“I think we have a good surprise for you,” Ransom told her. “When we’re done eating maybe we’ll just pop outside and see it.”
Hailey’s eyes got wide.
“It’snota dog,” he told her. “I promise.”
“The dogs are very friendly,” Mae told Hailey. “They’re going to have important jobs.”
“It’s very good that your dad is teaching them,” Hailey told Mae calmly.
Ransom gave her an encouraging smile. He’d never been sure why she was so afraid of dogs, but he appreciated that she wasn’t making a big deal out of it with the kids.
She’s a positive person,he thought to himself and then smiled. He’d been thinking that about Hailey Sinclair since he was a kid.
She sees the best in everyone. Once upon a time, she even saw the best in me.
8
RANSOM
When dinner was eaten and the dishes were cleaned up, they all trooped out to the front porch to see Hailey’s surprise.
The kids scampered along by Hailey’s side, but Ransom hung back a little. He wanted to see her reaction, but he also felt a little nervous. Would she think he had overstepped, or that he might expect something in return?
“Oh, Ransom,” she said softly, her eyes shining as she looked at the stacked boxes of paint cans, tarps, brushes, rollers, masking tape, and other supplies. “You didn’t?”
“I went by the hardware store for something else today,” he told her. “And I got to chatting with Michael. He said you weren’t sure on finishes, and since I know the house so well…”
“This is so nice of you,” she said turning to him. “I can reimburse you.”
“Absolutely not,” he said firmly. “This is a housewarming present.”
“Do you love it?” Mae asked her excitedly.
“Idolove it,” Hailey said with a big smile for the little girl.
“Well, if the kids don’t mind entertaining each other for a little while, I can help you get a room prepped,” Ransom offered.
“We don’t mind, Dad,” Travis said.
“Oh, if it’s okay with your daddy, I can put on a Christmas movie for you,” Hailey said. “I’ve got my favorite one.”
“Which one is your favorite?” Mae asked.
“It’sElf,”Ransom answered for her, then caught himself. “At least it used to be.”
“Still is,” Hailey said.
“That’s Dad’s favorite too,” Mae said, her voice filled with wonder.
Hailey turned to Ransom and his heart pounded. Back in school his favorite wasIt’s a Wonderful Lifebecause he watched it with his mom, and Hailey knew it. ButElfalways reminded him of Hailey. When she was gone from his life, he grew fonder of the things that brought her back to him, even just in spirit.
“Interesting,” Hailey said. “Well, shall we put it on?”
The kids were very much in favor of that idea. They all piled back into the house and she got them set up on the sofa with cozy blankets and the movie playing on the TV.
“They look happy,” she said softly to Ransom, joining him by the front door.
“Thank you for getting them set up like that,” he toldher. “I know they’re going to love their movie night. Now, where did you want to get started?”
