“And for that I’m grateful. You won Franny over – she just doesn’t realize it yet, and Cindy is a mess waiting for your kindness and love.”
“Meanwhile, we have a cake and meal tasting appointment with the Chef tomorrow. We’ll meet the kids there at two in the afternoon,” said Sandra.
“Your son must hate me.”
“On the contrary. He’s quite an easy-going fella. No drama on my side of the family. We settled that one with the owls during their love story.”
“The owls – you promised to take me,” said Robert. “Would now be a good time?”
“Now is a perfect time.”
In the room designated for viewing inside the barn, they stood and watched the night adventures of the doting owls. Mr. And Mrs. Owl entertained them with their antics, and while Robert held her hand through the entire spectacle, she told Trevor and Angie’s love story.
Robert chuckled. “You don’t believe in all that match-making stuff, do you?”
“I had a front-row seat. Hard to deny while watching love bloom because two lonely hearts followed their destiny.” Sandra opted not to tell of the gift she received from Mrs. Claus, unable to witness his unbelief in the fanciful set of circumstances that had led her family of late.
“Suppose one can’t deny that set of events. I’m happy for them.” He squeezed her hand. “Hope it rubs off on us.”
“Maybe it will. Christmas isn’t over yet.” Sandra’s eyes twinkled with mischief and Robert smiled as she turned her face toward him.
Robert bent close and his lips sought hers. Trevor and Angie had shared a similar moment in this same location, and her heart leapt within to think the magic of the famous barn owls still flowed. Maybe she could discover a second-chance love. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. It felt so right.
The next couple of days saw all the details completed, and on Wednesday the props for the wedding began to arrive in truckloads. After storing them safely, they picketed and roped off the beach area that would serve as the chapel. Saturday night was Christmas Eve and Sandra would inherit the gift of a daughter. There was no awkwardness between them. All appearances suggested the young woman had welcomed her mother-in-law to step into her deceased mother’s shoes. Sandra could not be happier.
Every morning, she and Robert spent the first part of their day praying for Cynthia, Franny, the grandchildren and the disillusioned husband and father. According to Robert, he claimed their constant phone calls and texting revealed a certain level of remorse in his direction for the grief they caused him. And on the torn home front, his girls gave the impression amends concerning Franny’s betrayal was in the wind. All appeared on track, and God was being true to his Word by producing good fruits to come out of the ashes.
Before the first laborer showed up at Heritage Inn Resort, Sandra hurried to the door of her room to stop the banging. All set to rebuke the caller, she did not expect Robert to lift her in the air and swing her around. Angie and Trevor stood off to the side watching with broad grins covering their face.
“Robert! What are you doing? If I wanted to fly, I’d go on a plane ride,” said Sandra.
“I am flying high, woman. God has been a busy beaver answering our prayers. I received a text from Cindy and three adults and four grandchildren are coming. They will arrive in time to see Santa make his appearance and spend the evening with us.”
“Sounds like Franny is bringing a date.”
“It certainly wouldn’t be Cindy. She’s sworn off men – or at least she was last Saturday,” said Robert.
“Aha, but since then, God has been at work. Can’t underestimate the Miracle Maker.”
In his excitement, he hugged Sandra tight again and while scanning the inside of her bedroom his eyes fell on the small table-sized Christmas tree. He pushed past her and moved toward it. “Your own personal tree? Now that’s what I call a Christmas addiction.”
“I confess,” said Sandra as she trailed him inside.
He fingered the blue ball with the Christmas Cave tucked inside covered with white foliage. “Franny said you didn’t make a purchase when you came to the store.”
Sandra wished she could brush it off that easily. “She’s right; I didn’t.”
“But this is our store trapped in an ornament. Where else would you buy such a bulb?”
Biting her lip, she debated claiming she’d gotten it years ago when she’d visited with Braxton and Trevor. But that would be a lie, and she’d not build a relationship on deception.
“It’s a long story.” She hoped he’d drop it.
“Well, you can tell me over breakfast. I’m famished and today is workday – physical and gruelling.” Robert moaned and Sandra laughed at his expression.
In the dining room, she once again launched into a string of chatter that had nothing to do with the Christmas Cave mystery gift.
All too soon, he wheeled her in. “So, about the bulb; I’m curious?”
“I’ve never met such a curious man,” she took a gulp of her second cup of hot coffee and it burned all the way down.
“You’re avoiding the subject,” said Robert, his lips curling up in a tease.
“Yes, I am, mainly because I don’t want you to consider me loco for putting stock in anything so foolish, and also, I don’t want you to claim it as an answer to your pursual of me.”
“Now I am curious. Spit it out and let me come to my own conclusions.”
“Okay, you asked for it. I told you about Santa’s wife being in the match-making business, right?”
“You did. As a result, I got a gig to plan the wedding. I must send
