The Christmas Joy Ride

by Melody Carlson

  “Oh, my! Well, of course, you just use anything you like in there. Was that all they took? Just your bag?”

  “As far as I could see.”

  “So . . . did you open the big envelope I gave you yet?”

  “I’m sorry, Joy, with all that went on here yesterday, I totally forgot about the envelope. Was there something in it I should’ve known about? I mean, for the Wheelers?”

  “Not exactly. But you didn’t lose it, did you?”

  “No, of course not.” As Miranda started searching the RV trying to remember where she’d placed it, she told Joy about how excited Emily had been yesterday. “And the nativity you sent really hit a nerve with Marcus.” She explained about the one he’d had as a child. “It sounded like a real turning point for him when he set it up with Emily.” She opened the cupboard over the driver’s seat and spotted the yellow envelope. “Here it is!” she exclaimed happily.

  “What?”

  “The envelope. I found it.”

  “Oh, good. Now don’t open it until you hang up.”

  “Okay.” Miranda set the envelope down and opened up her laptop. “I have lots of photos to put on the website today. I’ll get to it after breakfast. Be sure to check it out.”

  “Thank you, dear. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you. Thank you for everything, Miranda.”

  “You’re more than welcome, Joy. I’m so glad I did this trip with you. It’s been really good for me.”

  “Well, I do feel bad for you being stranded in Flagstaff . . . and during Christmas too.”

  “It’s okay. I actually kind of like the town. I saw a bit of it yesterday and really wanted to see more.”

  “Oh, that’s good.”

  “And when the weather is nice enough, I’ll deliver the motor home to Phoenix just like I promised. Just let me know where to take it.”

  “Uh, yes, we’ll see about that.”

  “And how are you?” Miranda asked suddenly. “Rick told me you made it safely to Phoenix yesterday, but where are you exactly? The hospital? The assisted living place?”

  “I spent last night in the hospital. But I feel perfectly fine and they’re releasing me this afternoon. I’ll stay with Rick and Cindy during Christmas. They think they’re keeping me there under their watchful eyes until I go in for my surgery.” She chuckled. “But I might have to put my foot down. I’d like to get settled into my new apartment after Christmas. My surgery isn’t scheduled until January 8 and I’m not sure I want to spend two weeks in their home.”

  They chatted until Joy said her breakfast tray had arrived. “I better eat it while it’s hot,” she told Miranda. “After that, well, it’s not very palatable. Now you have a nice day, dear. And I do hope that you’ll give yourself a break after all your hard work.”

  With only fifteen minutes before nine and not a lot to choose from in the way of wardrobe, Miranda put on her jeans and the green velour hoodie she’d worn yesterday. To make up for the lackluster outfit, she decided to spend a little more time on her hair and face. She styled her auburn curls and put on a bit of mascara, a touch of blush, and some lip gloss. Okay, it wasn’t a huge improvement, but better than nothing. And really, why was she so concerned with her appearance all of a sudden?

  Of course, she knew the answer to that. It all had to do with Marcus . . . and the intense way he had looked at her last night. Oh, she knew she was probably imagining things. But maybe she didn’t care.

  Now, since it was barely nine and she didn’t want to take a chance of waking Marcus up, she decided to check out the envelope that Joy had been so concerned about. She opened it up, dumping the contents onto the sofa. The first piece out was a white envelope that contained a Christmas card. She opened the card and a check slid out. A check written out to her and signed by Joy. But the amount of the check was staggering.

  Miranda blinked and, certain she had experienced double vision and added a couple of extra zeroes, she read it again. Then she carefully counted the zeroes, rereading the line where Joy had meticulously written out “ten thousand dollars and no cents.” Miranda looked at the date on the check. It was dated for two days ago. The day Joy had gone into the Albuquerque hospital.

  With trembling hands, Miranda set the check aside and read what Joy had written inside the card.

  Dear Miranda,

  Before you call me to ask if I’ve made a mistake, please, read this carefully. The amount on the check is correct. I am not senile or suffering from Alzheimer’s. My heart may be weak, but I am perfectly clear in my mind. It is my choice to give you this gift, and I can well afford it. I know you’ve been hit with hard times recently and it gives me great joy to be able to bless you in this way. Please, do not insult me by questioning this gift.

  You have been a huge blessing to me these past few years. And an even greater blessing by going on this somewhat crazy Joy Ride with me. I can never thank you enough. If you’ve examined the title to the motor home by now, you will also see that I have signed it over to you. Again, this is my choice. A decision I made while of sound mind. Please, accept it as such. Do not question me. And, please, know there are no strings attached. Do with it as you please. Sell it. Live in it. Whatever seems best. It is yours now, dear.

  Most of all, I want you to have a very wonderful Christmas, Miranda. You deserve it. I’m sorry I was unable to finish the trip with you, but I am confident you will finish it in a very special way. I thank you for that.

  All my love,

  Christmas Joy

  Miranda had tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked at the RV title, which had indeed been signed over to her. So much for the mascara, she thought as she blew her nose. She always knew that Joy was generous, but this was too much. She was tempted to call Joy and tell her this, but then she remembered what Joy had written about not questioning her, not insulting her.

  Miranda slid the check and title into her bag and tucked her bag into a closet. After fixing her tear-stained face, she went outside and tromped through the thick snow toward the house. Her suede leather booties were not cut out for this kind of weather, but for the time being they were all she had. She knew it was around 9:15 by now, but the place looked awfully quiet—not to mention very pretty wrapped in the blanket of snow. As she went onto the large covered porch, she decided to just knock quietly, and if no one answered she’d hurry back to the RV. But she’d barely tapped when the door burst open.

  “Miranda!” Emily exclaimed happily. “You are still here!” She threw her arms around Miranda’s waist. “Daddy said your motor home was broken, but I thought he was teasing me.”

  “It’s not really broken. Just a dead battery.” Miranda ran her hand over Emily’s dark brown hair—beautiful, but somewhat messy. “What happened to your pretty long braids?” she asked.

  “Camilla’s the one who does that. I don’t know how to make a braid yet.”

  “Oh.” Miranda slipped off her soggy boots, then stood up to peer around the festive-looking house. “Still looks like Christmas in here.”

  “Yeah! I was so happy this morning.” Emily pointed to the lit-up tree. “Daddy plugged in the lights before I got up.”

  “Nice. And something smells awfully good in here.” Miranda could smell bacon.

  Emily tugged Miranda by the hand toward the kitchen. “Daddy’s making blueberry pancakes and bacon and eggs. It’s our normal Saturday breakfast, but we’re having it today.”

  Miranda spied Marcus in front of the gas stove. He was wearing a striped chef’s apron over blue jeans and a white T-shirt. “Welcome to Daddy’s restaurant,” he said as he expertly flipped a pancake, catching it in the pan, then turned to her with a wide grin.

  “Impressive,” she said.

  “Daddy worked at a pancake house when he was in college,” Emily explained.

  “Help yourself to some coffee,” Marcus offered.

  “Thanks.” Miranda went over to the coffeemaker and poured a cup, taking a grateful sip. “Good coffee.�
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  “I made it,” Emily said proudly.

  “Really?” Miranda wondered how little Emily was able to do this.

  “Daddy taught me how. It’s easy.” Emily pointed to a step stool. “I stand on that.”

  “You got that table all set, Em?” Marcus held up a plate with a stack of pancakes. “Because we got breakfast now.”

  “I just need the napkins,” Emily said, scurrying away.

  “She was so thrilled when I told her you were still here,” he said quietly. “I don’t think she really believed me.”

  Miranda laughed as they all sat down at the sturdy wooden kitchen table. “What a lovely looking breakfast,” she said as Marcus poured them each a glass of orange juice.

  “My turn to give thanks,” Emily said as she bowed her head.

  Miranda bowed her own head, listening as Emily repeated a simple rhyming prayer, then they all said amen. As they ate what turned out to be a truly delicious breakfast, Miranda felt unexpectedly shy and quiet. Something about this sweet and intimate setting was getting to her. It was like something out of a storybook, and she really didn’t want it to end. Ever.

  But eventually the meal was over. Miranda offered to clean up. “It’s the least I can do after sharing your lovely meal,” she told Marcus. “Let me help.”

  “Okay.” He removed his apron. “You take care of this and I’ll go out and shovel some snow. I’ll start clearing a path for your motor home to get out. I heard we might get even more snow later this afternoon.”

  “More snow!” Emily danced around the kitchen. “I’m going to make a snowman today.”

  He put his hand on her head. “Not until you help Miranda with the kitchen, okay?”

  She nodded with a bit of reluctance. “Okay.”

  “We’ll make fast work of it,” Miranda promised as they began to gather the dishes. While Miranda loaded the dishwasher, Emily washed off the table. Miranda was just washing the last frying pan when she noticed something big moving slowly down the road outside. “Is that a snowplow?” she asked Emily.

  Emily climbed up on the stool to see out. “Yep,” she confirmed. “It is.”

  “So the roads will be clear enough for me to get out of here.”

  Emily jumped down from the stool. “Are you going home for Christmas?” she asked.

  “Uh . . . no.” Miranda hung the frying pan on the big cast-iron pot rack over the stove, then dried her hands.

  “Where are you going then?” Emily asked with natural childlike curiosity.

  “To town.”

  “Do you live in town?”

  “No.”

  “Do you have friends in town?”

  “Not yet.” Miranda made a stiff smile.

  “Huh?”

  “Well, I might meet some friends.” Miranda looked out to where Marcus was pushing a big shovel out in front of the RV. Soon she would have no excuse to stick around. And really, what would be the point? She hung up the dish towel and smiled at Emily. “I’d better go get my motor home ready to travel.”

  “What do you do to get it ready?” Emily asked. “Can I watch?”

  “I thought you wanted to make a snowman.”

  Emily shrugged. “I can do that afterwards.”

  “Well, you better get your coat,” Miranda told her. “It’s cold out there.”

  “You don’t have a coat,” Emily pointed out.

  Miranda grinned. “You’re right. But that’s because my stuff got stolen.”

  Emily’s eyes grew wide. “Your stuff got stolen?”

  “Just my clothes,” Miranda said. “No big deal.”

  “But you still have that.” Emily ran her hand along a sleeve of the green bedazzled hoodie. “It’s really pretty too.”

  Miranda laughed, confessing that she’d borrowed it from Christmas Joy. Emily pulled on a purple parka and led the way outside, continuing to pepper Miranda with funny questions. As she unlocked the RV, Miranda could see that Marcus had already cleaned the snow off all the windows for her. Was he just being kind—or trying to get rid of her as quickly as possible?

  “Do you have kids?” Emily asked as Miranda began to rearrange things, preparing the motor home for the trip into town.

  “Nope.” Miranda turned off all the lights and everything electrical. She was taking no chances with the battery.

  “A husband?”

  “Nope.”

  “Do you have a mom and dad?” Emily peered curiously up at her.

  “Yes, I do. And I have two sisters and one brother and several nieces and nephews too.”

  “Why don’t you go home to have Christmas with them?”

  “It’s too far away. And most of them live in different towns anyway. They don’t usually get together.” Miranda emptied water from the teakettle, stowing it below the sink.

  “Where will you be for Christmas?” Emily asked with a concerned brow. “Will you go be with Christmas Joy?”

  “No. Christmas Joy is in Phoenix. I think it’s too snowy to get there safely. So I’ll be staying in the RV park in town.” She made a forced smile. “Where I expect to meet some new friends and—” To her relief she was interrupted by the sound of knocking on the door. She hurried to open it, and there was Marcus wearing a puffy black jacket and a bright smile.

  “Got the driveway all cleared for you,” he announced. “And the snowplow just went by too. The road to town is all cleared.”

  “That’s great,” she said. “I was just getting the motor home ready to go. Emily was helping.”

  “Do you think your battery is charged?”

  “One way to find out.” She went for her purse, removing the key ring.

  “Because I can give you a jump if you need it. I have an old pickup we can use.”

  “What’s a jump?” Emily asked as she followed Miranda up to the front.

  “A way to charge a dead battery,” Marcus called from where he was waiting outside.

  Miranda turned the key and the engine churned to life. “Don’t need it,” she called out.

  “Want me to unplug your cord?” he called back.

  “Yes! Thanks!” Leaving the engine running, she ran around to show him where to stow the coiled extension cord.

  “Are you really leaving?” Emily made a sad little frown.

  Miranda stopped by the door and, bending down, she gave Emily a long, tight hug. “I do have to go, sweetie. But first I want to tell you what a very special girl you are. And I want to wish you the very best Christmas ever.” She whispered in her ear, “And don’t forget the gift you got your dad yesterday. You put it in your room, right?”

  Emily’s eyes grew wide. “Yeah—that’s right. I almost forgot.”

  Miranda felt a lump growing in her throat as she stood and extended her hand to Marcus. “Thank you for your hospitality and a really great breakfast,” she said as she firmly shook his hand. “I wish you a very merry Christmas too!”

  His expression was hard to read as he continued to clasp her hand, but he was clearly uncomfortable. Or maybe he just wanted her to get moving and didn’t know how to say it.

  “Thanks again, Miranda.” He released her hand. “For all you did. I really do appreciate it. And please tell Christmas Joy thank you too.”

  “Oh, yeah!” She slapped her forehead. “I nearly forgot. One more thing. Christmas dinner. Emily had written that she wanted to have a real Christmas dinner, so Christmas Joy ordered all the fixings to be delivered on Christmas Day. I think the restaurant is called Lauretta’s. I was supposed to call and confirm the delivery time, but I forgot.”

  “That was very generous of Christmas Joy,” Marcus said quietly. “But you don’t need to call. I can do that. Thanks.”

  Miranda gave him a big smile as she went up the RV steps and opened the door. “You’re very welcome. And you two have a fabulous Christmas!” She waved and went inside, pulling the door closed and trying not to break into tears. Why was she so emotional today?

  She got in the d
river’s seat, released the brakes, and put the RV in gear. With her eyes fixed straight ahead, she cautiously pulled forward. She saw Marcus and Emily standing together along the edge of the driveway. Forcing another bright smile, she made a cheerful wave and continued slowly down the driveway. Determined not to cry, she turned onto the freshly plowed main road and drove carefully toward town.

  16

  By noon, she had the motor home all set up at the RV park. And with the help of the manager, she’d even shoveled the snow away and put up the awning. She’d noticed some of the other RVs with their awnings out and a woman had explained that it helped maintain a semi snow-free zone outside the door. Miranda had even dug out a couple of camp chairs and a little folding table to set beneath the awning, giving her campsite a very friendly look. And, of course, she turned on the Christmas lights too. All in all, the Christmas Joy bus looked very welcoming and merry.

  Miranda wished she felt as merry as her motor home looked, but as she walked toward town, she was determined to get into a better state of mind. After all, the sun was out, the sky was bluer than blue, and the white snow was glistening like diamonds. What was not to like about this place?

  She’d already called Joy and thanked her for her unexpected generosity. In typical Joy fashion, Joy had brushed it off. “Go out and buy yourself some new clothes—and some good snow boots. Replace what you lost,” Joy had advised her. “And then just have some good fun, dear. The best way to thank me is to make this a really great Christmas for yourself. Nothing would make me happier.”

  So Miranda promised to do her best. And after she’d walked to town and deposited the check in her previously diminished account, she shopped with carefree abandon. She hadn’t done anything like this in years. She picked up whatever she liked and if it looked good and felt good when she tried it on, she simply bought it—without fretting over the expense. She even had the salesgirl put her soggy suede boots in a bag while she wore her new snow boots out of the store. She was tempted to put on the pretty parka too, but with the sun shining brightly, she didn’t really need it. Loaded down with bags filled with a variety of clothes and shoes, she decided to head right back to the RV.