Page 50 of Unwrapping Romance

Sierra

I held Ellie’s hand as we walked down the street, and the lightly falling snow fell over us. It was ridiculous that snow was already here. It wasn’t even Thanksgiving yet, and you’d think we were stuck in the middle of January. But the ringing bells of the Salvation Army on every corner and the words Merry Christmas quickly brought me back to which month it really was.

“Merry Christmas,” Ellie spoke to the man, ringing the bell as we walked past him.

“It’s nowhere near Christmas.” I rolled my eyes.

Damn, Jack, for making me do this.

We walked into a children’s boutique, and Ellie noticed the tall, creepy nutcrackers that were on display. Those things always creeped me out as a kid. In fact, they still did. I placed my hand over Ellie’s eyes and told her not to look at them. She laughed and moved my hand away. Pulling my phone from my purse, I zoomed in on the nutcracker’s face, took a picture, and texted it to Jack. A few moments later, a text from him came through.

“What the hell, Sierra? Why would you send me that shit?”

“If I have to endure it, so do you!”

“We’re going out to dinner tonight. I’ve arranged for a babysitter to watch Ellie.”

“Who?”

“Her name is Gretchen. She’s sixteen and lives three doors down from me. Maybe treat yourself to a new dress for tonight.”

“On your credit card? Because you know I don’t have any money since you took it upon yourself to take what I owe you in chunks.”

“Of course, on my credit card. I’ve made reservations at Daniel.”

“If you insist.”I sent the smiley emoji.

I looked through the rack and found some sweaters for Ellie. Turning to one of the shelves, I picked up a pair of leggings and held them up. Turning over the price tag, I saw they were priced at one hundred dollars a pair.

“Jesus Christ,” I mumbled.

I hadn’t looked at the price tags for the sweaters, so I figured I’d better. Each sweater cost one hundred fifty dollars.

“Daddy won’t mind. He can afford it.” I smiled at Ellie.

“We have the most adorable boots over here that would go perfectly with those sweaters and leggings.” The sales associate smiled as she walked over to us. “Let me show you.”

I took Ellie’s hand, and we followed the woman over to the display of shoes.

“Aren’t they adorable?”

“They are.” I took one boot from her hand and looked at it. “Do you like these, Ellie?”

“Yeah.” She smiled.

“What size is she?” the sales associate asked.

“Uh, I don’t know. She’s not mine. Her father sent me to take her shopping.”

“Oh. Let’s measure her foot, and I’ll see if we have her size.”

After measuring Ellie’s foot, she went to the backroom. Turning over the boot, I swallowed hard when I saw a price tag of three hundred and fifty dollars.

“Here we go.” The woman smiled as she approached with a box in her hand.

She placed the boots on Ellie and told her to stand up.

“Adorable. Simply adorable.” She smiled.

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