Christmas Trio B. Debbie Macomber

I thought I’d come in and do a bit of shopping myself.”

      “I didn’t realize you had grandchildren,” he said. In fact, he knew next to nothing about Mrs. Miracle’s personal life, including her address. He’d offered to have the driver take her home and she’d agreed, but only on the condition that he be dropped off first. For some reason, he had the impression that she lived close to the store….

      “So how’d the meeting with your father go?” she asked, disregarding his remark about grandchildren.

      “How did you know that’s where I was?” Jake asked, peering at her suspiciously.

      “I didn’t, but you looked so concerned, I guessed it had to do with J.R.”

      “It went fine,” he said, unwilling to reveal the details of his conversation with an employee, even if she’d become a special friend. He didn’t plan to mention it to Holly, either. All he’d say was that he’d extended the dinner invitation to his father and J.R. had thanked her but sent his regrets.

      “I’m worried about J.R.,” Mrs. Miracle said, again surprising him.

      “Why? He’s in good health.”

      “Physically, yes, he’s doing well for a man of his age.”

      “Then why are you worried?” Jake pressed.

      Instead of answering, the older woman patted his back. “I’m leaving in a few minutes. Would you like me to wrap Gabe’s robot before I go?”

      “Ah, sure,” he said.

      “You are taking it with you when you go to Holly’s for Christmas, aren’t you?”

      “Yes.”

      “Then I’ll wrap it for you. I’ll get some ribbon and nice paper from the gift-wrapping kiosk.” “Thank you,” Jake said, still wondering what she’d meant about J.R.

      The older woman disappeared, leaving Jake standing in the toy department scratching his head. He valued Mrs. Miracle as an employee and as a new friend, and yet every now and then she’d say something that totally confused him. How did she know so much about him and his father? Perhaps she’d met his parents years ago. Or …

      Well, he couldn’t waste time trying to figure it out now.

      Jake was walking to the customer service counter when his cell phone rang. Holly. He answered immediately.

      “Can you talk?” she asked. “I know it’s probably insane at the store, but I had to tell you something.”

      “What is it? Everything okay?”

      “It’s my boss, Lindy Lee. Oh, Jake, I think I’m going to cry.”

      “What’s wrong?” he asked, alarmed.

      “Nothing. This is good. Lindy just called me into her office. I spoke with her this morning about a Christmas party. I saw what a great time your employees had. I thought it would help morale, so I mentioned it to Lindy Lee.”

      “She’s going to have a party?”

      “No, even better than that. I can have a real Christmas dinner now with a turkey and stuffing and all the extras like I originally planned. I … I’d decided to make fried chicken because I couldn’t really afford anything else, and now I can prepare a traditional meal.”

      “You got your bonus?” “Yes! And it’s bigger than last year’s, so I can pay for the robot now.”

      “That’s fabulous news!”

      “It is, Jake, it really is.” She took a deep breath. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to call your father and invite him personally.”

      Jake’s smile faded. “I should tell you I already talked to Dad about joining us on Christmas Day.”

      “I hope he will.”

      “Don’t count on it.” Jake felt bad about discouraging her. “I think he’d like to, but he can’t let go of his grief. He feels he’d dishonor the memory of my mother and sister if he celebrated Christmas. For him, their deaths and Christmas are all tied together.”

      “Oh, Jake, that’s so sad.”

      “Yes …” He didn’t say what he knew was obvious—that, until now, the same thing had been true of him.

      “I’m looking forward to spending the day with you,” Jake said, and he meant every word. “Can you meet me for lunch this afternoon?” he asked, not sure he could wait until Christmas to see her again.

      When she agreed, he smiled, a smile so wide that several customers looked at him curiously … and smiled back.

      Chapter Sixteen

       Happiest are the people who give the most happiness to others. —Mrs. Miracle

      That same morning Lindy Lee called Holly into her office again. Saving the document she was working on, Holly grabbed a pad and pen and rushed inside. Gesturing toward the chair, Lindy invited her to sit. This was unusual in itself; Lindy Lee never went out of her way to make Holly comfortable. In fact, it was generally the opposite.

      “I’ve given your suggestion some thought,” she said crisply.

      “You mean about the Christmas party for next year?”

      Lindy Lee’s eyes narrowed. “Of course I mean the Christmas party. I want you to organize one for tomorrow.”

      “ Tomorrow? But—”

      “No excuses. You’re the one who asked for this.”

      “I’ll need a budget,” Holly said desperately. It was a little late to be organizing a party. Every caterer in New York would’ve been booked months ago. Finding a restaurant with an opening the day before Christmas would be hopeless. What was she thinking when she’d suggested the idea to Lindy Lee? Hadn’t she emphasized that she was talking about the following year? Not this one? Holly hardly knew where to start.

      Lindy Lee glared at her. “I’m aware that you’ll require a budget. Please wait until I’m finished. You can ask your questions then.”

      “Okay, sorry.” Holly wasn’t sure how she was supposed to manage this on such short notice.

      Lindy explained that she’d close the office at two, that she wanted festive decorations and Christmas music, and that attendance was mandatory. “You can bring your nephew if you like,” she added, after setting a more than generous budget.

      “In other words, the family of staff is included?”

      “Good grief, no.”

      “But Gabe’s family.”

      “He’s adorable. He even—” Lindy Lee stopped abruptly.

      Holly was in complete agreement about Gabe’s cuteness, but it wouldn’t go over well if Gabe was invited and no one else’s children were. “The others might get upset,” Holly said, broaching the subject cautiously. “I mean, if I bring Gabe and no other children are allowed, it might look bad.”

      Lindy Lee sat back and crossed her arms, frowning. “If we invite family, then the place will be overrun with the little darlings,” she muttered sarcastically. She sighed. “Should we include them?”

      Holly shook her head. “There are too many practical considerations. People with kids would have to go home and pick them up and … Well, I think it’s too much trouble, so let’s not.”

      “Okay,” Lindy said with evident relief.

      “I’ll get right on this.”

      “You might invite Gabe to the office again,” Lindy Lee shocked her by saying. “Maybe in the new year.”

      Holly