Page 48 of Silver Hills' Christmas Miracle

Every single Christmas tree that lined the room was completely decorated. Fifty tables stretched across the right side of the room draped in white, gold, and crimson tablecloths. Each one was decorated with crystal decanters, glasses, and large vases of multi-colored flowers. Each chair was wrapped in silver fabric with a gigantic bow at the back to match the assigned tablecloth. Above us, countless shimmering streamers dazzled like diamonds in the sky in between three gigantic crystal chandeliers that hung from the freshly secured rafters. Lights in each corner streamed a range of Christmas themes on the far wall. I caught the tail end of Rudolph before it was replaced by Santa in his sleigh.

The room looked magnificent and even the floor cleared for dancing looked freshly polished. Mrs. Morgan was in the middle of the tables with several rose stems in one hand and a large bouquet of sunflowers in the other.

“Mom?” Kitty approached her cautiously, releasing her grip on me. “Mom, what is going on?”

“Kitty? Oh, goodness, is it that time already? Oh, honey, I’m so sorry. I forgot you were home today!”

Mrs. Morgan was usually a very prim and proper woman, but today, her hair was frizzed, her blouse was ruffled, and her pants were untucked.

“It’s okay,” Kitty assured her. “But what’s happening? This place looks amazing!”

“It’s nowhere near ready,” Mom snapped, and she thrust the bouquet at Kitty.

I was quick to intervene and took it instead.

“There’s not enough time! Christmas Eve is next week, and I don’t have enough time to get everyone party favors. Never mind hiring the entertainment because our violinist pulled out. Do you know how hard it is to find a musical prodigy this close to Christmas?” She looked at Kitty with wild eyes.

She shook her head. “No idea.”

“Impossible! It’s impossible!” Mrs. Morgan threw her hands up, then thrust the roses at Kitty. “And look at these. I asked for Carnations!”

If we weren't careful, Mrs. Morgan was going to burst a blood vessel and it would be her turn to spend days in hospital. Kitty set the flowers down on the nearest table and took her hand. “Mom, sit down with me.”

“I don’t have time?—”

“Mom,” she scolded. “Sit.”

With a sigh, she joined Kitty at the nearest table. “You’ve already done so much in just two days. Everything else will come together, I promise.”

Mrs. Morgan gasped softly, then she reached for Kitty’s hands. “I was so worried I had lost you, I couldn’t think of anything else to do. And your father…” She glanced behind Kitty to me as I remained nearby with the sunflowers. “I am sorry.”

“It’s fine,” I replied.

“I’m okay, Mom. Look at me. I’m fine. And you’ve done like a week’s worth of work in two days. But if you’re not careful, you’ll run the staff ragged before the actual day, and that helps no one.”

Mrs. Morgan nodded slowly. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be harsh.”

“I know.” Kitty stroked the backs of her knuckles, then straightened up as if something had just occurred to her. “Do you have your dress yet?”

“My dress!” Both her hands shot to her mouth. “Oh, goodness, how could I forget!”

“No, Mom, don’t. Listen. I’m glad you haven’t because I was thinking we could go to the seamstress together. She’s been working on those custom gowns for us ever since summer so we can go and see if they are ready. We could get some lunch and make a nice day of it. Help you relax?”

Mrs. Morgan’s eyes darted back and forth as she stared at her daughter, then she cupped her cheek. “Oh, dear. What would I do without you?”

“Is that a yes?”

“Of course!” Mrs. Morgan finally smiled. “Goodness. I have been such a wicked woman to these people.” She patted Kitty’s cheek. “Yes. Dress shopping would be nice.”

“Tomorrow?”

I could see her thinking and watched her lips purse.

“Please?” Kitty asked. The sooner her mom took a break, the better.

“Okay, tomorrow.”

“Excellent!”

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