Marriage Matters - By Cynthia Ellingsen Page 0,161

in all that wedding stuff . . .”

“I still cared about school. But Geoff taught me to relax, to slow down.” She grinned, thinking of the day he’d said that to her. The day she’d first seen him in those silly green sweatpants. “Yes, things have still been crazy busy but I feel like I’m finally taking time to look around, you know? To see the things that matter.” She let out a breath, thinking of all the fun times with Ben she’d taken for granted. “Maybe I don’t have a sparkly diamond anymore, but at least I have a life.”

Kevin nodded. “I feel a little responsible for all that. For setting a bad example.”

“You sound like Mom,” Chloe groaned. Reaching across the table, she grabbed his hand. “Whatever happens between you two,” she said, trying to keep the tremor out of her voice, “you’ll still be my dad. Obviously.”

For the second time that morning, she could swear her father choked up. Jumping to his feet, he picked up their dirty plates and rinsed them in the sink. After loading them into the dishwasher, he said, “I love you, too, Chloe. You and your mother.” He let out a sigh. “And June.”

“It’s not too late.” Chloe bit her thumbnail. Her mother had seemed so sad last night, so lost. “To talk to her.”

Kevin wiped his hands on the kitchen towel. “Oh, I’m gonna do more than that.”

“What do you mean?” Chloe sat up straight.

Kevin closed the dishwasher and leaned against the counter.

“Well . . .” He smiled. “Let’s just say I’ve still got a little something up my sleeve.”

Seventy-eight

That morning, after the dishes from the breakfast brunch were put away, June looked at her watch. “My, my,” she said. “Is it that time already?”

“What time is that, Mom?” Kristine was reading a book by the fire, her legs tucked up underneath her. She looked so cozy that June almost hated to disturb her. Almost.

“I simply . . .” June’s hands fluttered. “I still have one Christmas wish that hasn’t been met.”

Charley eyed her over the top of his glasses. “Oh?”

June reached over and clasped his hand. “Yes. I would love to do some private shopping at The Places You’ll Go. Since Bernice and Rose are going to step in as bridal matrons, as I will be all alone at the altar . . .” She shot her best wounded look at Kristine. “I need to get them a thank-you present.”

Kristine slid a bookmark into her book and set it on the table. “Of course.” She stretched and looked out at the obviously chilly day. “Did you want to go now?”

June looked at her watch. “Yes. I think now sounds like a great idea.”

* * *

When Kristine pulled the car into her parking space in the alley, it took some fussing to get everybody out. She watched with affection as Charley got out first, testing to see whether or not the sidewalk was slick, before taking June’s hand and helping her. The two clung to each other, shivering, as Kristine unlocked the store.

When they walked in, she stopped in surprise. The place smelled like cranberries and cinnamon. Kristine wondered if someone had left a candle or a potpourri burner on. Or maybe, Annie had decided to ignore the holiday altogether and just do some work. “Hello?” she called. “Is someone here?”

“Hi, Mom,” Chloe called. “Merry Christmas!”

Chloe! What was she doing here? Kristine had assumed her daughter had gone to Kevin’s that morning. Instead, she must have been here, putting together some sort of a holiday surprise.

“You tricked me.” Kristine turned and shook a finger at June. “I knew that the sudden urge to shop for presents was a little suspicious.”

June gave a tight little smile. “Yes,” she said. “Perhaps I did. Now, go see.”

“Mom?” Chloe called again.

Shaking her head at their exploits, she followed the direction of her daughter’s voice. She wondered what type of present they had pulled off for the store. Maybe it was . . .

Kristine stopped. Her daughter was standing next to the interior door that led to the attic upstairs. “Merry Christmas.” Chloe was beaming, her eyes bright and dancing. “Go on up.”

“To the attic?” Kristine said. “I don’t know if it’s safe . . .”

“Trust me,” Chloe said. “You’ll be just fine.”

June nodded. “We’ll be right here if you need us.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Kristine walked up the stairs, intrigued. The smell of cranberry and cinnamon got stronger. She pushed open the door and stared