Chapter Seventeen
Christmas Eve morning, Eric was sitting with Ashley and Brian at the kitchen table, drinking coffee. Arielle was a little crankier this morning, and Eric suddenly remembered what Anya had said last night.
“I’m sure she didn’t sleep as much yesterday as she does for you,” Eric confessed.
“That must have been why she slept a little longer last night though,” Ashley admitted. “I can’t tell you how grateful we are that you don’t seem to mind watching her. I’m not sure what we would have done yesterday otherwise. I guess we should be searching for an occasional sitter, but with COVID, we haven’t wanted to take any chances.”
“I just remembered something,” Eric said. “Anya has a work friend who has a baby about the same age as Arielle and supposedly she’s getting her first tooth,” he admitted. “Anya said that Arielle’s bottom gum did seem kind of red last night, just like the other little girl’s. Oh wait, I put a pacifier in the freezer for Arielle last night just in case she needed it.”
Standing, Eric walked over to the fridge, opening the freezer door and pulling out the pacifier.
Ashley huffed out a breath, standing and gently tugging on Arielle’s lower lip. “You’d think we would have realized that ourselves. There’s still so much we don’t know since we’re first-time parents.”
“Is that what’s going on?” Brian asked. “She was cranky this morning when I was giving her the bottle.”
“It sure looks like Anya was right,” Ashley said. “Hopefully, Arielle won’t be crabby during the entire holiday.”
“Why don’t you see if this helps since she’s done eating,” Eric said, handing over the frozen pacifier, which Ashley promptly popped into Arielle’s mouth.
Arielle sucked on it so hard, the sound echoed through the kitchen.
Eric couldn’t help laughing, and soon Brian and Ashley joined in.
“It does seem to be working though,” Ashley said with obvious relief a few moments later. “We’d better round up all the pacifiers we have around the house and stick every single one of them into the freezer so we can be prepared for the worst. We need to be making more of a conscious effort of keeping them clean anyway since she’ll be exposed to more people.”
Eric had insisted on making breakfast since Ashley would more than likely be spending much of the next two days in the kitchen cooking. A few minutes later, everyone was eating at the table.
“It was so nice of Anya to bring that food last night for you and leave all the leftovers. We were hungry once we got home, but dead on our feet,” Brian admitted. “There was so much packing to do. We knew we could safely label certain items even though the final bids weren’t due until midnight. I’m not sure, but the charities might have made more than they usually do by handling the auction all online.”
“Danny was even thinking about making it a two-day event next year, but then again, it might be more difficult during the holidays, especially if the COVID restrictions are finally lifted. People will probably be wanting to visit their families as opposed to attending a charity event,” Ashley said.
“What time is everyone due to arrive today?” Eric asked.
“Probably not until mid-afternoon,” Ashley said. “I’ve had the turkey thawing for three or four days in the fridge downstairs.”
“I saw that,” Eric admitted.
“And I have a huge roast beef ready to cook this afternoon. I thought we’d have a buffet late this afternoon since we’re not sure when everyone will be here.”
“Where did the roast beef come from?”
Brian grinned. “Jake and Danielle. They said they’d overordered for the holiday reservations, but I think that it was intended for us either way.”
Eric grinned.
“Oh, that’s right. I talked to Jake about Anya’s sister, Eric. Somehow, he knew that Anya was living at the cabin.” Ashley shook her head. “I’m not sure how they seem to know everything about everyone here in town, but he said he’d stop by her cabin the day after tomorrow around ten o’clock to talk if that was alright with her. I told him you mentioned that she had some additional research on hand about her sister. He was definitely interested in learning what she’s found out.”
“Good. I’ll let her know when I give her a call,” Eric said. “What time should I have her come over?”
“Anytime she’d like, I guess,” Ashley replied. “Any time after three, because I’ll have the roast beef in the oven and everything else we’re going to serve later should be ready to go too.”
“While you guys are here getting ready for company, I think I’m going to go into town and pick up a few things,” he said. “Is there anything else you might need from the store?”
She grimaced. “Maybe. I’ve got your number on speed dial now. How long will you be gone?”
“Only a few hours but even if I’m on my way back, I’d be happy to go back to the store for you. I have to pick up a few gifts that are being held for me that I couldn’t bring home with me the other day because the place I ordered them from was so busy. Plus, I finally found something for Mom and Dad. I’ve got plenty of stuff for you, Arielle,” Eric admitted.
“I have a feeling that Arielle’s going to have plenty of gifts this year for her first Christmas,” Brian observed dryly.
“Why don’t the two of you sit and relax while I load the dishwasher and straighten the kitchen before I go? I think I’ll make more coffee. Arielle had me exhausted last night too. And considering the active life I lead, that says a lot,” Eric muttered before finishing his coffee.
Brian and Ashley were both smiling as Eric filled their cups with the rest of the coffee in the pot so he could make more.
* * *
Eric managed to run most of his errands within an hour. The rest of the items he’d purchased were waiting at the Dragonfly Pointe Inn.
Since he’d heard from his superior this morning and would have to report back to base in less than a month, he was glad that he’d gone all out on a gift for Anya. Somehow, someway, he was going to have to figure out how to make Crystal Rock home base eventually, despite having to return to Germany at the end of January.
Meanwhile, he would assist her the best that he could with helping her discover what had happened to her sister. He was definitely interested in what Jake Loughlin had to say, so as long as she didn’t mind, he’d be there for her when she talked with him. Maybe while she was at work, there were things he could do for her at the cabin to help her out.
He’d also be here for Brian and Ashley too. They’d definitely looked a little sleep deprived when he’d arrived the other day, so he was going to make sure that they would have more alone time together while he was here to help.
Pulling into the parking lot of the Dragonfly Pointe Inn, he was taken aback to see how many cars were already parked in the lot. Quickly, he slipped on his mask.
But when he saw people walking outside from inside the Inn carrying packages, he realized that a lot of people were picking up the items they’d acquired from the auction. He’d been pleased to hear that he’d won the bid for the oil painting he’d wanted for Ashley and Brian, so he would pick that up after he made a stop at the gift shop first.
“Eric?” The woman behind the counter asked as he walked inside. “I don’t know if you remember me?”
He smiled in recognition. “Dawn? Sure. I’m surprised that you recognized me since I was wearing this mask. How are you?”
“Not too bad despite all the craziness of the pandemic. How’s your mother doing?” she asked. “I’ve missed her. We used to be pretty close.”
“Coincidentally, she’ll be in town for the next few days,” he replied. “But I’ve actually ordered something from here to give her for Christmas.”
“I saw the name O’Neill and I assumed the items were Brian’s or Ashley’s.” She grinned. “Would you like to see the ring?”
He grinned back at her. “I would.”
She reached for a box nearby, opening it up for him to view first, before tugging it out and handing it over. “You picked out a new design that I just created.”
“It’s beautiful, Dawn,” Eric said, studying the two silver dragonflies entwined to clasp a purply blue mystic topaz. “I remembered that Anya had loved all the jewelry that featured that specific gem.” He cleared his throat. “I know it’s not as expensive as a diamond, but it seemed appropriate. Plus, this particular stone matches the color of her eyes.”
“Eric,” she said softly. “What you just told me is all that matters. I guarantee that this will mean a lot more to her than any diamond. You can count on it.”
“Thank you,” he said. “I’m going to have to give her some bad news, but I want her to know that I’ll be back.”
“You’re returning to duty?” she asked, definitely sympathetic as she began wrapping the box.
“Unfortunately. Although I’ll be here for another three or four weeks, I hate to break it to her right away.”
Dawn nodded her obvious understanding. “That necklace for your mom is in the box over there. I’m guessing the bracelet might be for your sister-in-law and the two watches belong to Brian and your dad. Take a look at everything and make sure you’re happy before I wrap them.”
He took a few minutes to look everything over, nodding his approval. “I think I’ll order something for my youngest brother, Rick, while I’m here. He’d probably love one of those watches too. He’s the only one who’s not going to make it home for Christmas, so I won’t need it right away.”
“Good. I’ll be restocking for Valentine’s next week, so I’ll give you a call as soon as I have more made,” she said.
“Great,” he answered, smiling. “I think I’ll leave you while you’re wrapping everything, so you can take your time. I see that you might have a couple of customers to wait on too. I’ve got to pick up something I ordered from the auction so how about if I just return in about twenty or thirty minutes?”
“That sounds good,” she replied, after wrapping the pendant for Mom. “I’ll have everything ready to go.”
As Eric made is way toward the artwork line in the ballroom, he glanced around, surprised at how busy it was.
It only took about ten minutes before he was waited on, by none other than Jake Loughlin, he realized, glancing at the man behind the table.
Jake studied him momentarily. “Didn’t you work for me for a while?”
Eric grinned. “I worked as a busboy in the café the summer after I turned sixteen. I’m Eric O’Neill.”
Jake grinned back at him, holding out his hand. “Brian’s brother, right?
Eric shook his hand. “I am. It’s nice to be back in Crystal Rock.”
“I can understand that after everything your family went through,” Jake replied, glancing at the computer screen before him and punching in some keys. “So, let’s find your artwork.”
Jake grinned, apparently recognizing the painting Eric had purchased. “A Christmas gift for Brian and Ashley, huh? They were disappointed that it got such high bids last night.”
Eric smiled wryly. “Good. I’m glad it’s something they really wanted. It’ll be a nice surprise since it was just a fluke that I happened to notice it when I was watching the auction.”
Jake laughed, accepting the payment that Eric handed over before turning, glancing at the wrapped packages stacked against the walls behind him. “O’Neil,” he muttered, reaching down to a package not too far down the line. “Here it is. You may want to peek inside to make sure it’s the right portrait.”
Eric pulled away the brown paper at the edge. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“It sure is. My wife has several paintings by that particular artist,” Jake answered. “You know, we’re offering gift wrapping down there for free.”
“I think I might just do that,” Eric replied. “Thank you, Mr. Loughlin.”
Jake snorted. “ Jake, puh-lease .”
Eric began laughing as he walked away. He’d better pick up the stuff from the gift shop first, he decided, glancing at the line where they were offering the free gift wrap.
When he was in his truck another half hour later, he gave Anya a call since it was after two.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Are you at home?”
“I’m on my way,” she replied. “Turns out, we were able to get all the orders ready before one, so they’re currently being delivered. The shop actually closed at one and thankfully we didn’t have any last-minute calls.”
“I just got through picking up a bunch of Christmas presents for my family, so I’m headed home now, and I’ll probably shower and change clothes. Ashley said come on over any time after three if you’d like. She’s cooking roast beef. The parents aren’t probably due to arrive until later, but we can all hang out and maybe have a few drinks.”
“I’d like that,” she answered. “I should shower too, so I’ll be there in about an hour or so, then.”
“I don’t remember the last time I looked forward to the holidays as much as I’m looking forward to them today,” he said softly.
She cleared her throat, obviously emotional. “Me, neither.”