Page 32 of Promise Me This Christmas
“Our main living area is open to all our guests.”Dana indicated another room in a neutral palette, with cream leather furniture and light blue and mauve accent pieces.The fireplace sat inside cream-colored paneling, with a matching paneled overmantel.
“Lovely,” Larkin said.
“We’re fully booked right now and we’ll be closed for a bit after Christmas,” Dana said.“But come mid-February we’ll be open again.We’ve got a website and an Insta account.Would you like a brochure?”
“Thanks.I was just snooping, as I said.But I will certainly keep you in mind.”
“Great.I’m glad you stopped by.And Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas to you as well.”As she was leaving, it suddenly hit Larkin.She knew why Dana seemed so familiar.
Chapter Eight
Setting up forthe Christmas tea required somewhat of a transformation of the library and sitting rooms, and Amy was glad she and Chet had both Craig and Shelley to help.While she entertained Robin, the two men moved the furniture back to the walls, then set up temporary tables, which Shelley draped with freshly ironed white linen cloths.
When the tables were all in place, Craig left, and Chet offered to feed Robin his lunch and put him down for his nap.
“Thank you,” Amy said gratefully.She really needed the extra time to prepare.She was about to suggest to Shelley that they bring out the tea services when a delivery arrived from Sweet Pea Florists.Once again, they were kindly donating small festive centerpieces for the tables.
Oohing and ahhing over the pretty arrangements, she and Shelley unpacked them and placed one on each table.Then they went to the china cupboard to pull out the teapots and cream and sugar bowls.This year they were featuring Fortnum and Mason’s Royal Blend black tea and an African rose tea from Luxmi Estates.Choosing the teas was Amy’s responsibility and she took the job seriously, anxious to feature unique teas for their guests’ enjoyment.
“I’m so glad for your help,” Amy said, bringing the canister of sugar out of the pantry.“I hate to ask Jo and Ella when they’ve already got so much to do.”
“It’s my pleasure.The extra money will come in handy.I want to get my boyfriend a special gift this year.His birthday is the day after Christmas, and he turns twenty-one this year.”
“That’s nice.What kind of gift were you thinking?”
“I’d like to take him on a trip.He loves music, so I thought a weekend in Nashville would be fun.”
“Wow.”It sounded extravagant to Amy.“I bet he’ll love that.”
“I hope so.It’s our one-year anniversary on New Year’s Eve.I’ve never had a relationship that lasted this long before.”
Amy tried not to smile.Given Shelley wasn’t yet twenty, that wasn’t exactly surprising.“Will you be celebrating Christmas together?”
“I’ll spend Christmas Eve and most of Christmas Day with my family at my parents’ house.But Noah’s invited for Christmas dinner.”
She looked so dreamy.After one year it was clear she was very much in love with her boyfriend.“Do your parents live in Marietta?”
“My parents died in an accident, a long time ago.My sister and her husband will be hosting Christmas.My brother, his wife, and three kids will be there too.It’ll be a houseful, but lots of fun.”
“I’m sorry to hear about your parents, but I’m glad you have your siblings.I grew up an only child and I used to envy my friends who had brothers and sisters.”
“When did you find out about your brothers?”
“Not until three years ago, when I moved here.”
Shelley looked curious, but didn’t probe, which was good.There was still a lot of work to do.“Shelley, would you please assemble these three-tiered serving trays?”
“Sure.”
While she did that, Amy folded dozens of linen napkins using May Bell’s antique napkin rings.Fortunately, Shelley had polished and washed the heavy silver rings yesterday, so they sparkled like new today.
At one o’clock the Carrigan sisters arrived.There were four of them ranging in age from late thirties to fifty.Portia and Wren, daughters of the eldest Carrigan sister, Mattie, had come as well.They were close to Amy’s own age and were two of the first friends she’d made when she moved to Marietta.
Whenever they got together, it seemed they always had lots to talk about.It helped that they had a lot in common as they were all working mothers with young children.
“I hope you and Chet and Robin can come to our Christmas brunch at the Circle C again this year,” Portia said.
