Page 75 of One Foggy Christmas
“If it’s okay with your mom”—I glance at Lynette and then back to her—“I’ve been dying all week to go into town. Maybe you can show me around a little.”
“Oh, the doctor said I can’t drive?—”
“Naturally, I would drive us.” An amused smile covers my lips.
“It’s also the weekend, so things will be crowded with A Dickens Christmas.”
“That’s what I want to see.” I smile, trying to coax her into saying yes. “Come on. Be a tourist with me.”
She bites her bottom lip, hesitating.Alwayshesitating.
“I think getting out of the house is a great idea.” Lynette grins, and I appreciate the support. I need all the help I can get to win back my wife. “You can take my car. The keys are on the hook by the garage door.”
“Okay,” Sadie half-heartedly agrees…but she agrees.
“What areyou going to show me first?” We walk together down Genesee Street, passing charming shops and restaurants.
If she were the old Sadie, we’d be holding hands, but I won’t let that depress me. At least she’s out of the house.
“Me?” Her head jerks back. “I’m not in charge.”
“This is your town, and you’re my tour guide, so technically, you are in charge.”
“Yeah, but I have a traumatic brain injury and a deceased brother I just learned about. Don’t I get a hall pass on life for at least a month or two?”
I feign a sigh. “I guess I can put you on the injury reserve list, which means I’m now in charge of our afternoon.” I glance up and down the street. “Where do we start with the Dickens stuff? I want the whole experience. Don’t cheat me out of seeing Ebenezer Scrooge.”
“I don’t know if the schedule is still the same, but carolers usually gather at the gazebo at two o’clock for a sing-along.”
My eyes drop to my watch. “That’s in, like, twenty minutes!”
Sadie’s lips twitch, fighting a smile.
“What?” I smile back.
“I’ve just never seen a grown man so excited about small-town Christmas stuff.”
“Well,youjust don’t remember it. I’m like this every year.”
“Good to know.”
“So…” I point in both directions. “Which way to the gazebo?”
“This way.” She nods to the right. “You’ll be happy to know there are free refreshments on the way. Roasted chestnuts and eggnog.”
“We’ll skip the eggnog because I know you hate it, but roasted chestnuts on an open fire? That’s a Christmas classic.”
She stares at me for a long second. “I do hate eggnog.”
“I know, Sadie.” My smile spreads bigger. “Iknowyou.”
SADIE
My head’sbeen on a constant swivel ever since we got into town. It’s not like I expect to see Stetson at A Dickens Christmas. Locals don’t hang out here, but you never know, and it’s the unknown that has me tied into knots.
“Man, they can sing,” Nash says over the song.
I lift my lips, trying to fake as much interest in this event as him.
