In a Moon Smile (48 page)

“I’m sure it is a transition,” he smiled. “But the two of you look like you’re a pretty natural team.”

She nodded, thankful that Piper’s eyes were already drooping.

“How long will Piper be staying with you?” Dalton asked.

“To be honest, I’m not sure,” Chesney said. “My sister is, umm, working in Miami and dealing with some personal issues, so Piper and I are together for as long as we need to be.” Once she was certain that Piper was sleeping, Chesney carefully left the rocking chair and carried the baby upstairs to her bed. She smoothed her hair on the way back down the stairs, praying that this would be the time when Dalton Moore might just notice her. When she saw that Dalton was stuffing his arms back into his coat and heading back out the door, Chesney tried to hide her disappointment.

“Do you know that snow is expected tomorrow?” he asked.

“Yes,” Chesney nodded. “I heard that news this morning on TV.”

“I guess we’ll get a few inches,” he said. “Do you have everything you need? We sometimes get some unannounced ice on top of the snowfall. Things can get nasty fast in these hills and hollers.”

She nodded, blankly staring at him.

“Is everything okay?” Dalton asked.

“Yes,” she lied. “I was just…wondering why you have to rush off. I haven’t had any adult contact. I mean, I haven’t had adult conversation for weeks.”

He blushed and grinned. “Thanks, Chez, but I should get going. I have a lot of chores at home, before the snow gets here. And I am working early in the morning.”

Chesney opened the front door, thankful that the cold air rushed across her face and woke her from this fantasy about Dalton. “What, umm, what will you do for Christmas?” she spluttered as Dalton stepped outside.

What in the hell is wrong with you? Stop being so pathetic!

“I’ll be with my grandfather,” Dalton said. He seemed to stop himself from saying something more. Then turned and walked briskly to his truck.

Chesney closed the door and turned on the TV, listened intently to the weather report and smiled. At least the weather would prevent her parents from visiting during the holiday. And for that little bit of news, she was thankful. Chesney was not in the mood to deal with them or their prodding questions about Charlotte. The truth was that Charlotte hadn’t called for a week. Cooper still hadn’t visited his daughter. And Chesney felt more alone and trapped than ever.

By Christmas Eve, nearly six inches of snow had fallen. Chesney was incredibly happy. She and Piper watched the flakes from the window. All flights were cancelled. She and Piper were cozy and safe here, with Christmas music in the background and no intrusion from Madelyn Blake, queen of criticism. Chesney made hot chocolate for herself, gave Piper some chocolate milk in a sippy cup and they both lounged in their pajamas all day.

“Hi, it’s me,” Charlotte’s voice was on the line, an hour before Piper’s bedtime. “How are you?”

“We’re doing very well,” Chesney said happily. “Char, you sound great. Tell me about your project.”

“I’m so excited. It’s just a wonderful experience,” Charlotte said. “And it feels great to actually use my brain for something more than the grocery list and the Pilates class on Tuesday mornings.”

“I’m so relieved to hear that you’re doing well,” Chesney said.

“How is Piper?” Charlotte asked. “Would you put her on the phone?”

Chesney whisked Piper away from her toys and placed the phone against her ear.

“Say hi to Mama,” Chesney whispered.

She could hear Charlotte’s tearful voice on the line, telling Piper that she loved and missed her. Piper listened intently, but never said a word. When Chesney encouraged her to say hi to mommy, a frustrated Piper threw the phone. “She’s tired,” Chesney said quickly. “She plays hard all day, as you know.”

“Cooper should call sometime tomorrow,” Charlotte said. “I guess he hoped to get a flight from Chicago to Indianapolis. But the snow delayed his plans.”

“Cooper is welcome here any time, Char,” Chesney said. “He knows that. So we’ll just work around his schedule.”

“I wanted to be with Piper for Christmas,” Charlotte said with a sniff. “But with the weather and my work schedule...”

“Don’t worry about it, Char,” Chesney said. “Every day, any day, can be Christmas for Piper. She’s willing to celebrate anything at any moment.”

“I can never tell you how much I appreciate you, Chez,” Charlotte said. “I don’t know how to…”

“You don’t have to say anything, Char. I already know how you’re feeling,” Chesney said. “I’m very happy that I could help you. And I’m very thankful for this time with Piper. She drives me crazy, but I still treasure every day.”

“She’s very busy,” Charlotte said with a chuckle.

“And she really loves toilets,” Chesney added with a laugh. “She seems to be particularly fond of an overflowing toilet.”

“You’re wonderful, Chez,” Charlotte said with a laugh.

“And so are you,” Chesney said as tears came to her eyes. “Don’t forget that, Charlotte. No matter what Mom tries to say to you, don’t forget that you’ve got to take care of yourself before you can ever take care of your marriage or your child.”

When she hung up the phone, Chesney stared out the window at the snow drifts.

“If only I lived by the great advice I offer other people,” she whispered. “I’d probably be known as Oprah Junior.”

“Me
night-night
,” Piper said as she crawled onto her aunt’s lap.

“Me
night-night
, too, Pippa,” Chesney yawned. “Come on, cutie. I’ll tuck you into bed and turn all the lights out later.”

As Chesney changed Piper’s diaper, dressed her in the fuzzy pink pajamas and tucked her into bed, she reminded Piper that she had spoken to her Mama on the phone.

“Your Mama loves you very much,” she whispered as she stroked her niece’s hair. “And your daddy loves you. Aunt Chesney loves you. Grandpa loves you and your neurotic grandma loves you, too…”

Piper’s eyes closed, still with a grip on her blanket. Chesney kissed her nose and tiptoed back down the stairs. She loved the moment, feeling so safe, living in Grace’s spirit, with nothing but peaceful silence surrounding her. It was a wonderful time to write. But then again, the pudgy blonde alarm clock would rise and chatter in the morning before six o’clock.

She slowly made her way through the evening ritual, putting toys away, cuddling Blossom and feeding the fire more wood.  When the phone rang, Chesney answered quickly, hoping her mother’s voice was not on the line. “I’m driving down your lane,” Dalton said. “Turn the porch light on so I don’t fall and break a leg on my way to the porch.”

What? She flew across the room to switch on the light by the front door.

“Oh, my gosh, I need make-up,” she hissed as she frantically brushed her hair. “I have no make-up on my face. I have to get out of these pajamas…”

Too late. He was knocking lightly at the front door. She opened the door, suddenly forgetting the fact that she was smiling like a goof, dressed in Christmas plaid pajamas, with bright pink, fuzzy house slippers on her feet. “I can’t believe you drove over here in this weather. Here, let me take your coat, Dalton.”

“Is Piper sleeping?” he asked in a near whisper.

“You just missed her,” Chesney nodded. “She was exhausted from making so many messes today. Would you like some cocoa, with a healthy splash of Bailey’s?”

Dalton stood at the door to unlace and remove his snow-covered boots. His beard was thick, more pronounced. His smile seemed softer and more relaxed. “Do you have wine?”

Chesney nodded.

“Great,” Dalton said as she shivered. “I’ll meet you by the fire.”

“Of all nights to look as totally unattractive as you could possibly look,” Chesney spat at herself as she rushed to the kitchen for wine and two glasses. “He shows up over here. You have a chance to make some kind of a great impression. But look at you! You look like a floor mop.” She returned to the living room, poured wine for Dalton and sat on the edge of the couch. “I’m really embarrassed by my appearance,” she said, blushing brightly. “I’ve played on the floor most of the afternoon with Piper. And we weren’t expecting company.”

“I think you look adorable,” Dalton said. “And I’m sorry I missed a visit with Piper.”

“I’m sorry, too,” Chesney said with a laugh. “Maybe if you had been here to entertain her, I could have done some chores.”

“I hope it’s not a problem that I stopped by,” Dalton said.

“No,” she said quickly. “It’s no problem at all. I’m glad you’re here.”

“I assumed because of the weather that you would be alone for Christmas,” he said.

Chesney nodded.

“Are you upset that your family can’t be here?”

“I’m sorry for Charlotte, of course,” Chesney said. “But actually, I love the quiet.”

Dalton shifted his weight and stretched out on the floor next to the fire. “The furnace is working  all right?” he asked. “And you have plenty of fire wood?”

“Yes and yes,” she nodded. “You did a wonderful job on everything you repaired, which was basically every square foot of this house.”

“So…” Dalton cleared his throat, suddenly seeming a bit nervous. “How do you like the snow?”

“It’s really beautiful,” Chesney smiled. “If it’s warmer tomorrow afternoon, I’m planning to take Piper outside to play.”

“That’s a great idea,” Dalton nodded.

An uncomfortable silence bubbled between them. Chesney pretended to organize some books on the table beside her. Dalton pretended to poke at the fire.

“Are you…still planning to spend the day with your grandfather?” she asked. “I’m extending an invitation to both of you. Piper and I would love for you to join us for Christmas dinner. I have to warn you, though. We won’t have a lot. We already knew the family would be snowed out of Bean Blossom.”

“That’s very kind,” Dalton said. “You know, we might just accept that invitation. Are you sure it isn’t an inconvenience?”

“We’d love to have the company,” Chesney said. “I would enjoy some adult conversation. And Piper would probably love to flush something down the toilet and show you how quickly she can make it overflow.”

“Would it be alright if I call you in the morning?” Dalton asked. “My grandfather is in his eighties. I try to be very careful with him. So I won’t bring him out if it snows more. I’m afraid he might fall and break a hip.”

“I understand,” Chesney nodded. “Sure, you could give us a call.”

Dalton stood and walked over to the peg where Riley hung his coat. He reached into the coat pocket and produced a small box wrapped in gold paper. “Merry Christmas, Chesney,” he said softly. Then he sat beside her on the couch. Chesney was instantly embarrassed by the flush on her cheeks and the tremor in her hands as Dalton gave her the gift.

“Dalton, this is so thoughtful,” she smiled quickly at him.

“It isn’t much,” he said shyly. “But I thought of you when I saw it.”

Inside the box, Chesney found a small tree ornament. A snow scene was painted on the ornament, and a giant, milky moon shined in the tree branches.  A chill ran down her back as she recalled the evening last summer when Dalton said good-bye with, ‘See you in a moon smile.’ She had been stunned then, just as she was now. She stared into his eyes, wanting to ask him how he knew about that phrase. But her throat filled with tears. “It’s beautiful,” she said as two tears escaped her eyes. “I love it.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Dalton touched her face ever so gently. “But I didn’t want to make you cry.”

Quickly wiping her tears, she said, “I’m tired. And maybe a little bit sentimental, too.”

“I should go, so you can get some rest,” he said.

Before she could resist, Dalton drained his wine glass and grabbed his coat. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” he said. “But are you sure it won’t be an inconvenience?”

“I’d love the company,” She smiled. “I really do hope that you and your grandfather can stop by. I have some ham and a few other goodies.”

Before she could get across the room to say good-bye, Dalton was on the porch.

“By the way,” Chesney said quickly. “What’s your grandfather’s name?”

“Ben,” Dalton said. Then he turned and hurried through the snow to his truck.

For hours after Dalton left, Chesney sat on the floor by the sad little tree and stared blankly at the twinkle lights, at the beautiful ornament Dalton gave her, at the photo of Ben. “Your grandfather loved my grandmother,” she whispered. “They loved each other. And you knew it. You knew who I was when I moved here.” Still in a daze at midnight, she dialed Becca’s number. “I couldn’t wait to tell you,” And the story spilled from her lips. “Becca, can you believe this?”

“I have goose bumps,” Bec said. “It’s amazing, Chez. And it’s so incredibly romantic. Oh, my gosh. I can’t wait until they visit tomorrow for dinner. As soon as they leave, you have to call me with every single detail.”

“What are you and Deke doing for Christmas?” Chesney asked.

“Today and tomorrow, we’re visiting my mom,” Becca said. “And I’m not sure what the next plan will be. If the snowfall isn’t too bad, Deke said we would head back to Bean Blossom. Maybe spend New Year’s Eve with you and little Piper.”