Chapter 3

 

Macy stared in the mirror and straightened her collar. The gray and white skirt and jacket fit her well. She looked professional, competent. And scared. She was going to have to do something about her expression. She forced a smile, but it appeared half-hearted, her blue eyes dull and the smile on her lips almost lop-sided. She sighed and reached for her lipstick. Maybe another dab would brighten her up a bit.

She passed Mr. Haggard in the hallway. He carried a hammer in one hand, strands of lights wound around his other arm. “Good morning,” she called.

He replied, but it was hard to understand with his mouth full of tacks.

 

 

***

 

 

Macy stepped out of the office door, and into the glass-fronted lobby of Packard Homes Industry. Another wasted interview, or so it had seemed. She was either over-educated, over-qualified, or lacking in the exact skills the job might call for. Whatever anyone was looking for, it wasn’t her. And she had a good idea her former pay had something to do with all the rejections. None could say she hadn’t been a good employee. An exemplary employee. But no one was going to match Mr. Holcombe’s pay scale. At least, not in this economy.

She had one more appointment today, and then she was off for the weekend. Maybe for a week. Maybe for the rest of her life. Going to interviews was starting to get her down. There seemed to be no light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe she should give it a rest until after the New Year. After all, it was only two weeks until Thanksgiving, and a nice, long visit with Aunt Alta might just be what she needed. She could help inside Aunt Alta’s store for the next week, or so.

A couple of weeks in Christmas Creek might cheer her up. Something stirred in her heart and she ignored it. Falling in love with a small town wasn’t exactly on her agenda. She had a living to make, and the pay scale in Christmas Creek was never going to add up to what she needed. But then, it wasn’t as expensive to live in Christmas Creek. It was something to think about.

She arrived at Parker’s Candy Palace on time. The interview was satisfactory, but, as usual, the job opening was closed for her. Though, the woman that did the interviewing did wish her well in her search. What was that old saying? If wishes were. . .something?

Her car started with the first turn of the key, and she turned toward home. Well, her temporary home. She would only stay in the apartment until her lease was up. That only left her a few weeks to find a new apartment.

She by-passed all of the eating places. Even with the year of salary from Mr. Holcombe to pad her expenses, she had to be careful. Eating lunch out was a no-no, at least for now. She pulled into the A&E Grocery store and parked. Time to stock up on more soup, salad, and sandwich supplies. It thundered overhead as she exited the car. She shook her head. Maybe Oklahoma City just wasn’t the place for her.

The phone was ringing as she inserted the key into her door. By the time she was inside, a voice talked into her answer machine. “Miss Colbert? This is Linda Mason, of Christmas Creek County Hospital. Your aunt, Alta Colbert is a patient of ours….”

Macy grabbed up the receiver. “Hello?” She swallowed hard and listened as the woman explained.

“Possibly a broken arm and sprained ankle. She’s having a CT scan at the moment and is in and out of consciousness, incoherent at times. Probably a concussion, and she is in pain, as they can’t give her any pain medication, just yet. The doctor feels there is a good prognosis for her, but it will be a few days.”

“If she’s conscious, please tell her that I’ll be there.” Macy glanced up at the clock, adding, “In a few hours, Mrs. Mason.”