Christmas in Bayberry

“What’s keeping you in Florida?”

Martha arched a brow. “You mean besides the sunshine and warmth?”

Everyone turned to the window. Outside, snow flurries were gently fluttering to the ground. Bayberry’s warmth at this time of the year came from its heart. The town glowed with kindness and compassion despite the frigid weather.

“Okay,” Aunt Penney said. “You might have me there. But we have a lot that Florida can’t offer you.”

“That’s true. The thought of moving back here—well, it’s so tempting. I’ve even mentioned it to Wesley.”

“Your old house is up for sale,” Kate offered.

Martha shook her head. “That Victorian is beautiful. But it’s much too big for just me. It needs a young family to move in and fill the hallways with happy voices. I’m thinking about something much smaller for just me.”

“I’m sure we could find something suitable,” Kate said.

“And if you move back, you’ll have to rejoin the quilting group,” Aunt Penney urged.

Martha’s face lit up. “They’re still around?”

Aunt Penney nodded. “We’d love to have you back.”

Martha kept smiling. “You know you’re making this impossible for me to turn down, don’t you?”

“That’s what I’m hoping,” Aunt Penney said.

Kate sat quietly, listening to the women talk. It was as if they’d been best friends their entire lives. And part of her hoped that if Wes’s mother moved back to town, Kate would get to see him after the holidays. Because after all they’d shared, she just couldn’t imagine him dropping out of her life.

And then she noticed the time. Kate got to her feet and moved to the sink with her dishes. Once they were rinsed off and placed in the dishwasher, she turned to the two women. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have much time for a fitting. I have a meeting with the decorating committee at the community hall at nine.”

“So the idea about the town pitching in is working out?” Aunt Penney asked.

Kate nodded. “Everyone seemed eager to help.”

And then all three of them got busy taking measurements, comparing the online photo to Aunt Penney’s patterns, and deciding what fabrics would work best. The coffee flowed and conversation filled the room. Kate sighed with contentment. Things were working out.

“Look at the time,” Aunt Penney said. “Didn’t you say you had to leave at nine?”

“Is it that late already?” Kate glanced at the red apple-shaped clock hanging above the kitchen sink. “You’re right. I should go.”

“It’s okay,” Aunt Penney said. “Go. We’ve got this.”

“You’re sure?” She felt guilty leaving them with so much to do.

“Oh, yes,” Martha said. “Don’t worry. I’ll help your aunt.”

“Thank you.” Kate beamed at them. “If I can do anything else to help, let me know.”

“I will. But you’d better get going. You don’t want to be late.”

“And don’t worry about your dress,” Penney said. “We’ll come up with something special.”

“Yes, we will,” Martha said.

Kate thanked them profusely and hugged each of them, before walking out the door with her mind whirling. So much was changing, and all of it for the good. This momentum was just what they needed right now. Kate smiled. She had a feeling that everything was going to work out.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Monday morning started with a testy email from Mr. Summers.