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With one last longing look at the apple pie, I said, “Okay, you cool off while I go change.”
My doorbell rang right as I was about to head to my bedroom. Frowning, I walked over to the front door and peeked out to see Mason and Charlie standing on my doorstep, both of them bundled up.
“Merry Christmas!” Charlie and Mason said when I opened the door.
Laughing, I motioned for them to come inside.
“Come in! You both look like you’re freezing. How long have you been outside?”
Mason trembled as he shook off some loose snow. “Just from the back door to here. I don’t think I’ve ever felt temperatures this cold before.”
Charlie held up a box that had a giant red bow on it. “Daddy and I got you a present, Ms. Palmer!”
My heart melted on the spot. I had dropped Mason’s and Charlie’s presents off last night, giving them to Mason’s mother, Jennifer. Charlie and Mason had been out walking Charlie’s new puppy that I’d kept until yesterday afternoon. He was a ten-week-old lab-boxer mix, and he was the dog that Charlie had fallen for the moment he’d seen him at the pet shelter.
I reached for the present and smiled at both of them. “Why, thank you! Where’s the puppy?”
“He’s with Grammy and Grandad. We named him!” Charlie practically shouted with delight.
“You did? What did you come up with?”
Charlie smiled that toothless grin that made my heart skip every time I saw it. “We named him Clarence!”
I felt my eyes grow wide as I looked at Mason. “Is that an old family name?”
He laughed. “No, it’s not. Charlie heard it on one of the shows he likes to watch and thought it would be a great name for the puppy.”
I bent down and smiled at Charlie. “I love it! I think it’s perfect for him.”
He bounced on his toes. “I think so too! When can Clarence come play with Whiskey?”
I glanced around my place to look for the aforementioned cat. He was clearly sleeping in today. “You can bring him over anytime to play.”
Charlie smiled, looked at his dad, and then back at me. “Ms. Palmer, will you come over for Christmas dinner?”
I pulled my mouth down into a sad face. “I wish I could, buddy, but I’m going over to my parents’ house to spend Christmas with them.”
Before Charlie or Mason could respond, my cell phone rang. It was my father’s ringtone.
“Give me one second, that’s my dad.”
I rushed over to grab my phone and answered with a, “Merry Christmas, Daddy!” I had tried calling earlier but figured they were taking advantage of one of only two days a year they closed the restaurant.
“Merry Christmas, baby girl. First, everyone’s okay—but we’re going to have to cancel Christmas at our house.”
My heart dropped. “Why? What’s wrong?”
“Your mother’s feeling poorly. I think she has the stomach flu, and I’m not that far behind her. With Adelaide and Sutton pregnant, we don’t want to be around them. I’ve called them, and they’ve both decided to have a quiet day at their homes with Gannon and Brody. Your brother called earlier; he’s been up all night, throwing up.”
“Do you think he also has the flu?” I asked.
“Maybe; the three of us had an early dinner yesterday. Your brother was snooping around, asking some of our customers if they had any thoughts on who Ms. Seaside was.” He chuckled. “Your mother is convinced someone laced the food because of all of Brax’s questions.”
I felt Mason walk up to me, so I turned to face him. Into the phone, I asked, “Did he at least get any information?”
Dad laughed. “No.” Then he started to cough.
“Dad, the stomach flu doesn’t usually have a cough associated with it.”
“Is everyone okay?” Mason asked.
“Hold on, Dad. Mason’s standing right here.” I removed the phone from my ear and said, “My parents think they have the stomach flu, and so does Brax. But my dad has a cough as well.”
He frowned. “Would they like me to stop by and take a look at both of them?”
“Do you want Mason to stop by there, Dad?”
“No! And for Pete’s sake, Palmer, I simply coughed. I’m not hacking up a lung. We’ll be fine, and Braxton said he’s fine as well. He said he’ll probably open a can of soup soon if he can keep down the crackers he ate earlier.”
“Do you have enough fluids besides water?”
My father sighed. “We’re fine, Palmer. Don’t forget, we took care of four kids who were often sick. I think a day or two of rest is what we all need. I’m sorry you’re going to be alone for Christmas though. I’m sure if you call Sutton or Adelaide, they would love to have you over.”
I felt my body sag. I was going to be alone for Christmas. The one day a year I absolutely looked forward to being with my family.
