Page 61 of Tied Up In Tinsel
“That’s the point. It looks just like yours,” I said, winking as I set it front and center.
We moved around each other, stacking, adjusting, whisper-laughing when a box almost tipped or when the wrapping paper crinkled too loud. Every sound seemed dangerous, like it might wake Ruby before we were ready.
By the time the last bow was fluffed, Annie let out a breath and sat back on her heels. “Okay. I think that’s everything… wait!”
She pounced up, running to the kitchen and grabbing flour from the cabinet. When she returned, she sprinkled it along the fireplace, making it look like Santa was truly here.
That was pretty damn clever.
I stood, stretching, then caught sight of the plate of cookies and glass of milk Ruby had set out by the fireplace the night before. A little card sat propped beside them in her careful handwriting:For Santa.
And that’s when it hit me.
“Oh, hell,” I muttered.
Annie looked up. “What?”
“Santa can’t leave without eating his cookies.” I bolted for the plate, hurdling the coffee table, and snatching up a sugar cookie shaped like a star. Without thinking, I took a big bite, crumbs tumbling down my chin. Then I grabbed the glass of milk and tipped it back, swallowing just enough to leave a convincing dent.
When I set them down again, Annie had her hand over her mouth, giggling like she couldn’t help it.
“You’re insane,” she whispered.
“Authenticity,” I said, brushing crumbs off my chest. “It’s all about the details.”
Her laugh filled the room, soft but bright, and for a moment I just stood there staring at her. She was home, laughter, love in every corner.
Then—
A floorboard creaked.
Annie froze. “Oh. She’s up.”
We scrambled into position, Annie diving for the couch, me diving to lie with her like we hadn’t just been Santa’s accomplices.
Tiny feet pounded down the hall. Then Ruby appeared, hair wild, wearing her Christmas pajamas with candy canes all over them. Her eyes were huge, glowing, like she might burst into confetti at any second.
“HE CAME!” she shrieked, voice so loud I swore the walls shook.
I pressed my hand to my chest in mock relief. “Thank goodness. I was worried he’d forget about Snowberry Peak.”
Ruby didn’t even hear me because she was already sprinting for the tree. Annie and I exchanged a look, hers soft and misty, mine grinning ear to ear.
Ruby dropped to her knees on the rug, eyes darting over every present, hands hovering like she didn’t know which to touch first. “There’s so many! Oh my gosh, oh my gosh.” She leaned close to the plate, squealing. “He ate the cookie! Hedrank the milk!”
I cleared my throat, sitting straighter. “Well, you know… flying around the world in one night works up an appetite.”
Ruby whipped her head toward me, suspicious. “How doyouknow?”
I widened my eyes innocently. “Uh… because Santa told me once. In Texas. Rodeo stop.”
She gasped. “You’ve met him twice?”
“Sure did. Big guy. Real beard. Smelled like gingerbread.”
Ruby clapped her hands, bouncing in place, too thrilled to question me further. Annie shot me a look that clearly saidreal smooth,her smile never wavered.
Ruby dove into her presents, squeals filling the air every time she ripped through paper. A dollhouse. A new coat with fur on the hood. Books she’d begged Annie for. The pony made her scream so loud I thought the neighbors might call to check on us. She hugged it tight, whispering something to it like it was already her best friend.
