“They do that?”
She clucked her tongue. “Nope, but they had four in stock with another shipment coming in this afternoon.”
“We need two, right?” Scenarios of the store selling out right before they got there played through his mind. “Did the sales associate seem hopeful we’d able to get them?”
“Couldn’t tell one way or another.” She nudged him with her elbow. “Don’t worry. We’ll get what we need. If they’re out, we’ll look elsewhere.”
“You’re right.” He shifted into reverse and backed out of the driveway. “Now that we’ve decided to do this, I want Christmas morning to be perfect for the kids. Go big or go home.”
“That’s the spirit.” She reached for the list. “Did you call any of the parents yet?”
“No, I thought I’d wait until we had everything, just to be certain.” He put the car into drive and moved forward. “I’d considered surprising them on Christmas morning, but then I put myself in a parent’s mind, and I don’t want them worrying until the last minute if their child will have any presents.”
“That’s a good point.” Twisting in her seat, she turned to face him. “Even though I know in my heart that’s not what Christmas is about, I can’t imagine facing the disappointment of a child on Christmas morning.”
“I’m glad the parents won’t have to experience that this year. Only God knows what next year will bring, but I pray the town gets a boost and families won’t struggle as much.” He blew out a long, exasperated breath.
“Cheer up.” Brenna turned on the radio and found a Christmas station. “See, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Think positive.”
“This is my life. At the end of the season, I can’t pack my bags and go back to my job hundreds of miles away. This, Noel, it is my job.”
“I don’t…” She didn’t finish her sentence. The hurt written on her frown and eyes said enough.
Leave it to him to suck the joy right out the car.
“I’m sorry.” He reached over and squeezed her hand as an apology. “I didn’t mean it as a personal attack on you.”
“It’s true though.” She stared at the sun visor, running her tongue over her lips. “My life is in New York, not Noel.”
Her body language struck him as odd. “You don’t sound so confident about that.”
She shrugged. “I’m not thinking clearly. Nostalgia is getting the better of me.”
“How so?”
“I keep thinking that it would be nice to be near my mom again. Even Beth, though we don’t always get along. Maybe if we spent more time together, we’d be close again.”
“She’s moving in with your mom, right?”
“Until she gets back on her feet. The school hired her to replace Mrs. Duvall after the new year.” Her smile revealed genuine happiness for her sister. “It will be good for her. I’ve seen her teach, and she comes alive.”
“I’m glad she has that to look forward to.” He covered his mouth and coughed. “Is there any reason you couldn’t move back to Noel?”
“My job,” she answered without skipping a beat.
“Can’t you telecommute? You already mentioned your boss is allowing you to work from here for the time being, why not ask about making it permanent?”
Her body tightened, and seeming uncertain about her future and what she wanted, she tripped on her answer. “I don’t know if she’d go for that permanently. I have meetings with clients and other members of the firm.”
“Video conferencing has come a long way. Technology has made it possible to keep in constant contact.”
“It’s an idea to consider.”
Sensing her discomfort on the topic, he switched to a neutral topic of favorite Christmas movies. Their conversation flowed with ease, and they reached the mall in Portland in record time. First they hit the game store, and he prayed the whole way in that the game consoles would be in stock. He breathed a sigh of relief when they walked out with both sets they needed, plus a handful of games.
He carried the bags as they strolled to the next store. “Was it wrong for me to pray they’d have the game consoles in stock?”
“I don’t think so.” She pinched her lips, staring up in concentration. “It’s not as though you asked for selfish motives.”
