering up and down the attic stairs with dusty old boxes. That ought to be a real pleasure. Probably would move about as fast as a koala on eucalyptus leaves.

  “And when you come back, will you bring my crochet basket? I’ve got to have something to do to keep me from going crazy in here.”

  “No problem.”

  “Have I told you how much I love you lately?”

  “You have. I love you too.”

  “I’m sorry I’ve been so daggoned cranky, but I don’t like being helpless. I worry I’m being such a pain in the fanny, you won’t come back and spend time with me when we can have fun.”

  “I understand. Don’t you worry. We’ll have plenty of fun.” But in the back of Joy’s mind, as much as her heart meant it, she wondered if she could really make that promise. Good intentions were easy to promise, but actually taking time off for anything had not been in her master plan. Time off just seemed like time not well spent.

  “That’s good, because I can promise you, ignoring work-life balance will get you pretty much nothing except burnt out and probably always stuck with the assignments no one else wants. You do not want to be that person.”

  “Of course not.” Or maybe I already am?

  “You go on and run. Get home before dark. I love you, Joy.”

  Joy leaned over and kissed Ruby on the forehead. “Don’t give them any trouble.”

  Ruby laughed, but didn’t deny that she probably would. Which was good, because Joy wouldn’t have believed it anyway.

  Chapter Twelve

  The ride back to Crystal Falls was quiet compared to the ride over with Ruby fussing the whole way. But over and over those words from Ruby about slaving away and getting the dregs of the project assignments nagged at her. Was that what she had done to herself? Missing the gala last year. Oh yeah, everyone was quick to pat her on the back for a job well done, but the truth was, no one else wanted that gig. Heck … she didn’t even want it most days.

  She checked her watch. There were still more than thirty minutes left of the drive back to Ruby’s. The animals were probably already lined up against the fence, waiting for dinner. She twisted in the seat, her back feeling tight at just the thought of hulking those three-gallon buckets around to slop out scoops of food in each of the pens. She was using muscles she’d forgotten she even had.

  As Joy passed through the last big town before Crystal Falls, she slowed to read the signs in each of the colorful storefronts. Maybe one day next week she’d stop in and pick up a gift for Renee for Christmas in one of these specialty shops. There wasn’t time today. The forty miles still took nearly an hour since the speed limit dropped to 35 mph at least four times along the way. Of course, back in D.C., that forty miles would likely take her two hours on a good day, so she shouldn’t complain. At least the scenery here was nice and there was no traffic slowing her down.

  On the outskirts of Crystal Falls, a blue sign glowed in the distance. CRYSTAL FALLS LAZY CHOP. The new microbrewery. Well, maybe not that new. She remembered Ruby talking about it. Maybe that had been last year. Or the year before? Time sure did have a way of slipping away. The livestock at Ruby’s would be screaming at her now anyway and she was hungry, so she might as well get something to eat now.

  She signaled for the turn and slowed at the entrance. The parking lot was full, always a good sign, so she parked around back.

  Inside, the restaurant was warm and inviting. The smell of malted lager and spicy barbecued meat mingled in the air. Her stomach growled.

  She pulled off her coat and gloves as she waited to be seated. A sign boasted that Crystal Falls had the best food in the state. This town had no shame in amping up the value of their stuff. Maybe that had rubbed off on Joy when she’d lived here. It was the skill that had put her at the top of her career. Finding ways to showcase products and places in their best light so people would spend their money on them.

  “Just one?” The woman, about her age, seemed surprised.

  “Just me.”

  “Right this way,” she said with a tone that probably included the unspoken “bless your heart,” and led Joy to a table in the back corner. “Can I offer you one of our microbrews or a glass of wine tonight?”

  “I’d love to try one of the local brews. Surprise me with your favorite.”

  “Perfect. I know just the one.” The waitress went over the specials, then added, “but we’re known for our smoked pork chops. Fall off the bone, melt in your mouth. You really can’t go wrong with anything on this menu.”

  “I’ll try the smoked pork chop dinner. Sounds perfect. Thank you.”

  “You won’t be disappointed.” She left to get Joy the beer.

  Joy took out her phone and called Renee, who answered with an enthusiastic “I’m so glad to hear from you. How are things?”

  The familiar voice was comforting. “Crazy. I just got Aunt Ruby settled in at the rehabilitation center.”

  “That sounds serious.”

  “She’ll be fine. It’s just going to take time.”

  “We miss you around here, but things are going fine. You doing okay?”

  “Yes. There’ve been some challenges. I wrecked my car and then got sideswiped by a pint-sized seven-year-old. I’m not sure which was worse. How do you do that?”

  “What?”

  “The kid thing. I have a whole new appreciation for moms now. And for those mornings you’re late. We might need to talk about adjusting your start time.”

  “After just one day?”

  “One morning. An hour, tops.”

  “Then you have no idea.”

  “Please don’t say that, because I just agreed to babysit and care for this kid until Ruby gets home from rehab. It could be weeks.”

  “Weeks? You’re going to need wine.”

  “I’m in a local pub now. I might need more than that! Any mumbles about the promotions around there?”

  “Not another word. It’s been so quiet. I’ve never seen it so quiet when it comes to this kind of news before. I mean usually something leaks out about someone hearing they’d gotten the promotion. Not this time.”

  “That’s weird.” Joy had to agree that word was normally out by now.

  “I was hoping you were calling to let me know they’d called and told you the good news.”

  “No. Haven’t heard from anyone. I’m getting ready to call Margie to let her know that I’ll be out until the end of the year. Are you going to be able to handle everything in my absence?”

  “Of course.”

  “I sure hope this doesn’t screw up my chances at the promotion.”

  “Don’t be silly. You’re the hardest-working associate here. Everyone knows you’re next in line for that job. And things here are going great. In fact, Margie gave us the afternoon off yesterday so everyone could get some holiday shopping done.”

  Joy felt a pang of guilt. It was in her span of control to do those types of things, but she wouldn’t have. There was always something that needed to be done in the office. Were her own priorities really that screwed up th
at she wouldn’t have considered an afternoon off for her team? She pushed the worry aside. “I don’t want to keep you, but I was thinking maybe you and the family could come down one weekend during the holidays. There’s a big festival the Saturday before Christmas, including this big glittery Crystal Christmas Cookie Crawl, where folks come from all around to tour the houses, see the decorations, and snack on cookies. And, of course, Aunt Ruby’s house is on it. Everyone is trying to outdo everyone else. I’ve got my work cut out for me.”

  “Christmas decorations? You’ll rock that with no problem.”

  “I hope so. It seems to be a pretty big deal around here, and I’m out of practice. Heck, I haven’t even put up a tree on my own before. Wish me luck,” Joy said, feeling the tension in her neck. Decorating sounded fun, and easy, but she was feeling quite overwhelmed by it all. “You know, you ought to come. Your kids would love all the lights. It’s not all that far, and I could use the support. I’d love it if you could come.”

  “Kevin would love it as much as the kids would. He hates that we live in a condo. I have to hear it every single year about how it’s a disservice not to be able to have a real tree in the building. I mean, like, really? Who cares? They are so full of ornaments, you can barely see the tree itself anyway.”

  “I know what you mean.” Although she really had never thought about it. A fake tree seemed to make much more sense from an investment perspective, and what a timesaver. Not that she’d bothered to put one up, real or otherwise, on her own … ever. “I’ll e-mail you the details, and drop tickets in the mail to you. It’s a fund-raiser, so it’s my treat and if you can’t come … it went to a good cause anyway. No pressure. There’s plenty of room. You could stay right here on the farm. It would be great to see you.”

  “Thanks, but I’ll see you before then. You’ll be back for the gala, right?”

  “Yeah, wouldn’t miss that.” Or would she? Getting someone to watch over things was a pretty big favor. Was there any chance Ruby would be back by the night of the gala? That was just eight days away. She glanced upstairs, thinking of the perfect dress hanging there. She’d think of something. “Yes. I’ll see you then.”