Comfort And Joy. Fern Michaels

Angus said smartly. “I have an idea.”

      “Let’s hear your idea, Big Popper,” Eva said as she slid a stack of pancakes on a plate.

      Angus burst out laughing. “Promise me you will never call me that in front of the kids. I don’t think they’d…uh…understand.”

      Eva’s eyes popped wide when Angus leaned across the table to share his idea. “Oh, Angus, can you make that happen? That will surely be the miracle we need.” She pointed to the seven-inch television on the counter and said, “Now they’re saying twelve inches of snow. Never mind those pancakes, Angus, I’ll eat yours. Get on the phone and work some magic.”

      The traditional Managers’ Holiday Breakfast was already in progress when Josh and Angie made their way to the food court. Croissants, coffee, and juice were being passed around as Bob McAllister, the president of the association, started to speak.

      “We’re going to make this short and sweet because we all have things to do to combat the weather none of us expected. As you all know, I’ll be leaving the first of the year. I want to take a minute to thank all of you for your support over the years and to wish you all the best in the coming year. I’m turning the reins over to Josh Eagle, who I know will do the same fine job I’ve done in the past…That was a joke, people.

      “Moving right along here, all of us sitting here today want to congratulate Josh Eagle and Eagle’s Department Store. We’ve been rooting for you every step of the way. You had us all chewing our nails wondering if you could turn the store around, and you did. Each and every one of us is proud of you and wish you and Eagle’s every success. Did I also say we’re all slightly jealous? We are. Utilizing the cottage industry was a stroke of genius and I for one applaud you.”

      Josh flushed at the round of applause.

      “Having said that, Abrams’ Trophies in the west wing made this up for you,” Bob said, holding up a small bronze plaque. “It says, ‘TO EAGLE’S DEPARTMENT STORE: THE MOST INNOVATIVE STORE OF 2007.’ There’s a card to go with it that every store owner signed. Congratulations, Josh!”

      Josh stood, walked to the front of the gathering, and reached for the plaque. “I don’t know what to say other than thank you. Maybe someday I’ll be able to tell all of you what this means to me. Not right now, though.”

      He looked to the back of the room to see Angie waving her cell phone at him, an ear-to-ear grin splitting her features. She walked to the front of the room to hand the phone to Josh, who listened, his jaw dropping almost to his chest.

      “People! People, wait a minute! That was my father. Maybe we aren’t dead in the water after all. My dad called down to Edison and Piscataway and asked all his friends who have horse farms if they’d get their wagons out and hitch them up and bring them our way to transport shoppers. Eva Bradford called all the radio stations to announce our wagon train shopping solution. It’s a plan, and it’s under way. We’re going to lose a few early-morning hours, but my suggestion is we all stay open around the clock. Good luck, everybody.”

      Josh whirled around to hug Angie. “Now where in the hell do you think my old man came up with this idea? Oh, who cares! Let’s just hope it works.”

      “Oh, it’s going to work. All people have to do is get to the central points and leave the rest up to us. Your dad saved the day, Josh.”

      Josh’s eyes misted over. “Yeah, he did, didn’t he,” he said softly.

      “Mr. Eagle! Mr. Eagle! Annette Profit here. I have the salon in the east wing.” She held out her hand and smiled. “I just want a minute to tell you my mother used to bring me to Eagle’s when I was little. It was always such a special treat. Especially when it was time to go back to school. Your dad always stood at the door and gave each one of us kids a free box of crayons and a tablet. On the Fourth of July he’d give us a gift certificate for a free ice-cream cone. At Easter it was a chocolate egg, and at Christmas it was a silver bell to ring so Santa would know where we lived. They were wonderful memories. Eagle’s was a tradition. I’m glad you were able to turn the store around. Good luck, Mr. Eagle.”

      Josh was so choked up he couldn’t get his tongue to work. He reached out to hug the young woman and smiled. He finally managed to choke out the words, “I’ll bring that tradition back next year if you promise to bring your kids.”

      “Count on it, Mr. Eagle.”

      Angie linked her arm with Josh’s as they turned to go back to the store. “That was so nice. I vaguely remember Mom talking about it, but the store was too expensive for us to shop. Mom did that discount thing. If it wasn’t on sale, we didn’t buy it. It’s all about goodwill and family.”

      “These last few months have certainly been an eye-opener,” Josh said. “I learned things about my father I never knew, I found the love of my life, and I now know I can run this store.”

      Angie laughed. “I think I’m going to go back to the food court and find out if one of the vendors will be willing to honor hot chocolate vouchers for our customers. And those big fat sugar cookies for the kids. If Bess isn’t busy, ask her to make up some vouchers and run them off. See if you can find someone to go over to the south wing where that huge candy store is. Buy up all the candy canes and hand them out at the door to the kids.”

      “Super idea! Where do you come up with these ideas? I think I’m going to be marrying a genius.”

      “I’m thinking you’re right.” Angie laughed again and waved her hand as she headed back to the food court.

      It was the noon hour when Josh flipped on the television in his office. As local television cameras caught the wagon train heading for the mall he watched the unfolding scene with his mouth hanging open. Even the anchor seemed to be beside himself, his words running together. Josh turned when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

      “Dad! How’d you get here?”

      “I came on the first wagon. Eva is down in gift wrap. What do you want me to do?”

      The lump in Josh’s throat was so big he thought he was going to choke to death. “What you do best, Dad. What you did for years and years. Stand by the door and hand out treats—we have candy canes and vouchers for hot chocolate and cookies at the food court. Bundle up, Dad.”

      “You remembered I used to do that?”

      Josh felt shame river through him. “No, Dad. Some lady came up to me and told me how you used to do that. She told me it was an event for her when she was a kid. I’m going to do that again. Want a job?”

      Angus swung his scarf around his neck. “Depends on how much the job pays,” he said craftily.

      “I was hoping you’d do it for free.”

      “Sounds about right to me. You got yourself a new employee, son. See you later,” Angus said, picking up the stack of vouchers. “Where are the candy canes?”

      “In a big barrel by the front door. The candy people just delivered them.”

      Josh leaned against the door when it closed behind his father. His eyes were so wet he knew in a second that tears were going to roll down his cheeks. It’s not a bad thing, he told himself. He knuckled his eyes before he opened the door, knowing in his heart that he was blessed. Maybe all this that was happening was the miracle everyone talked about during the Christmas season.

      By four o’clock the mall was so busy that people were bumping into each other. Camera crews, photographers, and reporters from all the local news channels contributed to the gala that seemed to be going on. Everyone was being interviewed. Only smiles and camaraderie could be seen.

      The food vendors worked at breakneck speed to prepare food to be given to the drivers of the wagon trains. The coffee shop was almost out of coffee they were brewing by the gallon. And, one reporter put it, everything was free.

      The primary channels ran with