Page 18 of Once Upon a Christmas Carol

The next morning, the day before the big Christmas Cotillion, Carol drove Maria’s fully loaded car into town.

Along with the bags from the dollar store, she had numerous lamps from Maria’s house and some that Victor had dropped by on the porch late last night.

She’d also put in a box of mason jars, a bag of tea lights, some carefully selected antiques, and even a portable CD player that Maria asked to bring to play Christmas music from.

This time she even put in a neatly packed lunch that Maria insisted would be needed.

She’d also insisted on coming along. Obviously curious about what her niece planned to do with all these miscellaneous items, or maybe just bored, Maria refused to take no for an answer but promised to remain on the sidelines while Carol finished the decorations.

“I really think I can wrap things up today,” Carol said as she carefully drove down Maria’s snow-packed driveway.

“Have you driven on snow before?” Maria asked.

“Not much.”

“Well, the best advice I can give is to react slowly and smoothly. If the car should slide a bit, gently go with it and steer. No jerky moves. That can be disastrous.”

“Right.” Carol felt even more nervous now, and they weren’t even on the real road.

“Have you ever been skiing?”

“Yes. I used to ski a lot in college. My roommate and her family were really into it.”

“Well, think like you would if you were skiing. I never skied much myself, but that’s what my Don used to tell new drivers. Relax, give yourself plenty of time, and make slow, smooth moves.”

“Okay.” Carol nodded. “That makes sense.”

“Mind if I put on some Christmas music?”

Carol smiled. “Not at all.”

“I have an old James Taylor CD in there now. It was Don’s favorite.” Maria turned on the audio, and Carol began to relax a bit more. With Christmas songs playing and Maria sweetly humming along, Carol was surprised at how quickly they got to town. And she wasn’t even driving fast!

Carol unlocked the Grange door with a bit of trepidation.

What if Maria didn’t like what she’d done?

Of course, she’d be fine to take it down and start over, but her feelings might be hurt.

Reminding herself that professionals shouldn’t allow their personal feelings or oversized egos to come before pleasing a client, she opened the door and let Maria go first, fumbling to flip on the lights that buzzed and flickered and finally began to illuminate the large space.

“Oh, my.” Maria walked toward the center of the room, where tables were still set up with miscellaneous items strewn about.

Carol unzipped her parka. “Is it, uh, okay?”

“It’s marvelous.”

“Really?” Carol felt hopeful. “It’s only half done.”

“Well, I love it so far. I’m sure I’ll love it more when you’re finished.”

Carol brought a folding chair over to her work area. “How about you sit here and you can supervise and direct.”

“And stay out of your way?” Maria teased.

“I read the printed material urgent care sent home with you,” Carol reminded her. “It said you need to take it easy. I’m just following instructions.”

“Yes, yes, so you’ve told me already.” Maria sighed and glanced around. “I’m surprised it’s warm in here. Can you help me unzip this heavy coat?”

“I guess we forgot to turn the thermostat down.” Carol helped Maria pull off the parka and ease herself into the chair. “Should I turn it down now?”

“No, leave it. We always run the furnace the day before the cotillion. Takes a day to take the chill off in here.”

“Okay. I’m going to unload the car and then I’ll get to decorating.”

“Don’t forget my little CD player. And grab that black case from the console while you’re at it. It’s got several good Christmas CDs.”

With a background of cheerful Christmas music and her aunt’s random comments and rambling narrative, Carol busily hung wreaths and garlands and ribbons until she could finally put her focus on the tables and create an ambiance that would feel warm and inviting.

“I noticed there’s an abundance of tablecloths,” Carol said, extracting several from a box she’d found the day before. She pulled out a Christmas calico, a solid red, and a cheery red-and-green plaid.

“Yes, over the years we’ve used different ones. Red one year, green the next, and so on. It’s a way to appease all the women who’ve contributed them.”

“Well, I thought it’d be interesting to use a combination of fabrics.” Carol laid and lapped the three cloths over one table. “I’m going for sort of a country chic motif.” She stepped back to look.

“Interesting.” Maria drew out the word, as if she were a bit uncertain.

Now Carol arranged some of her dollar store items, along with some things from the storage room. Pausing to turn on the flickering battery lamp on the first table she’d set, Carol turned to Maria. “What do you think?”

Maria smiled. “I think it’s lovely. Not like anything we’ve done before.” She shook her head. “I suppose because we’re all country bumpkins at heart, it never occurred to us to have a cotillion like that. Often the women have wanted glitz and glamour.”

“I noticed there’s plenty of sparkly decorations.” Carol pulled out a few more tablecloths. “I hope you don’t mind that I’m not using them. This old building seems uncomfortable with glitz. Kinda like a sweet old farm woman wearing a sequined gown and oversized rhinestones to a hoedown.”

Maria laughed. “I happen to like country chic. And Gloria Davenport, bless her soul, isn’t around to complain. Most of that glittery stuff was her contribution from back in the eighties.”

Carol continued to work, experimenting with lighting and ways to keep the extension cords that she’d unearthed in the supply room from becoming trip hazards.

She thought keeping the tables along the walls and securing things with a big roll of masking tape seemed to do the trick.

It was work, but when she had all the lights going and turned off the hideous fluorescent lights, Maria let out a squeal of delight.

“Oh, Carol, it’s just magical. I love it. Everyone is going to love it. How on earth did you even think of doing it like this?”

“To me light is key to good decor.” Carol set the antique spinning wheel she’d borrowed from one of Maria’s spare bedrooms on the long table she was arranging near the front entrance.

“Without perfect lighting, a space never looks right.” She continued to putter, setting out various pieces and doing her best to make the big room look inviting.

“Don’t forget the refreshment table,” Maria called out from her chair, pointing to a corner near the kitchen door. “It doesn’t need much more than a tablecloth and a few greens or whatever.”

“Hello?” a male voice called from the back of the room. “Anybody order a fireplace?”

“What?” Maria’s eyes grew wide.

“Victor!” Carol exclaimed as he entered the space. “You remembered.”

“Of course.”

“Bring it up here.” She waved to a spot she’d saved just in case the faux fireplace arrived. “I’ve got a braided rug and some things all set to go with it.”

He set the stove in place, then looked around. “Wow, it looks almost like somebody’s home in here.”

“Yes!” Carol clapped her hands. “I wanted it to feel homey.”

“Your country Christmas motif?” His tone was teasing, but he was smiling sweetly.

“I really like it. Looks like you’re almost finished .

..” He paused as the main front door swung widely open, letting in bright sunlight .

.. and Victoria Snyder. Today she was dressed in a pale-blue parka trimmed in white fur.

Her skinny jeans were neatly tucked into tall black boots, also trimmed with fur.

And despite the fluffy white ski hat she wore, her blond hair looked impeccably styled, framing her face like she was ready for a photo op.

With arms crossed in front of her, Victoria strolled the room, gazing about like she owned the joint.

“Well now, what do we have here?” She paused by a table. “Oh, I see, you’ve used your dollar store treasures. How quaint.”

“It’s country chic.” Maria sounded as defensive as a mother hen. “Carol works for a fancy design firm in Seattle. She’s a trained professional, and she felt this motif fit our old-fashioned Grange Hall. And I quite agree with her.”

Victoria nodded. “Well, I’ll admit it’s a lot cozier in here with the low lighting—I always hated those awful fluorescent lights—but we all know how conservative some of the Grang ers are about this hall and their cotillion.

” She laughed. “My daddy included. So it’ll be interesting to see what they all have to say.

” She pointed at Victor. “You’re the one I’m looking for.

Apparently your phone is turned off or dead, as usual, but I’ve been trying to get ahold of you all day.

If I hadn’t seen your truck here, I probably would have driven out to your place, and you know what my Corvette is like on snow. ”

“A Corvette on snow.” Maria shook her head. “That’s just plain foolish.”

“Well, my SUV has been in the shop for two weeks so it’s all I have to get around town.” She turned back to Victor, holding her hands out in exasperation. “You promised to call me since I couldn’t get a clear answer from you yesterday.”

Victoria looked at Maria, then pulled up a chair and sat next to her. “Can you believe this guy invited me to the cotillion and now seems to have completely forgotten all about it? And here I thought he had manners.”

“That doesn’t sound like Victor.” Maria’s gaze flickered to Carol.

Victor shifted uncomfortably. “I’ve been busy.”

“I already got my dress.” Victoria directed her attention to Maria. “You should see it. It’s a strapless icy blue satin with this gorgeous crystal beadwork around the neckline. Fits me like a glove.”

“Sounds chilly,” Carol commented as she continued decorating.

“I have a stole,” Victoria retorted. “And a handsome gentleman to keep me warm. That is, if he regains his memory.”

“As I recall we talked about the cotillion some time ago.” Victor cleared his throat. “In fact, if memory serves me, you were the one who brought it up quite casually, and I told you to get back to me on it. And when you didn’t ... well...” Victor shrugged. “I took it as a no-go.”

Victoria stood before going over to him and looking straight into his eyes.

“Oh, Victor, you know me. You’ve known me for years.

I’m a procrastinator. But would I have gotten a new gown if I didn’t plan to go with the handsomest guy in Miller’s Creek?

” She pouted. “I even got new shoes. Although I’m not sure how they’ll do in this snow.

I might need you to carry me in from the car. ” She laughed.

Suddenly Carol felt uncomfortable about her down-home decorations, more fitting for a hoedown than a fancy ball. “It, uh, sounds like the cotillion is a pretty formal affair...”

“It used to be,” Maria said quickly.

“It still is,” Victoria protested. “At least in the minds of some people. The more traditional ranch families, ones that have lived in Miller’s Creek for generations.”

“Oh, come now, I’ve seen it grow more casual with every passing year,” Maria pointed out. “Some of the fellows just put on a clean shirt with blue jeans.”

“That’s what I’d do,” Victor told them. “I mean, if I were coming.”

“That’s what I was afraid of.” Victoria pouted again. “After I got my gorgeous gown, it would just figure you’d come as a cowboy.” She tugged his arm. “Can we finish this conversation in private?”

He glanced around the room. “Guess I’m not needed here anyway.”

“Come with me, Mr. Clarkson,” she commanded. “I’ll buy you a late lunch and a beer and we’ll talk.”

“Bye, ladies,” he called in a flat, slightly helpless tone that Carol found particularly grating.

Was he really that spineless? Or was he secretly relishing the attention from Victoria?

Perhaps he even had feelings for that pushy woman.

Maybe Carol would never know for sure. And maybe it didn’t matter.