“You and Billy can have a playdate later,” she said, forcing herself to speak cheerfully.
“When?” Billy asked, unwilling to let the matter drop.
“How about next week?” She’d call or email Bill so it wouldn’t come as a big shock when she showed up on his doorstep.
“Okay,” Billy agreed.
“That suit you?” Holly asked Gabe. She wanted to leave now, just in case Bill was picking up his son today. She recalled that their housekeeper usually did this—but why take chances? Bill was the very last person she wanted to see.
Gabe shrugged, unhappy with the compromise. He let her take his hand as they left the school, but as soon as they were outdoors, he promptly snatched it away.
“Where are we going shopping?” he asked, still pouting as they headed in the opposite direction of her apartment building. The streetlights glowed and she saw Christmas decorations in apartment windows—wreaths, small potted trees and strings of colored lights. So far Holly hadn’t done anything. Perhaps this weekend she’d find time to put up their tree—after she’d finished decorating the office, of course.
“I thought we’d go see Santa this evening,” Holly announced.
“Santa?” He raised his head and eyed her speculatively.
“Would you like that?”
Gabe seemed to need a moment to consider the question. “I guess.”
Holly assumed he was past the age of believing in Santa but wasn’t quite ready to admit it, for fear of losing out on extra gifts. Still, she didn’t feel she could ask him. “I want you to hold my hand while we’re on the subway, okay?”
“Okay,” he said in a grumpy voice.
They’d go to Finley’s, she decided. She knew for sure that the store had a Santa. Besides, she wanted to look at the windows with their festive scenes and moving parts. Even in his current mood, Gabe would enjoy them, Holly thought. And so would she.
Three
Exercise daily—walk with the Lord.
—Mrs. Miracle
It was the second Friday in December and the streets were crowded with shoppers and tourists. As they left the subway, Holly kept a close watch on Gabe, terrified of becoming separated. She heaved a sigh of relief when they reached Finley’s Department Store. The big display windows in the front of the fourteen-story structure were cleverly decorated. One showed a Santa’s workshop scene, including animated elves wielding hammers and saws. Another was a mirrored pond that had teddy bears skating around and around. Still another, the window closest to the doors, featured a huge Christmas tree, circled by a toy train running on its own miniature track. The boxcars were filled with gaily wrapped gifts.
With the crowds pressing against them, Gabe and Holly moved from window to window, stopping at the final one. “Isn’t that a great train set?” she asked.
Gabe nodded.
“Would you like one of those for Christmas?” she murmured. “You could ask Santa.”
Gabe glanced up at her. “There’s something else I want more.”
“Okay, you can tell Santa that,” she said.
They headed into the store, and had difficulty getting through the revolving doors, crushed in with other shoppers. “Can we go home and have dinner when we’re done seeing Santa?” Gabe asked.
“Of course. What would you like?”
If he said hot dogs or macaroni and cheese Holly promised herself she wouldn’t scream.
“Mashed potatoes with gravy and meat loaf with lots of ketchup.”
That would take a certain amount of effort but was definitely something she could do. “You got it.”
Gabe cast her one of his rare smiles, and Holly placed her hand on his shoulder. This was progress.
The ground floor of Finley’s was crammed. The men’s department was to the right and the cosmetics and perfume counters directly ahead. Holly inched her way forward, Gabe close by her side.
“We need to get to the escalator,” she told him, steering the boy in that direction. She hoped that once they got up to the third floor, the crowds would have thinned out, at least a little.
“Okay.” He voluntarily slipped his hand in hers.
More progress. Visiting Santa had clearly been a stroke of genius on her part.
Her guess about the crowds was accurate. When they reached the third floor Holly felt she could breathe again. If it wasn’t for Gabe, she wouldn’t come within ten miles of Thirty-fourth on a Friday night in December.
“Santa’s over there,” Gabe said, pointing.
The kid obviously had Santa Claus radar. Several spry elves in green tights and pointy hats surrounded the jolly old man in the red suit. This guy was good, too. His full white beard was real. He must’ve just gotten off break because he wore a huge smile.
The visit to Santa was free but for an extra twenty dollars, she could buy a picture. They’d stopped at an ATM on their way to the subway and she’d gotten cash. Although she couldn’t help feeling a twinge at spending the money, a photo of Gabe with Santa would be the perfect Christmas gift for Mickey.
The line moved quickly. Gabe seemed excited and happy, chattering away about this and that, and his mood infected Holly. She hadn’t felt much like Christmas until now. Classic carols rang through the store and soon Holly was humming along.
When it was Gabe’s turn, he hopped onto Santa’s knee as if the two of them were old friends.
“Hello there, young man,” Santa said, adding a “Ho, ho, ho.”
“Hello.” Gabe looked him square in the eyes.
“And what would you like Santa to bring you?” the jolly old fellow inquired.
Her nephew didn’t hesitate. “All I want for Christmas is Telly the SuperRobot.”
What in heaven’s name was that? A robot? Even without checking, Holly knew this wasn’t going to be a cheap toy. A train set—a small one—she could manage, but an electronic toy was probably out of her price range.
“Very well, young man, Santa will see what he can do. Anything else you’re interested in?”
“A train set,” Gabe said, his eyes serious. “But I really want Intellytron.”
“Intellytron,” Holly muttered to herself.
Santa gestured at the camera. “Now smile big for me, and your mom can collect the photograph in five minutes.”
“Okay.” Gabe gave Santa a huge smile, then slid off his knee so the next child in line could have a turn. It took Holly a moment to realize that Gabe hadn’t corrected Santa about who she was.
Holly went around to the counter behind Santa’s chair to wait for the photograph, accompanied by Gabe.
“I don’t know where Santa will find one of those robots,” she said, trying to get as much information as she could.
“All the stores have them,” Gabe assured her. “Billy wants an Intellytron, too.”
So she could blame Billy for this sudden desire. But since this was the only toy Gabe wanted, she’d do her best to make sure that Intellytron the SuperRobot would be wrapped and under the tree Christmas morning.
“Maybe I should see what this robot friend of yours looks like,” she suggested. A huge sign pointing to the toy department was strategically placed near Santa’s residence. This, Holly felt certain, was no coincidence.
“Toys are this way,” Gabe said, leading her by the hand.
Holly dutifully followed. “What if they don’t have the robot?” she asked.
“They will,” he said with sublime confidence.
“But what if they don’t?”
Gabe frowned and then tilted his chin at a thoughtful angle. “Can Santa bring my dad home?”
Holly’s heart sank. “Not this year, sweetheart.”
“Then all I really want is my robot.”
She’d been afraid of that.
They entered the toy department and were met by a grandmotherly woman with a name badge that identified her as Mrs. Emily Miracle.
“Why, hello there,” the woman greeted Gabe with a smile.
&nbs
p; Gabe immediately smiled back at her. “Hello.”
“I see you’ve been to visit Santa.” She nodded at the photo Holly was holding.
“Yup,” Gabe said happily. “He was nice.”
“Did you tell Santa what you want for Christmas?”
“Intellytron the SuperRobot,” he replied.
“Telly is a wonderful toy. Let me show you one.”
“Please,” Holly said, hoping against hope that the robot was reasonably priced. If fate was truly with her, it would also be on sale.
Mrs. Miracle took them to a display on the other side of the department, directly across from the elevator. The robots would be the first toys seen by those stepping off. She wondered why they weren’t by the escalator, but then it dawned on her. Mothers with young children usually came up via elevator. The manager of this department was no dummy.
“Look!” Gabe said, his eyes huge. “It’s Telly! He’s here. I told you he would be. Isn’t he the best ever?”
“Would you like to see how he works?” the grandmotherly saleswoman asked.
“Yes, please.”
Holly was impressed by Gabe’s politeness, which she’d never seen to quite this degree. Well, it was December, and this was the one toy he wanted more than any other. The saleswoman took down the display model and started to demonstrate it when a male voice caught Holly’s attention.
“Hello again.”
She turned to face Jake, the man she’d met in Starbucks that morning. For a moment she couldn’t speak. Eventually she croaked out a subdued hello.
He looked curiously at Gabe. “Your son?”
“My nephew,” she said, recovering her voice. “Gabe’s living with me for the next year while his father’s in Afghanistan.”
“Nephew,” he repeated, and his eyes sparked with renewed interest.
“I brought Gabe here to visit Santa and he said that what he wants for Christmas is Intellytron the SuperRobot.”
“An excellent choice. Would you like me to wrap one for you now?”
“Ah…” Holly paused. “I need to know how much they are first.” Just looking at the toy told her she wasn’t getting off cheap.
“Two hundred and fifty dollars.”
Holly’s hand flew to her heart. “How much?”
“Two hundred and fifty dollars.”
“Oh.” She swallowed. “Will there be a sale on these later? A big sale?”
Jake shook his head. “I doubt it.”
“Oh,” she said again.
Jake seemed disappointed, too.
Holly bit her lip. This was the only gift Gabe had requested. He’d indicated mild interest in a train set, but that was more at her instigation. Watching his eyes light up as the robot maneuvered itself down the aisle filled her with a sense of delight. He loved this toy and it would mean so much to him. “I get my Christmas bonus at the end of next week. Will you still have the robot then?” Never mind that Lindy Lee might be less than generous this year….
“We should have plenty,” Jake told her.
“Thank goodness,” Holly said gratefully.
“We’ve sold a number today, but I brought in a large supply so you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.”
“Wonderful.” She could hardly wait for Gabe to unwrap this special gift Christmas morning. Tonight, the spirit of Christmas had finally begun to take root in her own heart. Seeing the joy of the season in Gabe’s eyes helped her accept that this year would be different but could still be good. Although she and Gabe were separated from their family, she intended to make it a Christmas the two of them would always remember.
“I want to thank you again for buying my latte this morning,” she said to Jake. She was about to suggest she pay him back, because she had the cash now, but hesitated, hoping for the opportunity to return the favor and spend more time with him.
“Like I said, it was my good deed for the day.”
“Do you often purchase a complete stranger a cup of coffee?”
“You’re the first.”
She laughed. “Then I’m doubly honored.”
“Aunt Holly, did you see? Did you see Telly move?” Gabe asked, dashing to her side. “He can talk, too!”
She’d been so involved in chatting with Jake that she’d missed most of the demonstration. Other children had come over to the aisle, drawn by the robot’s activities; in fact, a small crowd had formed to watch. Several boys Gabe’s age were tugging at their parents’ arms.
“We’ll have to see what Santa brings,” Holly told him.
“He’ll bring me Telly, won’t he?”
Holly shrugged, pretending nonchalance. “We’ll have to wait and see.”
“How many days until Christmas?” Gabe asked eagerly.
“Today’s the tenth, so…fifteen days.”
“That long?” He dragged out the words as if he could barely hang on all those weeks.
“The time will fly by, Gabe. I promise.”
“Excuse me,” Jake said as he turned to answer a customer’s question. Her query was about the price of the robot, and the woman had nearly the same reaction as Holly. Two hundred and fifty dollars! A lot of money for a toy. Still, in Gabe’s case it would be worth it.
Mrs. Miracle brought out the display robot to demonstrate again, and Gabe and a second youngster watched with rapt attention. The older woman was a marvel, a natural with children.
“So, you’re the manager here,” Holly said once Jake was free.
He nodded. “How’d you guess?” he asked with a grin.
“Your badge, among other things.” She smiled back at him. “I was just thinking how smart you were to place Santa next to the toy section.”
“That wasn’t my idea,” Jake said. “Santa’s been in that location for years.”
“What about the Intellytron display across from the elevator?”
“Now, that was my idea.”
“I thought as much.”
Jake seemed pleased that she’d noticed. “I’m hoping it really takes off.”
“Well, if Gabe’s interest is any indication, I’m sure it will.”
He seemed to appreciate her vote of confidence.
“Look!” Gabe said, grabbing Holly’s hand. He pointed to a couple who were removing a boxed unit of Intellytron from the display. “My robot will still be here by Christmas, won’t he?”
“Absolutely,” she assured him.
Jake winked at her as Mrs. Miracle led the young couple toward the cash register.
“Hiring Mrs. Miracle was a smart move, too,” she said.
“Oh, I can’t really take credit for that,” Jake responded.
“Well, you’re lucky, then. She’s exactly right for the toy department. It’s like having someone’s grandmother here. She’s helping parents fulfill all their children’s Christmas wishes.”
Jack glanced at the older woman, then slowly nodded. “I guess so,” he said, sounding a bit uncertain.
“Haven’t you seen the way kids immediately take to her?” Holly asked.
“Not only can’t I take credit for her being here, it’s actually a mistake.”
“A mistake,” Holly echoed. “You’re joking! She’s perfect. It wouldn’t surprise me if you sold out the whole toy department with her working here.”
“Really?” He said this as if Holly had given him something to think about.
“I love her name, too. Mrs. Miracle—it has such a nice Christmas sound.”
“That’s a mistake, as well. Her name’s not really Miracle. HR spelled it wrong on her badge, and I asked that it be corrected.”
“Oh, let her keep the badge,” Holly urged. “Mrs. Miracle. It couldn’t be more appropriate.”
Jake nodded again. “Perhaps you’re right.”
Mrs. Miracle finished the sale and joined them. “Very nice meeting you, Gabe and Holly,” she said warmly.
Holly didn’t remember giving the older woman her name. Gabe must have mentioned it.
&nbs
p; “You, too, Emily,” she said.
“Oh, please,” she said with a charming smile. “Just call me Mrs. Miracle.”
“Okay,” Gabe piped up. “We will.”
Four
Lead me not into temptation.
I can find the way myself.
—J. R. Finley
“I thought we’d bake cookies today,” Holly said on Saturday morning as Gabe sat at the kitchen counter eating his breakfast cereal. When he didn’t think she was looking, he picked up the bowl and slurped what was left of his milk.
“Cookies?” Gabe said, frowning. “Can’t we just buy them?”
“We could,” Holly answered, “but I figured it would be fun to bake them ourselves.”
Gabe didn’t seem convinced. “Dad and I always got ours at the store. We never had to work to get them.”
“But it’s fun,” Holly insisted, unwilling to give up quite so easily. “You can roll out the dough. I even have special cookie cutters. After the cookies are baked and they’ve cooled down, we can frost and decorate them.” She’d hoped this Christmas tradition would appeal to Gabe.
He slid down from his chair and carried his bowl to the dishwasher. “Can I go on the computer?”
“Sure.” Holly made an effort to hide her disappointment. She’d really hoped the two of them would bond while they were baking Christmas cookies. Later, she intended to go into the office and put up decorations—with Gabe’s help. She wanted that to be fun for him, too.
Gabe moved to the alcove between the kitchen and small living room with its sofa and television. Holly was astonished at how adept the eight-year-old was on the computer. While he logged on, she brought out the eggs and flour and the rest of the ingredients for sugar cookies and set them on the kitchen counter.
Gabe obviously didn’t realize she could see the computer screen from her position. She was pleased that he was writing his father a note.
From: “Gabe Larson”
To: “Lieutenant Mickey Larson”
Sent: December 11