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They all laughed, including Kim as she started the car and put it into gear. “I do believe that is called being cautious.”
Brit smiled. “Whatever makes you feel better.”
“It does...” Kim said as she turned on the two-lane highway that would take them right to Springbank.
They were traveling along Lake Road which followed around the lake when Brit saw the gathering clouds in the sky. “Are you sure you still want to go Kim? Those clouds look like it could snow any minute,” she said, with worried eyes.
“It’s fine. The forecast said snow is expected to start tomorrow.”
Brit heaved in a breath and sat back in her seat. She was unaware that she was clenching her purse strap in her hands, until Desi reached a hand across the backseat and took Brit’s in hers. Neither of them said a word as the two in the front sang along to Jingle Bells without a care in the world.
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THE MALL WAS ALL DECKEDout in Christmas splendor and despite the anxious feeling that Brit had back in the car, she was happy they made the trip. They had done a little shopping and were just taking a break for lunch, when Jasmine said, “Why don’t you hold a Christmas ball at the inn, Kim?”
“That’s a really good idea!” Kim exclaimed. “We can invite everyone from the village and have a Santa there for the kids.”
“Mack would make an excellent Santa,” Desi, remarked before taking a sip of her coffee.
“Do you think Elanor would be Mrs. Claus?” Brit asked.
“Oh yeah.” Kim chuckled, “That woman would jump at the chance to be Mack’s wife, even if it were fake.”
“What about trees?” Jasmine asked.
Kim nodded. “Lots of them. At least five, but different sizes.”
The teen looked at her with hope filled eyes. “Can we each decorate one?”
“Absolutely. The main tree in the living room will be real of course. But the rest can be artificial. Okay. This means that we are really going to have to decorate. Ladies, let’s get out of here and over to the department store.”
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STANDING AT THE DOORS, Kim spread her arms wide in front of them as if shielding them from a charging bull and said, “Get a cart and grab whatever Christmas decorations tickle your fancy, we are going to need a lot.” She pulled her sleeve up and looked at her watch. “Let’s meet at the checkout in an hour. And don’t forget to pick out a tree for yourself!”
They all giggled as they ran, each getting a cart, they raced to the holiday section. Brit felt like she was a contestant on Supermarket Sweeps only it was bows and baubles she was after and felt like she needed one of everything. After twenty minutes of humming and hawing, she finally picked a garland of berries that looked like they were encrusted with snow and some silver bows for good measure. Then Brit headed straight for the trees. She found an eight-foot imitation Douglas fir that would be perfect for any room at the inn. Except the living room of course.
Stuffing it into the cart, Brit pushed along further down the aisle and spied the Christmas lights. Having no idea how many she would need for the tree; she took seven boxes off the shelf and placed them in the cart just as Desi came around the corner.
“Look what I found,” Desi said, pulling out what looked to be an elf suit.
“Cute... What are you going to do with that?”
“I ran into Kim; the Christmas Ball will be a masquerade party.”
“Ah...okay. Never heard of a masquerade party for Christmas but, I’m game. Where did you find that?” Brit asked, nodding towards the costume.
“Believe it or not... it’s a pajama set.” Desi looked at Brit’s cart. “Have you gotten everything you need down here? If so, I’ll show you where I found it.”
“Yeah, almost. I just need to get some ornaments,” she said, as she reached for a set of 4. Stopping, she looked at Desi. “How many of these do you think I’ll need for the tree?”
Desi tilted her head to the side and scanned the sticker on the tree box. “An eight-foot tree...I’d say a lot.” She laughed and started filling the cart with the ornaments when Brit said, “I think twenty boxes is enough Desi. I have some bows and garland somewhere in here.”
“Yeah, eighty should be good. Let’s go.”
Desi turned her cart around and Brit followed her to the women’s clothing section.
Brit’s eyes zeroed in on a red velvet dress with a wispy white fringe around the neckline the same time Desi said, “You have to get that dress.”
