Page 84 of Merry Christmas, Cowboy

“Well, you won’t be missing me for long. I’m coming home. My deployment is up and I won’t be reenlisting. It’s time for me to come on home.”

“That’s the best Christmas gift you could’ve given us, Sam.” Her mother’s face lit up.

“When, Sam?” her dad asked.

“I should be back in the States in March.”

Each of them had a chance to speak to Sam for several minutes, and when the call was over, a newfound joy entered her heart. This news was just what all of them needed. Dinner was eaten with gusto as the three of them reminisced about Sam and his antics while growing up. Her folks laughed harder and smiled more than they had since they’d arrived. The news buoyed her up too. She’d been praying for her brother’s safe return. And those prayers were being answered.

A knock came at her door and she walked over to the peephole to see who it was. “Coop’s here,” she announced. She opened the door with a smile. “Hi. Come in.”

He held packages in his arms. “I really can’t come in. I’m only here to drop these off to you.”

“To me?” She glanced at the Christmas gifts. “Why, I’ll be seeing you tomorrow. Unless that’s changed.”

“No, nothing’s changed. Well, except that Garrett and Cody aren’t coming for Christmas. He, uh, thought it would be better for you, if they didn’t come.”

“I don’t want to be the reason they don’t spend Christmas with you.”

“Tell that to Garrett. He’s pretty stubborn about it. You see, these gifts aren’t from us. They’re from the Browns. Garrett figured you didn’t want to see him right now, and well, he wanted to make sure you got them.

“So here you go.” He made the transfer, putting the gifts in her arms. “And for what it’s worth, Garrett is having a hard time with this.”

She nodded. She got it. He was still grieving his sister’s death. She’d wanted so much for him to have a good holiday and it was too bad things had gotten so complicated. “It’s the one-year anniversary of his sister’s death.”

“I don’t think that’s it, Nic. I think he’s pretty upset with himself… about other things.” Coop stared into her eyes and she got the message.

“Thank you for bringing these things over. I appreciate it.”

“No problem. Well, see you tomorrow.”

“We’ll be there.”

Once Coop left, she glanced down at the packages, finding gifts for everyone. “Mom, Dad, have a seat in the living room by the tree. You have gifts to open.”

Her parents were curious enough to come over without question. They sat down and she handed out the gifts. “These are from Garrett and Cody.”

“Honey, are you sure you want to do this?”

“Dad, Garrett’s not a bad guy. Yes, he hurt me, but not intentionally. His only crime was in not telling me soon enough. But I understand his reasons. And maybe I fooled myself into thinking we had a chance. But he never lied to me about his intentions. He was always going to leave.”

“You’ve come full circle, sweetheart,” her mother said. “And I agree with you about Garrett. Both of you have had a hard year.”

“Well, Dad, age before beauty,” she said with a wink. “Go ahead and open yours.”

Her dad ripped the wrapping paper, and opened the box. Inside was a card that he read aloud. “To George, for the carpenter in you.” He worked through the paper lifting out a brand-new leather tool belt. “This is… too much.”

“Oh, George, it’s a wonderful gift. You two were always talking about tools.”

“Yeah, we were. It’s a thoughtful gift.”

“Yes, it is,” Nicole said quietly. “Mom, go ahead and open yours.”

Her mother was quicker about opening up the package. Inside she found a tin of homemade cookies. “Look at that,” she said. “Cody decorated them himself and signed the card.” She showed everyone the name he’d printed out on the card. “That’s very sweet.”

“Now for yours,” her mother said. “Go ahead, open it up.”

She didn’t know what to expect as she opened the box. “There’s no card.” She pushed away the tissue paper and lifted out a good-sized pine cone, decorated with red and green and gold paint. “It’s an ornament from Cody for our tree.” Her eyes watered. “He likes painting these.”

---