Page 9 of Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope
Morgan thought back to her own wedding six years ago. She’d been in the early part of her nursing school education, but they’d been young and in love when they’d stood before the justice of the peace and recited their vows. And they’d kept them—until, as promised, death did them part. She’d not thought that would be so soon. She swallowed back the emotion clogging her throat at the memories that threatened to assail her.
She’d come to Pine Hill to make a new, positive, happy life. Positive and happy, that was her from now on. Most of the time, she really was a glass-half-full person. It was just since Trey’s death that she felt as if life kept tipping her glass over and draining it, and her. But coming to Pine Hill was refilling her cup, and every day seemed better than the one before.
“What about you, Morgan? Do you have plans to remarry?” Ruby asked.
Channeling positivity and happiness, Morgan settled for wrinkling her nose instead of frowning—or worse, crying. “No. I don’t plan to date, much less get serious enough to consider marriage.” Now why had the fireman from Greyson’s class just popped into her head? Probably for the same reason she’d not been able to stop thinking about him as she’d drifted off to sleep the night before. “I just want to be a good mom to Greyson.”
“Nothing says a woman can’t be a good mom and date, too,” Maybelle pointed out in a no-nonsense tone.
Morgan considered pointing out that Maybelle herself had never remarried after losing her soldier husband at a young age, nor had the woman had children. But she decided there was no reason to remind Maybelle of her loss. Over the years, Maybelle had dedicated her life to the betterment of Pine Hill. Morgan wanted to do the same. Positive and happy, she reminded herself. She had this.
“True, but Greyson’s been through so much. The last thing he needs is for me to get distracted by a man.” The last thing she needed was to be distracted by a man, which was why she needed to quit thinking about Andrew. “Currently, my top priority is to give my son the most amazing Christmas ever,” Morgan said, knowing the women would be all over that as Christmas was their thing. “That’s one of the reasons I agreed when Grammy Claudia suggested I move to Pine Hill. I want him to know the love of being around family and the enchantment of Christmas. He needs that.”
They both did.
“I’m so glad you moved here, and not just because there’s no place better to show a child Christmas,” Grammy Claudia said, reaching over to pat Morgan’s hand. “This town always goes above and beyond. No doubt this year will be something else with Rosie’s wedding on top of the other festivities.” She cast a skeptical glance toward her friend, then stage-whispered, “If the abominable bridezilla doesn’t delay her ‘Winder Wonderland’ wedding again.”
Morgan, Isabelle, and Sophie exchanged looks, then smothered their laughter.
“I heard that, Claudia,” Rosie fussed from across the cutting table. “You, especially, should be grateful I changed the date, since it meant you got to travel to Montana rather than sit here all summer.” Morgan’s grandmother had longed to travel her entire life, but it was only over the past couple of years that she and Grampy had started doing so. The travel bug had bitten them both hard, and now they were constantly heading out on one trip or another. “Plus,” Rosie continued, “we had all this extra time rather than having to have everything done by July fourth.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Maybelle said drily, waving the rotary cutter. “We know you got cold feet and you’re just going to find some other reason why you and Lou can’t get married this Christmas because you’ve suddenly realized a Christmas in July wedding was what you really wanted, after all.”
“Well, with the rate you’re going with getting fit for your new bridesmaid dresses, it’ll probably have to be a Christmas in July wedding,” Rosie complained with an impatient eye roll.
“Why bother getting fitted again for a dress I may never need? You still have over a month to change your mind again,” Maybelle accused, cutting more material. “Besides, I didn’t like the gleam in your eyes when you said you’d found new dresses for us. There was nothing wrong with the bridesmaid gowns we already have.”
“Well, you didn’t think I was going to have you wearing those strapless silver tinsel numbers in December, did you? You’d all turn into popsicles!”
“My Charles liked the silver number. Of course, he liked the red gown with the furry white collar, too,” Ruby mused, her expression saying she hadn’t been so sure about either one. “He’s looking forward to seeing what you choose next, as he says I’ll look lovely no matter what I’m wearing. That man is just the sweetest.”
All the Butterflies rolled their eyes at Ruby’s comment.
“Of course, you will look lovely because Rosie would never put us in something unflattering.” Maybelle gave Rosie a look that said she’d best not, if she knew what was good for her. “But sleigh-pulling reindeer?”
“Are you saying you can’t do it?” Rosie asked, obvious challenge in her eyes.
“We could improvise,” Ruby suggested. “I could have my Charles ask the local taxidermist if we can borrow some antlers. Mr. Harvey could strap them onto his horses. You know, like that cartoon where an antler was tied onto a dog’s head?”
Grammy Claudia, Maybelle, Sophie, Isabelle, and Morgan all covered their mouths to hide their smiles, while shaking their heads.
Rosie wasn’t smiling. “Real reindeer, ladies. I’m not starting my marriage with imposter caribou.”
Grammy snorted. “Next thing you know, she’s going to insist we find ones named Donner, Blitzen, and Comet.”
“Cupid would be kind of cute since it’s for a wedding,” Ruby added.
“Do not encourage her,” Maybelle warned.
Morgan giggled as the older women continued arguing back and forth over whether or not Rosie would delay her wedding yet again over the reindeer. Then again, maybe there were other reasons Rosie kept putting off her wedding. Things that Morgan would understand all too well—such as the idea that Rosie didn’t want to risk marrying again, and possibly losing another husband.
The morning flew by, and the conversation turned to questions about Morgan’s new job at the Pine Hill Assisted Living Center.
“I’ve only been there six weeks and it’s a lot different from the hospital, but I really do like my job there,” she told them. Mostly, she was grateful to be working again. “I’m doing three twelve-hour shifts per week. On those days, Greyson stays with Grammy when he’s not in school. I feel so blessed for the wonderful coworkers and patients I’ve met and for Grammy and Grampy.” She smiled at her grandmother. “Coming to Pine Hill was the right move for Greyson and me.”
“No place better,” Maybelle said.
“Agreed, but I’m enjoying the opportunity to decide for myself,” Grammy said, referring to her and Grampy’s recent trips. Their brief visit to Georgia last year had been the highlight of her and Greyson’s holidays.
