asked you to the parade. Mike. How nice.”
Vanessa plucked the card back from her. “It’s a mess is what it is.” She opened the box and lifted the Crock-Pot from it. “I’m not sure if we should even eat this. What if he’s trying to poison me?”
“Vanessa. Don’t be ridiculous. You said yourself everyone in this town is nice.”
“Everyone but me. I gave his mother a package, encouraging her to take her retirement.”
“It’s not like you fired her.”
“No! I gave her a very nice severance package, and a bonus along with her earned retirement. Trust me, it’s better this way. There’s no telling where she’d land when the warehouse comes in. A lot of things could change, and not everyone is going to be as focused on the employees as I am. I was honestly trying to protect the two oldest, most senior people working for the company while I could.” She let out a sigh. The more she explained it the worse it sounded, even to herself. “Her son is overreacting. Totally unreasonable. He’s making me out to be the most uncaring person in the world.”
“I see. And this is the same unreasonable guy who left you this Crock-Pot of homemade soup?”
“It’s stew actually.” She folded her arms in front of her. “He’s just trying to make me feel bad now.”
Anna took a step back. “You don’t really believe that, do you?”
“Maybe I do. I don’t know. Great. Now you think I’m horrible too.”
Anna didn’t say a word; she simply took the Crock-Pot over to the counter and plugged it in. “No. I don’t, but I do think you’re overthinking that man’s intentions. The note says that he wants to meet you for the parade before it starts.”
“He was very mad at me yesterday. This doesn’t make sense.” She sat on the couch and dropped her head into her hands. “I know better than to get involved with people in these situations. What was I thinking?”
“That you might have some fun?”
“All the time I have for fun will be well spent with you.”
“Thank you, but I’ve been telling you that you need to get your priorities straight. I’m glad to be among them, but you’re letting work become your everything. Vanessa, you’re going to regret this down the road. Believe me. I know.”
“What exactly do you mean by that? I always thought you were so happy with your carefree lifestyle.”
Anna walked over and hugged her. “Everyone wishes they’d done something differently. The problem is the longer you avoid life, the harder it becomes to revisit those things in the future, no matter how badly you might want them.”
Vanessa could see the pain in Anna’s eyes. Had that always been there?
“Don’t ask for details, just take into consideration the suggestions I’ve made. I only want the best for you. Your momma would want that too.”
Blinking back tears that always came when she thought about Mom, she nodded. “I’m so grateful you’ve always been there for me.”
“You’re welcome. Now let’s get some rest. It’s been a long day,” Anna said.
They turned off most of the lights and went to their rooms. From between the crisp white sheets of the king-size bed, Vanessa said, “Good night, Anna. I love you.”
“I love you too. This is the best Christmas gift you could ever give me.”
Vanessa closed her eyes, thinking about what things she should be focusing on aside from work. Her mind was blank.
* * *
The next morning, Vanessa awoke after the best rest she’d had in a long time. It seemed to be very early, but when she checked her phone, she found that it was nearly eight. The heavy curtains had fooled her into thinking it was still dark out. Today was Saturday, thank goodness. She slipped her feet into slippers. The smell of fresh coffee hit her as soon as she stepped into the hallway.
“Good morning, Anna,” she said, looking for her.
She made a cup of coffee and turned on the fireplace. Outside everything was white. A light snow had fallen overnight. She watched birds flutter through the nearly bare trees outside the windows.
Suddenly, Anna strutted past the window, her hands shoved deep into the pockets of her bright red coat. The door eased open, and Vanessa sat on the couch watching as Anna tiptoed through the entry hall, pulling her scarf from her neck.
“Happy snow day,” Vanessa said.
“You scared the bejeebies out of me. But yes. It’s wonderful. It snowed last night. It took everything I had not to