“I sure hope so.”
“Any word on placement for Sarah?”
I shook my head.“I just spoke with the military rep last night.She advised me they don’t feel comfortable moving Sarah to the adoption center yet.They want her to stay in a stable environment until the holidays are over, so she will stay with me until after Christmas.”
“Might be better that way.”
“I agree.Oh, is my order ready?”
“Mindi, as you can see, I’ve been swamped this morning.Do you think you could come back in half an hour?I have the guys working on them right now.They are just finishing them up.”
I smiled, knowing just how busy she always was at this time of the year.
“No problem.How about you put one of your award-winning cinnamon buns on a plate along with a cup of coffee and I’ll just grab a table and wait?”I winked.“I also wanted to talk to you about booking some desserts and food for the Christmas dinner at the center as well.”
“That I can do, and yes, if I get your order in now, I’ll be able to make my holiday plan and not overbook myself.”
“No problem.Looks like you may have to hire more hands soon.”
“That and put in an expansion.I’m afraid we are quickly outgrowing this place,” Brooke said as she served up a cinnamon bun and poured me a cup of coffee.
“Extra hands should help.No need to move from this place.Willow Valley wouldn’t be the same without you in this location.My parents used to come here when your parents ran the place.”I winked as I grabbed the cinnamon bun, while Brooke carried over my cup of coffee to one of the few free tables left.She set the mug down on the table and then grabbed one of her order forms and a pen.
“If you can get this back to me within the next week, I’d appreciate it.”
“No problem.Thank you,” I said, smiling as she took off to the kitchen.
I was exhausted.I’d run on adrenaline most of the day.Iris had brought Sarah over to the center for lunch and crafts, and now we were on our way back to the farm.My body ached and was craving the warmth of a hot bath, a cup of tea, and perhaps a holiday movie to help lift my spirits.
It had been another emotionally draining day.I seemed to be having more of those lately, knowing that the closer we got to December, the closer I was to my time with Sarah ending.I’d never been more thankful to have Ethan, Peggy, Trinity and Thomas along with a couple of other retired military members there to help with everything else that was going on.
Peggy and Trinity arrived after their hired help showed up at the bookstore and flower shop.After afternoon crafts had begun, we grabbed a coffee and discussed putting out another request for a counselor, which was on the top of my list to work on in the coming week.
“What did you want for supper?”I asked Sarah as I turned onto the road we lived on.
“I’m not that hungry.”She sighed and then pointed at the mailbox at the end of the driveway.“There is mail,” she muttered.
I stopped at the end of my driveway and glanced at the old red mailbox my father had put up all those years ago.The flag was up, notifying me I had mail.I debated just getting it tomorrow but noticed a clear bag sticking out of the closed door.Our neighbors occasionally left us food in the mailbox in a plastic bag, and while the bears should be in hibernation by now, it didn’t feel right leaving it.
I let out a sigh and shoved open the car door and quickly opened the mailbox.Instead of food, all that sat there were a few envelopes and the clear plastic bag with a large sticker on it that read lost mail, so with little thought, I grabbed the pile and climbed back in the car and handed it to Sarah.
Once we were inside, Sarah took off to her room, and I took a hot shower, then I heated the leftover soup in the fridge, made us both some toast and some tea, and made my way into the living room with a tray.We found a movie on TV watching it while we ate together.
When the credits rolled, I glanced over at Sarah, who was lying on the couch with her eyes closed.
“Ready for bed, sweetheart?”I questioned, rubbing her leg.
“I can barely keep my eyes open,” she muttered as we both got up and I followed her to her room.
She crawled into bed and pulled the covers over her.
“No worries; it’s been a long day.Good night, sweetie,” I whispered, placing a kiss on her forehead, and then shut the overhead light off.
“Night.”
I stood in the doorway and watched her as she snuggled up with her favorite teddy bear, then I turned the nightlight on and pulled the door partially closed.
I made my way back to the living room and cleaned up the dishes from supper.I’d just placed everything in the dishwasher when I looked at the pile of mail Sarah had put on the counter.After I’d wiped down all the counters, I was about to head back into the living room but stopped.Frowning, I made my way over and picked up the plastic bag, examining the contents.
