by Mary Manners
The whisper of denim along her calf reminded Katy that her work day had come to a close and she had grocery shopping to do if she planned to make and decorate sugar cookies first thing in the morning. Maybe she’d have Liz bring Janie by in the morning to help her with the baking. Janie would have a blast, and that might also provide Liz with a little extra time to prepare for Curt’s arrival.
Katy had best get a move-on, but first things first. She patted Billy’s tousled head.
“You’re welcome. There’s only one condition…”
“What’s that?” Billy stepped back to peer up at her.
“If we go to the tree lighting, you have to promise me a sleigh ride.”
“Oh, I do, I do, I do!”
****
“This place looks almost livable again,” Mariah noted as she crossed through the front door of the guesthouse a few hours later. “You’ve done a great job putting things back to rights, Caleb.”
“Thanks.” Caleb placed the hammer back in the holster of his tool belt and stood to face her. “I think those floorboards will hold now and the molding is good to go. A little stain, a coat of paint, a furniture delivery, and this place will look good-as-new.” Actually, as far as the furniture went, Caleb planned to add a touch of character—a bit of old sprinkled in with the new—with a few items culled from the inventory at his shop.
“You’ve worked so hard these past few weeks getting Pickers and Spinners up and running and taking care of things here, too. And then there’s all that you’ve done to help Billy and me.”
“You’ve spent your fair share of days taking care of me.” Truth be told, at a year his senior, Mariah had done her fair share of hauling him out of unsavory situations. She’d saved his hide a time or two. “But, since you mentioned that…don’t you think you should be inside the main house, resting?”
“I’ve rested until I can’t stand it anymore.” Her dark eyes leveled to meet his as she placed a palm against the door jamb to steady herself. “I need to move around a bit and the walk across the way did me good. It’s starting to snow, and the ground is just beautiful with it. Billy’s having a field day making snow angels. He thinks I’ve forgotten he needs a bath tonight.”
Caleb laughed. “He’s probably sporting an inch of dust from his work on the shelves at the shop this afternoon.”
“I’ve noticed.” A bit of light shone in Mariah’s eyes and she lifted her chin, gathering strength. Caleb imagined that Doc Pemberton was right; she had turned a corner. How long it might last, he wasn’t sure, but he could pray…and he would. “If the temperature holds, the tree-lighting tomorrow will sport a memorable backdrop.”
“It sure will.” Caleb closed his tool box and wiped his hands on a towel he’d tossed on the counter. “This place will be ready as soon as the floors are stained and the new appliances, as well as the furniture, are delivered. I’ll be out of the main house—and out of your hair—in no time.”
“About the main house…” Mariah slipped a hand into her pocket and pulled out a single sheet of paper, carefully folded into a neat square. “I know it belongs to both of us…along with the property…and that you said you’re planning to move into the guest house as soon as you’ve finished the updates here.”
“That’s right…a few final touches on the floors and a fix of that leak in the laundry room…a paint job and repairs to the deck…furnishings. They’ll all be set to rights by Christmas.”
“That’s fabulous.” Mariah loosened her scarf and settled into the only chair in the room…a folding chair Caleb had hauled in a few days ago so Billy might have a place to sit while he ate his lunch during breaks from helping. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking…”
“That sounds ominous.” Caleb raked a hand through his hair, coming away with a flurry of sawdust. “What, exactly, have you been thinking about?”
“I’ve been considering the main house and this house...and the living arrangements. I’ve been thinking about how we lost Mom and Dad, about your leaving in such a rush following graduation and now coming back—”
“I’m sorry that I hurt you, Mariah. I left you holding the bag, and it was wrong. I know you were on your own here with Billy for a long time.”
“You’re right…and I’ve had nearly a decade to enjoy this property…the sprawling house and the memories that were made here…lots of good memories as well as a few I’d rather forget.” Her lips dipped to a frown, but only briefly before finding a whimsical smile once again. “But time has passed; things have changed. I’ve changed…you’ve changed. The situation has…changed.”
“Everyone changes, Mariah. It’s a fact of life.” Caleb touched her shoulder. “What are you getting at?”
“What I’m trying to say, Caleb, is that the main house is too much for me to take care of on my own, and the stairs to the second story…they’re virtually impossible to navigate when I have these flare-ups.”
“The flare-up will pass, Mariah.”
“Maybe so, but another is sure to come. I need to be pragmatic about this, and you do, too, Caleb. I can’t depend on you to be here for me all the time, and I can’t take care of such a huge property on my own. If you don’t take charge of it, then we’ll have no choice but to sell it, and then Billy and I will have to find a place in town—you will, too. I don’t want to have to do that. Billy loves it here…the creek and the acreage, chasing birds and squirrels and coming eye-to-eye with the occasional doe. He loves you, Caleb…loves spending time with you and working with you. So, I signed my share of the main house over to you because I want you to live there and Billy and I will move in here.”
“What? That’s not necessary. No—”
“It makes sense.”
“Mariah…please.” Caleb tried his best, yet he couldn’t bear the thought of Mariah permanently unwell. Her relinquishing the main house meant she thought that was the case…knew that was the case. “We should give it some time. Doc Pemberton said—”
“It’s not open for argument, Caleb.” Mariah lifted a hand to quiet him. “You’re going to have a family one day, and you’ll need a good place to live—a place to make memories like we did as kids. The main house suits you, Caleb, and this place suits me and my needs. It’s one-story, manageable. I can feel independent here.” She closed with the knock-out punch, “And, it’s what Mom and Dad would have wanted.”
Caleb paced the floor for a moment or two, weighing all sides before turning back to her. Mariah had always been independent…strong. He knew the MS had taken its toll on more than her physical being. “Are you certain…perfectly sure?”
“With my whole heart.” Mariah smiled through her tears. She fell silent, drawing a long, deep breath before adding, “You know, Katy always loved this place—and she loves you, Caleb. She’s told me so a hundred times.”
“Maybe…but that was…a long time ago.” He shook his head, wishing he could peel away the years and turn back time. “I don’t know how she feels about me now.”
“Well,”—Mariah glanced toward the front window, taking a moment to watch Billy flop onto his back in the snow and feather the flakes into angel wings as his laughter rang out—“there’s only one way to find out.”
“I know.”
“Then what are you waiting for?”
8
“Katy, are you in there?” Liz called from the front hall the next morning.
“I’m in the kitchen.” Katy glanced up from the table where she’d rolled a ball of dough into a flat sheet on a bed of flour. She reached for a cookie cutter. “I’m working on winning a blue ribbon.”
“I want to help!” Janie rounded the corner, breathless. “Am I too late?”
“You’re just perfect,” Katy said. “Wash your hands and come on over.”
Janie pulled off her coat and toboggan, and stuffed the hat into one pocket before she tossed the coat over a chair back. She bounded down the hallway to the bathroom, where Katy heard the water run as Janie scrubbed her hands.
Minutes later, Janie returned and climbed into the seat beside Katy, her blonde curls bobbing in their neat pigtails as she settled in. “Can I do one?”
“Sure. Come on.” Katy handed Janie an oversized tree-shaped cookie cutter and then helped her to carefully place it along the edge of the dough so several cuts might be made along the flattened section. The result was close to perfect. “Good job.”
They’d finished a second before Liz rounded the corner, making her way into the kitchen. “Sorry, I had to take a call,” she explained, waggling her cell phone in one hand. Her hair, usually picture-perfect, stood disheveled and she bore barely a trace of makeup.
“There’s coffee,” Katy offered, noting the dusky circles beneath Liz’s eyes and the exaggerated pale pallor of her skin. “And you look like you can use a cup.”
Liz refused the offer with a slight wave of her hand. “No thanks…I’ve already had my quota.”
“Since when do you have a quota?”
Liz slid into the chair on the other side of Katy. One look at the weariness in her eyes brought concern to the surface.
“I thought you considered coffee a food group,” Katy prodded gently.
“Not now…not for a while again.” Liz waved her off once more. “Just the thought…” She pressed her palm to her lips, gulped hard before groaning. “Makes my stomach churn.”
“Did something happen at work?”
“No.”
“Is Curt OK?”
“Yes, we spoke earlier this morning and he’s fine…due home in a few hours. He says he has a huge surprise for me, but I’ll bet it won’t trump mine.”
“A surprise…” Katy wiped her hands on a dish towel and took the cookie cutter from Janie. She plastered on a smile as she turned to her niece. “Janie, I’m going to need a drawing to display with my cookies…something colored really pretty. Would you mind to go into my office, find the paper and crayons, and work on one for me?”
“OK.” Janie scrambled from the chair without complaint. “Can I sit at your desk while I color?”
“Of course.” Katy nodded. “I cleaned up the mess of papers so there’s room for you to work.”
“Yay! I love sitting at your desk, Aunt Katy. It makes me feel all grown up.”
“Let’s not rush things as far as growing up goes.” Katy grinned and patted Janie’s head. “But you may sit in the desk and color away.”
Janie skipped from the room, her snow boots whispering across the tile. When she was out of earshot, Katy turned to Liz. “What’s going on? Spill the beans. Are you OK? You look…awful.”
“Thanks for that.” Slowly, Liz lowered her hand from her face, but kept it close to her side. “I feel awful.”
“Why?” Worry bubble over. “Have you been to the doctor?”
“Yes. Just yesterday.”
“And…?”
“There’s nothing wrong with me that won’t be cured in about seven months.”
“What?” Realization dawned like the bloom of a spring morning. “You mean you’re…”
“Yes, pregnant.”
“Wow.” Katy swiped the tears that sprang to her eyes. She sniffled. “That’s wonderful news.”
“I know, and yet....” Liz covered her face as the tears came. “Oh, I feel just awful for feeling ungrateful about this.”
“What do you mean?”
“Curt and I didn’t plan on another child just yet. We thought he’d be more firmly settled into his new captain’s position with the airline, and that I’d have a little more administrative experience under my belt.”
“You’ve been a school administrator for five years. You do a fantastic job. The kids love you…the parents love you. Everybody loves you, Liz.”
“They won’t love me so much if I’m gone from work for an extended period of time on maternity leave, and the experience I’ve garnered doesn’t feel like enough.”
“It will never feel like enough, Liz. That’s how experience—and life—goes. We always want more…need more…and we learn along the way. Look at the two of us…you’ve always had it all together, but me…I’m a work in progress.”
“Don’t fool yourself. You’re more together than you think, Katy. I tend to rush into things, but you…you wait for the sweet spot.”
“I’m still searching for the sweet spot.”
“Oh, you’ve found it…him…you just haven’t realized it yet. You’re absolutely right about experience and life lessons, but this pregnancy is not in the plan.” She shook her head, looking a little green around the edges. “I feel awful for doubting God. I know His plan is perfect, yet...I don’t know how this happened.”
“Come on, Liz.” Katy laughed. “Be serious.”
“I mean, I know how it happened, but I just don’t know.” She sighed. “Curt and I were being so careful.”
“Well, obviously God has the last say in this, and you’re right…He has other plans.” Katy patted her shoulder. “Janie will be thrilled. She’s going to have a little brother or sister. I’m going to be an aunt again.”
“But how am I going to manage?” Tears threatened once more, and Liz swiped them away with the back of her hand. “A baby is a lot of work…as well as a blessing and a joy.”
“You’re a dynamo, and you’ll do fine.” Katy wrapped her arms around Liz, hugged tight. “I’ll pitch in, too. I know how to change a diaper and sing a lullaby, you know.”
“Yes, you do, and it’s about time you are doing it with a child of your own.” Liz sat back and sniffled. “Curt will be home in a few hours. How am I going to tell him?”
“He’ll be ecstatic, sis.” Katy nodded. “Remember how thrilled he was when you told him you were pregnant with Janie? He actually cried…good tears, I mean. It will be OK. Like I said, you’re not in this alone.”
“Don’t misunderstand. I’m happy…” The tears really flowed now, like a pipe that had sprung a leak and turned into a gusher. “I mean, I am. I’m just…scared.”
“You, scared? I didn’t think anything frightened you.” Katy patted her shoulder as she smiled gently. “Congratulations, Liz…that simply means you’re human. And it’s about time you own up to that fact. No one can do it all, but you are a great mom, and you’ll settle into this just fine. Curt will, too.”
“I suppose I will…we will. So much for plans.” Liz grabbed a napkin from the holder to the side of the table, swabbed her eyes, and drew a long, cleansing sigh. “Enough about me and my blubbering. So, you’re going to the tree-lighting tonight with Caleb?”
“I am.” Katy’s pulse did a little two-step at the thought of time together with Caleb, time that didn’t include window displays and air-duct repairs, but a flurry of fun instead…and perhaps even a few surprises. “And I’m…”
“No need to say it, I can see the excitement in your eyes. You positively glow at the mention of his name.”
“He’s…changed.”
“So have you. Life has a way of doing that…all those experiences.” She winked through tear-brightened eyes. “And like I said, Katy, it’s high time you rock babies of your own. Maybe it won’t be too long until you know firsthand how I feel about this new round of motherhood. Caleb’s always loved you. The only two people too foolish to acknowledge that are you…and him. And I’m certain he’s finally on board with the idea and praying you’ll join him.” Liz swiped tears from her cheek. “I give it three months…six at the outset…until you have a ring on your finger. After that, the sky’s the limit.”
“Thanks for the prediction.” Katy laughed, though Liz’s words touched a place deep in her heart. “But when it comes to Caleb and me, I’ve learned to leave the planning to God.”
****
“I’m so glad you agreed to join me here tonight,” Caleb murmured as he took Katy’s hand. “This evening couldn’t be more perfect.”
“Yes, and aren’t they beautiful?” Katy motioned toward the row of storefronts as they headed out with Janie and Billy toward the Mai
n Street Boulevard in a horse-drawn sleigh. Yesterday’s snowfall, which had continued through the night and into early morning, had provided enough of the white stuff to carry the sleigh through the Town Square. “All those lights along the shop windows, twinkling brighter than stars?”
“Yes, but none are as beautiful as you,” Caleb murmured, drawing her closer in the rear seat of the sleigh that afforded a bit of privacy—as much privacy as can be had in a crowded Town Square. Billy and Janie snuggled together along the front seat in their snowsuits, toboggans and gloves with a wool lap blanket for good measure. With the night sky, and the moon veiled by wispy clouds that added a black-velvet canvas, came a dip in the temperature and a crispness that made the air crackle with expectation. Undeterred by the chill, the children chattered on, searching for a glimpse of Santa and pointing out light displays to one another as they sipped hot chocolate in go-cups. “Especially with that blue ribbon pinned to your coat lapel.”
“This?” Katy laughed, smoothing her free hand over the silky royal fabric. “You put it there.”
“Because you won the bake-off again with those incredibly delicious sugar cookies of yours, two years in a row now. I suppose it’s the beginning of a long-standing streak.” Caleb stilled her fingers with a touch of his hand. “Not to mention, you are top-of-the-line blue ribbon special, Kat, any way you look at it.”
“Caleb Kendrick!” Katy’s lips curled into a whimsical grin, “I think you’ve had too much eggnog.”
“Nope. I’m sticking to the hot chocolate.” Caleb slipped his arm around her shoulder and nestled her into his side. The scent of her perfume whispered, inviting thoughts of more. “What are you doing for Christmas, Kat?”
She sighed. “I suppose I’ll be eating turkey and all the trimmings solo since Curt announced that he’s taking Liz and Janie to Paris for Christmas. Pilots, you know…”
“Well, I don’t have a getaway to Paris tucked up my sleeve—at least not at the moment—but I sure would love to spend Christmas with you.” To emphasize the point, he gently squeezed her hand.
“I’d like that, too.” Katy nodded slightly. “But only if you’ll let me help with the meal. Mariah is getting her strength back, but she’s not yet to a place where she can manage it all on her own.”