A Flying Affair by Carla Stewart

Author:Carla Stewart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: FaithWords
Published: 2015-06-02T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Iris and Hayden breezed in three days before Christmas, their anticipated visit spurring Mittie’s mother into a whirlwind of shopping, decorating, and planning menus, her purpose renewed.

They arrived in a shiny late-model automobile, a cloud of dust in its wake. When Mittie saw them coming, she flew from the house, and yanked open the passenger-side door handle almost before Hayden rolled to a stop.

“How was your drive? I thought you’d never get here.” She took Iris’ hand and pulled her from the car, their arms around each other, both of them talking at once. Iris pulled back first and stood, arms wide open, looking toward the house.

“Oh, how I’ve missed this. And you and Mother and Daddy.”

“Merry Christmas, darling.” Their mother joined them. More hugs. A few tears. “Don’t you look smart? What a darling dress. I do believe married life agrees with you.”

Iris smiled, her chin quivering a bit as she said thank you. “Where’s Daddy?”

“I asked Bertha to fetch him from his study.” Her mother gave a finger wave and said, “Hello, Hayden. So glad you made it.”

Iris said, “Tell me: How’s Daddy doing? Back still okay?”

“A twinge here and again, and no matter how many times I urge him to rest, he just ignores me. It’s no secret who Mittie gets her stubbornness from.”

Iris gave Mittie one of her knowing looks, one that said it would do no good to argue. And although Iris did have a glow about her and looked perfectly stunning, there were puffs, like tiny pillows, below her eyes as if she’d been crying. When their eyes met, Iris looked away quickly.

“Where should I take our things, sweetheart?” Hayden stood like a porter in his starched shirt with a leather suitcase in each hand and a parcel under each arm.

Mittie’s mother said, “Here—let me help you.” She relieved him of the packages and told him everything was ready in the guest room.

Iris gave a start. “Oh, I thought we’d be in my room.”

“You’d have to share a bath with Mittie. I thought you’d need more privacy.”

Mittie said, “What Mother means is that she wouldn’t want me to see Hayden in his Skivvies.”

“Good gracious, Mittie. Watch your tongue. You’ll have Hayden hightailing back to Birmingham before we’ve even had Christmas.”

Iris shrugged. “Whatever you think about the room, but hon­estly, I’ve been looking forward to sleeping in my old bed.”

Hayden said, “I’m sure your mama is right, sugar. Why don’t you get your hatbox and my valise from the back while we carry these things up?”

Mittie said she’d help, and when her mother and Hayden were out of earshot, Mittie edged close to her twin. “What’s going on?”

Iris’ eyes widened in a startling blue. “Nothing is going on. However do you come up with these silly notions?”

She tossed the hatbox to Iris. “It’s not a notion. I can see it written on your face.” She grabbed the valise and a pile of coats from the rear seat and closed the door with her hip.

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