Page 10 of The Sound of Sleighbells

“Yummy!” Tammy smiled as she closed her eyes.

“Mom?” Janeen whispered from the other bed.

“What is it, dear?” Ruth bent over her.

“Can we get a dog for Christmas? Daddy would never let us have one. But we could get one now, couldn’t we?”

Ruth shook her head. “I know you want a dog. But we’re not allowed to have pets in this rental house. When we find a home of our own, then we’ll talk about it. Okay?”

Janeen sighed. “Okay. But don’t forget.”

“I’m sure you’ll remind me. Tomorrow morning, early, I’m going to Abner’s to start dinner. I’ll come back and get you later. But Skip will be here. So mind what he says.”

“Can I make some decorations? We’ve got orange paper left from Halloween.”

“Sure. Sleep tight, now.” Ruth bent and kissed her daughter’s forehead, then stole out of the room.

Skip was still watching the game. “I’m going to get ready for bed,” she told him. “You know the plan for tomorrow. I’ll call you from Abner’s when I’m ready to come home. Make sure the girls are ready to go.”

“Got it.” His gaze remained focused on the TV. “Can I go home with Trevor after dinner?”

“We’ll see. That’ll be mostly up to his parents.”

Ruth showered, washed and dried her hair, laid out her clothes for tomorrow, and set the alarm. By then she was ready to end her long day. She was so tired that her head had barely settled onto the pillow before she sank into slumber.

She slept soundly, barely aware of the racket made by the neighbor’s dog sometime in the dark hours. Not until her alarm went off at six o’clock did she stir and come fully awake.

Moving quietly, she dressed in jeans and a clean sweatshirt, washed her face, dabbed on a little foundation, lipstick, and blush, and finger-combed her hair into submission. After a quick cup of instant coffee, she put on her coat, checked on her sleeping children, grabbed her purse and keys, and stepped out the front door onto the porch.

The morning wind was bracing. Sullen clouds roiled across the sky, promising a gloomy day, maybe even a storm later on. Tugging her thin trench coat around her, she made her way down the steps, crossed the winter-brown lawn to her station wagon—and stopped short. A sickening sensation welled in her stomach.

Shards of broken glass from the rear window littered the ground behind the open tailgate. Inside, the rear compartment of the wagon was empty. The bagged groceries she’d bought last night were gone.

Chapter Three

Ruth stared at her pillaged vehicle. She tried to tell herself that this was a bad dream. But then reality crashed in. This was no dream. She had Thanksgiving dinner to prepare and not a morsel of food. Everything she’d purchased last night was gone.

Whoever had broken into her station wagon must’ve had a desperate need. At least some other family wouldn’t go hungry today. But what was she going to do now?

There was only one answer to that question. She would have to buy everything again and get it to Abner’s in time to cook the meal.

Fortunately, the list she’d made was still in her purse. And Shop Mart would be opening at seven o’clock. There was still time to save the day. But one problem remained.

Abner had given her his Visa card to pay for the food. She still had the card in her wallet. But there was no way under heaven she would allow her friend to be charged a second time—especially since the loss of the groceries had been her own fault. She would pay for everything herself—easier said than done.

Two years ago, Ed had declared bankruptcy to clear his debts. Since Ruth’s name had been included in the bankruptcy, she couldn’t qualify for a credit card of her own. She would have to write a check—and with payday four long days off, her account was down to eleven dollars and forty-three cents.

Since the divorce, Ruth had been scrupulous in the handling of her finances. But this morning she could only write the check and hope it wouldn’t clear the bank until Monday. If the check bounced, she would just have to pay the fine and accept the blot on her record.

Shivering in the chilly wind, she closed the tailgate and drove to Shop Mart. By the time she arrived, the big-box store was open. There were several cars and a black pickup in the parking lot. At least the aisles wouldn’t be crowded this morning.

Inside the store, she found the list in her purse and grabbed a cart. One of the wheels thumped as she pushed it, but she didn’t have time to be choosy. Thumping along, she hurried back to the meat counter to get a turkey.

* * *

Judd had yet to decide about Abner’s invitation to dinner. The idea of socializing made him edgy. But Abner was a good neighbor, and with his family gone, he was probably lonely. Turning him down without a solid reason could create hurt feelings and strain their relationship.

In any case, Judd didn’t want to show up empty-handed. A couple cartons of premium ice cream should be welcome. And if he changed his mind about going, he could save them for later.

---