Free A Trip Back to Snowy Pines (Book II in the Christmas Village Trilogy) by Lisa Pendergrass Page A

Chris says, and Lola is grateful because she’s not sure
she could have done it. “We’re going to have a great time and then
you’ll be home with mommy and have a great time again.”
     
    She watched them walk out to Chris’s late
model Explorer and wave as Ethan climbs in the backseat, but then
she turned quickly hearing her mama’s admonishment that watching a
car drive away is bad luck.
     
    A memory of being 5 or 6 and having mama
leave her at home to go on a date flashed through her mind.
     
    “Go in the house and stay away from the
window. You know, it’s bad luck to watch mama drive away.”
     
    Somewhere along the line Lola realized that
she more than likely said that because it made her feel guilty to
drive away with her watching at the window, but she held to it just
in case there was any truth to it. And because at the end of the
day… she was still her mama.
     
    She walked back into the house and, speaking
of mama, there she sat at her Formica kitchen table – the one that
was long out of style when Lola was a little girl – smoking a
cigarette and drinking her umpteenth cup of coffee.
     
    “Mama you’re smoking in the house.” Lola
scolded weakly. Hollow words, but she needed to say something.
     
    “He’s gone.” Mama says by way of
explanation.
     
    “But it’s disgusting and it’s bad for the
house… not to mention bad for you.”
     
    She stubs it out and crossed the room to
squeeze Lola’s shoulders. “Lighten up baby girl. You don’t care
about this house. You don’t even care about my health.”
     
    “Mama, that’s a horrible thing to say. Of
course I do!” Lola argued. It was true she and her mother had
shared more than few rough patches through life, but she’d never
doubted her mother’s love and she’d always felt the same about
her.
     
    “Oh, you know what I mean. It’s just that
this house is a dump, and I’ve done far worse to my health than
these things.” She said, lighting up another and then coughing…
whether for effect or for real, Lola couldn’t be sure.
     
    Alice Hayes was once what some would have
called a looker. She was tall and lanky with just a few curves,
glossy blonde hair and a laugh that made men positively stupid. But
too many cigarettes, too much alcohol and three decades of bad
relationships had left her faded, bitter and brassy. Lola saw
enough of herself in her mother to never forget how easy it would
be to follow in her stiletto-heeled footsteps.
     
    “While this house might be a dump, we’re
here. And I’m thankful for it.” Lola said looking around at the
worn carpet and faded walls. It wasn’t the worst place she’d ever
lived; but it certainly couldn’t compare to the little townhouse
close to the University of Maryland Medical Center where she worked
as a nurse. She and Chris had purchased it just last year and with
a little love, a lot of attention and a whole lot of sanding,
painting and elbow grease - they’d turned the 3 bedroom, two story
brownstone into her dream house.
     
    “I’ve not always been the best mother, but
you know as long as I have a roof over my head, you’ll have a home.
The same goes for Ethan… and anyone else who should come along.”
She stated, clucking Lola under the chin. Lola hugged her
impulsively and was just about to give into her urge to wallow when
her mother’s demeanor turned steely. “But let me just say this Lola
Catherine – Chris McCauley is the best thing that ever happened to
you, and I don’t know what exactly he’s done, but I know beyond a
shadow of a doubt it’s not enough to be worth you leaving him and
tearing apart your family.”
     
    “Mama, you don’t understand.” Lola said
exasperatedly.
     
    “He’s doesn’t beat you?”
     
    “No ma’am.”
     
    “And you say he’s not cheating on you.” She
pressed further.
     
    “Mama, I wish it was that simple but it’s
not. I love Chris. And I know he’s a good father and a good
husband. There are just