1225 Christmas Tree Lane - Debbie Macomber [62]
“This one’s for Dad,” she said and, stretching forward, passed it to Bruce.
He held the rectangular package close to his ear and shook it. “Who’s it from?”
“Rachel,” Jolene said. “Looks like a shirt to me.”
“Don’t spoil the surprise.”
“Dad, it’s obvious.” Jolene grinned from ear to ear.
She disappeared again, foraging under the tree.
“What are you looking for now?” Bruce asked, setting the box at his feet.
“A special gift,” Jolene said, her voice muffled.
“Who’s it for?”
“Rachel, from me.”
“Oh, I love getting gifts.” Rachel smiled at Bruce. Considering the months of tension between her and Jolene, she was pleased that her stepdaughter was so eager to give her presents. She leaned her head against her husband’s shoulder. This was what she’d always hoped Christmas would be like, surrounded by people she loved and who loved her.
“Here it is,” Jolene announced, scooting out backward from beneath the huge tree.
Rachel took the package from her. It was the size and shape of a shoe box.
“Can Rachel open it now?” Jolene asked her father. “Even though that’s not the rules.”
“That’s up to Rachel.”
Jolene looked at her, eyes dark and serious. “Will you, Rach?”
“If you want me to.”
“I do.” She sat on the floor as she waited for Rachel to unwrap her gift.
“I made it myself,” Jolene said, her eyes bright as she bit her lower lip. “I hope you like it.”
“I’m sure I will.” Rachel carefully slid the ribbon off and peeled back the decorative paper. The box had, indeed, held Jolene’s new gym shoes. Rachel lifted the lid and stared down at a white hand-knit baby blanket, enfolded in pink tissue. Rachel hardly knew what to say. “You…you knit this yourself?” She drew it out, marveling at the complexity of the design.
Jolene nodded. “We learned how to knit in an after-school class. I bought the pattern and the yarn at that craft shop downtown, the one where Mrs. Flemming works. I worked on it every day. I made a lot of mistakes,” she admitted. She hurried to Rachel’s side, kneeling in front of her. “See? Here’s one.”
It was so small Rachel had to squint to see it.
“There are other mistakes, too.”
“Oh, Jolene, it’s perfect.” Rachel struggled to hold back tears. “I’ll bring your sister home from the hospital in it.”
“You will?”
Rachel leaned forward and brought Jolene toward her, kissing her hair. “I’ll always treasure it, because you made it for me and the baby.”
“Don’t tell me you’re both going to get all weepy on me,” Bruce groaned.
“I might,” she said, struggling to hold back the tears.
Jolene raised her arms and wrapped Rachel in a big hug.
“I love you, Jolene,” Rachel whispered.
“I love you, too… You’re going to be a great mother.”
Bruce put his arms around them both. “She already is a great mom,” he said.
Jolene nodded and met Rachel’s eyes. “Yes, she is.”
Chapter 19
This was Sheriff Troy Davis’s first Christmas with his wife, Faith. It was a second marriage for both. Each of them had been blessed with a long and happy first marriage and each had suffered the loss of their beloved partner. Recently, they’d found a renewed sense of purpose and love with each other.
As it was their first major holiday together, they’d divided the time between his daughter, Megan, and her family and Faith’s son, Scott. Christmas Eve had been spent with Megan, her husband, Craig, and their infant daughter, Cassandra.
Today, Troy and Faith were headed for Scott’s home. Late Christmas morning, Troy loaded up the car with the Christmas gifts and treats Faith had prepared for her son’s family. They’d delivered a carload of presents and homemade sweets to Megan the night before, as well. Faith had been baking for weeks, not that Troy was complaining. He hadn’t enjoyed the holidays this much in a very long while. During the last years of her life, Sandy had been in a nursing home, and Troy hadn’t bothered with decorating their house or putting up a tree. For the first time since Sandy went into the care facility, it actually felt like Christmas