“Thanks, Stretch,” Tucker said.
“Figured maybe there’d be fewer leftovers at the end of the night if we gave folks an easy way to take some home.”
“Good thinking.” Jesse, who ran the company that supported the senior care center, patted Stretch on the back of the shoulder. “I’ll take some over to the seniors. We’ve got quite a few residents who won’t even have a visitor. A nice packaged meal or dessert will make their day.”
“That’s unfortunate. Let me know how we can help out overthere, Jesse.” Tucker’s heart went out to those whose families seemed to forget them. “I can send the junior firefighters’ club over to visit. They are logging hours at the station house over Christmas break.”
“That’d be great. Maybe have them change the batteries in the smoke detectors and check the fire extinguishers, and just spend a little face time with the residents while they are there.”
“Sure thing. Consider it done.”
“Hey, Tucker.” Randy, the newest resident of Chestnut Ridge, walked over and joined him and Jesse. “Just the man I was looking for.”
“Me?” Tucker asked. Randy was a good guy. It had taken Tucker a minute to get used to the idea of Natalie finding interest in someone. After all, she’d been married to his best friend, Jeremy. It was still hard to believe Jeremy was gone. But Randy fit right in here, and if he had to guess he’d probably end up the next sheriff in this town. And they were starting to become pretty good friends.
“Yes,” Randy said, lowering his voice. “I was wondering if I could get you to help me with a surprise for Natalie.”
“Of course. Name it.”
Randy looked over his shoulder. “I don’t want to take a chance on her overhearing, so I’ll stop by the station if that’s okay.”
“Sure. Stop by anytime. I’ll be helping the team get our Christmas Stroll tree started Monday and Tuesday, but I’ll be at the firehouse the rest of the week.”
“We’ll be decorating Monday night, too,” Randy said. “I’ve been reduced to the role of resident mule. Lifting, hauling, and toting.”
“You’ll get paid in cookies. It’s not too bad a gig.”
“I’ll stop by on Wednesday. Don’t let Natalie know we’ve talked. It’s a surprise.” Randy waved as he slid between two people and worked his way back toward the living room.
“Hey there, Chief.” The New Orleans twang still lingered in Nelle’s accent, even though she’d been in Chestnut Ridge for years.
Tucker turned to see Nelle holding two huge plastic containers stacked one on top of the other. Tucker greeted Nelle with a hug. Paul Grandstaff stood beside her.
“Mr. Grandstaff, you’re looking well, sir,” Tucker said.
“Thank you. Merry Christmas.” He leaned his weight on the ornate shiny silver handle of his cane. “My, there are a lot of people here. I guess I didn’t realize what I was missing all these years.”
“Tried to tell you, boss.” Jesse wrapped an arm around Nelle’s curvaceous waist. “Not good to be aloneallthe time.”
Paul Grandstaff didn’t look so convinced, but he forced a smile.
Tucker had heard that Jesse and Nelle had become chummy over the past year, but this was the first time he’d seen them together.
“You can’t tell that man anything,” Nelle teased Jesse about Paul.
Tucker nodded to Nelle with a wink. “What’d you bring?”
She gave him a playful smirk. “What’s your favorite?” She laid on that Cajun accent heavier than usual.
Tucker shifted the stocking to his other hand, trying to ascertain what she might have in the semiopaque containers. “Don’t make me guess from all of your wonderful dishes, Nelle.” Tucker narrowed his gaze, twisting his lips into a silly pucker. “I’m hoping for jambalaya.”
“You just made Santa Nelle’s nice list, boy. Itismy jambalaya!”
Tucker fist pumped the air. “Let’s make it mine! I’m off to hunt down a bowl.” He shot forward, then spun around. “Don’t you take that lid off until I make it over to the table!”
“Can’t promise you won’t be the only one banging their plastic spoons for my jambalaya.” Nelle’s hearty laughter was turning heads. “Go on now, but hurry on back.”
He jolted for the kitchen, but only made it two steps before he slammed right into someone with anoomph.“Oh gosh. I’m so sorry. I didn’t—” He dropped the stocking to steady her by the shoulders as she went off-balance.
