When they finished, Samantha checked them out. “Leo paid the tab for a job well done,” she announced, ensuring her mother overheard. “I placed your order for the shampoo and the other products in the bag.” She handed it over the counter and passed a small goodie bag to her mom. “Here’s a welcome bag for you.”
“Oh, how sweet,” her mom exclaimed as she took the package.
Hannah helped her inside the truck and drove them back to the bed and breakfast.
“I don’t know about you, but I feel like a new woman.” Her mom sighed.
“My feet feel like silk,” Hannah admitted.
“How about dinner?” Brenda asked.
“Oh, I can’t tonight. How about breakfast tomorrow?” she suggested.
“Can I text you later? Your father disappeared before I got up this morning. I want to check with him.”
She pulled into the bed-and-breakfast’s driveway and helped her mom out of the truck. “Absolutely. I’ve missed you, Mom.”
Brenda wrapped her arms around her and hugged her tightly. “I’ve missed you, my sweet girl.”
She watched as her mom went up the steps, moving more slowly than usual. When she disappeared, Hannah climbed intothe truck and headed back home. She hoped Cole’s day went as well as hers.
At the cabin,Cole and Archer struggled to get the Christmas tree through the door.
“Did you pick the biggest one?” Archer asked.
‘Second largest,” Cole huffed out of breath. Thanks for helping me with it. I want to surprise Hannah with it.”
“Where do you want it?”
“Let’s put it in the corner by the fireplace,” he said pulling the tree the rest of the way inside and shut the door. “It’s freaking cold out there. I’m glad the seniors will get those baskets on Saturday. There’s a blizzard forecast for later in the afternoon.”
“If it gets dangerous, Kassie will have a backup plan,” Archer assured him. “With the extra police the town hired a few months ago, we’ll be able to ensure everyone stays warm or they’ll bring them to the hospital.”
“Hopefully we’ll have them all home before it starts,” Cole said, taking out the light strands and packages of ornaments. He bought a special one for Hannah. He ordered it two weeks ago and it finally came in. Imagining her face when she opened it, he rushed to get the lights on the tree before she returned.
“If you don’t need me, I’ll head back to the facility,” Archer said, pouring the water at the base.
“I’m good, thanks, man.”
Archer left and a minute later, Cole heard a knock at the door. Tangled in wires, he called out, “Come in.”
Conrad Bailey entered and scanned the room. Cole took a deep breath.
“Hannah’s not here. She’s with your wife,” he greeted the man coldly.
Conrad stuffed his hands in his pockets, appearing uncomfortable. “I came to talk to you.”
“I don’t think we have much to talk about,” Cole replied as he cursed the string of lights which seemed to have tangled inside the tree.
‘Here, son. How about we work and you listen. Once I say my peace, you can say yours,” he reasoned.
“Fine. I think they’re tangled on a branch on your side.”
“Yep, I got it,” Conrad said briskly while removing the knot and passing the strand around to Cole.
“Thanks.”
“Did you get this for Hannah? She loves tons of lights. I think the last one we decorated, they probably saw us from space.” Her father chuckled at the memory. “I loved to watch her and her mother come up with new ideas every year.”
