When Nancy announces we’re finished, I’m more than ready to be done. Not only have I lost the caroling spirit, but my toes are frozen and numb.
Not that I’ll ever admit it to Alex.
We all troop back to the historical society, and Valerie tells her friends that we’re skipping out and heading home.
One of the older women gives me a snide look and tells her friend loud enough to hear, “Then why did Anita make such a big deal out of the hot chocolate?”
Valerie gives her a tight smile. “Finley’s had a long day of travel, so we should get her home.”
An older woman with thin red hair that’s surely not natural gives Valerie a disapproving glare. “I see Alex left.”
Valerie’s back stiffens, and her voice is tight as she says, “He was tired too, but he came for a little while because he knew how important caroling was to Finley. See you all after the first of the year. Merry Christmas.” Then she turns around and walks past Mallory and me toward the parking lot.
They’re all staring at me, so I say, “Thank you all for having me. This was like a dream come true.” Then I spin around and follow Alex’s mother, Mallory walking next to me.
We’re all silent as we get in the car. Valerie turns on the engine but doesn’t back out.
Is she mad? Is she trying to carefully choose her words to tell me I need to go home?
I lean forward from the back seat, my heart hammering in my chest. “Valerie. I’m so sorry if I caused any trouble by coming tonight.”
She twists in her seat to look back at me, outrage on her face.
My heart sinks and I shrink back a bit, but then I’m shocked when she says, “You have absolutely nothing to be sorry about. I hope you had fun, despite some of the mean-spirited things you heard tonight.”
“I didn’t mind. I understand if they planned refreshments for a set number of people and then we showed up. But I loved it. Thank you for including me.”
“Of course!” Valerie says. “You even got Alex to come for a little while.”
“Yeah, and then he tried to make her go home when he left,” Mallory says, sounding pissed again.
Valerie’s eyes widened slightly at this, but then she frowns. “I’m sure you misunderstood, Mal. I’m sure he didn’t try to make her go home.”
Mallory shakes her head and crosses her arms over her chest. “There you go again, making excuses for him.”
Valerie lets out a long sigh then backs out of the parking space.
I feel awkward and guilty all over again. If I hadn’t apologized, Mallory wouldn’t be upset with her mother. Valerie wouldn’t have to defend her son to her friends, and Alex…
Maybe it was selfish to come with him. I should have asked more questions about his family dynamics. I suppose I only have myself to blame for the mess I’m in, but I feel like my presence might be making things worse.
When Valerie pulls the SUV into the driveway, she opens one of the doors to the detached garage and pulls it in. When she turns off the engine, we all get out and walk toward the back door to the house.
“Finley,” Valerie says, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk that leads to the back door. She turns to face me.
I stop in my tracks, my stomach twisting with dread.
She gives me an apologetic look. “I’m terribly sorry that you were made to feel unwelcome at caroling tonight,” She holds my gaze with a stricken expression. “And as for our family…” She casts a glance at the house then turns back to face me. “I know we’re a bit complicated, and I’m sorry you’re having to deal with that. But, for what it’s worth, I’m happy you’re here. No matter what else is going on around us, I want you to know you are welcome here.”
Her words sink deep into my marrow, and I’m overwhelmed with emotion. Other than Mirna and Barb, I haven’t felt this wanted since my mother died.
It takes me a second to trust myself to speak. “Thank you,” I say past the lump in my throat.
She holds out her arms and when I don’t shrink away, she envelopes me into a warm hug. “Thank you for bringing my wayward son home,” she whispers into my ear, then gives me a squeeze. She lets me go and hurries into the house before I can respond.
My feet are anchored in place, guilt eating me on the inside like a moth in a closet full of wool. I didn’t bring her son home. But I can’t help wondering why he brought me. Did he know this would happen? And if so, he should have warned me.
A gust of wind hits me in the face, sending a chill down my back, so I head into the house.
