“Thanks.” Randy seemed flustered. “We’re all going to Orene’s. Tucker, you’ve got to come with us.”
“Sounds good.” Tucker pointed to the tree and gave Randy an encouraging nod. “How about I grab that tree topper for you?”
“That would be great,” Randy said.
Tucker reached up and got the topper, and Sheila and Natalie and Amanda selected three birdhouses to take down to the senior center. They shifted the rest of the ornaments around, and then moved the bird nest to the place where the topper had sat just a moment ago to fill the gap.
“That looks pretty good,” Sheila said to Natalie under her breath.
“It does. We might have to backpocket that idea for another year.”
“I agree.”
“Are y’all coming?” Randy called to them.
“I don’t know why he’s so antsy tonight,” Natalie said. “We’re coming.”
They all drove back to Orene’s in the separate cars they came to the event in. They were all tired, but enjoying reliving the excitement of the evening.
“That smells like Orene’s fresh baked cookies,” Tucker said.
Randy sucked in a breath. “This town just gets better and better.”
They filed inside, where they were greeted with fresh-baked cookies in the shape of birdhouses arranged on a large white platter, and a punch bowl of eggnog waiting on them.
“How did you do that so fast,” Natalie remarked.
“I had a gut feeling you were going to win,” Orene told Natalie. “I knew it as soon as I saw your tree, so I got a head start. Let’s celebrate.” She waved her hands in the air; it looked more like jazz hands than celebration, but it was so Orene.
“You think of everything, Orene.” Natalie hugged her. “You’re the best family we could have.”
“I second that,” Sheila said. “You just don’t know how much being here with you has meant, especially with my mom… well…” Sheila’s eyes glassed over. “It’s just been so comforting to be here with you. My mom would’ve loved you too.”
“Well, if I could’ve handpicked a bunch of kids to call my own, I’d have adopted you all!” Orene’s smile was sweet, and her eyes were misty. “Seriously, you bring this old woman so much joy.” She picked up a cup of eggnog. “Get a cup.”
Everyone picked up a cup of eggnog.
“Here’s a toast to making a big splash at your very first Christmas Tree Stroll.” Orene raised her cup high in the air, andthe others followed. “Chestnut Ridge is better for having you all become a part of our community. Our family. Cheers.”
Everyone took a sip, and Randy swung his other arm around Natalie’s waist. “And we are so happy to be here.”
“I wouldn’t want to be anyplace else tonight,” said Sheila. “With all of you.”
“I want to go on record”—Tucker shot a playful stink eye in Natalie’s direction—“that I have every intention of trying to woo your secret weapon over to my team next year.”
There was a collective murmur of interest from everyone.
“Didn’t I tell you I can’t be bought?” Sheila said with a sassy lilt.
“You did, but it won’t keep me from trying. I need to win back my Christmas Tree Stroll title next year.”
“Oh my gosh, I’m supposed to help you decorate your tree at your house,” Sheila said. “I totally forgot.”
“Well, we’ve been busy.”
“True, but I don’t want to break the Christmas tree picker primary rule. You pick it, you decorate it.” Sheila looked back at Tucker. “That is what you said, isn’t it?”
“That is not a rule,” Orene said.
