Home In Time For Christmas

“Pleased to meet you, and welcome. So, you’re staying the week?” he asked politely.

Jake glanced at Melody. “If you’ll have me, sir.”

“With pleasure, with pleasure,” George Tarleton said, indicating the sofa and returning to his rocking chair.

“Cocoa, dear,” Mona said, handing him a cup.

“Thank you most kindly,” Jake said.

Melody looked downward, wincing.

“You sound almost as if you’re from ye old mother country,” George said lightly, taking a sip of his own cocoa.

“No, sir. I was born and bred right here, in these parts.”

“It’s a charming accent,” Mona said.

“Thank you,” Jake said. “My folks were born on British soil.”

“There you go,” George said, knowingly looking at his wife. He wagged a finger in the air. “I am good at discerning the little things in accents, huh, dear?”

“Yes, dear, if you say so,” Mona agreed.

“How strange, though. I’m sure I don’t know your folks,” George said. “We don’t have any English friends—do we?”

“My parents have been gone many years,” Jake said.

“I’m so sorry!” Mona said.

“Thank you,” Jake told her.

“But where is your home now?” George asked, concerned.

“He’s living in Boston, Dad!” Melody said, jumping in quickly with the information. She grabbed a cookie and munched it quickly. “Mom, these are delicious. Jake, have a cookie. My mom’s a wonderful baker.”

“Thank you,” he said politely. “Wonderful,” he agreed.

“Where in Boston are you?” George asked.

Melody couldn’t reply quickly enough—not without spewing sugar cookie over them all.

“I’m right off the Common,” Jake said.

“Lovely area, lovely!” George applauded.

She’d be a nervous, twitching wreck if this went on too much longer, Melody decided. She had to get him off alone again. She leaped up. “Would you two mind if we run out before dinner. Um, Jake hasn’t been around here for a while. I was going to take him down to the pond.”

“Lovely idea!” Mona said. “I’m not sure if you’ve seen all they’ve been up to by the pond. They have some charming shops, and a little bar—I’m sure you’ll have a nice time. Oh, Keith should be home by supper. I’m planning it for around eight.”

“That’s great, Mom.”

“Wait a minute. It was snowing so much—” George began.

“I think the snow has stopped,” Melody said. Even if there was a nor’easter pounding, she was leaving the house.

She grabbed Jake’s hand. “Jake, let’s get going so you can see the pond before dinner. Come on, now, please?”

“Of course.” He stood immediately, trying to replace his cup on the tray, a little awkward since she was tugging at his arm. “Thank you so much. This was a truly enjoyable repast.”

“Let’s go!” Melody persisted.

Her mother was laughing. “Oh, that’s wonderful. You must be a fantastic guide. How absolutely charming. Children, do have fun.”

“There’s skating—weather permitting,” her father called out.

“Okay, Dad, thanks!”

Melody managed to grab two parkas from the hooks by the entry and get Jake out the front door. A pale streak of winter’s day touched the sky; the snow had come down to just a few flurries.

She thanked God for small favors.

As they stood on the porch and she surveyed the muted light of the late-afternoon December sun, Mona popped out on the porch. Melody hoped that she didn’t physically cringe.

“Skates!” Mona said, holding up two pairs of skates. “Keith’s shoes fit you all right, don’t they, Jake? If so, I’m sure his skates will do.”

“I am more than comfortable and quite grateful, ma’am,” Jake said.

“Thanks, Mom.” Melody snatched the skates from her mother and hurried to the car. Jake followed her. She was already in the driver’s seat when Jake joined her.

Mona called something from the porch.

“We have to stop, she’s speaking to us,” Jake said, sliding in beside her.

“It’s okay—she’s just telling you that I’m a klutz,” Melody said. Before he could ask her what a klutz was, she added, “I have no coordination. I’m horrible.”

He smiled, looking ahead.

“You can skate. You’ve heard of skates, right?”

“Yes, I have.”

She started to drive, glad then that her home was Massachusetts. They were darned good at snow. Plows were always out in a matter of minutes. The roads were decent.

“Your parents are exceptionally kind,” Jake said.

“They’re—yes, they’re good people. A little crazy, but good people,” she told him.

“How do you see them as crazy?” he asked.