Page 52 of Love, Lies and Sleigh Rides
Sara from Bart’s garage had snuck up behind her.
“Nice to see you here, Sara. Aren’t the trees amazing?”
Sara stopped the stroller and looked around. “They are. I’m overwhelmed actually. I usually avoid people on the days I don’t work.” She chuckled and shrugged. “Or at least I did before Lillianne was born. Now I need to get out with her or being at home all day long gets me stir-crazy.”
Sara’s daughter was a curly-headed cherub with the longest lashes Fallon had ever seen on a toddler. “What does she think of all of this?”
The young woman’s eyes widened. “Well, she’s already ruined one ornament. I got too close to a tree with the stroller and Lillianne snatched it before I could stop her.”
Sara looked more rested than the previous times Fallon had seen her. The dark under-eye circles had disappeared and her demeanor seemed more cheerful. It was amazing what a little sleep could do.
Little Lillianne reached for Fallon’s hand. The beaded bracelet dangling from her wrist caught Lillianne’s attention.
“How is she with your tree at home?”
Sara frowned. “I didn’t put up a tree. Maybe I’ll get one next year when she isn’t grabbing everything to put in her mouth.”
“I bet she’d love that.”
Sara looked around. “Like everything else, they’re so expensive. I can’t imagine how much even a little tree would cost with all the lights and ornaments you have to buy.”
Her grandfather’s juniper tree came to mind.Only thecost of a jar of peanut butter and a bag of birdseed.
“But it would be a nice tradition, don’t you think?” Sara said.
Fallon’s eyes pricked with moisture. She had to look away for a few seconds while she blinked back the tears. When she knew she could trust her voice not to crack she answered Sara.
“I think that would be a wonderful tradition. What are you doing for Christmas?”
Sara’s eyes lost focus before she looked away. Fallon sensed what was wrong; she’d been there enough times herself to recognize it.
“I may go over to a friend’s for dinner,” she said, looking down at the top of her daughter’s head. “Depending on Lillianne’s mood.”
“So, Lillianne’s dad…”
Sara shook her head. “Not in the picture. A good thing.”
“And your mom is in Iowa, I think I remember you saying.”
Sara gave her signature quick smile. “Yep. She does her own thing.”
Across the room, Kade spotted her. She’d almost waved before she noticed his deep frown. Was he frowningat her?
Lillianne started fussing in her stroller, straining against her belt.
“I’d better get moving before she has a full-blown tantrum,” said Sara.
“Have a nice Christmas if I don’t see you again.”
The words flew from her mouth before she stopped herself. She could kick herself for the thoughtless comment considering Sara had just said she might be spending the holiday alone. But Kade distracted her. And he’d disappeared now.
She checked the schedule on her phone. The parade started at noon. She had less than two hours before she needed to meet the parade committee near the judging post at the D & G Market parking lot. If only she hadn’t been talked into handing out awards.
Fallon turned toward the concession table again, ready for another refill when Agnes scurried up to her, clutching a clipboard to her chest, huffing her breath out in loud, uneven puffs.
“Have you heard? The Behars are pullingoutof the parade.” She waved the clipboard in front of her face, which was almost as red as the crimson sweater she wore emblazoned with giant poinsettia blooms.
“Pulling out? What on earth for?”
