LITMIR.BIZ

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the storeroom, Sharon took one of the wreaths and placed it on an empty shelf. “How long will you be in town?”

      “I’m not sure.” He handed her another wreath. “Dad’s situation is uncertain and I can’t talk to his boss until Monday. But there’s plenty to keep me busy at my folks’ place in the meantime. Ma hadn’t said a word about it, but Dad’s let things go since I left.”

      “You know that I still check on her, don’t you? I make sure she’s doing all right.”

      “It’s good to know there are people I can count on to make sure Dad doesn’t get out of line.” Cody grimaced. “Pastor Kenton does the same. Ma and I communicate through occasional phone calls he arranges at the church office. It’s better for Ma that Dad not be aware of that.”

      “I figured you’d keep in touch with her. While life isn’t easy being married to your father, I feel certain Lucy hasn’t come to any physical harm. God’s kept watch.”

      “He has. But He’s had help from the sidelines, as well.” Cody placed the last wreath on a shelf. Confession time. “This isn’t something I’m proud of, but the night before I left town I told him if he ever laid a hand on Ma, I’d find out about it...and come back to kill him.”

      Startled eyes rose to his.

      He met her gaze without blinking. “I meant it, too, and he knew it.”

      Sharon offered a dry smile. “It sounds as if I have more to thank the good Lord for in regard to Lucy’s safekeeping—and your father’s—than I originally thought I did.”

      “Amen.” Cody cracked a smile of his own. “And I don’t use that word lightly.”

      She tilted her head in question.

      “It’s a long story, but suffice it to say that my name is now recorded in God’s Book of Life.”

      “Well, I’ll be.” Before he could stop her, she reached up to loop her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a quick hug. “Happiest day of your mother’s life.”

      “And my old man’s luckiest.”

      Sharon chuckled. “You’ve always been a good boy, Cody. Deep down, I mean. You had some rocky years and I know things were rough what with your father and those two brothers of yours setting the stage. This may never be a place you want to call home, but I know your mother’s thrilled you’re here now to help out however you can.”

      He ducked his head. He wasn’t worthy of Sharon’s praise. He wasn’t in town because he wanted to be but because that scripture he’d come across last weekend had punched him in the gut. Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith.

      Yeah, he’d seen to Ma’s needs as much as he could, as much as she’d let him. But God had impressed on him to be here as His representative in the flesh this time.

      “Well, I’d better get going. There’s lots of work to be done at their place.” He needed to find out what was up with Ma and the charity event, too.

      “You are a regular Christmas elf, aren’t you?”

      “That’s me.” But they both knew this had never been his favorite season. It always brought too many reminders that he wasn’t as well-off as the other kids in town. Too many humiliating opportunities for his dad to send him around for handouts.

      Sharon gave him an apologetic glance. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you in front of Paris and Elizabeth with this silly hat.” She waggled her head to send the puffy white ball swinging.

      He laughed and snatched it off her head, then popped it on top of his. “No problem. I’m sure I’m the most handsome elf this town has ever seen.”

      “I imagine you’re the most handsome one Paris has ever seen.”

      “I don’t know about that.” He handed the hat back to her. “I imagine her husband can hold his own—if supplied appropriate headgear, of course.”

      Sharon’s forehead creased. “Her husband?”

      “Dalton.” Why was she looking at him as if he’d lost his mind? “Dr. Dalton Herrington?”

      “You have been gone a long time, doll.” She placed a gentle hand on his arm. “Paris never married Dalton. He died. Didn’t you know?”

      * * *

      “A tuck here and there and it will be a perfect fit,” Paris reassured Macy Colston late Saturday afternoon as they exited the Sew-In-Love shop where the final fitting of the young woman’s bridal dress had taken place. Low, slate-gray clouds once again hinted at a possibility of snow, the Northland’s weather changeable from one minute to the next.

      “Thanks again, Paris, for stepping in to take over for Reyna. With all the traveling for my Hometowns With Heart blog and my family scattered across the country, I’ve probably depended on her more than I should. Hopefully I won’t infringe on your time too much.”

      Paris patted the leather portfolio tucked under her arm. “Thankfully, Reyna is extremely organized. Your wedding will be utterly charming with the 1940s theme. I love that Jake’s agreeing to wear a fedora and has a friend with a vintage car. So dashing—and romantic.”

      “He’s being a real sport. You have no idea the lengths a man in love will—” Macy brought herself up short, an apologetic look darkening her eyes. “I’m sorry, Paris. Of course you know. Hearing women babble on about their fiancés and weddings can’t be easy. Please forgive me if I’ve been insensitive.”

      Paris shook her head, determined not to allow a stab of guilt to affect her response. “I love your excitement at God’s gift of marriage. That is in no way being insensitive to what happened to me.”

      When she and Macy parted, Paris headed to her SUV where she paused to leave a phone message for Abby Diaz, suggesting a time for a face-to-face meeting. She’d already spoken with Sharon and hopefully assisting the two of them would be no more time-consuming than Macy and Jake’s wedding appeared to be.

      With the strong possibility that she might be compelled to dive into decorating for the Christmas gala, she’d need every spare minute she could get. She should have foreseen that this could happen when she’d first heard of Leroy’s setback, and not agreed to take on the weddings.

      She glanced at her watch. Cody hadn’t called yet. Had he forgotten he’d promised to talk to his mother? Should she call to remind him? No. That sounded teenager-ish, as if she wanted an excuse to talk to him.

      But what she could do in the meantime was drive out to Pine Shadow Ridge, a gated community which Perslow Property Management oversaw. Its impressive clubhouse would once again be the site of the Christmas charity event. She could confirm that there was no sign of Lucy Hawk’s recent decorating activity. In fact, she should have confirmed it before speaking with Cody. What if that committee member was wrong? Sharlene Odel often thrived on conflict. What if things were right on schedule and Lucy took offense at Paris not trusting her?

      Not far outside the city limits, Paris slowed to take a sharp turn before heading up a blacktopped, tree-lined lane. Ahead she spotted the stone gatehouse and the security gate where an older-model pickup nosed up to the wrought-iron barrier. The gatekeeper had stepped out of his shelter, shaking his head and motioning for the driver to back up. Harry Campbell knew all the residents and vendors authorized to come and go. Apparently this one didn’t pass muster.

      Allowing adequate space for the truck to back up, Paris put the SUV in Park, adjusted the heater and settled in to wait. Hopefully Harry would get this straightened out quickly and she could be on her way.

      But...wait. Wasn’t that truck similar to the one Cody had been driving? Turning off the ignition, Paris stepped out into the nippy late-afternoon air. A few snowflakes kissed her cheeks as she approached the gatehouse, and Harry’s

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