Page 50 of The Christmas Box

“Easy for you to say,” I tell her. For all her bold suggestions, I’m not sure she would handle the situation any differently than me. And now it’s time to change the subject. “Moving on, is everything in place for tonight?”

She nods, changing gears along with me. “Everyone is meeting here at five, we’re closing early, and I printed off copies of the song lyrics.”

I smile. “Awesome.” The last wish on my to-do list is caroling at Eve Lindley’s house, a few blocks away up Main, followed by a right on Corinth Avenue. Dara and I will be joined by Helen and almost a dozen members of her church choir, who she pressed into service when I asked. She also arranged to go in late to her evening shift at the manor so she could join us. We plan to sing our way there and beyond, including a stop at Dara’s house so Judy can have visitors, as well. “This is gonna be great.”

“Did you invite Travis?” Dara asks.

I shake my head. “He’s more than done his part when it comes to wish-granting. And I’m almost sure he’d say no to this.”

“He’s said no to other things, too, but then given in when you pushed him a little.”

Even so, I only shrug, still lost in the disappointment of the kiss that wasn’t.

The shortest day of the year is but a few calendar-page flips away, so darkness comes early as the bundled-up carolers amass at the Christmas Box. I offer hot chocolate fortification, both for now and to take when we go.

Across the street, Travis is busy at work on cabinets. I know the wishes have pulled him away from that, and he’s still visiting his father every day, too. I’m also aware he didn’t come over for coffee this morning.

It’s only been a day, but I already feel a subtle distance between us that I hate. I’m afraid I’ve gotten attached to him. I’m afraid I might be hurt when he leaves, with or without any kissing.

But…could Dara be right? Should I just keep enjoying the moments with him—unconcerned about what happens next?

And what if my original wish for him needs more help, like the ones we found in the box? After all, he’s notofficiallyrescinded his anti-Christmas stance yet. I know he’s felt Christmas in his heart in more ways than one lately, but that doesn’t mean the star wish has come completely true. Glancing across at him through the plate-glass windows, I resolve to forget about romance, forget about love, and remember that from the moment he came back into my life, what I most wanted was to change his mind about Christmas—and that work isn’t quite done yet.

“Is everyone here?” Helen calls to the group milling about the store. “Are we ready to commence caroling?”

I make a split-second decision. “Hang on a minute. Dara, can you hand out the song sheets? We’ll go as soon as I get back from a speedy errand.” With that, I snatch up my coat, and before I can stop myself, I’m out the door and crossing the street in the wintry dusk.

As I come bursting into the Lucas Building, Travis and Marley both look up.

“Wish-granting duty calls,” I announce. “Grab your coat and gloves.”

Understandably, he looks confused, woodworking plane paused in hand. “What wish?”

“Caroling at Eve Lindley’s house. There’s a group across the street waiting to go.”

He shoots me a look. “C’mon, Lex. I already built a wheelchair ramp. I even snuck a Christmas tree up the road in the dark. And I decorated cookies because you’re bad at it. But it sounds like you’ve got this one covered without me. I’m no singer.”

“Neither am I,” I tell him. “But it’s a nice thing to do and you got me into this wish-fulfilling business, so you’re going with me. You don’t even have to sing if you don’t want to.”

“What about the dog?” he argues, falling back on what has become his usual excuse. “I feel like I’ve been neglecting her.”

We both look to a perfectly mellow-looking Marley. “She’ll survive for an hour.” And with that I pluck up his coat, currently draped over the counter in back, and hold it out to him.

“This’ll only take an hour?” he asks, eyes narrowed on me skeptically.

“Yes.” Give or take. Actually, I have no idea, but what I’m pretty certain of is that once he’s there, he’ll enjoy it—because that seems to be how it goes with him.

A few minutes later, I notice he forgot his winter hat, so I’ve plopped that same Santa hat back on his head, and we’re moving up Main Street carrying lit candles with tinfoil holders, singingDeck the Halls. People are peeking through curtains and stepping out on porches, smiling as we pass. The Christmas joy is spreading from us and among us, and when I glance up at Travis beside me during a fa-la-la, I find him singing, too.

When the song ends, before we break intoWhat Child is This?, I whisper up to him, “Are you as miserable as you thought you’d be?”

“It’s not awful,” he whispers back.

The words warm me up inside despite the cold—and I don’t even mind when it begins to snow.

Travis

After caroling, I ask Lexi to grab a bite with me at Winterburger.

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