One More for Christmas(35)

Samantha tilted her head to one side. “Yes,” she said. “That’s a pretty accurate summary of my current strategy.”

Ella couldn’t believe this was her sister talking. Her sister, who had such great instincts when it came to her business. Her sister who, unlike her, was never afraid to stand up for what she wanted. “But don’t you see? If we all come, then it won’t be embarrassing.”

“Not following your logic there. The phone call still happened. And all of you being there just provides witnesses to further embarrassment.”

“You can brazen it out. Don’t tell me a guy in his sixties has never weathered an embarrassing moment before.” Ella warmed to her theme. “Imagine how perfect it could be. They want to sell a perfect Christmas. No one is a better judge of their skills than us.” Ella had a mental image of a cozy living room with plaid and soaring sofas. She imagined sitting with Michael snuggled on a window seat overlooking the loch, sipping champagne while Tab slept safely tucked up in their room upstairs. “Think about it! Whiskey in front of a roaring log fire, Scottish gin tasting—”

“Forget tasting. I’m going to need all the gin and all the whiskey if we do this.” Samantha sighed. “Everything inside me is shrieking that this is a mistake.”

“The worst that happens is that you don’t like the place and decide not to use it for clients.”

Samantha looked at her in disbelief. “Ella, that is not the worst thing that can happen.” She turned to Michael. “Talk sense into her. Tell her this isn’t a good idea.”

He shook his head. “I have always wanted to visit Scotland. I have two weeks’ vacation booked. It sounds perfect to me.”

Ella took his hand, suddenly excited. “Maybe this will work. Mom might be on her best behavior if Michael is there.”

“Why? What difference will he make? He is a physical representation of your terrible decisions.”

“Thanks.” Michael’s tone was dry. “I handle difficult people every day in my work. I’m sure I can handle your mother.”

“Overconfidence is never a good thing,” Samantha said darkly.

“She invited us to her place for tea once she’s out of the hospital,” Michael said, “so let’s start with that and see how it goes from there.”

“Ironic, really, that our mother is pushing us to make what will probably turn out to be the worst decision we’ve ever made.” Samantha watched as Tab picked up a wand and waved it in their direction.

“Macadamia,” she announced in a forceful tone. “I’m making a wish.”

“I think you mean abracadabra,” Ella said. “What are you wishing for?”

“I want to spend Christmas with Nanna.”

“You don’t know your nanna.” It felt so strange using that name. It conjured up thoughts of a kindly woman who handed out cookies. Ella couldn’t square that image with her mother.

“If I spend Christmas with her, I’ll know her.” Ever logical, Tab waved the wand.



Gayle


Gayle stood in the middle of the toy store, overwhelmed by a sudden attack of dizziness. The doctor had said such moments were to be expected, and that full recovery would take time.

So frustrating, although on the positive side her accident had given her the excuse she needed to cancel her book tour. The promotion for Brave New You would take place without her, which was a relief because right now she wasn’t feeling at all brave.

What made you write this book, Ms. Mitchell?

Hubris.

Perhaps it had been foolish to leave the apartment so soon after her discharge from the hospital. But her apartment had little in it to entertain a child, and she’d felt an urgent need to change that.

She had a granddaughter.

A granddaughter!

She was a grandmother.

It was an unexpected gift, and she knew, without any doubt, that the way she handled this situation was key to any future relationship she had with her daughters. She wasn’t going to show that she was hurt that Ella hadn’t told her, although she was hurt. She wasn’t going to question why she hadn’t been told, why she hadn’t been invited to the wedding, why they had never apologized for the things they’d said to her on that horrible day. Accusations would bring that door crashing closed again, with her on one side and her daughters on the other. She wanted the door kept open. She wanted to step through it and move forward, and if that meant leaving the past behind then that was what she’d do. She didn’t have to be right. She had to be forgiving. Accepting. She could do it.

Brave New You.

She’d written about change for other people. Surely she could do it for herself?

It would be hard, but she’d dealt with harder. And the knowledge that she had a granddaughter made her all the more determined.

“Gingerbread cookie?” A store assistant dressed as an elf hovered in front of her, holding a tray heaped with gingerbread men.

The scent of warm gingerbread took her right back to her childhood, and for a moment she felt as if she was right there, standing side by side with her mother.

Can I have one, Mommy?

Of course you can. The best girl in the world deserves a treat.

The memory ripped at her insides, leaving her torn and vulnerable.