Christmas Blessings

by Katherine Spencer

  “Very good. I’ll help you get in there. Jean can come back later and pick you up.”

  “You go with Vera, Mom. I’ll leave the ornaments in the meeting room for you.”

  “All right. Be careful with them,” her mother said. “I’ll see you later.”

  Jean went out to the car to retrieve the boxes. As she opened the hatch of her SUV, she noticed two children, a girl and a boy, run over to the car next hers.

  “Don’t run in a parking lot,” their mother called out to them. “You know it’s not safe. Wait in the car for me.”

  Jean heard the car beep and the doors unlock. The children pulled the doors open and climbed in the back seat.

  Jean had turned at the sound of the woman’s voice and saw that it was Laurel Milner. She looked straight at Jean, and Jean saw a flash of recognition. There was no hiding today from Kevin’s old girlfriend.

  “Laurel, how nice to see you,” Jean said with a smile.

  “Good to see you, too, Jean. I saw you in church this morning with your mother, but I was too far away to say hello. Are you in town visiting her?”

  “I moved back here just before Thanksgiving. She’s not well. I came back to take care of her,” Jean explained. “But at least she can still get out and see old friends. That seems to have given her spirits a boost. How about you? I thought you lived in North Carolina.”

  “I did. But I just got divorced and moved back to be near my family. We’ve been living with my parents, but I’m starting a new job at Southport Hospital this week. We’ll find our own place around here soon.”

  “Congratulations. What will you do there?”

  “I’m an RN. I specialize in maternity care.”

  “That must be fun, working with new mothers and newborn babies.”

  Laurel smiled. “It is. Most of the time.”

  So Laurel had not only gone to college but turned out to be an accomplished health-care professional. Her mother had been wrong with that prediction.

  “I see you have children of your own. They’re very cute. How old are they?”

  “Avery is seven and Timmy is five. They can be a handful, but it’s good to have my parents around. They’ve been a big help so far.”

  “Sounds like you made a good choice moving back here,” Jean said.

  “I think I did. How’s your brother doing? Last I heard he was living in California.”

  Jean knew she wouldn’t escape this meeting without some mention of Kevin, but it felt awkward nonetheless, even after all this time.

  “Yes, he’s still in California. He works at the same insurance company he joined right after law school. He was married for a few years, but he’s divorced now.”

  “Oh . . . well, sometimes that can be for the best,” Laurel said. “Please tell him I said hello and wish him well.”

  “I will. It was nice to catch up with you, Laurel. I hope to see you around town again soon.”

  “Same here, Jean. Say hello to your mom for me, too.”

  Jean thought that was good of her, considering the role her mother had played in Laurel and Kevin’s breakup. Jean watched as Laurel got into her car and drove away.

  Laurel Milner . . . After all these years, she seemed the same, still soft-spoken and kind. Still very pretty, too. Jean could understand why her brother had loved Laurel. And why he might love her still.

  Jean brought the tree ornaments into the church and set them on the table at the back of Fellowship Hall. The meeting had started and Emily Warwick was up front, speaking to the group, but she caught her mother’s eye. Her mother looked pleased to see the delivery and nodded, then turned back to listen to Emily.

  Jean was happy to see her mother so involved, even though she couldn’t work at the fair. Taking part meant a lot to her. Jean left the quiet church and started walking across the village green. Her mother’s meeting would take about two hours, and she decided to have lunch at the Clam Box. Then maybe stroll Main Street and browse for Christmas gifts, though she didn’t have many to buy this year.

  The long slope of the green was filled with children on sleds and toboggans. Jean could remember sledding there herself, as a girl with her father and brother. She stopped to watch for a moment, excited children launching themselves from the top of the hill and parents at the bottom, waiting as sleds in all shapes and colors came flying by.

  She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to find Grant smiling down at her. “Enjoying the show?”

  “I am,” she admitted. “How about you? Have you been taking photos of the kids?”

  That seemed obvious from the camera that hung around his neck. “I got some good shots. I’ve been experimenting with different angles. I found this old sled at Vera’s. I’d really like a shot going down alongside them.”

  Jean laughed. “I guess that explains the clumps of snow in your hair?”

  He laughed and touched his hair. There was a bit of snow, and her hand ached to reach out and brush it away, but she resisted the urge.

  “The experiment has not been entirely successful. Yet.”

  “Too hard to steer the sled and take the photo at the same time?”

  “Exactly. I can’t quite work it out . . . but maybe you could help me?”

  “Go down on the sled with you?” She thought he must be teasing.

  “Why not? It’s big enough and very sturdy. It can definitely hold us.”

  Jean eyed the old wooden sled. It was a big sled with metal runners and long enough for both of them to fit. But she still didn’t want to. “I couldn’t. Really.”

  “Of course you can. You’re not afraid, are you? Look at those little kids. If they can do it, we can.”

  “Are you going to take photos on the way down?”

  “This first run is just for fun.” He was using a small camera today that she had never seen. He slipped it into his parka pocket and grabbed her hand, the other hand tugging along the heavy old sled.

  “Come on, Jean. Let’s show those little squirts how it’s done.”

  His competitive spirit with the elementary school set made her laugh. And she liked the feeling of her hand in his as they marched to the top of the hill.

  Grant parked the sled at the edge of the hill, away from the high traffic. He sat on the front of the sled and grabbed the rope attached to the steering piece. “Come on. Sit down. There’s plenty of room.”

  Jean could not believe she had been talked into this stunt, but she sat down behind him, balancing her feet on the edge of the sled.

  “Ready?” he shouted. She could feel him slip the sled around so it was pointing straight down.

  “No, not yet!” she shouted back. “There’s no place to hold on.”

  She tried to grip the edges of the sled, but her gloved hands kept sliding off.

  “Hold on to me, silly. Or you’ll fall right off.”

  “All right.” She’d thought of that . . . and had felt too shy. But if he insisted. She rested her hands at his sides, lightly holding on to his jacket.

  “Ready, set . . . go!” Grant pushed off with his booted feet, and they were suddenly flying down the slick hill.

  Jean pressed herself to Grant’s back and circled his waist with both arms, holding on for dear life.

  She heard someone screaming—and realized it was her.

  The world flew by in a white blur, and as quickly as it had started, it was over. The sled slowed, hitting a few bumps at the bottom of the hill, then glided to a stop.

  Jean felt breathless and shocked. “Wow! That was really something.”

  “Glad you enjoyed it.” He grinned at her. “Even though my ears will be ringing for a week. You have a loud voice when you put your mind to it.” He jumped up and extended his hand. Jean took hold and jumped up, too. “I never would have guessed you could scream so loud.”

&n
bsp; “Sorry about that. You should hear me on a roller coaster.”

  Grant laughed. “Remind me to sit in a different seat when the time comes.” He kept hold of her hand, and she walked beside him as they headed uphill again with the sled. “Now you’re going to steer, and I’ll sit in back and take some photos.”

  “Go down again? With me steering?” Jean wanted to help him, but she didn’t really like that idea.

  “That’s the plan. If I get any good photos out of this stunt, I’ll give you half credit. How does that sound?”

  “Generous . . . though I may not live to share the glory.”

  He turned and met her gaze. His smile warmed her down to her toes. “Trust me, Jean. This is going to be even more fun.”

  The funny thing was she did trust him. Despite every good reason she had not to.

  They climbed on the sled again. Jean felt very vulnerable in front, with nothing between her and the icy slope but thin air. Grant showed her how to hold the rope and steer, and how to point the sled forward when it was time to launch. Then he climbed on the back and took out his camera. “Ready?”

  “I guess so.” Her voice came out in a squeak.

  He pushed off with his feet again and gravity took over. Jean heard herself screaming even louder this time. She felt one of Grant’s strong arms wrapped around her waist and heard the clicking of the camera shutter. “Great . . . this is great, Jean.”

  Jean couldn’t answer. The bottom of the hill was coming up fast. She pulled to the right, steering the sled toward an empty landing spot. But she yanked on the rope too hard and realized her mistake too late. Seconds later, the sled flipped up on one side. She and Grant slipped off the other, landing in a tangle under a big pine tree.

  Grant was laughing at the crash, but she also heard him sputtering out a mouthful of snow. She had landed on her side and sunk into a drift. She felt stuck a moment and finally turned over, finding herself face-to-face with him.

  “Sorry. I must have pulled the rope too hard.”

  He smiled into her eyes and brushed snow off her face with his hand. “No need to apologize. This is part of the fun, Jean. I think so, anyway.”

  Then he kissed her, his warm mouth a sudden contrast to the icy snow. Jean lifted her hand and touched his hair. Her head was swimming—from the ride and Grant’s touch. She wasn’t sure if she was freezing or melting, and didn’t really care.

  He pulled his head away and whispered. “We’d better get up. Before we get run over.”

  Jean laughed. “Good point.”

  They were actually far from the crowd and the busy lanes of sleigh riders, but it was still a possibility. Grant took her hand and pulled her up from the snow again. They left the sled near his truck and headed to the Clam Box to warm up.

  The diner was very busy, but they were soon shown to a table near the window. Jean looked over the menu. It hadn’t changed in all the years she had lived in the town—or since she had been away.

  “What’s good here?” Grant asked.

  “Not too much, as I recall. Charlie Bates is still the cook,” Jean replied with a smile. “The chowder isn’t bad. We know it will be hot.”

  Grant closed his menu. “I’m sold.”

  After a waitress came by and took their order, Jean excused herself to check her cell phone. “My mother is in a meeting at church. I just want to see if she needs me to pick her up early.”

  She didn’t find a message from her mother, but she did find one from Kevin, a reply to the e-mail she had sent after their last phone call. He had taken a long time to answer. For a moment, she thought maybe that was a good sign and meant he might be changing his mind. Her heart sank when she read his message. He knew she was disappointed, but he couldn’t shake free of his commitments and come home for Christmas. He had tried again to work it out, but he couldn’t change his plans. Her eyes skimmed his last paragraph.

  I appreciate that you’re taking such good care of Mom. Heaven knows, she doesn’t really deserve that sort of attention from you. I understand that she’s failing and I promise, I will come East soon. Take care of yourself and don’t overdo it.

  Jean nearly laughed at the sign-off. “Don’t overdo it?” she muttered. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Across the table, Grant gave her a curious look. “Bad news?”

  Jean sighed and put the phone away. “Not exactly. And not a surprise either. I was trying to persuade my brother to come home for Christmas. He lives in California and rarely makes it back here for a visit, though my mother dotes on him. She’s sure the sun rises and sets on her son, Kevin.” Jean couldn’t help it. She rolled her eyes as she explained the family dynamic.

  Grant nodded and popped an oyster cracker in his chowder. “I get it. Meanwhile, you’re right under her nose, working day and night to keep her comfortable, and she hardly has a kind word.”

  His observations were accurate but his delivery a bit blunt, Jean thought. “I know what it looks like. But there’s more to it. This is a choice I’ve made,” she explained. “The truth is that until now, I kept my distance, too, in my own way—though I was living in Maine, not quite so far as Kevin. But this is my mother’s last Christmas. There’s really no doubt of that. Her doctor is surprised she’s lasted this long.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Grant said. “I know she’s got her health challenges, but she always seems so feisty. I never realized that the situation is so dire.”

  “She puts on a good act for visitors. And I will say, when I first arrived, she seemed in very low spirits. But she’s definitely livened up the last two weeks, going back to church and helping with the fair. Taking up her painting again.”

  “You’ve helped her a lot, Jean. Maybe the doctors are wrong. Maybe she’ll live longer, since you’re taking care of her.”

  “I wish that were true,” Jean said honestly. “But there are indisputable signs that her heart is getting weaker. The congestion is increasing and her organs are shutting down.”

  “I’m sorry . . . Isn’t there anything they can do?”

  Jean shook her head. “Nothing short of a heart transplant would help, and her body is so worn and fragile, she would never survive the surgery.”

  “No wonder you want your brother to visit. Doesn’t he get it?”

  She shrugged. “I’ve tried to explain it to him. I don’t know what else to do.”

  Grant reached over and took her hand. “It sounds to me like you’ve done all you can. The ball is in his court. You can’t feel guilty if he doesn’t face up to his responsibility.”

  Jean met his gaze. She appreciated the way he listened to her, hearing her out and not interrupting with a lot of advice. It felt good to have someone in her corner who understood.

  But she still felt bad about Kevin’s decision. She felt there must be something more she could do. She just wasn’t sure what it was.

  • • •

  After lunch, Grant walked her back across the green to the church. “It’s a beautiful old building,” he said, taking in the church from a distance. “I love those gray stones. I should take some pictures of it. I’d like to take a look around inside sometime, too.”

  “You’ve already met Reverend Ben. I’m sure he’d give you a tour sometime—or wouldn’t mind if you wanted to explore on your own. There are some stunning stained glass windows in the sanctuary. And a huge, old pipe organ. I bet it’s very photogenic.”

  “I bet it is. I’ll have to check it out sometime soon.”

  Why soon? Jean wondered. Did that meant he was leaving town soon? Despite the wonderful afternoon they had spent together, her mother’s harsh words rang in her head. He’ll up and leave without a word to anyone, she had predicted. Jean didn’t want to believe that. She pushed the thought away and focused on Grant’s conversation again.

  “My family didn’t belong to a chur
ch when I was growing up,” he said. “But my wife attended regularly. I didn’t go with her either.”

  He had been married? That was news. “You’ve never mentioned that you were married,” she said.

  “I was. Happily, too. My wife passed away. Almost ten years ago now.”

  Jean felt sorry for asking. She could see it was still hard for him to talk about. “I’m sorry for your loss. That’s very sad.”

  “Yes, it was. She was young. Too young.”

  Jean felt uncomfortable asking more questions. “You must miss her,” she said.

  “It was very hard at first. I was very angry. That’s when my entire life changed. For the better, I’d say, now. But it was a difficult, confusing time for me. I’ll always miss her, but I’ve accepted it.” He glanced at Jean and then back at the church. “I still like to sit in an empty church from time to time, to gather my thoughts. To try to feel what she felt there,” he confessed.

  Jean didn’t answer for a moment. She wasn’t sure what to say. He was a very sensitive person. Another quality she felt drawn to.

  “I was brought up in this church, but I haven’t attended regularly since I left for college. I’ve been taking my mother to the service the last few weeks. I thought I’d be bored. But I don’t mind coming at all. Reverend Ben always has something interesting and wise to say.”

  “Maybe I’ll try it sometime,” Grant said. They had reached the church. Jean thanked him for lunch and the sledding. “My pleasure, Jean. Even our crash landing was fun.”

  She had to agree with that. She thought he might kiss her good-bye. He seemed to be thinking of it but just touched her cheek a moment. Then his hand dropped away.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said.

  She nodded. “See you then.”

  She felt lucky to have met up with Grant today and to have spent a few hours together. She entered the church with a light, happy heart. Happier still to know it wouldn’t be long before she would see him again.

  Chapter Eleven

  After all the family togetherness on Friday and Saturday, Sam didn’t mind being alone in the house Sunday morning. Jessica had taken Tyler and Lily to church and was probably still at the Christmas Fair meeting, he figured. Darrell had offered to keep him company, but Sam sent him off to the gym around noon. He knew that’s what Darrell really wanted to do, not babysit his father.