One More for Christmas(31)

Samantha opened her mouth to say we’re not most families, and then closed it again.

“We can’t do that.”

Unfortunately Gayle saw the word no as motivation to try a different approach, and try harder.

“Why not?”

Samantha wanted to scream. It wasn’t an unusual emotion to have in the company of her mother, but still a hospital wasn’t the best place to vent her emotions.

Desperate, she said the first thing that came to mind. “Because we won’t be here.”

“You’re going away?”

“Yes. I have to work.” It was the one thing her mother was likely to understand.

“Work?”

“That’s my job. My company arranges winter experiences around the holiday season.”

It was Gayle’s turn to be wide-eyed. “People want that?” The way she said it confirmed to Samantha that her mother’s views on the holiday season hadn’t changed, and that there was no way they were going to be spending it together.

“Yes, they want that. The holiday season is important to some people.”

“They pay you to arrange it?”

“They pay a fortune.” Finally Ella joined in. “And Samantha is so good at what she does. You want sparkling snow, sleigh rides and Santa, she’s your woman.”

“Sleigh rides? Santa?” It was obvious from Gayle’s expression that not only would she not be calling on her daughter’s services anytime soon, but she was struggling to understand the mentality and motivation of the people who availed themselves of Samantha’s talents.

She turned to Ella. “What about you? You’ve always been a lover of the holiday season. The two of us could spend it together.”

Samantha felt Ella’s horror.

Her sister’s jaw worked and then a tumble of words emerged. “I won’t be around, either. I’m going with Samantha. We thought we’d combine the trip. So we can be together.”

Gayle’s face brightened. “Well, that’s perfect. So the two of you are already together—I’ll join you.”

“I—we—that’s not a good idea.”

“I’d like to spend time with you. As long as you don’t expect me to wear a reindeer sweater, we’ll be fine. Where are you going?”

Ella looked wild-eyed and desperate. “I—Scotland!” The words flew from her lips. “We’re going to Scotland. Samantha has to check out its suitability for family gatherings.”

What? What?

She wanted to slap her hand over Ella’s mouth, but it was too late for that and anyway Ella was still talking.

“It’s miles away. Long flight. Hazardous drive along snowy roads. It’s an old shooting lodge. It will be cold. Bleak. We’ll probably be snowed in with a pile of dusty books. The place is isolated.” Ella sent Samantha a look of desperate apology and emphasized all the aspects of the trip that she knew their mother would hate in an attempt to recover her mistake. “There will be stags.”

Gayle looked dazed. “Stags?”

“With antlers.”

“Inside the shooting lodge?”

“I hope not actually inside, but—have you seen the size of those things? Terrifying.” Ella was scratching the back of her head, a sure sign that she was nervous.

“Scotland. That’s—” Gayle shook her head. “No. I can’t do it. I can’t go back.”

“Oh shame.” Ella didn’t quite manage to hide her relief. “Well, never mind. We’ll meet up for lunch a few times instead.”

Samantha was watching her mother. “What do you mean, you can’t go back? I didn’t know you’d been to Scotland.”

Gayle was staring into space.

“Mom?”

“Mmm?”

“Scotland. When were you in Scotland?”

Gayle shifted in the bed. “It was a long time ago.”

“Well, if you’ve been, you probably don’t want to go again,” Ella said, “and that’s fine. We understand. And we can have a celebration without it being Christmas. Samantha will pick a great restaurant, and we can—”

“Maybe it’s time.”

“Time for what?” Ella looked at her sister for clarification. “Time for what, Mom?”

“Time to go back to Scotland.”

“No! I mean—don’t put that pressure on yourself. If you fancied a return visit, summer might be better.”

“No.” Gayle gripped the bedcovers. Took a breath. “I’ll come with you.”

Samantha still couldn’t think of a time when her mother had been to Scotland. “Did you go when you were a child?”

“What? No. It’s fine. It will be fine.”

If Samantha hadn’t known better, she would have said her mother was nervous. “Where did you stay?”

“It doesn’t matter.” Gayle sat up straighter, some of her usual spirit returning. “That’s all in the past. The place you describe sounds charming. And if you’re exploring its suitability for family gatherings, what better way to do it than with your family? I’m coming. No more doubt or discussion.”

For the first time in her life, Samantha wanted to kill her sister. She glanced at her and saw that Ella was crumpled by guilt.