The list of names and faces scrolled through my head in a mental cascade, but I kept quiet and let her work through whatever this was in her own way.
“I wanted to thank you for doing this. I’ve been a single mom for a few years now, and every year, I worry about what I’ll do come Christmastime.”
She took another sip. “I always try to plan ahead. You know? I’ll set aside a few dollars every payday and try to buy a little something along the way.”
Except over the years, she’d been forced to use that tiny nest egg to repair her car or fix a leak in the house she rented because the landlord had made any household issues her problem.
I was working on that, not that I’d ever admit it to her or anyone else.
A few more months and the guy would be ready to see things my way and turn over ownership.
Once we owned the apartments, we could fix them up and lower the rent.
I drank my hot chocolate. “Life sucks sometimes. That’s why we do this.”
She blew out a long breath. “I need to give you a hug. Is that okay?”
Before I could say anything, she flung one arm around my waist and pressed her cheek to my chest.
I patted her shoulder, too stunned for words.
“Thank you. I’m sure you don’t hear that enough. I wanted you to know that I see you. I see all the good you do, and people like me, we’re grateful.”
She squeezed my ribs tighter than I thought possible for a woman her size and stepped back. “Some people in this townsee what you are and nothing else. They see the leather jackets and the bikes and they make assumptions. Not me. Been on both sides of it, and I know a good group when I see them.” She wagged a finger at me. “You’re good people.”
It warmed my heart even as I wanted to deny it. “We don’t do it for thanks.”
“I know.” She sniffed and finished her hot chocolate. “I brought my kids out to enjoy the festivities. Once they saw the lights going up a few days ago, they begged me to come back today. I’m glad we did so I could finally thank you in person. What you do here, it means so much to so many people.”
She didn’t know the half of it. “This is one of our favorite events of the year. Making sure kids have presents on Christmas morning is an incredible joy. We’ll do just about anything to make a kid happy.” I stopped there. She could figure the rest out for herself.
I tossed my empty cup in the nearby trashcan and turned away from her happy smile.
I’d accepted her gratitude.
That was enough.
Shouts and laughter billowed out from the bounce house.
A pack of kids chased each other around the snowman as they pelted each other with snowballs.
Everywhere I looked, the Christmas spirit shone bright and happy.
Noelle stood between Ash and Bishop at the donation tables.
She talked animatedly with a man unloading a box of toys while Bishop watched the interaction with a suspicious glare.
A slow breeze teased the air and sent the fake icicle lights swaying.
They tinkled merrily in time with the Christmas music Colt played from the Bluetooth speaker connected to his phone.
The lyrics ofHere Comes Santa Clausgave me a brilliant idea.
Without a word to anyone, I retreated to the clubhouse.
No one bothered to stop me.
If they saw me at all, they probably thought I was fed up with the whole process and needed some time away from people.
