The Christmas Joy Ride Read online

  “And we’ve got the propane stove to cook on,” Miranda pointed out.

  “And hot water too.”

  “All the comforts of home.” Miranda made a half smile. Actually, she wouldn’t even have any of these meager comforts after the foreclosure this winter. Not to call her own anyway.

  “Are you worried about camping here by ourselves?” Joy asked with concern. “Because I really do think it’s safe.”

  “No . . . the truth is I was just thinking about where I’ll be after my house is foreclosed in February.” She waved her hand. “Feeling grateful to have a roof over my head right now.”

  “Isn’t it good that we only have to deal with one day at a time?” Joy was filling the teakettle at the sink. “Tomorrow will be here soon enough . . . and who knows what it will bring?”

  Miranda nodded. “That’s true.”

  “You did a marvelous job driving today,” Joy told her. “It’s not easy in weather like this. You were very brave out there.”

  “Thanks.” Miranda sighed. How was it that Joy always made her feel better about herself? “Are you making tea?”

  “I thought we might like some cocoa. There are some instant packets up there.” Joy pointed to a cabinet. “And candy canes to put in them.”

  “Let me get it,” Miranda offered. “You make yourself comfortable. Put your feet up.”

  Joy didn’t argue as she made her way to the sofa. “I shouldn’t be this tired,” she said as she pulled the afghan up over her legs. “After all, I did practically nothing but sit all day.”

  “Traveling is wearying,” Miranda said as she shook a packet of cocoa into a mug with a Christmas tree on it.

  “I suppose it is.”

  As Miranda stirred hot water into the mug, she studied Joy from the corner of her eye. Was it her imagination or did Joy look paler than usual? “Are you feeling all right?” Miranda asked as she handed Joy the hot mug, complete with candy cane. “I mean, besides being tired?”

  Joy smiled brightly. “I’m just fine, dear. Honestly, I haven’t had this much fun in ages. Not since George passed on, I’m sure. No, I’m just a little tired, that’s all. Nothing a good night’s sleep won’t fix. And it should be very quiet here tonight. Not like the RV park last night. Goodness, that was a noisy place.”

  Miranda looked out the window to where a grove of trees bordered the camping area. “Yes, it’s definitely quiet here.” She felt uneasy about the isolation of being the only campers. Still, she didn’t want to voice her concerns. No sense worrying Joy. “I’ll take care of dinner if you don’t mind.” She stirred her own cocoa, then added a candy cane. It really did look very merry.

  With her cocoa in hand, Miranda sat down across from Joy. “So what’s on the menu tonight?”

  “I noticed the chili was nearly thawed this morning. How does that sound?”

  “Sounds great. Especially on a damp cool day like this. Should warm us right up.”

  “And there’s cheese . . . and crackers.” Joy yawned.

  “After you finish your cocoa, you should just lean back and take a little nap,” Miranda told her.

  Joy’s eyes sparkled happily. “You are such a blessing to me, dear Miranda. I’m so thankful you accompanied me on this trip.”

  Miranda laughed. “You mean after you guilted me into it? But, honestly, I’m glad I came. Thanks for inviting me.”

  “I feel God’s hand is definitely on us, Miranda. I can tell.”

  They rehashed the fun they’d had visiting the nursing home and diner during the past couple of days. “I think I got as much out of it as the folks we were helping,” Miranda admitted. “Giving is good for the soul.”

  “That’s for certain.” Joy nodded as she thumbed through her red and green notebook. “And did you notice that our trip will be half over after tomorrow?”

  Miranda checked the date on her phone. “You’re right. Only four more days until the twenty-third. And you plan to be in Phoenix by Christmas Eve, right?”

  “That’s right.” Joy let out a tired sigh.

  “And you’re happy about that, aren’t you?” Miranda didn’t like to push, but she was concerned for Joy. This big move from Chicago to Phoenix had seemed like a bit much for someone her age. In fact, Miranda had resented Joy’s sons for being so insistent about the whole thing this fall. Still, she knew it wasn’t her place to question it.

  “I’ll be very glad to be around my boys,” Joy said slowly. “I have missed them so much these last few years. It was hard on me when Robbie got transferred from Chicago to Atlanta. And with Ricky and his family in Phoenix—well, I felt rather stuck in the middle. Then they both invited me to come live nearer to them, but I felt as if I’d have to split myself in two, so I just stayed put.”

  “But then Robbie moved to Phoenix last summer,” Miranda filled in. “That makes it easier, doesn’t it?”

  “Oh yes. And then they found the lovely assisted living home.” Joy used her candy cane to stir the cocoa. “It seemed meant to be.”

  “I hope you’ll be very happy there.”

  Joy looked intently at Miranda now. “And I hope you’ll be happy in your next phase of life too. But I really don’t think we need to dwell on that right now.” Her smile returned. “I would rather just live in the moment. Wouldn’t you?”

  Miranda slowly nodded. “Yes. I definitely would.” She took a sip of the sweet cocoa and leaned back, allowing her shoulders to relax. “You are such good medicine for me, Joy. I honestly don’t know what I’d have done without you.” Miranda didn’t even want to think of some of the dark ideas that had passed through her brain as she’d driven home from her sister’s last week. Fortunately there’d been no steep cliffs to drive over. She hated to admit to such thoughts and could hardly bear to think of them now.

  “And you are good medicine for me too. I feel that God directed our paths, converging them so that we could share this journey together.”

  Miranda sat up straighter. “I feel the same way, Joy.”

  Joy made a tired smile. “I plan to enjoy each step of the way.”

  “But let’s not wear you out too much.” Miranda reached down to pull the afghan up higher over Joy’s lap. “I’m glad we decided to stop early. We both needed a break. And I hope you’ll take it easy for the rest of the day.”

  “Good thinking. Tomorrow will be a busy day.”

  After Joy finished her cocoa, she did lean back and close her eyes and almost immediately fell asleep. While Joy snoozed, Miranda loaded the diner photos onto the website and then poked around the tiny kitchen, getting things set up for dinner. As the rain poured down, she glanced out the window from time to time, just to make sure no evil thug was creeping up on them. Oh, she knew that was probably paranoia on her part, but she felt strangely protective of Joy—almost as a mother would feel for a small child.

  As the sky started to get dusky, Miranda went around and closed the blinds, checking the windows and door, making sure all was sound and secure. And she checked her phone to make sure it was fully charged. Just in case. Finally, as she was heating the chili on the propane stove, she prayed a little protection prayer, asking God to keep them safe through the night. After that, she really didn’t feel worried. And that felt good.

  7

  After a really good night’s sleep, Joy felt fully revived and ready for the day ahead of them. She even offered to drive the RV to Tulsa. But Miranda seemed refreshed too, insisting that unless Joy was determined to drive, she was happy to take the wheel. And Joy didn’t protest. Mostly she was relieved. It seemed that Miranda had really gotten the driving bug. And that was probably for the best.

  “What a delightfully beautiful morning,” Joy declared as the RV rolled down the highway. Everything was still damp from yesterday’s rainstorm, glowing in the sunlight. “The world has been washed clean.”

  “It’s so mild out,” Miranda said. “Hard to believe this is December.”

  “I remember how worried you were th
at I’d get trapped in a blizzard out here,” Joy teased. “Not today.”

  Miranda chuckled. “And probably not tomorrow either. But at least it gave me a good excuse to come along. So who are we visiting in Tulsa?”

  “Well, it’s actually a small town just outside of Tulsa.” Joy reached for her red and green notebook, flipping to the Tulsa page and skimming the email she’d printed out. “A woman named Danielle entered the contest for her friend Lizzie. They’re both hairdressers and both in their forties. Lizzie survived ovarian cancer about ten years ago, but it recurred this fall. She’s just completed chemotherapy treatments and feeling very discouraged about life in general. Lizzie owns a hair salon and Danielle works for her. Danielle thought that decorating the salon might cheer her up during the holidays.”

  “Sounds like she can use some cheer.”

  “Yes. I hope this lifts her spirits.”

  “I noticed you gave Delores a check,” Miranda said with hesitation. “I don’t mean to be nosey, but it did make me curious. Was that part of the contest?”

  “Not exactly. At least I didn’t specify that on my website. But I did say there would be decorating and prizes. The prize for the nursing home was that I covered the expenses for the Christmas tree and the party and such. But because Delores and Hillary were in such bad straits . . .” She smiled to herself. “And because I could afford it . . . well, it seemed right to bless them financially.”

  “It was very generous of you. And it was obvious that Delores really appreciated it. She was literally dancing with joy.” Miranda chuckled.

  “Yes, that was fun—to see her reaction.” Joy closed the notebook. “In the case of Lizzie, I have another plan. According to Danielle, Lizzie’s health insurance is covering her treatments, and thanks to Danielle’s diligence, the beauty salon is doing relatively well. So besides the decorating, which will be fun since I packed lots of pink things, I’m giving Lizzie and Danielle a gift certificate for five days at a spa in Tucson, plus airfare. To be used whenever Lizzie feels up to it.”

  “Oh, that’s perfect. Something to look forward to.”

  “I thought so.” Joy nodded. “George sent me to a spa like that on my sixtieth birthday. It was thoroughly enjoyable.”

  “Now tell me about these pink decorations,” Miranda probed. “Where did you get them? I can’t imagine you using pink decorations in your house.”

  Joy laughed. “I was going through a phase of sorts.” As Miranda drove, Joy told her about the Christmas when she’d decided to decorate everything in the house in shades of pink. “Both of the boys were grown and out of the house—in college and working—and neither of them were able to come home that year.” She thought for a moment. “I suppose it’s what they call ‘empty nest syndrome’ nowadays, but I don’t think they had a name for it back then. It was the early eighties. You probably don’t remember that era much, but it was all about shoulder pads and big hair, and colors like pink, fuchsia, mauve, and magenta were all the fashion.”

  “I do remember that era. My mom did the master bedroom in mauve wallpaper—with lots of big roses and trailing vines. It made my dad feel sick just to go in there. They had it changed a couple years later.”

  “Exactly.” Joy nodded. “Anyway, I suppose I was feeling out of sorts that my boys weren’t coming home. Or maybe I was having mother’s remorse over the fact that I never had a little girl—you know, a child I could dress up in rosebuds and pink.”

  Miranda laughed. “You would not have enjoyed me as a child then. I hated pink. That was my little sister—she was a real girlie girl.”

  “The funny thing was that I’d never really cared much for pink either. But for some reason I went nuts for everything pink that Christmas. I had pink angels and purple glass balls and, well, all sorts of silly frilly stuff. George thought I’d lost my mind at first. Imagine all that fluff in our modern home. I have to say that when it was all said and done, it did look rather interesting. I actually kept the pink theme for a couple of years. But then I packed it all up and stuck it in the attic along with all my other Christmas decorations, thinking I might pull it out again . . . but I never did.”

  “It sounds perfect for a beauty salon,” Miranda declared.

  “I sure hope Lizzie likes it. I did ask Danielle if Lizzie liked pink and she assured me that she did.”

  With the help of Miss Moore’s electronic directions, Miranda got them to the beauty salon around noon. But before they went into the salon, they ate a quick lunch in the motor home, using this time to discuss the plans for the rest of the day.

  “We should have plenty of time to get the decorations up and get to the RV park before dark,” Joy said as they finished their lunch.

  “That’ll be good.” Miranda started cleaning up the lunch things.

  “I suppose we should get started then.” Joy looked at her watch with a tired sigh.

  “Why don’t you just sit there a bit,” Miranda suggested. “I’ll get the decorations unloaded and everything ready to go.”

  “But I—”

  “No arguing, please.” Miranda shook her finger at Joy.

  Joy just smiled. “You are a treasure, dear.”

  While Joy had a little rest, Miranda sorted and unloaded items. Finally, with everything ready, Miranda placed a cookie plate in Joy’s lap. “All ready to go?”

  “You bet.” Joy eagerly got to her feet.

  Miranda picked up a box and together they walked up to the beauty salon.

  “Lazy Girl Hair Salon,” Joy read aloud as they walked up to the building.

  “Interesting name.” Miranda set down the box and opened the door for Joy.

  “It’s you!” exclaimed a tall blonde woman as she rushed toward Joy. “I recognize you from the photo on your website. Christmas Joy has come to the Lazy Girl.”

  Joy smiled as she held out the cookie plate. “Are you Lizzie?”

  “No, I’m Danielle. Lizzie won’t be in until 3:30.”

  “Perfect. We should have the decorating completed by then.” Joy set the cookie plate on the counter, then turned to Miranda. “You know the drill by now.”

  Miranda nodded eagerly. “You put together your plan and I’ll deliver the goods.”

  Danielle sent a young woman out to help Miranda, then gave Joy a quick tour of the facility.

  “It’s a lovely salon,” Joy told Danielle. “So clean and inviting.” She pointed to a sign by the front counter. “But why is it called Lazy Girl? Clearly the people who work here are not lazy. Everything is neat as a pin.”

  Danielle smiled. “When Lizzie was little, her dad called her Lizzie Girl. Her baby brother misunderstood and thought he was calling her Lazy Girl. I think it’s because the dad had a La-Z-Boy recliner. Anyway, Lizzie’s little brother always called her Lazy Girl after that. But let me tell you, Lizzie is anything but lazy. Even during her first bout with cancer she was energetic. But this time, well, it’s taken a lot out of her.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “Anyway, when Lizzie opened this salon nearly twenty years ago, she named it the Lazy Girl. Our clients love it.” Danielle pointed to a comfy-looking plum-colored chair in the waiting area. “And as you can see we have a fair amount of recliners available. We call them our lazy girls.”

  Joy laughed. “I might have to try one of them out before we’re done.”

  “I hope you’ll make yourself at home.”

  After about an hour of directing the decorating crew of Miranda and Danielle and other hairdressers when they were between appointments, Joy did try out a lazy girl chair. And when she woke up, it was to a gentle nudge on her shoulder.

  “Lizzie will be here any minute,” Miranda quietly told Joy. “We thought you’d want to see her face when she walks in.”

  Joy blinked and sat up, staring in wonder at the transformed beauty salon. “Oh, my word! It looks absolutely beautiful!” As she walked around looking at everything, she could hardly believe those were her same decorations from
the eighties. They looked completely at home here.

  “Isn’t it wonderful?” Danielle said when Joy stopped in the reception area.

  “It’s perfect,” Joy told her. “You girls did a great job.”

  “Here comes Lizzie now.” Danielle pointed to the glass door.

  Joy looked out to see a pretty petite woman with her head wrapped in a lavender scarf coming in. She got all the way into the reception area before her blue eyes grew large. “What on earth?” She looked all around in wonder. “What happened here?” she asked Danielle.

  Danielle quickly introduced Lizzie to Joy, explaining the Christmas Joy website and contest.

  “So that’s what the big RV is all about.” Lizzie shook her head as Danielle proceeded to walk her around, showing her everything. “It’s so beautiful.”

  “You really like it?” Joy asked.

  “I don’t like it. I love it.” Lizzie hugged Joy. “Thank you so much.”

  Now they were back in the reception area, and Joy reached for the cookie plate she’d left on the desk. Slipping a card from her purse, she set it on top. “This is for you, Lizzie. And Danielle too.”

  Lizzie broke into grateful tears after she saw the contents of the envelope. “I don’t know what to say—how to thank you. This is so amazing!”

  Joy hugged her again. “Just get well. That’s all we want—just to see you healthy and whole, Lizzie. You obviously have a lot of people who love and depend on you.”

  “And we hope you have a very merry Christmas,” Miranda added cheerfully.

  “Yes,” Joy agreed. “Merry Christmas to you!”

  “Now we hate to decorate and run,” Miranda said apologetically, “but we’d like to get to the RV park and be settled before dark.”

  More thanks and hugs were shared before Miranda herded Joy out of the salon and into the RV. “Sorry to be so pushy, but it’s getting late.”

  “Thank you, dear,” Joy told her. “You were quite right to get us moving along.”

  “Hopefully there will be someone at the RV park to help us hook up and whatnot,” Miranda said as she turned on the GPS and pulled into the street.