I’d left Mandy, Ray, Henry, and Nelson back home with a pot of my clam chowder, a family favorite, while I busied myself getting ready for tonight’s Christmas tea at the church.
I stood back to admire my handiwork. I’d just finished turning a large cardboard box into a festively wrapped present with an open top. My sign, “Place Toys for Toys for Tots Here,” was prominently
displayed. I sighed happily. I loved being in charge.
Okay, let Evie think she was Queen of the Tea; she didn’t need to realize I’d succeeded in pulling off a coup. Though I couldn’t gloat about it, as Evie was my oldest (and I mean that literally) and dearest wedding client. So my behind-the-scenes direction had to be not only friendly but subtle.
I’d easily figured out who Evie had called to be the table hostesses with a few well-placed phone calls. Then, in pleasant conversation, I’d gleaned the details of how each would decorate their tables. I’d also managed to discover who would join each hostess at their tables and how many of the seats would be available to open up to
the community at large.
With this information, I’d even gone about town to individually invite the local women to join us. In my efforts to reach the locals, I’d called on barmaids and shop owners alike, finding a seat for everyone who’d accept my invitation, even that poor, haggard Dee Dee McGurk, who worked at the Gold Rush Tavern.
I must admit, I was pretty proud of myself. I’d managed, without Evie’s help, mind you, to turn the annual Grace Church Christmas event into a community outreach. Evie’d never be able to argue about the good in that.
And, as the Toys for Tots auction had been put under my domain along with the special music, I had plans so rich they’d knock the socks off everyone. And again, I knew I had to be careful here as well. After all, the auction had always been under the special care of Jan Moore, our beloved pastor’s wife who had recently passed away. So, I had to be especially sensitive to everyone’s thoughts and
feelings of loss.
I turned to admire my own decorated table from afar—a lovely affair with a two-foot tall, live pine tree on a revolving, motorized platform. To cover the base, I’d put twinkly white Christmas lights under fuzzy white bunting to create a sparkling snow effect. Of course, the tree, done in gold ribbon with glittering red edges, carried out the partridge and the pear tree theme in miniature. I’d placed my ivory cloth table napkins, each encircled with five gold napkin rings, next to my china plates.
As this was the table where I was personally hosting the women of the singles class, I’d also lovingly placed a carefully wrapped present, in gold foil, on top of each ivory plate. Every box contained a gift certificate for a complimentary makeover plus a free trial run of my new computerized dating service that I’d been advertising in the
Gold Rush News
since before Christmas. With that, and the fact that my wedding service had recently been on national television—and I had Vonnie to thank for that—business was booming.
I turned to help Vonnie, who was busily decorating her hostess table with a centerpiece of miniature rocking chairs crowned with some of her antique baby dolls dressed in their Christmas finest.
“How cute is that,” I said to Vonnie, who gave me one of her sweet smiles.
“How’s Mandy?” she asked as she finished placing her red cloth place mats then began to top them with large glass plates in opaque white. It was a pretty effect.
“She’s good, though having to deal with a lot more Braxton Hicks contractions of late.”
“That’s to be expected. What is she, almost eight months?”
“That’s right, eight months next week. She’s looking forward to getting that baby home to her husband.”
“I bet,” Vonnie said. “How hard it must be to be in love but be separated by circumstances.”
I nodded then sighed. “It is, I know. But this too shall pass.” I laughed. “Someday, she may even be able to thank me for taking such good care of her.”
Vonnie giggled as the door to the fellowship hall burst open and Donna Vesey, looking rather official in her sheriff ’s deputy uniform, blustered inside. She’d been baptized with a bit of fresh snow and looked right charming as she waved a fistful of gift certificates at me. “I got ’em,” she said.
Vonnie waved too as I ran to greet her. “Donna, you’re a peach. Thanks for picking up these gift certificates for me. Did you have any trouble at any of the stores?”
“Nope, just told everyone I was there to pick up their contribution for the Toys for Tots auction tonight. They all seemed to expect me.”
I smiled and thumbed through the treasure of certificates for free manicures, custom framing, haircuts, fresh flowers, and so much more.
“I’ll pick up the donated gift baskets during my afternoon break,” she said.
“Great, and Donna, don’t run off just yet, you’re just in time.”
“Not for decorating a table, I hope. That is, unless you want one decked out in personalized speeding tickets.”
I laughed. Despite rumors to the contrary, this girl did have a sense of humor. There she stood, her blue eyes sparkling, her blonde curls gently framing her face, looking pretty. I was beginning to see what Clay saw in her. Now if she’d only let me apply a dash of pink blush and a bit of mascara. But that would come with Evie’s bridesmaids’ makeover party next month. I’d just have to be patient for now.
“No, you’re off the hook,” I said. “It’s just that Clay was about to stop over to take some photos of the Grace ladies getting ready for tonight.” I swept my hands dramatically as if showcasing the number of women gathered over each table, busy with their decorations.
“You don’t need me for that,” Donna said. “Besides, I’m late for a lunch date with David.”
“Tell me, darling, you’re
not
seeing David after he falsely announced your engagement on national TV?”
Donna crossed her arms over her black leather jacket and frowned. “David and me? Well, our relationship is complicated, though I don’t see it as any concern of yours.”
“But sweetie, is he really your type? I would have thought someone more down to earth, someone like Clay, for instance, would have more appeal.”
The door pushed open again, and a chilly breeze swept over us. Donna cocked her head. “He’s got a girlfriend, or haven’t you heard?”
“Well, Donna, he’s a handsome man. I’m sure a lot of girls are attracted to him. Including you, perhaps?”
A deep voice spoke up from behind me. “Ah, this is an interesting conversation, and I hate to interrupt, but...”
I turned suddenly. Why, if it wasn’t that handsome devil himself. “Clay! I’m so glad you’re here. Donna and I were just talking
about you.”
Clay looked from Donna to me and grinned. “So I gathered.” He patted his camera case that was slung across one shoulder. “So, where should we start shooting, at one of the tables?”
I gave him one of my winning smiles. “How about starting by
telling me if the rumor’s true that you’re dating someone?”
Clay turned red and stared hard at Donna. “Well, ah, maybe
as a friend.”
Donna laughed. “Friend, my eye, Clay. I’ve seen you and what’s her name. Britney? I’ve seen the two of you around town, looking, let’s say, very cozy.”
Clay shrugged, looking awkward. “No, no, it’s not like that. We’re friends, that’s all.”
Another voice, one from just behind us, said, “Friends? Clay!”
So help me if we didn’t turn around to see Miss Britney herself standing there, looking pretty in her pink leather coat with the faux fur hood that framed her sweet little face. She was holding a box of Christmas party supplies that included festive paper plates and napkins.
For one of our tables?
I thought.
How tacky!
But I tried to sound sweet when I said, “Britney, honey, is there something I can help you with?”
“I came in the back way as I was running these items down from the card shop, for Goldie. I guess she’s decorating a table here today?” She tossed her head in a way to direct a look at me but at the same time to exclude Clay from the conversation. “Where do you want these?”
I put my arm around her and led her away from the couple I was trying to match. We didn’t need any competition, if you know what I mean. “Honey, be a dear and put those things on the far table in the corner. Would you?”
When I turned around, I almost ran into Clay, who was close on our heels. “I’m sorry, Britney,” he said. “It’s not what you think.”
I turned to see Donna offer a wave as she headed out the door. Britney put her hands on her hips. “I guess not,” she said, slamming the box onto the table before pushing past him.
“Wait up,” Clay called after her.
“What about the interview?” I called behind him.
He pushed open the double doors just as Britney disappeared into the cold. “Uh, there’s something I’ve gotta do. I’ll be back later.”
For heaven’s sake! How could I fix him up with Donna when he was chasing another woman down the sidewalk? This could be one match I was going to lose, and not through any fault of
my own.
I frowned. I’d get to the bottom of this later. In the meantime, Evie was waving at me from across the room.
I approached and took in her table. She had quite the thing going with a bead-decked pine wreath centerpiece that was filled with red and gold candles on long brass candlesticks. She’d carefully placed dark green ceramic plates with matching green stemware at each place setting. On top of each plate sat a lovely red-wrapped gift tied in gold string.
“That’s lovely, Evie. What’s in the gift boxes?”
She looked down at them absentmindedly. “Oh, they’re empty.
Just props.”
I cocked my eyebrows. “Oh. Well. It’s a lovely effect.”
“You really like it?”
“I do,” I said with a grin. “The gold foil place mats are a nice touch.”
“Are you all set for the auction tonight?”
“Yep. I’ve got a bumper crop of gift certificates and gift baskets, plus several women will be bringing homemade craft items to auction
off too. I’ve got a place set up in the back.”
Evie looked at me thoughtfully. “That’s nice. Do you have the
special music covered?”
“Oh yes, it will be quite the surprise.”
“Oh?” A shadow seemed to fall across her face, but then she brightened. “Well, you’ve certainly been a good sport about taking my direction. And to tell you the truth, Lisa Leann, I didn’t realize
it, but I really needed your help.”
What an admission! But I didn’t make a big production out of it; I simply smiled and said, “We all really do need one another,
don’t we?”
She nodded. “So tomorrow, you and I will get back to work on
the wedding plans?”
“Drop by the shop,” I said. “I’ve got some pictures of flower arrangements to show you. And I want to go over my ideas for the
church.”
“Okay.”
As I walked back to the kitchen to see how the food prep was coming, I couldn’t help but smile. Who’d have thought it would be the Christmas tea that would bring Evie and me together. I checked my watch. Oh my, it was only a few hours away.
But no worries. What could go wrong?
Clay rushed out the doors of the Grace Church fellowship hall.
“Britney, will you wait up?”
Britney was at a standstill in the middle of the parking lot, and Clay thanked his lucky stars she’d come in the back way and couldn’t easily jump in her car and drive away. She could walk away, alright, but she’d be knee deep in snow before she hit the road.
“I have nothing to say to you right now.” Britney turned away from him and walked toward a row of parked cars and to where his Jeep was parked.
Clay reached her, having jogged toward her as carefully as he could manipulate the camera slung over his shoulder and the snow beneath his feet. “Would you listen then?” He glanced around. Fortunately there weren’t any nosy women lurking about, including Donna, who’d apparently managed to get going before Britney had stormed out of the church.
Britney lifted her pretty chin and closed her eyes, the perfect martyr. He couldn’t help but smile.
“Do you want to get in the Jeep or stand out here and freeze to death?” he asked.
“I’ll stand right here.” She paused. “And I’m listening,” she said, opening her eyes to him then. He saw the beginnings of tears forming.
“Now, don’t start the crying thing. Look, I asked Lisa Leann to help me get Donna’s attention weeks and weeks ago.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “But that was before
you
got
my
attention.” He watched as her shoulders squared. “Donna is a friend. She’ll always be a friend. We go way back. And I don’t want anything bad to happen to her, but... I realize now that we’re just going to be friends.”
A tear escaped Britney’s eye, and she pushed it away with her leather-gloved hand. “Then why did that woman in there seem to be so excited about you and Donna?”
“That’s just Lisa Leann, Britney. She fancies herself a bit of a
yenta
.”
She had begun to shiver. “She was practically giddy, Clay.”
Clay took a deep breath and sighed. “Okay,” he said. “There was a time when Donna could have been... well, in my mind anyway... could have been more than a friend. But a friend is all she is. I swear.” He opened his arms, and she stepped in. Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed the top of her head. “I haven’t told Lisa Leann to back off yet. She doesn’t mean any harm to us, Britney. If you’re going to be mad at anyone, be mad at me.”
“Oh, I’m mad all right,” she said, though to his ears she wasn’t convincing. “So why haven’t you told her?” Her voice was muffled as she spoke into his shirt.
“There hasn’t been time. Work is crazy, you and I have been seeing each other nearly nonstop, Christmas, and... there’s been some other stuff I’ve been looking into.”
She raised her head. “Like what?”
“Like... I... I can’t talk about it right now. Let’s just say I’m
investigating something. Something important.”