Gifted a Second Chance at Life

Chapter 12

Callie gave Maya one last hug and kiss before she walked outside. Mark had already gotten in his SUV and started it to let it warm. When Callie opened the passenger door to join him, he saw the worried look on her face.

“Did something happen?” Mark asked as she closed the door.

“No,” Callie sighed as she fastened her seatbelt. “I just hate leaving Maya alone.”

“Callie, I hate to point this out, but Maya is not alone. She is with her grandparents, who worship her. They would protect her with their lives,” Mark said. He smirked and added, “So would Peaches if it wouldn’t inconvenience her too much.”

Callie laughed and said, “You have a point about the cat.”

“Finally! You are smiling. That is the Callie I want today. I need the Callie who enjoys hunting for a good bargain and always looks for unique and special things. Can you be that Callie today?” Mark asked as he pretended to pout. “For me?”

“I will do my best,” Callie agreed. “I can’t promise it will happen, but I will try. I just have a lot to deal with, and sometimes that creeps into my head when it doesn’t need to.”

“I can live with that,” Mark said as he backed out of the driveway. “But, I want you to do me a favor. When that happens, tell me it is. You don’t have to tell me what it is or why the thoughts are there. I want you to tell me when it happens so I can help you think of other things. Can you do that?”

“I can, but what if it is at 2 a.m. and I call and wake you up from a sound sleep?” Callie asked with a mischievous grin.

“I would wake up and happily talk to you if that is what you needed,” Mark said as he headed toward Main Street and the thrift store that Callie preferred. “Would you be willing to do the same thing for me?”

“Sure,” Callie replied. “But something tells me that you rarely have that problem. If I remember correctly, you hit the slopes to clear your head and slept like a baby.”

“Not so much anymore. Like I said, I have wiped out a few too many times over the years. I still ski when the snow is just right, especially if I can be the first one on the run, but now I only ski once every week or two.”

Mark pulled into the parking space in front of the first store. It was a secondhand shop that had been in Green Forest for over fifty years. Everyone in town had purchased from that store at some point in their lives, and it had always been one of Callie’s favorites. That made it the perfect place to start.

“I can’t believe this place is still around,” Callie said as she and Mark exited the SUV.

“It was here before either of us were born, and it will probably still be here years after we’re gone,” Mark said as he reached for Callie’s hand as they stepped onto the sidewalk. He opened the door for her and said, “This is the perfect place for us to start. They always have good stuff.”

“Yes, they do,” Callie said as she looked around and made a beeline for a rack of sweaters. She pulled a royal blue sweater with metallic threads from the display and held it up to herself. “I know this doesn’t fit what I need, but I love this.”

“So get it,” Mark said as he put his hands on his hips and looked at her. “And who said it isn’t what you need? I said dressy sweaters. That one is a lovely shade of sparkly blue. That would be great for a casual evening at the lodge. It’s festive but not over the top.”

“Really?” Callie asked, her eyes sparkling. “What about this one and this one?”

Mark looked at the two additional sweaters Callie was holding. One was medium gray with tiny subtle sequins scattered throughout, and the other was a form-fitting forest green that would look stunning on her by accentuating her porcelain skin and red hair.

“I approve of all three of them,” Mark grinned. “But remember, you need more than just sweaters, pants, skirts, and dresses, and maybe even have a look at the gowns they have. You will need one if you work the New Year’s Eve bash.”

“I hadn’t thought that far ahead,” Callie admitted. “Let me finish with the sweaters, and then I will move to the next section. Maybe we will get lucky, and I will find everything I need here.”

“Perhaps, but you will still need to get some nice shoes. You will be on your feet most of the time, so they need to fit well and give you plenty of support,” Mark advised.

“Is there a*****e in town that carries anything like that?” Callie asked as she draped the sweaters over her arm and kept looking.

“More or less,” Mark grinned. “I carry several styles in the lodge store. We often have people who forgot to pack their dress shoes and have to buy new ones. I can also let you look through our catalog and let you order something we don’t have in stock.”

“You are determined to spoil me even if I tell you I don’t want that, aren’t you?” Callie asked as she pulled another sweater from the wrack.

“Yes,” Mark smirked. “I will let you look. Make a pile on the counter, and I will look through it if you have doubts about anything you have picked out. I have a little shopping to do of my own.”

Callie stopped what she was doing and squinted at Mark. She had a sinking feeling that Mark was up to something but did not know what it was. Callie waited for Mark to say something as she stood, silently staring at him.

“Don’t look at me in that tone of voice. I have some shopping to do. I still have Christmas gifts to buy for some people, including you. Now, keep shopping for yourself, and I will find you in a few minutes to make sure you're doing alright,” Mark said before turning and walking toward the back of the store.

Callie was laughing as she watched Mark walk away. Mark had always been a procrastinator when it came to buying Christmas gifts. Callie was still giggling when she finished looking at the sweaters and placed the stack she had chosen on the counter. She waved to the clerk behind the counter before she turned and saw the most stunning vintage dress she had ever seen.

On the end of the dress display was an emerald green dress. It had a mock turtleneck collar and long sleeves with button cuffs. The front of each shoulder had delicate beading that spilled onto the chest. The bodice was fitted with a full shirt that would flow and twirl as she moved or danced. She was so focused on the dress that she did not notice Mark approaching her.

Mark was behind her when he whispered, “Get the dress.”

Callie jumped, gasping as her hands flew to her chest.

“You scared the snot out of me,” Callie scolded him as she playfully slapped his shoulder, making him laugh. “I am thinking about it, but I’m not sure I want to pay that much for one dress.”

“Callie, this would be perfect for the holidays and even around St. Patrick’s Day. If it is about money, I will buy it for you,” Mark said as he took the dress from the rack.

“Mark…” Callie trailed off. She wanted to object but knew he was right about the dress. It would be perfect for the holidays and more. Callie sighed and said, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, but the only thanks I want is to see you wearing this and enjoying it,” Mark smiled before he took the dress to the counter to add to Callie’s things.

Callie noticed Mark trying to hide something from her as he moved. She caught a glint of sparkle and tulle as he walked away from her.

“What do you have?” Callie asked with a laugh.

“Me? Nothing,” Mark replied as he shuffled whatever it was behind him to obscure it more. He placed her dress on the counter, held up his empty hand, and said, “All I have is your dress.”

“I see sparkle and tulle,” Callie said as she walked to him and tried to look behind his back. “I hope you aren’t trying to make me wear some frilly frou-frou thing like a tutu. You know I hate things like that.”

“That’s exactly what it is, but it isn’t for you,” Mark said as he pulled it from behind his back. He held up a long skirt made of various shades of pink and purple tulle with a scattering of white among the panels. Many layers had glitter and sparkles covering them. The waistband was elastic with a ribbon drawstring to help secure it in place. “I saw it and knew it was meant for Maya. As I recall, all little girls need an appropriate princess skirt, even you had one when you were little.”

“I can’t argue with that, and I won’t try to talk you out of it. Just be prepared for Maya to want to wear it everywhere she goes. That will include when we go to the lodge. She will never want to take it off,” Callie warned with a smile.

“If Maya wears that to the lodge, she will be the best-dressed person on the mountain,” Mark said as his face lit up. “Come on, you need to keep shopping. So far, all you have is a few sweaters and one dress. While they will all be gorgeous on you, you need more than that.”

Callie sighed, “You’re right, I do. And as much as I hate to admit it, I need your help picking out things. I would buy those sweaters even if I didn’t need them for the lodge. They would all work well in the classroom. It is everything else that I need help with, especially if I have to try it on. I never know if things look the way they should.”

“I would be honored to help,” Mark said as he placed his hand on her back and guided her toward the clothing wracks. “Let us begin the search!”