Welcome to Serenity

by Sherryl Woods

  “Good luck,” Maddie called after her. “And no matter what happens, remember that you have people all around you here who love you and consider you family.”

  “Thanks,” she said, her eyes misty. Knowing that Maddie had been one hundred percent sincere was enough to give her the courage to reach out. If it were any other occasion, the risk would be minimal, but Christmas had a lot of pitfalls. Maybe, finally, they’d be ready to let go of the heartache that had been associated with the holiday for too long now.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  With Maddie’s support still echoing in her head, Jeanette picked up the phone in her office and called her parents. As always, her mother sounded surprised to hear her voice.

  “Jeanette,” her mother said. “Is that you?”

  “It’s me, Mom.”

  “Is anything wrong?”

  “No, everything’s fine. How’s Dad?”

  “He’s getting better every day. That medicine has made all the difference in the world. He’s like a new man.” She paused. “No, I take that back. He’s like the man I married.”

  “I’m really glad, Mom. What about you? Are you getting back into your routine?” The last time they’d spoken, her mother had mentioned that she intended to become more active in the women’s group at her church, something she’d given up when Jeanette’s dad was injured. Jeanette had thought that her desire to reach out to the friends who’d once been so important to her was proof that things were finally improving at home.

  “I went to the Wednesday meeting at church last week,” she told Jeanette.

  “And how was it to be back?”

  “It was wonderful to catch up with everyone. We never had time when I saw them at services. I swear, even though I’ve only missed the meetings for a couple of months, half of them have grandbabies I didn’t know about. We talked so much, we didn’t get a bit of business accomplished. I’m baking a chocolate cake with caramel frosting for the coffee hour after services on Sunday. Everyone kept telling me how much they’d missed it.”

  “That’s wonderful, Mom. You sound good.”

  “I am good, better than I’ve been in a very long while. Now tell me about you,” her mother said. “How’s that young man of yours?”

  “Tom’s good.”

  “And work’s going well?”

  “It is. We had a holiday party at the spa the other night. I planned the whole thing and it was packed. Now I’m planning my own open house for Christmas Eve. That’s why I called you, actually. I’d like you and Dad to come to Serenity for Christmas. Now that I have the house, I have a guest room. You could stay for a couple of days and meet all my friends.”

  The silence that greeted the invitation wasn’t a surprise, but it hurt just the same.

  “You know we don’t celebrate the holidays,” her mother finally said. “Not since your brother died.”

  Determined not to be deterred by the old argument, Jeanette pressed her. “That was years ago, Mom. I miss him, too, but he wouldn’t want us to be like this. Ben loved the holidays. We should celebrate as a family. You won’t have to lift a finger to help with the open house here. It’s all under control. And friends have invited us for Christmas dinner, so there’s no worry about cooking, either. I’d just like you and Dad to meet the people who are important to me. Please. And Tom will be here. You already know him. I’d really like us to have a family Christmas again.”

  Her mother’s hesitation seemed endless. “Well, I suppose I could ask your father. Don’t count on it, though.”

  “Tell him it would mean the world to me,” Jeanette said, praying that enough time had passed that hearing that would be enough for him. Perhaps, with a little holiday spirit on her side, she could reclaim her rightful place in her family and together they could finally move on.

  “I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?” she told her mother. “Talk to Dad tonight and we can discuss it again tomorrow.”

  “It’s really that important to you?” her mother asked.

  “It really is. I’m happy here, Mom. I have great friends. Serenity is a wonderful town. And it’s all decorated for Christmas right now, so it’s looking its very best. The spa is amazing and we’ve even made it look festive, too. And my house is cozy and warm. I learned how to make it that way from you. I want to share all this with both of you. I want you to be a part of my life again.”

  “Then I’ll do my best to persuade your father,” her mother promised.

  Jeanette breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Mom. Love you.”

  “We love you, too,” her mother responded. “I know it hasn’t always seemed that way, but we do.”

  Having her mother say the words aloud was a better present than Jeanette had ever expected. Even if her parents turned down the invitation for this year, those words were enough to make her keep reaching out. Maybe, at long last, she’d reclaim the family she’d thought for so long was lost to her.

  * * *

  Tom was actually starting to warm up to the whole concept of the holidays. He was pretty sure it was Jeanette’s enthusiasm rubbing off on him. Or maybe it was because everyone in town seemed to have the holiday spirit. He’d even caught himself pausing in the town square before walking home to admire the tree and enjoy the sound of carols, which were now blasting from loudspeakers set up at Ronnie’s store.

  He was about to leave his office when Teresa stuck her head in, her expression disapproving, and announced that he had a visitor. “He doesn’t have an appointment, but he says it’s important. Shall I tell him to call first and schedule a better time?” She sounded as if she really wanted to do exactly that. She did not like disruptions to her routine any more than Tom usually did. Today, however, he was in such a good mood, he saw little reason to be difficult just for the sake of his schedule. He could spare a few minutes.

  “No, it’s okay. Send him in. Did he give you a name?”

  “Dwight Mitchell.”

  Tom wished he hadn’t acted so hastily. Dwight Mitchell was the last person he wanted to see. Still, he plastered a formal smile on his face and held out his hand when the high-powered attorney from Charleston walked into his office.

  “What brings you all the way to Serenity?” Tom asked, gesturing toward a chair.

  “You, of course. I thought we should talk again after that abbreviated conversation we had with your father.”

  Tom frowned. “I certainly appreciate you taking the time to come here, but I think I made my position clear. I have no interest in practicing law.”

  Dwight grinned. “You made that clear. Have to say it was good to see your father flustered for once. I didn’t think that was possible.”

  “If you understand I’m not interested in practicing law in Charleston or anywhere else, then why are you here?”

  “Actually I’m head of the search team for a new financial person in Charleston. I know you held that position in another town not long ago. Now, as town manager here, you have even more experience in all aspects of government. After listening to how committed you are to this kind of work, I think you’re exactly the kind of man we’ve been looking for. I thought I should check with you, though, see how you’d feel about me tossing your hat in the ring for the job. Are you interested?”

  For once Tom didn’t have to feign his enthusiasm. To have an opportunity like this drop into his lap was amazing. An image of Jeanette’s likely reaction gave him pause, but he couldn’t deny that he was interested. Surely it made sense to at least explore the opportunity. That was reasonable, wasn’t it? He fought off the sensation that Jeanette wouldn’t see it the same way and met Dwight’s gaze. “I’m interested,” he said.

  “Glad to hear it.”

  “It’s exactly the kind of move I’d been hoping to make eventually.”

  “Well, sooner’s better
than later, don’t you think? This strikes me as a nice little town, but all the real action is in a city.”

  That was precisely what Tom had always thought. Of course, just because Dwight Mitchell was here to test the waters didn’t mean he’d get the job. Still, he owed it to himself—and to Jeanette and their future—to explore the possibility of moving into a position that could really take him one more rung up the ladder to the kind of job he eventually wanted as manager of a major city. He winced as he realized he was trying to mentally justify moving forward on something that was bound to upset her.

  “Tell me something, though,” he said, suddenly struck by a thought. “Does my father have anything to do with this?”

  “Not a thing,” Dwight assured him. “I doubt he even knows I’m on the search committee. We’ve been pretty low-key up till now. John Davis isn’t leaving the job until February, so we have a little time to get all the right candidates lined up. You’d be at the top of my list.”

  “I appreciate that,” Tom said. “And, yes, I’d definitely like to be considered.”

  “Then we’ll schedule an interview. What about day after tomorrow? Can you get over to Charleston? I realize that this time of year schedules are crazy, but I don’t want to wait until after the holidays.”

  Tom glanced at his calendar and saw that was the day that Jeanette’s parents would be arriving, and only two days before Christmas. She’d asked him to join them for dinner, but he could probably make it back in time for that.

  “What time?” he asked.

  “Let’s say two o’clock,” Dwight said. “You’ll be the first person we’ve talked with, so if you make the kind of impression I’m expecting you to, we can wrap this up right then and there. That would give you time to give people here plenty of notice that you’re leaving.”

  Two o’clock would be cutting it close, but Tom figured the interview wouldn’t last more than an hour, two at the outside. That would still give him enough time to make it back for dinner. If things went well, he could sit down with Jeanette afterward and fill her in. They could make the final decision together. No need to worry her before that.

  “I’ll be there,” he told Dwight. “And thanks again for thinking of me.”

  As soon as he’d walked Dwight to his car, he considered calling Jeanette and discussing the potential job right then, but something held him back. Perhaps it was the hundred percent certainty that she wasn’t going to be nearly as happy about this as he was. She was all caught up in her plans for her open house. Why bring her down when there was a chance this would come to nothing?

  Poor excuse, and he knew it. But the truth was he needed time, time to come up with an overwhelmingly sound argument to convince her that his getting this job was all good for both of them.

  He sighed. He was lying to himself. She was going to be mad as hell, and also hurt that he hadn’t discussed it with her immediately.

  Oh, come on, the cowardly side of him countered. He wasn’t talking about postponing the conversation indefinitely. It was a couple of days. He’d have all the facts then. And maybe by then his powers of persuasion would kick into high gear and he’d find all the words he needed to win her over.

  * * *

  Jeanette was a nervous wreck as she watched out the window for the arrival of her parents. That they’d agreed to come was as much of a Christmas miracle as she’d dared to hope for. That she couldn’t share this moment with Tom was a disappointment, but it only cast a slight pall over her anticipation. He would be here later for dinner, for the open house tomorrow night and for Christmas dinner at Sullivan’s.

  She glanced around her house one more time to reassure herself that there wasn’t a speck of dust on anything, that every light on the tree was sparkling brightly, that the stray cat she’d taken in a few days ago hadn’t knocked any more ornaments to the floor. The orange tabby—she’d named him Marmalade—glanced up at her as if to reproach her for even thinking he’d do something so uncivilized. In fact, his meow radiated indignation.

  “Okay, okay, you’re on your best behavior,” Jeanette said. “I’m just nervous.”

  This time the meow was more sympathetic. Limping on his injured paw, the cat rubbed up against Jeanette, then gave her hand a scratchy lick. After that, Marmalade settled down on the bright green Christmas pillow on the sofa as if it had been meant for him. His contented purr made Jeanette smile. For years she’d wanted a pet, but her lifestyle hadn’t permitted it. Marmalade’s arrival a few days before Christmas seemed like yet another sign that her life was coming together exactly as she’d always wanted it to.

  Still anxious, she went into the kitchen to check on the coffee she was brewing for her dad and the kettle she’d filled with water to make tea for herself and her mom. She filled a plate with Christmas cookies she’d baked using her mother’s favorite recipe. Though she’d done most of her baking a few days ago, she’d made one last batch this morning just to fill the house with the scent of warm cookies.

  Back in the living room, she peered out the window just in time to see her parents turn into the driveway. Opening the door, she ran out to greet them.

  “Mom, Dad, I’m so glad you came,” she said, hugging them both. “Let’s get your things inside so you can rest a bit.”

  Her father shook his head. “We haven’t been traveling for days, you know. It’s only a two-hour drive, at least the way your mother insisted we go. Could have made it in ninety minutes if we’d taken the interstate.” Even as he spoke, though, he gave her mom’s hand an affectionate squeeze.

  “I’m surprised you let Mom get behind the wheel,” Jeanette said.

  “My leg’s still bothering me some,” he admitted. “I’m starting to like being chauffeured around.”

  “Well, don’t get too used to it, old man,” her mother teased. “The service ends as soon as you get back on your feet a hundred percent.”

  “Seems like a good incentive to take my time,” he said, chuckling.

  Jeanette listened to the exchange with amazement. It sounded exactly like the kind of cheerful banter that had gone on in their house years ago. It was wonderful to see.

  Inside, they made a fuss over the house, even the navy blue guest room.

  “Now, this is the kind of room a man can feel comfortable in,” her father said. “Doesn’t have all that frilly stuff your mama likes.”

  “Tom picked the color,” Jeanette admitted. “I had my doubts, but it does look good.”

  Her father eyed her curiously. “Just how serious is this thing between you two? If you’re letting him decide on paint colors in your house, it sounds as if he’s fairly important. Do I need to ask his intentions?”

  “Heavens, no!” Jeanette said. “But things are good between us right now. He’ll be here later for dinner. I’m glad you’re going to get to spend some time with him.”

  She showed them where they could find extra towels, then left them to unpack. “Come on into the kitchen whenever you’re ready. I have tea, coffee and cookies.”

  “Your mama’s sugar cookies, smells like,” her dad said.

  “That’s right.”

  Her mother gave him a resigned look. “I imagine that means I’ll be unpacking on my own. Your daddy never could resist my sugar cookies, especially when they’re fresh out of the oven.”

  He chuckled again. “I’ll be with Jeanette in the kitchen if you need me.”

  As soon as they were alone and Jeanette had poured his coffee, she met his gaze. “Dad, I can’t tell you how glad I am that you came.”

  “We should have done this a long time ago,” he said, regarding her with real regret. “We’ve let too much time pass without taking an interest in your life.”

  She pressed a kiss to his cheek. “You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”

  He took a bite of a cookie
, then smiled. “You might have gotten your brains from me, but you got your mama’s knack for baking.”

  Jeanette laughed. “Don’t let her hear you say that. She’s every bit as smart as you.”

  “So she is,” he agreed, sobering. “And I thank my lucky stars every day that she’s stuck by me all these years. It can’t have been easy for her, or for you.”

  “We both love you,” Jeanette told him simply.

  And in the end, that was all that mattered.

  * * *

  At six o’clock, when Jeanette took the roast out of the oven, there was still no sign of Tom. Nor had he called. She was torn between worry and exasperation. Trying not to let on just how upset she was, she put the rest of the meal on the table and plastered a bright smile on her face.

  “I think we should go ahead and eat,” she told her parents. “Tom’s obviously been held up.”

  “We can wait a while longer if you want to,” her mother said, studying her worriedly.

  “No,” Jeanette said more sharply than she’d intended. “The food will be ruined if we wait.”

  Her mother gave her a sympathetic look. “Sweetie, nothing’s going to be ruined. The roast will be okay for a little while in the oven, if you set it on warm. Everything else can be heated up in the microwave.”

  “No,” Jeanette said stubbornly. “He knew what time we were eating. He should be here.”

  “You could call him,” her mother suggested. “He has a cell phone, doesn’t he?”

  Jeanette debated with herself about calling, then decided it was ridiculous not to. She started with his office, even though it was past closing time. Even so, Teresa answered.

  “Teresa, it’s Jeanette. I’m looking for Tom. Is he still there?”

  “He hasn’t been here all afternoon,” Teresa told her. “He had some kind of meeting over in Charleston.”

  “Charleston?” Jeanette echoed, letting her shock show.

  “He didn’t tell you?”