Forever Santa by Leeanna Morgan Page B

a diaper on a baby.”
    Mrs. Davies laughed. “It’s not hard once you know how.”
    “And they have those parenting classes you can go to,” Emily added. “Once you know what you’re doing you can show us.” She looked around the room. Everyone was staring at her. “What? I’m just saying that the information might come in handy one day.”
    “Or not,” Tess sighed.
    “Who wants a cup of tea?” Mrs. Davies asked.
    “Me,” Emily said. “I don’t care how it arrives as long as it’s hot. And Tess will have hers with no cream or sugar.”
    Tess walked across to the tray. “Wow. I’m impressed that you remembered.”
    “I was a waitress for a few years in college. I’ve got a photographic memory of what people drink.”
    Tess picked up the tray of cookies and passed it to Emily. “You’re wasted in the fashion design business. If you ever need another job you can moonlight as a waitress in Angel Wings Cafe.”
    “I’m going to be busy.” Emily took a cookie off the plate. “I’ve been thinking about creating a maternity line.”
    Gracie sat on the sofa, sipping her lemon tea. “You have?”
    “I was thinking about how difficult it was for you to find a winter jacket. That got me thinking about other women who can’t find what they want. I thought I’d design a basic pregnancy wardrobe with a couple of evening options. I’d keep the design the same, but customize each piece to fit the mom-to-be. With grow room included.”
    “That’s a great idea,” Mrs. Davies said. “Gracie’s such a little thing. She’ll have trouble finding maternity clothes that fit her.”
    “I have trouble finding clothes that fit me now,” Gracie said. “If you need someone to model your new designs, just let me know.”
    “I was hoping you’d say that.” Emily smiled and waited until they all had a cup of tea in their hands. “I want to make a toast. To good friends, a wonderful pregnancy, and a merry Christmas. I love you guys.”
    Mrs. Davies pulled a tissue out of her pocket. “You girls are going to make me cry. You remind me so much of a group of friends I had when I was your age.”
    Tess hugged Mrs. Davies. “Tell us about your friends?”
    Mrs. Davies put her cup of tea down and picked up a length of fabric. “I’ll tell you all about them once we’ve got this heading tape attached to each curtain.” She picked up the wide tape and handed it to Tess. “You pin it in place and Emily can stitch it onto the curtains.”
    Tess looked uncertainly at the tape. “Are you sure I can do this? I wouldn’t want to mangle Gracie’s curtains.”
    “You’ll do fine. Just take your time. I’m flying to my sister’s home first thing in the morning. It’d be good to get all of the curtains finished before then.”
    “How many are left to do?” Emily asked.
    Gracie put her cup of tea down. “Three complete sets plus the hem on the one I’m working on now.”
    “Sounds to me like we arrived at the right time,” Emily said. And before anyone could say another word she set up her machine and started sewing.
     
    ***
    Trent pulled open the side door on Nathan Gray’s barn. He’d known Nathan for years. They’d been friends at school, hung out at Charlie’s Bar and Grill when they’d been old enough, and worked through their share of heartaches together.
    Nathan had begun woodworking first, creating furniture for his family and friends long before Trent knew how to use a lathe. When a barn fire nearly killed Nathan, his hobby became his sanctuary. When his nightmares kept him awake he’d disappear into the barn, working on his latest project until he was ready to drop from exhaustion.
    On some of those nights Trent joined him, watching what he did, creating his own simple pieces of furniture.
    “About time you showed up.” Nathan looked up from his workbench.
    “In case you’ve forgotten, we’ve got a small renovation project going on. What’s in the lathe?” Trent nodded toward the piece