Chapter Thirteen

 

As the sleigh returned to the inn, Griff Caine and an attractive brunette stood on the front porch. Emma thanked the driver and gingerly tip-toed on the sidewalk, trying not to get her feet wet. “Merry Christmas,” she called.

“A sleigh ride for one?” Griff arched a dark eyebrow. “Where’s Jake?”

“At the hospital.” She stomped her snow-covered feet on the steps. “The surgeon on call has the flu. Another skier, unfortunately. A knee injury.”

After Griff introduced Emma to Remy, he ushered them inside. Remy took her baskets into the kitchen.

Emma took advantage of a moment alone with Griff in the foyer. “One day, when you have some time, I’d like to run an idea by you.”

“I’m listening.” He gave her his attention.

Oh, no. Not today. Emma’s mouth suddenly turned dry. She didn’t think she could squeeze out a word, let alone an idea. In no way was she prepared to discuss the camp idea. Pull it together, girl. When would she get another opportunity to speak to Griff privately?

“This may sound crazy, especially since the idea came to me last night in your barn.” Emma swallowed repeatedly. “I’m an unemployed social worker. For the past three years, I’ve worked with at-risk children at a hospital in New York. I want to explore the possibility of creating a summer camp experience for at-risk children, ideally, pulling them from urban areas. As you know from our conversation last night, my only camp experience is as a camper and counselor. Would you be willing to put me in touch with someone who could advise me on doing something like this?”

After meeting Griff, she’d checked him out online. He was a famous thriller writer, though she’d never read any of his books. He was an active environmentalist with his own charitable foundation, supporting schools in Africa, camps for special needs children, and college scholarships in math, science, and environmental studies.

Was she crazy to think for a moment a man like him would take her seriously or even give her his opinion on her camp idea?

“Passion is the most important part of any undertaking.” He smiled. “You seem to have it in abundance. So, tell me more.”

Oh, lord. She didn’t want to do this on the fly. “Modeling the camp after the former Rollicking Hills Camp would accommodate eight to ten campers a week. They would live in the main house. I think it would be a ten-week summer program. The emphasis would be on riding, horsemanship, being part of a team, and caring for an animal.”

“Basically, you want to know if you can get a grant or a charity to fund your summer operational expenses, right?” he probed with an encouraging smile.

“Exactly.” After looking at real estate listings online, she should have more than enough money from selling the apartment to buy and renovate an existing property.

“Basically, you are talking about a fairly small operation and purchasing or building a house to accommodate ten children. You might be able to make arrangements to rent horses for the summer instead of purchasing them outright and paying for their year-round care. Your operational expenses would be salaries for counselors, food services, transportation, and insurance. Naturally, you would have to meet Vermont state regulations and be licensed. I’m sure there are websites with a plethora of information, regulations, and camping associations.”

She could hardly wait to get through dinner to sequester herself in her room so she could start researching. After taking a few calming breaths, she answered, “Of course, I will do my due diligence.”

“I’ll have Maria Vasquez at my foundation contact you. We partially fund two camp programs. She can discuss appropriate funding sources for an operational grant. Are you thinking of locating it in this area?”

“Yes.” After her long talk with Mrs. Pennebeck when she delivered her gift, Emma looked at Haley with a fresh perspective.

First, she told Emma how Gran’s family figured into Haley’s history and how her great-great-grandfather built the town’s first lumber mill. Then, her gran, a former Haley mayor, bequeathed her beautiful blue Victorian home to the town for a visitor’s center. A sense of pride that her family had been a part of this town pleased Emma.

“Trent Jordan is a realtor who deals strictly with farm properties,” Griff said. “He pieced together six properties to create my farm. He’s discreet and knowledgeable. I can give him a call if you like.”

“Yes, please.” She almost bit her tongue to curb her escalating enthusiasm. “I have to go to New York for a couple of days. I’ll be ready to start looking as soon as I get back.”

She thanked the heavens she had come to Haley for Christmas. If she were still in the city, the idea of starting a summer camp would never have occurred to her.

“Excuse me.” Griff glanced at his phone. “It appears Mac and Lilly are getting their Christmas baby after all. They are on their way to the hospital.” He looked up at Emma. “I need to let Faith know.”

“Griff.” Emma touched his arm. “Can we keep this camp venture between us for now, not from Remy, of course.” Until her mother’s mortgage, co-op dues, and medical expenses were paid, an accurate balance of her remaining financial resources remained in question.

“No worries.” He put his hand on her back and guided her into the dining room.

Griff crossed the crowded dining room to Mrs. Pennebeck. “Mac texted me a minute ago. They are at the hospital. He insisted everyone should stay and enjoy a relaxing dinner. But if everyone rushes to the hospital, Lilly will be extremely put out.”

“Then we certainly will respect her wishes.” Mrs. Pennebeck patted his arm. “It is wonderful news.” She turned to face her guests. “Please, everyone, help yourselves.”

Emma was right behind Remy in line for the buffet. A delightful mix of enticing aromas greeted her. The elegant dinner buffet spanned two large sideboards. Front and center were the glistening brown turkey seated on a massive silver platter in a bed of fresh parsley and kumquats— a culinary work of art.

Mercy. Emma’s mouth watered at the sight of the silver casseroles of pecan-crusted sweet potato soufflé—one of her all-time favorites— corn pudding, cornbread stuffing, oyster dressing, and mashed potatoes all beautifully arranged on silver trivets. Apparently, riding in an open sleigh could make a person ravenously hungry because almost every dish in Mrs. Pennebeck’s feast appealed to Emma.

However, the roasted acorn squash and green bean casserole with walnuts and goat cheese were not at the top of her list, but, as her mother always taught her, it was impolite to the hostess not to at least take a two-bite portion, so she did.

Emma’s mouth watered as she and Remy went through the buffet. “You must be glad to have a day off from food preparation.” She ladled gravy over her mashed potatoes and helped herself to the cornbread dressing.

“Not really,” Griff said over Emma’s shoulder. “The acorn squash and the fancy green beans are Remy’s. She’s actually turned me into a veritable vegetable fan. I never thought the day would come when I like Brussel sprouts or beets.” He winked at Remy.

Catching the glint in his eyes as he gazed at his personal chef indicated there was more than food cooking between the two of them. Disappointed Jake wasn’t there to share Christmas dinner with Emma put a damper on her usual Christmas day enthusiasm. Why did she miss him so much when she’d been with him less than an hour ago?

No, you don’t, girl. He broke your heart once. You’re not going to put yourself through that kind of heartache again, sleigh ride or not.

Carrying her filled dinner plate, she walked around the long table until she found her place card edged in silver, with a sprig of holly and red ribbon. She set her plate on the white lace tablecloth and took her place next to Mrs. Pennebeck’s at the head of the table. A moment passed before she realized this was always her mother’s chair. The revelation brought on a swell of sadness and loss so thick she almost choked on it.

Come on, Emma. Not here, not now. Jumping up from the dinner table was not an option. Desperate to prevent a scene, she gouged her fingernails into her palms until they hurt. Then closing her eyes, she pressed even harder, refusing to stop until the pain overtook her emotions.

When she opened her eyes, Charlie observed her from the other end of the table. Even though her lips were trembling, she forced a smile, which he promptly returned. Remembering her conversation with Mrs. Pennebeck yesterday before the party— when she revealed the history of Charlie and her mother— Emma realized Charlie was missing her mother too.

Knowing he and Mrs. Pennebeck shared her grief somehow made it more bearable and less lonely. Charlie, with his white hair, merry blue eyes and rosy cheeks, was such a beautiful, kind man. How could her mother have picked George over him?

Mrs. Pennebeck was the last one to take her seat. Elegant in a fitted scarlet lace blouse with a high collar, ruby earrings sparkling in the candlelight with each bob of her beautifully coiffed head, she was the consummate hostess.

“Please join hands for a prayer of thanks,” Mrs. Pennebeck said. “Charlie?”

After his brief toast, including a special blessing for the new baby, the clatter of silverware, clinking crystal, and the hum of dinner table conversation lightened the mood.

After the clatter of silverware grew silent, Helen began clearing the table.

“As I am standing in for Lilly’s mother,” Mrs. Pennebeck said, “I will excuse myself and head to the hospital. Lilly’s mother and her new husband are on an around-the-world honeymoon cruise. Lilly refused to let them cancel. The desserts are on the sideboard. Helen will serve coffee and after-dinner drinks. If you would prefer to have them in the main parlor, she will serve you there.”

“Mrs. Pennebeck,” Emma asked, “could I go with you? Since Jake missed dinner, I would like to take him a plate of food.”

~ * ~

Still in scrubs, Jake hurried to labor and delivery as soon as he learned Lilly was admitted. As he left the elevator, Emma was the first person he saw. The big smile on her face was the best Christmas present he’d ever received.

“Hi. I didn’t expect to see you here.” He gave her a quick hug, then saw the cooler on the table. “For me?”

“Yes.” She unzipped the hot pack. Delicious aromas of Christmas dinner wafted in the air. “Courtesy of Mrs. Pennebeck. Turkey and all the trimmings. Dessert will be waiting back at the inn.”

The party awaiting the arrival of baby MacQueen was expanding. In addition to Mrs. Pennebeck, Remy and Griff, Lilly’s stepdaughter, Betsy, Mac’s brother and sister-in-law and several others Jake didn’t know were present.

He hit the hand sanitizer on the wall before sitting at a table with Emma. After unpacking his dinner, she sat with him while he savored the excellent feast.

Mrs. Pennebeck stopped by their table. “Wonderful. I love to see a man enjoying a meal with gusto.”

He started to stand. She waylaid him with a hand on his shoulder. “Stay put. Enjoy your dinner.”

He put his fork on the plate and wiped his mouth with the damask cloth napkin packed with his dinner. “Mrs. Pennebeck, this is the most incredible Christmas dinner I’ve ever tasted. This might be the beginning of a new holiday tradition for me—Christmas dinner at your table. So go ahead and book a room for me for next year. Heck, the next ten years. I’m in.” He could tell by the sudden bloom of color on her cheeks his hostess was pleased with the compliment.

“Would you two do me a favor?” She looked from Jake to Emma. “Please call me Faith. Mrs. Pennebeck makes me sound like a doddering old lady.”

“I will try, Mrs. P….I mean Faith.” Emma took the older woman’s hand and gently squeezed it.

“I’m going to check on Lilly. A Christmas baby. It is marvelously exciting.” Faith bustled toward the nurses’ station.

Alone once more, he turned to Emma. “I was able to adjust my surgery schedule and traded my on-call duty with another doctor. So if it works for you, we can pack your apartment day after tomorrow.”

“Thank you.” She smiled at him. “We can get in and out of the city well before New Year’s Eve.”

“Good. Then the day after tomorrow?” He stood, rubbing his neck, trying to work out a few post-surgery kinks. “I’ve got a patient in recovery I need to check on. It shouldn’t take more than fifteen minutes. If you want to return to the inn, I’ll get someone to run us back since the sleigh isn’t available.”

Emma giggled. “I don’t know. You’re a rather good customer. The owner might give you a frequent rider deal.”

“That’s my girl.” Jake chuckled.

He would never tire of Emma’s beautiful smile or her silly sense of humor. He ached to hold her in his arms again. Patience, Cutter. She is worth the wait and about anything else, she would put him through. It pleased him that she’d brought him Christmas dinner tonight. Compared to their hostile reunion at the inn a few days ago, his chances of winning her back were looking up.