Page 27 of Soldier's Chrismas Hope
Today’s quote said:
“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” - George Eliot
Which, for some reason, made her think about this morning with River and the kids again.
“Those are decorations,” John-John squeaked from the back seat, snapping her out of her thoughts.
River had turned onto Ambler, and they were passing a row of big stone houses with holly boughs along the porch railings and twinkly lights cascading down from the roof.
“People in Trinity Falls love to decorate for Christmas,” River said with a smile.
“We can build a snow bear,” Pixie said. “That’s a good decoration.”
Nora smiled. Farmer Bear and his family made snow bears in the storybook. It was nice that the kids had a reference point for all the things they were seeing out here. The city was decorated too, but mostly with tinsel and advertisements. The fresh greenery and unevenly hung lights felt so real and genuine in comparison.
Out on the sidewalk, people were waving to each other, some were walking their dogs or pushing strollers, and everyone was bundled up in their colorful coats. The sight of it warmed her heart. No one seemed to be in a terrible hurry like everyone always was in the city. People made time here to say hello and check in.
It occurred to her that River could have gone anywhere he wanted after serving in the Army. But he had chosen to come right back to this sweet little town. It said a lot about him. Maybe he had changed in some ways, but his heart was still here, in this wholesome place.
She glanced over at him and was surprised to see that his jaw was tight. He looked uncomfortable all over again, almost like he had when he came to see her.
He doesn’t want to be seen in town with me,she realized suddenly.It’s too strange when people know I used to be married to his brother.
She would have tried to laugh it off, except for the odd little ache she felt in her chest sometimes when shelooked into his eyes. The kind of ache a woman wouldn’t expect to feel when looking at her ex-brother-in-law.
“River,” she said, hearing the tightness in her own voice and forcing herself to relax. “I’m so sorry to ask, but is there any way you could drop us off at the bookshop while you’re at the hardware store? I need to grab something there, and I think the kids might enjoy it.”
“Sure,” he said, glancing over at her with a warm smile. “That’s a great idea. The hardware store gets kind of crowded, and it can be a little noisy.”
“What do you think, kids?” Nora asked. “Would you like to visit the bookshop with me while River gets a few things at the hardware store?”
“Yay,” Pixie cried, and John-John joined her in cheering.
Nora didn’t have the heart to warn them that they were only going to look.
She had never exactly been paid lavishly as a vet tech, but it hadn’t mattered much. She loved her job, and she wouldn’t have minded living simply. Of course, Edward had more expensive tastes, but he also had a salary that made it easy to afford the luxuries he liked. On her own, she would have lived within her modest means without another thought.
Now, though, all she wanted was to buy the kids books and treats, and take them places.
They’ll be ready soon,she reminded herself.One of these days John-John will be ready for preschool, and I’ll just know it. Then I can go back to work, and we’ll be able to afford some small luxuries like new books once in a while, or a trip to the zoo.
As River turned onto Park Avenue, Nora had to admire all the shops. There were a few new ones now, but for the most part the town stillfeltthe same as it had back when she lived in Tarker County.
She had poked around online before turning in last night, and seen that the old bookshop she remembered seemed to have been turned into a real bookstore. It would be so much fun to browse, and maybe get an idea for a few books for the kids for Christmas.
I’m not just getting us out of his hair,she told herself firmly. This will be nice.
The bookshop was all the way down at the end of the shops, near where the village melted into residential housing again. River pulled up and got out of the truck, ruining Nora’s opportunity to let him get away without a chance of being seen with her.
His face was so serious and thoughtful as he helped her get the kids out of the back seat and onto the sidewalk.
“I’ll be back in fifteen minutes or so,” he told them, turning and heading back up Park Avenue.
“Are you ready?” Nora asked the children.
But the two of them were already gazing in the window of the bookshop, looking half-hypnotized with delight at all the beautiful children’s holiday books on display among a forest of miniature Christmas trees.
“Let’s talk for a second before we go in,” she said, crouching down a bit.
