Page 81

Rissa realized the floor was clear and the cupboard doors were closed. Her science tubs no longer littered the floor, but were stored on her shelves in the right spots.

“You didn’t have to do that. I can’t believe you did this.”

Her voice shook, and Jolie hugged her. “We wanted to help. Charlie and Ford went through all the bins before they put them away. Ford has a spreadsheet of what needs to be replaced.”

Charlie nodded. “Ford’s a pro with a spreadsheet. It’s organized by strand of science, bin number and color, and replacement equipment needed.”

Rissa hugged them all. “Thank you so much. You saved me hours of work.”

Olivia smiled. “That was the plan. You’ve been through enough, and we figured this was a way we could help.”

“I don’t know how to thank you all.”

Jolie smiled. “You already did. We’re family. It’s what we do.”

Family. The family she’d always dreamed of, with additions that made it impossibly better.

Charlie and Olivia put on their winter gear. “We’re going to head out. It’s Christmas Eve tomorrow, and we have presents to wrap.”

Dismay hit Rissa. “I forgot all about Christmas.” Her eyes flew to the cupboard where she’d stashed Burke’s present. Had it survived?

Jolie seemed to read her mind. “We need a few minutes of girl time. Out.”

Burke grinned at his sister. “You always were bossy.”

Ford grinned. “That hasn’t changed.”

Jolie sketched a bow. “Thank you. That’s what happens when you’re the youngest. Now, go, give us a few minutes.”

Rissa knew they wouldn’t go far. The danger might be over, but it would be a while before they all believed it.

“Thanks, Jolie. Do you know if the gifts are destroyed?”

Her voice shook as she moved to the closet.

Jolie shrugged. “I didn’t open anything, but the gifts for the kids look perfect. Burke’s was squashed under the piece of countertop and a few science tubs. The wrapping paper is torn, but I didn’t want to unwrap it for you. That felt rude.”

Rissa managed a smile as she opened the closet and pulled out the gifts. Frizzle scooted up to her dog bed on the bench. They’d even put it back to rights. “You are amazing. All of you. I can’t believe you do this.”

Jolie smiled. “You’re family, Rissa. Always were, always will be. Do you want me to leave so I don’t see the present? Or I can turn around.”

Rissa smiled. “It’s okay. I might need moral support if it’s broken.”

She set the box on her workstation and ripped off the paper. It would have to be replaced anyway.

The glass on the front of the shadow box was cracked, and as soon as she released the paper, the glass fell off.

She rolled her lips together and blinked hard while she and Jolie added the glass pieces to the garbage bin filled with her broken science equipment.

Jolie squatted down to study the box. Rissa crossed her fingers and did the same. A corner of the box had broken off, but it was a back corner, and she didn’t think it mattered.

The items she’d glued to the top and bottom were intact. Her commercial glue gun had done the job. Other than the glass and the back corner, the present was intact.

Jolie stood and wiped her face, making Rissa realize her friend was crying. “Are you okay, Jolie?”

Jolie smiled. “I’m overcome in the very best way. This is the most incredible gift. Burke is going to love it. So are Amber, Knox, and Lawson. You’re wonderful, Rissa.”

“I didn’t have the money for a regular gift.”