Page 36 of The Blessings of Christmas
That earned a finger wag. “And that’s the point, isn’t it? Try to get outside the bakery. Include those little boys of hers.”
“I’ve always done anything she asked. School programs. Mowing the lawn when she hurt her back.”
“But she had to ask you?” The beetle brows peaked.
“I didn’t want to bother her, okay?” The words came out as fast as the mental images zipping through his mind. “Maybe I’ve been doing this all wrong. I did clean the snow off her car once.”
“Once?”
“Yeah.” He thought back. “Maybe more than once.”
Stanley grinned. “That’s a good start, son. But you’ve got a ways to go.”
CHAPTER 9
“Stamp the snow off your boots, boys.” Sarah struggled to open the front door of the coffee shop. The wind wasn’t cooperating. One strong push and they fell into the warm, cinnamon scented air. She’d scattered a bag of fragrant pinecones around the shop. Her Christmas decorations really did perk up the store. But Sarah’s Christmas spirit still hadn’t arrived.
Paper towel in hand, Lindsay was spritzing the display counter.
“Do you have to clean wherever you go?” Sarah teased.
With a playful shrug, her friend tucked their cleaning supplies under the register. “It’s a habit. That’s what I do––clean people’s cottages.”
“How was the story hour, boys?” Lindsay had two little girls, and she always made a fuss over Nathan and Justin.”
“Grandma was great,” Justin said. “I love Frosty. We’re going to make a snow man just like him.”
Nathan didn’t look as enthusiastic as his little brother. “Yeah, it was fine.”
Sarah helped the boys off with their jackets. “Was it very busy here?”
“I could handle it. What would you like today, boys?” Lindsay looked like a natural behind that counter. “We have fresh gingerbread boys with frosting.”
“I want one! I want a gingerbread boy.” Justin pressed his nose against the glass.
“So much for my cleaning.” Lindsay chuckled.
Sarah gave herself a shake. She couldn’t wander around in a tired daze all holiday season. “One cookie, boys. Then off you to go to color. Hear me?”
Nathan turned away. “I don't want a cookie.”
Sarah bit her tongue and prayed for patience. “Then you can go back and color.”
“Coloring’s for babies.” With that he swatted through the swinging door so hard, it hit the doorframe. Sarah counted to ten.
Justin pointed to his choice and Lindsay whipped out the gingerbread man. Then he disappeared after his brother. With a sigh, Sarah took off her coat and piled it on top of theirs. “I need coffee.” Sarah headed for the pot in the corner and Lindsay joined her at a window table. Frost had etched the window with an icy pattern.
“Marriage agrees with you.” Sitting down at a table, Sarah nudged a full cup toward Lindsay and then filled her own mug with sugar and cream.
“I’ve only been married about a month, but yes, I'm happy,” Lindsay said with a sigh of contentment. Sarah felt a twinge of jealousy, followed by guilt. After all, Lindsay was a good friend.
“Tanner makes you happy?”
Her lips tipping into a smile, Lindsay nodded. “I never thought I'd say this but yes. Of course I have my girls too. But you know how that goes. Rebecca and Susan are little and they...”
“...can be a pain sometimes,” Sarah said. “A responsibility. Not that I’m complaining.”
“How is your holiday going?” Lindsay’s forehead wrinkled into friendly concern.
