Page 49 of The Blessings of Christmas
“You mean the big, colored lights?” Sarah had decided they were too old-fashioned. She was surprised that he remembered. Both boys nodded. “Okay, I’ll go get them.”
“Let me help.” Ryan looked to the boys for help. “Guys, can you hold down the fort?”
“Sure. Of course.” They exchanged another look.
“Maybe pick out smaller ornaments so the branches don’t sag from the weight,” Sarah told them from the stairway.
The boys got to work and Ryan followed her upstairs. In the narrow hallway she pulled at the chain that lowered a staircase and flicked on the light.
Upstairs, they both ducked under the rafters. The attic was freezing and she shivered. “Just point,” Ryan said.
She motioned to the three green tubs stacked in a corner. “They’re marked.”
“Got it.” But when he went to move around her, Sarah lost her balance. The space was so cramped.
“You okay?” Grabbing her arms, Ryan steadied her.
“No.” She could only shake her head. “No, I’m not. And I don’t know what’s wrong.”
One arm came around her waist and he cradled her head in his other hand. “Don’t let things get you down this Christmas.”
“I’m trying.” His words soothed her. Still, they had a job to do. “I’m glad you came today.”
The attic was freezing but his kiss warmed her. Her eyes fluttered shut. Just one kiss and then he pulled back.
“Don’t stop. Not yet.” Sarah didn’t open her eyes. His kiss was comfort and she needed more.
“Oh, Sarah.”
Ryan’s second kiss touched her heart, his lips sweet and gentle. Sarah tightened her arms around his neck. “I’ve been thinking about this since the other night,” she murmured, rubbing her nose on his.
He pulled back and grinned. “Good. So have I.”
“But is this right, Ryan?” Uncertainty prickled in the back of her mind.
“It’s right in every way. But you have to feel that way too, Sarah.”
She laid a finger on his lips. Felt the bristle of his stubble on her skin. “I think I’m worrying about nothing,”
His low laugh awakened every nerve in her body. “And I think you’re right.”
“Mom?” Nathan’s voice rose from the bottom of the ladder.
“Coming,” she called down.
“Where are those lights?” Ryan peered at the tubs.
“Lights.” She pointed to the one with a label she recognized. He dragged it to the top of the stairs and together they carefully negotiated the ladder.
Downstairs, the boys had hung a couple of smaller ornaments on the tree. But it would take a lot to make these sparse boughs look festive. At least the needles were still on the tree. She’d checked that morning and they were soft and pliant in her fingers. Could have been her imagination but the branches seemed a deeper green than before. Ryan opened the box and took out the old-fashioned lights. The boys’ eyes widened. Big and multi-colored, they’d dwarf the tiny tree. Ryan began stringing the lights.
“Should we eat first and then decorate?” she asked.
“I want to decorate now.” It was unusual for Justin to speak up first. “Our tree looks lonely.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” But what could Sarah say? The tree was puny––a real rescue tree. No matter how they turned the poor thing, it had no good side.
Ryan shrugged. “It's up to your mom.”
