“I was holding it together …” Mitzi mumbled at the sight of her. Setting down the dancing Santa figurine in a red velvet suit, she squared off with Louanne. Maybe she wasn’t here for Mitzi. Maybe she had some shopping to do. Perhaps she’d decided to fix the hole in the Sheetrock in the bathroom or replace the missing tiles in the backsplash. That would be a happy Christmas surprise. “Hello. Is there something I can help you find today?”
Louanne stopped in front of her and folded her arms. “Yes. Your rent check.”
So much for her optimistic attitude. Mitzi’s cheeks heated up. Her eyes darted to Carla, who pretended to be interested in a Santa box. She didn’t want her boss to think she was irresponsible with her money—nor did she want her friend to know she was drowning in bills. Carla provided a good job for her here, and she paid the going rate for retail. However, she was the kind of person who would think she’d failed Mitzi just because she couldn’t do more. That wasn’t fair to her.
Mitzi did her best to keep her eyes on Louanne and not look at Carla. “I mailed it on the first.”
“That was October’s, and it was a month late.”
Mitzi forced herself to smile. This was just a setback. “I had a car repair that cost more than I was planning on. I promise you’re the first person I’ll pay. But I’m afraid payday isn’t until …”
Louanne pointed to Carla. “Ask for an advance.”
Carla huffed. The sound was like a bull gearing up to take on a matador.
Mitzi held up her palm to keep Carla from letting into Louanne. It was so unprofessional of the woman to come into her place of work and demand money. But then, no one ever accused Louanne of being a professional in this arena. She was just a lady who had a house to rent. “That’s not fair to Carla. She’s running a business.”
“So am I.” Louanne pointed at herself. “I have people asking about the house—it’s highly desirable in this market—andtheycan pay on time.”
“Are you kicking me out?” Mitzi’s heart seized with fear. She’d never find another house in this town. She could move, but what would she do with Snowflake and the rest of Billy’s flock? “It’s Christmas!” Where would they go? Her parents were out of the picture. She had no one.
“Have a heart,” said Carla. “She’s got a kid.”
Louanne wagged her head from side to side as if she were weighing her needs against Mitzi’s. “If you don’t have at least half …” she hedged.
Half of her rent was an insurmountable amount at the moment. If she cleared everything out of her checking, she might have a fifth.
Carla walked around the counter and opened the register.
“No—” Mitzi reached out a hand to stop her. “I can’t let you do this.”
“You can’tletme?” Carla raised one thickly penciled eyebrow. “Darlin’, you don’t let me do anything. I am my own woman.”
“But it’s not your debt. It’s mine,” Mitzi argued. How was this her life? She used to have a nice house and a reliable car.
“And this is my choice. Stop thinking with your pride and start thinking of that boy of yours.” Though it was a reprimand, it came from a place of understanding. Carla had been through some pretty tough times herself. “Besides, I could use a blessing or two.”
Mitzi bit her cheek. She didn’t for one second believe that she was doing Carla a favor by letting her pay half of last month’s rent. As much as she hated it, she’d have to take the money if she was going to stay in her house. There wasn’t another place in this small town to rent—except for a room at the B&B, which would end up costing more than rent. There was more to consider besides her and Billy. What would she do with the five geese, four ducks, three chickens, two cats, and a reindeer in the barn?
“Here’s six hundred.” Carla slapped the money on the counter. “And I don’t want to see you in my store until after Christmas.” She pasted on her business smile. “Unless it’s to make a purchase. Then we’ll be happy to assist you.”
Louanne grabbed the money up like she worried that Carla would change her mind. “If she’s not caught up by Christmas Eve, then she’s out.” She hurried from the store before either woman could protest.
Mitzi sagged against the counter.
Carla growled. “Maybe she’ll trip headfirst into a headstone next week, the big scrooge.”
Mitzi laughed in shock. “How can you say such mean things when your heart is so big?”
Carla gave her a wicked grin. “I’ve known Louanne all my life. Trust me, she hasn’t changed a bit since she smeared melted marshmallow in my hair.”
Mitzi made a face. “Why do you think people like that succeed in life?”
“She hasn’t succeeded.” Carla started arranging Santas once again. “Oh sure, she’s got some money and property—but she’s alone, lonely, and lost. You and me, we’re the success stories in life.”
Mitzi thought of Billy and the way he took in and cared for stray animals. His heart was as open as the sky. She might not have won in marriage, but she’d won the jackpot when it came to kids. “I think you’re right.” They shared a smile.
As they finished filling the empty shelves with hip-shaking Saint Nicks, Mitzi’s feeling of success slipped away and she began to worry about where they’d live if Louanne kicked them out on Christmas. Adding to her load was the fact that she didn’t have a gift for her son to find under the tree. She’d planned to use her next paycheck and pray for a miracle. Now the miracle would have to come first. Trouble was, she’d used up her miracle allotment a long time ago.
