Once Upon a Winter's Heart by Melody Carlson

privacy. By the time her mother’s things were moved out, Emma was just fine with it.
    Although Emma desperately needed a shower after all of today’s cleaning, she knew it was time to get dinner started. And by the time she got to the kitchen, Nona was already poking around in the fridge and insisted on helping with dinner. But since they still had food from the generous neighbors and friends, it was mostly a matter of heating some casseroles and setting the table and Nona’s company was pleasant in the kitchen.
    â€œHow long do you think your mother will be staying with us?” Nona asked quietly as they worked together.
    â€œI have no idea. I honestly didn’t think she’d be here this long.”
    â€œSaundra can be stubborn.” Nona checked on the oven.
    â€œI know.” Now Emma confided to Nona about how her mother insisted on having the sewing room.
    â€œAfter you worked so hard?” Nona frowned.
    Emma laughed. “The truth is I like the old spare bedroom better anyway.”
    Nona nodded, patting her arm. “Yes, yes. It is better. More sunshine.”
    Tonight the three women dined in the kitchen instead of the dining room. Saundra seemed determined to keep the conversation cheerful and upbeat, making small talk about work and happenings in town. No mention was made of her extended stay or the situation with the bedrooms upstairs.
    Then, after dinner as they were clearing the table, Nona noticed the calendar on the fridge. “Oh, no—is it true?”
    â€œIs what true?” Saundra asked.
    Nona tapped a crooked finger on the calendar. “Is it February ?”
    â€œOh, yes. Today is February first,” Saundra told her. “I turned the calendar over for you. Surely, you don’t mind.”
    â€œOh… Mama mia .” Nona shook her head with wide eyes. “How can it already be February?”
    â€œI know what you mean.” Saundra set some dishes by the sink where Emma was already running water. “Time goes by so quickly…the older we get.”
    â€œNo, no, that is not it, cara .” Nona sat down on the yellow kitchen stool with a loud sigh. “Oh…dear…”
    Emma turned around to look at her grandmother. “Are you okay, Nona?”
    With her hands over her face Nona groaned. “It cannot be.”
    Alarmed, Emma hurried over, placing a hand on Nona’s shoulder. “Nona, what’s wrong? Are you feeling sick?”
    â€œSick at heart, dolce .”
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Saundra asked with concern.
    Nona looked up, pointing at the calendar with a dismayed expression. “Poppi would be sad…so sad.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œBecause it is February today. And Poppi’s Valentine decorations are not yet up. It is wrong. All wrong.”
    â€œOh…I forgot.” Emma grimaced to remember Poppi’s obsession with this particular holiday. Poppi always decorated the bookstore to the hilt on the first day of February. He’d been doing it for years. As a child, she had loved this tradition. As an adult…well, it seemed a bit much.
    â€œMaybe Virginia and Cindy already put the decorations up…?” Saundra suggested weakly.
    â€œNo…no…they have never done it before. They would not know where to find them or how to put them up. That was Poppi’s job.” Nona sighed. “Maybe it does not matter…all things must come to an end…someday.” She slowly stood. “I am very tired. Very tired.”
    â€œDon’t worry, Nona, I’ll go put the decorations up,” Emma said quickly. “I used to help Poppi all the time when I was a kid. I know how to do it.”
    â€œOh, cara mia !” Nona grasped Emma’s hands in her own. “ Grazie, grazie! You are an angel!”
    Emma smiled. But she was glad that Nona couldn’t see through to her heart since Emma’s attitude toward decorating for