“I would say so.” Lottie admired her custom bag, featuring smiling snowmen and dancing reindeer, holding hands as they circled a Christmas tree near the edge of a forest.
“Thank you. I’m glad you like the bags. Hopefully, you’ll like what's inside even more.”
Eryn pulled out a gold foil envelope with her name written on the front. “What’s this?”
“Good things come in small packages, or in this case envelopes,” Harlow said.
Flipping the flaps, she pulled out a Christmas card with a similar winter scene and read the inside inscription. “Merry Christmas. I love you. Harlow.”
Eryn held up the gift cards, letting out an audible gasp. “Harlow Wynn.”
“What is it?” David craned his neck.
“An airline gift card.”
“There’s more.”
“Oh my gosh. And a thousand dollars.”
“Spending money for when you come and visit me on the set.”
Aunt Birdie found the same generous gift in her envelope. “This is too much. You already gave us each a tidy chunk of change after you wrapped up your last project.”
“This is different. It’s Christmas. And besides, I have an ulterior motive—to coerce you to come see me,” Harlow said.
“No coercing is needed,” her aunt argued. “We’ll be there because we love you.”
“Ditto.” Eryn hugged her bestie. “The Mackies are planning a visit too.”
“The more, the merrier.”
“You’re the most thoughtful person I know.” Lottie gave her a warm hug. “But I’ll echo what the others said—this was too much.”
“I’m glad you like your gifts, and now none of you has an excuse not to see me.”
“You’ll have a hard time getting rid of us,” her aunt declared. “Did you get your father plane tickets too?”
“No.” Harlow tapped the side of her chin. “Dad’s gift is a pinch more practical.”
“New work boots?” Lottie joked.
“No, but close.” Harlow hustled to the door and slipped her coat and boots on. “He’ll have to come outside to see it.”
David, with Lottie, Aunt Birdie and Eryn following close behind, put their cold weather gear on and congregated on the porch.
After confirming they were all there, Harlow ran down the sidewalk and past the gate. She didn’t slow until she reached the hiding spot, just out of sight of the house.
She climbed on the jet-black snowmobile, a top of the line model designed for comfort and maneuverability, and fired it up.
Giving it a little gas, she cautiously steered it around the clump of trees to the front of the house.
David’s jaw dropped, watching as his daughter pulled alongside the curb. Harlow hopped off, beaming from ear to ear. “Merry Christmas, Dad.”
He slowly made his way down the steps and to the gate. “A snowmobile?”
“Brand spanking new.” She patted the handlebars. “All gassed up and ready to go.”
“I don’t…how did?”
