Christmas At Pelican Beach (Pelican Beach Book 4)

by Michele Gilcrest

  I inhaled the aroma of the Leland Cypress while admiring its beauty.

  “Can I offer you a drink?”

  “No, thank you. I really don’t drink much outside the occasional glass of wine.”

  “Well then pour some wine. Relax instead of pacing around here with your hands in your pockets. I’ll tell you, Payton, you’re just like your mother. Both of you are kind-hearted but way too straight laced for me. Go on and pour a glass and have a seat. It won’t hurt for you to stay and talk to your Cousin Jolene for a little while.”

  “I really can’t stay that long. I just stopped by to drop off a few items for Mom. Cole and Emmie are waiting for me.”

  “Right. I didn’t think you’d stay, anyway.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “Oh, nothing worth talking about,” she said as she took her time getting up out of the chair.

  “You might as well say it.”

  “You and your sisters… it’s pretty clear you’re not fond of me being here, but I thought we’d be past that by now.”

  “Cousin Jolene, I…”

  “No, no, no. You don’t have to explain. I get it. Nobody wants an old crazy lady around.”

  I didn’t know how to respond, but it was obvious she wanted company, so I sat down. I guess I hadn’t invested in spending much personal time with her, but it was mainly because she was always doing or saying something outlandish.

  “Mom talks about how helpful it’s been to have you around all the time.”

  She poured more of the brown-colored beverage in her glass and took a sip. You could tell she was savoring the taste before she spoke.

  “I’m glad to help. Your father still does a lot for himself. He may need a reminder or two… heck, maybe even three. But he’s not doing too bad. All he ever wants to do is sit in front of the television all day. I have to pry him out of the house to get some fresh air.”

  “And what about you?”

  “I spend my days looking after Will. I can’t say that I have much more to tell.”

  “I don’t believe that for one minute, Cousin Jolene. You’re sitting out here in the living room drinking by yourself. Surely something must be on your mind.”

  “Hmm, I guess old habits die hard. My husband and I used to conclude the evening in the living room together before heading to bed. He would play the nightly news and nod off to sleep in his recliner, and I’d do the same until about eleven o’clock. Then he’d tap me on the shoulder and say, ‘Shug, it’s time to head to bed.’ Shug was the nickname he had for me, short for Sugar.”

  She threw her head back to swallow the rest of her drink before putting her glass down and continuing to speak.

  “Sometimes we’d go to bed and head straight to sleep. Other times, we’d lie there and talk until it was almost sunrise. Those were the good old days. I miss my best friend. Guess you wouldn’t remember too much about George. You girls spent the most time around him when you were little, way before your parents purchased the inn.”

  “I vaguely remember him. But I’m sure he meant the world to you.”

  We sat quietly for a few minutes. I wondered if the source of Jolene’s drinking had to do with missing her husband. I also wondered if she’d get around to talking about Mom’s past the same way she did around Rebecca. I wouldn’t press the issue like my sister, but if Cousin Jolene mentioned anything, I might listen. Perhaps that made me just as bad as Rebecca.

  “We used to have a blast back then. We’d all play cards together, have cookouts, and even take road trips together. We were the four musketeers. Will and George used to argue over who was driving. It never failed. It was so funny. We could always count on an argument out of the two of them like clockwork and before you could blink good, they’d be over it and on to something else.” It tickled her pink just talking about it.

  “I heard you used to take trips to Georgia. Did you know that Rebecca bought Uncle Samuel’s house? I think it’s the same place you used to visit if I have the story right.”

  Her facial expression turned more serious.

  “Yep, it’s the same place. Good old Uncle Sammy. It was always a good time whenever we went to visit. He had so much room in that big old house we could get lost in it. Did I hear you mention that Rebecca bought it?”

  “She did. She and Ethan turned it into a rental property. Even though I’m not so sure it’s going very well. Uncle Samuel left the house to his daughters, but they didn’t do anything with it. They tried to pass it on to the three of us, but Abby and I didn’t want the responsibility. Rebecca didn’t let that stop her. She took on the house by herself and renovated it and even befriended the neighbor across the street to help her out. She’s a real go-getter when she puts her mind to something.”

  “The neighbor across the street? You mean John?”

  “I don’t remember his name. You’d have to ask Rebecca. Why? Do you know him?”

  “I haven’t spoken to him in years, but let’s just say everyone in the community knew each other very well. I mean… very well. We used to drive up to catch the annual summer festival and then turn around and go back for fall harvest. I’m sure your mother could tell you plenty of stories.”

  Mom walked in with her rollers and her night robe on.

  “Ahem, Jolene. Isn’t it getting late? I thought surely you’d be enjoying your nightcap upstairs like we agreed?”

  I hopped up from the couch. It felt like we were doing something wrong with the way she walked in. Jolene didn’t move an inch. Instead, she checked her glass and laid it back down again.

  “Ah, yes, that’s right. The house rules. How could I forget?” Jolene’s speech sounded sloppy.

  The entire exchange was rather interesting. It felt like Mom was cracking a whip for Jolene to remember her place. Like there was something more that she wanted to say but couldn’t. If that was the case, maybe their living arrangement wasn’t as cozy as Mom wanted us to believe.

  “Payton, I didn’t know you were here. Why didn’t you come upstairs to get me?” She reached out to give me a hug.

  “Cousin Jolene told me you were heading to bed. I didn’t want to disturb you. I just stopped by to drop off a few things from the store. Everything is in the bag over there. Cousin Jolene was kind enough to invite me to sit down for a minute, but I really need to get home.”

  “Well, that’s too bad. I’d much rather join in on the conversation down here than listen to your father snore. What were you two talking about?”

  “Ha! Wouldn’t you like to know,” Jolene said.

  “Nothing important, Mom. I really need to get home to Cole and Emmie. I promise I’ll be back within the next day or so to check on you. The next time we talk, I was hoping we could get a shopping list together for Christmas dinner.”

  “Yes, we need to work on the list,” she said.

  “Don’t worry, I’m on it. Oh, and before I forget, it’s not guaranteed, but we may have two potential guests. I invited Natalie to come with her mother, if she’s feeling up to it.”

  “Wonderful! The more the merrier!”

  “I told her you would say that.”

  I waved goodbye to Jolene on the way out the door. She looked like she was minutes from falling right back into the deep coma that I found her in when I arrived.

  Alice

  “Stanley, your hot chocolate is ready. I added marshmallows just the way you like it.”

  “Thank you, darling, may I have some sugar first?”

  “Sugar in your hot chocolate?”

  “No, I want some sugar from my wife. Then I can enjoy the hot chocolate after.”

  “Stanley, you’re such a flirt.”

  “Aren’t newlyweds supposed to flirt? It’s not my fault you’re running around here looking so scrumptious.”

  “Now, now, tiger…. how about a little sugar for now, and some later after we finish wrapping the gifts?”

  It was the weekend before Thanksgiving that I had the privilege o
f becoming Mrs. Holcomb. Stanley and I planned to have an intimate wedding with just the immediate family before the end of the year. Cole and Payton wouldn’t hear of it. The kids invited guests, family came from out of town, and before we knew what hit us, we were having a full-blown wedding. Not to mention that all of this took place while Stanley had his house on the market. It was pure insanity. All the packing and moving nearly sucked the life out of us. But we did it, and I have to admit, it was all worth it.

  It’s been interesting getting to know the other side of Stanley’s personality. I’m discovering all the things you don’t really see until you’re living together. I think it’s sweet, really. Not a day goes by where he doesn’t take his shoes off in the same spot, hum while brushing his teeth, and find something to fix at his workbench every single day.

  “Alice, I could’ve sworn we wrapped at least ten boxes yesterday. How many more do we have to go? The bigger question is how in the world did you have time to buy all this stuff?”

  “Thankfully, I could order a lot of it online. What can I say? The family is growing by the minute. If we’re going over to Helen’s house on Christmas day, I can’t show up empty-handed. Then there are the gifts that still need to be mailed to your side of the family.”

  “Don’t worry about spoiling my side of the family. Growing up, we had a rule that we lived by for gift giving. The adults stopped buying gifts for each other and focused whatever extra funds they had on the kids. That way it helped to cut down on the expenses. The way they hike these prices up for the holidays is just ridiculous. These retailers ought to be ashamed of themselves.”

  “I wish you would’ve told me a lot sooner. Oh, well. We’ll figure it out.”

  “Let’s see what we have here. Mens ties, an assortment of gourmet tea bags, and golf balls. Who are these gifts for?” he asked while pulling down another sheet of wrapping paper.

  “The ties are for your nephews, the tea assortment is a stocking stuffer for Aunt Mae, and the golf balls are for your brother Joe. They’re just little gifts to let them know you’re thinking about them, that’s all.”

  Stanley chuckled.

  “I’m sure they’ll get a kick out of this when they open up the mailbox. They’ll definitely know this was not my doing.”

  “I signed both of our names on the card.”

  He laughed even harder.

  “The mere fact that they’re receiving anything will let them know it was your doing, but I don’t mind. The way you put your loving touch on everything makes it even more special. Thank you, Alice.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay with it? I’d hate to change the way you’re accustomed to doing things.”

  “I don’t mind at all.”

  “Alright.”

  I passed him the scissors.

  “Alice, I rode over to the house yesterday to pick up the last few pieces of mail. It looks like the buyers are all settled in.”

  “I’ve been meaning to ask you about that. How does it feel to ride by your old place knowing it’s not yours anymore?”

  “It didn’t bother me at all. I have the military to thank for that. After spending years moving from place to place, one more move wasn’t going to hurt me.”

  I put my bows down to cuddle with Stanley.

  “That’s what I love most about you. Your heart is so open and ready for the next adventure that awaits you.”

  “As long as the adventure involves having you by my side.”

  “Do you know what I’m considering right now?”

  “The way you keep inching closer to me, I might have an idea.”

  “How about we save the rest of these gifts for later this evening? I think we need some more of that sugar you were talking about earlier.”

  “You don’t have to tell me twice.”

  Later we drove to Pelican Beach to visit with Cole, Payton, and my granddaughter, Emmie.

  Emmie was wiping the table down when we entered the kitchen. She had her apron on and flour smeared across her cheek. Watching her brought back fond memories of how we used to cook together. It was no surprise to see her taking the lead in the kitchen.

  “Payton, it looks like you and Cole have a master chef on your hands. I love her confidence. Just look at her cooking and cleaning! Anytime you want to send her our way, we’d welcome the extra help.”

  “Alice, we owe it all to you. I can tell Emmie has spent a lot of time under your tutelage. Emmie, why don’t you tell your grandma and Stanley what’s on the menu for dinner.”

  “Sure, tonight for your dining pleasure, we’re having homemade pizza, with a tossed salad on the side. The pies are in the oven, so it shouldn’t take long to bake.”

  “Emmie, it smells delicious,” Stanley said while he was taking off his jacket.

  “Thanks, Stanley. A little birdie told me you like pepperoni, so I covered one pie with pepperoni just for you.”

  “You and I are going to get along very well, young lady.”

  Cole gave Stanley a bear hug.

  “How are the newlyweds doing?” He smiled. I loved the way he welcomed Stanley into the family. Witnessing the way they’ve been bonding has truly been heartwarming for me.

  “We’re well. I guess we could ask you the same thing,” Stanley said.

  “No complaints on my end. Just trying to keep up with the demands of the business while helping Payton get ready for the holidays.”

  “One would think Cole’s renovation projects would start slowing down around Christmas. He’s literally been taking calls nonstop. I’m wondering if his clients plan on celebrating Christmas at all,” Payton said while she pulled a few glasses out of the cabinet. I noticed her skin looked pale, like a ghost.

  “Hey, Mom, can you help me find the seasoning for the salad dressing?”

  “Sure, Emmie. Let’s see what we have in this cabinet over here.”

  The more I watched Payton, the more I wondered if she was feeling alright. She was wearing a stained sweatsuit, her hair was in a messy bun, she walked around barefoot, and she looked rather sickly. She was in her own house and could dress however she pleased. It just wasn’t like her.

  “Payton, how about you? Has the store been keeping you busy?” I asked.

  “We’ve had plenty of traffic popping in to purchase Christmas gifts. The keepsake ornaments have been selling like hotcakes. Who doesn’t love an ornament with a photo in it? Having Natalie helps a great deal. I couldn’t imagine trying to run the store by myself.”

  “I’m glad. She’s always been a great help to you.”

  She cleared her throat a few times and began sipping on a can of ginger ale.

  “Payton, I have to admit, I’m so excited about having Christmas dinner at your parents’ house this year. We’ve already started wrapping our gifts. Isn’t that right, Stanley?”

  “Please. Don’t even say the word gift or wrapping. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think I married Mrs. Claus.”

  Cole nodded his head.

  “Yep, that’s Mom for you. If you’re not careful she’ll hold you hostage. As a kid, I used to make up excuses just so I didn’t have to sit around wrapping presents all day.”

  “And it never worked. I was always on to you, Cole.”

  “You sure were. My poor fingers almost fell off, but we got the job done.”

  “Oh stop, it wasn’t that bad.”

  Payton helped Emmie remove the pizza out of the oven. No sooner than she placed it on the counter, it looked like it was all Payton could do to keep from gagging.

  “I’m sorry, y’all. I’m not feeling very well. I thought the ginger ale would help, but I think I need to go lay down for a bit. Please help yourself to the pizza.”

  She quickly exited the kitchen and Cole followed behind her.

  “Well, Emmie, I feel just fine. How about yourself?”

  “I’m starving. Stanley, how do you feel?” she asked.

  “I feel like having a slice of pizza.”

  “If
Payton said we should eat, then I propose we dig in. Why don’t you grab the salad, and I’ll grab the pizza cutter.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  We set up everything on the table, and Cole joined us just in time to say grace.

  “Thank you, Lord, for this food, for our family, and for our blessings. Please touch Payton with your healing hands so she can feel better soon. Amen.”

  “Amen.” Everyone repeated.

  “Cole, how’s she doing up there?” I asked.

  “She looks like she’s about to turn three shades of green, but she’s lying down for now. I told her I would check on her in a little while. I’m just hoping she didn’t catch a stomach bug.”

  “Same here. You never want to be sick, but especially around the holidays,” Stanley said.

  I didn’t want to speculate, so I kept my thoughts to myself. But there was another type of bug that newlyweds caught after spending quality time together. It usually had a way of sneaking up on you when you least expected, and it lasted about nine months. That’s how it was for me when I found out I was pregnant with Cole. That was over forty-three years ago. Women today seem to have everything carefully planned out, so maybe it was just an upset stomach. I didn’t want to come off like a nosey mother-in-law, but it sure would be nice if my suspicions were correct.

  “So how's it going over at the house? If you're wrapping Christmas gifts, I can imagine you've unpacked everything and you're starting to feel settled in?” Cole asked.

  “Yes, finally, but if it wasn't for your help, I'd probably still be unloading boxes. I can’t thank you enough, Cole.”

  “No thanks needed. It was the least I could do.”

  “You know, Cole, it's been nice to see you come around, and make me feel like a welcomed member of the family. It means a lot to me.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way, Stanley. I can admit that I was being way too overprotective when we first met. The most important thing is I see the way you make my mother happy. You bring out the best in her. And, I’ve always told you if she’s happy, then that makes me happy, too.”

  “And now we’re all one big happy family,” Emmie said.