Jane came down, dressed in an ankle-length flowing red and green skirt and a soft cotton poet blouse with a long paisley scarf draped artfully around her shoulders. Her hair was twisted up in a French knot in the back. Though she wore jeans most days, she loved vintage styles and had a flair for fashion.
“You look festive. Is that new?” Alice asked.
“Yes. I made it last week. Do you like it? I have a lot of leftover fabric. I could make you a skirt.”
Alice laughed. “Nice try. But no thank you. You know I don't wear skirts if I can help it.”
Jane smiled. “Yes, but it's fun once in awhile.”
“If you say so. Say, Jane, did you put the baby Jesus figure in the manger?”
Jane glanced toward the mantel. “Not I. I wondered about that too. It was there when I came downstairs. If you didn't do it, perhaps Louise put it in after we went upstairs last night.”
“What did I do?” Louise asked as she and Cynthia and Ethel came into the living room.
Alice and Jane turned toward their sister. “Did you put the baby Jesus figurine in the manger?” Alice asked.
“No.” Louise's right eyebrow formed a peak as she looked from Alice to Jane. “I assumed Jane put it in, since she was the first one up this morning.”
“It was there when I came downstairs. Neither of you put it in the manger?”
Both sisters shook their heads.
“Cynthia, did you put it in the manger?” Louise asked her daughter.
“Nope. I figured one of you did it this morning when you were reading the Bible story.”
Jane turned to Ethel. “Did you put it in, Auntie?”
Ethel held up her hands. “I wouldn't do that. I know you girls always put it in the nativity after your father read from the Bible. It's a tradition.”
“Hmm.” Alice rubbed her chin. “It seems we have a mystery.”
“Well there's another mystery here,” Jane said. “What is in those stockings? I say we find out.” She walked to the fireplace and removed the stockings one at a time, handing each one to its owner.
Alice, Louise and Jane took their stockings and sat on the couch. Ethel and Cynthia sat in the chairs. Everyone looked at Louise.
Louise reached into her stocking. Cynthia giggled.
“What's funny?” Louise asked. “Is there a mouse trap in there or something that will jump out at me?”
“No. I was just thinking that you three remind me of the three monkeys on a log in one of the children's books I edited this year. The oldest one got to eat the first banana. Then they went in order of age, just as you three do every year at Christmas opening the stockings.”
Ethel laughed out loud. “I never thought of monkeys, but you three are creatures of habit.”
“Humph. As long as nothing is going to jump out or snap at me, I shall proceed,” Louise said. She pulled out the ornament attached to the top of the stocking. “Oh! It's beautiful.” She held up a white bisque snowy owl with gray markings. Every Christmas there was an ornament tied to the top of each stocking—something that had significance for the year. It was a tradition their mother had started when they were young. “I'll never forget seeing that owl in the field last winter. A line of cars had stopped to watch it swoop down on a hay field. Most of the snow was gone, so it must have spotted a rabbit or some large rodent. I wished I'd had a camera. I didn't find out until the next week what a rare sighting it was. It should have been up north by the Arctic Circle.”
“It's such a special blessing to see something rare like that,” Alice said.
Louise carefully set the three-inch-tall ornament on the coffee table, then dug through her stocking, finding a bookmark decorated with a tassel of beads, a satin drawer sachet, hand cream, a scented candle, candies and fruits and nuts.
“Your turn, Alice. What did you get?” Jane asked.
She reached in and pulled out her ornament. “Oh.” She held up a shiny red glass covered-bridge ornament about four inches long. It had a snow-covered roof and icy blue water under the bridge. “It looks just like the Pine Grove Bridge I saw on the field trip with Vera's class last March. I had to treat scrapes and cuts on Charles Matthews' arm and hand when he tried climbing on the side of the bridge and fell.”
“I remember,” Louise said. “He missed two weeks of piano lessons.”
It was Jane's turn. She reached into her stocking and pulled out the ornament. A smile lit her face. She held up a small silver square hanging on a red ribbon. Two white ermines were painted on the square. “I love it! Remember the ermine that hung out in the yard last winter? It kept trying to get into the net-covered balls of suet I put out for the birds. Its antics were so funny. It'd climb up and hang on the balls, spinning around while it tried to rip open the balls. It would finally succeed, so I put out suet balls with bits of raw bacon and other meats. I haven't seen him this year, but I got so much joy out of watching him. He visited every day while I worked in the kitchen.”
Cynthia's ornament was a monkey with a wreath around its neck. “What a cute monkey. Just like the ones in my new series. Thank you, Santa.”
Ethel had a red rhinestone-covered high-heeled shoe ornament. She loved red and fancy shoes and lots of bling. She held up the shoe and let out a dramatic sigh. “If only I could still wear heels this high.”
The sisters rose and hung their new ornaments on the tree.
“There's the cone you made for me, Jane,” Louise said, placing the new owl high on the tree near the other ornament.
“Yes, and there's the bicycle I got the year I learned to ride,” Jane said.
“And the spatula you got the first year we opened the inn,” Alice said. “And there's the little dog I got the year I helped organize the adopt-a-pet-for-Christmas drive for the animal shelter.”
“I remember that year. I was afraid we would have to adopt them all,” Louise said.
“Did I tell you how close I came to bringing several home with me?” Alice said. “It's by God's grace that didn't happen.”
“God's grace and Louise putting her foot down.” Jane laughed.
“I eventually came around,” Louise said indignantly. “And it worked out quite well in the end, as I recall.”
Alice's
Christmas Memory
Walking side by side in downtown Acorn Hill on Saturday morning with her best friend Vera, Alice found it hard to believe it was exactly two weeks until Christmas. The air was crisp but not cold, and she admired the early afternoon sunlight glittering off a diamond dusting of snow.
“I'm glad you suggested coming this way,” Alice said as they slowed to look at a Christmas display of elves and reindeer.
“I thought it would be fun to peek in the shop windows,” Vera said. “Besides, when we're done we can go to the Coffee Shop for a treat.”
A Danish could undo all the benefit of their aerobic activity, but a cup of hot tea would hit the spot when they finished their walk.
“That's a good idea,” Alice agreed. “Oh look.” She pointed at the window of Parker Drugs as they walked past the pharmacy. The store somehow managed to retain its old-fashioned feel and still provide up-to-date service.
Vera paused beside her at the small storefront window, where a diorama showed a snowman ‘soda jerk' serving up snow cones to snowmen, women, and children.
“That's so cute,” Vera said.
Alice agreed. “I love the tiny dollop of whipped cream on the miniature sundae,” she said.
“On the way home, we'll have to stop by the hardware store so you can see what Fred did for our Christmas display,” Vera urged, sounding proud of her husband's efforts.
“Did he go all out?” Alice asked, following her friend down the sidewalk, where other residents of Acorn Hill were taking advantage of the pleasant day.
“You'll have to see for yourself,” Vera said, flashing Alice an impish grin.
“Now you have me really curious,” Alice said. “Let's head that way and forget about the C
offee Shop. I'll be too tempted by their sweet rolls anyway.”
As they crossed the street, Vera looked back. “I think we're being followed.”
“What?” Alice stopped and saw a dog hanging back by the pharmacy. “We don't see many strays in Acorn Hill. Maybe he's waiting for his master to get something in the store.”
“Maybe,” Vera said doubtfully. “Let's head toward the hardware store and see if he follows.”
Alice looked back over her shoulder as they walked, a little surprised when the dog walked in their direction.
“Are your fifth graders excited about Christmas?” she asked to distract her friend. Vera was a teacher at the elementary school, and she was worked hard to make school fun as well as educational for her students.
“Are they! I don't know who's more eager for the break, them or me,” Vera said with a sigh. “We won't accomplish much next week, since the kids know they have the week before Christmas off.”
Alice quickened her pace as they neared Fred's store, but Vera paused a moment and had to hurry to catch up.
“I hope he's friendly,” she said nervously, “because I think we've made a new friend.”
Glancing back, Alice had to agree. The dog did seem to be keeping pace with them from a distance, although, unlike Vera, she never felt threatened by animals. In fact, they were the delight of her life, especially Wendell, their family cat who thought he was master of Grace Chapel Inn.
“Oh my!” Alice exclaimed, peering into the window of the hardware store. A wintry Christmas scene of miniature tractors and cars was laid out on folds of white fabric sprinkled with glitter to resemble snowflakes. A tiny train chugged its way around a track, flanked by toy houses, barns, and a perfectly shaped church with a white steeple. Small evergreens were ‘planted' in the fake snow.
“Isn't it grand?” Vera asked, beaming at Alice.
“Oh yes,” Alice agreed. “It's perfect. I didn't know your husband was this creative.”
“His clerks did most of it. Fred was more than happy to take over stocking shelves and waiting on customers while they gussied up the place for Christmas.”
Alice smiled. “I know Fred is compulsive about keeping things organized, but he's a good boss too if he let his employees do this enchanting window. Since we're close to the inn, would you like to come home with me for a tea break? Jane has been baking up a storm for Christmas. I'm sure there are some cookies she hasn't frozen.”
“I'd love to,” Vera said, “but I won't stay long. I have a long list of things to do today. Fortunately, I'll have a full week off before Christmas this year.”
“I'm taking off the week before Christmas too,” Alice said. “In exchange, I'll be working the following week, when some of the young nurses want to be home with their children. Now, let's go to—” Alice's words were cut off when something darted in her path.
“Whoa!” a startled Vera cried out as the dog tailing them raced up, then hovered a few steps away from them.
Alice didn't feel threatened, but she was curious. The dog was a she, and medium-sized, with a glossy tan coat and a scruff of white fur. She couldn't see any tags on the collar, and the canine appeared to be limping.
“C'mere girl,” she crooned, holding her hand out, but the animal shied away.
“Poor thing,” Vera clucked sympathetically. “She looks like somebody's pet.”
Alice thought the same thing. Despite the absence of tags and the slight limp, the dog looked too well groomed and healthy to have been living on the street for very long. Bright brown eyes and perky ears gave her an inquisitive look.
“If only you could talk and tell us where you belong,” Alice said to the dog. She was relieved to see the animal's bushy tail was still raised upright and wagging a bit, instead of cowering between her hind legs.
Vera knelt down beside her and cautiously stretched out her hand too, but the dog still backed away.
“We can't just leave her here,” Alice said, and Vera nodded in agreement.
“What kind of dog do you think she is?” Vera asked.
Alice scrutinized the animal. “Seems like a spaniel mix, but I'm not sure what else. Look at that tail,” she said, gesturing at the white-tipped still-wagging tail. “You're right about not leaving her here, and I know my sisters won't want me to bring her home to the inn. Would you mind skipping our tea break if we can coax her to come to us? We could take her to the Humane Society shelter between here and Potterston.”
“That's no problem,” Vera said, rummaging through her purse.
“Great,” Alice sighed in relief. “Wendell wouldn't be very happy either if I brought a dog home. What are you looking for?”
In answer, Vera brought her hand out of the depths of her handbag. “Aha!” She brandished a well-worn package of beef jerky at Alice.
“Vera, you're a genius!” Alice said to her friend.
Shrugging modestly, Vera grinned. “I never know what ends up on the bottom of this handbag on any given day. I ‘confiscated' this from one of my boys at recess and forgot to give it back. If I recall correctly, he was using it as a sword.”
Alice took the proffered package from Vera and used her fingernail to slit it open. Kneeling down again, she held out her hand with the jerky in it. “Here puppy, here puppy,” she crooned, purposely keeping her voice low and steady to coax the dog toward her.
Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as Vera unwound the old wool scarf she'd tied around her neck. Alice said a silent prayer of thanks for a good friend who'd anticipated her next need. If the dog did come to them, the scarf would serve as a perfect makeshift leash.
Slowly, the dog inched toward Alice, sniffing at the jerky in her hand. Sensing nothing dangerous, the canine took the treat, allowing Vera to carefully approach and loop the scarf around the collar.
“Good girl, what a good girl you are,” Alice crooned, petting her as the dog quickly chomped down the meat stick.
“Well, we did it,” Vera said, with a sigh of satisfaction.
“Thanks to you and your jerky,” Alice said. “And I owe you a rain check on tea and cookies at the inn.”
Vera chuckled and patted her waistline under her bulky coat. “I'll take you up on that for sure.”
“Okay pup, let's get you out of the elements and we hope on your way to finding your home,” Alice said. “Probably the first place your owners will check is the shelter.”
“I'll get the keys from Fred, and we can take my car to the shelter,” Vera offered. “He drove it to work this morning because his truck has been cranky about starting. “We have a couple of old blankets in the trunk.”
Soon Alice was settled beside the dog on the backseat of the Humbert vehicle while Vera expertly steered them onto the road to Potterston.
At the shelter, Alice smiled at a small Christmas tree in a corner of the reception area. It was decorated with rawhide dog bones and fuzzy cat toys. They were quickly greeted by a tall young woman with a dark ponytail and a name tag identifying her as a volunteer named Sandy.
“May I help you?” Sandy asked, looking at the dog slinking close to Alice's legs, perhaps skittish because of the many strange scents or the faint sound of barking.
“Yes,” Alice said, petting the pup reassuringly. “My name is Alice Howard, and this is my friend, Vera Humbert. We were out for a walk in Acorn Hill and found this stray. She doesn't have tags, but she looks too well fed and nicely groomed not to be somebody's pet. We thought maybe someone called you to report a missing dog.”
“We haven't received any calls yet,” the young volunteer said, “but we can certainly try to find the dog's owners. It's possible she has a chip with tracking info embedded in her.”
“She certainly is a beautiful animal,” Vera said. “Someone must miss her.”
“I wish we could figure out what kind of mix she is,” Alice said.
Sandy studied the dog thoughtfully for a minute. “She definitely has some spaniel in her.”
“
We thought that too,” Alice said.
“Actually,” Sandy said, peering over the counter to get a closer look, “she looks like she has some husky in her too.”
“Husky!” Alice said. “We didn't see that, but now that you point it out, her tail and ears are obvious clues.”
“You know,” Vera said, “I've heard it's very trendy for dogs to have fancy mixed-breed names like labradoodle and schnoodles..”
“And if no one claims this one, maybe you can adopt her out as a ‘spusky'–a spaniel husky,” Alice said as all three of them laughed.
Sandy suddenly looked very serious.
“Is something wrong?” Alice asked.
“Well, all kidding aside, anything that helps get animals adopted is a good idea. It's very difficult to find homes for all the animals at the shelter, especially this time of year. Would you like to see our residents while I take ‘Spusky' to our quarantine room? All new arrivals spend a short time set aside from the others.”
Alice knew herself too well. It was a bad idea to look at all the sad-eyed creatures, since she couldn't take them home herself, but she still said yes. Handing over Spusky's makeshift leash, she and Vera followed Sandy through a door with an arrow that said ‘Dog Kennels' on it.
First the young woman unlatched the door to the quarantine area and coaxed Spusky to go inside. Alice was surprised the stray went so easily, but the poor dear was probably exhausted from wandering. There was no way to know how far or long she'd roamed.
“I'll give her food and water as soon as you leave,” Sandy said. “And I'll let our supervisor know right away that we have a new ‘guest' so we can get her information online. Hopefully, someone will be worried and claim her soon. The rest of our guests are down here.”
As they followed her, Sandy explained that there were always more males than females at the shelter. “And small dogs get adopted much quicker than the big ones, as I'm sure you can imagine.”
Tales from Grace Chapel Inn Page 12