Page 46 of The Christmas Keepsake
“Okay, next on the list is… warm socks.” Hollis consulted the crumpled paper in his hand as Mallory steered them toward the appropriate aisle.
“Socks are always a good gift,” she mused.
Hollis chuckled, a hint of melancholy in his voice. “You’d think so, wouldn’t you? But one Christmas at the boys home, all I got was a pack of new socks and a Lakers hat. The socks weren’t even my size.”
Mallory’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry.”
He shrugged it off. “I gave the socks to another kid who could use them. But, man, I’d been hoping for a Green Bay Packers hat. Guess beggars can’t be choosers, right?”
Mallory reached out and squeezed his arm gently. “You weren’t a beggar. You were a child who deserved so much more than you got.”
Her touch sent a warmth through him, and Hollis found himself opening up further about a topic he rarely talked about with anyone. “It’s funny how those memories stick with you, you know? But hey, it made me appreciate what I have now.”
As they continued shopping, picking up toiletries, school supplies, and warm clothing, Hollis found himself having a better time than he’d had in ages. Their hands brushed as they reached for gifts, and each accidental touch sent a jolt of electricity through him.
“How ’bout you?” Hollis asked as they debated between two different board games to put in the shopping cart. “What were your Christmases like growing up?”
Mallory’s expression turned wistful. “Oh, the holidays were nice. Nan and Grandpa Mickey always tried their best. But… I was always afraid to ask for too much. I didn’t want to be a burden, you know?”
Hollis nodded. “I understand that.”
“I usually asked for things I knew Maddie wanted,” she said. “That way, she’d get more presents.”
“Sounds like you and I have more in common than I would have thought,” he said softly.
Mallory’s eyes twinkled as she looked up at him. “You think?”
Hollis offered a playful smirk. “The difference is, your hardships made you the ‘good girl’ while mine made me the ‘bad boy.’”
She laughed, the sound warming Hollis from the inside out. “Oh, please.” She nudged him with her elbow. “I’ll have you know, I had my share of rebellion… And you’re not the bad boy anymore, Hol. You’re just… a really nice one.”
Her words hit him with an unexpected blow. He had to look away momentarily to compose himself. When he turned back, Mallory was studying the boys home wish list intently.
“Looks like we’ve got everything.” She ran her finger down theitems. “Check. Check. Check… Oh, wait, no. There’s one more item we need.”
“What’s that?”
Mallory steered their cart toward the men’s clothing department. He followed, wondering what on earth they’d forgotten. He’d been tracking the list as they’d walked through the large department store.
He watched Mallory scan the racks with purpose, finally zeroing in on a display of sports merchandise.
“Aha!” She plucked a Green Bay Packers hat from the shelf and held it out to him. “We’re getting this.”
His throat was tight as he stared at the hat that had been on his teenage Christmas wish. “Mal, that’s not on the list…”
“Maybe not this list.” She tapped the paper. “But it was on a list at one point. I’m buying this for you as an early Christmas gift, and I’m not taking no for an answer.”
Hollis’s fingers brushed against hers as he took the familiar green-and-gold ball cap. He cleared his throat, some part of him wishing he hadn’t told Mallory the story about this hat he’d wanted because now he felt vulnerable and was fighting back tears.
Stepping closer, she placed the hat on his head. “There.” She adjusted the cap slightly. “It’s not a Santa hat, but it looks good on you.”
“Thank you. This means more than you know.”
Mallory’s smile was soft and understanding. “We have a lot in common, remember? I think I have an idea.”
They stood there for a moment, lost in each other’s eyes, the bustling store fading away in the background. That’s when he knew. It wasn’t the hat that was on his wish list this year. It was the woman in front of him.
“Come on,” Mallory said finally, breaking the spell. “Let’s pay for all this stuff and get it to the boys home. I bet they’re excited for their Christmas surprises.”
