Holiday Kisses

“We do what we can to offset the cost of her care,” Calliope clarified. “I also tend to their gardens once a month and keep them well stocked in books.” She gestured to the trunk. “I haunt the antique store in town and accept used book donations at the farm. Hildy’s a bookworm.”

“They’re building a library inside for her collection.” Stella’s eyes went wide with wonder. “You know like in that movie where the beast gives the heroine his? It’s like that.”

“Not quite, but Hildy has her goals.” Calliope’s laugh sounded strained. “She’s partial to romance novels and fairy tales. There’s a lovely coffee place about a mile down the road. If you want to wait for us there, we won’t stay very long.”

“Trying to get rid of me?” Maybe he could tease her out of her unease.

“No, of course not. This just isn’t exactly the most relaxing of atmospheres. Things could get...difficult.”

It wasn’t embarrassment he saw on her pretty face, but trepidation. Was her mother terminal? Was it possible she was so ill she could expire at any moment?

“I thrive on difficult,” he said. “I’ll carry these inside for you.”

“Hi, Hildy!” Stella hugged her basket of presents for her mother against her chest and bounced over to where a middle-aged woman in cartoon character scrubs exited through the metal gate. “Sorry we’re late.”

“We were beginning to worry.” Hildy turned a kind smile on Calliope as she hugged an arm around Stella’s shoulders, her free hand locked around the handle of a large wooden wagon. The woman had a calming presence about her, like a Mrs. Claus who was only interested in giving people milk and cookies while listening patiently to their wish list. “You’ve brought a friend with you, I see.”

“Hildy Ranier, Xander Costas,” Calliope said, introducing them. “Xander was kind enough to drive us when my car refused to cooperate.”

“Been telling you to have that engine checked for months.” Hildy’s long brown ponytail whipped back and forth as she shook her head. “It’s lovely to meet you, Xander. Just load this on up and we’ll get everything inside. No need for you to break your back.”

“Appreciate it. Thanks.” Xander gently pushed Calliope aside and lowered the crate he carried into the wagon.

“How is she today?” Calliope hugged her arms around her chest in a way that made Xander want to pull her into his embrace.

Hildy gave Stella a quick squeeze. “Eddie and Joshua are in the kitchen if you want to go say hi, Stella. Maybe take them some of this jam?” She pulled one of the mason jars free of the container and handed it over.

Stella rolled her eyes. “She’s getting rid of me, so the adults can talk,” she told Xander in a tone so similar to Alethea’s that he nearly burst out laughing. “Fine, I’m going. Joshua was going to keep an eye out for that family of sparrows.”

Xander set the final box on the wagon and pried the handle free of Hildy’s grasp. “Please. Let me.” He clicked the car lock.

“How bad is it?” Calliope asked.

“It’s been a rough few days. I had Dr. Cavanaugh out here yesterday and she thinks Emmaline might need another medication adjustment. It’s nothing to worry about, really.” Hildy stepped back inside the front yard to hold the gate open for the two of them.

“Hildy.” Calliope caught Hildy’s arm before the caretaker could walk away. “You promised to always tell me the truth. If Mama’s getting too hard for you to manage—”

“Oh, no. No.” Hildy shook her head but even Xander, who hadn’t known her more than a few minutes, could tell she was lying. “Most of the time she’s a sweetheart, your mom. And it’s partly my fault. I forgot how much she dislikes carrots. Her dinner plate ended up smashed on the floor. Lesson learned.”

“I’ll pay for the broken dishes, of course.” Calliope put a hand on Hildy’s shoulder. “I am so sorry. Honestly, I can look for another—”

“We aren’t there yet.” Hildy squeezed her hand. “We agreed we’re in this together. And it’s been months since she’s had one of her spells. It could be months before she has another.”