Page 47 of Promise Me This Christmas
Chet shot her a worried look.“Perfection can be overrated.You’re already under a lot of pressure.”
“Nope.I’m refusing to be stressed.I’m just going to cheerfully check and recheck everything that happens today.”
“Oh yeah, that sounds real relaxing.Not stressful at all.”
“The cereal is ready.Do you mind feeding Robin while I set the table?”
“On it.”Chet whisked Robin up from the floor where he’d been arranging magnetic animals on the stainless-steel dishwasher.Holding him like a football, he pretended to throw him at Amy, then changed course and slid him into his high chair.
It was a game Robin loved, and he giggled infectiously.
A few minutes before seven, Jo showed up.She kicked the snow off her boots before stepping inside.“This weather, it’s for the polar bears, not people.”She glanced at the table.“That looks pretty.”
Amy had repurposed some of the flowers donated for the Christmas tea into a festive centerpiece.She’d also tucked a sprig of cedar into every folded napkin.
“Tell her it’s perfect,” Chet called from the kitchen.“She won’t be satisfied with anything less.”
Jo chuckled.“Don’t worry, Amy.I’ll not be putting any hash into the hash browns this morning.”
Amy rolled her eyes.“A lot of help you two are.Did you see Robert out there, Jo?He said he’d be out around seven to clear the porch stairs and our walkways.”
“His truck pulled up just as I arrived,” Jo assured her.
Remembering her vow to check and recheck everything, Amy went to the front of the house and opened the main door.Robert, dressed in a down coat, a knitted hat, and thick gloves, was already scooping snow from the top step.
“Good morning.Hope your guests were wanting a white Christmas this year.”
“Always,” she assured him.
Robert had been Bramble House’s gardener and handyman for years, well before Amy bought the place.A recovered alcoholic, he was an essential and appreciated member of her team.Especially on days like today.
“Are you warm enough?Can I get you a coffee?”
“I’m dressed for the weather, and I’ve had my coffee.Got a full thermos in my truck too.But thanks for the offer.”
“You’ll sprinkle sand on the steps and walkways after you clear away the snow?”
He gave her quizzical smile.“Like always.Of course.”
“Thanks.We’ve got some older guests, including a woman recovering from a hip operation.I wouldn’t want anyone to slip and fall.”
“Not on my watch,” he assured her.
“Thank you, Robert.”She made a note to add a little extra to his Christmas bonus this year.In fact, she should bump up everyone’s.She had such a good staff, and they needed to know they were appreciated.
Hearing a noise from the library, Amy opened the door to check.Unwanted mice were her first concern.Surely it was too early for any of the guests to be down here.
But it wasn’t.Larkin, sitting in the sofa near the unlit fireplace, looked up from her laptop.
“Good morning, Amy.I’m just proofreading my article before emailing it to Marly.Usually, I like to review from a hard copy, so I’m paranoid I’m going to miss something.”
“I have a printer upstairs in our suite.You’re welcome to use that.”
Larkin looked relieved.“That would be so helpful.But are you sure?”
“Our door isn’t locked.The printer is on the credenza when you first walk in.”
“Is there a password?”
