Weaving the Strands

by Barbara Hinske

  Maggie laughed. “You might have something there. Now go get a good night’s sleep. We’ve got a full day tomorrow.”

  ***

  The mall was pandemonium the next afternoon. Alex, Marc, and Aaron caught up with them as they waited in line for Santa Claus. After the bare minimum of pleasantries, Susan grabbed Aaron’s arm and announced, “We’re outta here. Where shall we meet you?”

  “We’ll be here a while,” Mike said with a sigh. “What’re we doing after this?”

  “It’s a surprise,” Maggie replied. She turned to Susan and Aaron. “I’ll call you half an hour before you’re supposed to be there.”

  “For Pete’s sake, Mom, just tell us,” Susan scoffed, but Maggie could tell she liked the intrigue. Just as she always had. No matter how grown up, Susan loved a secret.

  Maggie ignored her and motioned to Alex. She leaned in and whispered briefly in his ear. Alex nodded and a smile spread across his lips.

  “Perfect. We’ll be there. I can handle those two,” he said, gesturing toward his brother and Susan.

  The wait for Santa Claus dragged on interminably. The girls grew fussy and impatient and their parents increasingly short-tempered. John finally dispatched Mike and Amy to get a snack. He turned his attention to the twins. “Have I ever told you about the time Roman had to help Santa Claus?”

  “No,” they replied in wide-eyed unison. John winked at Maggie and launched into the tall tale.

  By the time Mike and Amy returned, Sophie and Sarah were next in line. They opted to go up together. Santa listened to both intently and assured them he would know where to find them on Christmas Eve. Satisfied, the girls bounded off his lap, shouting they were ready to “go to the surprise.”

  Maggie placed the call to Alex. “Time to launch,” she said into the phone as they made the long walk to their cars.

  ***

  The twins bombarded Maggie with questions on the way to The Mill while Amy napped in the passenger seat. John and Mike brought up the rear. The skies were partly cloudy, but the air was still. A lovely afternoon to learn to skate, Maggie thought.

  Alex, Marc, Aaron, and Susan were waiting by Alex’s car when they pulled into the lot. There were other skaters on the rink, but it was far from full. Maggie gathered her brood and announced that she and John would be giving them skating lessons.

  “You’re kidding, right?” Mike asked. “I was never any good at inline skating as a kid. Getting on ice can only be worse.”

  “Don’t be such an old stick-in-the-mud,” his sister scolded. Mike turned to his wife. “I’m with Susan,” Amy replied.

  The girls, delighted at the prospect, raced up the stairs to the rental kiosk. Their parents followed.

  “Aaron and I used to skate on a small pond near our house as kids,” Alex told Maggie. “I was never any good, but Aaron got the hang of it.”

  Aaron quickly added his disclaimer. “I haven’t been on skates in years.”

  “I hadn’t been on skates in decades,” Maggie said. “Until John brought me here last year on our first date. So I can assure you from personal experience, it comes back to you. Like riding a bike.”

  Aaron gave her a tentative smile.

  “I’m counting you as one of the instructors,” she declared. “Along with John and me.”

  Resigned to their participation, the adults donned skates and the group proceeded to the rink. Only Amy hung back, insisting she had a headache, and would enjoy watching them from a comfortable chair inside. The twins promptly lined up beside John, declaring that they wanted to be in his class. He beamed, pleased to be their first choice. The afternoon is unfolding perfectly, Maggie thought with delight.

  “Let’s mix things up, shall we? Alex and Mike, come with me. Marc and Susan, go with Aaron,” she called to the assembled group. “To make this interesting, keep track of the number of times you fall down. I’ve got a prize for the beginner who stays on his or her feet the most.”

  She looked at her competitive children.

  “It’s on,” Mike called to Susan.

  “You won’t even be a challenge,” Susan replied tauntingly as she took Aaron’s arm and tentatively stepped onto the rink.

  ***

  For the rest of the Christmas visit, long after the skating had ended, Sophie and Sarah stuck like glue to John. He didn’t mind in the least. He even allowed them to be junior helpers at the animal hospital one slow afternoon. Mike was skeptical, but John reported that they had been patient and helpful, and that he’d offer them jobs if they lived in town. The girls beamed with pride.

  Maggie kept short hours at Town Hall, attending to the few essential matters that presented themselves during the holidays. She was surprised to find an enormous arrangement of pine boughs, white orchids, and red roses, festooned with glittery ribbon and candles on her desk, and stunned to read the accompanying card from Frank Haynes. From the look on his face, she would have assumed that he had hated her Christmas tea. Either he had good breeding or she had misjudged him. She took out a sheet of her official “Mayor of Westbury” stationery and penned a thank-you note to slide under his door.

  Aaron slipped in and out of Rosemont with Susan. They volunteered to do all the grocery shopping and any other errands that needed running; anything to get some time alone together. Mike reassured Maggie that Amy was fine; she was just taking advantage of the opportunity to sleep in every morning. By Christmas Eve, life at Rosemont had settled into a companionable rhythm.

  Maggie stopped by Town Hall on Christmas Eve morning to drop off plates of Laura’s Christmas cookies for each department, and to officially close Town Hall at noon. She had just returned home and settled into her favorite chair by the French doors in the library when the doorbell rang. When she opened the door, Sam and Joan wished her a very Merry Christmas and presented a dog collar for Eve.

  “It’s adorable! Look at this fabric, and the pretty bow,” Maggie said, bending down to show it to Eve. “Won’t you be the best-dressed doggie in town?” she crooned.

  Joan beamed. “I thought that fabric looked like Rosemont, elegant and vintage-y.”

  “You made this?” Maggie asked as she secured the collar around Eve’s neck.

  “I did. Glad you like it,” Joan smiled.

  “It’s perfect. You could sell these.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Joan laughed. “I’ve made another one out of the same fabric, with a bow tie, for Roman. Our next stop is Westbury Animal Clinic.”

  “Won’t they just be the perfect pair,” Maggie said as she walked them to their car.

  She had barely reclaimed her seat when the doorbell rang again; this time, it was the Knudsens bearing two bottles of champagne. “You’ve got a lot to celebrate this year,” Tim Knudsen observed.

  When the bell rang a third time, Maggie abandoned all hope of putting her feet up. By the time Judy Young appeared at her door in the late afternoon, Maggie remarked that she hadn’t expected so many visitors.

  “It’s Westbury’s Christmas Eve tradition,” Judy proudly informed her. “We visit our neighbors to wish them Merry Christmas and bring them something we think they’ll enjoy. Used to be everything was homemade, but people have gotten away from that. I’d have been here earlier, but I just closed the shop. You were my first stop.”

  “Now I’m really embarrassed,” Maggie said. “I don’t have anything to give anybody. I had no idea. We don’t do this where I’m from.”

  “Don’t worry about it, honey,” Judy stated firmly. “You’ve probably had everybody over to your house at one time or another, even if they didn’t attend the high tea. You’ve done your share all year long. People want you to know they appreciate your kindness.”

  Maggie blushed. “Take a look at this collar that Joan Torres made for Eve.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me. It’s too cute.”

  “She made a boy version for Roman, too.”

  “I should carry these in Celebrations. They’d sell like ho
tcakes. I’m calling Joan as soon as I get home.”

  The steady stream of visitors finally stopped as the late afternoon sunshine slanted low through the trees. Church was at seven o’clock. She checked the large pot of chicken tortilla soup that she’d started as soon as she got home from Town Hall, then called her family to the table for a simple kitchen supper of soup and salad.

  “Mexican for Christmas Eve?” John asked.

  “Absolutely. Like all true immigrants to a foreign land, we’re bringing some of our traditions with us,” Maggie said with a wink. “Okay everybody, go get changed for church. We leave in fifteen minutes.”

  “Can’t we stay here?” Sophia whined.

  “With Eve and John?” Sarah added.

  “I’m going to church with your Gramma,” John interjected. “And I don’t think Santa likes children who whine about going to church on Christmas Eve, do you?” he asked, turning to Maggie.

  Sophie exchanged a look with Sarah. “We’re going,” she shouted as they raced upstairs to get ready.

  “Well played, sir,” Maggie said, planting a kiss on his check.

  “I’ll finish cleaning up the kitchen. You go powder your nose or whatever you women do,” he replied, taking the dishtowel from her.

  ***

  The joyful family church service featured a living nativity scene and enthusiastic singing of the familiar carols. Snow had begun to fall when they exited the sanctuary. Light from the enormous stained-glass windows painted a mosaic on the white canvas accumulating outside.

  “Time to get ready for bed,” Amy told the twins as the car turned onto the long, winding driveway to Rosemont. “The sooner you get to sleep, the sooner Santa will come.”

  Maggie caught Sarah’s eye in the rearview mirror. “Tell you what. You two get your bath done and pajamas on without any fussing, and I’ll fix some hot cocoa. We’ll light the fire and turn out all the lights except for the Christmas tree, and we’ll sip it in the dark. How would that be?”

  They both nodded and raced into the house.

  “Good work, Mom,” Mike said as he and Amy trailed after their children.

  Maggie turned to John. “Did you see Susan and Aaron? Weren’t they right behind us?” she asked, looking for their car on the driveway.

  “Aaron told me he had somewhere he wanted to take her after church.”

  Maggie raised her brows. “Don’t worry, they’ll be fine,” John said reassuringly. “He’s a terrific young man, and he’s crazy about her, if you haven’t noticed.”

  “With all the commotion, I haven’t had much of a chance to talk to Aaron. Susan is nuts about him, too, I’m afraid,” she replied. “I hope she doesn’t get her heart broken. Especially at Christmas.”

  John drew her into his arms. “I wouldn’t worry too much about that.” He kissed the sides of her face, working his way to her mouth. “He said they might be late and not to wait up,” he whispered against her lips.

  “On Christmas Eve, for heaven’s sake? Where in the world can they be going? Nothing’s open. This is ridiculous,” she sputtered.

  “Don’t go getting yourself all worked up. They’re adults and it’ll be fine. Now kiss me,” he insisted, “like you mean it.”

  ***

  As they exited the church, Aaron had taken Susan’s hand. “Can I steal you away for a few hours? I’ve got something I want to show you.”

  Susan turned to him in the dark and nodded. “Sure. Let me go tell Mom.”

  “I’ve already told John that we won’t be back until late. I hope that was all right.”

  Susan smiled and glanced at her retreating family. “Let’s get out of here before anyone discovers we’re missing,” she whispered conspiratorially.

  Aaron led her to his car, and they set off into the countryside. The pavement was wet but still warm enough that the snow wasn’t sticking. Susan tuned the car radio to a station playing sacred music of the holiday; they allowed the rhythms to wash over them as they traversed the back roads surrounding Westbury.

  Some forty minutes outside of town, Aaron turned off the highway onto an unmarked farm road. They bumped along the narrow track through a tunnel of trees until they broke through to a large field dominated by a lone pine tree. Majestic and tall, the tree was washed in moonlight and adorned at the top with a single silver star.

  Susan inhaled deeply. “It’s extraordinary. Simple and pure and absolutely beautiful.”

  Aaron nodded in satisfaction; he’d hoped she’d react this way.

  “Who did this?” Susan asked. “The farmer who owns this field, I suppose.”

  Aaron shook his head.

  “Then who?”

  “I did,” he replied. “I’ve put that star up for the last several years, for as long as I’ve been spending the holidays here with Alex. I don’t know how many people see it, but I do it in memory of my uncle.”

  Susan turned to face him in the dark car. She waited.

  “My uncle made the star in his workshop but he died before he ever got to put it up. Nobody else wanted it, so I took it. He was a very simple man, a farmer all his life. I knew that his star wouldn’t be comfortable displayed in town. I found this spot and like the light. It’s very peaceful. I’ve been putting the star up here on Christmas Eve ever since.”

  “What a lovely tribute to your uncle,” Susan replied, a catch in her throat. “I’m sure he can see it; I’m sure he’s so proud of you.”

  She turned and locked eyes with him. “Thank you for sharing this with me. You are the most wonderful man,” she murmured as he pulled her to him.

  After what seemed like an eternity, he drew back and took her face in both of his hands. “I know this has been fast, but I feel like you’re part of me. I can’t imagine a future without you. I love you totally and completely.”

  Susan drew a ragged breath. “I’m in love with you, too. I’m just not sure where this can go, since I practice law in California and you’re going to set up your medical practice here.”

  “That’s why I’m bringing this up so soon. Before you may be ready,” he said looking intently into her eyes. “I’m committed to you; I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” He pressed a finger to her lips to quell her response.

  “I don’t want to disrupt your career. You’ve worked hard to launch it, and you’re happy where you are. I can start mine anywhere. I was looking at Westbury because Alex is the only family I have. But I’m picking you over Alex. I’ve accepted a position with an orthopedic surgical practice about an hour away from you. We can make that work.”

  He brushed back a strand of hair that had fallen over her eye.

  “My decision in no way binds you to me. I made it for me, without consulting you. You don’t need to feel guilty if you don’t feel the same way. I don’t want to put any pressure on you. I just want to tell Alex what I’ve decided, and you needed to be the first to know. In private.”

  Susan struggled to hold back her tears.

  “That’ll give you time to decide if you really want to be the wife of a busy doctor,” Aaron added. “It isn’t for everyone. You’re so independent. I think you’ll be fine, but you need to decide that for yourself.”

  Her tears broke free. He fumbled in the glove box for tissues.

  “Aaron—I love you, too. I’m head over heels for you. But if you think this counts as a proposal, you’re wrong,” she managed to choke out between sobs. “If you want me, you’re going to have to kick this off old-school—on your knees and everything.”

  Aaron grinned. “Duly noted, counselor,” he replied as he restarted the car. “And now I’d better get you back to Rosemont before the mayor sends the sheriff after us.”

  Chapter 49

  Christmas Eve had taken its toll, and Sophie and Sarah had finally fallen asleep. Their parents turned in shortly thereafter. The house was quiet and peaceful for the first time in days. Maggie settled into a chair by the hearth to wait for Susan to come home. Just like when she was a teenag
er, Maggie thought; I could never go to bed while the kids were out. She sighed and dozed lightly in the glow from the Christmas tree.

  Eve was the first to hear the car approaching on the driveway. Maggie managed to silence her after the first tentative woof; she didn’t want the twins to wake up. She was about to throw the door open, but stopped herself. Didn’t her daughter deserve a leisurely goodnight kiss on Christmas Eve?

  Susan eventually inserted her key in the lock and crept quietly into the dimly lit foyer. She didn’t see Maggie and Eve standing in the corner and nearly jumped out of her skin when Maggie softly spoke her name.

  “Mom,” she said, beginning to laugh. “You scared me to death. What’re you doing down here? Waiting up for me?”

  Maggie smiled. “Of course. And there’s still something so satisfying about scaring the life out of a child who’s sneaking into the house past curfew.”

  “I wasn’t sneaking. And curfew? Honestly, Mom,” Susan laughed. “But I am glad you’re up. I was going to wake you if you weren’t.” She grabbed her mother’s hand and pulled her into the living room. “He’s proposed!” she cried.

  Maggie gasped.

  “Sort of. He’s taken a job in a practice close to me. So we can be together.”

  Maggie squeezed her hands. “Oh, honey, that’s wonderful. Though I half-hoped you’d come here to be with him, and then I’d have you near me,” Maggie confessed. “If it got serious between you two.”

  “Oh, Mom.” Susan sighed. “I’m all set in my job, and he hasn’t started his career yet. That’s why he decided to move to me. He said it would give me a chance to see what it was like to be a doctor’s wife.” She squeezed her mother’s hands back. “He said I was the one for him, but he wasn’t asking me to commit just yet. And I told him I loved him, Mom.” She paused, and then smiled. “And that he’d still have to propose properly; down on one knee and the whole bit.”

  Maggie laughed. “You’ve always been an incredible romantic.”

  She held her daughter’s radiant face between her hands and looked into her eyes. “Honey, I’m delighted for you. Aaron is a good man, and it’s clear to me that he adores you.”