Sheila paced her room, thinking about Tucker and her change in plans. They’d be leaving Saturday morning together. Natalie was never going to believe this.
Things are moving so fast. Too fast?
Don’t read too much into it.
He’s another man who wants children. Why set myself up for a replay of what happened with Dan? But there are other ways to have children in your life. Is it really a deal breaker? Was it even the reason Dan left? He said it wasn’t. Oh, Mom, how I wish you were still yourself. I need you so much right now. My life is just not what I thought it would be by now.
She needed to talk to Natalie about this.
She swept the tears from her face and pulled herself together. She grabbed her coat and raced outside before Orene could catch her and see that she’d been crying, and drove toward Natalie’s cabin. The roads were so dark, and she remembered Natalie telling her not to drive up the mountain in the Tesla, but this was an emergency.
This wasn’t something she could text or tell her on the phone, though. Butterflies batted around in her belly, making her drive a little too fast, but the Tesla hugged the curves as she headed out past town to the mountain.
All of a sudden, she wondered if Natalie was even at the cabin, or if she was at Randy’s house.
Sheila pulled over and texted Natalie.
SHEILA: Are you home?
NATALIE: At Randy’s. Come over.
Sheila turned the car around to head back to Randy’s, hoping she wouldn’t pass Tucker on the way. If there was one thing about a bright red Tesla, it didn’t fade into the background. There’d be no mistaking it was her.
She held her breath all the way to Randy’s driveway.
Natalie stood at the door waiting. “What’s up?” she asked. “Is everything okay?”
“I don’t know. My plans changed.”
“Is something wrong? Is your mom okay?”
“She’s never fine anymore, and that makes me sad. But I’m overwhelmed. Tucker wants to go with me. I said yes. I think things might be really good.” She blushed, trying to contain her excitement. “I don’t know. Is this a bad idea?”
“What?” Natalie’s eyes danced. “And that’s why you’re frantic? Get in here.” She waved Sheila inside. “Oh gosh. You are in a state.” She hugged her, and Sheila cried again.
“Are all these tears about Tucker?” Natalie asked.
Sheila looked around for Randy. “Is Randy here?” she whispered.
“No. He’s next door helping them with something.”
Sheila sat down and lowered her face into her hands. “I think I really like Tucker.”
“You think?” Natalie scooted closer. “That’s great.”
“I don’t know. He lives here.”
Natalie grinned. “But so do I. It could be perfect.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It’s still early and we’re getting to know each other…”
“Y’all kissed. I can see it all over your face!” Natalie danced in her chair.
“I did not say that. Besides, isn’t it too soon for him to be coming to Virginia Beach with me?”
Natalie’s eyes widened. “To visit your mother, and your sister? Who is to say what’s too soon. I mean, better for him to know everything out of the gate, right? It’s your life. Oh, Sheila, I know how much it hurts to see your mother like that. It’s not an easy situation. It’ll be nice to have company.”
“He’ll probably never want to see me again after that.”
“He’s interested. That says something, and men process differently than we do. This is Christmas magic. Did you wish on a snow globe or something?” Natalie teased.
“No, but we bought his Christmas tree together last night, and I did some wishing on the hayride, and over s’mores at Joe’s tree farm.”
“Isn’t that romantic? I know you enjoyed that. Sheila, you can trust him.”
“Can I trust me?” Because right now that was her bigger problem. What seemed like a fun way to spend the holiday was beginning to feel like a very big hope for something more, and that was scary. “I don’t even know what I really want. I thought I did, but now I don’t.”
“Yes. You can trust your heart. I’m happy for you. It’s okay to not put all your eggs in your career basket. You work too much. You need to live.”
“Work is safe. I’m in control of that. I’m scared.”
“Being scared means you care.” Natalie got up and came back with a glass of water. “Here. Take a sip and settle down. This is all wonderful. You do not need to worry.”
Sheila took in a breath.
“So, you’re leaving tomorrow night?”
“No, we’re going to drive early Saturday morning, but we might stop in Richmond at my house on the way back.”
“That’s good. It means he wants to understand where you live too.”
“You think?”
“Absolutely. Or that might be the point where you can’t trust yourself. He is super hot.”
“I know! Oh gosh, but it’s not the superficial stuff. It’s him. All of him that is so amazing. I mean, he’s coming with me to see Mom, and you know how depressing that is.”
“I know. I’m so sorry you’re going through all of that, and it’s been such a long struggle for her. Do you want to stay here tonight? We have an extra bedroom here at Randy’s. You know that.”
“No. I’m more comfortable in my room at Orene’s.”
“I thought you and Tucker were getting close. I could see it in his demeanor, but I just wasn’t sure what was in your head.”
“Too many things, apparently,” Sheila said. “Hopefully, I can clear it a little on my way back. Wish me luck.”
“You don’t need it,” Natalie said.
On Saturday morning, Tucker drove over to Orene’s.
“You’re right on time.”
“You ready?”
“I am.” She tossed him her keys. “You’re driving so I can sleep, right?” She was only teasing, but he caught the keys mid-air.
“My pleasure.”
She hadn’t really expected that response. Dan had always complained about early morning driving, so she’d always been the one to drive on family trips.
Tucker took the wheel, and they headed east.
He was a good driver and she had no problem drifting off to sleep. By by the time she woke up, they were already halfway there. “You’re making good time,” she said, looking at the navigation panel. “Need me to drive some?”
“Not unless you want to. I’m fine,” he said.
She opened her bag and handed him a protein bar. “Hungry?”
“Thanks.” He opened it and took a bite.
“I appreciate you driving. The worst thing about visiting Mom is the long drive.”
“Driving is relaxing for me,” he said.
“What is your schedule for work? I can’t seem to figure it out.”
“That’s probably partly because I hang out around the fire station when I’m not on duty, and when I’m on duty, I’m still out and about town keeping tabs on things. We work one day on, day off, second day on, day off, third day on, then four days off before starting the whole cycle all over again.”
“What if they need you? You couldn’t exactly race back to the scene of a fire five hours away.”
“One thing I learned early on was that a good fire chief always builds a team of people who can operate successfully without him. I’m there for my team, but I also know that those times when I’m away and they step in, they are prepared.”
“As should any good leader in any industry, but I’m going to say that it’s always hard for me to let go of the reins. I do try,” Sheila admitted.
“You’ve got to do it for your people. They need to know they’ve earned your trust and let them prove you can count on them.”
It was good advice and something she readily agreed she needed to work on.
“I’m going to call in an order for a corsage so we can pick it up on the way in.” She pulled out her phone and started searching for florists.
“No need. A deal is a deal. I got one yesterday. It’s in my bag.”
“You did?”
“I did. My friend whipped up a pretty wrist corsage. It has a red and white rose and a fancy ribbon. I think she’ll like it. It’s very Christmassy.”
“That is too sweet.” She’d only been joking that he had to get one. She always bought one special for Mom for the day. No matter how good or bad the day was, Mom always perked up with the flower corsage. “Thank you.”
Thirty minutes later, they turned in to the parking lot of the Hilltop. “This really isn’t much of a hill.”
“You’re right. Not compared to Chestnut Ridge. But it’s high to the flatlanders here at sea level.”
“Seems like a popular place today.”
“It’s always well attended.”
He parked and then turned and looked at her without a word, making her nervous. She almost wondered if he was going to say he wasn’t coming in. That would’ve been such a Dan thing. Her ex pulled those shenanigans all the time.
He leaned over and kissed her softly on the cheek. “Sheila, I really am glad to be here with you today. I haven’t enjoyed someone’s company like this in a long time.”
She knew how he felt, but if she uttered even a single word, she was afraid she’d cry. Happy tears, but tears nonetheless, and she had no intention of doing that. She simply nodded and smiled. “Let’s do this.” She got out of the car and took in a deep breath.
He took her hand as they walked inside.
“A lot of these people don’t visit except Christmas and birthdays,” she explained. “I understand. It’s so hard on the days they don’t even recognize you, but if there’s any teensy chance of her understanding she is loved, or reliving a special memory, I want to be there to help make that happen.”
“How often do you come?”
“It’s been less often the last few months. But I try to get there every other week. It’s only a two-hour drive from my house, but she sleeps a lot. I found I was only spending any real time with her less than half the times I went. My sister lives right there. She keeps me posted, and I call often.”
“That’s got to be hard.” He pushed the button to open the doors, but she didn’t move. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” But even she knew it didn’t sound convincing.
“If you’d feel better if I didn’t come in, it won’t hurt my feelings. It’s okay. I know I kind of filibustered you into letting me come. If you’re uncomfortable…” He paused. “I was kind of looking forward to giving my new friend that pretty corsage.”
She cocked her head, unable to hold back her grin.
“And see that show. I do a pretty good Carol Channing too.” He raised a hand in the air as if he might even demonstrate.
“Oh no. Please don’t. Let’s go inside. I’m fine. Really.”
He laughed all the way in the door, where they were checked in by one of the nurses and given lanyards with their names in big, bold letters.
Sheila scanned the room for her mother, but didn’t see her right away.
“They may not have brought Mom out yet. I usually help her down. Let’s go check.”
“I’m right on your heels.”
He smiled and said hello to everyone they passed.
A couple of the nurses she’d known for a long time gave her that “aha” eyebrow raise, and that felt pretty good. Tucker was a good-looking man, and dressed in khakis and a button-down shirt as blue as his eyes and a fun Santa tie he was hunkier than Mr. December on the fireman calendar.
“Nice facility,” he commented.
“One of the best in the area.”
When they got to her mother’s room, MS. CYNTHIA ALDRIDGE was printed on the placard outside the door.
Sheila tapped twice on the door, which was partially closed. “Knock, knock.” Sheila stepped through the door. “Mom? Hello?”
The nurse’s face lit up. “Miss Aldridge. Look who’s here to go to the party with you,” she said to Sheila’s mom, who was sitting in a wheelchair with her hands clenched in her lap. “Look who just walked in.”
Her mother wouldn’t turn her head.
The nurse tried to be encouraging. “She’s not really in the mood for a party today, but I promised her she’d have fun. Do you remember how much she enjoyed it last year?”
“I do,” Sheila said. “Mom? It’s me, Sheila.” She placed her hand on her mother’s shoulder. “I’m here to go to the party with you.”
The nurse looked apologetic.
“You look very pretty. Is that a new outfit?” She knew it was, because she’d mailed it especially for this a couple of weeks ago.
Cynthia turned, her green eyes searching Sheila’s for a long moment. “You look like my daughter. I have two daughters.”
“I’m sure they love you very much.”
“Yes.” But her mother’s attention had moved on. A playful smile made her lips tremble slightly. “Do I know you?”
“No ma’am,” Tucker said. “Not yet. I’m Tucker. It’s almost Christmas. My favorite time of the year and I was excited to come to the party. I brought you something to wear. May I?”
Her mouth formed an O and her eyes danced. She shot an excited glance at the nurse and then to Sheila. “I love presents.”
Sheila nodded. “Me too.”
Tucker didn’t miss a beat. He swept the clear box from behind his back and presented it to Mom. Then he took a knee and slipped the wrist corsage on her slight arm. “It looks very pretty. Merry Christmas, Ms. Aldridge.”
“Thank you, Tucker. That’s such a fun name.” She repeated it in a little song. “Tucker, tuck, tuck, tucker, tuck.”
Sheila’s heart jumped. It was a big deal for Mom to remember a name, even just a moment later.
Mom plucked at one of the petals of the flower. “What kind of flowers are these?”
Tucker said, “The kind to guarantee a smile.”
She lifted her fingers to cover her lips as she tittered. “You’re a very nice man.” Her tiny shoulders folded in as she enjoyed the attention. “And very handsome.”
His cheeks colored. “Thank you, ma’am. Coming from a striking woman like yourself, that makes my day.”
“Shall we go show him off?” the nurse said hopefully.
Mom nodded. “Most definitely. The others will be so jealous.”
Joy rose in Sheila’s heart. It was good to see Mom this happy.
“Wheelchair or the rollator?” the nurse asked, although she was already sitting in the wheelchair.
“I can walk,” she insisted. “But wheel me down, please.” The nurse stepped behind the wheelchair and navigated the old woman through the doorway.
They shuffled along until they got caught behind a crowd of nurses and patients.
Tucker stepped next to the nurse. “I’d be happy to wheel her down. Looks like you have your hands full today.”
“That would be great. Yes. Thank you.” The nurse turned to Sheila and hugged her. “It’s so good to see you. I was really doubtful she’d give in today. I was so worried you’d be disappointed, but we just never know.”
“Please don’t ever feel bad about that. I understand and I appreciate you being here with her all the time. Thank you so much.”
“Your family is very special to me.”
“We love you like family. Cassie will be here on Christmas Day, but I brought you a little something. I know they say we can’t do this, but if you don’t take it, I’m putting it in your car, so just tuck it in your bra and say thank you, okay?” She slipped a tiny envelope into the nurse’s hand.
“Merry Christmas. So nice to meet you, Tucker.”
Sheila looked at her mother, sitting demurely with her hands in her lap. And although that lost look was still there in her gaze, she looked happy at the moment.
Tucker pushed the wheelchair toward the activities, again greeting people in the kindest way as they wove between workers, a Santa in full getup, and other patients heading to the large community room where piano music was already filtering out into the hall. Tucker commandeered a spot for the three of them near the makeshift stage.
Sheila sat in the chair next to Mom’s wheelchair. Mom reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. A treasured moment.
The show began, and Sheila was sniffling back tears as nonchalantly as possible as an elderly man played “O Christmas Tree” on a lap steel guitar. At the end of the instrumental, someone flipped the switch on the Christmas tree and it lit up.
Mom’s eyes lit up too, and she clapped and clapped, as did many of the others as if it were the first time they’d ever experienced a tree lighting.
One of the doctors pointed to the man with the lap steel, and he started playing again, the doctor leading them all, belting out three verses of “O Christmas Tree.”
Tucker, seated on the other side of Mom, reached behind Mom’s wheelchair and passed Sheila his handkerchief.
She took it with a smile, dabbing at her eye makeup, and feeling her heart rise into her throat as he rested his gentle hand on her shoulder.
For the next thirty minutes the staff led the entire group in the most popular carols. There was pitiful participation at first, but by the third song it was loud and quite fun.
The Carol Channing look-alike repeated her number from last year, and Tucker even wolf-whistled following her performance, which garnered a long gloved hand draped in his direction for a kiss, which he happily obliged.
“You are too much,” Sheila said.
“It’s joyful,” he insisted. “Where’s your Christmas spirit?”
“Alive and well, thanks to you,” she said.
An eighty-five-year-old man stepped to the piano. Although they’d announced that he’d be playing “Let It Snow,” he began playing “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head.” People didn’t seem to notice, though, and since others were dancing, Tucker asked Mom to dance.
Her eyes lit up, but she looked at Sheila for approval.
“It’s fine. Go on. He won’t let you get off-balance,” Sheila assured her.
Tucker took Mom’s frail hand and danced right there in front of her wheelchair. Mom beamed. Before the song was over, he bent down and whispered something in her ear. She nodded, and he gracefully spun her. The others clapped and cheered.
Sheila’s heart never felt so full.
The old man at the piano moved into a brilliant rendition of “Silent Night” with extra runs. He must’ve been an accomplished musician in his younger years.
Mom fell asleep in the wheelchair, so Sheila and Tucker wheeled her back to her room to tuck her back into bed.
They wrote on her whiteboard and left a piece of cake on her nightstand.
They shut the door behind them to leave, and Tucker stopped her to give her a hug. “I know this must be so difficult.”
“It is, but you made it really special. Thank you.”
“I’m glad I got to be here.” They left the Hilltop and stopped in at Cassie’s house, where she was hosting her annual holiday party for the entire neighborhood.
People were coming and going, and it took Sheila a few minutes squeezing between people to track down her sister in the throng of people.
“There you are. Sis?” Sheila carried a bag of small gifts for her sister and family. “Merry Christmas.”
“Sheila? I was hoping you’d have time to stop in. I’m so glad you’re here.” Cassie hugged her, then looked at Tucker. “Who is this?” Cassie gave her a curious and suspicious look.
“This is Tucker. He’s a really good friend of Natalie’s, and mine now.” Sheila emphasized “friend,” but she could already see Cassie’s wheels turning.
“Yes, we are.” Tucker smiled easily toward Sheila, then turned to Cassie. “Really nice to meet you. I see the resemblance between the two of you.”
Sheila sucked in a breath, satisfied with the day. “We just spent time with Mom. It went better than I could have hoped.”
“I’m so glad.” Cassie shook her head. “You just never know, I think that’s the hardest part. It’s been a tough week.”
“I don’t know how you deal with it every week.” Sheila hugged her sister. “This is so hard.”
“I know, but I’m glad you’re here, and even if Mom didn’t know it was you, I think in her heart she feels the connection.”
“She looked so happy.” Sheila was so thankful for the way things had turned out.
Cassie whispered into Sheila’s ear. “He’s so, so, so handsome. That probably made Mom happy too.”
Sheila swatted her away. “Not funny. We’re friends.”
“Seriously? Get that.” Cassie’s eyes widened. “I’m not joking.”
Thankfully Sheila’s nephew raced into the room right at that moment, and she didn’t have to comment.
“Aunt Sheila!” He wrapped himself around her in a big hug. “Merry Christmas.”
“You too, Kyle.” She handed him the bag she’d been carrying. “One present is for your mom and dad. Everything else is for you.”
Kyle leapt in the air, landed, and pumped his fist into the air. “No way!” His smile spread across his face when he took the bag and realized how heavy it was. “Thank you! I can’t wait to open them.”
“Hon, come meet Sheila’s friend Tucker,” Cassie said. Her husband, Bert, walked over and shook Tucker’s hand. It took only a sentence or two for them to fall into deep conversation, and they walked off talking.
Sheila took a moment to soak it all in, finally sharing everything from these last few days with her sister over a cup of eggnog.
Cassie said, “I don’t even care if this is forever, it’s just nice to see you dating someone. And he’s nice.”
“He is.”
“Can you help me refresh the dessert trays?” Cassie asked.
Sheila was already carrying a dish to refill the sausage balls, eating a couple on the way. “I’m on it.”
She heard Bert call over to Kyle. “Son, I have someone for you to meet. This is Aunt Sheila’s friend, Tucker. You won’t believe what he does for a living.”
“What?”
“He’s the fire chief.”
“No way. You’re a real live hero.” The little boy danced with excitement. “I want to be a fireman someday too.”
“Jackpot.” Cassie leaned in to Sheila. “Y’all just made his day. And you didn’t think to call me and tell me you’re dating a fireman?”
“I don’t even know if it’s anything. It’s very new,” Sheila whispered, but definitely feeling something as she watched Tucker so at ease with everyone. “He’s pretty great.”
“This is going to be Kyle’s best Christmas present, meeting a real fireman.” They watched as Tucker bent to get eye-to-eye with Kyle.
“I wish I’d known,” Tucker said. “I’d have brought you a hat. You get your Aunt Sheila to bring y’all to Chestnut Ridge someday. I’ll show you around the firehouse.”
“Can I slide down the pole?”
Sheila was glad to see that Tucker avoided ruining the little boy’s dream by admitting they didn’t have a sliding pole at their firehouse. It had been kind of a big disappointment for her too. Instead, he promised a ride in the fire truck and the chance to be the one to make the siren and lights come on.
“That child will never be the same,” Cassie said to Tucker. “You’re more important than Santa at this moment.”
“That should secure my spot on the nice list.” He gave Sheila an exaggerated glance. “She keeps trying to get me on the naughty list.”
“I do not. You just keep misbehaving.”
They noshed on the heavy hors d’oeuvres. Cassie always threw an amazing party, and this was the most fun Sheila had ever had at one. Dan had always bellyached his way through it, holing up in front of the television in the den. But this was different.
“We’ve got to hit the road,” Sheila finally said. “We haven’t decided for sure, but we were talking about possibly driving straight back tonight.”
“I’ll go get the car,” Tucker said. “I’ll pick you up out front.”
“Thanks, Tucker.”
Cassie said, “I’d move to the mountains for that guy too.”
“You would not, but he does seem too good to be true, doesn’t he?”
“Or just good. Don’t dismiss something wonderful when it lands in your lap.”
“It’s nuts. I know. Why are all the good ones already taken, or live in some horrible place?” Sheila shrugged. “If only he lived in Richmond.”
“Is Chestnut Ridge really so awful?” Cassie asked. “You said Natalie is happy there.”
“It’s not really that bad. It’s sort of charming. Just small.”
“And what’s more important? Population or the perfect relationship?”
Her sister always had a way of getting to the nitty-gritty, pushing personal agendas and noise out of the way to get to the real point. “I do also have a business to consider.”
“But do you really? You could sell houses anywhere, and this guy would make pretty babies with you. He’s hot!” She fanned herself. “I mean like fireman-calendar hot.”
“Babe. Standing right here,” Bert said.
“Sorry, honey. You’re super hot too.” Cassie patted his cheek, then turned to Sheila and rolled her eyes. “Don’t discount this,” she said. “You are wonderful. I want you to have everything I have in a relationship. Just keep your options open.”
“Okay, okay.” Sheila stepped back. “Don’t push. Like, seriously, we had our first date a week ago.”
“Well, you wouldn’t know it. It’s like y’all have known each other for years.”
“You should’ve seen him with Mom,” Sheila said. “She was smitten, and he was so patient and kind.”
“We both know that’s a lot easier when you’re not having to do it twenty-four/seven. She’s in a good place there.”
“I know. I’m sorry I gave you such a hard time about it. I understand now. I do. I promise. Can we put all of those bad scenes behind us?”
“Already behind us, Sheila. I love you. Sisters fight. Families suffer. It’s part of the ride. It’s really good to see you looking so happy.”
“It feels good.”
“Merry Christmas, and good luck with Tucker.” Cassie handed her a small box. “This is just a little something from us. Merry Christmas.”
“You didn’t have to do that.” Sheila hugged Cassie, Kyle, and Bert and then headed outside, where Tucker was waiting in the car.
She waved as she walked down the sidewalk, so thankful for this new friendship, and filled with hopes and dreams she thought might never be possible for her.
“Want to go to the mountains or your house?” he asked.
“Let’s go back to Chestnut Ridge,” Sheila said, “where it feels like Christmas.”