Silent Stars of Bethlehem (O Little Town of Christmas) by Laura Hodges Poole

Author:Laura Hodges Poole [Poole, Laura Hodges]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-11-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

“Sit anywhere you’d like, dear.” Lottie handed Carly a small china plate holding a piece of pumpkin pie slathered with whipped cream. Although it was Thanksgiving, Lottie’s home looked like the holiday had collided with Christmas. Cornucopia and acorn-shaped salt-and-pepper shakers adorned her green-and-orange checked tablecloth. A porcelain Pilgrim couple perched on her buffet, and Christmas angels on her foyer table had tea lights surrounding them.

“Thank you.” Carly sat on the diminutive mauve sofa in Lottie’s living room that harkened back to yesteryear. A twinge caught in her throat as images of Grandma rose in her mind. “And not only for the pie but including me for Thanksgiving.”

“I wish you’d come for dinner.” Lottie settled in beside her after laying a tray filled with coffee, cream, and sugar on the table in front of them. A box marked ‘Christmas decorations’ sat in the corner, and a nativity scene had already been unpacked and displayed on her fireplace mantle.

“It’s okay. I went up to Baker’s Mountain and hiked the loop Tuesday, then had a busy day at the shop yesterday getting ready for Black Friday, so it was nice to sleep in. I’m anticipating a long day at the shop tomorrow, so the quiet today will be relaxing.”

“I guess my three boys and their kids wouldn’t have been very quiet.”

Carly laughed. “Probably not. Where are they, anyway?”

“Off to the in-laws.” Lottie settled back against the sofa. “By this time of day, I’m worn out, so it’s nice they come here first. They’ll come by tomorrow with my Christmas tree. Of course, I couldn’t resist unpacking the nativity and a few knickknacks. And they’ll fuss, but I’ll have the garland unpacked and some trimmings up before they get here. They think I should be saving my strength. For what? This is my favorite time of year. I’m not gonna waste a single minute of it.” Her smile spread to her sparkling eyes.

Carly couldn’t help but smile with her. Was there anything that didn’t bring this woman joy? She took another bite of the pie and savored the rich cinnamon-and-nutmeg flavor. “Did you do much of the cooking today?”

“No, they bring everything except desserts.”

Carly thought back to her own childhood and the Thanksgivings spent at her grandmother’s. Memories of a large turkey with cornbread dressing, stories about the olden days, playing with the few cousins she’d had back then flooded her mind. She frowned. Whatever happened to those kids, anyway? As her mother’s health declined, the family traditions had faded down to their little world. She couldn’t imagine Lottie’s family turning out like that. Not with her at the helm. “You’re building memories for the little ones.”

“Indeed, I am.” Lottie beamed. “So tell me where we are with the Christmas play.”

“With less than two weeks until the first performance, we’re in good shape. Everything’s been repainted, washed, or rebuilt.” Carly’s heart stirred when she thought of Drew working side by side with her on the project. She forked a piece of pie into her mouth.

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