“How about if she calls you tomorrow?” Carol had suggested cautiously. “We’re having people over today so she’s pretty busy.” Mom agreed that would be nice and after they said goodbye, Carol resisted the urge to pinch herself and even double-checked her caller ID to confirm that she really had been talking to her mother. Not wanting to give Maria false hopes for reuniting with her baby sister, she decided to keep the contents of that call under wraps until tomorrow.
Everything was set with about an hour to spare before guests were to arrive when someone knocked on the front door. Since Maria was relaxing with a cup of tea, Carol jumped up to get it. To her surprise and pleasure, it was Victor. In his hand was a giant ball of mistletoe. He grinned.
“Know what this is?” he asked with a twinkle in his dark eyes.
She nodded primly. “I believe I do.”
Now he held it in the air between them. “Mind if I put it to use?”
She held up one finger to stop him. “I don’t mind at all, but how about we clear the air some first? Then I’ll enjoy the mistletoe more.”
He lowered his arm and looked down. “Victoria?”
She nodded again, waiting for his explanation.
“Well, Ihadto take her home yesterday. Man, was she a hot mess! I was afraid if she drove herself to town, she’d wind up in a ditch or wrapped around a tree.”
“Yes, I can understand that.” She felt her spirits lightening.
“Then I got my buddy Graydon to give me a ride back home.”
“And that’s it?”
He shrugged. “Well, I thought I’d already made myself clear with her on cotillion night. Actually even before that. I mean, I laid my cards on the table last fall. I could never be serious about her. But yesterday I had to spell it all out.” He seemed a bit sheepish. “And you’ll have to forgive me ... I may have used your name a bit out of context.”
“Usedmy name?”
“Well, Victoria doesn’t take no for an answer, Carol. She’s used to getting her own way.”
Carol stepped closer to him, softening. “Uh-huh?”
“I, uh, I told her that if I was going to be involved with anyone, well, it would be someone like you.” He half smiled. “Someoneexactlylike you.”
Now she reached over to take his hand, then moved the mistletoe up above her head, tilting her face toward him. He chuckled, then rewarded her with a tender kiss.
“Goodness, children!” Maria scolded from behind Carol. “Come inside the house and close that door. It’s like the North Pole out there. I don’t mind if Santa shows up, but I don’t want him and all the reindeer stomping into my house.”
They all laughed and went inside.
The Christmas Eve celebration was the most wonderful gathering Carol had ever attended. All the friends and neighbors felt strangely familiar to her, as if she’d known them her whole life. And Victor, sweetly attentive, didn’t hide his feelings for Carol around any of them. Maybe that was why they accepted her so readily.
They ate amazing food, sang carols, toasted with eggnog and yuletide drinks, and when it was all said and done, Carol knew she’d never experienced a Christmas like this. After the guests had left, Victor remained to assist with cleanup while Carol helped Maria get ready for bed.
“So what do you think of Christmas now?” Maria asked just as Carol was about to turn off the bedside lamp.
“I think if I died tonight, I would die completely happy.”
“Good grief, don’t do that. Tomorrow is your birthday, not to mention Christmas Day. We’re only half done.” Maria patted Carol’s cheek. “Besides, poor Victor would be devastated.”
“Don’t worry. I plan to stick around.” Carol kissed her aunt good night, turned off the light, and went out to find Victor, who was just putting the last dish into the dishwasher.
“Looks like you got it all cleaned up already,” she said.
“Didn’t I tell you I’m handy in the kitchen?” he teased. “A good guy to keep around.”
“Not to mention the fact that the foods you and your mom fixed tonight were amazing.” She patted her midsection. “I’m still stuffed.”
“Well, we have something even more special on the menu for tomorrow. But it’ll be a much smaller gathering. Just my parents and me ... and Maria and you, if you can work up an appetite by then.”
