Page 13 of Mechanic’s Christmas Match

The trio of older women looked no different than any other three local grandmas chatting pleasantly about this and that as they went for a walk. But everyone in Trinity Falls knew that the three of them were a powerhouse of goodwill, initiating or supporting just about every good thing that happened in the little town. Whatever the three were talking about now, it was a sure thing that someone’s life would be improved the moment they put another of their signature no-nonsense plans into action.

“Could the three of us be like them one day?” Mal asked thoughtfully, leaning her chin on her hand as she watched them go by.

“What’s with all the bags?” Valerie wondered out loud.

“Oh goodness,” Ana realized. “They’re probably headed for the shop. I’ve got to go.”

“Hang on for two more seconds,” Mal said, dashing behind the counter and fixing one more coffee. “For your mom.”

“That will really make her smile,” Ana said. “Thank you, Mal.”

She reached for her pocket, but her best friend waved her off.

“Get out of here,” Mal said. “You’re family. Now go sell some dresses.”

“Thanks again,” Ana said. “Love you guys.”

“You too,” Mal called after her as Ana hurried off with a coffee in each hand.

She managed to get up Park Avenue and onto Ambler Road without spilling a drop. As she approached the shop, she could see that sure enough the three ladies were inside, along with Maggie Sullivan, a teacher at the elementary school who was checking out the dresses near the front of the store.

When she reached the door, Betty Ann opened it for her with a big smile.

“Hello, Ana,” she said, eyeing the coffees. “I’ll bet your mom will be glad to see you.”

“Yes, Mal has the best coffee,” Ana told her. “Thank you so much for stopping by today. Are you finding everything you’re looking for?”

“I sure am,” Betty Ann replied, holding up her left arm, which was draped in dresses.

“Oh, hi, Ana,” Ginny Davies said with a warm smile. “Betty Ann, what do you think about this for Sheryl Johnson?”

“Oh, yes,” Betty Ann said, turning to Ginny. “Was there anything for her girls back there?”

The two of them hurried back to the clearance section, where several other shoppers were already looking through the racks along with Shirley.

Ana watched after them fondly. She should have known that they weren’t just here for themselves. Sheryl Johnson lived on Harvard with her two girls. She’d lost her husband a few years back and was struggling to stay in the house, but didn’t want to move the kids out of the community. Everyone who knew about the situation did what they could to help out here and there, and clearly that was what Betty Ann, Shirley, and Ginny were doing today.

They’re helping us out too, Ana thought to herself, impressed that the ladies were supporting a local shop and purchasing clothing for a struggling family at the same time.

Her mom waved to her from behind the cash register and Ana snapped out of her momentary daze to bring over their coffees.

“A gift from Mal,” Ana told her as she handed one over.

“That girl,” her mom said, shaking her head with a smile as she took her cup.

“She loves you,” Ana said. “You know that.”

“Do you think she’ll try it on?” her mom asked, nodding to Maggie Sullivan, who was holding up a pretty green dress against herself and stealing a peek in the full-length mirror on the wall.

“I hope so,” Ana said. “That would look amazing on her.”

But it was up at the front of the shop, which meant it was full price. And Maggie was a schoolteacher. Though she had a side hustle making candles that were sold in the Christmas-All-Year shop at Cassidy Farm, Ana figured she was probably still careful with her money.

“Go offer,” Ana’s mom said. “And tell her if she likes it, we’ll work with her on the price.”

Ana placed her cup on the shelf below the counter and headed over.

The afternoon light flowed in through the big front window, gleaming in Maggie’s hair and making her look even prettier than usual.