Dearly Loved (24 page)

Meredith sputtered in shock. David slapped her on the back. “You choking on something, Honey?”

“Just the price,” she hissed.

The man had begun to cut the tree with a chain saw and didn’t hear her. A few minutes later, the two men had the tree roped to the top of David’s Jeep. After David paid the man, they got back into the Jeep and drove away.

She shook her head. “You got snookered. Big time. That tree will be dead within the week.”

“Have a little more faith, Merrie. It just needs some TLC.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Why do you want a tree? Are you even going to be home?”

“No, I volunteered to work on Christmas. No sense in giving a single guy the day off when there are people there with families. Besides, the tree is not for me. It’s going in at your house.”

For a split-second, Meredith admired David’s kindness in volunteering to work on Christmas. It was short lived when he mentioned the tree and her house in the same sentence. “No way. It’s a fire hazard. And I’m working on Christmas, too.”

“Well, let’s just resolve to enjoy it while it lasts.”

She gave him a startled glance. Was there a double meaning in his words? She looked down at her hands. Double meaning or not, there was truth to his statement.

When they returned to her house, Meredith felt self-conscious with David dragging a glorified twig through her door at eight in the morning. What would the neighbors think?

“Do you have a tree stand?” David asked when he got it into the living room.

She shook her head. “I usually just decorate a tree outside with stuff for the birds to eat.”

“How about an empty coffee can?”

Meredith went to the kitchen and returned a short time later with a can. David got some rocks from outside and together they got the tree upright, using the rocks to wedge and balance it in the can.

While David stood admiring the effect, Meredith went to the hall closet and came back with a threadbare blanket. She spread it out around the base of the tree. Then, she snapped her fingers and went into the kitchen. She came back with a paper star cut out of yellow construction paper. Meredith taped the star to the top of the tree and spread out her hands with a flourish.

“It’s perfect,” she breathed. “It now looks exactly like Charlie Brown’s tree.”

David pretended to pout. “Why do I get the feeling I’m being mocked?”

“David, look at it! Any minute it’s going to sag and lose half its needles.”

“Where do you keep your music? We need a little Christmas cheer.”

She motioned to a small antique cabinet. David opened the doors and rummaged through her CD collection. In a few minutes the voice of Doris Day singing
Silver Bells
filled the room.

He went into her kitchen. “Hey, do you have ingredients for hot cocoa?”

His enthusiasm was infectious. She entered the kitchen. “Do you want the real thing? Or should we make the pre-fab stuff in the envelopes in honor of the tree?”

David grinned. “The real thing. By the way, where do you keep your ornaments?”

“In the garage. You’ll see a labeled box. But I really don’t have that many. Mostly just some old stuff from when I was a kid.”

David disappeared while Meredith heated whole milk in a pan.
I’m getting too much out of this
. She remembered what he said about enjoying the moment.
Why can’t I just loosen up and have a good time while it lasts? After all, nothing lasts forever. Right?

She took a deep breath, resolving to take pleasure in David’s company for a few hours and leave it at that. So what if they didn’t live happily ever after? At least she’d have some memories to keep her company in the long spinster years ahead. Meredith grinned at her dramatic thoughts. She added extra chocolate and sugar to the cocoa.

A few minutes later, she loaded a tray with two steaming cups of cocoa and a plate of cookies from a package in the pantry. She found David on the floor in the living room next to the tree, just opening the ornament box. She set the tray down on the coffee table and joined him by the box.

They spent the next hour sipping cocoa and hanging ornaments on the tree. At the bottom of the box, David found a handmade ornament. It was a picture of him cut in an oval shape and bordered with red glitter. A hole had been punched into his head and threaded with a green piece of yarn. He held it up to Meredith, his brow quirked.

“I’m starting to see a trend here. I’m glad you cared.”

Meredith knew her face was as red as the glitter on the ornament. “It was at that maturity thing I mentioned earlier.”

“Ah,” he said. He turned and hung it on the tree with the greatest deference. “Now it’s perfect.”

She had to admit the tree had improved somewhat in appearance. The colored lights glowed among the gangly branches and a myriad of old-fashioned and homemade ornaments helped to fill in the empty spaces between the limbs. David reached out and took her hand, pulling her to his side. When she came near, he wrapped his arm around her and gazed into her eyes.

“Thanks for humoring me, Merrie. I had a lot of fun.”

Meredith laid a tentative hand on his chest and smiled up at him. “I had fun, too.”

When she saw that he was going to kiss her, she didn’t stop him, reminding herself to enjoy each moment with him. She closed her eyes and returned his cocoa-flavored kiss, matching his gentle fervor.

His watch alarm sounded. David groaned against her lips and raised his head. “I have to go. I set the alarm so I wouldn’t lose track of time and be late for work.”

“Oh,” Meredith said, desperately disappointed.

Before releasing her, he grazed her cheek with the back of his hand. “The station is having a Christmas party on the twelfth. Will you come with me?”

Without hesitation, she nodded. “Yes.”

David’s smiled broadly. “Good.” He pressed his lips once more against hers and released her. Grabbing his coat off the side of the couch, he waved and disappeared out the front door.

She went to the window and watched him go, her lips still tingling from his kiss. She could admit she’d loved every moment with him this morning, however temporary—but in the end, would it be enough?

Eighteen

Saturday afternoon, Meredith wiped her hands on a kitchen towel and answered a knocking on her door. “Rosa!”

The brunette grinned and entered. “Sorry I didn’t call first. I wanted to pop in and say hi.”

“I’m glad you did.”

Rosa walked over to the Christmas tree. “Wow, I can’t believe you already got your tree.” She gave her a quizzical look. “Have you ever put one up in your house before? I can’t recall you doing that.”

Meredith sighed, knowing she’d have to part with some information before Rosa left. “Not for a few years. I went to get it yesterday.”

“Alone?”

She shook her head.

“The plot thickens. Did you go with anyone I know? A certain sports broadcaster, perchance?”

Meredith twisted the towel in her hands and shrugged. “Maybe.”

Rosa walked back over to where she stood, peering up into her face. “Sounds like things are getting serious.”

She gave a humorless laugh. “If I’ve learned one thing, it’s that David Steller is never serious.”

“Well,” Rosa drawled, “things are getting serious with me and Gino.”

“More serious than getting married? Should I be praying for you?”

“Droll. Very droll, Mer. No, silly, we set the date. Valentine’s Day. Are you available?”

Meredith was shocked by how soon they wanted to be married. What was the rush? Hoping Rosa hadn’t noticed her reaction, she spoke with a teasing voice. “Let me check my social calendar.” She stared up at the ceiling and said with affected surprise, “Oh, what do you know? I’m free then and every day before that.” She remembered the party. “Except for December twelfth.”

“And what is December twelfth?”

“A Christmas party I’m attending…at KVL.”

Rosa’s brows shot up. She tapped her finger on her chin. “Ya goin’ stag?”

“Nope.”

“Didn’t think so. Sounds like you’ve been busy, Miss.”

“Well, you’re not around to keep an eye on me anymore. Apparently Gino has more appeal than me.”

Rosa laughed, not contradicting her. “What are your plans for the day?”

Meredith shrugged. “To take my dog for a walk?”

“I came over to ask if you wanted to go look at wedding dresses with me. But we can look for something for you to wear to the ball…I mean party,” she said with a wink.

“Actually, I have
nothing
to wear. So I’ll take you up on your offer.”

***

An hour later, they arrived at a large mall in Cedar Hill, which featured a bridal boutique. Rosa insisted they shop for Meredith’s dress first, urging her to enter a small dress shop. Rosa started pulling dresses off a rack.

“What kind of look are you going for?” she asked from under an armload of garments.

Meredith grimaced. “I don’t know. I just don’t want to end up with something that looks ridiculous in hindsight.”

“Kinda like bridesmaid dresses?”

She laughed. “Exactly.”

“Don’t worry,” Rosa said, “I won’t make you wear anything ugly to my wedding.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

A saleswoman approached them. “Can I help you ladies with anything?”

Meredith shook her head. Rosa ignored her. She peered at the woman’s nametag, “Yes, Vera. We need a dress for Meredith here. She’s going to a Christmas party and has a guy to impress.”

“Rosa!”

Vera smiled at Meredith. “What are your tastes? Modern? Retro?”

Rosa spoke first. “Kind of old fashioned. She likes all those English period movies.”

She gave Rosa a good-natured glare. “You don’t have to make me sound so pathetic.”

Vera studied Meredith. “With your hair coloring and pale skin, you could wear something with a medieval flavor.”

She looked helplessly at Rosa. “Please. Just nothing too weird. I don’t want to look like I’m supposed to be at a costume party.”

Vera began to pluck dresses, going from rack to rack. She returned with five garments over her arm, motioning Meredith to follow her to the fitting room. Rosa replaced the dresses she had on the rack and hurried after them.

Inside the fitting room, Meredith let out a ragged sigh. She didn’t enjoy shopping for clothes—too many mirrors. She slid the first dress over her head. It was a silk, cobalt blue sheath with a low neckline. It clung to every curve. The good ones
and
the bad. No way.

Rosa banged on the door. “Mer, you show us every dress, do ya hear? Come out, right now.”

She complied, watching with amusement as Rosa’s face went through several contortions in an attempt to look supportive.

“I’m sure David would love it, but it might, uh, get you the wrong attention from other men.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

Vera seemed unruffled by their decision. Meredith went on to try three others. They were pretty and complemented her coloring, they just didn’t seem what she’d hoped for.

She yanked the last dress over her head, already losing interest in shopping for the day. It was a black cocktail dress with a scooped neckline and sheer black sleeves. The mid-thigh length was shorter than she was used to, but she liked the overall look. Conventional, but dressy.
Works for me
.

She came out of the fitting room and found her approval reflected in the eyes of saleslady and Rosa.

“It’s you,” breathed Rosa.

“It’s fabulous,” confirmed Vera.

“It’s expensive,” said Meredith, looking at the price tag with wide eyes. She sighed again. She had no choice. She had to buy it.

After she put her regular clothes back on, Meredith brought the dress to the counter. While she paid for it, Vera recommended other suggestions to complete the outfit.

“Black sandals and diamond earrings, nothing too flashy. And your hair would be beautiful worn up, showing off your swan-like neck.” She handed her the receipt and smiled. “Thank you for shopping with us.”

Once they left the boutique, Meredith shook her head. “Now I know how that lady stays in business. Swan-like neck indeed.” She laughed at the comparison. “I’m not sure whether to be offended or flattered.”

“But,” Rosa pointed out, “You have to admit the woman had incredible dress sense. Her outfit was flawless. You should follow her advice about the other stuff, too.”

“I guess you’re right.”

“Of course I’m right. Now, let’s go look at wedding gowns.” 

***

When Meredith hung her new dress in the closet after returning from the shopping expedition, she couldn’t help but feel pleased and a little bit excited. Rosa hadn’t found that perfect gown, but cheerfully said she had plenty of time.