Christmas in Icicle Falls by Sheila Roberts

Author:Sheila Roberts
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MIRA Books
Published: 2017-11-23T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Encouragement and support are gifts that everyone appreciates.

—Muriel Sterling, A Guide to Happy Holidays

Brandon was excited over the prospect of being a father. It was all he’d talked about since Meadow had made her announcement, and Olivia was determined to be supportive.

Now, before the baby came, was the time to cement her relationship with Meadow into something positive, so Tuesday, when Meadow finally made an appearance in the kitchen, she said, “I’d like to knit a blanket for the baby.”

Meadow’s face lit up like the giant tree in town square during the holiday tree-lighting ceremony. “Really?”

“Would you like to go yarn shopping with me today and pick out the color you’d like?”

“Oh, yeah. That would be awesome. When can we go?”

“Whenever you want.”

“I’ll get my coat,” Meadow said and dashed out the swinging door.

Her excitement was convicting, making Olivia freshly aware of her bad attitude about her new daughter-in-law. It was also touching. To Olivia, knitting a blanket wasn’t that big of a deal. She liked to knit, and anytime there was a baby shower for someone’s daughter, she always made a blanket. But Meadow had drunk up the gesture like a thirsty plant. Once more Olivia found herself wondering what Meadow’s life had been like growing up. Whatever her past, here in the present she was desperate to fit in at the lodge. As the matriarch of the family, it was up to Olivia to help her do it.

She wants to be part of the family, Olivia reminded herself as she went to get her coat. That says a lot. Some daughters-in-law didn’t like their husbands’ moms and wanted nothing to do with them. That didn’t appear to be the case here. Although heaven knew, if Meadow could have read Olivia’s mind these past few weeks, she wouldn’t have been feeling so cordial.

She’d barely gotten into her apartment when Meadow was knocking at the door. “I’m ready. I can drive.”

Olivia agreed but soon came to regret that decision. The girl drove like they were going to a fire and Olivia found herself gripping the handle on the passenger door. “There’s no hurry. The Yarn Barn is open all day.”

“Oh.” Meadow eased up on the gas and Olivia let her breath out. “Sorry. I guess I’m just excited. Nobody’s ever done something like this for me.”

“You’ve never been pregnant before,” Olivia pointed out.

Meadow’s smile fell and Olivia remembered the story of the lost baby. So, it had been true. She’d misjudged the girl.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t think.”

Meadow shrugged. “It’s okay. I guess that first one wasn’t meant to be. I like to think of him up in heaven, though, like an angel. Maybe he’ll watch over his little brother or sister.”

“I’m sure he will.”

“Did you ever lose a baby?” Meadow asked in a small voice.

“No, I never had to go through that.”

“It sucks. I don’t want to ever go through it again,” Meadow said and bit her lip.

The poor girl. “It’ll be fine this time,” Olivia assured her.

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