"Yeah, right before I found you."
"You didn't ask where Ford was?"
"It was kind of chaotic. The crowd was loud, and we were shouting at each other. It wasn't a good time."
I refocused on Natasha. "Are you okay?"
She straightened her shoulders. "I will be."
I sighed. "You're writing him off, aren't you? You're putting up all those walls again, the ones you've always had."
"What other choice do I have? He's not here. He let me down. There's no coming back from that."
My stomach dropped. I hated that Ford was letting her down again. She was so crushed after they broke up when she went away to college. "He could have a good explanation for not being here."
"Then why not tell me what it is? Why leave me hanging? I feel like I'm back in high school again, waiting for a boy to call me and realizing that he never will."
I pursed my lips. "This isn't high school, and you aren't kids anymore. I'm sure Ford will tell you what's going on as soon as he's able."
Natasha was stubborn, and I was worried that any hope of those two getting back together was snuffed out. Ford better have a good reason for standing up my sister.
CHAPTER 13
MADDOX
It was my day off, and I was dressed in a Santa suit, collecting donated toys. It was something I'd always avoided, but it wasn't too bad. I enjoyed talking to the kids, I just had to remember to stay in character and throw out a "Ho, Ho" every once in a while. The satisfying part was seeing the pile of toys expand.
Eve had said her goal was for the floor to be covered, and I was fairly sure that would happen. At some point, my parents stopped by with Sofia, who wanted to stick around and help.
I was pleased that so many guys from the department jumped in too. Frank would be happy that we were involved in something like this, and I didn't mind.
Sofia walked around the growing pile. "There're so many toys."
"These are going to families that don't have a lot for the holidays," Mom said.
"Can I give a toy? I want to help," Sofia asked.
I nodded, pleased she wanted to help. "We can go shopping later to get something."
A family came in with shopping bags full of new toys. Sofia rushed to help them unpack.
Sofia needed to see others giving back to the community in order for her to understand that there were people in need, and she was more fortunate than others.
The parade had ended some time ago, and I wondered what Eve was doing. I knew there were awards given for the best performances, and I assumed she had to stick around and ensure that was finished.
Outside, people walked on the sidewalks, ducking in and out of shops, stopping for lunch and snacks, carrying shopping bags. Holiday music played from speakers, and it felt festive. I felt good, happy even.
This year, I wasn't hiding at home, wishing the holidays would come and go so I didn't have to pretend to be okay. Not that anyone was convinced anyway. Everything seemed easier, and I couldn't help but think it was Eve that made things better.
The door opened, and Eve walked in. Her eyes widened at the covered floor. "I can't believe how many donations we got."
"It's been busy all day," Steve said.
I tugged the itchy beard down since we didn't have any kids in the hall at the moment.
Eve moved closer to me. "How are you, Santa?"
I stretched my neck. "I'm about ready to take this suit off."
