Christmas Trio B. Debbie Macomber

night, after the store closes.”

      “Wednesday,” she repeated.

      “I’ll pick you up at nine-thirty. I know that’s late but—”

      “I’ll be ready.”

      “I’ll come over a bit earlier,” Mrs. Miracle added. “The two of you will have a lovely evening.” She spoke with the utmost confidence, as if no other outcome was possible.

      Holly and Gabe left a few minutes later, and Jake walked them to the elevator. “I’ll see you Wednesday,” he said as he pressed the button.

      “Listen, Jake, you don’t need to do this. I mean, it’s fairly obvious you didn’t intend to ask me and—”

      “I’d really like it if you’d come to the party with me,” he said, and she couldn’t doubt his sincerity.

      “Then I will,” she murmured. “I’ll look forward to it.” In the elevator, Holly remembered Mrs. Miracle’s comment. The woman had never been to her apartment and yet somehow she knew about the chair her parents had given her. Furthermore, she seemed to know her address, too.

      Oh, well. Gabe had probably told her. He obviously felt comfortable with the older woman and for that Holly could only be grateful.

      Chapter Thirteen

       Cars are not the only thing recalled by their maker. —Mrs. Miracle

      On Wednesday at nine-fifteen, Emily stood at Holly’s door, her large purse draped over one arm and her knitting bag in the other hand. Holly answered, smiling in welcome. She absolutely sparkled. In her fancy black dress and high heels, her hair gathered up and held in place with a jeweled comb, she looked stunning.

      “Mrs. Miracle, I can’t thank you enough.” Holly stepped aside so Emily could enter the apartment. “Tonight wouldn’t be possible if not for you.”

      “The pleasure’s all mine,” she said. She put down her bags, then unwrapped the knitted scarf from around her neck and removed her heavy wool coat. Holly hung them in the hallway closet as Emily arranged her bags by the chair, prepared to settle down for the evening. The toy department had kept her busy all day and she was eager to get off her feet.

      Holly followed her into the small living room. “I feel bad that you won’t be attending the party.”

      “Oh, no, my dear.” Emily dismissed her concern. “I’m not a party girl anymore.” She chuckled at her own humor. “Besides, I intend to have a good visit here with my young friend Gabe.”

      “He’s been pretty subdued since the episode on Monday. He’s promised to be on his best behavior.”

      “Don’t you worry. We’ll have a grand time together.” And they would.

      “Hi, Mrs. Miracle.”

      She was surprised to see Jake standing on the other side of the room. He’d arrived early, she thought approvingly, and he looked quite debonair in his dark suit and red tie. She’d seen an improvement in his attitude toward Christmas, mostly due to Holly and Gabe. And she had it on excellent authority that it would improve even more before the actual holiday.

      “Gabe’s on the computer,” Holly said, pointing at the alcove between the living room and kitchen. “He’s had his dinner and he can stay up until ten tonight.”

      Gabe twisted around and waved.

      Emily waved back. “I’ll make sure he’s in bed by ten.”

      Jake held Holly’s coat and the young woman slipped her arms into the sleeves. “I appreciate your volunteering to watch Gabe,” he said with a smile for Emily.

      “As I told Holly, I’m delighted to do it.” She walked over to where Gabe sat at the small desk and put her hand on his shoulder. “Now, you two go. Have fun.”

      Holly kissed the top of Gabe’s head. “Be good.” “I will,” the boy said without taking his eyes from the screen.

      Holly and Jake left, and Emily had to grin as she glanced over Gabe’s shoulder at the message he was emailing his father.

      From: “Gabe Larson”<[email protected]>

      To: “Lieutenant Mickey Larson” <larsonmichael@ goarmy.com>

      Sent: December 22

      Subject: Me and Aunt Holly

      Hi, Dad,

      I made Aunt Holly cry. Instead of going to Jonathan’s house like I was supposed to, I went to see the robot. I was afraid the store would run out before Santa got my Intellytron. Aunt Holly came and picked me up and when we were outside she started to cry. When I asked her why she was crying she said it was because she was happy I was safe.

      Are you mad at me? I wish Aunt Holly had gotten mad instead of crying. I felt awful inside and got a tummy ache. She took me back to her office and made me sit quiet all afternoon. But that was okay because I knew I didn’t do the right thing. Her boss is real pretty. I don’t think she’s around kids much because she talked to me like I was in kindergarten or something. I think she’s nice, though. You said you had a gift coming for me for Christmas. It isn’t here yet. I know I was bad, so you don’t have to send it if you don’t want. I’m sorry I made Aunt Holly cry. Love, Gabe

      Emily sank down in the big comfortable chair, rested her feet on the matching ottoman and took out her knitting. She turned on the television and had just finished the first row when Gabe joined her. He didn’t say anything for a long time, but Emily could see his mind working.

      After a while he said, “My dad’s going to be mad at me.”

      “It was brave of you to tell him you did something you weren’t supposed to,” she murmured.

      Gabe looked away. “I told him he doesn’t need to send me anything for Christmas. He said there was a special gift on the way but it hasn’t come. He probably won’t send it now.”

      “Don’t be so sure.” She pulled on the skein of yarn as she continued knitting.

      “What if Santa finds out what I did?” His face crumpled in a frown. “Do you think maybe he won’t bring me the robot ‘cause I went to Finley’s by myself and I didn’t tell anyone where I was going?”

      “Well, now, that remains to be seen, doesn’t it?”

      Gabe climbed onto the sofa and rested his head against the arm. “I didn’t think Aunt Holly would be so worried when I didn’t go to Jonathan’s house after school. She got all weird.”

      “Weird?”

      “Yeah. When we were still at her office, all of a sudden she put her arms around my neck and hugged me really hard. Isn’t that weird?”

      Emily shrugged but didn’t answer. “Are you ready for Christmas?” she asked instead.

      Gabe nodded. “I made Aunt Holly an origami purse. A Japanese lady came to my school and showed us how to fold them. She said they were purses, but it looks more like a wallet to me, all flat and skinny.” He sighed dejectedly. “I wrapped it up but you can’t really see where the wrapping stops and the gift starts.”

      “I bet Holly will really like the purse because you made it yourself,” Emily said with an encouraging smile.

      “I made my dad a gift, too. But Aunt Holly and I mailed off his Christmas present a long time ago. They take days and days to get to Afghanistan so we had to go shopping before Thanksgiving and wrap up stuff for my dad. Oh, we mailed him the picture of me and Santa, too. And I made him a key ring. And I sent him nuts. My dad likes cashews. I’ve never seen a cashew in the shell, have you?”

      “Why, yes, as a matter of fact I have,” she said conversationally.

      Gabe sat up. “What do they look like?”