Molly. Of course. Betty knew she should have guessed.
Still, it was really lovely of him to think of that and go to the trouble of finding out the right name. He really wanted to buy her something that would please her, something that was her own taste. Not his taste, like some men did.
She leaned over and gave Alex a hug, still holding her perfume in one hand. “Thank you. I love it. That was so sweet of you, Alex. Honestly.”
He hugged her back then gave her a kiss. Betty closed her eyes and kissed him back.
Then she heard sounds in the kitchen and suddenly felt self-conscious.
She pulled away a bit, but he wouldn’t let her go. “I wish you could come with me tonight. I’ve told my daughter all about you. She really wants to meet you.”
Betty was surprised by his impromptu invitation. Surprised and . . . not at all tempted.
“I’d love to meet her, too,” she said quickly. “But I really can’t leave, Alex. I wouldn’t feel right.” She slipped out of his hold, putting a little distance between them.
“Oh, I think Molly and Matt would understand. But that’s okay. Another time. But soon,” he added. “Any progress on New Year’s Eve?”
“I spoke to Brian when he got in Wednesday night, but we didn’t talk about New Year’s Eve yet. He’s staying with his future in-laws until tomorrow. But I promise I’ll ask him right away and get back to you.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s not like I’m going to ask anyone else. I understand if you need to spend the time with him, Betty. I do.” He slipped on his long tan overcoat and a fine silk scarf. The coat looked so soft and silky. Definitely cashmere, Betty thought. “I was thinking of dinner at the country club. I know they have live music and dancing,” Alex continued. “Why don’t you ask your son and his fiancée to go out with us? I’d love to meet them.”
“That sounds like a great way to ring in the new year,” she replied, feeling more uncertain than she sounded. “I’ll talk to Brian and see what he thinks.”
Alex seemed pleased with that answer. He leaned over and gave her one more quick peck on the cheek. “Well, I’m off. I’m glad I was able to spend some time with you tonight, Betty,” he said sincerely. “Have a merry Christmas and have a great time with your son.”
“You have a great Christmas, too. Thanks again for the perfume.”
“My pleasure. It’s a lovely scent. I look forward to enjoying that gift myself,” he confessed with a smile.
Betty hung back as she watched him leave the house. He had given her more than a bottle of perfume tonight. Alex had given her a lot to think about.
AFTER THE BIG NEWS ABOUT KURT, ZOEY HAD PRETTY MUCH STUCK BY Lucy’s side, helping her prepare for Christmas Day, all afternoon and into the night.
The hours had flown by much faster for Lucy, having Zoey to help her and talk to. And the chores had seemed much easier. As they set out china and checked for spots on the crystal glasses, Lucy suddenly realized that it was well past eleven. In fact, close to midnight.
“These have a few spots.” Zoey carefully placed a few wineglasses on a tray. “Should I rinse them off in the kitchen?”
Lucy took the tray from her. “You go to bed. You’ve helped me enough. I’ll finish in here.”
“I guess I am a little tired. But when are you going to bed? You have all that company coming tomorrow,” Zoey reminded her. “And all that cooking to do.”
Lucy shook her head. “Moms don’t need as much sleep. You’ll see when you’re older.”
“Some moms,” Zoey corrected her. “Other ones never get out of bed.”
She was thinking of her own mother, Lucy realized. She kept forgetting how hard the holidays must be for Zoey. Even though she was in a nice, “normal” house now, she still had all her dark memories to deal with.
“Hey, there is one more thing you can help me with,” Lucy suddenly remembered. She took Zoey by the hand and led her into the living room. The room was dark except for the lights on the tree. “I love the way the tree looks in the dark like this,” Lucy confided. “When I was a little girl I could sit for hours, just looking at it.”
“It does look cool. Is that what you wanted me to see?” Zoey stood in the middle of the room, gazing up at the tree.
“Not exactly ...” Lucy checked a small, painted wooden box on the fireplace mantel. The box, a souvenir from her mother’s trip to Italy, stood empty most of the year. But at Christmastime Lucy used it for a special hiding place. Now she lifted the lid and took out a little pack of tissue paper, which held the missing figure from the crèche scene Jamie had set up under the tree.
“Here you go. Jamie usually does this job. But I wanted you to do it this year,” she told Zoey. She handed her the packet and watched as Zoey unwrapped it. Inside she found a tiny plaster figure, the baby Jesus, wrapped in swaddling clothes.
“Oh . . . cute.” Zoey turned the baby over in her hand. “What do I do with it?”
“Just put the baby in the cradle. Down there, inside the manger.”
Zoey stared at the figure in her hand. Lucy thought she was going to respond with a smart remark, but a moment later she bent down and carefully put the figure in its place.
She paused, then shifted the other figures around a bit so they looked even more like they were all focused on the cradle. “Is that right?” she asked Lucy as she stood up.
“Perfect. Now it’s complete. It’s really Christmas.”
“Yeah, I guess so.” Zoey pointed to the clock on the mantel. “Look, it’s even midnight.”
“So it is.” Lucy hadn’t meant to time the task so perfectly. Some things were just meant to be.
“Our family put up a Christmas tree sometimes,” Zoey said. “But we never had a manger and a baby. It looks like a miniature world under there. The way all the figures are standing around in the straw. It looks like a stage where a play is going on. Sort of magical,” she said quietly.
“Yes, it does. That’s the perfect way of describing it.” Lucy put her hand on Zoey’s shoulder and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for helping me today. I never had so much help with a holiday before.”
“No big deal,” Zoey said in a faltering voice. “I wish . . . well ...” Her voice trailed off.
Lucy could guess Zoey’s wish. Or at least she believed she could. Maybe because Lucy shared the same wish.
Just before Lucy finally shut off the lights on the Christmas tree, she sent up a quick final prayer. That unlike the baby born on Christmas night, without any real shelter or roof above its head, Zoey would find a real home with them.
BETTY LEFT MOLLY’S PARTY A LITTLE AFTER MIDNIGHT. SHE WOULD HAVE stayed even longer to help clean up, but she needed to get up bright and early the next day and prepare for Brian’s homecoming.
A shopping bag of gifts sat on the seat beside her, among the boxes the special perfume Alex had given her. There was also a shopping bag on the floor that held her gift for Nathan. She had found a beautiful leather portfolio that seemed perfect for keeping his articles. Much better than the worn-out cardboard folder he was using now. Betty had bought it on impulse, not even knowing if she would have the courage to give it to him. Now she kept eyeing the box as she drove along the dark road that headed back to the village.
A moment later, as she approached the turn to Nathan’s cottage, she suddenly found herself steering down North Creek Road, and driving through the big iron gates on the deserted estate.
She felt a little crazy. And wondered what she was doing there. If Nathan saw her, she knew she would feel embarrassed.
But she drove right up to the cottage and stopped the car just a short distance away.
His truck was there but the cottage was dark.
He was probably sleeping. Or still out working, riding around in his sleigh, she thought with a small smile.
It was now or never, she told herself. She took a breath and drove the car up to the cottage then parked. She had come this far. There was no turning back.
She grabbed the gift, got out of the car, and ran up the porch steps as if she were being chased. She dropped the box by the door, in a place that he couldn’t miss, and then ran back to her car again.
Okay, I’ve broken the sacred rules of dating, Betty thought as she drove off. I’ve probably scared him away for good, showing him how much I care. I’ll give him one more chance. Then I give up and it’s Alex all the way.
CHAPTER TEN
“LOOK AT ALL THIS STUFF.... I CAN’T BELIEVE IT. OH . . . I LOVE this shirt. Thank you so much!” Zoey sat in a pile of torn wrapping paper with boxes all around her. Her eyes were bright and her smile as wide as Lucy had ever seen it. Even the ponytail on top of her head seemed especially perky this morning. But after all, it was Christmas, Lucy reflected.
“I can’t believe it, either,” Charlie said drily. “Lucy, you must have bought half the mall.”
“Not quite . . .” But almost. It had been fun to shop for Zoey. Lucy had enjoyed choosing “girl stuff,” and she also knew how very little Zoey had of her own. She needed just about everything.
The boys had finished opening their gifts and seemed very happy with their presents. Jamie had gotten more video games and accessories, some books and clothes, and a new skateboard. C.J. had gotten a new phone, clothes, and sports equipment. Lucy and Charlie didn’t get as many gifts as the kids, but Lucy was very happy with the things her family had picked out for her. A mug that read “World’s Best Mom” from Jamie, and a pretty plaid wool scarf from his older brother.
Charlie had made a grand gesture with an expensive designer purse she had been eyeing and a pair of gold earrings. She knew he was trying to make it up to her for their impasse about Zoey. And she was also sure he knew that what she wanted most this year, money couldn’t buy.
Zoey had gotten the most gifts of all. Both boys and Charlie had also bought surprises for her. She seemed to love everything and unwrapped the boxes very slowly.
She had bought gifts for them as well, small, carefully chosen items. A calendar for Jamie with his favorite video game characters, a sports book for C.J., and for Charlie, an expensive oven glove, made from a special material that was practically indestructible. Lucy knew that Zoey must have bought it at a specialty store somewhere and guessed that Trudy had taken her shopping in secret one day.
Charlie couldn’t hide his excitement about the oven glove. He tried it on and showed everybody, explaining how he could stick his hand right in the broiler fire and not get a mark.
“Thank you, Zoey. Thanks very much. I always wanted one of these,” he told her sincerely.
Zoey gave Lucy two gifts. Each touched her in a special way. The first one Lucy opened was a beautiful ornament for the Christmas tree, an angel to add to her collection. It was made out of papier mâché with a chinalike face and feathery golden wings. It was fairly large and swooped sideways, holding a long golden trumpet. Lucy put it up on the tree immediately, right in the very middle. She knew it would always remind her of Zoey.
The second gift was the collage Zoey had been working on when she first came to stay with them. Zoey had even put it in a frame.
“You don’t have to hang it up if you don’t want to,” Zoey said as Lucy unwrapped it.
“Of course, I’m going to hang it up. I’m going to hang it right here, in the living room.” Lucy held the collage up to the wall, covering the antique map of Cape Light Harbor that already hung there. “I’m tired of this old map. We needed something new. This is perfect.”
Charlie stared at the collage wide-eyed. “Wow . . . that is something. Looks like a picture in a modern art museum.”
Lucy couldn’t tell if he liked it or not. But at least he was trying to be nice.
“That’s awesome, Zoey. You made it?” Jamie asked.
“It’s pretty cool,” C.J. agreed as Lucy passed the framed piece around. “I like the drawings in between the cut-out stuff. Neat.”
“It’s okay. I’ve made better ones, probably. But thanks.” Zoey looked down shyly, taking in the praise. She seemed quietly proud and for once, stopped finding fault with her handiwork. Finally, it was Zoey’s turn to open the one remaining gift in her pile. “Last one,” she said.
“Thank goodness for that,” Charlie mumbled.
She tore the paper off the big box and flipped off the lid. “The boots! You got me those totally hot boots? Oh Lucy, I love them!” Zoey sprang out of her seat and caught hold of Lucy’s neck. She gave her a quick hug. Then she turned to Charlie and hugged him, too. “Thank you, Charlie. I know Lucy picked everything out, but I know it’s from you, too.”
Charlie stiffly patted Zoey’s back, not quite hugging her back. “That’s all right. You . . . You enjoy them.”
He looked back at Lucy with surprise. Lucy grinned at him. She had this funny feeling he was starting to soften up just a little about Zoey.
After a special Christmas morning breakfast with scrambled eggs, bacon, and loads of leftover cake and cookies, Lucy hustled everyone to get ready for church.
Zoey seemed hesitant, though. “I can stick around here and clean up,” she offered.
“Stay home and clean up? Don’t be silly. It’s Christmas. Everyone goes to church on Christmas.” Lucy put her arm around Zoey’s shoulders and steered her from the kitchen to the living room. “It’s a very nice service. The choir sings carols . . . you’ll like it,” she promised.
She quickly bent over and handed Zoey a pile of her gifts. “And you can wear your new boots.”
Lucy wasn’t quite sure which point persuaded her. Or if Zoey was just coming along to be agreeable, but she took hold of the boxes and headed upstairs. Lucy was glad. She liked to have her whole family in church on Christmas morning.
BETTY’S CAREERS HAD ALWAYS REQUIRED WORKING ON SUNDAYS. IN real estate, Sunday was the busiest day of the week, and in catering, Sunday was a big day for parties almost year-round. For this reason, and perhaps others, she reflected, she’d never gone to church much. She had taken Brian to Sunday school when he was young, but aside from Easter and Christmas, she rarely attended services herself.
Even though she expected Brian at her house later in the day, she was determined to get up early and get to church this morning. She always enjoyed the Christmas service, and lately she had become more interested in things going on at church, like the fund-raiser for the food pantry. She had decided that she wanted to get involved in more volunteer work. That was her New Year’s resolution. It wasn’t because of Nathan, she told herself. That wasn’t it at all. She had been thinking about this for a while. Though Nathan might suspect less than idealistic motives if they met up volunteering—which would probably be the only way she would get to see him at this rate.
Or maybe here, at church. If she could find him in the crowd. Molly’s brother Sam was a deacon and greeted her at the door. “Merry Christmas, Betty,” he said, handing her a program. “I think Molly saved a seat for you,” he added, showing her the row.
Betty made her way to the pew where Molly and her family made room for her. The service was just about to start, the choir gathering at the back of the sanctuary.
Betty looked around at the sea of familiar faces. She saw so many people she recognized, including Nathan’s friends, the Pipers. Eve Piper caught her eye and gave a little wave. Betty waved back. But she didn’t see Nathan nearby.
The choir strode in, their long red robes floating around them as they sang “Come All Ye Faithful.” Reverend Ben followed in his long white cassock, and took his place at the front of the church before banks of red and white poinsettias. A Christmas tree stood to one side of the altar near the podium, and a crèche had been set up opposite the Advent candles.
Betty sat back, enjoying the music and the prayers. Then Reverend Ben came to the podium for the morning’s scripture. “Today’s reading is from the second chapter of the Gospel according to Luke, verses fifteen to twenty.” He adjusted his glasses and looked down at the large Bible on the lect
ern. “‘When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this Child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.’ ”
He looked out at the congregation, then put the good book aside. “I just can’t help it. After all these years of waking up on Christmas morning, I still feel that same thrill. Perhaps not quite the same as when I ran downstairs to the Christmas tree to see what toys and goodies Santa had left me,” he explained, causing many to softly chuckle. “But a feeling of excitement that we all get when we hear that a new life has come into the world. When we learn that friends or kin have been blessed with a new baby. Doesn’t that always bring a smile and a warm feeling bubbling up in your heart? So much promise. So much to look forward to.
“That’s why, to me, Christmas is a time to look forward with hope and with renewed faith. Renewed by the gift of new life, the birth of our Savior. There is nothing so challenging, so daunting to us, no burden so heavy to our soul, that it cannot be lifted by this news. We celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus, and we are encouraged to lift up our sight with renewed hope and faith and look forward with excitement and optimism. With courage and trust in the future God has in store for us.
“But Christmas is also a time to look back. To relish our memories, our good deeds, our kind acts, the generosity we’ve shown to family and friends and strangers. And also, more importantly perhaps, to reflect on our actions and examine our hearts. Just like the joyful but nervous expectant parents prepare the baby’s nursery—making everything clean and new—we too must also prepare our hearts for the new baby who will arrive and be nurtured there.
On Christmas Eve Page 25
