When the Snow Falls

by Fern Michaels

  “I’d never mind Dad finding his own happiness,” Reese answered with honesty. “But he hasn’t said anything to me about getting serious about anyone.”

  “Well, he wouldn’t.” Mary glanced out the window. “Looks like it’s lettin’ up. I’m glad. The town needs the Christmas business and traffic of the holidays. We don’t need no big snow knocking out the tourist trade.”

  She turned and headed back to the kitchen. “Lewis, you come get them two pieces of pie I cut for you boys when you’re ready for them. I’m going to sit down in the back for a bit and put up my feet while it’s quiet in here.”

  “Listen, Reese.” Lewis leaned forward. “Don’t pay too much mind to Maw. You know how she is about speaking out.”

  Reese followed Mary Connor’s back with his eyes. “She’s probably right, you know. She doesn’t miss much around here. I’ll have to probe Dad a little to see if he’s serious about Martha. It wouldn’t bother me, Lewis. She’s a good woman, from what I’ve seen—friendly, conscientious, well-thought of at the Heritage Center. I hear she gardens, has a lot of friends. I don’t have anything against my dad seeing her. I even handled Martha’s legal affairs a few years ago, when her husband died. He left her in good shape.”

  “Yeah, they retired down here from up north in Michigan somewhere and bought one of them big places in Kinzel Springs in that gated community. Posh place they bought; pretty gardens and grounds.” Lewis scratched his head. “I took some catering over there for them before Mr. Seymour passed.”

  Reese finished off his sandwich.

  “You know, I seen Veda Trent when she came over here to eat one day.” Lewis pushed back his own plate. “She looked real pretty, still had that thick red hair hanging down her back. Seemed more confident and sophisticated somehow. More growed up.”

  He walked over to the counter and brought back the two pieces of pie Mary had cut and left plated there. “You think you and she might get back together?” he asked.

  “I don’t know.” Reese pulled a piece of pie toward himself and cut into it, not saying more.

  Letting the subject go, Lewis asked, “Who do you think is sneaking up to the O’Neills’ to steal off their trees? I hate that happening to Sutton. He works hard all year with the farm and he don’t deserve someone coming in and pilfering his trees.”

  “It’s a mystery. The sheriff can’t discover who’s done it.” Reese walked over to the counter to pour himself a cup of coffee. “It’s only happened a few times, but the thieves seem to know the farm well: where Sutton keeps the trees, when he’s cut fresh ones, when he, Walker, or Bovee aren’t on the place keeping watch.”

  “Well, I don’t like the idea of folks sneaking around here breaking the law.” Lewis scratched his head. “Makes me think of when that guy everyone called Crazy Man was stalking people, leaving notes and stuff. Glad he got caught.”

  Reese glanced at his watch. “I need to get back.”

  The door opened, letting in a group of people. “Yeah, and it looks like I need to get back into the kitchen.”

  They said their good-byes, and Reese walked back to the office. As he crossed the highway, he glanced toward the window in Veda’s office at the Co-op. Looking toward the heavens as he did, Reese didn’t mind offering up a little prayer that Veda would decide to stay.

  “Lord, forgive me for the mistakes I made with Veda before, and help me get a second chance with her. Help me find a way to let her know how much I love her, have always loved her.” He felt a catch in his throat. “Lord, please don’t let her leave me again. You know there’s never been anybody but Veda Trent in my heart. I know it’s my fault she left before and didn’t come back, but it’s going to kill me if she leaves again.”

  Chapter 7

  Veda studied herself in the mirror in her aunt’s bedroom. She’d tried on four of Rita Jean’s old storyteller costumes, but none seemed to suit. Her aunt had been dark-haired, her hair streaked with gray in her later years. Bright, rich colors and calicos had suited her, but they looked garish on Veda. After an hour, Veda finally put together an outfit that seemed to suit her—a simple shirtwaist dress in a deep leaf gold, with a russet shawl and a long white apron that tied around the waist, helping to cinch in the dress to fit her better. Rita Jean’s high-topped black boots ran a half size too large, but with the laces drawn tight, they worked good enough for an evening’s event.

  The small corgi sat on the floor, watching Veda with interest.

  “I think this will do, Lucy.” She smiled at the little dog. “These colors don’t clash with my red hair and are simple and more my style.”

  Veda tried on yet another of the mobcaps and wrinkled her nose. “Yuk, these are not me at all. They suited Aunt Rita Jean, but I look ridiculous in them, and in those old-timey sunbonnets I tried on, too.”

  She climbed up on a stool to dig around on the top shelf in the closet for more hat possibilities. A broad straw garden hat she tried on looked too casual, and a lavish floral hat absurd, but at the back of the closet she found a small, old-fashioned chip bonnet with a ribbon tie for under the chin. Pulling her long hair back, she slipped the bonnet on and examined the effect. It was simple and much more her style, framing her face and sitting toward the back of her head. She tied the ribbon to one side and decided this look would have to do.

  She turned to find Sutton in the doorway, grinning. “What do you think?” She turned around slowly so he could get the full effect.

  He made a sign with two thumbs up for you look good.

  Veda untied the chip bonnet, laying it on the bed. “I admit I’m nervous about doing this, Uncle Sutton. With school and the business, I learned to speak to groups when I needed to, but this is different. I think a person either is born with a storytelling talent or she’s not.”

  Sutton shook his head, pulling out his notepad to write, You used to tell stories to your dolls and to the animals around the farm. He grinned. I sometimes hung around and listened. I thought you did real good.

  She laughed. “That was a long time ago, Uncle Sutton, and it’s hardly the same. But I said I’d do this in Rita Jean’s memory, and I will.”

  Veda sat down on the corner of the bed. “I think I know two or three of her stories well enough by heart that I can tell them without taking notes to refer to. It will be better if I can simply talk them as I remember them.” She wrinkled her nose. “The ones I know best are Indian legends, rather than Christmas-themed stories. Do you think that will be all right? Rita Jean told a lot of those old legends, even at Christmas sometimes.”

  Before he could answer, Reese walked into the room. “I’ve called the sheriff, Sutton. He’s on his way.”

  “What’s happened?” Veda stood up, shocked at his words.

  “Those thieves sneaked onto the upper farm again to raid some more trees.” He propped a foot on the stool Veda had been standing on. “Bovee heard them and came out. They didn’t hurt him much, but they locked him in the tack room in the barn. Dropped the bar over the door so he couldn’t get out. He’s a little simpleminded, you know; it scared him a lot.”

  Seeing Veda’s face blanch, Sutton signed, he’s okay.

  “When did this happen?” she asked.

  “About three hours ago, as best we know,” Reese answered. “When Walker got back from helping Sutton at the Christmas Tree Store, he found Bovee gone, saw truck tracks near the barn, and then heard Bovee hollering for help. Walker called the sheriff, who called me to go over to tell Sutton at the store, since my office is next door. I drove up with Sutton in his truck.”

  “Has Sheriff Swofford caught these people, now that Bovee saw them?”

  Sutton made a mask gesture across his face.

  “I see. They wore masks.” Veda paced around the room. “I can’t believe I was right here in the house when they drove up the hill to do this. It makes me so mad! I didn’t even hear a car or truck go by!”

  “Sutton got worried when Walker called. He knew you were here at the h
ouse alone.”

  Veda gave Sutton a hug. “I’m fine. Like I said, I never even heard them. They’re just stinking, dirty thieves, interested in stealing to get money.”

  “Maybe,” Reese put in, “but they roughed Bovee up when he fought.”

  “Is Bovee really all right?” Veda bit her lip.

  “Yes. He has a black eye and a bruised arm, but he’s okay. With two of them, he didn’t stand much of a chance.”

  Hearing a knock at the front door, Sutton gestured that he’d walk to the door to let the sheriff in. Veda started to follow and then glanced down at her long dress.

  Reese gave her a slow smile. “Nice costume.”

  “I suppose.” She lifted her chin. “But I need to change.”

  He turned. “You change and I’ll go help Sutton communicate with the sheriff, see if he’s found out anything.”

  A little later, Veda and Reese stood in the front yard, saying good-bye to the sheriff. Sutton had already driven back to the Christmas Tree Store and Reese had decided to walk home through the field.

  “Come walk me halfway,” Reese said, when the sheriff left.

  Veda felt flooded with memories at the words. She’d heard them a million times growing up.

  “Ah, come on,” Reese added as she hesitated. “It’s not that cold today, and the snow has melted off.”

  She nodded and buttoned her coat as they started down the drive to the path between the farms. “I was glad when the sheriff said the thieves didn’t take many trees this time. Finding Bovee probably spooked them. Made them leave quicker.”

  “Still, the losses are eating into Sutton’s profit base. It isn’t right.”

  “I know.”

  Reese changed the subject. “Do you have a nice dress figured out for the Co-op party tomorrow night?”

  Veda smiled. “Yeah, one of my vintage finds I brought from the store. It was too pretty to sell, so I kept it.”

  “I’ll look forward to seeing it.” Reese gave her a hand to help her over a tree limb in the path.

  She stopped to look at him. “Reese, I don’t want you thinking of this as a date or anything. I only thought it would be nice if I went with you, so you could introduce me to everyone.”

  His dark eyes studied hers. “All right, Veda.”

  He didn’t say more, and they walked on down the pathway, through the short woods and to the fence line of the two properties.

  Veda’s eyes ran up the limbs of the giant oak tree that grew beside the fence. “I remember climbing high into those branches many times.”

  “Me, too.” Reese gave her a boyish grin. “That old tree served as pirate ship, cowboy hideout, and official headquarters of the Cougars Club.”

  “I’d forgotten that club.” She giggled. “We made up a secret code and used paw prints to sign our club messages.”

  “We had some good times growing up.” Reese’s eyes slid over her.

  Veda felt her heartbeat quicken. The feelings between her and Reese, no matter what had happened in the years between, still ran strong.

  As if sensing her thoughts, Reese stepped closer. “I used to come and sit in this tree and think about you when you didn’t come back.”

  “Before or after you married Dee Dee?” She knew her voice sounded nasty, but she couldn’t help it.

  “Before and after.” He kept his voice level and patient.

  It had always been hard to provoke Reese.

  He smiled. “I used to think about that old Tony Orlando song when I sat up in the tree, ‘Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree.’ ”

  Veda laughed despite herself. “Good grief, Reese, that was an old 1970s song, not even our era.” She pushed at him. “And it was a dumb song, too.”

  He crossed his arms, refusing to be baited. “It wasn’t dumb to me. It was about a man who’d been a prisoner, coming back home and wondering if his sweetheart still loved him. If she did, there would be a yellow ribbon around the tree. If not, he’d stay on the bus and move on.”

  “And you related to that song in what way?” She shook her head.

  His voice dropped. “I’d been a prisoner, trapped in a marriage with Dee Dee, and then finally got freed and was able to come back home.” He moved closer. “I always wished I might come to the oak one day and find you here, waiting for me.”

  “And find a yellow ribbon tied around the old oak tree?” She knew she was using sarcasm to protect herself.

  He stepped closer and put his hands on her arms. “I’ve always regretted what happened, Veda. I always dreamed somehow you’d come back to me.”

  “I came home to work in the Co-op for Rita Jean and Sutton, Reese.” She kicked at a pinecone at her feet as she spoke, keeping her eyes focused on the ground. “Don’t read a yellow-ribbon story into why I came back.”

  He ignored her. “I love you, Veda. I’ve always loved you. I think, deep in your heart, you still have feelings for me. Don’t block me out. Give me a chance to show you I care.”

  She looked up at him then, and into those deep brown eyes of his. A big mistake, as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her before she could think of another smart answer. And then she was swamped with feelings.

  Reese traced his tongue across her lips and then deepened the kiss, drawing her tight against him, warming her in the cold December air until she forgot it was winter. Forgot for a moment all the hurt, all the years in between.

  Giving up her resistance at last, she kissed him back. It seemed so sweet to do so here under the old oak, where they’d kissed good night and said good-bye so many times in the past. Where Reese had first whispered the words “I love you” to her. Such precious memories.

  His hands slid under her hair, his lips slid down to her neck, behind her ear, and then back to her mouth again. Passion flamed now, their emotions heightening. Veda had forgotten passion and how good it felt, how it engulfed and surged through the blood. There had been kisses since those young years, of course, heightened senses occasionally, but nothing like this. Only with Reese McNally had she ever felt like this, God help her.

  “Enough.” She pulled away, knowing she was panting, excited, thrilled, but afraid to go further. Afraid of more.

  He put his lips against her forehead, tender now. “I have never loved anyone like I love you, Veda Trent. I have never felt with anyone what I feel with you. Please stay, and let’s see if our love can grow, if we can build a future together. I want to sleep with you every night; I want to have a child with you. I want to spend every day with you and grow old with you.”

  Veda closed her eyes. “You’re confusing me, Reese. I want to stay for the right reasons.”

  He drew back to look down at her. “Isn’t love reason enough, Veda?”

  “It should be.” She gave him an honest answer. “But it isn’t. I keep wanting something more.”

  He snorted. “Some sign?”

  “No.” She tried to answer from her heart. “Some knowing. It’s hard to explain.”

  He backed away, giving her a cross look. “You said it’s like a pending time for you, that you seem to be waiting for something.”

  “I am.”

  Veda watched a flash of exasperation cross his face. “You think it’s dumb.”

  His eyes met hers. “You seem to think it’s dumb that I believe love is enough to keep two people together.”

  Veda’s anger flashed. “Not necessarily. But life is also about the well-being of individuals, of each person feeling they are walking in the direction they should walk, finding the meaning they are meant to find.” She shrugged. “You don’t understand that. You’ve always known you belong right here, felt your roots and meaning are here. I’m not sure that’s true for me.”

  He studied her. “You’re hard for me to understand sometimes, Veda. You make life so complicated, when I think it’s much simpler.”

  She felt provoked. “Reese, you see things as you-man, me-woman, tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree and live happily e
ver after.”

  He grabbed her arm. “Don’t make that sound trite, Veda.”

  Seeing the pain cross his face, she backed down. “I’m sorry, Reese. I didn’t mean to be catty. Happily ever after isn’t such a bad thing. I know that.”

  He rubbed his neck. “I don’t mean to rush you, Veda. I know you have to follow your own heart.”

  She tried to think what else to say.

  Reese stepped into the silence. “I imagine it would be hard for you to decide to be Pamela’s mother, too, knowing she’s Dee Dee’s daughter.”

  Veda felt shocked. “You think I’d hold that against that precious child after all she’s been through? As though it was her fault Dee Dee is the way she is?” She hugged herself in the cold. “My heart goes out to Pamela more for how she’s been used, rejected, and mistreated through all this. It would make me love her more, not less, Reese.”

  She put a hand to Reese’s face. “Whatever I decide, it won’t be because of Pamela. It would be all too easy to love Pamela, Reese.”

  Veda saw the relief sweep across his face.

  “You’ve always worried too much.” She leaned up to plant a kiss on his lips, now cold from standing outside so long. “Rita Jean always said things have a way of working out; not always as we want, but they work out.”

  He ran a tender hand over her hair. “I love to look at you, Veda, to be with you, to talk with you—even to argue with you.”

  She sighed. “Yes, and we’ll both freeze to death out here under this old oak if we don’t head inside.” She patted his cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow night, Reese. Six o’clock. Don’t be late.”

  “I’ll be there, Veda.” He surprised her, grabbing her to kiss her passionately again. “See you tomorrow.” He turned to walk down the path toward the McNally Farm.

  Veda looked after him. Grown a little assertive, haven’t you, Reese?

  Smiling at the thought, she headed back toward the house.