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Snow fell throughout the early morning hours, but Hope didn’t mind. Each snowflake felt like a tiny miracle. Every few minutes, she’d wanted to pinch herself to make sure Gabe’s offer was real. Around eleven, she talked the children into taking a walk into the forest beyond the trailer park. She needed to drink in the fresh air and sing at the top of her lungs.
Holding each of their hands, she encouraged them to sing “Joy to the World” with her. They did. Moments later, she heard others in the forest join in, and her heart filled with delight.
At noon, she hustled the children into the camper, asked them to change into their Christmas best. Melody’s year-old dress was a tad snug, but she didn’t complain. Cheerfully, she slipped on her wool stockings, tucked her feet into boots, and clicked her heels to signify to her mother that she was ready to go.
Todd struggled with his hair. “Mom, it’s sticking out everywhere.”
Since when did he care? Hope wondered.
Melody whispered, “I think he has a crush on someone.”
“Really? Who?”
“Addie’s granddaughter Polly.”
“Hmm,” Hope said. “And here I thought he had a crush on Khloe.” She helped Todd manage his unruly hair, kissed his cheeks, and said, “Let’s get a move on. We don’t want to keep everyone waiting.”
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Steve pulled into Hope Valley Trailer Park and followed the road to Hope’s site, but the camper wasn’t there. “Drat,” he muttered.
“Don’t swear.” Lincoln was pulsating with so much excitement in the passenger seat, the bells on his sweater were tinkling.
“Drat isn’t swearing.”
“Mom won’t let me say it.”
“I’m not you.”
A white-haired woman in a blue warmup suit tapped on the driver’s window with her cane. Steve rolled down the window.
“Looking for the Lyons family?” she asked.
Steve nodded and opened the door. Lincoln reached to open his. Steve said, “Stay in the car.”
Lincoln saluted.
Steve switched off the car and stepped out of the Lexus. When he straightened, he was a good head taller than the woman. “Merry Christmas, ma’am.”
She tilted her head back, assessing him. “I know you.”
“I don’t believe we’ve met.”
She waggled her cane. “Yes, indeed, I’d know that voice anywhere. You’re Steve Waldren. I’m Grace Holmes. My late husband listened to you every night, rest his soul. He couldn’t get through dinner without hearing everything there was to know about sports. When he wasn’t listening to you, he was over at Good Sports talking to your dad about you.” The woman cocked her head. “I think he had a bit of a crush on you.”
“I’m sure he only had eyes for you, Grace,” he said.
Her eyes twinkled. “Oho. You have a silver tongue, young man.”
“His tongue isn’t silver,” Lincoln said through the opened window.
Steve smiled. “Grace, do you happen to know where the Lyons might be?”
“Heavens yes. It’s Christmas. Everyone from the trailer park plus all the others are at the Unitarian Church for Christmas dinner.”
“The others?”
“You’ll see.”
Steve cocked his head. “Why aren’t you there?”
“Being social isn’t my forte.”
“You seem pretty social to me,” Steve teased.
“One on one, I’m fine, but in a crowd, without my sweet Henry, I falter. Hope promised to bring me back a slice of pie.” She aimed her cane at Steve. “Go on, now. Go to church.”
“I shouldn’t intrude.”
“It’s a party. A celebration. Everyone is welcome. Go. I know you want to. I can see the gleam in your eyes.” Grace twirled a finger. “Don’t talk yourself out of it. You’ll regret it if you do.” She tapped Steve’s arm. “If you’re feeling a bit shy, go incognito. That’s what Henry did when he asked me out on our first date.” She placed a hand over her heart. “He wore a porkpie hat and a mustache, and he pretended to be from Italy and sang ‘O Sole Mio.’ What a card he was.”
“I’ll bet.”
“Go on now.” She shooed him away.
Steve tipped his head in thanks and flung open the car door. He slipped into the driver’s seat and ground the Lexus into reverse, but he pressed on the brake as an idea formed. He yelled out the window. “Grace, how many children will be there?” he shouted.
“Forty. Maybe fifty.”
Steve cranked the car into forward.
“Where are we going?” Lincoln asked.
“The Christmas Attic and then Good Sports.”
“For lures?”
“Not for lures.”
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Hope stood just inside the church’s gathering room and said, “Melody and Todd, do exactly as Addie asks tonight. If she says set the table, you set the table.”
“Yes, Mom,” they said in unison.
“But for now, go play. I see Polly and the other kids making paper chains to string on the Christmas tree. Join them.”
Melody grabbed Todd’s hand and led him to the art table.
At the piano, a white-haired woman was playing “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.” A few aging attendees were crooning along. One was horribly off key. No one seemed to mind.
“Hi, Mom!” Todd waved to her from where he stood next to Polly.
Hope waved back, her mind buzzing with excitement about Gabe’s offer. Insurance? A 401K? Would he let Zerena and her make a few subtle changes to the menu and to the display case? Aroma Café didn’t lack for clientele, but the café could do an even better business with a tasty takeout menu and, of course, more to-go desserts.
Addie sidled up to Hope. “I’m so glad Melody is safe.”
“Me, too.”
“She doesn’t look the worse for wear.”
“Luckily.”
“How are you?” Addie asked.
Hope shared the good news.
Addie gave her a supportive hug. “That’s wonderful, hon. Just what you’ve been praying for.”
“Mm-hmm,” Hope murmured. “I’ll save a bit more money and, in a year, we’ll be able to move into an apartment.”
Addie caressed her shoulder. “You make those plans. You deserve the very best.”
Hope kissed Addie on the cheek. “Thank you for doing . . . all you do.”
“It’s my calling.”
Hope joined the children and helped make paper chains.
An hour later, when the tree was overloaded with decorations, Addie announced that dinner was about to be served. Eight extra-long tables had been covered with red tablecloths. More than sixty adults and forty children had come to celebrate.
Just as the attendees were bowing their heads to give thanks for the beautiful bounty, the door opened and Santa strutted inside with a big red sack slung over his shoulder.
“Ho, ho, ho!” he bellowed. “Merry Christmas.”
Children swiveled in their chairs, eager to get a look. A chorus of It’s Santa rang out.
Hope leaned toward Addie. “This is new. You’ve never invited a Santa.”
“I didn’t this year, either.”
“You didn’t?”
“Nope.”
Hope’s heart leaped into her throat when she realized Santa was Steve. The beard couldn’t hide his sculpted cheekbones or his gorgeous eyes. Why was he here? His brother was standing just inside the door, batting an envelope he was holding against his leg. Where was Gloria?
Addie started to rise.
Hope put a hand on her friend’s shoulder. “Sit. I’ve got this.” She placed her napkin on her chair, smoothed her hair, and strode to Steve. “Hello, Mr. Claus. Looking good. Your mustache is a little loose.” She pressed it in place for him. With the nearness, she inhaled his woodsy scent and desire rushed through her. “Where’d you get the red bag?”
“From the décor on my parents’ roof.”
“Why are you here?” she whispered.
“What does it look like?” He patted his bag. “Bringing toys for all the good girls and boys.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s Christmas.”
“That’s so sweet of you.”
“I’m also here because you’re here,” he said.
“Where’s your fiancée?” Hope asked, expecting Gloria to materialize in a sexy elf costume.
“Back in Minneapolis. Where she belongs. For good.”
“I thought you and she—”
“Were hooking up again? Nope. I didn’t re-invite her into my life. And I won’t. Her appearance was a surprise.” He paused. “An unwanted surprise.”
A delicious swizzle of desire ran down Hope’s spine. “How did you know I’d be here?”
“Your neighbor Grace clued me in. So Lincoln and I—”
Steve glanced over his shoulder. Hope beckoned Lincoln. He shook his head.
“Is he okay?” she asked.
“He’s not comfortable with the unfamiliar,” Steve said. “I’ve got this.” He strode to Lincoln, took the envelope, pocketed it, and whispered to him. Whatever he’d said made Lincoln perk up. “Ho, ho, ho, children!” Steve bellowed again, a cheer that filled the meeting room. “My assistant is going to help me hand out toys. Who wants one?”
All the children’s hands shot into the air. Over the course of the next few minutes, Steve and Lincoln delivered the gifts—dolls, baseballs, puzzle boxes, trains, and more.
Hope watched in amusement, realizing that in addition to raiding their parents’ rooftop, Steve and his brother must have ransacked their parents’ stores. She was pretty sure that hadn’t been Lincoln’s idea. Steve Waldren, she thought to herself, you’re surprising me at every turn.
When Steve and Lincoln completed their task and children were showing off their toys to one another, they approached Hope.
