Home for the Holidays (18 page)
Read Home for the Holidays Online
Authors: Hope Callaghan
After the dances, the DJ picked up the tempo and the younger guests hit the floor.
Gloria and Paul made their rounds, talking to guests, thanking them for coming.
They had specifically requested no gifts; but rather, asked that they donate to Gloria’s new pet project, literally. “At Your Service.”
Marco and Alice told Gloria earlier in the day they had close to a thousand dollars donated in their name and Gloria was thrilled.
The magical evening finally wound down and Gloria and Paul said farewell to the last guest. The only ones left were the Garden Girls. Even Paul and Gloria’s children had headed out with sleepy grandkids in tow.
“When are you leaving for your honeymoon?” Brian asked.
Paul draped an arm around Gloria’s shoulders. “Tomorrow afternoon. Tonight we are staying in a five star hotel in downtown Grand Rapids,” he explained.
Gloria had left the honeymoon planning to Paul and he had been very mysterious about where exactly they were going. It was a complete surprise.
“Have a wonderful honeymoon and
try
to stay out of trouble,” Margaret teased.
Paul shook his head. “No telling what will happen on this trip,” he groaned.
Gloria hugged her dear friends and then followed her husband to his pick-up truck.
The drive to Grand Rapids gave the two of them a chance to wind down and chat about how magical the day had been.
Paul had reserved a suite, complete with champagne, red roses and Belgium chocolates. He dropped Gloria off near the entrance and drove off to find a parking spot.
They quickly checked in and with room key and overnight bag in hand, headed to their room, located on the seventh floor. When they stepped into the elevator, Gloria gave Paul a quick glance. The night she had been waiting for, thinking about was finally here. The thought made her heart flutter.
The palms of her hands began to sweat and she wiped them on the front of her dress.
Paul, noting her nervousness, reached for her hand. “Nervous?”
Gloria wrinkled her brow. “Kind of,” she admitted.
Paul tenderly swept the back of his hand across her cheek. “I promise. I don’t bite, although I might nibble a little.”
Gloria smiled. “Are you sure?”
The elevator doors opened, they stepped into the hall and walked to their room.
He stopped abruptly in front of the door. “This is it,” he announced.
Paul slipped the key card in the door. When the door opened, he dropped the overnight case inside the door and stepped back out. In one swift move, he swept his bride into his arms and carried her across the threshold, the door closing behind them.
Moments later, the door popped back open and Paul placed the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the outside of the door.
The end.
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The series continues. Look for Garden Girls Book #11, coming soon!
Grandma Louise’s Best Ever Christmas (Sugar) Cookies
Cookies – Ingredients List #1
:
2-1/2 cups flour
1 cup white sugar
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cream of tartar
*Mix dry ingredients in large bowl
Cookies – Ingredients List #2
:
1 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
*Mix wet ingredients
Directions
:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Mix both wet and dry ingredients together. (You can also refrigerate dough so it “firms up.”)
Roll cookie dough on floured surface. Cut with cookie cutters.
Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 6 – 10 minutes (depending on thickness)
*You can add more flour if the mixture seems “doughy”
Frosting
½ cup solid vegetable shortening
½ cup softened butter (not melted)
1 tsp. vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp. milk
food coloring
Cream butter & shortening
Add vanilla
Slowly add sugar
Add milk
Beat on high until fluffy. (This recipe will test your mixer. I recommend using a heavy-duty mixer, but it is not required. Just keep an eye on the mixer so it doesn’t overheat.)
*You can also add a little extra milk, a tablespoon at a time.
Separate frosting into bowls. Add drops of food coloring until color desired is achieved.
Frost cooled cookies. Decorate with sprinkles, etc.
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