He gave them a wink as he walked out the door.
Anna and Vanessa stood there in silence watching him all the way back to the main house.
“He likes you,” Vanessa said.
“Donotget my hopes up.”
“I’m not. I’m serious. Did you see the way he listens to you? The way he smiles when he’s looking your way?”
“Vanessa, we had the best day. I mean, truly the best day of my life. It was perfect from beginning to end.”
She took Anna’s hands into her own. “I’m so glad.”
“He gave me this ornament for the tree too.” She walked to the side of the tree facing the front door, right at eye height, for her anyway, and cupped the single ornament in her hand. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
The thick wooden ornament had been sanded to a furniture-quality finish. In the shape of the carriage on the Porter’s logo,FRASER HILLS, NCwas etched across the wagon in what looked like gold leaf.
“That is beautiful. I didn’t see anything like this over in the store.”
She shrugged. “I don’t know where he got it, but I like it. It’s the thought that counts.”
Anna and Vanessa sat on the floor among all the boxes of ornaments trying to decide which ones to use on the tree. Finally, they’d decided to use the pretty pearl garland, a collection of Lenox ornaments, and red balls and bows.
Anna hung ornaments while Vanessa tied bows made froma spool of velvety ribbon. Mom had taught her to make bows when she was little. They were forever making them for weddings, church, even school. She was a little out of practice, and it took her a couple of goes to get it. Finally, she lifted one in the air. “What do you think?”
Anna nodded. “As beautiful as the ones your mom made.”
Vanessa held the perfect bow. She wished she could spend just one more Christmas with her mother. She blinked back a tear that threatened to fall, concentrating on the ornaments.
They decorated for over an hour before they were finally satisfied.
“It looks so pretty.”
“I love it.” Vanessa stepped back, taking it all in. “I haven’t put up a tree the last few years.”
“Then you were missing out. Doesn’t it make you feel… I don’t even know how to describe it. Young? Hopeful? In awe, I guess.”
“It does.”
Anna cocked her head. “Is that your phone ringing?”
Vanessa rummaged through the piles of paper and box stuffing for her phone. “It sounds like it. Where is it?” She finally put her hand on the phone. “It’s a local number. Hello?”
“Hey, Vanessa. I’m sorry to bother you. It’s Misty.”
Vanessa flashed a look of concern in Anna’s direction. “Misty. Is everything okay?”
“Yes, well I’m not hurt or anything, it’s just I went to lock up the barn and Scooter is missing again. I was kind of hoping he’d showed up back at the apartment.”
“Oh, gosh. I’m not there. How about you stay where you are and keep looking around, and I’ll zip by the apartment andthen swing over with the puppy, or to help you look. Sound good?”
“I can drive over there,” she said.
“No. Really I don’t mind. Anna just tossed me her car keys. I’m headed out the door now.” Vanessa tucked her phone in her purse and grabbed her coat. “Misty is home by herself, and the puppy is missing. Do you want to ride along?”
“No. You run on. I’m going to do a few tweaks here and then jump in the tub for a nice long soak. Take your time.”
“I hope he’s okay.” She ran out and drove straight over to the warehouse. Unfortunately, there was no puppy waiting for her there. She checked around the building, and called for him, but the night was quiet.
