15 #2
“Daddy worked at a pancake house when he was in college,” Emily explained.
“Help yourself to some coffee,” Marcus offered.
“Thanks.” Miranda went over to the coffeemaker and poured a cup, taking a grateful sip. “Good coffee.”
“I made it,” Emily said proudly.
“Really?” Miranda wondered how little Emily was able to do this.
“Daddy taught me how. It’s easy.” Emily pointed to a step stool. “I stand on that.”
“You got that table all set, Em?” Marcus held up a plate with a stack of pancakes. “Because we got breakfast now.”
“I just need the napkins,” Emily said, scurrying away.
“She was so thrilled when I told her you were still here,” he said quietly. “I don’t think she really believed me.”
Miranda laughed as they all sat down at the sturdy wooden kitchen table. “What a lovely looking breakfast,” she said as Marcus poured them each a glass of orange juice.
“My turn to give thanks,” Emily said as she bowed her head.
Miranda bowed her own head, listening as Emily repeated a simple rhyming prayer, then they all said amen.
As they ate what turned out to be a truly delicious breakfast, Miranda felt unexpectedly shy and quiet.
Something about this sweet and intimate setting was getting to her.
It was like something out of a storybook, and she really didn’t want it to end. Ever.
But eventually the meal was over. Miranda offered to clean up. “It’s the least I can do after sharing your lovely meal,” she told Marcus. “Let me help.”
“Okay.” He removed his apron. “You take care of this and I’ll go out and shovel some snow. I’ll start clearing a path for your motor home to get out. I heard we might get even more snow later this afternoon.”
“More snow!” Emily danced around the kitchen. “I’m going to make a snowman today.”
He put his hand on her head. “Not until you help Miranda with the kitchen, okay?”
She nodded with a bit of reluctance. “Okay.”
“We’ll make fast work of it,” Miranda promised as they began to gather the dishes. While Miranda loaded the dishwasher, Emily washed off the table. Miranda was just washing the last frying pan when she noticed something big moving slowly down the road outside. “Is that a snowplow?” she asked Emily.
Emily climbed up on the stool to see out. “Yep,” she confirmed. “It is.”
“So the roads will be clear enough for me to get out of here.”
Emily jumped down from the stool. “Are you going home for Christmas?” she asked.
“Uh . . . no.” Miranda hung the frying pan on the big cast-iron pot rack over the stove, then dried her hands.
“Where are you going then?” Emily asked with natural childlike curiosity.
“To town.”
“Do you live in town?”
“No.”
“Do you have friends in town?”
“Not yet.” Miranda made a stiff smile.
“Huh?”
“Well, I might meet some friends.” Miranda looked out to where Marcus was pushing a big shovel out in front of the RV.
Soon she would have no excuse to stick around.
And really, what would be the point? She hung up the dish towel and smiled at Emily.
“I’d better go get my motor home ready to travel. ”
“What do you do to get it ready?” Emily asked. “Can I watch?”
“I thought you wanted to make a snowman.”
Emily shrugged. “I can do that afterwards.”
“Well, you better get your coat,” Miranda told her. “It’s cold out there.”
“You don’t have a coat,” Emily pointed out.
Miranda grinned. “You’re right. But that’s because my stuff got stolen.”
Emily’s eyes grew wide. “Your stuff got stolen?”
“Just my clothes,” Miranda said. “No big deal.”
“But you still have that.” Emily ran her hand along a sleeve of the green bedazzled hoodie. “It’s really pretty too.”
Miranda laughed, confessing that she’d borrowed it from Christmas Joy.
Emily pulled on a purple parka and led the way outside, continuing to pepper Miranda with funny questions.
As she unlocked the RV, Miranda could see that Marcus had already cleaned the snow off all the windows for her.
Was he just being kind—or trying to get rid of her as quickly as possible?
“Do you have kids?” Emily asked as Miranda began to rearrange things, preparing the motor home for the trip into town.
“Nope.” Miranda turned off all the lights and everything electrical. She was taking no chances with the battery.
“A husband?”
“Nope.”
“Do you have a mom and dad?” Emily peered curiously up at her.
“Yes, I do. And I have two sisters and one brother and several nieces and nephews too.”
“Why don’t you go home to have Christmas with them?”
“It’s too far away. And most of them live in different towns anyway. They don’t usually get together.” Miranda emptied water from the teakettle, stowing it below the sink.
“Where will you be for Christmas?” Emily asked with a concerned brow. “Will you go be with Christmas Joy?”
“No. Christmas Joy is in Phoenix. I think it’s too snowy to get there safely.
So I’ll be staying in the RV park in town.
” She made a forced smile. “Where I expect to meet some new friends and—” To her relief she was interrupted by the sound of knocking on the door.
She hurried to open it, and there was Marcus wearing a puffy black jacket and a bright smile.
“Got the driveway all cleared for you,” he announced. “And the snowplow just went by too. The road to town is all cleared.”
“That’s great,” she said. “I was just getting the motor home ready to go. Emily was helping.”
“Do you think your battery is charged?”
“One way to find out.” She went for her purse, removing the key ring.
“Because I can give you a jump if you need it. I have an old pickup we can use.”
“What’s a jump?” Emily asked as she followed Miranda up to the front.
“A way to charge a dead battery,” Marcus called from where he was waiting outside.
Miranda turned the key and the engine churned to life. “Don’t need it,” she called out.
“Want me to unplug your cord?” he called back.
“Yes! Thanks!” Leaving the engine running, she ran around to show him where to stow the coiled extension cord.
“Are you really leaving?” Emily made a sad little frown.
Miranda stopped by the door and, bending down, she gave Emily a long, tight hug.
“I do have to go, sweetie. But first I want to tell you what a very special girl you are. And I want to wish you the very best Christmas ever.” She whispered in her ear, “And don’t forget the gift you got your dad yesterday. You put it in your room, right?”
Emily’s eyes grew wide. “Yeah—that’s right. I almost forgot.”
Miranda felt a lump growing in her throat as she stood and extended her hand to Marcus. “Thank you for your hospitality and a really great breakfast,” she said as she firmly shook his hand. “I wish you a very merry Christmas too!”
His expression was hard to read as he continued to clasp her hand, but he was clearly uncomfortable. Or maybe he just wanted her to get moving and didn’t know how to say it.
“Thanks again, Miranda.” He released her hand. “For all you did. I really do appreciate it. And please tell Christmas Joy thank you too.”
“Oh, yeah!” She slapped her forehead. “I nearly forgot. One more thing. Christmas dinner. Emily had written that she wanted to have a real Christmas dinner, so Christmas Joy ordered all the fixings to be delivered on Christmas Day. I think the restaurant is called Lauretta’s.
I was supposed to call and confirm the delivery time, but I forgot. ”
“That was very generous of Christmas Joy,” Marcus said quietly. “But you don’t need to call. I can do that. Thanks.”
Miranda gave him a big smile as she went up the RV steps and opened the door. “You’re very welcome. And you two have a fabulous Christmas!” She waved and went inside, pulling the door closed and trying not to break into tears. Why was she so emotional today?
She got in the driver’s seat, released the brakes, and put the RV in gear.
With her eyes fixed straight ahead, she cautiously pulled forward.
She saw Marcus and Emily standing together along the edge of the driveway.
Forcing another bright smile, she made a cheerful wave and continued slowly down the driveway.
Determined not to cry, she turned onto the freshly plowed main road and drove carefully toward town.