Sarah had wanted to make a quick getaway, but Melody stopped her at the door, appointment book in hand.

“I have a few questions about Kristen’s wedding.”

“What do you need to know?”

Melody flipped open the book. “Will you require the use of our kitchen?”

“I’m not sure because we haven’t picked the caterer yet, but we’ll do that right after the first of the year.”

“I have a list, if you’d like to look at it.”

“I would.” Sarah wanted to make her daughter’s day as special as she could. But as she answered Melody’s questions, her mind drifted to Noelle. Mary had brought up a frightening possibility. Noelle had been absent from the house quite a bit since the dance on Saturday night. She was at the mall on Sunday, and then on Monday—oh, yes, she’d worked on Carley’s computer most of the day. Reassured now, Sarah relaxed. Mary’s fears about her son and Noelle were unfounded.

She glanced around the lot; Mary’s car was gone. She’d apparently left for the Salvation Army already. She must have moved her vehicle to the side entrance in order to load up the baskets and boxes more easily and Sarah hadn’t seen her drive off. That was just fine. Maybe this was the last she needed to see of Mary Sutton.

Now she could enjoy Christmas.

“Merry Christmas, Melody,” she said. “I’m sorry for the way I snapped at you earlier.”

Melody accepted her apology. “I realize this was hard on both of you but what’s important are the Christmas baskets.”

“I couldn’t agree with you more.”

Sarah’s spirits lifted considerably as she walked to her car or rather, Jake’s. He’d insisted she take his SUV, and she was glad of it. If possible, it seemed even colder out; she drew her coat more closely around her and bent her head as she trudged toward the car.

As she turned out of the parking lot, she saw that the roads were icing over. The warning of an ice storm had become a reality, and even earlier than expected. This weather made her nervous, and Sarah drove carefully, hoping she wouldn’t run into any problem.

She hadn’t gone a mile when she noticed a car pulled off to the side of the road. She slowed down and was surprised to see Mary Sutton in the driver’s seat. Mary was on her cell phone; she looked out the passenger window as Sarah slowed down. Mary’s eyes met hers, and then she waved her on, declining help before Sarah could even offer it.

A NOTE FROM NOELLE McDOWELL

Christmas Eve

Dear Carley Sue,