Page 62 of Christmas Wishes

“Still sleeping, I imagine.”

Keaton snorted.

“I’m sure he is. I’ll be seeing him later.”

Right. The makeup class with Doris’s friends. My heart melted like snow under a bright sun. It was generous of Keaton to make time for that on his vacation.

“Have fun with that. See you at the park.”

“Thanks again, sweetheart. See you then.” She hung up.

“Nice of you to do the lesson for them.” I accepted the plate he handed me.

“I’m a very nice person,” he said haughtily, then grinned. “You’re going to help with those playhouses?”

“Nico and I helped every year.” A lump formed in my throat. “They always need people who know how to run lights and use power tools.”

“I’m sure Nico would be grateful you can still help.” His lips curled into a smile before he walked over to the breakfast table.

I’d grown attached to starting the day with him. As he quietly munched on his food, an urge to cook for him grew in me. He’d been so thoughtful to make sure I was fed that I wanted to return the favor. I would cook him breakfast this weekend. My last chance to show him how much I appreciated him.

I enjoyed the rest of breakfast with him as we shared smiles and quiet words until I left for my first appointment.

The rest of the morning passed in a blur of going to appointments, small talk about the holidays, gifts of baked goods, and calls for more appointments. As soon as I could, I drove to the city park where the cottages had been set up. About two dozen people were working hard.

Normally, the structures would have been set up days ago, so the sponsors of each one had the week to decorate. With the storm delay, it was a mad rush of everyone helping each other.

I parked and approached. Doris wore a high-visibility vest over her coat and held a clipboard. She directed people like a drill sergeant. Before I reached her to get my marching orders, I spotted someone in a familiar blue coat stepping out of a cottage painted Barbie pink.

What’s he doing here?

“He’s been here for two hours helping put out signs and even used a drill.” Doris winked.

I was speechless for a moment, then shook it off. “Put me to work.”

Doris sent me to a gingerbread-themed cottage sponsored by the local bakery. A volunteer said the baker couldn’t get away from work, so they had directions. I listened closely. I started by attaching a bunch of hand-painted wooden candy pieces to the structure.

“Love when a man knows how to use his tool,” Keaton purred into my ear when I picked up the drill.

I focused on his playful smile rather than the way he said the L-word and how that pinged around my chest. Jesus. Lonely much?

I attached the drill bit. “Rumor has it you used yours today too.”

“And last night. Twice.” He grinned before ducking into the cottage while carrying a tub.

“What’s that?” I asked through the window.

“The modified Candy Land game for the kids to play in here. I’m matching each game or activity to the right building. Folks are pretty organized.”

I chuckled. “Folks are in a good routine of doing this each year. If that wasn’t the case, they would’ve cancelled this part of the festival.”

“Hey, Keaton? Have you already placed tic-tac-toe?”

I turned toward the voice and saw a man who frequented the senior center.

Keaton stuck his head out the door. “Not yet. It’s in Juan’s trunk.”

The man gave a thumbs-up.

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