Now, she was ready to be done for the day. But she oddly had the urge to linger for a little longer. There were no more customers scheduled, so she had the peaceful farm all to herself. The wind rustled through the pines, the air was clean and cold and refreshing, and the sky was full of dozens of glittering stars.
Mabel walked over to the apple cider stand, pausing to fix herself a hot cup with pumpkin spice sprinkled on top before heading over to the gazebo that George had spent so much time last year building. She had a special spot in her heart for this place—after all, it was where George had kissed her for the first time, and it was a lovely building. Christmas lights were strung along the outside, and the heater made it a perfect spot to sit and sip cider while enjoying the view.
She switched on the heater and tugged her coat around her, settling onto the carved wooden bench that ran all the way around the gazebo as she let out a long sigh of contentment. From this vantage point, she could see the entire farm spread out before her—neat rows of pines and firs bordered by muddy paths and snowdrifts. In the distance, the lights from town twinkled, bordering the farm with a pretty backdrop.
The heater warmed the gazebo quickly, and combined with how bone-tired she was, Mabel felt herself getting drowsy. Her eyelids drooped as she sipped her cider, finally relaxing after a long day of managing her new, extra, and thankfully temporary responsibilities.
She must have dozed off, because the next thing she knew, someone was calling her name, startling her awake. She almost tipped her cider over as she looked up, blinking blearily.
“Mabel? Mabel, what on earth are you doing out here?” Vanessa’s voice drifted from the parking lot as Mabel saw her hurrying toward the gazebo. Mabel set her cup of cider down, rubbing her eyes as her granddaughter stopped just on the steps.
“Vanessa?” she said, blinking in confusion. “What are you doing here?”
Vanessa came to sit down next to her. “I tried calling you to see if you were going over to George’s after you finished up here, and what you wanted to do for dinner, but you didn’t answer. I got a little worried, so I came over.” She rubbed her gloved hands together. “Are you okay? You look…”
“I’m fine,” Mabel said quickly, stifling a yawn that immediately contradicted her words. “I was just taking the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful evening. It’s so peaceful out here.”
Vanessa raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying the casual explanation. “Mabel, it’s six-thirty in the evening, it’s below freezing, and you fell asleep in a gazebo. You could just go home and go to bed like a normal person. I love you, but you look exhausted.”
The gentle teasing in Vanessa’s voice took any sting out of the observation, but Mabel still found herself trying to pull together a more convincing explanation. “I was just finishing up some paperwork for George, and the cider was so warm, and the heater made it so cozy…”
“Mabel,” Vanessa interrupted gently, her tone becoming more serious. “You need more rest. Anyone can see that. You’re trying to do more than one person can handle.”
Something about the kindness in her granddaughter’s voice, combined with the weariness that she’d been fighting off for days, caused her composure to crack slightly. She felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes.
“I’m managing just fine,” she said, but her voice lacked conviction even to her own ears.
“I’m sure you are,” Vanessa replied diplomatically. “But that doesn’t mean you don’t need to take care of yourself too. If you’re not careful, you’re going to get sick, and then it’ll be George taking care of you while he tries to manage the farm.” She leaned over, giving her grandmother a one-armed hug. “I’ll help out more. I can’t do a lot here, obviously, since I’m at the toy shop all day, but I’ll come make some food that I can divide up into meals for you. Then you just have to heat something up for yourself. I can make a batch of soup for George too. Jackson has been teaching me, and I’m a much better cook. He won’t even notice that it’s not yours.”
“Unlikely,” Mabel said, trying for a joke, but the offer of more help was so unexpected and so generous that she felt the tears she’d been fighting begin to spill over. She tried to wipe them away discreetly, but Vanessa noticed immediately.
“Oh, Mabel,” she said softly, moving closer on the bench. “What’s going on? And don’t tell me you’re fine, because you’re clearly not. Is it just how tired you are? Or is there something else?”
Mabel let out a shaky sigh. She didn’t talk about her feelings often, especially not when she knew that everyone had something of their own going on, and she never wanted to add more to someone else’s burdens. But before she could stop herself, the words began tumbling out.
“I just… I feel so lucky to have found George at this part of my life. I didn’t expect to have love like this again.” She wiped at her eyes, smiling weakly at Vanessa. “It’s such a blessing, and I feel guilty for being overwhelmed when I’m so lucky to have so much—you and George and my home and his, my business and his farm and everything we’ve got in our lives. I shouldn’t mind it at all. And I know he’s going to be fine, it’s just a flu… but it isa reminder that we’re getting older, and…” She trailed off. “I just know things can change. And I appreciate it all, everything we have, and I don’t want to take any of it for granted.”
Vanessa reached over and squeezed her grandmother’s hand. “I know what you mean,” she said. “I was so worried about our Christmas light display, and then Henry told me about his late wife, and I felt like I was worrying about all the wrong things. Don’t get me wrong, I’m so happy with it and it’s everything I dreamed of, but really, all I need is Jackson. It was a reminder not to take him for granted.”
“When George and I admitted we had feelings for each other, it felt like this incredible gift. It still does,” Mabel said. “And I shouldn’t feel overwhelmed, I should be happy for all of this?—”
“It’s okay to be tired,” Vanessa said firmly. “It doesn’t mean you aren’t grateful, or that you don’t appreciate it all. It’s just a lot to handle. Two businesses, two homes, a sick boyfriend—it’s a lot, Grandma, even if you’re happy to do it. I’m happy to help more. I know George knows you feel lucky to have him, and he feels the same. I’m sure he’s overwhelmed with gratitude that you’ve been willing to take on so much this week for him.”
Mabel wiped her eyes with the back of her free hand, feeling simultaneously drained and relieved. “I just want him to get better. I want us to have more time together. Lots more time.”
“And you will,” Vanessa said firmly. “Like you said, it’s just a flu, and he’s going to be fine. But Mabel, you can’t take care of him properly if you run yourself into the ground trying to handle everything alone.”
“I don’t want him to worry about the farm,” Mabel said. “He feels guilty enough about being sick without thinking that his illness is causing problems for other people.”
“We’ll make sure he doesn’t have any reason to feel that way,” Vanessa said firmly. “I’ll come over tonight and help prep some food. You don’t need to come by the toy store at all. I knowit’s hard for you not to worry about it, but I haven’t had a single problem. You’ve taught me everything, and I’ve got it all under control. Just focus on George and the farm, get some sleep, and I’ll make sure there’s food prepped for tomorrow.”
“You’re a lifesaver,” Mabel said, giving in finally. “I do need rest, you’re right. I could use the help. And I appreciate it, more than you know.”
“Oh, I know.” Vanessa hugged her again, and they sat there for a few minutes longer, enjoying the warmth and the view. The heater hummed quietly, making the space cozy, and Mabel felt some of the tension ease from her shoulders.
“Come on,” Vanessa said a moment later. “You need to get some sleep. Let’s get you home. I’ll drive you and then get Jackson to come back with me to get your car.”
Mabel wanted to say that was too much, but she was too tired to argue. She just nodded, following Vanessa to her car and yawning widely as she slid into the warm interior.
