“It was on the ground outside the mall last night. I checked inside for your license and thought why not bring it to you instead of the police? I don’t know if you had any cash, but it seems like most of your cards are there.” I handed her the wallet and watched as she opened it, looking inside.
“I can’t believe my credit cards are still here. Not surprised the cash is gone.”
“Credit cards are traceable. It’s a lot easier to get away with stealing cash. I’m sorry that happened to you, but I’m glad I could get it back to you. Maybe you can file a report and get your cash back.”
A small smile tugged at her lips, and I found it endearing. She might’ve been younger than me, but damn, was she adorable. I doubted she saw me as attractive with my graying beard.
“Yeah, maybe. Thank you so much for bringing this to me on Christmas. I can’t thank you enough. I was so distraught and didn’t get to finish my shopping. But luckily, it all came together and—” Her words stopped abruptly. “Oh my God, sorry, I keep babbling away when you probably have family to get home to. Again, thank you so much.”
“It’s okay. I have nowhere to be. Just wanted to make sure the wallet made it back to its rightful owner.”
Adilene tugged on her bottom lip with her teeth, and the movement caused my insides to swirl. She said nothing as silence fell between us, and when I opened my mouth tosay goodbye, she blurted out, “Do you want to come in for breakfast?”
A thrilling rush ran through me, and my chest tightened, my heart throbbing. “Oh no, thank you. I couldn’t impose.”
“You’re not. There’s plenty. It’s the least I could do to thank you for bringing me my wallet.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’d love for you to join us. My kids will be happy to have company besides just me.” Adilene opened her front door behind her and beckoned me inside. “It’s nice to meet you, by the way.”
“Nice meeting you as well, Adilene. Name’s Shaw.”
“Shaw. I like that name. Be prepared for a bit of chaos. My kids know how to party.” Adilene grinned, a hint of sarcasm etched in her voice. Did this woman have to be so damn cute?
I wanted to wrap my arms around her and never let go.
“Know how to party, hmm? My type of kids. How old are they?” I stepped inside her cabin, the smells of breakfast and pine needles hitting my nose.Like home.
“My son Lenny is five, and my daughter Lolly is two. I’ll introduce you,” Adilene said before leading me into the living room. Both kids were surrounded by toys and discarded wrapping paper. “Kids, we have a guest for Christmas, a friend of mommy’s. Say hi to Shaw. Shaw, meet Lenny and Lolly.” Adilene addressed the two ginger children, both of them looking exactly like their mother in coloring.
They were too damn cute, with their freckled faces and pudgy hands.
“Hi.” Lenny waved before turning back to the TV, the two-year-old glancing at me with a nervous expression. She toddled over to Adilene and held her hands up to the sky. “Mama! Up! Mama! Up!”
Adilene lifted her easily and rested her on her hip. “Let’s go eat. C’mon, Lenny,” she said, and we followed her into the large eat-in kitchen. I took a look around the room, impressed by the space and wishing my own kitchen were larger.
Adilene placed Lolly into a booster seat at the table, and Lenny climbed into the seat beside her.
Eggs and bacon sat in bowls on the stove, steam rising above them as she dished out food onto plates. “We’ll start with the eggs and bacon, and then I’ll make some pancakes.”
Watching her easily move about the kitchen and serve her children while offering me a plate left me in awe. I should’ve felt awkward or out of place, but for some reason, I didn’t.
I dug into the eggs and bacon while she whipped up pancakes like she could do it in her sleep. I had a feeling she probably could.
Finally, with a stack of pancakes and a bottle of syrup, she sat down at the table with us, dishing out pancakes before cutting up her kids’ food. She squirted maple syrup on theirs and her own before handing me the bottle.
Moments later, she took a bite of hers, her first time eating since cooking the meal, a look of pure contentment settling on her face. The kids and I had stuffed our faces already, unable to hold back, the food delicious.
“Mmm, that’s delicious. Does everyone like theirs?” Adilene asked, offering me a smile as her kids clapped.
“Your cooking is great. Thank you again for inviting me inside.”
“Anytime. No one should be alone on Christmas.”
“Alone?” Lenny repeated. “Santa didn’t come to you?”
“He did. But having the company of people is a lot better.” I caught Adilene’s eye from across the table and winked at her.
