Returning to Me (Willow Valley #6)

Mindi

I could feel the change of weather in the air as I walked down the main street of Willow Valley headed for The Crispy Biscuit. I’d kept myself busy with the tree farm and the community center, but in my quiet time, my mind wouldn’t settle.

I pulled the door open and walked into The Crispy Biscuit, the smell of pumpkin spice in the air.

“Morning,” Tristan greeted with a smile.

“Morning. I’m not too late to grab a pumpkin scone, am I?” I questioned.

“Let me check. Looks like you are in luck. We have two left.” He winked, grabbing one from the tray.

“Great, on second thought, I’ll take them both. I’ve been wanting one since I heard you guys were making them again this year. They always go fast.”

“That they do. Did you want a coffee as well?”

“Of course.” I smiled.

“Grab a seat and I’ll bring them over.” He smiled, turning to make another pot of coffee.

I made my way over to my favorite corner booth and slid inside, waving to Brooke as I got settled before pulling out the paperwork I’d brought with me. I had to plan some of our Christmas activities this year at the community center.

“Here you go,” Tristan said, placing both my coffee and scone on the table.

“Thank you.” I smiled.

“What are we working on today?” he questioned.

“Just some holiday plans.”

“Yeah, I guess that time of year is already close, isn’t it.”

“Yes, it’s sneaking up quick. I’m sure you guys are already planning.”

“Brooke might be.” Tristan winked just as Brooke came up behind him.

“What might I be doing?” she asked, resting her chin on his shoulder.

“Planning for the holidays.”

“You know it. If I don’t start, things won’t get done.”

“Exactly,” I added, digging in my purse for my pen.

“Ah, look, Ethan and Peggy,” Brooke said, waving in their direction as they walked through the front door.

I waved to them both, glad that they were here.

Ethan had been one of the steadiest volunteers we had since he’d settled in Willow Valley, and both he and Peggy, along with his daughter Melinda, always helped with the Christmas dinner at the center.

I was glad that I’d have their brains to pick, but one look at Ethan’s face told me something wasn’t right.

“Ethan, Peggy, how about you join me?” I called out, waving them over as they stepped inside.

Peggy placed her hand on Ethan’s arm and whispered something before making her way over to where I was sitting. She slid into the seat across from me.

“I’ll get you guys some coffee,” Tristan said.

“Oh, and could we also each grab a couple of those wonderful pumpkin cookies.”

“You know it,” Brooke said, moving toward the counter to grab them.

“Morning,” I greeted.

“Morning, Mindi,” Peggy said, slipping her coat off her shoulders. “How’s the tree lot coming along this year?”

“Good, the trees are healthy. I was just speaking with Connor Darling and Gabe Bentley. They are going to help me cut some trees for the fresh-cut lot, and I have already lined up a couple of kids from the school to help run the lot in December.”

“Wonderful. I wonder if Ethan and I should come out and pick one for you to deliver.”

“Sure, anytime, anytime. Just call me, and I’ll take you out on the farm. It might be easier before the snow flies. You’ll need one for the store as well, I take it?”

Peggy had been getting trees from me since she moved to Willow Valley, and the suggestion of coming to the farm normally would have made her smile, but not today. Today, her eyes looked heavy.

“Peggy, is everything okay?” I questioned, worried that perhaps something was wrong with her or Ethan.

“Haven’t you heard?” she questioned, bringing her hand to her chest just as Ethan came over to the table with two cups of fresh coffee.

“No, what is it? Are you both okay?” I asked, looking up to see Ethan had the same somber look on his face.

“We are fine, but I’m surprised no one notified you,” Ethan said, sitting down beside Peggy and removing his hat.

“Notified me about what?” I asked, a feeling of dread and worry building inside of me.

“Heidi and John Lancaster were both killed in an ambush last night.”

Suddenly, my mouthful of pumpkin scone didn’t taste so good as I thought of poor little Sarah Lancaster, their daughter.

She had been coming to the community center religiously, even after her parents were deployed.

She stayed with Rick, Maggie, and their daughter Hilary whenever her parents were gone.

Rick was deployed at the same time as Heidi, and John and I knew she had been having a hard time adjusting to her new normal but being with her friend Hilary made it a little easier for her.

She and I had talked a lot recently; we’d become rather close over the years.

“Oh, dear me. I feel like I could be sick,” I said, dropping the scone on the plate in front of me.

“I’ve been feeling the same since this morning when Ethan told me the news,” Peggy said, looking at me.

“Before they got news of the deployment, Heidi came into the shop and was beside herself. She worried about how her daughter was going to handle them being gone for the holidays, if it came to that. She was worried about how they’d give her a Christmas this year, being so far away.

I’d planned on nominating them at the center for help, but I think now, given the circumstances, we all need to look after Sarah this year,” Peggy said, dumping a packet of sugar into her coffee.

Each Christmas, the center helped those in need, providing dinner or gifts at Christmastime, sometimes both. I took nominations, and if I knew of someone that was already having trouble within the community, their names automatically went in. Unfortunately, this year, we’d always chosen our family.

“After Ethan got off the phone with one of the military sergeants, he called me and asked me to make some arrangements for flowers to be delivered to the funeral home.”

“Do you need help with choosing flowers?” I questioned.

Ethan slipped into the booth with a tray of coffee and cookies.

“No, but Ethan said he found out from the sergeant that Heidi and John had nothing in place for Sarah. Neither of them had any family, which means…”

“Sarah will go into foster care,” I muttered.

I wanted to cry thinking of Sarah and the fact that she’d not only lost her entire world but, if we couldn’t find someone to look after her, she’d be ripped away from the only home she’d ever known. There weren’t many eligible families in Willow Valley that could take in a child.

The door to the cafe opened, and in walked Trinity and Thomas. They immediately made their way over to the table.

“Everyone already hear?” Trinity asked.

“Sadly,” I said.

“I think she should be the community focus this year.” Trinity added, “In fact, I’ll insist on it.”

I softly smiled. Trinity had such a heart, as did Peggy. It didn’t surprise me that they were so close.

“No worries, she already will be,” I added. “Peggy was going to nominate her anyway, but considering the circumstances, there was no way I’d even consider another recommendation over this. We will just add her to the list of recipients.”

“What will happen to her? Will she stay with Rick and Maggie?” Trinity questioned, looking over at Ethan.

“No, I’m afraid not. When I spoke to the sergeant this morning, he told me she’ll be placed into foster care. However, it’s going to take time to get things situated. So, she will probably move—”

“In with me,” I said finishing his sentence, realizing that I’d been one of the few approved homes in the direct area, in case of an emergency such as this.

“Well, that is a blessing,” Trinity said, smiling over at me.

“Sure is,” Peggy added.

“I’m glad you think so.”

Everyone looked at me, understanding on their face.

“Nah, Mindi, you’ll do fine. You have all of us to help if need be,” Ethan added, reaching across the table and patting my hand.

I couldn’t help but smile as I fought back the tears that were threatening to fall.

A heavy sadness fell over everyone at the table, and while Peggy and Trinity started talking amongst themselves, I sat there. First, thoughts of how Sarah must be feeling flooded my mind, and then a memory popped into my head I hadn’t thought of in a while.

I’d just started volunteering at the center back in September 2015.

I’d had a hard time all fall, and it seemed to get worse as we moved into the holiday season that year.

Noah, my high school sweetheart, was over in Afghanistan on a peacekeeping mission while I was busy over here, helping the less fortunate.

I’d spent the entire season volunteering my time because, in a way, it had made me feel closer to Noah.

I’d written to him just after I finished dealing with a girl about my age who’d lost her new husband when his vehicle hit a landmine. It had been the most challenging thing I’d ever had to deal with at the center and hit me in a way it probably shouldn’t have. Much like the news from today had.

I wrapped my hands around my coffee, shoved thoughts of that Christmas out of my mind, and forced myself to focus on the conversation in front of me.