Page 3 of A Very Barrie Christmas
“No. I’d like to surprise her.” For some incomprehensible reason, his wife loved surprises. One of her endearing—and utterly baffling—quirks. In his opinion,surprisewas simply another way to spellunnecessary stress. And he didn’t need one more factor contributing to his heartburn.
“Well, uh, great! Thank you. This is incredible news! You’re doing a very kind thing. I can’t wait to tell Nate! When would you like him to come? And for how long?”
“Send him our way whenever you want. And let’s say… a week?”
“Fabulous! This is so exciting.” Susan’s voice became even higher pitched than usual, which didn’t seem possible. “I’ll talk to Nate and get back to you with his travel details. But I imagine he’ll be eager to come soon. He mentioned his place of employment is closing for a few days to repair a leaky roof. Is it okay if he comes as early as tomorrow?”
“That’s fine.” Bevy kept the spare room ready for the rare occasion her niece, Juliet, came to visit.
“Oh my goodness! I can’t believe it. He’ll be ecstatic! I’ll tell him the good news as soon as we get off the phone.”Susan continued to ramble in her excitement, but Frank barely registered a single word beyond her gushing goodbye and theclickof the receiver when she finally hung up the phone. He was too busy formulating how he’d unveil the surprise to Bevy.
By the timeshe returned home later that evening, he’d planned the perfect reveal. He’d made flapjacks for dinner, inspired by one of Bevy’s favorite scenes inChristmas in Connecticut—and one of the only things he could cook—and had “O Little Town of Bethlehem” playing in the background. A warm fire crackled in the fireplace, casting a cozy glow around the sitting room where he’d arranged two TV tray tables in front of the couch. He lit a candle on the coffee table and waited eagerly.
But when she burst through the front door, shrugging out of her wool coat, she seemed eager to share her own news. “Darling, guess who called me today?” She paused, taking in the festive scene he’d set, her periwinkle-blue eyes shining. “Oh, how lovely! You did all this for me?”
He patted the cushion beside him. “There’s more. But first, tell me your news.” He didn’t want a single distraction when his turn came.
She joined him on the couch, brimming with joyful energy. “Juliet called! And she wants to come for a visit. Isn’t that wonderful?”
She positively glowed in her excitement. How did he get so lucky to marry such a beautiful bride?
“That’s great, Bevy.” His people-loving wife would get to welcome two guests this holiday season. She’d be in hospitality heaven. “When is she coming?”
“That’s the best part!” She clasped her hands in delight. “She’s arriving tomorrow!”
Uh-oh. Talk about bad timing.
Maybe he could call Susan and cancel? Or reschedule?
His heart sank. She’d probably already told Private Henderson. He hated to go back on his word.
Ugh.Once again, his good intentions had landed him in hot water.
“What’s wrong?” Beverly’s happy glow faltered. “Is it okay if Juliet visits?”
“Of course. Jules is always welcome here,” he assured her, using her niece’s nickname to drive home his point. “But there’s a… slight snag.”To put it mildly.
His wife waited expectantly for him to elaborate.
“I just got off the phone with Susan.”
“Oh! How’s she doing? Is everything okay at the shelter? I’ve been meaning to send her some sugar cookies.”
“Everything’s fine. But I—” He hesitated.Cut to the chase, old man,he chided himself.No time to lollygag. “I agreed to host a young veteran for a few days,” he blurted. “We’re supposed to give him a taste of a traditional Christmas, like that movie you love. I thought it would be a nice surprise.”
“You dear, sweet, thoughtful man.” Her delicate features softened with affection, and she gazed at him with a depth of love he still couldn’t believe belonged to him. “What a lovely thing to do. I know how much you dislike having company.”
“You’re not upset it’ll overlap with Juliet’s visit?”
“Not at all! I’m delighted to have him stay with us. We have plenty of space.”
He frowned.Plentyseemed like an exaggeration. Their three-bedroom farmhouse had only one guest room.
As if she could read his mind, Bevy said, “We’ll make up a bed in your study. It’ll be cozy, but that’s part of the fun.”
Part of the fun?And what was the other part? Foregoing his coveted peace and quiet? Cohabitating with a stranger? And what about Bevy’s niece? What would Juliet think about spending the holidays with a man she’d never met? What if they didn’t get along?
A sense of dread seeped into his tired bones.
