Page 11 of A Little Christmas Wish

“Are you sure, Daddy?” she asked as he steered the cart toward the check-out counter. “I really don’t have to get all of these things. I can put back some of the outfits or the shoes. I don’t need light-up shoes.”

But they were adorable.

“Hey.” He stopped then turned to her, cupping her chin. “What’s this all about?”

“I just . . . we got a new house and we have Zippy now. And two boys in college. Plus, it’s nearly Christmas. I was thinking that I’d tell Santa that he doesn’t have to bring anything to me this year because I have so much.”

Ink drew her close and hugged her tight. “Listen to me. If I didn’t think we could afford this stuff, I wouldn’t buy it. Our finances are fine. We made money when we sold the warehouse. And the business is doing really well. Stop fretting. Little girls don’t need to worry about this sort of thing.”

Big girls did, though.

And sometimes she had trouble shutting off her adult voice. But Ink was right. He wasn’t reckless with money. And she knew their finances were fine. He didn’t hide anything from her.

“All right, Daddy. Sorry.”

“Good girl, Button. Now, come on.”

They approached the counter, finding Bonnie bouncing up and down behind it. Why was she jumping up and down like that?

As they grew closer, Betsy realized that there was a small, round trampoline behind the desk.

“Oh! That seems like so much fun!” she said.

“It really is,” Bonnie said as she jumped off and landed on her feet.

For a moment, she wobbled and looked like she was going to fall over. Then Titus appeared and grabbed her arm, steadying her.

“Bonnie. Careful.”

Yikes.

He really was a scary dude.

Bonnie just waved him off and smiled at them widely as she moved closer to the counter.

“Are you all right?” Betsy asked.

“Of course! Titus just likes to fuss. He’s a real mother hen.”

Hmm. Yes, he looked like a mother hen.

Not.

Thankfully, he faded into the background as Bonnie oohed and aahed over the things she had in the cart.

“Oh, that’s my favorite onesie. I think I’ll wear it in the shop on Christmas eve. And this outfit goes together so well! You have a real eye for fashion.”

“Thanks.”

“You know, I’m only using about a third of this building at the moment for the toy shop. I was thinking I could make another area dedicated to just clothes.”

“That’s a great idea.”

“And I’d really like to do a trampoline park for the last part. That’s why I was practicing right now. I’m getting really good. I think I could graduate to a bigger trampoline for front flips and things.”

“Not happening,” a deep voice grumbled from the shadows.

Betsy jumped at the sound of Titus’ voice. Jeez, she couldn’t even see him.

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