The tree had been lovingly decorated with dozens of tiny white lights and what looked like handmade ornaments. A few white cardboard cutouts of angels were scattered among the lights and ornaments, with writing on each.
Oh, yeah, this wouldn’t be fun.
“I love this tradition. It was my dad’s idea years ago and ever since then the mayor’s office has handled it.” She started around the tree, reading each card. “I’m glad there aren’t many angels left.”
He knew the routine. The church his mother belonged to had something similar. Once he’d asked his mother if she’d put his and Jordie’s names on angel cards so Santa would know what they wanted.
He’d been smacked for suggesting it. No kid of hers would ever ask for charity.
“Some folks are reluctant to let anyone know they’re struggling, so Adam makes gentle inquiries and coaxes the parents to fill out cards for their kids.”
“Good plan.” He was impressed with himself. He sounded like a normal person.
“Folks deliver the gifts to his office and he takes them around on Christmas Eve.”
“What if some cards don’t get picked up?”
“On Monday Adam will buy those gifts and we’ll all chip in to pay for them.”
“What if something’s sold out?”
“So far we’ve been lucky on that score.” She peered more closely at one of the angels. “Aww, Benny Tredwell’s dump truck is still here.” She plucked it from the branch. “I saw a cool one in the General Store today. I’m buying him that.”
“How about letting me do it?” Where had that insane idea come from? He needed another trip to the General Store like he needed a hole in the head.
The smile she gave him might’ve been one reason he’d made that suggestion. He’d gained points, something he still wanted even as he told himself this relationship was doomed.
“Awesome idea. Here you go.” She handed him the angel tag. “Do you know the one I’m talking about? It was bright yellow and metal so it’ll stand up to plenty of construction projects.”
“I didn’t see it, but it shouldn’t be hard to find.” And that was another reason those words had jumped out of his mouth. He’d wanted a dump truck for Christmas. Never happened.
He tucked the angel in his coat pocket. “What else have we got on here?” He reached for another angel. Clearly he was losing his ever-loving mind. Good thing the writing was large so he didn’t need his glasses. “Clara wants Lego dinosaurs. I vaguely remember there used to be something like that.”
“There’s even more, now. I can get that.”
“Or you can show me where they are.”
“You want to go shopping again?” Her dark eyes sparkled.
“If you have the time.”
“Technically I’m on vacation, but I can’t speak for you.”
“Barring an emergency, so am I. The front gate job is my last assignment until after Christmas.”
“Then we should probably go to the General Store tomorrow to make sure we can still get stuff.”
“Tomorrow’s Sunday. They’ll be?—”
“They’re open from ten to four. They always do that on the Sunday before Christmas for last-minute shoppers.”
“Alrighty, then.” He lifted another angel from a high branch. “Annie wants a….” He peered at the card. “What the fudge is a Mini Whinnies Barn Surprise?”
Mila laughed. “Little plastic horses you can
play with. You don’t know what breed or color you’ll get until you open the box. Listen, I didn’t bring you up here in hopes you’d grab a bunch of angel tags.”
“But if we take them all, then Adam won’t have to worry about it on Monday, right? And Monday’s cutting it close for finding kids’ toys.” Even he knew that much.
