[08] The Diva Wraps It Up by Davis Krista

Author:Davis, Krista [Davis, Krista]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2014-06-03T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Dear Natasha,

I have elegant china for our formal Christmas dinner. But breakfast always looks too much like it does every other day. How can I spark up my white plates to make it feel like Christmas?

Plain Jane in Spruce, Michigan

Dear Plain Jane,

Sew chair wraps with each person’s name machine-embroidered on the back. Add matching napkins, and tie ribbons of a coordinating color on the handles of all the breakfast mugs.

Natasha

I located three pork tenderloins in the fridge. They didn’t take long to cook and were always soft and juicy. I had bought cranberries on a whim, but they would make a great sauce. In minutes, I had potatoes boiling in a pot, and the pork tenderloins browning in a pan.

I had baked three Linzer tortes in anticipation of my family visiting for Christmas. I pulled one out of the freezer to let it thaw for dessert.

When Twiggy came downstairs, I asked, “What veggies will Kat eat? Peas? Carrots?”

“She loves peas.” Twiggy bit the corner of her lip. “I don’t mean to offend you, but plain. No seasonings.”

“Not a problem. How’s she doing?”

“I’ve told her that her mom went to sing with the angels. That might not have been the best thing to say. She seems to think her mom is going to be in a Christmas choir. I think Baxter is the one who should explain it to her, but he’s in no shape to do it now. Maybe in a day or two.”

“That poor little girl. My heart just bleeds for her.” Liza sniffled. “Imagine losing your mother so young. It’s lucky you’re close to her and can comfort her.”

Twiggy glanced at the stairs, her forehead furrowed. She whispered, “Gwen wasn’t a very attentive mother. Half the time she didn’t even brush Kat’s hair. Jonah and I love Kat, but honestly, Gwen used us as free babysitters. We said we’d watch her one day, and then she brought her by another day, and before we knew it, Kat was with us every afternoon.”

“Free day care. That sounds like Gwen,” Liza sighed. “Everything was all about her. Wonder what she was doing while you were taking care of Kat.”

The kitchen door opened. Patty gazed at us in surprise. “Oh! I hope I’m not interrupting anything. Gosh, it smells good in here. And the blazing fire and Christmas lights. Aww, I wish I could be over here with you guys. I came to get my glasses so I can see when I take out my contact lenses.”

“We were just talking about Gwen,” said Twiggy. “How are your children coping?”

“It’s so hard to tell with teens. Bradley wanted to go out with friends. This is the first time someone close to them has died, you know? Sooner or later, it’s going to hit them that she’s not coming back. They know it, but I don’t think it has sunk in completely with Bradley yet.”

Nina handed her a glass of wine.

“Thanks! I’m furious with Gwen.” Patty gasped and clapped her hand over her mouth.

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