Page 101 of The Blessings of Christmas
Bryn was already walking toward the front door. “I’m going home right now to sort through my boxes. A community tree. What a great idea.” Josie and Emily followed her outside.
“You ladies are the best,” Victoria called after them.
Maisy slipped the covers back on the pathetic boxes from the Five and Dime. “I can't wait to see what people bring in.”
“Darn it. My eye is itching.” Frustrated, Victoria reached for the gauze.
“Don’t touch it.” Maisy dropped the boxes on the nearest table. “What did the doctor say? You know...your Dr. Darling.” She gave the name a saucy trill.
“He’s notmyDr. Darling.” The thought made her lightheaded. “The nurse gave me written instructions. They’re in my bag somewhere. Of course I don’t want this to get any worse. I’d have to go back.”
Another mind-bending thought. One that she liked.
The bell rang above the door and she twirled. “Hi, Miss Charlotte.” Emily's neighbor swirled inside, wearing one of her lavender outfits, followed by her friends, Genevieve and Melinda Sue. The three older women had become regulars. Over sweet tea and croissants, they solved the problems of the world. Victoria didn't mind a bit. The three widows had their manicured fingers on the pulse of the town. She learned a lot from them, and they often took home hearty salads for dinner.
Right now they were looking at her in horror. “Oh, my goodness. What happened to you?” Miss Charlotte pressed a tight fist to her lips.
“I look like Captain Hook, right? It’s nothing really. Just got a speck in my eye.”
Questions filled the air as they took their seats. Victoria had to be careful what she told them. Sometimes she wondered why the town bothered having a newspaper. In Sweetwater Creek word of mouth spread a lot faster than the printed word.
“Was that Emily I saw getting into her car?” Miss Charlotte asked. “I've heard wonderful news about her. Sunday dinner with her folks, you know.”
“Just what is that news, Lottie?” Getting up, Melinda Sue wandered over to the bakery case. “Christmas is no time for secrets. Oh, look. Gingerbread men!”
“Back to my news.” Miss Charlotte gave her friends a mischievous smile. “I understand that Emily is going to hear the patter of little feet before next summer's over.”
Excitement circled the room, as invigorating as the smell of fresh pine. “Oh, my word.” “You don’t say.” Genevieve and Melinda Sue talked at once, the gingerbread men forgotten.
“I'd better get going and make her one of my baby sweater sets.” Melinda Sue’s fingers twitched, as if she were already working that yarn. “Do they know if it’s a boy or girl?”
“Haven't got a clue.” Although everyone looked thrilled, Victoria felt a curious sadness curling at the edge of her mind.
Babies. Marriage and babies. Both felt out of reach.
The elation settled in the room. Once the three older women had picked out their pastry and Maisy had served their sweet tea, conversation went back to Victoria’s eye.
But no way was she admitting that she’d chopped off branches from bushes in the square. “I, ah, was hanging a picture. A splinter flew out of the frame.” She’d retreated behind the counter.
The ladies seemed to buy it. After Victoria mentioned the urgent care center, questions buzzed around her like a cloud of Carolina gnats. To Victoria’s horror, Maisy jumped right in with, “And a hot new doctor took care of her.”
“Do tell.” Miss Charlotte's quizzical look told Victoria she wanted to hear more.
How she wished Maisy hadn’t said anything. “Trust me, Miss Charlotte. There's nothing for me to tell.”
Straightening the menu signs that sat atop the counter, she heard Maisy snort. That did it. Victoria shot her a sharp glance. Her itchy eye was making her more than a bit touchy.
A mother with two young children came in. Perfect time to exit. Leaving the room, she bustled into the back as if she had very important things to do. She had to strategize. Somehow she had to run into Dr. Darling again.
More than sugar plums danced in her head when she thought of that man. No way would she face a sad Christmas. This season called for action. Derek Darling had become her Christmas goal.
CHAPTER 3
Within days Christmas tree decorations began popping up on Victoria’s tree. The sign asking customers for their old ornaments had been successful. An elf was tucked here; an angel was hung there. Almost anyone who ordered scones or coffee noticed Emily’s sign and came back with a contribution from their past. Victoria felt touched by the outpouring.
Miss Charlotte proudly hung up a plump Santa Claus she’d picked up in a Michigan Christmas store while traveling with her husband Raleigh. Ballerinas, snowflakes, owls and reindeer soon danced on the tree.
“Would you like this string of lights?” Genevieve asked, stopping by one day with Melinda Sue. To Victoria’s delight, Genevieve dug out a string of flamingos from her handbag.
