Page 26 of A Ferry Merry Christmas
“Not in the least,” Avery was quick to tell her. “I was sitting around waiting like everyone else.”
“I didn’t realize Olivia had wandered off.”
“No problem.” Avery brushed off Beth’s concern. “Like I said, I wasn’t doing anything important.”
“My daddy is going to spend Christmas with us,” Olivia explained excitedly. “Mommy called my grandma and grandpa, and Grandma said Daddy was welcome. Now I don’t need to see Santa, because I already have what I really wanted and that was my daddy to be with us for Christmas!”
Logan frowned and then looked away.
Olivia’s happy face melted as she glanced at her father. “Daddy is going to Seattle to sell his motorcycle. He promised to give me a ride one day, but I don’t know how he can if he sells it.”
“Pumpkin,” Logan said, gently chastising his daughter. “It’s impolite to tell people someone else’s personal business.”
With an apologetic look, Olivia placed both her hands over her mouth. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Avery whispered to Olivia and smiled at Beth and Logan, “I won’t tell anyone.”
Olivia’s face brightened. “This is going to be the very best Christmas ever.”
Avery hoped it would be, for Olivia’s sake.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Virginia spent an entire hour seething after her last text from her twin. She should have known that despite her effort to build a bridge, Veronica was determined to make this as uncomfortable as possible. Regret filled her. She was sorry she’d even tried to make peace. It was more than apparent that her sister had no regrets and didn’t feel a need for reconciliation.
Even in the season of goodwill and peace for mankind, her twin had turned her back on Virginia. Fine and well. This would be the last time Virginia made the attempt to heal their differences. The next effort, if there was one, would need to come from Veronica. Virginia was finished. She’d had enough. Christmas or not.
It demanded every iota of common sense she possessed to resist the urge to throw the entire tin of cookies overboard. It struck her then that rather than toss the double batch of gingerbread men, she should share them with the others. The cafeteria was out of food and there were sure to be hungry people who would appreciate all the love and care that had gone into baking these cookies.
Opening the tin, she noticed Olivia closely watching her. When the little girl spied the cookies, her eyes lit up with delight.
“Would you like one?” Virginia asked, lifting the tin for Olivia to get a better view.
She nodded eagerly and looked to her mother for permission. Beth smiled and agreed that Olivia could help herself.
The little girl jumped down from her seat and stared inside the tin box as if having a hard time deciding which one to take. “They’re all so pretty.”
“They taste even better than they look,” Virginia told her, noting the youngster’s appreciation.
Olivia reached for the top one. She broke off the head and ate. “They are so good. Thank you.”
“You’re most welcome. Would you like to do me a favor?”
“Yes,” Olivia agreed eagerly.
“Would you go around and offer a cookie to each passenger?” she asked. “That is, if your mom says it’s all right.”
“Olivia would enjoy that,” Beth said. “But are you sure you want to give all your cookies away?” Beth looked astonished at Virginia’s generosity.
“People are hungry” was all she said. Virginia handed the tin over to Olivia, who immediately headed in the direction of the group of musicians. Each one claimed a cookie and Olivia pointed back to Virginia. The men waved their gratitude.
Olivia went from group to group and the grumbling gradually turned to calls of appreciation.
What Virginia didn’t expect was that her act of defiance against her sister would have such a positive effect. Soon others brought out and shared their own supply of goods. There were popcorn balls, chocolates, and even dill pickles passed around. The mood shifted from discontent to a camaraderie that had been missing earlier.
The band brought up their instruments and started to play, which helped to lighten the mood tremendously.
Virginia couldn’t believe the change. It was as if the delay, as miserable as it was, had now brought everyone together. No one was happy, but there was acceptance that they were all together in this and needed to make the best of the situation.
