“What?”
“My mother and father are coming to visit in two days.”
Joey shot upright. “What?”
He smiled at her surprise. “So is my sister and her family. They all want to meet you.”
She blinked fast. “But...”
Forgetting his gift for the moment, Ryder slid off Hendrix’s lap then caught his hand. “Come on. Let’s show Mom her present.”
Still flustered, Joey said, “I have another gift?”
“Two more,” Hendrix said. “One from Ryder and one from me.” He’d surprised himself by going into town to shop with Joey. It had been fun. They’d admired the various decorations, and even ducked when Edgar, a rather infamous seagull well known to the residents of Wild Rose Point, dove in to try to steal a few ornaments.
Together, he and Joey had taken turns keeping Ryder busy while the other bought him a few gifts. Joey focused on new clothes, a small toolbox that looked a lot like Hendrix’s, and more art supplies.
Hendrix had gotten a fun remote-controlled dinosaur that Ryder had admired, some superheroes – including a real Wonder Woman – and an explorer’s kit. While he was at it, he bought Joey a new sweatshirt, pearl earrings, a soft cashmere scarf...and the last gift that he had in his pocket.
Ryder dragged them to the back deck where they’d added a few more Christmas lights. A beautiful yellow sunrise sent a peach glow over the ocean with lemon-colored ribbons shimmying with each wave. It was as if the Pacific also celebrated Christmas.
Hendrix had to admit that the shell tree, centered on the wooden table, backlit by nature’s display, looked pretty damned spectacular. At about a foot tall, with tiny colored stones added as ornaments, it epitomized Ryder’s creativity.
“Wow,” Joey whispered, her tears spilling over, her lips trembling. “Oh, Ryder, it’s absolutely amazing.”
He grinned hugely. “Hendrix helped me with the gluing and stuff.”
Because Ryder was still barefoot, Hendrix lifted him up in his arms. “I was mostly your mule, carrying things for you. The design and implementation is all you.”
Joey turned and hugged them both. “I love it so much.”
“Like you love us, huh?”
She laughed softly at her son. “Yes, like I love you both.” She dried her eyes against Hendrix’s flannel shirt. “Should we move it to the house?”
“I like it out here,” Ryder said, scrambling down.
Hendrix agreed. “It does make a spectacular centerpiece for the picnic table.”
“Let’s go open the rest of the presents.” And just like that, Ryder was off again.
After he’d gone inside, Hendrix lifted Joey’s chin. “Hey.”
She smiled slowly. “This isn’t so bad, is it?”
From inside, they heard Ryder cheer, “Wonder Woman! And Batman and Superman, too!”
With mock sternness, she said, “I can see I need to work on your sense of moderation.”
“Next year,” he promised. Taking her hand, he drew her inside. “Or the year after.”
“Or the year after that?” she quietly asked.
Rather than answer, he led her to the couch. “One more gift for your mom, Ryder.”
He immediately ran over to join Joey on the couch. “What is it?”
Hendrix knelt down in front of her. “I love you, Joey.”
