Chapter Ten #2
In the blink of an eye, a smile appeared on Connie’s face. Felicity released the pent-up breath. Obviously, she’d spent too much time at her old job, where people were too serious all of the time.
“I’m sorry,” Merry said. “I’ll pay for it.”
Felicity spoke up. “It’s already been taken care of.”
Merry’s gaze moved between Felicity and Connie. She hesitated before she said, “Well, thank you so much for taking care of Sunny. I really appreciate it.”
“It was no problem,” Felicity said. “She’s a really good dog. Someone is going to be lucky to have her.”
Merry arched a brow. “What about you?”
Felicity shook her head. “Sorry. I really can’t. I’m staying with my mother until Christmas, and then I’m heading back to New York. I can’t have a puppy there.”
Merry hesitated, and then with a deflated look on her face, she nodded her head. “I understand. But would you mind keeping an eye on her for just a couple more minutes? I need to have a quick word with Connie.”
“Sure. No problem.”
The ladies made their way to the back where Connie had her office. Just then a young family entered the bookshop. With Sunny in her arms, she moved to greet them. The two little girls oohed and aahed over the puppy.
She showed them where to find some kids’ books with dogs in them. The parents thanked her as they perused the shelves with their children.
Felicity stepped up to the counter as a couple other customers came through the door. She greeted them and told them if they had any questions to come find her. It was the same greeting she gave all of the bookshop’s visitors.
A few minutes later, Connie and Merry emerged from the office. They paused at the end of the counter where Felicity was busy replenishing the display of bookmarks while Sunny sniffed the floor.
“I don’t know what we’re going to do.” Merry expelled a weary sigh. “If I don’t find someone to finish the costumes, there isn’t going to be a Christmas play.”
Connie frowned. “It can’t be that hard to find someone, can it?”
Merry sighed. “People are either heading out of town for the holidays, or they don’t know anything about creating costumes.”
Felicity couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
There had always been a Christmas play. She remembered how much she used to love it as a kid.
She was in it every year until she got too old.
She was just in elementary school, but she used to imagine herself becoming a famous actress. The memory brought a smile to her lips.
“There has to be a play. It’s tradition.” Felicity clamped her lips together as heat rushed from her chest up to her face. She hadn’t meant to utter the words out loud. It’s just that she couldn’t imagine a Kringle Falls Christmas without the children putting on a play.
Both women looked at her with widened eyes. The fact they only stared and didn’t speak only worsened the uncomfortable moment.
The heat in Felicity’s cheeks increased. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have butted into your conversation.”
“I didn’t know you cared so much about the play,” Connie said.
Felicity shrugged. She couldn’t tell them it felt like everything from her past was disappearing or changing. “I have fond memories of it.”
Merry sighed. “I understand. But I can’t find anyone with the skills to step in and finish the costumes.”
“So, the costumes are started?” Felicity asked.
Merry nodded. “Yes. Though the mice costumes need some, uh, alterations.”
“It doesn’t sound too hard.”
A twinkle of hope showed in her eyes. “Would you be willing to do it?”
If she could do something to stop all of the changes happening within Kringle Falls, she would do it. Her contribution might not be big, but if it preserved the annual play, it was something. “I’ll do it.”
Merry blinked. “Really? You do realize the play is next week, right?”
Felicity nodded.
Merry looked hesitant. “Do you have experience sewing?”
“I worked on the costumes for the play when I was in high school. My mother taught me how to sew when I was a kid. In fact, I still sew to this day.”
Their eyebrows rose in unison before they looked at each other. It was as though they were reading each other’s thoughts.
Connie turned to her. “Are you sure you want to do it? I mean you aren’t in town long, and I know you want to spend time with your mother.”
“But this is important too.”
The children’s Christmas play shouldn’t be that important to her, but it was.
Her father was no longer here to welcome her home with one of his great big bear hugs.
Her childhood home was sold. Justin was married.
Her mother moved into an apartment. She just couldn’t take more big changes. It was just too much.
Merry studied her for a moment. “Are you sure?”
How was she supposed to explain that things between herself and her mother were strained? How was she supposed to tell them she had no idea her mother had sold her childhood home without even telling her? No. She couldn’t tell them any of that.
She did know that when she had to leave—when she went back to New York—however she left her relationship with her mother would be how it would be long into the future. The thought worried her. She didn’t want to leave things like this. And yet she didn’t know how to get past the great divide.
And so, staying busy—preserving something that had been important to her at one point in her life—would give her time to figure out how to deal with her mother. Some people might call it avoidance. She liked to think of it as a cooling-off period.
“Yes,” Felicity said. “This is something I want to do.”
“Well, okay then.” Merry rushed over and gave her a hug. When she pulled back, she said, “Thank you so much on behalf of myself and the kids who will be happy to know the show goes on.”
At least something good would come from her visit. Tomorrow, she’d get started on the costumes because the play was the following week. Eep!