Christmas Treasures (9781101558720)

by Kinkade, Thomas; Spencer, Katherine

  It had all been a shock, and he hadn’t had a chance to process any of it. Except to feel grateful that he was still alive.

  It would be wise, as his wife had suggested, not to make any rash decisions.

  Still, sitting in this hospital bed, attached to tubes and wires, Ben knew he’d arrived at a crossroads, one he couldn’t and shouldn’t ignore. Very soon, he would have to decide which way to go.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  REGINA HAD BEEN WARY ABOUT WORKING FOR A DOCTOR. She’d heard that doctors could be demanding and arrogant. Dr. Harding was nothing like that. He treated her respectfully, as an equal, unlike most of the managers she had worked for. Sally Heller, a nurse who had been with the practice many years, was also very friendly and happy to answer Regina’s many questions.

  On Tuesday morning, Molly had met her in the office to show her the ropes. The orientation was a little daunting. There were a lot of plates to spin at her small desk—answering calls, scheduling appointments, pulling files and record keeping, billing and dealing with insurance companies. But it was only temporary, Regina kept reminding herself. If she didn’t like the work, or they didn’t like her, she didn’t have to stay.

  She had always been a people person and liked talking to the patients and feeling she was helping them in some small way. She also liked earning money again. That was enough of an inducement to stick with it.

  “Looks like you made it a whole three days in this nuthouse, Regina. This is a good sign.”

  Regina had been answering two calls at once and hadn’t even noticed Molly standing at her desk. It was Thursday afternoon, almost lunchtime. Molly had dropped by the office a few times since Regina had started, to talk to Dr. Harding and sometimes bring him lunch. She even brought Regina lunch, too, which was both thoughtful and delicious—a cold beet salad with blue cheese and walnuts.

  “I’m hanging in,” Regina answered brightly.

  “Matt says you’re doing a great job. Thank goodness,” Molly added. “He’s such a nice man at home. I don’t know why he just flies through receptionists.”

  “I don’t know why, either. He’s a very easy person to work for,” Regina answered honestly.

  “Maybe he just needs someone who can get things in order around here. That’s not his strong point.”

  It was true. The office was not efficiently organized, but it was nothing a few new systems and set routines couldn’t fix.

  “I noticed that,” Regina replied. “I have a few ideas about reorganizing the patient files to make them easier to find,” she added. “I could work on that while I’m here if it’s okay.”

  “By all means, please do,” Molly said enthusiastically. “Matt never has ideas like that,” she added with a grin.

  “He’s a doctor. He needs to focus on his patients, not paperwork,” Regina reasoned.

  Molly smiled. “No wonder he likes you. How are your children doing? Do they like school so far?”

  While Molly had been showing Regina the ropes on Tuesday morning, the two women had gotten to know each other a bit. Molly was the type of person who wanted to know your entire life story the first five minutes you spent together. Not in a nosy way, Regina thought; she just liked people and was curious.

  “Madeline is making friends and likes most of her teachers. She’s going to join the girls’ basketball team, too. Brian started at the elementary school this morning,” she added. “Richard brought him over. I hope he likes it.”

  “I hope so, too. How’s Richard? Did he find anything yet?”

  Regina knew Molly meant work. “He’s been watching Brian the last few days and painting some rooms downstairs. He hasn’t had time to look.”

  “Right. It’s only been a few days. What does he do again?”

  “He’s a civil engineer. Back in Stover, he mainly worked for the county.”

  “Right, I think you told me that the other day.”

  They both knew jobs for engineers were scarce in this economy. That went without saying.

  “Is he handy at all? He’s an engineer—he must be, right?” Molly laughed, answering her own question.

  “He is, actually,” Regina agreed. “He’s one of those guys who can fix pretty much anything.”

  “My brother, Sam, may be looking for help,” Molly told her. “He renovates old houses and does all kinds of construction and renovation work. I think he’s taking on some big job and is looking to hire more help.”

  Richard could do that, Regina thought. It would be great if he could earn some money while he was looking for a permanent job. And sooner or later, he was going to need a real job. Once the holidays were over, they were going to have to negotiate a way for him to continue to help support the kids. Living separately would be a bigger drain on their incomes than if they kept their household together. It pained her to think about these things, but she had to face facts.

  “So, do you think he’d be interested?” Molly’s question drew Regina from her wandering thoughts.

  “Oh . . . sure. I think he would be. Richard knows a lot about construction, and he used to have a shop in the basement of our Pennsylvania house and did some carpentry.” That’s why they thought they could fix up the old house and turn it over for a profit. Richard knew he could do most of the renovation himself.

  “Great, I’ll tell my brother. I’m going to stop by his shop later. It’s just down the street, in the barn behind the Bramble,” Molly added. Regina nodded. She had noticed the antique store a few doors down in a small Victorian house with a barn in back. “Here’s his phone number.” Molly grabbed a pen and a piece of scrap paper. “Tell Richard to call if he’s interested.”

  “Thank you so much, Molly. I appreciate all your help. You’re a one-woman employment agency,” she added with a grateful smile.

  “It’s nothing.” Molly brushed off the compliment with a grin. “I know what you’re going through, Regina. I really struggled myself for a while, raising my two girls. Just hang in there. Hope for the best,” she encouraged her. “It will all work out. You’ll see.”

  Dr. Harding came out of the inner office. Regina could tell he was there, even before he spoke, just from the expression on Molly’s face and the way her eyes lit up. It was so sweet to see a married couple who had such a strong, loving connection.

  She and Richard were like that once. But they’d lost that bond somehow. When their eyes met, more often than not Regina felt uneasy, trying to sense if Richard was upset about something.

  Regina had a feeling that if she ever confided the entire story to Molly, her new friend would advise her to “hang in there and think positively.” That formula might not solve every problem, but it could go a long way, Regina thought.

  Sometimes it felt as if you were meant to meet certain people. Molly was one of them. Regina didn’t think of herself as religious, though she did believe in God. The last two years, she and God had certainly been carrying on regular conversations, as she asked for His help and direction more and more.

  She had once heard that, instead of answering our prayers directly, God often sends other people to answer them. It seemed to Regina that Molly’s kindness and help was just that—an answer to some of her most heartfelt concerns. If she and Richard were both earning decent paychecks without the burden of a mortgage or even rent, they might actually start to catch up.

  Maybe they couldn’t keep their marriage together, but they could give the children a good Christmas. Regina had been dreading the holidays. They had been forced to celebrate Thanksgiving on the road, stopping at a fast-food restaurant. At least the kids thought it was fun. Or maybe they just acted that way because they could see that she and Richard were so upset and humiliated, even fighting about the situation in front of them.

  Regina regretted acting that way. She knew it wasn’t right, but sometimes the tension was too much.

  Their pathetic Thanksgiving meal was probably the low point, Regina thought. The last two holiday seasons had been very difficult to
navigate. So much forced happiness all around and everyone buying and buying. It put their own situation in stark contrast, with little to celebrate and unable to buy gifts for the children. Too proud for handouts, they had just tried to ignore the whole season. Which didn’t work, either.

  This year, it could be different. They could decorate the house and have a few gifts for the kids. Nothing lavish, but there would be presents to open.

  Regina didn’t want to get too carried away. Richard had to find some work first. If Sam Morgan couldn’t hire him, Sam might know of some other jobs in the area.

  One thing leads to another. Regina felt a spark of hope. Molly was right: She had to hang on and hope for the best.

  CAROLYN HAD SPENT THURSDAY AT BEN’S BEDSIDE, MAINLY IN THE ARMCHAIR near the window, knitting. Ben had been up and about, doing laps around the hospital corridor with her help. But he was tired out, back in bed, just about dozing off when she got a call on her cell phone from Vera Plante.

  The church wasn’t sure where to house the temporary minister, Vera explained, especially on such short notice. She certainly couldn’t stay at the parsonage. But Vera Plante had a large old house and often rented rooms, providing meals and other necessities. The church council had decided to house Reverend Lawrence with Vera, at least to start off. Vera was clearly in a flurry, getting the room and house ready. She didn’t have any other boarders at this time.

  She had called Carolyn to tell her that she was bringing Reverend Lawrence to church that evening, so that the congregation could meet her.

  “Tucker thought I should bring her to the Peace & Plenty meeting,” Vera said, mentioning the weekly gathering in Fellowship Hall where church members met to make sandwiches for those in need throughout the community. “I just wanted you to know that we’ll all be there, in case you’re home from the hospital.”

  “Thanks, Vera. I’d love to meet her. But I might stay here with Ben tonight,” Carolyn replied. She glanced at her husband, who had perked up with curiosity.

  “I thought you might. I hope he’s improving. Please give him my best.”

  “I will,” Carolyn promised. They hung up, and she turned to Ben. “That was Vera. Reverend Lawrence is going to board with her. She’s quite excited.”

  “I’m sure she is. What’s Reverend Lawrence like? Did Vera say?”

  “She hasn’t arrived yet. Vera expects her any minute. They’re going over to the church tonight, to the food outreach meeting. Tucker thought it would be a good opportunity for Reverend Lawrence to meet some church members,” Carolyn reported.

  “I’m sure everyone is eager to meet her,” Ben said.

  Carolyn gave him a sympathetic smile. The one person who was the most curious, Ben, was unable to attend.

  “I think you have to go, Carolyn,” he added. “The minister’s wife should welcome her. That’s the polite thing to do.”

  “Of course I want to welcome her, Ben. We’ll have her over this weekend, once you’re home.”

  Ben’s doctors had told them that Ben could go home as soon as Friday, news that pleased everyone. As much as Carolyn wanted him home, she hoped he didn’t try to do too much too soon. She could tell he was already getting restless in this unusual role—someone who was getting care, not giving it. He was the one usually stationed at the bedside, comforting and ministering. He didn’t know how to be the one in the bed, she noticed.

  “We’ll invite her over for coffee,” Carolyn continued. “The two of you can settle in front of the fire and have a long talk about what’s going on at church. That would be very welcoming, don’t you think?”

  “Of course it will be.” He sighed and avoided her gaze. “It’s just that . . . well . . .”

  “It’s just that you can’t wait that long to find out what she’s like. So you want me to go and spy for you. Is that it?” Carolyn was amused. She continued with her knitting and peered at him over the edge of her reading glasses.

  Ben sat back against his pillows and took a breath. She could tell he was trying not to smile, but couldn’t help it.

  “I can’t get anything past you, can I?”

  “Very little,” Carolyn agreed.

  Though you did a good job hiding your heart condition, she silently added.

  She felt her own heart clutch at the reminder—how they had almost lost him. After the sheer elation of Ben’s survival, they had both been hit by the enormous, sobering truth of the situation, wondering how they should carry on from here. Did they need to worry every minute if Ben was going to have another heart attack, and this time not survive?

  Their lives were forever changed. But they weren’t sure yet how they had changed.

  Being sidelined from church at the holidays was going to be tough. Ben had so many concerns about a minister stepping into his place. As Carolyn looked over at him, he sighed and picked up a newspaper he had already read twice that day.

  “Okay, I’ll go. I’m curious to meet her, too,” she admitted.

  “Good, I’m glad,” Ben said without looking up from the newspaper. “I think it’s the polite thing to do . . . And don’t get home too late; I’ll be waiting up for a full report.”

  He finally looked up at her and met her glance. They both laughed at the same time.

  THE PARKING LOT WAS FULL OF CARS WHEN CAROLYN REACHED THE church. The word had spread; Vera was good at that, Carolyn knew. Obviously, many people had turned out to meet Ben’s replacement.

  It was a boost for the Peace & Plenty committee, Carolyn reflected. They usually struggled along with a skeleton crew of volunteers in the winter. No one liked to come out on cold nights. But there would be a pile of sandwiches made tonight, thanks to Reverend Lawrence’s debut.

  Sophie Potter stood in the hallway, just inside the glass doors, and greeted Carolyn with a hug. “Carolyn, so sweet of you to come. How are you holding up? How’s Ben?”

  “I’m fine, just a little tired. Ben is doing very well. He might come home tomorrow, or Saturday. He’s getting restless.”

  “That’s a good sign. He’s not the type to linger in bed a minute longer than he needs to. He’ll be back to his old self very soon,” Sophie predicted.

  Carolyn hung up her coat on a hook in the hallway, and they walked toward Fellowship Hall. They first passed the church kitchen, which was bustling with activity. Wearing an apron and plastic gloves, Molly Willoughby was slicing a large ham with a stainless steel slicing machine, while her sister-in-law, Jessica, arranged the food on platters. There were others in the kitchen as well, making hard-boiled eggs and slicing loaves of bakery bread. Carolyn wasn’t sure where all the supplies came from, though the whole program was run on donations.

  As she walked into Fellowship Hall, she saw a few of the deacons setting up folding tables in a long row that nearly went the length of the room. Other volunteers were covering the tables with plastic and setting out other supplies.

  Carolyn heard a few friends call out to her. Tucker Tulley and his wife, Fran, paused in their work to greet her. Emily and Dan waved from across the room, and even Lillian Warwick deigned to acknowledge her with a tilt of her head.

  Carolyn was surprised to see Lillian. Though she was a church trustee who contributed generously to their funding, she rarely came out of her house at night and never volunteered for anything. Obviously, she was eager to interview Reverend Lawrence and decide if she was worthy or not.

  But where was Reverend Lawrence? Carolyn looked around and finally spotted the new minister.

  Tall and thin, she had short red hair with long bangs that emphasized her large brown eyes. Her face was bare of makeup, but she didn’t need any, Carolyn thought. She had a few freckles across her nose and high cheekbones that made her look young, even tomboyish. But she had to be in her mid- to late thirties, Carolyn thought, noticing the little laugh lines around her eyes and mouth.

  Reverend Lawrence stood with Digger Hegman and his daughter, Grace, her head tilted to one side, listening with complete attent
ion.

  Grace Hegman was best known as the quiet proprietor of the antique store in town, the famous Bramble. But she was quite active at church and sat on the council and other committees. Her father, Digger, a retired fisherman, had been famous in his clamming days. Grace was devoted to him. They lived together over the shop, which had been a challenge the last few years, since Digger’s mind was no longer very clear. Grace was quite stoic. She never complained, but she often went to Ben for counsel. Carolyn knew Grace would miss that support, even though it wouldn’t be for long.

  Sophie suddenly reappeared and took Carolyn’s arm. “I think it’s time we rescued the new minister,” she said in a quiet voice. “I love Digger, but he’s probably bending her ear with some story from fifty years ago.”

  Sophie wasn’t being snide; it was true. Most of Digger’s conversation now involved the distant past, which seemed more vivid to him than his everyday life.

  “Oh yes. That was a blizzard,” Carolyn heard Grace saying. “But we usually don’t get snowstorms quite that bad here. The snowfall is always a little lighter here on the coast.”

  Carolyn suspected that Grace was afraid her father was going to scare poor Reverend Lawrence away with his stories of blizzards and hurricanes—and giant, man-eating clams.

  “I grew up in Minnesota, so I know a little about snow,” Reverend Lawrence replied. She had a nice smile, Carolyn thought.

  She had a nice voice, too, even and low, but not too soft. A nice speaking voice was important for a minister.

  Her outfit was simple: a blue-gray cardigan with a white top underneath, worn over dark jeans. A single piece of jewelry, a cross that hung from a thin leather strip around her neck, was the only suggestion of her profession. It appeared to have been made by hand, a folk or native design. The piece had an exotic, primitive beauty, Carolyn thought. The choice seemed to say a lot about the woman who wore it.