Christmas Dreams and Santa Schemes by Barbara Lohr

Author:Barbara Lohr [Lohr, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781945523120
Publisher: Purple Egret Press
Published: 2018-11-29T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

“Can I help you?” Standing behind the desk of the Gull Harbor library, Stuart Martin was tall and slender with the kindest eyes Sarah had ever seen. No wonder her mother brought him cookies.

“Mom, come on!” Nathan and Justin pulled at her hands. They’d been restless since she got them home Friday.

“I've come to hear my mother read to the children today.”

A smile creased Stuart's face and made his blue eyes sparkle behind the Buddy Holly glasses. “Of course. I suspect you know where she is.” He waved toward the back. In his houndstooth jacket and blue shirt he cut quite the figure.

The hum of voices echoed from the children’s nook, and she wanted the boys to get a seat. “Thank you.” Sarah led Nathan and Justin past the stacks of books and computer stations into the children's area.

Holding a large book with Frosty on the cover, Mom gave her a nod. “We’ll wait until our newcomers get seated.” On the floor around Mom were sprawled at least a dozen children, their snow jackets piled on one of the low desks. The small room smelled like wet snowsuits. Mothers sat cramped in the small chairs, looking as if Christmas was catching up to them.

When Nathan suddenly stopped, Sarah nearly stumbled over him. Had he gotten stubborn again? When she served him a hot dog last night, he’d refused. But when her mother gave Nathan a stern look, he sank down, unzipped this jacket and handed it to Sarah. Justin was already settled, legs crossed and eyes on the book.

The Children’s Story Hour would be her Saturday break. For at least thirty minutes she wasn’t responsible for her children’s well-being––a relief to any mother. Besides, she enjoyed listening to Frosty the Snowman. Sarah scanned the room. During the holidays parents seemed to develop dark circles under their eyes, deep yawns and, yes, sometimes colds. Quite a few sniffles and even some coughs went around the room. Mom began to read.

As her mother showed the children the pictures, the overhead lights made her blonde hair look like a halo. She looked so pretty in her fluffy pink sweater, green ornament earrings bobbing from her ears.

Surrendering to the soothing cadence of her mother's voice, Sarah closed her eyes. The hum of the heating system helped her doze off. In her dreams she wasn't thinking of her little boys. Oh no. She was under the mistletoe she’d hung up at work, looking into eyes as warm as brownies just taken from the oven. When Ryan bent for a kiss, her pulse kicked up. Almost there. She was almost there.

Applause ruptured her dream. Sarah blinked and straightened. Her cheek felt damp and she swiped at a trail of telltale drool. No one was looking at her, though. Joining the clapping, she felt happy for her mom, who was clutching the closed book to her chest and blushing. No one seemed to appreciate the presentation more than Stuart Martin, standing in the doorway.

Well, well. Whatever magic the library had worked, Sarah was grateful.

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