Finding Love in Christmas Creek

by Mary L. Briggs

  “Thank you,” the girl beamed, her dark eyes shining with happiness. “And next week there will be a picture of me in the parade up on the wall. Daddy is making a special cowgirl frame for it.”

  “Well now, I can’t wait to see it. Or, to see you in the parade. I’ll be watching right outside my store.”

  “I’ll be sure and wave at you,” Sammie grinned.

  “And I’ll wave back,” Macy promised. “I’ll be looking for your pretty red cowgirl skirt and shirt.”

  “Would you like to see Dooley?” Sammie asked, changing the subject.

  “I’d love to. I’m always up for meeting cats.”

  ***

  The barn wasn’t far behind the house and Scott led the way. Macy glanced behind and saw that Dooley was coming, too. He was a large, fat cat, and had loved the attention Macy had given him a few moments before. No doubt the boy would climb into her lap and let her scratch his ears for a couple of hours, if she was to sit down.

  “Does he ride, too?” she winked at Scott.

  He threw his head back and laughed. “Not that I know of. But he pretty much can do anything he wants, so you never know what’s next with him. He even eats my popcorn at night, if he wants to.”

  They stepped into the barn and Macy breathed in the old familiar scents from childhood. She had spent every day with her horse, Shorty, until he passed away when she was fourteen. After that, she had seemed to lose interest in riding.

  “Dooley wouldn’t like to ride,” Sammie countered. “He really doesn’t like the horses.”

  “If I was that short, I don’t think I would, either,” Macy grinned.

  “Now, let’s decide which one you’re going to ride,” Scott smiled at her. “I was thinking maybe you might like Wildfire. What do you think?”

  Wildfire? Macy shook her head. “Not if he lives up to his name.”

  Scott laughed again. It was a laugh she could get used to hearing.

  “Peaches, Daddy. She should ride Peaches,” Sammie insisted, running past them.

  He nodded and headed toward the stall of a pretty palomino, near the back of the barn. “Good choice, Sammie.”

  “Peaches was my momma’s horse,” Sammie added, reaching up to touch the horse’s face.

  Macy felt her smile waver. How would Scott feel about another woman riding his wife’s horse?

  Scott nodded and reached for a bridle. “She likes women best. She’ll be a good ride for you,” he added. “And she doesn’t get ridden nearly as much as she should.”

  Chapter 13

  Scott was right. Riding a horse came back to you after a few moments. And now she remembered why she had loved riding so much.

  “Let’s show Macy the trees,” Sammie insisted, as they headed away from the barn.

  Macy could see the rows and rows of Christmas trees on the sloping hill ahead of them, as well as the rows that had been cut and shipped away. How many times had she been out to the farm, picking out a pumpkin, or she and Aunt Alta picking out a tree?

  “We’ll be open for local business, starting Monday afternoon,” Scott said, his eyes on the trees. “I’m not sure what to expect.”

  She swallowed back the flood of memories as her throat threatened to swell. All she needed was for Scott to turn around and see her crying. How could she ever explain such a thing to him?

  “You’ll be overrun with customers,” Macy told him. “It’s a family tradition with a lot of the locals.”

  Scott’s horse, Taney, moved ahead of Macy and Peaches, and Sammie, on her horse, Trolley. Macy hurried Peaches up so she could ride next to Sammie.

  Sammie looked at her and grinned. “Are you having fun?”

  “I am having fun,” Macy said. “It has been a long time since I’ve ridden.”

  “Peaches will be nice to you,” Sammie said. “She’s a good horse.”

  “She certainly seems like it,” she answered, as Scott motioned for them to speed up and get closer to him.

  “These are the trees we’ll be selling this season,” Scott pointed, as they turned to the left and rode between the rows.

  Macy closed her eyes for a moment and breathed in the smell of Scotch pine. “They are beautiful.” She had always loved coming out here and walking through the trees. It was like leaving the real world and all of its troubles behind. For just an hour or two, life became magic every Christmas.

  “At a price,” he laughed. “I’ve had trimmers out here, not to mention a few other people to take care of them.”

  Macy shook her head. “And I thought they just grew like that,” she joked.

  “I wish,” he said. “By the time we’re open, we’ll have the trees near the gates decorated with lights.”

  She nodded and started to offer to help decorate, then held back. Maybe he already had other plans for that. Why did she keep hesitating with him?

  “We could do some of that now, Daddy,” Sammie suggested. “I want to put out the Santa Clause!”

  Scott glanced at Macy. “Would you mind? I‘m going to put out the lights tomorrow, but we could get out some of the bigger lawn decorations.”

  She smiled. “I’d love to!”

  The small storage shed was packed with large ornaments, and it only took them a few moments to position most of them. Macy took one of the plastic snowmen and put them next to a large tree. Once it had its lights on it, the little snowman would glow. She promised herself that she would be out there the first night and pick out her tree.

  ***

  “This is the last one.” Scott held up a large metal rooster that had a wreath around its neck, the flimsy tail feathers moving in the evening breeze.

  “Let Macy put it up!” Sammie insisted

  Macy swallowed back her nervousness. “I remember that rooster. Granny always hung him on the inside front of the gate.”

  “I’ll help,” Scott grinned.

  Macy felt her fingers tremble as she held the metal rooster, while Scott secured it with some wire. Even with her jacket on, she could feel the warmth of his arm as he stood close to her.

  “There now, is that right?”

  They both stepped back and stared at the decoration. Macy nodded. “It looks good to me.”

  “Well, I’m glad we got that done. How about we ride to the top of the hill? There’s a pretty good view of Christmas Creek from up there.”

  ***

  Macy stood next to Scott and Sammie. A breeze stirred what leaves were left in the trees, leaving a slight chill in the air. The sun was beginning to set behind the far hills, leaving a trail of red, and gold, and purple. High clouds were taking on a golden shade that made them appear as bright lights in the sky. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

  “It never disappoints,” Scott answered, his voice quiet in the falling light.

  Back at the barn, Macy helped unsaddle and brush the horses. “I haven’t done this in a while, either,” she laughed, wishing her arms didn’t feel so tired and sore. As well as the rest of her. Riding a horse was more of a workout than she remembered.

  Scott shut the stall that Taney was in. “It uses a few more muscles than it does to brush your own hair.”

  Macy patted Peaches and forked a little more hay into the stall. Going out, she locked the gate behind her. “Thank you for letting me ride her.”

  Scott came over beside her and leaned against the stall, letting his fingers touch Peaches’ nose. “She probably thanks me more,” he said, letting the horse nuzzle his hand. “Connie, my wife, used to ride her almost every day.”

  Macy swallowed back a rush of tears. “I’m sorry you lost her.”

  Scott nodded and took a deep breath. “How about we all go in the house and have a bowl of chili? You’ll stay, won’t you?” he asked.

  She studied his handsome face for a moment. His expression was sincere. The sadness appeared to have passed and his usually cheery disposition had taken its place. “Yes. Thank you. I love chili.”

  “You might not love Dadd
y’s,” Sammie said, as they walked out of the barn. “He puts hot peppers in it. I’m having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!” she declared, racing ahead toward the house.

  Macy laughed. “It just so happens that I like hot chili.”

  ***

  She lay in bed that night, awake until almost one o’clock. She hadn’t had such a pleasant or fun date in years. Scott was funny and sweet, as well as an excellent cook. Sammie had entertained them by reciting several poems and then playing a song on her guitar.

  She smiled. He had done a wonderful job of raising the girl on his own. Still, Sammie had looked at Macy for approval several times.

  Macy blinked back a few tears. She had probably had that look on her own face a few times when she was growing up. A child needed a mother. Aunt Alta had been so unsure of herself as guardian, right at first. But, the two of them had grown as close as a mother and daughter, once they had settled in together.

  She snuggled down under the quilt, except for her right hand, which rested on Scotchy’s soft head. The cat purred, loud and clear in the dark. Tomorrow, she would see Scott and Sammie at church. She would have to get there early, in case they wanted to sit with her. It would seem too bold to come in after them and walk over herself and sit beside Scott. And besides, she shouldn’t be getting her hopes up about him. He was everything she had dreamed of in a husband, but she might not be what he was hoping for in his life.

  Chapter 14

  Scott called Macy on Sunday afternoon to explain their absence from church. Sammie had a stomach ache from eating too much candy in a stash she’d found in the pantry. He had apologized.

  “I hope to see you next week,” he had said.

  “I’m sure you will. And tell Sammie I’m praying that she is feeling better soon.”

  “She’ll be better. All she can think about is that parade on Friday.”

  ***

  The week sped by. Macy and Janet finished the Christmas decorations inside the shop, putting up three trees, as well as garlands around the perimeter of the large room. Macy stayed late, getting the lights on the outside of the large glass windows. In two days, it would be time for the parade and she wanted the store to catch the eyes of the influx of strangers to Christmas Creek.

  Thursday was much the same. “I guess once we get the garland up, we’re done.”

  Janet pulled a sack from behind the counter. “This is one of the prettiest things we put out. Those special lights on it always draw attention.”

  Macy took the sack and Janet pulled the long, winding strand of holly, berries, and lights from the brown paper. “I remember when Aunt Alta bought this. I was about sixteen, or so. She got it at the big flea market out on the highway. I’ve always thought it was so pretty.” Macy grabbed the end as it came out and they carried it to the window. Each began hanging it on the hooks above the window.

  “There,” she said, as they stood back, their eyes on the antique garland. “Just let me get it plugged in to the extension cord.”

  “Oh, no,” Janet exclaimed.

  Macy sighed. The pretty old-fashioned lights had always been an eye catcher. “I guess I’ll just have to pick up a strand of regular lights at the discount store and weave it through. It is a disappointment.”

  ***

  They both arrived early on Friday to put the last, finishing touches on the inside.

  She glanced at her employee as Janet sucked in her breath. “Would you just look at that? I only plugged it in because it was attached to the strand on this little tree next to the window.”

  Macy, busy at the coffee pot, stared. The vintage lights shone bright on the pretty garland, just as they had in years past. She shook her head. “Maybe it just has a short in it, or something. Strange. . .but wonderful!”

  Janet nodded. “I’m so glad they’re working. I’ve always loved their old-fashioned glow every year.”

  “It is a perfect day for the parade,” Macy commented to Janet, as she carried two cups of coffee to the counter. “I was afraid the forecast was predicting rain.”

  Janet nodded and took her cup. “It has rained out the parade the last three years, so it’s about time we got a clear day. The kids all look forward to riding on the church float, and it’s just not the same when they are wearing a rain slicker,” she said.

  “Looks like the street is starting to fill up with people,” Macy commented, staring out the glass door.

  “Another five minutes before we unlock the doors,” Janet said, taking her cup and heading toward the big shades on the windows. “I guess we can go ahead and open these up.”

  “I’m ready if you are,” Macy laughed.

  ***

  The morning was fairly busy. “We’ve sold five quilts,” Janet marveled, refolding one she had shown to a couple earlier in the morning.

  Macy, busy refilling several of the candy jars, nodded. “It is a good start for us to Annie Oakley Western Days. The parade should draw in an even bigger crowd as the afternoon goes on.”

  “We’d better have a fast lunch,” Janet said, heading toward the shelves of candles. “I may grab my sandwich as soon as I get these sorted back in their right places.”

  ***

  Macy took a sip from her cup of tea as the bell over the door jangled and Scott Henson entered the store, letting in the cool December breeze. Sammie was close behind him, a leather jacket over her red checked shirt, fringed suede skirt, and red cowgirl boots. Her straw hat was clutched in her hands. Macy’s glance went at once to Sammie’s red and swollen eyes. Scott shook his head, but Sammie ran to Macy and threw her arms around her.

  Macy untangled her arms and knelt in front of her. Her fingers wiped away the slow stream of tears from the pretty dark eyes. “What is it?”

  She swung the hat up for Macy to see. A small chunk was missing from the brim.

  Macy took it and ran her fingers along the rough edge. “What happened?”

  Sammie turned and pointed out the window. “That man’s donkey bit it!” she wailed, the tears streaming once again. “Now it’s ruined. Everything is ruined.”

  Macy hugged her. “I think I have an idea.”

  “Daddy says nobody can fix it,” Sammie argued.

  “You just wait here,” Macy told her, heading to her office. Leaning inside the door, she plucked her old red hat with the white stitching off of the hook and gave it a quick swipe with a dust cloth. It looked good as new.

  Sammie was still waiting when she returned, hat in hand. The girl’s eyes lit up at once at the sight of the hat.

  Macy held it out to her. “It’s not new. It was mine when I was just a bit older than you. I was supposed to wear it in the Annie Oakley Days Parade, but I got a cold that year.”

  “Oh, thank you,” Sammie breathed, running to the mirror near the rows of quilts. She perched the hat on her head and turned to let Macy and Scott admire it.

  He grinned. “Tell Macy that you’ll take good care of it.”

  “Oh, I will, I will,” Sammie insisted, her eyes back on her reflection.

  Macy laughed. “You may have it, Sammie. It needs someone to wear it.”

  Scott’s eyebrows raised. “Are you sure?”

  “Positive,” Macy insisted. “It was meant to be worn in that parade and it’s waited a lot of years,” she said.

  Chapter 15

  “Annie Oakley Western Days,” the gray-headed man stated. “Did Annie Oakley live here?”

  Macy shook her head. She had hoped no one would ask questions about the origin of the event. “No. But it’s thought that she came through here before.” Probably on a train, traveling fifty miles per hour, but it hardly seemed worth mentioning.

  “It sure is a nice little town,” the tall woman that was his wife commented, watching as Macy carefully wrapped the quilt in paper before inserting it into the shopping bag.

  “We like it,” Macy agreed, pulling another piece of tape from the roller. “For the most part, it is quiet and peaceful, plus, we get to
meet a lot of nice people that come for the festivals,” she grinned, handing the wrapped package to the woman. “I hope you enjoy the quilt. Mrs. Ensley is a very talented quilter. I think she has made over 200 hand pieced and hand quilted quilts in her life. She will be 88 this year.”

  The man took the quilt from his wife. “She might even have been here when Annie Oakley passed through,” he winked in Macy’s direction.

  Macy choked back a laugh. “Goodbye, thanks so much for stopping in.”

  She glanced at the clock. The parade would be starting in ten minutes. Hopefully the store would be empty so they could stand out on the boardwalk and watch.

  “Here comes your fella,” Janet teased, as she glanced out the door.

  There was no time for her to reply before Scott stepped inside. “Are you ladies going out to watch the parade?” he asked.

  “We are,” Macy said. “I promised Sammie that I would wave to her.”

  He grinned. “She’s only mentioned that to me about a hundred times. And she sure is proud of that hat.”

  Warmth flowed through her. “I’m glad that I could help. Poor thing, she looked so upset.”

  He nodded. “It’s usually the little things that upset all of us the most. Thank you for coming to the rescue for her.”

  “You two go on out and wait for the parade to get started,” Janet said. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

  ***

  The sidewalks were starting to stack with people in anticipation of the parade. Scott and Macy scooted toward the hitching post in front of the store. It was a good thing to lean on if you got tired, plus, you had a front row seat, so to speak, of the parade.