Page 17 of The Blessings of Christmas
“Yes, Grandma will mind the shop during the Holiday Walk. And we’ll see Santa.”
“Good. I’ve got my list. And so does Justin.” Nathan hunched down under his covers.
Sarah’s heart sank. How long were their lists? This Christmas she was on such a tight budget. But she wouldn’t think about that now.
Tucking the comforter under Nathan’s chin, she smoothed the strawberry blonde curls from his eyes. In time the hair would turn chestnut, just like his daddy. Just like Ryan. “Sleep tight, sweetheart. But remember, Santa has a lot of boys and girls to give presents to at Christmas. He can’t give children everything on their list.”
“Of course he can, Mommy,” Justin said with the innocence of a three year-old.
Don’t I just wish. She gave each boy a kiss. “See you in the morning.” After snapping on the night light, Sarah left the door open a crack and scurried downstairs. The girls would be here soon.
She was stacking wood in the fireplace when Chili burst through the door. “Hey, Sarah. Need help?” Toeing off her boots, Chili left them on the brown runner. Then she swirled a plate onto the coffee table, lifting off the foil. “Mexican hot chocolate cookies. Christmas with a bit of spice.”
“Thanks. We’re making these at the bakery tomorrow.” Sarah gave Chili a big hug.
Framed by Chili’s dark curls, her friend’s brown eyes danced. “You and yourMamacita?”
“No, Ryan’s helping me.”
“Oh, I see.” Pulling away, Chili shrugged out of her red parka and walked over to cram it into the front hall closet. The woman was a whirlwind. In addition to raising three kids, she helped her husband Nacho in his produce store on Red Arrow Highway. The place was crazy busy during the tourist season, but in December? Not so much.
“Want to help me start this fire?” That way Sarah could avoid answering questions.
“No problema.” Chili got busy wadding up paper and tucking it under the logs. They had the fire going in no time.
The doorbell rang and the door flew open. “Hello, ladies.” Bundled up in a blue cape that probably came from her shop Hippy Chick, Diana was next to arrive. “The cook at the care center was making mint brownie bars.” She set her plate on the coffee table. “Of course I snatched a few, one of the perks of my position.” Diana’s husband Will was the administrator of Gull Harbor Care center and they had a great cook.
“I can feel my waistband tightening already,” Sarah laughed as she took Diana’s cloak.
“Look at this fire!” Sarah’s beautiful blonde friend settled in front of the fireplace. Only Diana could look glamorous in a bean bag chair.
“Time to warm our cider. I’ll be right back.” Sarah disappeared into the kitchen, took a jug of cider from the frig, dumped it into a pan and turned on the stove. Hands on the counter, she caught her breath.
These were her best friends, people who usually made her happy. But this year she had no holiday cheer. Somehow she had to find it. Her boys deserved a fun Christmas. Wasn’t that a parent’s responsibility?
But she was only one parent.
The doorbell rang again and the front room filled with laughter. Sarah shook herself from gloomy thoughts. Taking out some cinnamon sticks, she dropped them into the cider and added nutmeg and pumpkin spices. While she was stirring the mixture, Kate whirled into the kitchen with her baby Quinn. Such a picture, the two of them together.
“Oh, let me hold him!” Setting down her spoon, Sarah held out her arms. “Isn’t he just the most beautiful baby ever? Two or three months now?”
“Three. Can you believe it?” Kate beamed, the proud parent. Sarah remembered when she’d been like that with Nathan. The first baby was always so special.
With sloppy, sweet gurgles, the warm bundle in her arms chased away any holiday gloom. Sarah breathed in the soothing smell of baby powder. “Will you just look at those lashes, that little nose?”
“Nothing about this boy will be little for long.” Kate slipped a finger into Quinn’s tiny fist and he gripped it tight. The babygave his mom a gummy smile and Sarah’s heart turned over. A sudden surge of longing took her by surprise.
“He’ll be all boy,” she assured Kate. “Probably tall like his daddy.”
“So where is thatvinoyou promised?” Chili hollered from the living room.
“Mulled cider,” Sarah called back, settling Quinn back in his mother’s arms. “Why don’t you and the baby get comfortable on the sofa? I’ll be right out.”
She watched Kate disappear into the other room, Quinn’s delicate head cuddled on her shoulder. Yes, Sarah’s baby yearning wasn’t going away any time soon. But she blocked it from her mind, poured the cider into a pitcher and carried it into the living room. After filling everyone’s wine glass, she surveyed the plates of cookies and prayed for restraint, that red Christmas dress on her mind.
Kate had brought lemon bars that her mother had baked. “Mom’s all about the baking once the holiday starts.”
“But that’s Christmas, isn’t it?” Sarah offered everyone a poinsettia napkin. “Cookies and traditions. Family and friends.” But she choked on the last words.
