Page 30 of Christmas Treasures

Travis reached behind him to pull the dollhouse from the shelf and placed it on the counter. “A popular choice. It comes with furnishings for each room, and we have these lovely dolls in vintage dresses sold separately, but I highly recommend them. She’ll want people for her house.”

Charlie picked up one of the dolls, carefully smoothing its lace dress. “I don’t know about Bianca, but I would have loved this.”

“And how about a tea set?” Travis suggested, gesturing toward a delicate porcelain set painted with flowers and trimmed with gold. “Perfect for hosting imaginary tea parties.”

“She might need a small table and chairs,” Charlie said.

Travis led them over to a corner of the shop to show them a child’s dining set. For whatever reason, the sight ofthose small chairs nearly brought him to tears. “Yes, we’ll take that for sure.”

“Do you have any tuxedo cat stuffed animals?” Charlie asked.

Travis chuckled before heading over to a shelf primed with stuffed animals. He picked up a plush tuxedo cat with velvety fur, white paws, and a charming pink nose. “What do you think?”

“Exactly like the one she adored at the trattoria.” Max turned it over, smiling softly. “I have to get this.”

“So cute,” Charlie said. “Although not as good as the real thing. Like Figgy.”

“Figaro is at least four times as big as this guy,” Max said.

Charlie nudged him in the ribs. “So rude.”

Travis’s eyes gleamed with obvious excitement that they were buying out the store. “Anything else?”

Max looked around, eyes lingering on the train set that wound around a miniature Christmas village, tiny lights blinking cheerfully from tiny shop windows. “I’d like the train for myself, but I’ll have to ask Santa.”

Travis nodded in understanding. “Hopefully you’ve been good this year. That’s a highly coveted train set by most of the boys who come in here, regardless of age.”

“I don’t think I’ve been too good,” Max said.

“I’ll get this all packaged up for you and bring it out to your place, if that helps?” Travis asked. “I need a few things from your store anyway.”

“That would be fantastic. Thanks, Travis.” For a flatlander, he wasn’t so bad.

Stepping back onto the street, Max felt lighter. This wasn’t so hard. Despite the cost of everything, which he did not have in his budget, the day was turning out to be a great success.

“One more stop. Let’s go find some books.” Max offered his arm to Charlie.

To his surprise, she took it.

Clever Fox Bookswas bustling when Max and Charlie stepped through the door, welcomed by a wave of warmth and the murmur of cheerful voices. Laney stood behind the counter, her brown hair in a ponytail as she rang up a customer.

Charlie inhaled deeply, smiling as she looked around. “I adore this bookstore.” She gestured toward wooden shelves reaching the high ceiling, snug reading nooks lined with plush chairs, and strings of twinkle lights winding around bookcases.

Laney glanced up, her eyes lighting in surprise, as her customer headed out. “Hey, guys. What’s going on?”

Max shrugged out of his coat, quickly warming in the cozy shop. “We’re putting together Bianca’s bedroom and thought we should get some books for her shelves.”

“Oh, wonderful!” Laney said, stepping from behind the counter. “Do you have anything in mind?”

“I’m not sure,” Max admitted, rubbing a hand over his neck. “I think we should get some in Italian and some in English.”

“I can order Italian editions, but it’ll take a bit,” Laney said. “Off the top of my head, I can think of three series that are popular for middle-grade readers in Italy. Fairy Oak, Valentina, and Geronimo Stilton.”

“Never heard of them,” Max said.

“I have,” Charlie said. “They’re popular enough that I would guess Bianca has either read them or knows of them. They could make her feel more at home.”

“Great. For now, I can get you set up with some popular picture books that you could read to her.” Laney guided them toward the children’s section, where bookshelves overflowed with brightly illustrated covers and plush reading pillows scattered across the floor. Above the shelves, paper stars hung gently swaying, and at the center, a Christmas tree made entirely from stacked books glowed softly with fairy lights.

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