Christmas in Bayberry

They settled down at the kitchen table with their coffee and one of Aunt Penney’s famous blueberry muffins. Kate started with how she’d been paired up with Wes for the toboggan race. Then she mentioned their dinner afterward. Aunt Penney listened with rapt interest. Finally, Kate shared that Wes had wanted to ask her to the dance all those years ago, but had never gotten the chance.

“That’s remarkable,” Aunt Penney said. “The fact that he was drawn back to Bayberry just in time for the Candlelight Dance is more than a coincidence. It’s a sign. This will be a very special dance for both of you.”

Kate took a last sip of her coffee and pushed aside her plate with only a few muffin crumbs remaining. “And that’s why I wanted to ask a really big favor of you.”

“You know you can ask me for anything. If I can, I’ll do it—”

“Good morning.” Martha entered the kitchen. “Do I smell coffee?”

“Yes. Let me get you some.” Aunt Penney and Kate both started to get up.

“Sit,” Martha told them. “I can get it.”

“There’s still fresh coffee in the pot.” Aunt Penney settled back in her chair. “And muffins on the counter.”

Kate sat back too. She waited to make her request until everyone had said good morning and Martha got situated at the table. Then Aunt Penney filled in her friend on the latest development.

Martha’s face lit up. “I remember that time. Wes had been so resistant to moving. I’d never seen him quite like that. And he wouldn’t say why he needed to stay until New Year’s. But sadly, my late husband had to start his new job right away. He was forever searching for where he belonged. I don’t know if he ever did. We kept moving right up until the end.”

Kate couldn’t even imagine what that must have been like, constantly moving from one place to the next. She thought of Wes as a kid, having to move from school to school—making friends, only to lose them. Her heart ached for him. She’d had a hard-enough time moving from Hartford to Bayberry. Getting to know people constantly and never having a place to grow roots—it wasn’t for her.

Aunt Penney made another pot of coffee and filled their cups. After she returned to her chair, she asked, “Kate, what was the favor you wanted to ask me?”

“I was wondering if you could help me find something special to wear to the dance.”

“I don’t think they’ll have anything left at the boutique in town,” Aunt Penney cautioned.

Her aunt was right. The dance was a huge deal. All the fancy dresses would have been scooped up long ago.

“I know,” Martha said. “We can order one over the internet.”

Aunt Penney shrugged, but she didn’t look convinced.

Kate shook her head. “I checked, and I’m

worried that if it doesn’t fit properly, I won’t have time to exchange it.” There was only one way to get the perfect dress, but Kate was hesitant to say anything.

As though reading her mind, Aunt Penney said, “We could make you a dress.”

It was just what Kate had been hoping for. “It’s a lot of work,” she said, feeling guilty. “And there’s not much time.”

“Nothing we haven’t done in the past.” Aunt Penney added some more sugar to her coffee. “Remember the dresses we used to make when you were in school?”

Kate nodded. Her aunt could work magic with a needle and thread. Cinderella’s fairy godmother had nothing on Aunt Penney when it came to creating beautiful dresses.

“Oh, I haven’t made a dress in years.” Martha’s face lit up at the idea. “I could help.”

“What sort of dress did you have in mind?” Aunt Penney looked at her niece expectantly.

Kate pulled out her phone and showed her an image she’d found online.

“That doesn’t look too hard,” Aunt Penney said. She turned the phone to Martha. “What do you think?”

“I think we have ourselves a project.” Martha was beaming. “I’d forgotten how much there is to do in a small town. I really love Bayberry.”

“Then stay,” Aunt Penney said. “I know I’d love to have you in the same town instead of having to talk on the phone or write notes back and forth.”

“I’ve been considering it.”