Page 108 of The Blessings of Christmas
“Daddy, really. I'm grown up now.”
“I can still worry about you, can’t I?” Daddy looked so forlorn. Draping an arm around his broad shoulders, she hugged him, drinking in the Bay Rum cologne. The scent comforted her.
“When is Randall coming home?”
Taking off his glasses, Daddy sighed. “When finals are over. Just a few days before Christmas. He has to study, so he’ll meet us in Palm Beach.”
Victoria huffed out a gust of disbelief. “Right, as if he ever does that.” A raging party boy, Randall was head of his fraternity.
Daddy gestured toward the buffet with his glasses. “Have you eaten breakfast?”
“I'm on a diet.” She licked her lips. Eggs Benedict was a favorite, but her fingers slid to her waist. She had a two-finger rule and right now? They weren’t fitting under that darn waistband.
“Okay then. I'll eat for you.” He picked up his fork.
Sliding into a tufted chair, she rested her chin on one hand. “What did Dr. Montague say about your cholesterol last time you saw him?”
But Daddy kept forking in the hash browns like he hadn’t heard a word. No wonder Mama got crazy mad at him.
“Have you checked into a hearing aid?” She raised her voice a bit.
“How's your pantry doing?” he responded, blotting his lips with the linen napkin. Her mother would never allow paper at her table.
“Christmas brought in a lot of new business. Everyone seems to be cookie crazy.”
“Take advantage of the holidays. In January business slacks off.”
She’d always admired her father’s business sense. “I'm bringing in a line of gifts for the holidays. Mugs, dish towels and hot pads. Reading lights. That kind of thing. And they’re all branded with Victoria’s Pantry.”
The smile that lit up his face made her feel so proud. “That's my girl. Always thinking.”
Satisfaction filled her. Maybe she was finally growing up. Hanging out with Emily, Bryn and Josie might have done her a world of good. In addition to stopping in for ornaments, she was also looking for information. “Have you ever known anyone whose last name is Darling?”
Lips pursed, Daddy shook his head. “The name sounds kind of familiar but I can’t place it. Why?”
She had to be careful about this. “No real reason. I just met a Dr. Darling at the urgent care center. My eye, you know.”
“Good morning!” Looking impeccably fresh in a red sweater and gray slacks with gray leather boots, her mother breezed into the room. Ash blonde hair framed the sparkling blue eyes and flawless skin she’d passed on to Victoria. “I thought I heard your voice, sweetheart.”
“Morning, Mama.”
One hand on Daddy’s shoulder, Mama offered her cheek for a kiss. Daddy was always careful not to mess her hairdo. “Our little girl was just asking if I knew Dr. Darling.”
Oh, why did Daddy have to mention that? The interrogation would start. A flush burn its way up her cheeks.
“Who is Dr. Darling?” her mother asked, helping herself to dry toast and coffee. “What an unusual name. Is he single?”
“I wouldn’t know.” Mama was always scheming to get her married off. The society page in Palm Beach would be filled with holiday engagements leading to summer weddings.
But not for her. That might be the difficult part of going down there for the holidays. All the questions when she had no answers.
“Actually, Mama, I came to borrow some decorations. Customers are bringing in their own ornaments from home. I thought I’d add some of ours to the tree at Victoria’s Pantry.”
“That’s sweet, Bitsy.” Daddy turned his attention from the sports page.
“Check the Christmas room in the attic and take what you want. I would think some wonderful things are stored up there.” Scooping up a plate, Mama added a small mound of eggs to a sliver of dry toast. No wonder she kept her shape.
“Did something happen to your eye, Victoria?” Setting the plate down at the table, her mother skirted Daddy’s chair and came closer.
