Page 26 of Once Upon a Christmas Carol

Carol awoke refreshed and energized the next day.

She looked out her window and soaked in the white snow sparkling in the sunlight and the wide span of clear blue sky.

What a beautiful morning! She dressed warmly, then went downstairs to a quiet house and opened the drapes, letting the sunlight flow in.

Seeing the darkened glass of the woodstove, she assumed her aunt would appreciate a fire, so she trekked outside.

After sweeping off some of the blown snow from last night, she gathered a load of firewood and carried it in.

She was cheerfully humming “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” when Maria entered the room.

“Somebody’s full of Christmas spirit this morning,” her aunt said.

“How could I not be?” Carol smiled at her. “It’s a beautiful day. We have a nice clean house. In a minute or two I’ll have a nice fire going to take the chill off. And I’m about to make a pot of coffee.”

“I’m not sure if you’re an angel of mercy or one of Santa’s elves, but I’m so glad you’re here.”

Carol lit the paper and kindling she’d arranged, then stood. “I’m so glad to be here.” She thought about how close she’d come to abandoning her aunt just two days ago. “And you know what’s caught me by surprise this morning?”

“What?”

“I’m actually looking forward to Christmas for the first time ever.” Carol helped with the buttons on Maria’s flannel shirt, impressed that she’d gotten this far dressed on her own.

“Wonderful. I’m looking forward to it too.” Maria sighed. “I didn’t expect to feel like that ... ever again.”

Carol hugged her aunt. “I’m sure you’ll have your sad moments. It’s only natural.”

“Yes. I’ve heard the first Christmas after losing a loved one can be hard. But with you here to help me face it, I feel hopeful.” She glanced toward the kitchen. “Now how about that coffee?”

“Coming right up.”

****

After breakfast, Carol drove Maria to the Clarksons’, which was just down the road.

Their house looked newer, though it had a very similar feel to Maria’s property.

As she helped Maria out of the car and onto the porch, Carol felt a slight wave of trepidation wash over her.

She was on Victor’s turf, and bumping into him seemed inevitable.

Maria had mentioned he was probably out doing chores.

She must’ve suspected Carol’s uneasiness.

Although, she couldn’t know why Carol had anxiety about seeing him.

Antonia greeted them at the door and welcomed them inside. Their house was warm and homey but not nearly as carefully put together as Maria’s home. Still, it was cozy.

Larry waved from his recliner and Carol went over to say hello while Antonia helped Maria remove her coat.

“You don’t have to stay here and work in the kitchen if you have other things you need to be doing,” Antonia told Carol.

“I don’t have anything that needs doing.” She smiled. “But I could visit with Larry a bit.”

Antonia’s expression relayed how much that would be appreciated.

So as the older women headed for the kitchen, Carol sat down to chat with Larry.

She made small talk that he may or may not have understood, but he seemed grateful for the attention.

Larry looked half asleep when she was finally running out of topics of conversation.

She heard the front door open and turned to see Victor coming in.

Holding a forefinger to her lips, she tipped her head toward his dad.

Victor motioned for her to come over to him.

“Want to do some errands in town with me?” he whispered.

“Sure.” She nodded nervously.

“Get your coat and I’ll let my mom know.”

****

Carol was surprised how good it felt to be riding next to him in his pickup ... again. Like coming home, although that made no sense. She was still a bit nervous, but at the same time she felt relaxed. That, too, made no sense.

“Isn’t it a beautiful day?” she asked, mostly to break the silence.

“For sure.” He nodded. “I, uh, I wanted to talk to you yesterday, but I guess I got pretty busy with farm chores.”

“We were busy too.” She briefly described Maria’s deep-cleaning binge.

“I wanted to apologize to you—for what happened at the cotillion.”

“Apologize?” She turned to stare at him. “For what?”

“For the way I treated Victoria mostly. Especially in front of my parents and Maria and you. I should’ve handled it differently, but I was so fed up, I guess I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

“You did seem frustrated.”

“Well, I got hornswoggled into taking her.”

“Now there’s a word you don’t hear too often.” She chuckled.

“It pretty much describes what happened. I honestly don’t recall giving her my word that I’d take her, but she was convinced, so I thought I’d just get it over with and go.

I didn’t realize that she’d want to keep me on a leash at the dance.

Or that she’d throw a hissy fit if I danced with someone else. ”

“Did you get it all ironed out with her?”

“I don’t know. Mostly I wanted her to understand that she and I are not a thing. We never have been.” He glanced at Carol. “I wanted you to know that too.”

Carol felt a little flutter inside but didn’t know how to respond.

“I’m not sure she understood,” he continued. “Or maybe she didn’t want to understand. When she finally went into her house, I’m pretty sure she was still mad.” He shrugged. “But that’s her choice.”

“Well, thanks for telling me.” Carol felt like an invisible weight had been lifted from her.

She almost confessed about how, in the ladies’ room, she’d overheard talk about diamonds and things.

But she didn’t want to frustrate him further.

“I’ll admit I did wonder ... you know, about the status of your relationship. ”

“There is no relationship,” he declared. “I used to think she was a friend, but now I wouldn’t even claim that. My folks are sure relieved. I bet Maria will be too. She’s lectured me before. Guess I should’ve listened.” He chuckled. “You live and learn I guess.”

For the rest of the drive into town, they just visited like old friends.

And it felt good. First off, they picked up a few ingredients at the grocery store.

Then a prescription from the drugstore for Larry.

While Victor waited on that, Carol browsed, hoping to find something Maria might like for Christmas.

Of course, nothing seemed quite right, but she went ahead and got a few items. A pretty cinnamon-and-spice candle, a box of yummy-looking chocolates, and some luxurious skin products.

She’d noticed some baskets in Maria’s attic and planned to borrow one to make these offerings more festive.

She was just trying to find a Christmas card when Victor joined her.

“I wanted something special for Maria,” she explained. “Not that I’ve had much luck. I’m almost done.”

“No rush.” He began perusing the cards too, contentedly humming along with the Christmas music bubbling out of the sound system. And it didn’t even aggravate her. Before long, they had paid for their purchases and were back in the pickup.

“My errands in town are done,” he told her. “But if you have time, I want to stop by and look at something.”

“I have all the time in the world.”

“Great.” He pointed to a large building just a couple blocks down the street. “My buddy Jason is a realtor, and he gave me a key to his place.”

“What is it?” She stared at the rather boxy-looking, neglected building.

“It’s the old grain mill. And it’s for sale.”

“For sale?” She felt her brows arch. “And you’re in the market for a ginormous building like that?”

He laughed as he drove over. “Maybe. Especially when the price is right.”

A sign with peeling paint, hanging crookedly in front, read “Crafter’s Mall.”

“Are you planning to sell crafts?” She asked as he unlocked the door.

“Now that would be a surefire way to lose money considering I’m all thumbs when it comes to arts and crafts.”

“What then?”

“Well...” He let the door swing open. “I am good at restaurants.”

She stepped inside and looked around. “In this big barn of a building?”

“Oh, come on,” he urged. “I thought your creative brain might kick into gear. Whatever happened to country chic?”

She had to laugh at herself. “I’m sorry. Let me regroup here. I’ll put on my designer’s cap.” She closed her eyes, took a breath, then opened them. “Wow. Okay, I think I can see it.”

“Seriously?” He blinked.

“Well, the space is probably too big as it is. No one wants to eat in a barn. But what if you separated it? You know, break it up some. A restaurant over there.” She pointed to one side.

“A lounge there, maybe with a small music stage. And what about a shop near the door for specialty food items? You know, like some of the things you use in your restaurant? Maybe you could even lease it out to someone to help cover expenses.”

Victor was nodding eagerly. “Yes, yes, and yes. Wow, you really do have a designer’s brain.”

“And you’re right about keeping the decor country chic.

But you’d want it to be Italian country chic.

I’m thinking Tuscany. Like an old mill building in the Tuscan hill country.

Maybe a winery or olive oil factory. Not that I’ve been there to see any of that.

But I’ve read some fabulous books.” She listed several titles.

“And the authors wrote as much about decor as food. It felt like I was really there. In fact, I’ve dreamed of going there ever since reading those. ”

“But you chose the Bahamas?” he asked.

“Well, that’s because I was alone, and it was a good deal. I think you really need someone to go with you to a place like Tuscany.” She didn’t admit she’d dreamt of a Tuscan honeymoon.

“I love your ideas,” he told her. “Is this a free consultation, or are you going to send me a bill?”