Page 98 of The Blessings of Christmas
Normally she would put on a brave face. But a wave of exhaustion swept her into the truth. “No, I'm not, Gino. Have a nice day.” Opening the back door, she walked down the narrow hallway to her office. The smell of pine brought her to a stop. Oh, boy. Maybe it had all been worth it. Victoria took a deep breath. Felt her shoulders relax. Going into her office, she opened her bottom drawer and shoved her purse inside.
Maisy appeared in the doorway all bright and sunny with a new green streak in her hair. “Those branches are great. Hey, what happened to your eye?” Her jolliness faded.
“Only a splinter. Nothing serious. I like that streak in your hair.” Maisy always let the wild woman in her show. Maybe Victoria should do more of that.
“How did you do that?” Maisy folded her arms across her chest.
Might as well fess up. “Sawing off pine branches for our tree.”
“Wow.” Maisy’s eyes grew round. “Where did you find them?”
“In the square.” She dropped her voice. “But don’t tell anyone.”
Maisy grimaced. “Next time, wear goggles.”
“There won’t be a next time.” If there was a next year for her shop, she was stopping at a tree lot.
There had to be a next year. Somehow Victoria had to make this work.
“Are you going to be okay? Your eye, I mean?”
The words sent a shiver of fear through Victoria. But Dr. Darling hadn’t seemed that concerned. “I’ll be fine. I guess we should decorate the tree today.”
But Maisy was still shaking her head, as if she couldn’t believe Victoria’s stupidity.
This hadn’t been her finest hour. Why couldn’t she be like her friend Josie? That girl probably owned her own chain saw. Or Emily, who churned out blog posts on healthy food like she was peeling a potato. Of course, Victoria didn’t know exactly how easy that was because she’d never peeled a potato. Maybe her education was sorely lacking.
Maisy left and Victoria pushed up from her chair. This shop had made her so proud at her open house a few months back. Greeting friends and colleagues at the opening, she’d felt so proud. Victoria’s Pantry was quite an achievement.
But Daddy owned most of the credit. Thank goodness, he’d never realized that his darling daughter didn't know how to cook. Emily supplied the salads and Jackson had lined up bakeries as suppliers. For the most part, all Victoria did was sell their goods.
This morning, the shop smelled heavenly from the pine boughs. Going over to the heap of branches in front of the tree, Victoria did some arranging before turning to the cases. Darla was putting out the orzo and pasta salads. “They all look great,” Victoria told her. The smell of feta cheese and dill was in the air. Out back, the trucks kept arriving.
Checking herself out in one of the antique mirrors on the wall, Victoria groaned. She looked terrible. But first things first. Going to the window, she pointed toward the back of the square. “Maisy, I dropped the saw on the ground under the bushes. Could you find it? Bring it back, please. Not that I’ll ever use it again but I don’t want anyone to find it.”
“On my way.” Without even taking off her apron, Maisy charged out the door and across the street. Standing in the doorway, Victoria watched her streak past the gazebo and the fountain until she disappeared into the greenery. The trees around the square has lost their leaves, but the evergreens gave a rich, green color to the square. Workman had been busy planting red cyclamens in the beds for the holidays. Soon the crèche would be set up. Holiday traditions abounded in Sweetwater Creek. How could Victoria’s Pantry be a part of all that?
Relief quieted Victoria’s churning stomach when Maisy reappeared, the saw cleverly concealed beneath her apron. Victoria held the door open.
“Mission accomplished.” Maisy's lips tilted up in a cocky grin.
“Did anyone see you?”
“Just Emily, Josie and Bryn. You know–the walking group.”
Oh, great. Her spirits sank. Why hadn’t she brought that saw back last night?Because I was totally panicked and blind.No problem. These three might tease her about it but that would be all.
While Maisy zipped to the back to greet another vendor, Victoria played with the fresh branches. But her mind was on Dr. Darling. She had to get back to that urgent care center. Then she got another glimpse of herself in the mirror. Okay, she looked terrible. But he was a doctor. Maybe he was used to seeing gross stuff.
But it probably doesn’t turn him on, Victoria.
Well, there was that.
“Time to open?” Darla stood ready to flip the sign on the door to Open.
“Sure. We’re a little early but why not? I'll be in my office.”Crying.
But she hadn’t even reached her office when the bell jingled over the shop door. The raucous laughter could only belong to Josie, Emily and Bryn. Victoria turned back in time to hear Maisy ask, “A late walk today?” Usually these girls walked at eight.
