Page 137 of Mistletoe and Mischief

“Dad, it’s obvious.” Jolene grinned from ear to ear.

She disappeared again, foraging under the tree.

“What are you looking for now?” Bruce asked, setting the box at his feet.

“A special gift,” Jolene said, her voice muffled.

“Who’s it for?”

“Rachel, from me.”

“Oh, I love getting gifts.” Rachel smiled at Bruce. Considering the months of tension between her and Jolene, she was pleased that her stepdaughter was so eager to give her presents. She leaned her head against her husband’s shoulder. This was what she’d always hoped Christmas would be like, surrounded by people she loved and who loved her.

“Here it is,” Jolene announced, scooting out backward from beneath the huge tree.

Rachel took the package from her. It was the size and shape of a shoe box.

“Can Rachel open it now?” Jolene asked her father. “Even though that’s not the rules.”

“That’s up to Rachel.”

Jolene looked at her, eyes dark and serious. “Will you, Rach?”

“If you want me to.”

“I do.” She sat on the floor as she waited for Rachel to unwrap her gift.

“I made it myself,” Jolene said, her eyes bright as she bit her lower lip. “I hope you like it.”

“I’m sure I will.” Rachel carefully slid the ribbon off and peeled back the decorative paper. The box had, indeed, held Jolene’s new gym shoes. Rachel lifted the lid and stared down at a white hand-knit baby blanket, enfolded in pink tissue. Rachel hardly knew what to say. “You...you knit this yourself?” She drew it out, marveling at the complexity of the design.

Jolene nodded. “We learned how to knit in an after-school class. I bought the pattern and the yarn at that craft shop downtown, the one where Mrs. Flemming works. I worked on it every day. I made a lot of mistakes,” she admitted. She hurried to Rachel’s side, kneeling in front of her. “See? Here’s one.”

It was so small Rachel had to squint to see it.

“There are other mistakes, too.”

“Oh, Jolene, it’sperfect.” Rachel struggled to hold back tears. “I’ll bring your sister home from the hospital in it.”

“You will?”

Rachel leaned forward and brought Jolene toward her, kissing her hair. “I’ll always treasure it, because you made it for me and the baby.”

“Don’t tell me you’re both going to get all weepy on me,” Bruce groaned.

“I might,” she said, struggling to hold back the tears.

Jolene raised her arms and wrapped Rachel in a big hug.

“I love you, Jolene,” Rachel whispered.

“I love you, too... You’re going to be a great mother.”

Bruce put his arms around them both. “She alreadyisa great mom,” he said.

Jolene nodded and met Rachel’s eyes. “Yes, she is.”

19

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