Page 110 of The Blessings of Christmas
Easing herself back into her chair, Mama gave Victoria a scalding look.
“Well, I do, Mama. She’s sweet and funny.”
A wave of her hand was Mama’s only reply. “That awful lilac perfume. And those purple ruffles.”
“I think she looks feminine.” She leapt to Miss Charlotte’s defense. “And very pretty.”
“Not a word about your uncle’s intentions.” Daddy waved a finger her way. “I’ve probably said too much. The deal isn’t done yet.”
“That’s the most unromantic thing I’ve ever heard.” Victoria loved weddings. Emily’s wedding in the gazebo last summer had been so romantic. Bryn married Trevor in their backyard, right before Thanksgiving.
Mama was shaking her head. “Really, Victor. This is not a business transaction. But it is very important.”
Daddy didn’t look like he agreed. “What objection do you have, Augusta?”
For a second Mama chewed her toast. “What do we know about her, Victor?”
Daddy chuckled. “Lottie was in grade school with us, Augusta. They’ve been friends forever.” Then Daddy got that loving look in his eyes. “Longer than us, Gus. We met in college.”
Coloring at the pet name, Mama gave Daddy a smile that heated Victoria to the bone. They could get downright icky together.
And I’m out of here.
“Gotta run.” Bouncing up, she gave Mama and Daddy each a kiss and escaped to the hall. The silence behind her made her giggle. She didn’t even want to think about what her parents were doing. They still got swoony about each other.
Back to decorations. Cruising past the Christmas finery dripping from every table, sconce and banister, she knew that she wanted a different look for her pantry. Fewer baubles. Less glitter. Taking the steps carefully, she practiced deep breathing. The third floor was no easy climb.
Thoughts about Dr. Darling slowed the pace. That man was so darn hot. And he didn’t even know it. But beneath the good looks, she’d detected a heart. When he talked about his clinic, Derek Darling had passion in his eyes, which made him even hotter.
But he had no time for her. Not one spark of interest. Now, that stung.
Once on the second floor, she breezed past her former bedroom and headed straight for the door that led to the attic.
This stairway was a lot more narrow. As a child she’d found the attic fascinating. Her mother actually had marked each door with Christmas, Easter, Graduations or Family Gatherings. Organization was one of Augusta Pomeroy’s many strengths.
Although Victoria had heard of dusty attics, Mama’s cleaning crew always included the third floor. Not a speck of dust could be found up here. Her boots sank into the dated carpet.
Opening the door to the Christmas room, she flipped on the light. Green plastic tubs were piled shoulder high. She took a deep breath. Wrestling with the containers, she dug through them one by one. The glitter almost blinded her. Pulling outa heavy gold garland, she cast it to the floor. None of that for her. She much preferred the garland one of Miss Charlotte's friends had brought. The dancing reindeer lit up to the sound of “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer,” and Rudolph led the pack with his bulbous red nose.
The older tubs were at the bottom. She took her time sifting through the memories from past Christmases. Lifting out the smaller ornament boxes that were standard Augusta, she dug around in the last container until her fingers touched something soft. What was this? Oh, my gosh. She’s made this green felt bell in fifth grade. Sitting back on her heels, Victoria ran her fingers over the uneven stitching. Before this school project, she’d never even touched a needle and thread. Putting a cotton ball between two felt bells Miss Miley had supplied, she’d sewn them together with red thread. Then she added a jingle bell to the bottom.
How proud she’d been. Holding up the ornament, she gently flicked the bell, smiling when it jingled. That year, her handmade ornament was hung on the front of the tree. When had the bell disappeared? This would do just fine at Victoria’s Pantry. She liked to think back on those early Christmases, when life had been simple.
When she didn’t have a business to worry about.
Before she’d met a dark-eyed doctor who’d presented her Christmas challenge.
CHAPTER 5
With her grade school ornament tucked in her red Gucci tote, Victoria headed straight to the shop. Not bothering to stop in her office, she trotted out front, inhaling the fresh pine smell. Those few minutes in her mother’s Christmas closet may have brought her some Christmas spirit after all.
Maisy hadn’t arrived yet. Surrounded by the early morning quiet, Victoria liked being in the shop alone. Maisy had attached an extension cord with a foot pedal to the tree lights. When Victoria tapped it with one red boot, the tree sprang to life. Her heart lifted. No more sad artificial tree with stiff boughs that didn’t look or smell real. The lights threw everything into dark relief. How she loved the dancing reindeer and the pink flamingo string of lights. Stepping back, she admired the mixed-up conglomeration of ornaments and lights, laughing when she compared it to her parents’ carefully planned trees.
Being here alone felt peaceful. Anytime she’d ventured down here at night because she’d forgotten something, the silent shop had creeped her out. In the dark, the shelves and counters assumed strange shapes. The spooky shivers running down her spine reminded her of being a kid. At night sometimes she’dcreep downstairs to get Randall some milk. He’d had a nervous stomach as a kid. That marble foyer with all its plants stands and statuary had been downright scary.
Humming “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” she dug her felt ornament from her purse and hung it on the tree. How crazy she’d been in fifth grade. Had she really thought her parents would appreciate this funny little lump of an ornament with the crazy stitching? No wonder her mother had tossed it into the container marked “Old Decorations.” While her crudely made treasure hadn’t fit into her mother’s scheme, it fit in here at Victoria’s Pantry.
Taking her tote back to her office, she put it in her desk drawer. Before closing the drawer, she grabbed three of the recipes Emily had given her. Yesterday she’d picked up things like onions and bacon. She felt like cooking. Tying on her apron, she headed for the kitchen in the back. Sticking her recipe to the refrigerator with a Victoria’s Pantry magnet, she got to work.
