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“In the kitchen. Thanks, hon, you’re a doll.” She turned and started for the bathroom.
“Take your time, sis. They’re not going anywhere.”
Kara nodded but didn’t slow her pace. She yanked the towel off her head, combed the snarls out of her hair, then put in a handful of mousse, scrunching the way Edie had shown her. She grabbed the hair dryer and wafted warm air over it. In five minutes her hair was done. Edie would be proud. As a former model, Edie had taught Kara more than the art of beauty—she’d also taught her how to achieve it with speed.
She flipped open her makeup case and gave herself the once over. When she finished and looked in the mirror, she was happy with the results. And for a moment she thought about what a change that was from the way she used to feel when she looked into a mirror. “Thanks, Edie,” she whispered to the mirror. Then she smacked on some lip gloss and headed into her bedroom.
She picked out a pretty blouse—but not a fancy one—tossed her T-shirt into the hamper, grabbed socks, a pair of suede walking shoes and her denim jacket. Then she headed back down the stairs, where Tyler was telling Selene excitedly that he was going to get to ride a pony today.
Jimmy stood up when she entered the room, blinking at her as if he’d never seen her before. “Wow.”
Kara lifted her brows, looked down at her clothes.
“How do youdothat?” he asked.
“Do what?”
He shook his head slowly. “Never mind. You look great, Kara. Beautiful, as always.”
“A far cry from last night, huh, Jimmy?” Selene asked.
Kara sent her a frown, but she only returned a wink.
“Last night?” He looked at Kara again. “Ithought she looked great last night, too.”
“Oh, yeah? Ponytail, no makeup, T-shirt and all?”
He looked at Selene a little oddly. Kara rolled her eyes. “Let’s get going, huh? We’ve kept Ty waiting long enough for those pancakes.”
* * *
They were sitting at the unimaginatively named Big Falls Diner in the center of the village, when Tyler looked up, widened his eyes, and said, “Dad, look! It’s Santa!”
Kara followed Ty’s pointing finger. Santa Claus was straightening the big throne like chair on the round pavilion, a few yards from the giant Christmas Tree, just outside the diner.
“I’ve gotta talk to him. I’vegot to!” Tyler slid out of the booth, grabbing his crutches and hurrying toward the exit.
“Ty, wait! I don’t think Santa’s open for business yet.”
“Duh, Dad. He’s wearing the suit, isn’t he?”
“Well, yeah, but–”
A woman opened the diner’s big glass door to come in, and Tyler almost mowed her down hobbling out past her, belatedly calling, “‘Scuse me,” over his shoulder.
Jimmy grabbed the door, held it for the newcomer, and apologized. “I’m sorry, ma’am.”
“Don’t be silly!” she replied, smiling as she watched the little boy making his way across the street. “Some things are just too important to wait.”
“Tyler, will you wait up!” Jimmy shouted, as he headed outside after his son.
Kara gripped his arm to slow him down. “It’s okay. Let him be. It’s Santa.”
Jimmy looked at her, shook his head, then watched as Santa spotted the little boy hurrying toward him and smiled and ho-ho-hoed in the jolliest possible way.
“Oh, Santa! I’m so glad you’re here!” Tyler said when he reached him.
The red-suited, full bearded fellow crouched down and said, “I’m glad you’re here too, Tyler,” with a glance over Ty’s shoulder and a wink at Jimmy.
