Chapter Sixty-One
V ickie hadn’t slept well last night. And when she’d stumbled into the kitchen this morning, she’d been greeted with an empty coffee pot. She’d forgotten to turn the coffee pot timer on. She couldn’t remember a single morning over the past five years that she hadn’t woken up to a pot of coffee. She must really be losing it. Happy Monday to me.
She ran into Survey Lodge minutes before her shift began. Today she would be at the Korean Memorial, and she was so thankful there was a ranger station nearby where she could seek refuge. The temperature had dropped. Winter had come with a vengeance.
“You have big holiday plans this year?” Chris asked as she logged on to the computer. “I can’t believe it’s almost Christmas.”
Vickie was silent for a moment. She’d been so focused on her plans that fell through that she hadn’t even thought about what she would do for Christmas now that she wouldn’t be accompanying Thatcher to his family holiday. Now it looked like she’d be spending Christmas alone. “No big plans. Just a low-key holiday. How about you?”
“We’re loading up and driving to North Carolina.” He grinned. “Just thinking about a road trip with two kids under age three makes me exhausted.”
“I’m sure it will be fun.” Vickie managed a smile. Thinking about a solo holiday made her sad. Maybe she should fly out to Texas to visit Gram and Aunt Rose. It might not be too late to get a cheap ticket.
“I’m headed out,” Chris said, grabbing his hat. “Just a few more hours of work and I’m on vacation.”
“Have a Merry Christmas,” she called. She checked her watch. If she didn’t leave now she’d never make it to her station on time.
∞∞∞
Vickie sat inside the ranger station nearest the Korean Memorial. So far today, only three people had stopped to speak to her, two wanting brochures and the other seeking the nearest restroom. She propped her chin on her hand and watched the people milling about outside.
The trouble with it being nearly Christmas was that there were fewer visitors to distract her. So she had plenty of time to think about Thatcher. And about her future.
She’d finally made amends with Kristy. That was such a relief. Her friend had been so apologetic, but Vickie had let her know she’d been on the right track with her accusations. She was determined to turn over a new leaf. It was time to trust that God had a plan for her and stop trying to control every little thing.
But that might be easier said than done.
Vickie watched a couple strolling hand in hand down the sidewalk in front of the ranger station. They looked so happy. Is that how she and Thatcher had looked? So enveloped in one another it was like there was no one else in the world. Had she been too hasty?
But Thatcher wasn’t the man she’d thought he was. He hadn’t been completely honest with her. She had to keep reminding herself of this. Not only had he kept some very important information to himself, but he’d also never come out and told her how he felt about her.
She thought about the coffee date she’d gone on Saturday. The guy, Ryan, had been the most promising one on the list of potential dates from the online site. And it just so happened that he was the one Kristy and Ainsley had already communicated with. So it seemed only natural to finally take him up on the offer for coffee.
But as soon as they’d gotten settled at the local Starbucks, Vickie had been hit by the sinking feeling she wasn’t ready to move on. All she could think of was Thatcher.
Ryan must not have picked up on her distractedness though, because he’d booked the second date. At least she knew where she stood. There was something to be said for that.