Page 98 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
Fee looked puzzled.
‘Family tradition.While the cafe is closed for the day the Thanksgiving decorations come down and Mary-Jo turns it into Christmas.’ He squeezed her hand. ‘Do you mind helping?’
‘I’m not exactly creative but I’ll give it a try.’
‘Thanks. I expect you can hang giant plastic candy canes with the best of them.’
‘Will it be full-on Christmas from now on?’
‘Oh, yeah. Thirty-three daysand counting.’
‘You’re as bad as Lulu. Don’t tell me you still expect a Christmas stocking at your age?
‘Of course and if you’re very good Santa will bring you something too.’
‘I’m pretty sure he brought mine early although he could’ve tied a red bow around your neck to make you look more festive.’
‘I’ll see what I can do later,’ Tom whispered.
‘One morething before y’all get crazy.’ His mother held up a red velvet drawstring bag. ‘I’m gonna start with Fee and we’ll go around the table clockwise.’
‘What—’
‘It’s okay, honey. This is to find your Secret Santa pal.’ He explained that with the family growing so large they’d decided a few years ago to only give the kids proper Christmas presents. The grown-ups swapped names and boughtthat one person a gag gift. ‘It can’t cost more than five dollars and the more outrageous the better.’
‘Oh, right. I hadn’t thought about presents.’ A shadow flitted across her face. ‘I don’t know—’
‘Don’t fret. We’re doin’ all this together remember?’ The relief in her eyes lifted Tom’s heart to his throat. Whatever it took he would always be there for her. Being thankful todaywas easy.
