Page 59 of Sweet Surprises

“In honor of the work she did, Ruth Ann is our Christmas Star this year,” the mayor continued. “So she’s going to turn on the lights for us tonight.”

They all watched while Ruth Ann and the mayor crouched in the snow as the mayor pointed out the plug to her.

“Ten,” he called out.

“Nine,” the crowd called back happily. “Eight.”

The countdown continued, with Chance getting more excited with each number, until Tag thought he might just wiggle right out of his snow pants.

As the crowd yelledOne, Ruth Ann plugged in the cable, and suddenly everything was illuminated by the brilliant lights of the massive tree.

“Oh,” Charlotte said softly, with tears in her eyes as she gazed up at the beautifully decorated evergreen.

Tag couldn’t help but feel a little sentimental himself as he watched her take it all in. He had fond memories of so many Christmases in this town, enjoying the activities and bundling up to see the lights go on. But this was her first time.

Seeing her response made him feel good all over again about making his life here, and letting his kids grow up as much like he had as possible.

The choir had begun singing “Oh, Christmas Tree” and townsfolk joined in, so that the whole community seemed to be singing with one voice. Up at the podium, Ruth Ann Radkin wassinging too. By the end, Charlotte wasn’t the only one with tears in her eyes.

“Wasn’t that lovely?” the mayor said when the song was finished. “Now, I know we’re all excited to begin our Giving Tree event. As you can see, we’ve laid out blankets under the tree to protect the gifts. And you can also see the many gifts that are already under the tree. Those were given by our merchants, or bought with the funds they donated, all with Ruth Ann’s help.”

There was light applause and murmuring at the number of gifts that were already there. It was pretty impressive, given how small the town was.

“We all know it’s the season of giving,” the mayor said. “And we also know it was a tough year for some here in Sugarville Grove. But it feels good to give whatever we can, from the heart. If not for your generosity, some of the children who will receive these gifts wouldn’t have presents under the tree this year at all. So we thank you all for sharing what you can, as you always do.”

Chance tugged at Tag’s sleeve and looked up at him with serious eyes.

“What is it?” Tag whispered.

“The kids really won’t have presents?” Chance asked.

“Some families aren’t as lucky as ours,” Tag told him. It hurt his heart to tell the child the truth, but it was important that Chance know why they were giving gifts today. “Isn’t it great that we can help? And maybe when they have a better year, their families will help too. It’s how we all take care of each other.”

Chance nodded, but he still looked sad.

Tag grabbed a wrapped toy from his bag and handed it to Chance, and another to Olivia. He also gave Olivia the bag of clean used kids’ clothing in good condition, packaged the way they’d been told. There were boxes set up behind the podium for the clothing donations.

“So if everyone is ready,” the mayor announced, “let’s begin with our front row.”

The kids to the left of Chance and Olivia moved up to the tree, placing presents underneath it and one or two had clothing gifts to place in the boxes, too. Olivia and Chance were the last in the row, with Chance still dragging his new sled along behind him. When it was their turn, they put the wrapped toys under the tree and Olivia went to the donation boxes with the bag of clothing.

But Chance stood in front of the tree for an extra moment, looking at all the presents. Tag figured he was probably hoping he’d have just as many under his own tree.

Olivia came back to join her brother, taking his hand and murmuring something to him, probably a reminder that they had to move along. There were plenty of other people waiting with their gifts.

They headed back to where Tag and Charlotte waited, but before they made it the whole way, Chance pulled his hand away from his sister’s.

“Hang on,” he squeaked, running back to the tree.

Tag watched in wonder as his little boy tugged at the string attaching his beautiful new sled to his wrist and managed to get it off.

Chance lifted the sled, which was as big as he was, his eyes drinking in all the details he’d been mooning over every time they passed the shop window. Then he lovingly placed it under the tree with the other presents, nodded to himself, and darted back to his sister.

The whole crowd went silent for a moment and then burst into applause. Chance looked up at Tag worriedly, like he thought Tag might be mad at him for giving away his wonderful prize.

“I am so proud of you,” Tag told him, crouching to pull the boy into his arms. “That was a very generous thing you just did.”

Chance hugged him back really hard, and the park around them was a little blurry as Tag blinked back tears of his own. When Chance let go and Tag straightened up, he saw Charlotte was also swiping at the corner of her eye.

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