Weaving the Strands (18 page)

Within the hour, all three women chatted amiably
in the kitchen as they warmed up leftovers. Sophie and Sarah were setting the
generous farmhouse table when Maggie’s phone rang.

“Sweetie,” she called to Susan. “Could you please
answer that? I’m dealing with this turkey carcass, and my hands are a mess.”

Susan snatched the phone and stepped out of the
kitchen. “Joan’s on her way over with a salad,” she said when she returned.

“Really?” Maggie replied. “Is Sam still here? I
haven’t seen any of the men for hours.”

“Yes you have,” Susan lied. “They’ve been in and
out all afternoon.”

“Sam and Joan are more than welcome to stay for
dinner.” Maggie turned to Sophie; “Make sure you set enough places for
everybody.

“Susan,” she said distractedly, “help the girls
with that, will you?”

“Hello,” Joan said as she entered the kitchen.

“Hi, Joan,” Maggie said over her shoulder while
she and Amy were removing pans from the oven and placing everything on the
kitchen island.

“Bring the plates to the end, here,” Maggie told
Susan, wiping her brow. “We’ll serve buffet style. Girls, go find your father
and the others and tell them dinner is ready.”

“They’re right behind me,” Joan said as Mike, Sam,
and John entered the kitchen.

“What have you been doing all day?” But her
question went unheard as the hubbub of greetings and chatter filled the
kitchen.

“Everybody grab a plate and dig in!” she said,
raising her voice and managing to make herself heard. “We’re eating in the
kitchen tonight.”

***

Maggie was pleased to see that
everyone enjoyed generous helpings.
Thanksgiving food is always better the
next day,
she thought as she rose from the table, picking up her plate and
reaching for Mike’s when Marc stepped in.

“You’ve been working like maniacs around here
today. You sit. Alex and I are going to clean up,” he stated firmly. “It’s not
up for discussion.”

“I should at least get the coffee started and set
out the pies,” Maggie said, attempting to get up once again.

John gently pulled her back down. “In a minute.
Let’s wait a bit. Everyone agree?”

She scanned the group assembled at her table.
Clearly no one was in a hurry. Maggie relaxed back into her seat.

“So what did you guys do today?” she asked,
turning to John.

“We did a bit of outside work,” Sam said jumping
in. “As soon as they’re done cleaning up, we’ll show you.”

“Won’t it be too dark if we wait? It’s almost too
dark now,” she said, looking at Sam with a quizzical expression.

“No. You’ll be able to see,” he replied
nonchalantly.

“You’ve done an incredible job in here,” Joan
interjected, diverting Maggie’s attention. “Amy told me you found all the
decorations in the attic. They must have been there for decades. I don’t ever
remember Rosemont being decked out for the holidays.”

Joan discussed the attic finds with Maggie until
Alex returned to the table, declaring that they’d completed KP duty.

John jumped up, rubbing his hands together. “Okay,
everyone. Get your coats on. We’re heading outside.”

“Really?” Maggie asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
“What have you been up to?”

“You’re about to find out,” Sam replied, barely
controlling his glee. “Don’t stand around here dawdling. Everybody, get your
coats and get crackin’.”

John took Maggie’s hand and held her back. “We go
last,” he said softly.

“You’ve been decorating the outside all day,
haven’t you? I wondered what you were up to. I was getting suspicious, but
didn’t want to risk spoiling your surprise.”

“Well done,” John replied. “That’s one of the
things I love about you; your generous spirit.”

Maggie’s head snapped up as she regarded him with
surprise and delight. He’d said the “L” word!

He kissed her lightly on the lips. “They’re so
excited out there they can hardly contain themselves. Let’s go. And act
surprised.”

Maggie smiled. “You think you need to tell me
that?”

Arm-in-arm, they stepped across the threshold.
John walked her to the center of the group, huddled in the dark night on the
far side of the driveway.

“One, two, three—Merry Christmas!” Sam
yelled as he, Mike, Alex, and Marc connected the strings of lights. The façade
of Rosemont burst into illumination, with white lights tracing every dormer,
peak, and gable. Lighted wreaths hung in every window.

The assembled group gasped, then broke into a
boisterous round of applause.

“Say something,” John whispered in Maggie’s ear
before he realized she was crying. “It appears the unflappable Maggie Martin is
completely undone; reduced to tears,” he told the crowd.

Sophie and Sarah rushed to their grandmother for a
hug.

“Isn’t is wonderful, Gramma?” Sophie gushed.

“We knew about it all day long, and we didn’t say
a word, did we?” Sarah said proudly.

“You are the best secret keepers ever,” Maggie
said, finding her voice. “And you are the most caring, remarkable group of
friends and family a person could ever have,” she said, moving to the front
steps. “Rosemont looks spectacular. I don’t know how to thank you all.”

She turned to Joan and Alex. “Since I’m going to
be in California for Christmas, why don’t you use the house? Come here as much
as you want; have your families over.”

“Actually, Mom,” Mike said stepping in. “We’ve
been talking.” He pointed to Amy and Susan. “With your permission, we’re all
planning to come to Rosemont for Christmas. And everybody here is invited to
Christmas dinner.”

Maggie’s heart swelled with joy. No two ways about
it—she loved having her children in her home for Christmas. “What about
the girls?” she asked. “I thought they wanted to be home for Christmas?”

“It was their idea,” Amy supplied, giving Maggie a
hug. “We all want to be at Rosemont.”

***

Later, after Amy herded the girls upstairs
to get ready for bed and the others lingered over a last bite of pie in the
kitchen, Aaron caught Susan’s eye. Raising his coffee cup slightly, he nodded
in the direction of the front of the house. She gathered her sweater around her
shoulders and followed him outside. They turned and looked at Rosemont, resplendent
in her holiday décor.

“I was awfully glad to hear that you’ll be back at
Christmas,” he said, turning to face her, the lights bathing her upturned face
in a soft glow.

Susan smiled at him and his heart skipped a beat.
“Will you be with Alex for the holidays?”

“Now that you’re going to be here, I will be,” he
replied happily. Susan shivered and Aaron put his arm around her, drawing her
close. “You’re very special. You know that, don’t you?” he whispered against
her hair.

Susan tried to read his expression but he had his
back to the house and darkness shielded his face. “I’m so glad you’ll be in
Westbury. I was hoping.”

Aaron kissed her then, a slow, leisurely kiss.
“I’ve never met anyone like you. I want to know more about you.”

Susan drew back to tell him she felt the same way,
and sneezed instead.

“I’d better get you back inside,” Aaron said,
pushing her gently toward the door. “I don’t want you being sick for
Christmas.”

Chapter 39

Loretta Nash looked up from her
computer screen when the front door of Haynes Enterprises opened late in the
afternoon on the Friday after Thanksgiving. She quickly closed out of
Pinterest, where she had been researching DIY Christmas gifts, and opened up an
accounts receivable report as the balding, stocky man approached her desk.

“May I help you?” she asked pleasantly, walking
around her desk to intercept him as he made his way to Mr. Haynes’ office.
Who
did he think he was barging in here?
she thought.

Chuck Delgado paused, allowing himself a
lascivious glance along the shapely body of this tall, curvy blonde. He was too
self-absorbed to notice the look of revulsion on her face.

“I’m here to see Frankie,” he answered. “But
first, I’d like to meet you,” he said, offering his hand. “Charles Delgado.
People call me Chuck.”

Loretta half-turned, pretending not to have seen
his outstretched hand, and replied, “Let me see if he’s expecting you. Do you
have an appointment, Mr. Delgado? I don’t see you on his calendar.”

Cheeky broad,
Delgado thought. “I don’t
need no appointment. We’re old friends. And we’re both councilmen,” he stated,
proudly throwing his shoulders back. He resumed his progress toward Haynes’
office.

“Would you have a seat while I check with Mr. Haynes?”
she stated firmly, gesturing to the sofa along the wall by the entrance.

“I told you, I don’t need no appointment,” Delgado
growled as he continued to walk.

“Sir, please wait,” Loretta raised her voice
slightly. Haynes came to his door.

“It’s all right, Loretta. Thank you,” he said in
the calm, slow manner he used when he was coiling and about to strike. “What
brings you here today, Charles? Come in.”

He motioned Delgado to a chair in front of his
desk then turned to Loretta, who was unsure of what she should do next. “I’m
sorry, I tried to stop him,” she mouthed.

Haynes’ expression relaxed for a nanosecond.

“Can I get you some coffee?” she asked.

“No. We’re fine.” He turned and then looked back.
“Why don’t you go on home? The phones have been quiet all afternoon; everyone’s
out Christmas shopping.”

“Thank you, Mr. Haynes. My kids would love that. I
appreciate it very much,” she said, even though she knew instinctively that he
wasn’t being kind but simply wanted to get rid of her. He was hiding something
that had to do with this creep Delgado, she was sure of it.

“Get your purse, and I’ll lock the door behind
you,” he said, as he retrieved her coat from the rack by the door and held it
for her in gentlemanly fashion.

Loretta stepped through the door he opened for
her, resolved to find out what the two men were up to.

***

“Quite a looker, Frankie,” Delgado
said as Haynes returned to his chair behind his desk. “I didn’t know you’d
hired somebody new.”

“I have over 500 employees, Charles. I’m not in
the habit of consulting you about my staffing.”

“She’s not some burger flipper now is she,
Frankie?” he answered, ignoring Haynes’ sarcasm. “What’s she do?”

“She’s my office gal. Not that it’s any of your
business.”

Delgado raised an eyebrow. “You haven’t needed an
office gal before. Why now?”

Haynes stared icily at Delgado.

“She from around here?” he pressed. Haynes didn’t
do anything without an ulterior motive.

“No, she’s just moved here.”

“Huh. Well, you lucked out, Frankie boy. She’s a
hot broad. If she doesn’t work out for you, I’m sure she could work under me.”
He grinned at his crude pun.

“I’m busy, Charles,” Haynes replied curtly. “Why
are you here?”

“You know why, don’t you, Frankie,” Delgado
snarled. “Tearing up the check from that old geezer at Fairview yesterday? Made
quite a stir for yourself, didn’t you? Good publicity. But the boys didn’t like
it. Didn’t like it at all,” he glared at Haynes.

“Is that what this is about?” Haynes sighed in
disgust. “I was going to give the money to you anyway.” He reached into his
side drawer and pulled out an envelope with cash. He slid it across the desk to
Delgado. “Here. Don’t trust me. Count it.”

Delgado’s eyes darted from the envelope to Haynes.
He hesitated, then put the envelope in the breast pocket of his jacket.

“Okay, Frankie. We trust you,” he said, trying to
regain favor with Haynes.

“No, you don’t. We don’t trust each other.”

“Don’t talk like that, Frankie. You know how the
boys is. We don’t want any more of us dying of natural causes now do we?”

Haynes swung on Delgado.

“What are you saying, Charles?”

“Let’s just say that guys who cross us don’t live
as long as people who don’t. The boys saw all that stuff in this morning’s
paper about what a great humanitarian you are, and they got a little miffed.
I’ll straighten them out.”

“You do that,” Haynes said.

He rose from his chair and headed to the door,
motioning Delgado to follow him. With little choice, Delgado heaved himself to
his feet. He paused, halfway to the door.

 “You having some extracurricular fun with
your new office gal? What was her name?”

“We don’t all have sex with our employees,
Charles,” Haynes replied with a sneer as he unlocked the door and ushered
Delgado into the growing dusk.

“Word to the wise, Frankie boy. Get yourself a
piece of her. Gotta have some fun in life,” Delgado advised as Haynes shut the
door.

He shook his head as he heard the lock click. If
that idiot Haynes didn’t want to have fun with her, he sure did. He’d have to
find out more about Haynes’ new assistant.

Chapter 40

Maggie sat at her desk at Town Hall
in the early afternoon the Wednesday after Thanksgiving, unable to concentrate
on any of the urgent matters before her. The kids had all departed for
California early Monday morning, and she had rushed straight to her office
after dropping them at the airport. She was exhausted and her energy level and
enthusiasm were going downhill, fast.

Maggie pushed back her chair and picked up her
coffee cup, then replaced it on her desk. What she needed wasn’t more caffeine;
she needed something to cheer her up. She was an empty nester again and life
seemed dreary after the excitement of getting ready for Thanksgiving and the
visit from her family.

Her cell phone began to ring, and she retrieved it
from its perch on the corner of her desk. She was delighted to hear the deep,
masculine rumble of John on the other end.

“Hey, you; how’s it going?” he asked.

“Fine, I guess,” she replied.

“Anytime someone qualifies ‘fine’ with ‘I guess,’
things aren’t going fine. What’s up? More murder and mayhem at Town Hall?”

“No. Nothing like that. Just the same old stuff,”
Maggie said with a small smile. “I’m exhausted and it’s not from lack of sleep.
I got eight hours the last two nights. I’m feeling blue after the family visit,
after all the hustle and bustle.”

“I’m not surprised. You put so much time and
energy into making everything perfect—you succeeded, by the way—you
were bound to experience a letdown.”

“Thanks for understanding,” she replied.

“I’ve got an idea to cheer you up. Can you get
away? Now?”

“I guess so.” She checked her watch. “I think I
can leave early for once. But what about you? I’ve never known you to close the
animal hospital early.”

“I don’t have any appointments booked for the rest
of the afternoon. My staff can close up. And they can call me if they get any
emergencies. I haven’t played hooky for years, and I think today’s the day. You
with me on this?”

Maggie laughed. “All right, Ferris Bueller. I’m
in.”

“Perfect. What are you wearing right now?”

“Why on earth is that important?”

“Need-to-know basis. What is our distinguished
mayor’s current attire?”

“I’m pretty casual, if you must know. Slacks and a
sweater.”

“Perfect. Warm coat?”

“Yes. What are you up to?”

“You’ll find out soon enough. I’m on my way. Meet
you at Rosemont in twenty minutes.” He hung up without waiting for her
response.

***

Maggie was sitting on the front
steps of Rosemont when John pulled up. She had exchanged her Burberry trench
coat for a warm jacket and retrieved gloves and a scarf from the hall closet.
She didn’t know what he had in mind, but she guessed it involved being outside.

John pulled to a stop and intercepted her as she
made her way directly to the passenger side of his car. He swept her into his
arms and kissed her slowly.

Maybe they should skip whatever activity he had
planned and just go inside now, she thought fleetingly.

John opened her car door and waited for her to
sit. She watched as he crossed in front of the car and slipped behind the
wheel, thinking what a fine-looking man he was—agile and strong.

“So, where are we headed?” she asked casually.

John shot her a sidelong glance. “Patience,
Prudence.”

Maggie laughed and the gray cloud that clung to
her began to dissipate. “Have it your way, then, mystery man.”

She relaxed into her seat and enjoyed the warm
sunshine on her face through the car window and the stark beauty of the
leafless trees outside. Westbury’s first snowstorm was predicted for the
weekend and she thought how pretty this drive would be with a fresh dusting of
snow.

They made small talk, recapping the events of the
long Thanksgiving weekend. Maggie finally leaned forward and tapped the
dashboard.

“That’s it! We’re headed to The Mill, aren’t we?”

John smiled broadly.

“How wonderful! I’m starved; I’d love to have an
early dinner there.”

John looked worried. “Are you really that hungry?”

“I’m famished. But if we’re not going there for
dinner, that’s fine. I shouldn’t have assumed. It’s my own fault for not eating
lunch today. I can wait.”

“We’ll eat there, but the dining room doesn’t open
until five thirty.”

“That’s fine. Where are we going until then?” she
asked as John turned into the long, winding driveway along the Shawnee River.

John pulled into the deserted parking lot and
turned to face her. “One of the maintenance men was in my clinic with his dog
on Monday and said they were setting up the skating rink on Tuesday. Said it
would be open for public skating this weekend.”

He paused and was gratified to see the smile sweep
across her face.

“You didn’t!” she squealed.

“I did. Came out here yesterday afternoon and
spoke to the same young woman I dealt with last spring. She remembered me and
thought it would be fitting for us to open up the rink, since we closed it down
last season. Talked her manager into it; she told him it would be good karma.”

Maggie laughed. “I think she’s absolutely right.
And what an inspired thing for you to do. You never cease to amaze me,” she
cried, placing her hand on his cheek and smiling into his eyes before kissing
him warmly.

“I’m sure we can rustle up some food from the bar
to tide you over until dinner. Let’s do that first.”

“Who’s hungry? Not me,” she scoffed. “I want to go
skating. Race you,” she cried as she leapt out of the car and bounded up the
steps.

***

They stepped onto the pristine
surface, their skates making the initial tracks. And soon they were gliding
effortlessly, hand in hand, letting the breeze whip through their hair as the
sun made its trek to the horizon; the only sound, the swoosh of their skates.
By the time the young man signaled that it was time to get off the ice, their
ears and noses stung. Still, neither of them wanted to quit. Reluctantly, they
complied and turned in their skates.

Among the first to arrive for dinner, they chose a
table along the bank of windows overlooking the river and the now deserted
rink. Maggie smiled lovingly at John.

“This is even more romantic than last time,” she
said. “I wouldn’t have thought it was possible to top the best first date
ever!”

John beamed. “I guess I’ve still got a few tricks
up my sleeve. Who would have thought?”

“Anyone who knows you, that’s who. You are the
kindest, most generous soul I’ve ever met.” She gazed at him seriously. “I love
you, John. I’m so very grateful that you gave us a second chance.”

John flushed. “I wanted to be the first to say
it,” he sputtered. “I had it all planned. I wasn’t sure if you were ready to
love someone again. I’m so glad you are, because—”

Maggie leaned over and touched his arm. “Wait.
Let’s wait. I want to hear it however you planned it. There’s something special
for both the bearer and recipient of the statement ‘I love you.’ It’s as important
to say as it is to hear. One of the great joys of life, don’t you think?”

John nodded and brought his hand over hers. “The
three best words will wait in any language,” he replied and smiled. “Your wish
is my command. Proceeding as planned.”

They finished the meal in leisurely fashion, even
though both were anxious to return to Rosemont and spend time alone in each
other’s arms. John was visibly relieved when Maggie declined the dessert menu;
he followed suit. They made the drive to Rosemont in companionable silence,
their hands clasped on the console between them.

“Will you come in?” Maggie asked as they climbed
the steps to the massive front door.

“I’d like nothing better.” John turned Maggie
toward him and gazed at her upturned face. “You are the most remarkable woman
I’ve ever met. You have completely captured my heart. When we were apart, you
occupied my every thought. I love you, Maggie. I admire you and am so proud of
everything you’ve accomplished. I’m here to support you in any way I can; in
any way you need. You can always count on me.”

Maggie brought her lips to his. After a delicious
eternity, she unlocked her front door and the lovers entered into the protective
embrace of Rosemont.

***

Much later that night, John
carefully withdrew his arm from under Maggie’s head. She stirred and brushed
her hair back from her face. Rising on one elbow, she turned to him.

“Are you awake?” she whispered.

“Just woke up. I have to be at the hospital at
five thirty for surgery. I should probably get going; I don’t want to disturb
you at that ungodly hour,” he said, pulling the cover over her bare shoulders when
she shivered.

“Don’t go. Stay with me. I’m an early riser; you won’t
bother me. Unless you don’t think you’ll get a good night’s sleep here. I know
you have to be well-rested in the morning.”

John pulled her close in response. “There’s
nowhere I’d rather be,” he said as he breathed into her hair.

***

Maggie had fibbed to John the night
before when she told him she always got up that early. The truth was she hadn’t
been up at four fifteen in years. She sent him off to his house for a shower
and shave with a cup of coffee in hand, fully intending to crawl back into bed.
Sleep eluded her, however, and she finally threw in the towel and got up at
five thirty.

She decided to get dressed and head to her office
at Town Hall. She was on her way to retrieve her coat when her eye settled on
the box from the attic that Susan had brought down but neglected to return to
its place. What was it Susan had told her about the box? That it was full of
household guest books, menus, and memorabilia? She had a few minutes before she
needed to leave; surely it wouldn’t take long to make a quick assessment of the
contents.

An hour and forty-five minutes later, Maggie was
happily ensconced in the middle of the living room, surrounded by stacks of
invitations, menus, and ledger sheets detailing Rosemont’s active social life
at the turn of the century. What a treasure trove this was. Weddings,
cotillions, card parties, and picnics on the lawn; Rosemont had hosted them
all. There was even a dog-eared recipe for a Pink Lady cocktail. Judging by the
stains on the card, this recipe had seen a lot of use.

Of particular interest to Maggie was an invitation
to a Christmas tea. The hand-lettered calligraphy was a work of art; she’d
frame it and display it on the sideboard in the dining room as a Christmas
decoration. Maggie checked her watch and was shocked at the time. Instead of
arriving at her office early, she was going to be late.

She carefully replaced the items, other than the
invitation for tea, in the box that had housed them for over a century. As she
rose to her feet an idea hit her—she’d host a Christmas high tea at
Rosemont. The place was decorated to the nines, and it would be a shame not to
let other people enjoy the manor’s festive beauty. Her mind began spinning. She
bent down and retrieved the cocktail recipe.

On the short drive to Town Hall, she mentally
sketched out her to-do list. She’d invite Sam and Joan, Alex and Marc, of
course, Pete and Laura and the baby, the Knudsens, Judy Young and Ellen, the
Holmeses, and that nice elderly couple from Fairview Terraces who had just
gotten married. She was warming to her subject. If she invited Tonya Holmes,
would she need to invite the other town councilmembers and their families? She
supposed she should. And what about the town clerk and the other Town Hall
employees? This was getting complicated. One thing was certain; she wouldn’t
invite that obnoxious editor from the
Westbury Gazette
or anyone else
who’d been openly critical of her.

Still, the guest list was swelling. Her eye caught
the beautiful old invitation on the seat beside her. What in the world was the
matter with her? So what if she invited a hundred people? She should be
thankful that she knew a hundred people in Westbury to invite, and she had a
house that would easily accommodate them. This was going to be tremendous fun.

Maggie stole another glance at the invitation. She
would have someone carefully copy it, inserting the new date. There was nothing
like a real invitation to set the tone for a party. She’d head over to Celebrations
as soon as they opened to place her order.

Linens, china, and silver? Rosemont had more than
enough. She had plenty of tables and chairs scattered around the house, too.
She’d call Sam to help her arrange them.

She’d place a large order for pastries with
Laura’s Bakery and she would handle the tea sandwiches herself. She pulled into
her parking spot at Town Hall and fished a sheet of paper out of her briefcase.
She scribbled a few notes and, satisfied, made her way into Town Hall.

***

At nine forty-five, Maggie headed
toward the town square at a brisk pace. It would be faster to drive, but the
morning was clear and sunny and Maggie was eager to stretch her legs. By the
time she placed her orders at Laura’s Bakery and Celebrations, word was already
out about the upcoming Christmas tea at Rosemont.

While she waited for the elevator to take her back
upstairs to her office, the town clerk approached Maggie. “That’s so nice of
you, Ms. Martin. We’re all so excited.”

Good heavens, Maggie thought. There’s no such
thing as a secret in this town. I don’t know why anyone would pay for
advertising around here; you just need to tell Judy Young at Celebrations.
She’s got the best news-delivery system in town.

Maggie didn’t mind. It was nice that people wanted
to come. Wasn’t that why she was throwing this party, anyway?

She managed to put the Christmas tea on the back
burner until lunchtime when her cell phone rang. Her caller ID showed it was
John. She answered as soon as she could grab her phone.