12
It was nearly eight when Miranda was allowed to check on Joy again, but she was relieved to see that her old friend looked much better. “You’ve got some color in your face,” Miranda said as she leaned down to kiss Joy’s cheek.
“They let me have a little dinner.” Joy pointed to the food tray.
“Good for you.” Miranda sat down. “I just got a text from Rick. He and Rob are making good time. They should be here a little after nine.”
“And the weather?” Joy looked concerned. “The storm that’s coming?”
“It’s not expected to hit until tomorrow afternoon or early evening.
So your sons should be just fine.” Miranda didn’t tell Joy that they were now predicting six to eight inches of snow.
No point in getting her worried. Besides Miranda should be safely in Flagstaff by then.
After that . . . well, she would figure that out later.
“Then you must get an early start,” Joy warned. “I want you to take a taxi to the motor home tonight. You sleep there—get a good night’s rest—and start out early. Maybe before dawn.”
Miranda considered this. “I guess that makes sense. But I can’t leave the hospital until I know your sons are here.”
Joy made an exasperated sigh as she reached for a large yellow envelope lying next to the food tray. “There are some things in here for the rest of your trip. Instructions for the motor home and whatnot,” she explained as she handed it to Miranda.
“I can deliver the RV to Phoenix for you by Christmas,” Miranda told her with some uncertainty. Could she really deliver it that soon if there was a blizzard going on? Maybe that didn’t matter right now. “But I’m not sure where to drop it off.”
“That’s all in the envelope,” Joy assured her. “You don’t need to open it until you’re finished up in Flagstaff. And since we just filled the tank, you should have enough gas to make it there, right?”
“Yes, I think so.”
Now Joy held out her credit card. “And I want you to take this—just in case you need it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. The RV park is reserved with it. I’ve put some cash in there”—she pointed to the envelope—“but I’m not sure it’s enough. And you might need more gas after Flagstaff. Also, I want you to take Emily shopping tomorrow. The plan is all there in the notebook. Just follow my instructions.”
“Thank you.” Miranda felt a wave of relief. She knew how much it cost to fill the motor home with gas, and, although she hated to admit it, she knew she probably couldn’t afford to fill it herself if needed.
Joy held up a finger. “And don’t forget about the Santa suit.”
“The Santa suit?”
“I made it for George . . . long ago when my boys were small.” Joy closed her eyes and let out a tired sigh. “It’s all in the notebook.”
“Yes . . . okay . . . no problem. I’ll read through your instructions before I go to bed tonight.” Miranda looked at her watch. Visiting hours were ending soon.
Joy opened her eyes. “I’m sorry to put so much on you.” She looked intently at Miranda. “Do you mind?”
“It’s just fine,” Miranda assured her. “Really. I want to do this.”
Joy smiled. “Will you take photos of little Emily’s Christmas for me?”
“Of course!” Miranda nodded eagerly. “I’ll post them on your website and, if you like, I can send them to Rick’s phone. I have his number.”
Joy clapped her hands. “Yes! Please do. It will be almost like being there.”
“And I’ll be checking in regularly—through Rick. To see how you’re doing.” Miranda paused to really study Joy. “You do seem better.”
“I feel better. I’m trying to talk the doctor into letting me travel to Phoenix for the surgery—that is, if I really need it. I’m not convinced. But if I’m in Phoenix I can recover in my own apartment at the assisted living place.”
“Yes, that sounds like a good plan. I’m sure Rob and Rick will agree.”
“So . . . let’s say our goodbye now, Miranda. And if you must, wait until the boys get here—until you see the whites of their eyes. But then you must go. And get a good night’s rest.” She smiled. “That queen-sized bed in back is very comfortable.”
Miranda reached for Joy’s hand. “Okay,” she agreed. “That actually sounds pretty good right now. I’m kinda tired.”
Joy squeezed Miranda’s fingers. “Of course you are. Now just go.”
Miranda leaned down to give Joy a goodbye kiss. “I’ll be in touch,” she said as she headed for the door. “You take care.”
Joy smiled as she made a little wave. “God bless you, dear. And merry Christmas!”
Miranda echoed Joy’s words. Then, feeling the sadness of parting with a loved one, she headed down the hall to wait for Rick and Rob.
It was just a little past nine when a pair of tall men about the same age as her dad came bustling down the hallway toward her.
She’d met them only a time or two and then just briefly, but she instantly knew they were Joy’s “boys.”
After a quick greeting, she filled them in on their mother’s condition as best she could, then directed them to her room. “I’m not sure you’ll get to see her now,” she warned. “Visiting hours ended at eight.”
“We’ll get to see her,” Rick said with authority. “Or else.”
She nodded. “Good luck.” Then without further ado, relieved that Rick and Rob didn’t have time to question her about finishing the Christmas Joy trip, she hurried to the front desk to inquire about calling a taxi.
By the time she got to the rehab center it was nearly ten o’clock, but it felt like midnight.
There was a definite chill in the air. Miranda paid the taxi driver, then hurried through the cold night air toward the RV.
With its brightly colored decorations, it looked slightly alien in the stark lamplight of the barren parking lot.
But it looked welcoming too. That is, until Miranda noticed the door was wide open.
She stopped in her steps. Had someone broken into it?
What if they were in there now? A chill went down her spine as she glanced nervously around the dark parking lot.
The reception area of the rehab center was still lit, which offered some hope.
Of course, the door was locked. But seeing there was a buzzer, she decided to give it a try.
To her surprise, Roxy was still there, and when she saw Miranda she let her in.
“What are you doing out there?” Roxy asked with concerned eyes. “And how is Joy?”
Miranda told her Joy was improving, then quickly explained about the open door. “I probably forgot to lock it,” she said. “But I’m by myself—and I just wasn’t sure.”
“This isn’t the safest neighborhood.” Roxy reached for the phone. “I’ll get our security guy to go check it out with you.”
After a quick look around the motor home, Miranda was reassured to see that her laptop was still safely in the closet where she’d stored it. Feeling confident that all was in order, she thanked the security guard.
“We’ve got surveillance cameras all over the parking lot,” he told her. “And I’ll keep an extra close watch on it tonight.”
“Thanks.”
It wasn’t until after he left that Miranda realized her duffle bag was missing.
She remembered leaving it on the chair by the door, which for all she knew she’d left open.
Pretty easy pickings for a sticky-fingered thief just passing by, but at least that appeared to be the only thing that had been taken.
Still, it irked her. It might not be valuable, but all her traveling clothes were in that bag.
She checked again to make sure the door was securely closed and locked, then went to the back bedroom, closed and locked the bedroom door, and collapsed fully dressed onto the bed, which really was comfy.
She was too exhausted to think or worry about anything tonight.
Except that it was cold and getting colder in here.
So she got up and hunted down more blankets.
Bundling herself up like a cocoon, she turned off the light and fell soundly to sleep with her cell phone in her jacket pocket—just in case.
She woke up with a start and it took her a few seconds to get her bearings.
Holding her breath, she listened intently in the darkness, worried that someone might be trying to break into the RV.
Hearing nothing, she exhaled deeply and dug her phone out of her pocket.
It was only 5:23, but she was wide awake and knew she’d be unable to go back to sleep.
Why not just head out? She wished she had a fresh set of clothes to put on, but she wasn’t about to waste time thinking about that now.
A little girl was waiting for Christmas!
A new idea popped into her head. She foraged through the closet containing Joy’s velour jogging suits.
They weren’t really her style and she wasn’t the least bit into bedazzling, but she went ahead and pulled on an emerald green hoodie.
She laughed to see her image in the mirror.
The color made her auburn hair look redder than usual, and with the sparkles around the hood, she kind of resembled one of Santa’s elves.
But a seven-year-old would probably appreciate that.
Even in the dark, it didn’t take long to find the highway entrance, and thanks to the early hour, the traffic was very light.
It wasn’t daylight yet, and it was rather enjoyable having the road almost to herself.
After an hour or so the sky grew gray with light and then, just a little past seven, the most glorious sunrise began.
Shades of coral and pink and gold illuminated the desert landscape in such a striking way that Miranda had to pull over and step outside just to watch the miracle transpire.
She took a few shots with her phone, but then just stood there gaping at it in wonder.
Who knew the desert could look so incredibly beautiful?
She almost wished she could just park the RV nearby and remain here indefinitely.
But then she remembered she had a mission to perform.