“I guess at the end of the day it doesn’t matter. They beat me to the punch.” Harlow cleared the counter and began arranging the trays of cookies. “On a brighter note, I can’t wait to sample these cookies.”
“I brought some boxes from the fudge shop to box them up,” Peyton said. “They all look delish.”
Harlow started rattling them off. “Besides my mom’s famous frosted sugar cookies, I see pretty poinsettia pinwheels.”
“Those are mine,” Abby said.
“What are these?” Harlow lifted an oblong puff pastry, its top drizzled with frosting and chunks of peppermint.
“White chocolate peppermint rugelach.” Meg licked her lips. “It’s part pie, part pastry and all yummy.”
There were red velvet Christmas trees with cream cheese frosting Noelle had made, Lottie’s shortbread cookies, Peyton’s gingerbread biscotti and Eryn’s coconut macaroons.
Working her way along the counter in assembly line fashion, Harlow filled an empty box with cookies. Noelle jumped in,filling and folding the boxes until they had several stacks—one for each of the friends including Lottie who wasn’t there.
“Here’s yours, Aunt Birdie.” Harlow handed her a box.
Her aunt started to protest. “I didn’t contribute.”
“Seriously, you have to take them,” Peyton said. “Our feelings will be hurt if you don’t.”
“You’re twisting my arm, but in the most delicious way possible.” Aunt Birdie packed a to-go container with leftovers and grabbed her jacket along with the cookies. “I’ll drop these goodies off at home, and then Mort and I will walk off some of this food.”
The pup, who had been napping in his doggie bed, promptly scrambled to his feet and ran to the door when he heard the word walk.
Harlow trailed behind them. “Are you sure you don’t want to hang out?”
“Nah. It’s been a long day. As soon as I finish my walk, I plan to turn the television on, snuggle under my nice warm blankets and veg out for the rest of the evening, but thank you for the offer and for the delicious dinner.” Her aunt lifted the container. “I’ll be sampling cookies while I’m at it.”
Harlow gave her a hug. “Have a nice night.”
“You too, dear. I’ll let Mort back in when we’re done.” Her aunt left, and the Mackies made quick work of cleaning up the kitchen and storing the leftovers before gathering in the living room.
Harlow donned a festive red and white cap and passed out the Secret Santa presents. Not one gift was the same, ranging from tree ornaments to gift cards. She ended up with a portable karaoke machine with dual microphones.
As soon as the gift-giving was over, she promptly set the equipment up and coerced her friends into a singalong. Around the room they went, each singing their rendition of a popular Christmas tune, some were hilarious versions while others more traditional.
Harlow chose her version of “Santa on a Wintry Night,” changing out the lyrics to include Mackinac Island.
The friends laughed and cheered, even at times with tears rolling down their cheeks. All too soon the fun evening ended, and the Mackies packed up.
Harlow accompanied them to the main road, where Marty, their designated driver, sat waiting. It made her sad to see the party over, thinking it had been one of the best she’d ever hosted. Not the high-end guests, a who’s who Hollywood was known for, with butler service, valet attendants and extravagant dishes she couldn’t even pronounce let alone eat, but a party full of friends and laughter…one she could tuck away in her growing cherished memories, courtesy of her beloved Mackies.
“This was one of the best parties ever.” Meg lifted her bag of leftovers. “Don’t put your new karaoke machine on a shelf.”
“We’re going to get it back out again soon,” Abby chimed in. “Maybe we should plan an after New Year’s Eve shindig.”
“I’ll be there,” Noelle said. “We’ll be ready for it now that the long winter is settling in.”
“My new year is shaping up to be interesting,” Harlow said. “I might have missed the boat on Lighthouse Lane, but the right house is out there for me. I can feel it in my bones.”
“You’ll know more when you hear from Allie,” Peyton said. “If Cheyenne is the one who put the offer in, I wouldn’t be surprised if she did it to spite you.”
“But why?”
“You’re pretty, rich, famous, an awesome person…and because of Caleb,” Eryn said.
“Caleb and I are friends, but our feelings for each other ended long ago.”
