1225 Christmas Tree Lane - Debbie Macomber [69]
“Both of you were being ridiculous about this stupid divorce,” Bailey said quickly. “We felt we had to do something.” She obviously intended to share the blame—or the praise.
“So you conspired to bring us together,” Kent muttered.
“You aren’t mad, are you?” Bailey asked, moving closer to her sister.
Kent brought his attention back to Beth and kissed the tip of her nose. “Are you upset?” he asked.
With her husband’s arms around her and the Christmas tree lights shining in the background, Beth had to admit she wasn’t. “Not in the least. Actually, I think it was a brilliant idea.”
“Okay, if you must know,” Sophie said, “I did help Bailey a little.”
“Isn’t this the best Christmas ever?” Bailey exclaimed, hugging her sister. “And we haven’t even opened our gifts yet.”
Beth had to agree. This was the best Christmas of her life.
Epilogue
Valentine’s Day
“This is so romantic,” Bailey said to her sister. “I’m so happy, I want to cry.” They left the kitchen, ready to set out the plates and forks to serve cake to their parents’ guests.
“We did it,” Sophie said, almost giddy with happiness. “I don’t know how, but it worked. Mom and Dad are back together.”
“Just like they were meant to be.”
Their parents were remarried and their dad was now living at 1225 Christmas Tree Lane, where he planned to take on the business aspects of the farm.
Beth came down the stairs and into the living room, with Kent directly behind her. “Oh, girls, the table looks lovely.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
The coffee-and teapots were filled and the cake sliced. This wasn’t a wedding reception, Beth had explained to her daughters. It was an opportunity to introduce Kent to her friends and neighbors in Cedar Cove.
Bailey thought her father had never looked handsomer or her mother more beautiful. They were constantly together now. It had started while they were all in Whistler during Christmas break. Bailey couldn’t remember a time they’d had more fun as a family. After their short vacation, Kent had returned to California. Before he could move north to Washington State, he needed to make some decisions and changes.
Within six weeks he’d sold his engineering company to his partner, packed up his house and found responsible tenants. In between all those negotiations and all that packing, Kent flew up to Cedar Cove practically every weekend to be with their mother. It was the most romantic thing.
They’d remarried in a private ceremony on January twenty-eighth. Only the girls and Kent’s brother Michael, who’d come in from California to act as best man, had been in attendance. Afterward, their parents had sent out announcements to family and friends. From the comments Bailey heard, everyone seemed to think this remarriage was wonderful. To Bailey and Sophie it was just plain…right.
“We have our first guests,” Sophie called out, standing by the living room window. “It’s Grace, the lady who has Beau.”
“Grace Harding,” Beth said. “And her husband, Cliff.” She headed for the door.
“There are four of them,” Sophie added.
“The other two are Olivia and Jack Griffin.”
Their mother ushered their guests in out of the rain. Grace and Olivia stepped inside the house and were warmly greeted by Beth and Kent.
“I think we might have met earlier,” Kent said, shaking hands with the two men. “Didn’t I see you at the Christmas Eve service?”
Both men nodded.
“Would you like some coffee and cake?” Bailey asked politely.
“Sure! Thanks.” The two men eagerly accepted her offer while the women raised their hands to decline. “We’re driving to Seattle for a Valentine’s treat,” Grace said. “I’m saving my calories for that.”
“Me, too,” Olivia chimed in. “By the way,” she told Beth, “my mother sent you a small gift. The ladies in her knitting group made you several cotton dishrags. Not very romantic, perhaps, but Mom says everyone can use extras.”
Beth took the package gratefully. “Charlotte is always so thoughtful.”
“Oh, Ben and Mom both send their very best wishes. She wanted me to tell you that bringing the dogs to Sanford Suites has been a real blessing to everyone.