Page 16 of Soldier's Chrismas Hope
“That’s wonderful,” she told him.
“All part of the plan,” he said with a smile, before turning to grab two mugs from the cupboard. “Now I just have to get the place in order before springtime.”
It was funny, the way Edward always talked about River, she kind of had the impression that he had joined the service on a whim. This seemed like the opposite of that.
“Peppermint, right?” he asked, holding up the box.
“Yes,” she said. “You remembered.”
He poured in the steaming water, and it hit the bottom of the mug with a hiss. When their tea was ready, she carried the mugs to the table while he grabbed a glass jar of something dark out of the fridge along with a knife, and then pulled two thick slabs of toast from the toaster oven.
“Like I said, I don’t have much in the house yet,” he said, setting down everything. “But tea is better with a snack.”
“Agreed,” Nora laughed.
He pushed the jar and knife her way, and she got a look at the label.
“Apple butter from Cassidy Farm,” she said, smiling at the thought of the beautiful tourist farm nearby. “It’s good to know they’re still around.”
“Busiest farm in Trinity Falls,” River said nodding.
She opened the jar and began spreading apple butter on her slice of toast, the cinnamon scent of the treat bringing back more good memories.
“So, how’s it going?” River asked. His voice was serious now, and she knew he wasn’t looking for a surface response.
“They’re really such amazing kids,” she said, looking up at him. “They’re very resilient.”
“That’s clear,” he said, nodding.
“Pixie isn’t making friends as fast as I’d hoped in her new school,” she heard herself admit as she turned her attention back to the toast. “And John-John is still working through everything. I think it’s harder for him to understand that his mother really isn’t coming back. And of course, just the idea of it has left him unsteady.”
She glanced up at River again. He was gazing at her intently and nodding thoughtfully. It was a relief to share her honest thoughts and be listened to without judgement.
It’s nice to talk to another adult…
“Overall, though,” she went on. “I’m really, really proud of them.”
“I can see why,” River said. “They’re wonderful. And you’re obviously doing a very good job helping them feel safe and loved.”
“Thank you,” she said, finding herself unexpectedly blinking back tears.
“And how’s work going?” he asked.
She sighed, wondering if she dared to be honest about that too.
“Not so good, huh?” he asked.
“I actually haven’t been back since I brought them home,” she told him. “The owners of the clinic are so sweet. They’ve been holding the position open for me all this time. But they need someone now, since the holidays are a busy time for them.”
“But John-John needs you, right?” River asked.
She nodded, pressing her lips together. She might be sharing with him, but she certainly wasn’t going to start crying. She had to be stronger than that.
“I think that’s admirable,” he told her. “When he’s ready for you to go back to work, I know you’ll find something.”
“Thanks,” she told him, trying to focus her attention back on the toast. “I know things will work out somehow. Oh?—”
Looking down at the plate, she realized she had actually put apple butter onbothslices of toast, not just her own. And then she had cut each slice into four pieces.
