Page 51 of The Wish List
The boys shed their winter coats, hung them on pegs near the front door then hurried around the room inspecting the decorations Beth had set out with instructions from Shauna.
After touching a gentle finger to one of the nutcrackers on the television stand, Timmy ran over to hug his mom. “Declan said that Santa’s elves were going to come over tonight and help finish decorating the house.”
Shauna lowered herself to a chair, propping her crutches against the wall and then ruffled her son’s thick hair. “Actually—”
“Clearly, I was right,” Declan said, “since one of the things Timmy asked for in his letter to the big guy was some help for you. Santa always listens when little boys have been good.”
“And we’ve been good,” Zach said, although Beth couldn’t tell whether it was a statement or a question.
Timmy frowned. “I’ve been especial good ’cause I’m the one who asked for it. You asked for Legos and action figures.”
“We didn’t both need to ask,” Zach said, taking a menacing step toward his brother. Beth wasn’t sure if she should laugh or insert herself between the two boys.
“Like I told you...” Dec stepped forward to interrupt the fight that Beth could see brewing. “The two of you getting along is what makes the most difference to Santa because that makes the most difference to your mom.”
“You are my best boys.” Shauna gestured Zach closer and wrapped an arm around each twin. “A few of Santa’s elves did stop by.” She winked at Beth. “They helped out a lot and they might have given me a hint about what you’re getting for Christmas.”
Both boys gasped. “What did they say?” Zach asked.
“I can’t tell you because that would give away the surprise. We have more time for you to show that you can be good.”
Beth smiled. She’d once tried using Santa as an incentive for Trinity to eat her vegetables. Then Freya had spilled the beans about Santa Claus, and Beth lost that battle. Their mother hadn’t cared much about vegetables, even before the divorce.
Even in the rehab center, May made a fuss over every spoonful of green beans or peas the girls tried to coerce her to eat.
“I’m heading to Champions if you’ve got things under control,” Dec told Shauna.
She nodded. “Thanks to the elves, I feel way calmer than I did before. I think we might make it through Christmas with my sanity intact.”
“God bless the elves,” Declan murmured.
“Do you want me to stay and help with bedtime?” Beth offered. She felt Declan’s heated gaze on her but didn’t make eye contact. Blushing was one thing, but it would be mortifying to spontaneously combust in front of Shauna and the twins.
“No thanks. I think we’re going to watch part of a Christmas movie before bed. I’m ready for some snuggly sofa time. Those elves inspired me. Boys, how about you change into your jammies while I cue upElf?”
Zach and Timmy cheered then headed for the stairs.
Beth smiled as she zipped up her quilted jacket. “I’ll talk to my mom’s care coordinator about an afternoon that would work for baking.”
Zach paused halfway up the staircase. “Baking with Miss May? Awesome.”
“Yay,” Timmy added.
These boys really did love May, which Beth still had trouble wrapping her mind around. She hugged Shauna and walked out into the night with Declan.
“It was nice of you to help Shauna,” he said.
“I had fun.” She didn’t quite know how to describe it without admitting that she had work colleagues but no true friends in town.
He nodded and shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m working until eleven tonight if you want to stop by?”
“You manage twin wrangling and bartending plus helping Bill get the business ready to sell. Is there anything you can’t handle?”
“I suck at relationships.”
She burst out laughing. “I bet you’ve never tried at a relationship.”
“Because I know I’ll suck.”
