Season of Angels (9781101612170)

by Kinkade, Thomas; Spencer, Katherine

  Clam Box, all day :( How about Sunday?

  His heart fell when he read the first line. Then he quickly recovered and answered her:

  Come to the inn at 12. I’ll bring some lunch and you can show me the sights. :)

  Sunday suddenly seemed a long time to wait, even though he had plenty to focus on between now and then. He hoped the weather would be mild enough to walk a lot and eat a picnic lunch. He was sure that Claire wouldn’t mind packing something delicious for them. But it would be good to go back to the cliffs and take a long walk along the shore. Especially with Tess.

  * * *

  Adele loved the idea of going to church with Sam and his family but also felt a little nervous. She worried what might happen if they met up with Molly and Matt. Or Joe and Marie. She didn’t want poor Sam to stick his neck out any further for her than he already had. She would be leaving town tomorrow. He had to stay and face the music.

  But when she saw Sam’s family pull up at the inn in their huge SUV, her heart skipped a beat. She was dressed and ready, with her coat and gloves on, standing by the inn’s front door. Sam hopped out and helped her down the steps. Jessica was waiting outside the vehicle and gave her a big hug. “Hello, Grandma Addie. You look wonderful.”

  “So do you, dear, pretty as ever.” Jessica dismissed the compliment with a self-effacing smile, but it was no lie. She had to be over forty but looked as fresh and pretty as the day Sam brought his bride-to-be up to Vermont to meet her.

  “Here she is, kids. Here’s your great-grandma,” Jessica announced as she helped Adele into the front seat.

  The three children greeted her, their manners perfect. “Hello, Grandma Addie,” Darrell said politely. “It’s nice to see you again.”

  He was a young man now, talking with a deep voice. Sam and Jessica had adopted Darrell when they were convinced they could never have children of their own. They could not have loved him more, and he had grown into a fine young man, making them very proud with his excellent grades and as the captain of his varsity lacrosse team.

  “It’s so good to see you, Darrell,” Adele said. “My, how you’ve grown since the summer. I bet you’re as tall as your father now.”

  “Almost,” Sam said, getting back behind the wheel.

  “Are you going to come home with us all day?” Lily asked, leaning over the front seat. “Do you want to see my room?”

  “We’re going to decorate our Christmas tree,” Tyler said. He was seven now and tall for his age. He had Jessica’s curly hair and Sam’s big blue eyes.

  “Yes, I know. I’m going to help you,” Adele said happily. “Right after church. We’ll all go back to your house and you can show me everything.”

  Lily seemed particularly pleased by the answer. “Okay,” she said, sitting back in her seat, “but that will take a long time.”

  “We’ll have plenty of time,” Adele replied. “Don’t worry.”

  How she wished she did have more time with these children. They were growing so fast. They had changed considerably from their last visit this past summer. Especially the boys, who had both grown taller.

  A short time later, Sam held her arm as they all filed into church. A row near the front had been saved for their family because they were lighting the Advent candle.

  Adele had just gotten settled in when Reverend Ben walked over. “Good morning, folks. Ready to light the candle?”

  “We all know our parts, Reverend. We rehearsed at home,” Jessica said.

  “Very good. I’m sure it will go fine. Hello, Adele. Are you going up with the family this morning?”

  Adele hadn’t even thought of that. Before she could answer, Jessica said, “Why don’t you, Grandma? It will be fun.”

  Adele was taken by surprise. “I don’t know. I might not do so well on those steps. I didn’t bring my cane.”

  “You’ll be fine. Darrell and I will help you,” Sam said.

  Adele didn’t know what to say. Part of her thought it would be nice, probably the last time she would ever light an Advent candle.

  The other part warned her that Joe and Molly would be annoyed with Sam as soon as they saw her sitting here. She didn’t need to add fuel to the fire.

  “I don’t think so. Thank you anyway. I’d prefer to watch all of you. I’ll enjoy that much more,” she said honestly.

  They finally gave in, though Adele caught a certain look in Sam’s eye. She guessed that he knew why she was avoiding the spotlight today.

  As they waited for the service to begin, Adele spent the time catching up with the children, asking questions about school and their sports teams. The choir soon walked in and sang the opening hymn. Then Sam and his family lit the candle, each taking a turn with the parts of the prayers. Adele watched in delight, wishing she had a camera.

  Sometimes it was better to just sit quietly and soak it all in. Take mind pictures, she called them. She was swept back in time to a Sunday long ago at this very church, when her own family stood there. Joe and Kevin had been a bit younger than Sam’s boys. Joe was the oldest and always big and strong. He had lifted his brother up to light the candle when Kevin struggled. A tear came to her eye, remembering.

  The ceremony concluded and they were soon seated beside her again as the service continued. Last week she had felt isolated and solitary, alone in the back row. But she felt very different here this morning as her voice melded with those of her family, reciting prayers aloud or joining in a hymn. She felt connected to her loved ones, like pearls on a string.

  At the end of the service, Adele rose and gathered her things. She followed her family out of the row and into the flow of congregants leaving the sanctuary.

  “Would you like to say hello to Reverend Ben?” Jessica asked her.

  “Yes, I would,” Adele replied. Her real reason, though, was that she wanted to say good-bye. She had not told anyone in her family about her private chat with the reverend last week.

  The center aisle became a little crowded as most of the congregants lined up to greet Reverend Ben on their way out of the sanctuary. Adele was feeling a bit jostled when her great-grandson Darrell took her arm. “Let me help you, Grandma Addie.”

  Adele tilted her head to look up at him. Darrell didn’t resemble either of his adoptive parents physically, but in his temperament he so reminded her of Sam, it was uncanny.

  “Thank you, Darrell. What a young gentleman you are. Just like your father—” Adele was about to go further with her compliment when she stopped in her tracks. Her son Joe suddenly stood before her, filling her vision.

  “Hello, Mom. I didn’t know you were still in town.”

  How would you? You haven’t come to see me or called the inn since Tuesday. But of course, she couldn’t say that.

  She didn’t know what to say.

  “Joe . . . Marie . . .” Adele glanced at her daughter-in-law standing beside Joe, just a step behind him.

  Poor Marie, she looked nervous and confused about what to do: greet her mother-in-law as she normally would and have Joe think she was disloyal? Or stand there awkwardly, as if they were strangers?

  A moment later, she came toward Adele and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Hello, Adele. Did you like the service? Didn’t the kids do a great job with the candle lighting?”

  “It was lovely. I was so happy to be here,” Adele said honestly. She looked at her son. “Remember when we lit the candles, when you and Kevin were—”

  “Of course I remember,” he cut her off quickly. “Do you think talking about the past is going to change my mind?”

  Adele hadn’t meant that, had she? Now he had her all confused.

  Marie looked concerned and touched his shoulder. “Joe, calm down. You’re still in church,” she reminded him.

  Sam had been talking with friends at the end of t
he line and following the family at a distance. Now he suddenly appeared beside his grandmother. “Grandma is spending the day at our house. She’s leaving for Vermont tomorrow,” he told his parents.

  “Oh . . . how nice.” Marie nodded, trying to make things seem normal again, though there was little hope of that.

  Joe didn’t say anything. He frowned, making a big crease between his eyebrows the way he had done since childhood. His father would always ask if he was confused about something when he did that.

  “I’m not confused, I’m just thinking,” he would practically shout back at him.

  At least he was thinking about her departure, Adele realized.

  “Good-bye, Joe. Good-bye, Marie. You have a good Christmas,” Adele said sincerely.

  If Joe had any doubts, she wanted him to know that she had given up her quest. She was waving a white flag of surrender.

  “Oh, I’m sure we’ll speak to you before then,” Marie said quickly. She looked at her husband.

  “I’ll call you, Mom. Watch your driving,” Joe said.

  Adele nodded. She hadn’t even expected that much.

  Sam looked upset. “Is that all you have to say to Grandma? Watch your driving. I’ll give you a call?”

  “Sam . . .” Jessica touched his arm. “We’d better keep moving. We’re holding up the line.”

  But everyone on the line had walked around them by now. There were few people left in the sanctuary, and Reverend Ben walked back inside and came toward them.

  “Good morning. Nice to see everyone here today.” He glanced around the circle. His eyes settled on Adele. “So you stayed through the week. Enjoying your visit?”

  His question was mundane enough, though Adele caught his real meaning. She looked at Joe and could see his cheeks had flushed. At least he had the decency to be a little embarrassed about his uncharitable behavior in front of his minister.

  “I enjoyed the service today and seeing Sam and his family light the candles,” she said honestly. “I’m going to visit with them today and go back to Vermont tomorrow.”

  Reverend Ben looked concerned about that reply. Adele guessed he had picked up on the note of resignation in her tone.

  “Well . . . I’m glad you could be here today. You have a great day with your family and a safe trip. Please stay in touch. I would love to hear from you.”

  He leaned over and gave her a quick, gentle hug.

  “Thank you, Reverend. I will do that,” she promised.

  Reverend Ben turned his attention to Joe and Marie, speaking briefly with them and shaking Joe’s hand. Joe seemed suddenly docile and deflated in the presence of his minister. He glanced over his shoulder and briefly waved as he and Marie left the sanctuary.

  “I’m sorry about Dad,” Sam said quietly. “I just don’t know how to get through to him.”

  Adele patted her grandson’s hand. “Please don’t blame yourself, Sam. And please don’t stay mad at him or Molly. That won’t help. I don’t think either of us can do any more right now.” She glanced around the quiet sanctuary, the soft light filtering through the stained glass windows and the white candles in the pine wreath on the altar still flickering.

  “Maybe I was overreaching to think I could come down here and create some sort of family miracle. We can only give this over to God now and pray. Only He can truly change your father’s heart.”

  * * *

  When Tess arrived at the inn Sunday afternoon, Jonathan was on the porch waiting for her. He was holding a map of the island, she noticed, and also had a backpack and a picnic basket.

  “Right on time,” he greeted her. “And we have a great day for our exploration.”

  Tess had to smile. The island was only a few miles long and a few miles wide. Jonathan was as excited as someone about to explore the Amazon Rainforest. It was sort of cute, she thought.

  “Yes, the weather is cooperating. Where is all that snow they keep talking about?”

  It seemed to Tess that almost every other day this week the weather forecasts had warned of a sizeable snowfall. But so far, all their area had seen were a few mild flurries, with soft, fluffy snow that quickly melted.

  “I don’t know. I’m just glad it’s not here yet.” Jonathan met her at his car, then opened the doors and put in their belongings. “Everyone around here is worried about having a white Christmas. Looks like they might be disappointed this year.”

  “I wouldn’t go that far. You know what they say about weather in New England. If you don’t like it, just wait twenty minutes.”

  “Right. Could be a new state motto,” he agreed, making her smile. “Let’s hope it doesn’t apply today.”

  They fastened their seat belts, circled out the drive, and were off. “Which way should I go?” Jonathan asked as they reached the road.

  Tess shrugged. “Which way do you want to go?”

  He turned to her, looking surprised. “Didn’t I tell you? You’re the official guide today. I’m going to rely on you entirely to give me the full tour of Angel Island.”

  “Really? I’m honored. In that case, I think you should turn right. We’ll be traveling through the island’s charming village center,” she added in her best tour guide voice, “where passengers can disembark for refreshments and souvenirs.”

  “I think Claire has packed enough refreshments for an entire busload of passengers.” Jonathan glanced over his shoulder at the large picnic basket. “But she was short on water bottles. I guess we can stop up there.”

  “That’s the Angel Island General Store, where Walter and Marion Doyle will be happy to help us.” Tess turned to him and grinned. “Don’t I need a clipboard and a microphone?”

  “Don’t worry, you’re doing great.” He was watching the road, but she could see he was smiling. A view of the ocean was visible on the left side of the road, with the countryside on the other. They were passing the Gilroy Farm, and Tess spotted the goats prancing around in the meadow, and a big shaggy dog chasing after them.

  “Does this bus brake for goat cheese?” she asked.

  “Normally, yes. But I think we have plenty of that, too. Liza Martin is best pals with Audrey Gilroy. I’ve been eating goat cheese three times a day, not that I’m complaining. I do love the stuff.”

  “Me, too,” Tess said. “Maybe I’ll pick some up on our way back. My mom makes great omelets with it on Sunday mornings. I love the lavender soaps and bouquets that Audrey sells, too. And the fudge.” She turned to him. “I’m making myself hungry. When are we breaking into that picnic basket?”

  She eyed the basket again. She had tasted Claire North’s legendary cooking before. Now she could just imagine what was inside. It was a far cry from Clam Box takeout, she had no doubt.

  “You’re the boss. I’m just the driver. You decide.”

  Tess had to smile at his easygoing attitude. “Okay, I will. First stop, General Store. We’ll take it from there.”

  They rounded the last bend in the road and found themselves in the island’s village center. Jonathan slowed the car over the cobblestones that lined the square and quickly found a parking spot. “Don’t we need a little narration here?” he asked as they got out of the car.

  “Right, I’m forgetting my duties. Sorry.” She turned and gestured with her hands. “Here we are in the island’s scenic village center. A mecca of commerce.” Jonathan winced, but she continued, trying not to laugh. “The General Store is the largest and most prominent, not to mention thriving, business here. But just across the way you can see Angel Island’s medical clinic, open for twenty-four-hour care. And the much more cheerful sight of Daisy Winkler’s tearoom and lending library,” she added, pointing out the pale yellow cottage with the violet door.

  “That is a cheerful sight. I noticed it when I was bike riding. Does someone really live there?”


  “Daisy Winkler, who else?” Tess asked. “Come on, maybe she’s there. We can say hello . . . Do you want to?”

  “Sure, I’d love to meet the elf.”

  Tess arched one eyebrow. “Daisy is not an elf,” she told him with mock-severity. “But I can see why her house would make you think that. And she is kind of amazing.”

  They walked across the square to the cottage, and Jonathan opened the rickety gate in the picket fence.

  “It doesn’t look like the shop is open,” he said.

  But before Tess could answer, she heard another voice. “Yoo-hoo! Young people . . . Don’t rush off . . . I’m coming.”

  She turned to see Daisy Winkler, dressed in one of her long skirts and shawls, tramping through the frozen vegetation of her front yard garden.

  “Hello, Daisy. I’m glad you’re here. This is Jonathan Butler. I’m showing him around the island today.”

  Daisy greeted Tess with a wide smile. “What a beautiful day for a tour, Tess. How nice to meet you,” Daisy added, extending her hand to Jonathan. Her hands were covered in dark blue velvet gloves that reached up to her elbows, Tess noticed. The gloves, hardly standard gardening wear, seemed to be Daisy’s acknowledgment of the winter weather, along with a fluffy lavender scarf. “And where have you come from?”

  Her tone and manner were very serious, as if she were expecting him to say he was from some other galaxy.

  “Um . . . just Boston. I’m a student there,” he added.

  Daisy nodded with a knowing expression. “We are all students, Jonathan. When you understand that, your life will open up in a much richer way . . . like a flock of butterflies.”

  Jonathan nodded but did not reply.

  “I can open the shop for you,” Daisy offered with a hopeful expression.

  “That’s all right, Daisy,” Tess said. “We haven’t really gotten started yet. We have a lot of ground to cover.”

  “That’s nice of you to offer,” Jonathan added politely.