Here's to Friends by Melody Carlson

Author:Melody Carlson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Baby boomer, fiction, Sisterhood, Women, friends, relationships, Maturity, Young at heart, Lindas, Melody Carlson
Publisher: David C. Cook
Published: 2011-09-20T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Caroline

Caroline considered herself to be a fairly understanding person. At least she tried. But sometimes Mitch stretched her patience a bit. To be fair, she probably stretched his, too. He’d surprised her by flying into Clifden this afternoon, just two days before Christmas. Shortly after she picked him up at the airport, it became clear that their holiday plans were not quite melding. Because she hadn’t heard anything specific from him, and that had been an issue in itself, Caroline had agreed to celebrate Christmas with her friends.

“I’m sorry you’re disappointed,” she apologized again. “I didn’t know what else to do. It’s not like I wanted to just sit by myself throughout the holidays.”

“But I told you I was coming.”

“I knew you were coming, Mitch.” She wondered if that was really true. He’d been so vague. “I just didn’t know exactly when, or how long you’d stay, or much of anything specifically.”

“Yes, and that’s my fault and I do understand you making other plans. But it’s just that I had something else in mind.” Mitch gave her a slightly hangdog look.

“What sort of plans?” She pulled in front of the hotel where, unbeknownst to her, he’d booked a room.

“Different ones.” He grinned.

“You made plans for right here in Clifden?” she questioned. “I mean, you do realize there’s not a whole lot to do in town on Christmas, right?”

He shrugged.

“And you know that I don’t have a real home at the moment, so I can’t exactly invite you into my house for hot buttered rum.” She explained how Abby’s family was already filling up the inn and Caroline was starting to feel slightly in the way. “In fact, I’d even considered camping at my house during the holidays, although Abby keeps telling me that’s unnecessary.”

“You can always stay here at the hotel.” He arched a brow. “I hear they have plenty of rooms.”

“Thanks just the same.” She smiled and shook her head. “But I’m sticking to my guns on this.” She knew he knew what “this” meant. They’d discussed this topic via email several times already, and she’d made her position clear: She was not going to indulge in premarital sex, and that was that. They’d been there and done that before, even if it was a long time ago, and she was not going there again. Not without a marriage certificate this time. They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but Caroline was not an old dog!

He nodded. “Okay. I get it.”

“Anyway, Janie is in a situation and she needs our help.” Caroline turned off the car’s engine. “Plus, Marley is having a bit of a go of it right now. And for that matter, Abby and Paul need a little support too, which is why she wanted everyone at the inn on Christmas day.”

“Are all your friends falling apart?”

“No.” She frowned at him. “They’re just having some challenges.”

“And their challenges control your life?”

“No. But they’ve stood by me in my times of need, and with my mom I had plenty of needy times.

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