Sara's Gift (Small-Town Christmas Wishes Book 4)
Page 9
“What a great idea. Did you do it for two so a friend could join him?”
“His mom has to accompany him.”
“I see. I think he’ll love it. April told me they don’t have a tree. I wanted to give them mine, but I think April might put it all together and figure out I’m her secret angel, especially with your helicopter ride.” She set the envelope by her purse.
“I agree. That would be too obvious. Besides that, the hall isn’t large enough to hold the gifts and the tree.
She nodded. “Do you have Christmas Eve plans?”
“Nothing firm. I considered going to the service at church. What do you have in mind?”
“I thought we could deliver everything.”
He frowned. “Don’t you want to surprise them Christmas morning? We could meet at say six at your shop and run everything up to the hall outside their door. Ring the bell and run.”
“I hate to wake them.” She chomped down on her slice of pizza.
“You think the little ones won’t be awake already?”
“They aren’t planning to do Christmas so…”
“No matter. We need to do it early. My parents expect me home for breakfast.”
“Oh. Okay. Mine actually do too. Six it is.” A smile lit her face. “This is exciting. I’ve had so much fun, I’m going to continue Charity’s tradition every year.”
“Really? But I thought you were stressed about it.”
“At first, but once I figured out what I was going to do, I really got into it. I even made scarves for my parents this year.”
“You’ve been busy.”
“Yep, and I loved every minute of it, except when I dropped stitches. I didn’t love that at all.”
He chuckled at the cute pout on her face. Too bad he hadn’t revealed his feelings for her sooner. If he had, he’d propose on Christmas, but as it stood, it was too soon. He didn’t want to freak her out. But maybe New Year’s would be long enough to wait.
Sara peered at him. “What are you thinking about? That look on your face is kind of…” She looked to be thinking.
“Scintillating?”
She laughed. “Such a big word, but it works.”
“Just never you mind what I’m thinking about. It’s Christmas, you’re not supposed to ask questions.”
“Oh, so this is Christmas related?”
He shrugged. After all, it could be.
Chapter Eleven
Sara held a finger to her lips before opening the door that led to the Smith’s apartment at the top of the stairwell. “We’ll place these in the far corner with this card.” She wiggled the card with the family’s name on it, explaining a secret angel had blessed them this Christmas. She’d included the receipt declaring the medical bills paid in full. She’d had to be a little sneaky about that part but figured the Lord would understand.
Gabe and Sara each carried the inner tubes up the stairs as quietly as possible. If anyone heard them and looked out the door before they were finished, they’d get caught, and that couldn’t happen.
They placed the tubes in the far corner from the door. She stuck the envelope on the top tube with two-sided tape then tiptoed back down to her store for the rest of the gifts. About ten minutes later, everything was in place. She pressed the doorbell. Then they darted down the stairs and into her store.
She turned to face Gabe and burst out laughing. “That was the most fun I think I’ve ever had.”
“Agreed. I wish we could see their faces.”
“I know, but I imagine we’ll hear about their surprise sooner or later. You ready to go? My mom’s making french toast, and I don’t want to miss it.”
“Sounds delicious. Mine always makes breakfast burritos and homemade cinnamon rolls.”
“Yum! Maybe next year, we can coordinate and hit breakfast at both places.”
He grinned. “Sounds like a good idea to me.”
They walked out the back door hand-in-hand.
“Yahoo!”
Sara looked at Gabe. “Who do you suppose that was?”
“Sounded like a kid to me.” He grinned, looked up, and pointed. “Isn’t that the Smith family’s apartment window?”
Happiness filled her to overflowing, and she blinked away tears. “Yes. It is. They must have the window cracked in the bathroom.”
“Sounds to me like they found your gifts.”
She hugged his arm. “Our gifts—ours and Charity’s.” This was hands-down the best Christmas ever. She couldn’t imagine how today could get any better.
Gabe pulled a box from his jacket pocket. “I got you a little something.”
Her stomach leapt at the sight of the small jewelry box. He wouldn’t. It was too soon. Her hand trembled as she took the small box and unwrapped it. She lifted the lid and gasped. “It’s beautiful.” She pulled out a silver chain with a diamond encrusted snowflake charm.
“You like it?”
“I love it. We never exchange gifts though. I don’t have anything for you.”
“I don’t expect anything.” He reached for the necklace. “May I?”
She handed it to him and turned around, pulling her hair out of the way. His hand brushed her neck sending shivers of delight through her.
“All done.”
She released her hair and turned. “Thank you. It’s perfect. I was a little afraid the box held a ring.”
“I thought it was too soon for a ring, but I wanted to give you something as a token of my love.” Light snowflakes floated around them. Gabe lowered his head. His lips captured hers in a toe tingling kiss she’d not soon forget. “Merry Christmas.”
A ruckus at the end of the alley drew them apart. Nolan and Emily along with their siblings waved. “Look what we got for Christmas,” Nolan said. He held up an inner tube. “We have a secret angel! Isn’t that cool?”
“Very.” From where Sara stood it appeared the jacket was a great fit, and the scarf just the right length. “Are you going to the hill?”
“Yep. Mom is coming too!”
Emily waved and trotted off after her brothers and sister. A moment later, April sauntered past.
Gabe and Sara’s gazes met. “The best Christmas ever,” they said in unison.
The End
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