Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Mabel put the lid on the last of the totes of decorations that she’d pulled out of the hall closet to take to The Toy Chest for the Santa Claus event.
Vanessa and Jackson had both said they would help take them over to the shop, and while she knew she probably shouldn’t have gotten them all out herself, she had a hard time just sitting around and doing nothing.
It wasn’t in her nature, and having the wrist injury slow her down had been difficult to adjust to.
She wasn’t really adjusting to it all that well, to tell the truth.
She heard a knock on the door as she straightened, and she frowned.
Maybe Jackson had showed up first. He was a nice, gentlemanly boy, and he would definitely knock before coming in.
Vanessa, on the other hand, she’d already chided about knocking.
Vanessa was her granddaughter, and she should feel free to come and go as she pleased.
If Mabel hadn’t felt sure that Vanessa would need her own space on this trip, she would have had her stay at her own home, instead of at Hearthside.
“Coming!” she called out, hurrying as best as she could to the door. She was startled, when she opened it, to see George on the other side, holding a covered dish.
“I made you a casserole,” he said gruffly. “Winter squash and ham, with a bit of sage. I remember you saying you liked it, at that one potluck that I brought it to.”
Mabel smiled, opening the door a little wider. “Paying attention to what a lady says? That’s a real heartstopper, George. Although at my age, I guess it wouldn’t take much.” She grinned, and George rolled his eyes playfully, carrying the casserole dish to the kitchen.
“Well, make yourself at home,” she teased, following him. He set the dish down on the counter, turning to face her.
“It’s a cozy place. I wouldn’t mind it a bit,” he teased back, and Mabel felt her heart flutter just a little.
The flirtation was all in good fun, and neither of them meant anything serious by it, but it did make her feel young and vivacious again, and all of the feelings that went along with that.
She wondered from time to time how she’d feel if George ever did find a woman he wanted to flirt with more seriously, and the thought stung a little.
But she was too old to go starting a whole new relationship.
She’d had all that, and now what she needed was something to spice up her days.
Flirting with and playing pranks on George did exactly that.
“How’s Vanessa?” he asked, and Mabel leaned against the kitchen table, still smiling at him.
“She’s fine. She’s really gotten into the groove of things here. I think she likes it more than she’d admit.”
“I think Jackson likes her more than he’d like to admit,” George said with a grin. “He came by the Christmas tree farm the other day. I think he’s got a crush on her.”
Mabel hesitated, waiting to see if he’d say anything else, now that he’d brought up the farm. Surely he’d noticed what she’d done by now?
But he didn’t look annoyed, or even mischievous. He looked thoughtful, as if he were really considering how things might go between Jackson and Vanessa. She was interested in that too, but just this moment she was more interested in figuring out if he knew what she’d been up to.
“Have the owners of the Holly and Ivy Market been by to pick up their tree yet?” she blurted out, unable to keep quiet about it any longer. “I mean—I know Cindy was really excited about it,” she added, as George looked at her quizzically. “She was just talking about it the other day.”
“Oh.” George rubbed a hand over his beard. “No, they haven’t. I’m sure they’ll be by any day now though.” He glanced over toward the stack of totes in the living room. “Do you need some help with those?”
“No, Jackson and Vanessa are coming by to help.” Mabel waved a hand. “They’ll take care of it. No need to throw your back out, or anything.”
He snorted. “I work at a Christmas tree farm, woman. I can handle a few totes still.”
“Well, they’ll manage it,” she insisted, and George grinned.
“I’m sure you know what you’re doing, getting the two of them over here together to help.”
“They were more than happy to do it,” Mabel said with a smile. “Plus, they’re—” her smile fell a little. “Well, I can’t be Mrs. Claus this year. With the way my wrist is still hurting, it’s just too much to handle. I was hoping it would feel better in time, but it’s just not there yet.”
“So you asked the two of them to play the roles?” George guessed, and Mabel narrowed her eyes.
“Now, how did you figure that out?”
He shrugged, rubbing a hand over his beard again. “I know you pretty well. Known you a long time anyway.”
Mabel tried to ignore the flicker of warmth that went through her at that. “You’re not disappointed?”
“Of course I am. It’s one of the highlights of my year, playing Santa with you.” He grinned, and she was pretty sure he actually meant it. “But I don’t want you to overtax yourself. It’s more important for you to get well. There’s always next year.”
That, especially, made her heart swell. “Thanks, George,” she said sincerely, just as she heard the sound of car tires coming up the driveway. “That means a lot. I hope you’ll still come to the event.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” he assured her, pushing away from the counter as they both headed toward the living room, just as the door opened and Vanessa walked in. Mabel was pleased that she hadn’t knocked.
“Ooh, that’s a lot of totes.” Vanessa eyed them. “They’re going in Jackson’s truck?”
Mabel nodded, and George grinned. “That’s my cue to head out,” he said. “See you, Mabel.”’
“I think he likes you,” Vanessa said with a smile as George walked out, and Mabel waved a hand dismissively.
“He’s just being friendly. Brought over a casserole for me. Speaking of which, could you put that in the fridge while we wait on Jackson?”
“A man cooked for you, and you think it’s just friendly?
” Vanessa laughed as she went to put away the covered dish, and Mabel couldn’t help but smile.
She could tell her granddaughter was relaxing more and more, day by day.
Fitting in a little better, back into Fir Tree Grove.
She knew Vanessa would go back to San Francisco, she wasn’t kidding herself about that, but she couldn’t help but think that Vanessa would be happy here, if she ever did decide to stay.
Another knock came at the door, and as Mabel called out that it was open, Jackson walked in.
He was wearing a pair of decently nice jeans, a black ribbed henley and a leather jacket over it, and Mabel hid another smile.
She couldn’t help but think he’d dressed up a little, since he was going to see Vanessa.
He was more cleaned up than she’d seen him in a while.
Vanessa walked out of the kitchen just then, and Mabel saw her cheeks pinken slightly as she caught sight of Jackson.
Perfect. Of course, she told herself, she still wasn’t thinking that this would turn into something permanent, of course, or that Jackson would convince her granddaughter to stay.
But it would be good for them both to have a little flirtation.
And a grandmother could dream about the possibility of her granddaughter coming home for good, after all. Nothing wrong with that.
“If you can take these out to the truck, we’ll head over to the shop,” Mabel said to Jackson, who nodded.
“Got it. I’ll have them loaded up in no time.”
“I’ll help,” Vanessa said quickly, shooting Jackson a dirty look when he looked as if he might protest. “What? I can lift heavy things too.”
“Of course,” he amended quickly. “Just didn’t want you to think you had to.”
She rolled her eyes, but she looked amused as she went to pick up one of the totes, following Jackson out to the truck. Mabel sat down on the sofa, watching as the two of them went back and forth.
They looked good together. And she could tell from the way Jackson looked at Vanessa that he had quite the crush on her.
She didn’t know her granddaughter well enough to know when Vanessa was that attracted to someone, but she could tell that she was getting butterflies.
It was obvious in the way Vanessa looked away quickly every time that Jackson glanced her way.
When the totes were all loaded into Jackson’s truck, Vanessa and Mabel headed out to Mabel’s car.
“I’m sorry I can’t offer to drive,” Vanessa said apologetically.
“I feel like I should, with your wrist being the way that it is. But there’s no need for a car in San Francisco, so I don’t actually have my license,” she admitted sheepishly.
“That’s fine,” Mabel assured her, patting her granddaughter’s hand. “I’ll get us there just fine. But are you sure you wouldn’t rather ride with Jackson?”
Vanessa frowned. “Why would I do that?”
“Oh, well—he might not know to park around back to bring things in through the service entrance,” Mabel said hurriedly. “I’d rather load everything in that way then have it coming in through the front, blocking pedestrian traffic and all.”
Vanessa narrowed her eyes at her grandmother. “All right, well, hang on just a second. I’ll go tell him.”
“I want to go ahead and get over there,” Mabel insisted. “Just ride over with him, dear. I’ll have everything unlocked and ready when you get there.”
It looked for a moment like Vanessa might want to protest, but she nodded, giving her grandmother one more look before heading over to where Jackson was starting up the truck.
Mabel watched her open up the passenger’s side door, saw her say something and then shrug, and then hop in.
She grinned gleefully, getting into her own car and starting it so that it could warm up.
She was sure Jackson could have figured it out on his own, but this would give the two of them more time together. Which was, in her opinion, only a good thing.
About twenty minutes later, they had all reconvened at the shop, and Mabel had the back door unlocked while Jackson and Vanessa started carrying the totes in and organizing them in the back.
“I’ll start going through them,” Vanessa said once a few of them were inside, blowing on her hands. “It’s cold out there.”
“Doesn’t bother me,” Jackson said cheerfully, heading back out for another one.
Mabel sat down next to Vanessa at the small break room table, taking the lids off of the totes as she started to take out the remaining decorations.
At the top of the second tote were the outfits for Santa and Mrs. Claus, and Mabel took them out with a grin, holding them up just as Jackson walked in with another tote.
“Here’s the costumes for you two,” Mabel said enthusiastically. “Why don’t you two try them on? If I need to make any alterations, it’s better to know now.”
“You’re not altering anything with your wrist,” Vanessa said firmly but gently. “But sure. We’ll try them on.” She looked over at Jackson, who chuckled.
“Sure. Hand it over.” He grinned, taking the Santa suit out of Mabel’s hand, and disappeared into the bathroom to try his on, while Vanessa shimmied into Mrs. Claus’ dress and then tugged her jeans off once it was on.
“Perfect,” Mabel declared, once she saw it on Vanessa. “It doesn’t actually really need much in the way of alterations. We’re pretty close to the same size.” She plucked at the dress, fussing over it a little and getting it to lay just right.
Jackson walked in just then, a grin on his face. “I’ll have to get the beard to stop being so itchy,” he said with a laugh. “George was lucky to have one built right in. But the suit fits well enough. We’ll give it a little padding to make me look more jolly.”
“All right, now we need a photo.” Mabel beamed, reaching for the camera in her purse.
“Get closer,” she urged, waving at the two of them.
“Look like you’re a couple. Santa and Mrs. Claus, right?
” she added mischievously, as Vanessa gave her a narrow look.
“Put your arms around each other. There you go,” she encouraged, as Jackson stepped a little closer and gently put his arm around Vanessa, careful to just rest his hand lightly on her waist.
Vanessa was blushing by the time she’d taken a few pictures, and Mabel was pleased to see that Jackson was being sweet and respectful, not cuddling too close to Vanessa but still close enough for the pictures to be just right.
This is going to be great, she thought, as Jackson glanced down at Vanessa and she saw the way his gaze lingered. The two of them just needed an excuse to spend more time together. Who knew, maybe they’d even try long distance—
“Is that enough?” Vanessa asked, clearly flustered as she untangled herself from Jackson. “I’m sure there will be more chances for pictures. We should get this all unpacked.”
“I’ve got a few more totes to grab,” Jackson agreed, clearing his throat. “Be right back.”
Mabel looked at the camera. “The pictures are perfect,” she said, holding up the back of the camera so Vanessa could see.
Vanessa blushed again. “They’re good,” she said quickly. “By the way,” she added, clearly trying to change the subject. “Did you find that unicorn toy for Katie, yet?”
Mabel shook her head, setting the camera down. “Unfortunately, it’s still backordered. I’m going to keep trying though. I’ll let you know if I do.”
Vanessa nodded. “All right. Hopefully it comes in.”
Mabel noticed the flicker of disappointment in her granddaughter’s face, and it warmed her heart.
She didn’t want to disappoint Vanessa of course, ever, but seeing Vanessa’s concern over Katie’s toy told her that Vanessa was beginning to make connections in the town.
She was forming attachments to people now, in a place that she’d cut ties with long ago, and as far as Mabel was concerned, that could only be a good thing.
She loved Fir Tree Grove. And she wanted Vanessa to love it just as much as she did.