Page 71 of Playing for Keeps
Grant’s mustache lifted as he winked at his grandson. “That’s right. It’s about Jesus. We’recelebrating the birth of the Savior who lived, died, and rose from the grave. He saved us from our sins.”
“Happy birthday, Jesus!” the kids sang in unison.
Grant rested his elbows on his knees as he looked at the kids gathered by the tree. “And what is the greatest gift of all?”
“Love!” Bentley chimed in.
“The love that God has for us. We don’t deserve it, but he gives it to us anyway,” Grant said.
Caroline pressed a kiss to Justin’s cheek, reminding him that he had way more than he deserved.
Grant led the family in prayer, and the kids ripped into the gifts like the paper was on fire. Shouts followed every gift reveal, and Justin was called on to help open boxes and toys with his pocket knife. Alicia appeared with a box of batteries in various sizes, and Clint worked hard installing batteries and piecing toys together.
Justin stood to move out of the way as paper continued flying around the room, and someone grabbed his arm. It was Caroline’s mom looking at him with eyes that were so much like her daughter’s.
“Merry Christmas,” Vicci said. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Justin couldn’t have been more off-balance if he’d taken a line-drive to the chest. Not only had Vicci welcomed him into her family, but she’d shown him how easily she loved in the way Christtold us to. There was no question where Caroline had learned to love. It filled every inch of this home.
“Thank you for inviting me.”
Grant made his way over and stood beside Justin. He kept his attention on the kids, but his words were for Justin. “Take care of my baby.”
Justin met him straight on. “I will. It’ll be an honor.” He wanted to be worthy of their trust. He wanted to be the kind of man who deserved to be trusted.
Caroline stood from where she’d been sitting cross-legged on the floor and bounded up to him, resting her hands on his folded arms. “Are you ready for my surprise?”
Oh, so she wanted to play this game. “I thought you said we weren’t getting each other anything big for Christmas.”
“It’s not big,” she confirmed with a smile.
Leaning in, Justin whispered against her hair. “I’m ready to give you your surprise too.”
Caroline turned to her mom, then her dad. “We’ll be back in a little while.”
Justin let her drag him toward the door and accepted his coat when she tossed it at him. “Let’s go before the boys see you leaving,” she whispered.
Outside, snow had dusted the drive. She tugged him toward Clint’s truck. “I have a surprise. Don’t look in the back seat.”
“Now I really want to look,” he teased, but heobeyed, eyes stubbornly on the horizon as she clambered into the driver’s seat.
Justin’s phone rang, and an unknown number lit up on the screen.
“Do you need to answer that?” Caroline asked.
“It’s Christmas, and we’re in the middle of a not-so-big surprise. I’m not answering it.”
“What if it’s important, and someone is trying to reach you?”
Justin answered the call, sure it was a telemarketer. “Hello.”
“Justin?”
Chuck’s voice was raspy and a little weak, but Justin would know it anywhere.
“Chuck. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. Yeah. You just gave me your number, and I figured I should use it on Christmas.”
