Trading Christmas - Debbie Macomber [50]
“Stay on what?”
“In Boston with Emily.”
Charles’s eyes widened as he stared at her. “Let me see if I’m hearing you right. My brother didn’t return to New York?”
“Nope.” Faith loved the look of absolute shock. She wondered if Ray had shown the same degree of astonishment when he learned how well his brother had adjusted to Leavenworth and being with her.
“Has something happened in New York that I don’t know about?” Charles asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Has the city been snowed in or has there been a train strike? That sort of thing?”
“Not that I’ve heard. I had the radio on earlier and they didn’t mention anything. Why?”
“Why? Because my brother is a dyed-in-the-wool workaholic. Nothing keeps him away from his desk.”
“Well, he’s taking a few days off to spend with Emily.”
Charles took a sip of coffee, as though he needed time to mull over what she’d told him. “Your friend must be one hell of a woman.”
“She is.” That was the simple truth.
Still distracted, Charles pulled out a kitchen chair and sat down. He glanced around and seemed to notice for the first time that she’d been busy. “You put up those decorations?”
“I didn’t think you’d mind.” She felt a bit uneasy about that now. Emily had a number of Christmas things she hadn’t bothered to display this year; she’d obviously taken the rest of them to Boston. Faith had brought a few of her own decorations, as well. While everything was quiet, she’d unpacked the special ones and displayed them throughout the house. The tiny Christmas tree with red velvet bows stood on the mantel, and so did a small manger scene that Heather had loved since childhood. Emily’s Christmas teapot, white china with holly decorations, now held pride of place on the kitchen counter.
Charles wandered into the dining room, Faith on his heels. “What’s this?” he asked, motioning toward the centerpiece on the dining-room table.
“A cottonball snowman. Heather made it for Emily when she was eight. She was so proud of it, which is why Emily’s kept it all these years.”
Charles seemed puzzled, as if he couldn’t quite grasp the beauty of the piece. Bells chimed softly from outside and Faith looked out the large picture window to see the horse-drawn sleigh gliding past.
“Charles, let’s go for a sleigh ride,” she said impulsively. For Faith, it was a highlight of the first and only Christmas she’d spent in Leavenworth—until now. It was the Christmas following her divorce. The sleigh ride, which she’d taken alone, had comforted her. That, and Emily’s friendship, had made a painful Christmas tolerable, even pleasant. Her sleigh ride had shown her that being alone could bring its own contentment, its own pleasures. And spending Christmas Day with Emily and Heather had taught her that friendship could lend value to life.
Charles seemed startled by her invitation, then shook his head. “No, thanks.”
“It’s even more fun than sledding,” she coaxed.
Still he declined.
“Well, come and stand in line with me while I wait my turn.”
For a moment she thought he’d refuse, but then he nodded. “As long as the line isn’t too long.”
“Okay.”
Dressed in their coats, boots, scarves and gloves, they strolled downtown, walking arm in arm. Night had settled over the small town, and festive activities abounded. The carolers in period costumes were out, standing on street corners singing. The Salvation Army band played Christmas music in the park, as ice skaters circled the frozen pond. Glittering multicolored lights brightened the streets and the town was bustling with shoppers.
Fortunately, the line for the sleigh ride wasn’t too long and while she waited, Charles bought them cups of creamy hot chocolate. “I’m so glad I remembered the sleigh ride,” she said, holding her hot chocolate with gloved hands.
“Why’s that?” Charles asked.
She shrugged, sipping at her chocolate. “I think I mentioned that I did my student teaching in Leavenworth—that’s when I met Emily. Those months were hard on me emotionally. I’d only recently been divorced and I was feeling pretty bad. Before