Page 33 of The Blessings of Christmas
When Nathan suddenly stopped, Sarah nearly stumbled over him. Had he gotten stubborn again? When she served him a hot dog last night, he’d refused. But when her mother gave Nathan a stern look, he sank down, unzipped this jacket and handed it to Sarah. Justin was already settled, legs crossed and eyes on the book.
The Children’s Story Hour would be her Saturday break. For at least thirty minutes she wasn’t responsible for her children’s well-being––a relief to any mother. Besides, she enjoyed listening toFrosty the Snowman. Sarah scanned the room. During the holidays parents seemed to develop dark circles under their eyes, deep yawns and, yes, sometimes colds. Quite a few sniffles and even some coughs went around the room. Mom began to read.
As her mother showed the children the pictures, the overhead lights made her blonde hair look like a halo. She looked so pretty in her fluffy pink sweater, green ornament earrings bobbing from her ears.
Surrendering to the soothing cadence of her mother's voice, Sarah closed her eyes. The hum of the heating system helped her doze off. In her dreams she wasn't thinking of her little boys. Oh no. She was under the mistletoe she’d hung up at work, looking into eyes as warm as brownies just taken from the oven. When Ryan bent for a kiss, her pulse kicked up. Almost there. She was almost there.
Applause ruptured her dream. Sarah blinked and straightened. Her cheek felt damp and she swiped at a trail of telltale drool. No one was looking at her, though. Joining the clapping, she felt happy for her mom, who was clutching the closed book to her chest and blushing. No one seemed to appreciate the presentation more than Stuart Martin, standing in the doorway.
Well, well. Whatever magic the library had worked, Sarah was grateful. Her mother worked so hard. The bakery and her boys seemed to be Mom’s whole life. Didn’t she deserve more? While the other mothers struggled with coats and mittens, Sarah worked her way through to her mother. The boys reached Mom first.
“You did great, Grandma.” Justin hugged his grandmother’s legs.
“Thank you, dear.” She patted his head.
“Yeah,” Nathan said. “We’re going to make a snowman just like Frosty this Christmas. Right, Justin?”
“You bet!” Justin’s eyes gleamed in anticipation.
“Who is going to help you create this snowy wonder?” Sarah teased, expecting them to name her.
“Uncle Ryan!” both boys said in chorus.
Mom exchanged a look with Stuart and then smiled at Sarah.
Well. What was that about?
“Can we go home now?” Nathan nudged her.
“But I want some books.” Justin folded his arms across his chest. “When we come to the library, we always take home books.”
Yes, they did. The other mothers held books. They’d probably gotten here early, more organized than Sarah. “Fine. You can each choose three.”
Pleased, Justin scampered off and Nathan followed, still grumbling.
Sarah headed straight for her mother and Stuart, now engaged in deep conversation.
“Wasn't your mother wonderful?” he asked as Sarah approached.
“You did great.” Her mom’s face flushed when Sarah hugged her. “I’ve heard that story a million times. You made it sound new.”
Her mother threw her a wry look. “Sarah, thank you. But you fell asleep after the first page. I completely understand. It's been a long week.”
“We really appreciate the cookies you send over.” But Stuart was thinking of more than gingerbread and lemon bars as he smiled at her mother. “Our patrons love them.”
“Mom’s become a great marketer.” Sarah dove right into it. “Where do you call home, Stuart?”
“Syracuse, New York, where the winters are as cold as they are here.”
They all laughed. “How did Mildred ever find you?” Sarah continued.
“Through an ad in a magazine for librarians. Christmas at Gull Harbor seemed just like the change I needed.” A shadow fell over his eyes.
She should have stopped there. “Why is that?”
“This would be my first Christmas alone. I just thought something different...” His voice trailed off.
“I see.” What a dear man. “We’re glad you came to Gull Harbor.”
