She watched the car drive away until it bent the corner and was no longer visible.
ChapterTwenty-Five
“Good morning,” Rory greeted her mother with a kiss to the temple.
“Good morning, sweetie,” Andrea returned, tenderly reaching her hand to caress her daughter’s face against hers. “How’d you sleep?”
Rory separated from her mother and sat in the wicker chair opposite. “Sleep didn’t come easy. I miss James,” she confessed, staring out at the bay.
“It’s only been a few hours since he left,” Andrea chuckled.
Rory released a heavy sigh. “I know, but the past couple of days were great; I didn’t want them to end,” she turned to look at her mother sheepishly.
Andrea’s head dipped in understanding. “Pretty soon, you two won’t ever have to be apart,” she smiled encouragingly.
Rory smiled in return, but the clawing doubt reared its ugly head. Her eyes returned to looking out at the bay's water shimmering under the light golden rays of the early morning sun now fixed in the blue sky. The cold wind blowing across the porch caused her to circle her arms and hug herself for warmth. “Brrr, it’s getting too cold not to have a sweater on at all times,” she spoke, shivering lightly for emphasis.
“That’s Oak Harbor for you,” Andrea responded. “In a couple of days, we won’t be able to sit out here without lighting the pit,” she tipped her head in the direction of the portable fire pit by the porch railings at the far corner.
“I pray it snows,” Rory added hopefully. “It would be in keeping with the vision for a white Christmas wedding,” she further expressed.
“Uncle Luke called to say he’s bringing a Christmas tree later. So, Cora, Jo, and I thought it would be great if we could all decorate the tree together— to make it an intimate activity that mom can participate in with us girls,” Andrea suggested after a period of silence.
“That’s a great idea,” Rory agreed, turning to her mother with a smile.
“Yeah,” Andrea replied with a faint smile.
Rory noted how Andrea’s eyes clouded over and the tiny frown at the corner of her mouth. “Mom?” she called out worriedly.
Andrea’s eyes blinked into focus, their blue depths settling on her. “I’m sorry, sweetie. What were you saying?”
“I agreed with decorating the tree together, but then you zoned out,” Rory explained, observing her mother.
“Oh,” Andrea replied, surprised. She rested her hand on her forehead. “I’m sorry. I’ve been doing that a lot lately,” she apologized with a light chuckle before sobering. She turned her gaze away from Rory. “This whole illness with mom has been…upsetting,” she finished with a sigh that sagged her shoulders. “That’s why this Christmas has to be perfect.”
Rory reached over and rested her hand on her mother’s arm comfortingly. Andrea turned to look at her. “It will be,” Rory promised with a confident smile which Andrea returned.
The two remained on the porch in comfortable silence until the smell of bacon hit their nostrils, reminding them that it was time for breakfast. Andrea stopped to check on Becky while Rory forged ahead.
“Mhmm, smells like heaven in here,” were the first words out of Rory’s mouth as she drank in the rich, spicy, sweet scents of cinnamon, nutmeg, seasoned sausages, and bacon bombarding the room.
“Well, that was the reaction I was aiming for. Good morning, dear,” Cora threw over her shoulder with a dazzling smile that caused her blue-grey eyes to sparkle.
“Good morning,” Rory returned with a smile of her own. “Need any help?” she asked, gesturing to the spread before her. Freshly baked cinnamon rolls, blueberry muffins, and bread rolls were stacked in baskets and flanked by platters of sausages, bacon, and scrambled eggs.
Cora moved from the stove to scoop more scrambled eggs into the low bowl. “You can take down the plates and glasses. Freshly squeezed orange juice is chilling in the fridge,” she said, pointing the spatula toward the refrigerator.
Rory nodded, then headed for the cupboards to do as told. Then, a few minutes later, she set the items around the island before removing the juice jug from the refrigerator.
“Good morning, Mom, Rory.”
“Good morning.” Erin and Jules greeted, walking into the room before taking seats around the island.
“Hi, darlings, hungry?” Cora greeted her daughters warmly, and Rory smiled and waved.
“I’m starved,” Erin replied with a sheepish smile.
Andrea came in shortly after that, and everyone finally sat down to eat.
