Page 4 of Promise Me This Christmas
It seemed churlish to refuse, especially since it did sound like a simple assignment.“Okay, I’ll do it.When do you need the copy?”
“By the twenty-third.Thanks a million, Larkin.I’m so glad you decided to stop in.”
*
When Robin wokefrom his nap, Amy took the adorable scamp down to the kitchen for his late lunch.Since he’d moved from two naps a day to one, he was now sleeping from eleven-thirty until one-thirty, so he missed their official lunch hour.Amy hoped to eventually shift his nap a little later, but for now Robin was getting a prenap lunch and a postnap lunch.She popped him into his high chair and put some choices on his tray.A sliced boiled egg, diced apples, small pieces of cheese.As he ate, she filled his sippy cup with milk.
It was almost time to put out cocoa, hot apple cider, and freshly baked cookies in the sitting room for the guests.But she knew Robin would be full of energy after his nap and lunch.He’d love to go outside and play in the snow.
Chet had gone into work for the afternoon, so she couldn’t ask him for help.She’d noticed her brother was in the library, chatting with Ethel.She could ask him, but he’d already promised to look at their garbage disposal, which had decided to act up now, just six days before they’d be closed for the season.
As Amy pondered her limited options, Shelley emerged from the back patio door, lugging the empty garbage canisters.She heeled off her snowy boots and gave Robin a big smile.“Hey there, cutie.Did you have a good nap?”
Robin threw a piece of cheese at her, then gave her a toothy grin.
Amy picked up the cheese and gave a rueful shrug.“Sorry about that.If it’s any consolation, he tends to throw food only at the people he likes.Thanks for taking out the garbage and the recycling.”
“No problem.”Shelley returned the empty canisters to their proper places, then washed her hands.She’d been at work for six hours and still looked as good as when she’d arrived.Not so much as a wisp of her thick brunette hair had escaped the artful “messy” bun she’d started the day with.Her lightly made-up face remained dewy, and her white cotton shirt pristine.
“How do you manage to look so good after working so hard?”
Shelley laughed.“I’ve had plenty of practice at the care home.That job has its challenges.Believe me I’ve had worse things thrown at me than cubes of cheese.”
“Maybe you could teach me some of your secrets,” Amy said, noticing a stain from Robin’s oat cereal on the hem of her sweatshirt.
“You’ve got a cute new-mom look that suits you just fine, Amy.”Shelley’s smile seemed about to falter, but then it broadened again.“How about I set up the afternoon buffet for the guests before I go home?”
“That would be so helpful.I’d love to take Robin outside to play in all that fresh snow.”By now she assumed Shelley knew the drill, but just in case, she went over the items that needed to be put out.“Two thermoses, one with cocoa and another with spiced apple cider.Also, put out Jo’s fresh-baked cookies.”She gestured to a baking tray, cooling on the counter and covered with a thin cotton towel.
Shelley removed the towel, then frowned.“Do these look a little burned to you?”
Amy handed Robin his cup, then went to take a look.It was true, the edges of the cookies were darker than usual.Not quite burned, but not up to Jo’s usual standard.“Oh dear.I don’t think we have anything else to put out.”
“It’ll be okay,” Shelley said briskly as she began stacking the cookies onto a decorative platter.“I’m sure they still taste delicious.”
Amy was going to try one, to make sure, but Robin decided he was finished his lunch and communicated the message by tossing his cup to the floor.
“All done, Robin?You don’t need to throw things, my love.”Calmly she picked up the cup—which had a special lid to prevent leaks—and then unstrapped her son from the chair.He grinned at her, showcasing his neat row of new baby teeth.Honestly, he was just too cute.
“I’ll clean his chair and then take the beverages and cookies out to the sitting room,” Shelley said.“You go ahead and have some fun.”
“Dough,” Robin said once she had him in her arms.“Dough, dough, dough!”
Amy knew this was his way of communicating that he wanted to get down.She set him on the floor gently.“We’re going outside to play, Robin.But first we have to put on our coats and boots.”
Proving he understood, Robin began toddling toward the closet.
“You sure you’re okay?”Amy asked Shelley before following him.
“I’ve got this.”
“I’ll be right outside if you need me.”
Shelley laughed.“Go.I’ll be fine.”
“My husband says I’m a control freak.You don’t think so, do you?”Leaving Shelley shaking her head, Amy rushed after her little boy.
*
