by Nancy Naigle
At close to midnight, Joy had baked all twelve dozen cookies, and cooled and packed them away. The kitchen was spotless and ready for production tomorrow.
She peeked in on Ruby, who seemed to be sleeping comfortably, so she turned off the Christmas tree lights and then climbed the stairs to go to bed. The tree at the top of the stairs made the tiny beads on her dress sparkle from across the hall. She turned off those tree lights and went to bed, wishing her happiness were as easy as turning those lights off and on.
The next morning Joy woke to the smell of cookies coming from the kitchen. She should’ve known Ruby wouldn’t take it easy. She turned over to get out of bed and was greeted with a joyous, “Surprise!”
“Molly?”
“Hi! Ruby invited me and Mom to help bake cookies.”
Joy grabbed Molly and tugged her onto the bed. “And you are the best cookie helper around,” she said as she tickled a squealing, wiggling Molly.
Breathless, Molly jumped off the bed. “Come on. You’re missing out.”
Joy got up and changed into a pair of jeans and T-shirt. With her hair pulled into a ponytail, she followed Molly downstairs. Ginny and Ruby were talking and working side by side at the kitchen table.
“Joy Holbrook reporting to duty, Mrs. Claus.”
Ruby playfully shook a finger at her. “About time. Thought Santa was going to have to put you on the naughty list for being a sleepyhead.”
Molly’s lips bunched. “We’re here. No naughty lists!”
“I’ll put in a good word for her if you say so,” Ruby whispered to Molly.
“Yes, please!”
And for two days, it was a well-paced bake-off in the Ruby Johnson house with Ruby, Joy, Ginny, and Molly working together.
On Friday night, all the cookies had been transferred into assorted trays that could be easily unwrapped and refreshed throughout the Crystal Christmas Cookie Crawl.
Molly tapped on Ruby’s elbow. “I’m going to wear my Christmas pageant dress tomorrow, Ruby. Would it be okay if I wear the pearls one more time?”
“Of course, dear. I’d love to see you in your official outfit. It’s a very special occasion.”
Molly turned and looked at Joy. “Are you going to wear your princess gown?”
“I’d love to see you both all dressed up,” Ruby said.
“Please?” Molly pressed her hands together into a praying position. “It’s so pretty.”
“She’s talking about the gown I bought for the gala,” she explained to Ruby and Ginny. “Tell you what, Molly. If we can get our picture taken together, I’ll wear it.”
Ginny smiled gently as her daughter jumped with excitement.
“Molly has talked about the green princess dress nonstop. We have to see it.”
“Can I go get it?” Molly asked. “Pleeeaaaase?”
“Go on.” Joy wondered if Molly would even be able to reach it, but just a moment later, Molly was standing in the doorway holding the gown draped over her two arms like she was afraid she might wrinkle or, worse, drop it.
“Beautiful,” Ginny said.
“Stunning. Hold it up,” Ruby ordered.
Joy took the dress from Molly and held the bodice up to her. It still made her feel elegant today just holding it up.
“You have to wear it. No question about it,” Ruby said.
Ginny said, “I agree. You have to. It’s as pretty as the decorations. What a treat.”
“Thank you.” That fancy gown was a little over the top for the Christmas lighting, but it would be fun to dress up one more time. It wasn’t like she got the chance to do that very often.
Molly jumped in excitement. “We’ll be the prettiest girls around.”
Chapter Thirty-two
On Saturday afternoon, by two o’clock, the entire farm was ready. Every decoration was in its precise place. The hot chocolate stand was stocked with volunteers scheduled to serve during the Crystal Christmas Cookie Crawl. The cookies were stacked high, ready to serve, and Joy was as excited as a kid on Christmas morning.
Shirley had already stopped by, and Joy was afraid for a moment she might have to revive the woman because she was so excited. She must’ve really been sweating it that Joy wouldn’t come through.
Joy helped Ruby get ready first. Getting her in and out of the shower wasn’t the easiest thing to maneuver, but they’d managed to do it. The outfit Ruby had bought to wear this year wasn’t going to work. The pants, even though they were wide-legged and flowing, wouldn’t fit over her boot. Instead, they’d found a pretty Christmas dress in the back of Ruby’s closet that would be perfect for the night’s event.
Showered and ready to get dressed, Joy twisted a wisp of hair that had escaped her braid into a soft spiral. She applied her makeup with a light hand. Nature’s Bounty was the theme of the decorations, and that should go for her too. Her gown was the color of the forest in the summer. It kind of worked.
She stood in her childhood bedroom, feeling more at peace than she ever had. She stepped into the dress and pulled up the zipper. I wish you were here with me today, Mom.
“But you are. Aren’t you?” she said to her reflection. “Please help me be the person you wanted me to be.”
She finished getting dressed and then picked up her phone to go downstairs. She paused, and placed her phone back on the nightstand. I don’t need my phone on a night like this.
She traversed the steps with a feeling of freedom from leaving the phone behind. Tonight it would be all about family and friends.
The doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it.” Joy stepped on the button for the tree lights as she walked by and then opened the door. “Renee?”
Renee and Kevin stood there. Between them, their daughters, who were pint-sized replicas of Renee, wore dresses in red and green.
“I can’t believe you’re really here.”
“You said we couldn’t miss it,” Kevin said.
The girls looked excited. Renee said, “We’ve had the best day. It was a beautiful day for a drive. Kevin surprised us with reservations at the inn in town. We got here about two hours ago.”
“And he packed all our pretty clothes,” one of Renee’s daughters explained.
“You look beautiful,” Joy said. “Come in!”
“Crystal Falls is amazing,” Renee said.
“It’s like Santa’s Village,” Cassie said. Hanna nodded in agreement. “It’s sparkly.”
Kevin looked so proud of his girls. “We’ve got tickets for the whole thing, but we wanted to see you first. We’ll stop by here at the end of the night.”
“Perfect. I’m so glad to see you.”
Cassie and Hanna stood in front of the tree in the living room. “It’s the Twelve Days of Christmas, Mom.”
“These are beautiful,” Renee said about the handmade ornaments. “I’ve never seen anything like them.”
“They were a gift to my mother a long time ago.”
Ruby came into the room.
“This is my best friend, Renee,” Joy said to her aunt. “And her family. Kevin, Cassie, and Hanna.”
“You’ve come to Crystal Falls at the right time. Everyone looks forward to this event.”
“We’re so glad you told us about this.”
Joy watched the happy family jog back out to their SUV. She’d never seen Renee in total mom mode. They made a beautiful family. Joy was surprised that she felt a little twinge of jealousy.
It wasn’t long before guests lined the entire walkway up to Ruby’s house. It was official: the Crystal Christmas Cookie Crawl had begun. The first group was always reserved for VIP ticket holders and sponsor families.
Joy’s nerves were as tight as the lights strung across the fence line as she stood at her place in the dining room. Ruby was happy, and although that was her goal, she also knew how important this was to her best friend, Shirley. Suddenly that mattered to Joy too.
Next to Joy, Molly held Ginny’s hand as they stood at the chocolate co
okie station. Joy had decided to move all the decorated and fun-shaped cookies out to the barn with the hot chocolate, and the more decadent chocolate treats in here for casual adult conversation near the trees.
Someone raised a handheld set of jingle bells overhead and shook them. It sounded a lot like Joy imagined Santa’s reindeer would sound as they flew in for a landing on the roof. Kids bounced with excitement, couples hung close, and families bunched together.
As Joy stood near the window, she heard remarks from the people waiting outside.
“The bright red door has never looked prettier.”
“Look how the trio of wreaths glisten under the porch lights.”
“Are those white pinecones and peacock feathers? So pretty.”
Ruby swung open the front door, welcoming the crowd into her home.
Buckets of pinecones and cinnamon graced each side of the front door, adding a “scent-sation” as visitors entered.
* * *
Ben pulled off his tie, threw it in the glovebox, and unbuttoned his top button. Why the heck was he so worried about how he looked tonight? He wasn’t that kind of guy, but maybe it was less about how he looked and more about stalling.
He’d been in a push-and-pull all day with himself about seeing Joy tonight. The joke would be on him if he spent all this time freaking out and when he got there, she’d already hauled her little eco-friendly car back to the big city. He drove over to the train depot, where the Crystal Christmas Cookie Crawl would kick off. Most of the people would start at this spot on the route. It’s where all the booklets were distributed and shuttle buses made the route for those not in good enough shape to enjoy the festivities on foot. Ruby’s place was the farthest out. Most people would use the bus or one of the tractor-driven hayrides between the depot and Ruby’s house tonight.
His grandmother was zipping around like someone had wound her up, giving last-minute orders and placing final touches on the snack table that the women’s club had put together for this stop.
“Ben. You are a lifesaver.” Shirley left a big lipstick kiss on his cheek.
Ben looked suspicious. “What do you need?”
“Not a thing. I went over to Ruby’s this afternoon. You saved me. The place looks better than it ever has before. You’ve outdone yourself.”
“I helped, but most of the credit goes to Joy. The theme, the plan … that was all Joy.”
Shirley looked surprised.
“Really,” Ben said. “She ran this project. Came up with the theme. Had a very specific project plan for the whole thing. I was just the muscle.”
“Even the live nativity?” Shirley asked.
“Even that. I helped with the people, and we used the costumes we had in storage at the hospital, but that was entirely her idea.”
Shirley’s expression grew openly amused. “I may have misjudged her.”
You and me both.
He watched as his grandmother kicked off the annual event. It was the highlight of her year, and she took it very seriously. Once the first three sets of visitors made their way down the tour path, lit by garland-strung sawhorses and red and green flashing lights, Ben decided he’d pay his visit to Ruby and get it over with.
When he got there, people were already lined up down the sidewalk.
A huge sheet had been hung on the side of the barn to form a makeshift projection screen, and the elementary school performances of Christmas songs were playing on a loop, bigger than life-size. Parents stood in awe, and kids pointed at their friends. What a great idea. Joy had really outdone herself on that one.
He walked inside, falling into step with the others, seeing the decorations through their eyes, and trying to forget some of his interactions with Joy. Some of them good, some not so much. At the very top of the tree in the living room that was supposed to hold only the Twelve Days of Christmas ornaments, something caught his eye.
The tree told a story. And only one thing was different. At the very top, the ornament he’d made for Joy hung from the highest limb. A place of honor. His heart pulsed.
When he turned around, Joy stood nearby in the dining room, next to Molly. Joy was dressed in the fancy green gown, and his heart forgot every doubt he’d had about her as he watched her standing next to Molly, looking so beautiful. Joy’s hair hung in a soft side braid. He longed to touch it, and Molly’s hair was styled the same way, only there was tinsel woven in the little girl’s braid.
Joy moved with ease through the room, talking to neighbors and laughing. She was even prettier when she was relaxed. This woman, the one he could see his whole life with, would be gone soon. And there wasn’t anything he could do about that.
“My Handy Andy!”
Ben turned and met Ruby’s bright lipsticked smile. Her arms were raised above her head. “Gimme a hug, sugar. You always come through for me.”
“You didn’t need me. Joy had everything under control.”
“I know it was a team effort. And as beautiful as everything looks, I’ll tell you what makes me even happier tonight.”
“What’s that?”
“Seeing my niece take joy in something—and maybe someone—aside from work.”
Someone? Had Todd worked his way back into the picture over the last two days? Do I even want to know? “I love what she did with the videos from the school pageant.”
Ruby’s head cocked to one side. “I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about.”
“I can’t believe she hasn’t shown you yet.” Ben led Ruby outside, holding her at the elbow to steady her gait, but she was getting around well.
“Ben?”
Ruby and Ben turned around. Joy stood there, looking beautiful and nervous.
“Hi. I was just showing Ruby the pièce de résistance—the videos of the elementary school pageant.”
Joy gestured toward the barn. “It was so much fun. I taped Molly’s performance so you and Ginny could see it, then I had the idea of using it here so there’d be live caroling.”
“Bravo!” Ruby raised her hands in the air. “I love it. The whole town will love it!”
“I hope they’ll sing along.”
Ruby took Joy’s hand. “Well, let’s get them started. Shall we?”
Thank goodness he knew all the words to this one. “Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul.”
And when he turned to look at Joy, she was staring at him.
“You’ve made me so happy these last days,” she said. “When I left, Ben, I missed you.”
He took her hand into his and joined back in with the carol.
Words weren’t necessary.
And before they knew it, the crowd was joining in.
Chapter Thirty-three
Renee came up to Joy and pulled her aside. “Did you get that text?”
Joy patted her hip, not that she ever kept her phone there, but it was always nearby … except for tonight. “What text? My phone is upstairs. Why?”
“I hate to spoil a perfect night, but our friends at MacDonald-Webber have decided that we need to start kickoff meetings next week. Monday and Tuesday before Christmas and then follow up all day Monday and Tuesday before New Year’s.”
“What? But most everyone is scheduled out.”
“Not anymore.”
“But…” She’d probably have been the one suggesting that schedule in the past, but this year she wanted to spend time with Ruby. Maybe even through the entire holiday. She wasn’t even sure what she felt. Angry? Disappointed? Conflicted?
“We lost the Wetherton’s account,” Renee said. “I think they’re freaking out a little.”
“Really? I hadn’t heard about the Wetherton’s account.” Joy’s thoughts went to what Poppy had said the night of the gala. She was relieved that the loss of the contract was not a reflection of her work on it, but who knew how MacDonald-Webber would see it? She wondered how this might impact her promotion. Clearly there’d be a shift in responsibilities, without Wetherton’s filling a good porti
on of her plate.
“I can’t believe they’re going to make you work. That’s ridiculous. Like things couldn’t wait one more week?”
“I’m sure they have their reasons.” She’d have agreed with them just a few weeks ago.
Renee squeezed Joy’s hand. “When I saw that text, I thought you might be upset. I’ve got to run. Kevin is going to take us around to the other houses. I’ll see you at the end of the night, okay?”
“Sure,” Joy said, her smile fading. She walked around through the barn and stepped outside through the back sliding doors to the pasture. The darkest part of the yard.
She was happy here. Happy to be with Ruby. Enjoying the small-town camaraderie. Things were changing for her. Molly and Ben had profoundly changed who she was, or who she thought she was.
What do you think about all of this, Mom?
Joy closed her hand as if she were holding Mom’s again. She closed her eyes. Help me be the person you always wanted me to be, Mom. Let me bring joy to others. I want a richer life—full of family, community, and maybe even love—things that money can’t buy. I just want to matter to someone. I want to find my one true love like Ruby did with Uncle George. The other half that completes me.
Suddenly Joy heard Ben’s voice. “I have something to say.”
She opened her eyes and turned to him. “Oh, Ben. No. You don’t—”
He placed a finger on her lips. “Stop arguing with me.”
She closed her mouth, the corners of her lips turning slightly upward. “Sorry.”
“You matter to me. Spending time with you isn’t easy at all sometimes, but it holds my attention. And I like it. I like you. A lot.”
She tilted her head, taking in the many facets of this handsome man in front of her. He certainly was handy, great with numbers, and thoughtful. Who knew you really could get all those things in one package?
His smile was gentle. “I’m going to miss you when you go back to the city for that big promotion.”
She ran her hands down her gown. “I’m not.”
“Not what? Not getting the promotion? I thought it was kind of a sure thing.”