Page 10 of Once Upon a Christmas Carol

The soft bed in Maria’s guest room was far more comfortable than Carol’s mattress at home, so Carol awoke refreshed and rested the next morning.

But she was shocked to discover it was already almost nine.

She never slept that late! But remembering it was only six in Seattle made her feel a little better.

Still, worried that Maria could be awake and needing help, she quickly pulled on jeans and a sweater, then slid her feet into the warm slippers she’d left by the bed and hurried downstairs.

She found Maria wearing a purple bathrobe like a shawl and standing by the opened woodstove with a piece of firewood in her good hand.

“Hey, let me take care of that.” Carol removed the log from her hand. “Sorry for oversleeping.”

“I’m sure you were exhausted after your travels.”

“And I forgot about the time difference.”

“No worries. I only got up a few minutes ago. That’s late for me.

” Maria glanced at the woodstove, then back to Carol.

“I suppose we don’t really need a fire. I do have a furnace with central heating.

I just like the feel of wood heat. It seems warmer somehow.

Or maybe it’s seeing the flames through the glass door. ”

“It does make things cozier.” Carol wadded up some newspaper.

“But I might need some coaching on how to get this started. I was never in Girl Scouts and haven’t had a fireplace before.

” With Maria’s instructions, Carol soon had a fire going.

She stood, brushing off her hands. “How about some coffee?”

“A girl after my own heart.” Maria turned to gaze at the Christmas tree. “Do you think you could plug that in first?”

“Of course.” She stooped by the outlet and, plugging in the lights, nodded with satisfaction. She and Victor really had done a first-rate job last night.

“It makes it so cheerful in here.” Maria headed for her chair.

“I agree. Let me help you with your robe.”

Maria groaned as they maneuvered the robe around her bandaged arm. “I hate being so useless.”

“It’s a temporary condition,” Carol reminded her.

“I suppose, but it sure is bad timing with the holidays and the weather and all.”

“How’s the pain today? Any improvement?” Carol studied her aunt’s face as she eased herself into the chair.

“I’ll admit it was throbbing when I first got up, but I took the ibuprofen you set out for me and it is definitely helping now.”

“I really think you need an X-ray.”

“We’ll see about that.” Maria, still clutching her sore arm, seemed to shiver.

Was it from the chill or was she apprehensive about medical help?

As Carol nabbed a colorful afghan from the sofa, she wondered about her aunt’s health insurance.

Perhaps she couldn’t afford a doctor’s visit.

She gently laid the blanket over her and tucked it around Maria’s legs. “How’s that until the fire gets going?”

“Perfect. Thank you. Victor’s mama, Antonia, gave me this afghan as a thank-you for helping with Larry. It’s a granny square pattern. She found it at a craft fair.” She ran a hand over the blanket. “Larry thought it was too loud, but I just love it.”

“It’s very cheerful.”

Maria frowned. “I’m afraid I won’t be much help to Antonia and Larry now. Not for a while, anyway. I’m sure glad they’ve got Victor there. Larry’s getting to be a handful for sure, and poor Antonia gets worn out.”

“Victor told me about his dad’s Alzheimer’s. It must be hard on everyone.”

Maria tsked and leaned back. “I don’t know what they’d do without Victor.”

“He seems like a very nice man.”

“He is. Not many like him these days. He certainly would be a good catch ... for the right woman.” Maria had a definite twinkle in her eyes now.

Carol just nodded, then turned away. “I’ll get the coffee going.

” She hurried toward the kitchen, suspecting her aunt was hinting at her.

But seriously? Did Maria really think she could wave a magic wand and suddenly Victor and Carol would be blissfully strolling down the wedding aisle and living happily ever after?

That might work in fairy tales. But not in real life. Not in Carol’s real life, anyway.

While the coffee was brewing, Carol perused the fridge for potential breakfast options.

Seeing a carton with one lonely brown egg, a partly full milk jug, and not much else, she decided to check the cabinets for other possibilities.

Finally deciding that oatmeal might be comforting on a cold winter morning like this, she consulted Maria first.

“Oatmeal sounds lovely. You’ll find some homemade applesauce in the pantry. I always like a little in my oatmeal. And there’s a jar of walnuts on the counter. I like a few of those too. And a bit of brown sugar, if you don’t mind.”

“That sounds yummy.” Carol smiled. “The coffee’s probably almost done. Want me to bring your cup in here?”

“Yes. Bring yours too. There’s no hurry on breakfast. It usually takes a while before I’m really hungry.”

“Me too,” Carol said with enthusiasm.

Returning with their coffees, both black, Carol paused to admire the glowing Christmas tree.

“I can’t remember seeing such a pretty tree,” she said.

“It’s not over-the-top, like some of the ones I’ve done for clients, but just right.

And it smells so delicious.” She pointed to the still-closed drapes. “Want those opened?”

“Yes, I was just thinking the same thing. Not that anyone will pass by to see our pretty tree, but it will let more light in. Even with the clouds out, the snow is reflective. I don’t like being shut up here in the darkness.

Don liked the drapes closed. I always told him he’d be a caveman if I allowed it.

He claimed he was outside in the sun so much for work, he liked a darkened house.

But I always wanted it open and bright. It’s one of the few things we disagreed on.

” She sighed. “But I’d put up with blackout curtains if I could have him back. ”

“You really miss him, don’t you?”

“Every. Single. Day.”

Once all the drapes were open, revealing a snowy wonderland, Carol sat on the sofa. “I’m sorry for your loss, Aunt Maria, but I think you were blessed to have such a long, happy marriage. I haven’t seen too many of those.” To be honest, she couldn’t think of one.

“Yes, we were very happy. I’m grateful for all the years we had.”

“Still, I’m sure it’s been lonely without him.”

“I’d be lying if I claimed it wasn’t.” She peered at Carol over her mug. “You’re almost forty, right?”

Carol nodded.

“I’m surprised you’re not married by now. Have you been married?”

“No.” Carol suppressed aggravation. Why did older women so often think they had the right to ask this question? “I was engaged once.”

Maria’s brows lifted. “What happened?”

“I realized I didn’t love him enough to give everything up for him.”

“Give everything up?” Maria looked confused. “Men don’t expect women to give up their careers nowadays, do they?”

“No, that’s not it.” She grimaced at the memory. “Morris was glad I had a steady job. He was an investment broker, and he thought together we could afford a nice house.”

“Uh-huh ... so what went wrong?”

“I wasn’t ready to give up being single.

I liked having my own place. Making my own choices.

To be honest, I don’t think I really loved him.

Not enough, anyway. And I haven’t been in a serious relationship since then.

I’ve dated some men, but always ones who aren’t pushing for marriage. I like playing it safe.”

Maria appeared dismal. “You young people. So many folks in your generation are afraid of commitment and marriage. I don’t understand it.

Sure, any relationship has its ups and downs.

But having someone beside you, someone you can go through struggles with, spending life with your best friend .

.. well, I think it’s worth giving up a little independence. ”

“Maybe so, but maybe it’s not for everyone.”

“Apparently not for ones like you ... or Victor either, for that matter. I don’t know if that boy will ever get married.”

“I overheard you talking to him about a girlfriend ... Victoria? Maybe there’s something going on there with him. You know, you can’t force these things.” Carol sipped her coffee, trying to appear less interested than she felt.

“Victoria Snyder?” Maria laughed. “I think he only takes her out because it’s convenient.

Like an excuse for not seeing other girls.

But I don’t think it’s more than that. Not for him, anyway.

Although she’s a pretty girl, and I’ve heard she’s looking to remarry.

But it troubles me that she’s already been divorced.

You probably know what they say about that. ”

“What’s that?” Carol was glad she hadn’t mentioned Morris’s failed marriage.

“Divorce rates increase with each marriage. I think of Victor as a son ... I would never say anything to him, but I don’t want him getting hooked by Victoria. Antonia doesn’t either.”

“What if they’re in love? What if it worked out?”

Maria waved a hand. “I can’t speak for Victoria, but I don’t think she’s in love. Not really. And Victor sure doesn’t seem to be. We’ve all seen him get his heart broken once before.”

“Really?” Carol couldn’t conceal her interest.

Her aunt nodded like she was privy to all the inside stories of Victor’s family.

And perhaps she was. “His high school sweetheart, Josie Staples. She was a real pretty girl and nice too ... We all thought they’d tie the knot after college, but in her second year, she met another guy.

He was from a wealthy, political family, and soon it was arrivederci, Victor. ”

“That’s too bad.”