Page 46 of Unexpected Gifts

LUKE

Just before noon, Luke and the three kids walked past the festive shops toward the Moose, the local bar and grill. He’d received a text from Abby that she’d finished her interview and would meet them at the grill. By the time they’d reached their destination, all of the kids were hungry and ready for lunch.

The sign for The Moose that hung above the awning swayed in the breeze. The “new” sign, as his father referred to it. Apparently, the bright yellow lettering against a red backdrop had been offensive to some of the old-timers, thinking it too modern-looking. Luke could remember the controversy when he was in high school. Some of the locals had demanded the new owners put the rustic wooden sign back in its rightful place. Soon, however, the arguments had died down and most people under the age of sixty could barely remember the original one.

Luke loved this place. He had many fond memories of nights out with his brothers and lunches with the whole family for one special occasion or the other. The Moose had been a meeting place for the residents of Sugarville Grove for sixty years. Although it had gone through some remodels in that time, therewere certain elements that remained, including a moose statue carved out of wood, standing proudly near the red double-door entrance. Someone had stuck Santa hats on the antlers. Another had wrapped a red scarf around his neck.

A sign was one thing. The wooden moose quite another. If the moose were to be replaced or taken away, an outright war would surely ensue.

Jack ran over to give the wooden moose a hug, with Lily not far behind. Sophie stood near a short, potted fir covered in white lights, watching them with an indulgent smile, as if she were eighty years old instead of nine.

“Come on, guys. Time to eat.” Luke held open the door for the kids, then followed them inside. “Can I get grilled cheese?” Lily asked.

As if he ever said no.

“You betcha,” Luke said.

Ah, yes. He breathed in the familiar scent of The Moose. Beer, grilled burgers, and this time of year, pine needles from the garlands and two decorated Christmas trees, one prominently placed near the entrance and another on the upper level. Dark wood furnishings plus a gas fireplace in the center of the room created a rustic, old-timey lodge vibe that made Luke feel right at home.

A young woman greeted them right away and took them to a booth near the fire. The kids all slid into one side, so he sat opposite, secretly glad he would get to sit next to Abby. They all wanted a Shirley Temple and he agreed, even though his mother wouldn’t have approved of all the sugar. It was a holiday weekend, after all. Not that he needed to—he’d been here enough times to have the menu memorized—but he looked over the menu. Although he shouldn’t, he couldn’t help but crave one of the appetizers. They had all his favorites here: chicken wings, pretzel bites, poutine, and Moose Antler Nachos.

“You guys want pretzels or nachos to start?” Luke asked.

They unanimously voted for pretzels.

“No Antlers.” Lily made a face and shuddered. She’d had a rude awakening last time they’d been here when she’d bitten into a jalapeño.

It was a little after noon when Abby came bouncing into The Moose. Luke knew immediately that it had gone well by the smile on her face and the lightness that emanated from her. She hurried over to them, cheeks flushed. “Hey, guys.” She shrugged out of her long black coat and unwound her red scarf, hanging both on the hook at the side of the booth. “You won’t believe it.” Abby scooted onto the bench next to him. “He offered me the job. Salary and benefits, and best of all, he’s going to be flexible on hours so I can drop you guys at the bus in the morning and get home in time to make dinner.”

“That’s great.” Luke smiled back at her and squeezed her hand under the table.

“Doc Ford is a kindred spirit. I’m so excited to get started.” Abby turned toward Sophie. “Can you believe it?”

Sophie smiled and lifted one shoulder. “I’m not surprised. I knew you’d get it.”

“Me too,” Luke said.

“Well, I didn’t. I was a wreck. And have you guys met Mariah?” Abby asked.

Luke chuckled. “Everyone knows Mariah. Did she tell you about her filing system?”

“Yes. I didn’t know what to think or say. She’s something else,” Abby said. “But she made me feel right at home. And Doc Ford’s the cutest man I’ve ever met.”

“Don’t let his goofy grin fool you,” Luke said. “He’s smart as a whip. We couldn’t get on without him here in Sugarville Grove.”

“I’m feeling blessed,” Abby said. “And frankly, relieved. I hope I won’t let him down.”

“You won’t,” Luke said.

“What have you all been up to?” Abby asked.

The kids told her about their visit to the bookstore and that Luke had let them each pick a book. Sophie mentioned seeing a friend from school.

These were all ordinary events, but somehow, given what they’d all been through, the morning had been poignant. Sitting here now, with the five of them cozily tucked into a booth, they looked like a regular family. No one would guess their stories, all the tragedy and heartbreak that had led them each to this moment.

Was it possible there was something special brewing among them all? He imagined each as a puzzle piece, lost in a pile on a coffee table until all the mess had been set aside and it was only the five of them, each with parts that fit perfectly into the others.

When the server brought their appetizer, Luke asked her to take a photograph of them using his phone. Abby glanced at him with a surprised expression on her pretty face but didn’t say anything. They all smiled as the young woman took their photograph and then handed the phone back to Luke. He would look at them later. Not now, or he might give himself away.

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