A Valley Ridge Christmas by Holly Jacobs

Author:Holly Jacobs
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

“AND YOU DON’T even bother to call your own mother?” Maeve’s mom asked Sunday morning as half a dozen people showed up at the Culpepper house.

“Mom. What are you doing here?”

“Do you see my work clothes?” Renie Lorei was wearing faded jeans and an oversize flannel shirt over a black insulated one. She had on scuffed boots and a black knit hat that couldn’t quite contain her mane of hair. Maeve had watched her mom’s hair color fade over the years. She assumed hers would take the same route. That was okay with her because the gray had faded to straight-up white. It looked beautiful.

“Herm’s in his, too,” her mother said. “We’re here to work, obviously. Honey, you could give lessons in discretion to a Carmelite nun.”

Maeve didn’t understand the reference and it must have shown, because her mother explained. “They take a vow of silence.”

“Oh. I wasn’t not saying anything for a reason. Everything at the house has happened so fast. I thought it was going to be a solo project and then Aaron came on board, and next thing I know, people are showing up.” She still couldn’t believe the crowd. “When I came up with this idea, I didn’t realize how much work the house was going to take. Aaron said it has a solid structure. Well, that may be, but everything else is a mess. How did you find out?”

“Finn and Mattie mentioned it at church. I like the idea of working in shifts. Herm and I signed up from now until the cows need to be milked, so point me in a direction.”

“They’re tearing down drywall in the bedrooms.”

“Tearing down is so much easier than putting up, so I’m there.” Her mother stopped and kissed her cheek. “You’re a very good person, Maeve. Your father would be so proud.”

Her mom rarely mentioned her father and Maeve felt herself tear up.

“He was a good man,” her mother continued, “but he was a proud man. He never asked anyone for anything. Not even me. He’d rather work outside all day in subzero weather, than let me help. Pride can be a good thing, Maeve, but there’s nothing wrong with accepting help. There’s also nothing wrong with asking for help. Next time, pick up the phone and call me and Herm.”

“I will, Mom. I’m hoping I can get this set up so we can do one house a year. Then there will be plenty of opportunities to help.”

Her mother kissed her cheek. “Well, I’m off to start.”

Maeve watched as her mom joined everyone else in tearing down the drywall.

“You’ve got a lot of friends,” Aaron said, startling Maeve.

“Valley Ridge is a special town. I love how everyone’s pitching in to help Josie and Boyd. They’re practically strangers here, and yet the whole town’s taken them under its wing,” she said.

Aaron shook his head. “That’s part of it, but mainly, they’re here for you.”

Maeve kept silent and shrugged.

“What do you do for fun?” Aaron asked.

“I’m going to a wedding next weekend, so we’ll have to work around that.

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