Page 58 of Second Chance Christmas

Instead, she opted to swallow her emotions and reached out for the extended hands and welcomed the warm hug from Mr. and Mrs. Wilber.

“Hello, dear. It’s so good to see you again. We’ve missed you these past few years.”

Truth be told, she didn’t realize how much she missed them until this very minute. “Mrs. Wilber, I didn’t see your name on the registry this year. I’m so glad you both came after all.”

“Us too, dear. Your gran wasn’t about to let us stay home this year. We welcomed a new grandbaby into the family last year so we stayed close to home.”

“Congratulations!”

Their faces, all smiles and filled with so much hope she could almost reach out and touch it made her wish the hardwood floors would open up and let her fall through. She’d let them all down. They had traveled so far and had paid for a Winters holiday and she gave them nothing but burned chicken and cookies instead.

She opened her mouth to say something, what that would be she didn’t know. Apologizing seemed like the right place to start and then probably offer to order takeout. Food always soothed. Did Mr. Hardt still deliver?

“We’re so glad we made the drive up. I was just commenting to my wife that this is the most festive place we’ve ever visited.” Mr. Howard stood and pulled a stool out for her and she happily thanked him.

“I’m afraid I don’t understand. Festive? I wouldn’t call this place festive.” She was pretty sure she’d left the paint buckets on the dining room table and the rolled-up lights dumped on the porch.

Aspen wound an arm around her and leaned closer until his lips brushed the shell of her ear. She felt his strength as she pressed against him. Only for support, she assured herself and not because it felt so good to be in his arms. “About the trees. I have that covered.”

She looked at him hopefully. No way.

He winked before pulling away to answer a call that came through his radio.

“Yes, dear.” Mr. Howard swooped in to take Aspen’s place. She looked over her shoulder. Whatever feelings he was stirring up inside her spelled disaster for her. At the moment, she didn’t quite care.

Mr. Howard’s strong Texan accent drew her attention as he said, “It’s not the lights and decorations that make a Christmas.”

“Not for us anyway.” Mrs. Howard continued her husband’s thoughts as she stood with a hand on her growing belly and joined them. “While you dressed, we took a small walk around. This is the most Christmas-y spot we’ve visited, just like Mrs. Winters promised on Facebook.”

That made Ivy smile. “We can’t believe how lucky we are to have found such a wonderful place on short notice,” added his wife as she looked at her husband with love in her eyes.

“We’re happy to have you.” Ivy felt compelled to reciprocate the appreciation.

“We wanted snow and a warm fireplace and good people. This place has all of that and in spades,” added one of the Murphys.

“And we want to see the Dixcemberfest,” chimed in the youngest of the Howards, as he and his siblings finished their snack she assumed the Howards brought with them because she didn’t have any peanut butter in the house. Or bread. Now refueled, they hopped down from their stools.

She turned, smiling, “Are you sure? It’s going to be cold and you have to wear the ugliest sweater. Can you guys handle that?”

All three cracked up when she scrunched up her nose with her question.

“Our mom makes us wear ugly sweaters every day,” proclaimed the smallest. “We have lots of practice.” All the ‘R’s were cut and gave his words a cute lisp that warmed her heart.

They were right. The evidence was clear. She’d wager they would give the yearly contestants of the ugly sweater contest this evening a run for their money.

“Kids, I tell ya.” Mrs. Howard looked abashed by her slightly questionable choices of winter wear for her kids.

Mr. Wilber swooped in for the rescue. “The chief told us about your little predicament while you were changing, dear, and we would like to help.” He looked about the place and she caught a twinkle of delight on his face.

Ivy froze. About that.

“There’s no way I could ask that. Besides, you guys are here on vacation. Not to work.”

“It won’t take long if we all pitch in,” Mrs. Howard reassured her.

“Besides, you didn’t ask, dear,” Mr. Murphy countered, smiling.

Mr. Wilber took her hand, “You know, when I was younger I liked to get my hands dirty a bit. It would give us a chance to return a little to the place that has brought us so much joy over the holidays.”

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