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“I don’t think—”
“Please? We promised!”
“We did?”
“Yep, and it won’t take that long.” Joshua grinned, then grabbed at Nathan’s arm and started toward the library.
Muttering under his breath, Nathan followed. He’d never cared for all the hoopla of the holiday—the true meaning of Christmas he found in church on Christmas Day, not in empty trappings and commercialism.
Especially not in his parents’ home, where decorations had always been of the look-but-don’t-touch variety, and gift-giving was a competitive sport.
He could only imagine how Sara felt during the holidays with such sad memories of her father’s death.
But as he walked on, he found his spirits lifting, and by the time he and Josh reached the library, he’d even started humming “Jingle Bells.”
Because suddenly everything fell into place.
It seemed as though he’d known her all his life. Funny, bright, and compassionate, she was certainly the best thing that had happened to him in years. The thought of her leaving town after the holidays already left an empty ache in his heart—but what if she had a much better reason to stay?
If these trees at the library didn’t take very long, he might even make it to Shaw Jewelry before it closed at six.
During his second chorus of “Jingle Bells,” he realized that this Christmas might just be the best one he’d ever had.
* * * *
“IF THIS KEEPS UP, even Santa isn’t going to be able to make his rounds,” Bernice muttered glumly into the phone. “Did you hear the forecast? Christmas Eve is two weeks away, and we’ll probably be buried in snow by then!”
The holidays had been hard for her mother all the years since Dad had died. This year, though, she’d allowed Sara to help decorate her apartment beyond the little artificial tree she usually put on the table by her front window.
“I hope not. I promised Leon that I’d bring him over for our Christmas Eve supper, and I think he’s looking forward to it.”
“I...I want you to know how proud I am of you.”
Surprised, Sara pulled the receiver away from her ear and stared at it.
“You’ve done a lot for that poor man. More than most people would have. One of my customers brought in a dress alteration and said her niece works in the grocery store. She was telling me about how you’ve gone out of your way to help him. She says the deputy has been good to him, too.”
Sara smiled to herself. Small towns—where nothing goes unnoticed. “Leon likes his social worker now, and he’s doing pretty well these days. I just figure he needs a friend.”
“All the same, I’m glad you’ve helped him. And even though I was a little...hesitant, I want you to know that I’m glad you invited him for Christmas.”
Hesitant wasn’t quite the word, but after considerable reassurances, Bernice had agreed. Maybe after Sara went back to Dallas, her mother would even decide to befriend the lonely man, and might find others in town whom she could help in some way. Moving beyond her self-imposed solitary world would help her, as well.
“He’s incredibly gifted at the piano, though he doesn’t read music and says he won’t play in front of anyone. I wish I could convince him to try your old upright while he’s there. He says no, but maybe you’ll be able to talk him into it.”
“Maybe. Or maybe he’d be tempted by an extra piece of my cherry pie.”
Sara laughed. “You’ve just come up with a perfect plan.”
After their call ended, Sara held her cell phone, debated for a moment, then dialed Jane’s number. Nathan was coming over in a few hours, but there was still time to take Harold for a long walk.
Jane picked up on the fifth ring. She sounded tired. Or were those tears Sara heard in her voice?
She’d been distant, preoccupied over the past few weeks, declining several invitations for supper or shopping, and had made it clear that she wasn’t available over the lunch hour anymore, either.
Maybe she was busy with Robert Hanson, Sara thought. The other possibility was a greater concern. Had Jane guessed that Sara had been after information?
“Hey, it’s been a long time,” Sara said. “Are you up for lunch this weekend?”
