A Small-Town Christmas Challenge by Susanne Dietze

Author:Susanne Dietze
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-09-15T02:08:01+00:00

Chapter Nine

“Leah, dear, I must ask. Were you Benton’s date for the choir concert the other night?” Marigold’s wide eyes seemed innocent enough, considering how loaded her question was.

Leah and Marigold sat by Grandma’s bedside while she dozed on Friday afternoon. As peaceful as Grandma looked now, one would never have guessed she was so agitated most of the afternoon. Leah had taken the afternoon off to sit with her. “No, Marigold. I wasn’t.”

“Too bad. You’re just the type of sweetheart we’ve been praying for when it comes to our beloved pastor getting paired off.” Marigold frowned, as if disappointed. “Forgive me if I embarrassed you. I can be a bit nosy at times. My grandchildren call it meddling, but I call it love. I played matchmaker for Kellan and Paige.” Her face the picture of innocence, Marigold fiddled with the volunteer badge hanging from a bright blue lanyard around her neck.

Marigold’s pushing, or meddling or whatever she wanted to call it, put her at odds with Maude—and it wouldn’t work with Leah and Benton. “I’m leaving town soon. Taking Grandma to a different facility in the San Francisco area that offers more programs for patients like Grandma. Music therapy, that sort of thing.”

Leah half expected an argument, but Marigold reached to squeeze her hand. “You and Clare will both be missed around here.”

“Thank you for all you do, visiting folks on the ward.”

“It’s my pleasure. I love helping the nurses and sitting with folks. We talk about the good old days. Your grandma, too.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Not every time, of course, but sometimes, we have the nicest conversations about her high school days. Football championships, cherry sodas, happy times.” Marigold’s sigh sounded content. “We sing, too.”

“She sang on Saturday. She knew all the words to a dozen Christmas carols. She even ate a few cookies, but today, she’s not interested in her food.”

Lord, please may Hughes House sell quickly so that I can give Grandma a better quality of life. One filled with music.

“And what about you, dear? Are you enjoying the holiday season, too?”

Leah had to laugh. “I’m in the thick of it for the gala, that’s for sure.”

“I saw the article on the gala in the county newspaper today.”

What article? Leah hadn’t seen today’s edition. “I put in ads, but I don’t know anything about an article. I’ll have to pick up a copy. Did they include information about how to get tickets?”

“No, it wasn’t that type of article. More about the Gingerbread Galas of the past, but it mentions Rowena is giving you the house in exchange for you throwing the gala. I don’t know where they got that sort of information.”

“Indeed.” Leah hadn’t told anyone but Irene. Benton may have told a few friends, but they didn’t seem the type to go to a newspaper about it. The mayor knew about Rowena’s gift, though, and she might have talked to a reporter.

Leah couldn’t worry about it. “Hopefully, the exposure causes people to buy tickets. I can’t believe the party is in a few days.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.