Page 78 of Return to Sender (Pine Falls 1)

Jonah stood, bringing me along with him. “Merry Christmas, honey,” he beamed up at his baby. She looked down at the tree and all the presents, even the full stockings hanging on the mantle. I could tell she didn’t know what she should do. At first it made me sad because at her age, honestly, I wouldn’t have known either except for what I had seen on TV and movies. But Whitney didn’t even have that going for her. Then it hit me: she had me and Jonah going for her.

“Merry Christmas, sweet girl. Come see what Santa brought you,” I called out.

Eliza winced in her chair but didn’t say anything.

Whitney’s eyes drifted toward me, just now realizing I was there. “Ariana!” She ran down the stairs to me.

I knelt, ready to receive her. She flew into my arms and I held her tighter than I ever had. I vowed then to always make room for her. To never let her be a distraction, but my purpose, regardless of how things worked out with Jonah and me. Whitney would always know I loved her.

“You came back.” She put her tiny arms around my neck.

I kissed her cheek. “Always, for you.”

She leaned away and put her small hands on my cheeks. “But, Ariana, I do not believe in Santa Claus.”

“Are you sure?”

She nodded, not so sure.

“Well, I did see a package from him with your name on it.” I pointed at the tree and the silver box that was front and center with Whitney’s name on it.

She turned her head and spied the gift. Her nose crinkled, unsure.

“Why don’t you go see what’s in it?” I stood while she debated.

Eventually, she tiptoed over.

Jonah came and wrapped his arms around me from behind. He kissed my head while we watched our favorite girl discover what I hoped was the magic of Christmas.

Jonah’s parents stood to the side, but closer to Eliza than me and Jonah. They gave me an appraising glance before we all watched to see what Whitney would do.

She sat in front of the tree and stared at the box for a moment, while touching the tag and brushing her finger over the bow. “I don’t recognize the handwriting on the card,” she declared, half disappointed, half intrigued.

I smiled to myself. Kinsley had written it in her fancy script she was so good at.

Whitney nibbled on her lower lip and carefully slipped off the bow. Gently, she inched the lid of the box up, trying to peek inside, but afraid to. I was so anxious for her to see the doll I almost told her to throw it off, but I waited patiently in Jonah’s arms. It wasn’t a bad place to be.

Finally, she braved taking the lid off. When she did, her big green eyes widened. “It’s the doll I wished for. She looks just like me.” She put her hands to her mouth.

“Let’s see,” Jonah encouraged her to show us.

Whitney carefully lifted the doll out of the box and admired it. “She has hair just like me and a pink dress with a petticoat,” Whitney said in awe before turning toward her dad and me. “Did you buy this?”

“No,” we said at the same time. Thankfully, that was true—we didn’t buy the doll.

Whitney stood, not sure what to make of it, but hugged the doll to her. She looked between her mom and grandparents. “Did you buy the doll?”

They each shook their head no, but I could tell there was something on the tip of Eliza’s tongue. I swore if she ruined this, I was going to have words with her, and not the controlled, carefully crafted kind. Thankfully Eliza pressed her lips together and let it be.

Whitney walked over to Jonah and me. She was smart enough to assume we were the culprits. She stood with one arm cradling the doll, the other with her hand on her hip. “I know it has to be you. I read on Google that Santa isn’t real. That magic doesn’t exist.”

I knelt and got eye level with Whitney. I ran my hand down her silky hair. “Honey, even if your doll wasn’t delivered by a magical being, it doesn’t mean that magic doesn’t exists. Magic happens when someone, no matter who they are, cares enough about you to make your dreams come true. That’s the best kind of magic.”

“Really?” she responded so innocently.

Jonah knelt next to me. “Really.”

“Do you want to make my dreams come true?” she asked me.

“Yes.” I cried some happy tears. “All of them.”Chapter Twenty-SixIt was the most magical Christmas I’d had, and it wasn’t over yet. I was happy, though, that the remainder of the day would be spent with my family at my grandparents’ place. I knew we were a weird family, but at least I could be casual and comfortable while being weird.

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