Page 63 of Two Hearts' Christmas Homecoming

“We’d better take two vehicles tonight,” Dad said. “Jake just texted and wants to talk with me and Lex, and Amy too, whenever we’re finished eating.”

“Does anyone want to ride along with me and Amy?” Lex asked.

Mom smiled. “No. You two go ahead. We’ll meet you there. Gabe, look at the necklace that Lex gave Amy.”

“It looks exactly like the one I gave you years ago,” Dad said, giving Mom a kiss on the cheek as he helped her into her coat.

“Yes, I gave it to Izzy when she left home,” Mom admitted. “She was never into jewelry, but she always loved that pendant, probably because you gave it to me on our first Christmas together, so I thought she should have it.”

“You know, with Lex here this year for Christmas, I think I’m going to miss everyone who’s not here even more. I hope we can have the whole family together again someday,” Dad said, sounding wistful as he pulled on his parka.

Now that was a thought, Lex decided. Just for the heck of it, maybe he’d make a few more calls.

After he assisted Amy into a very fashionable winter coat, he escorted her out to the car.

“Maybe you should be wearing some boots instead of those heels,” Lex said, noticing that snow was coming down again.

“Wearing this slinky dress? Puh—leez,” she replied, stepping into the car as Lex held open the door.

“I guess I’ll just have to carry you to the car after dinner,” he said, grinning.

They were both laughing as Lex put the car into gear.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Dinner with the family was fun, although Amy knew that something was still on Lex’s mind by the way he kept glancing around as if he was looking for someone in the crowd.

Lex hadn’t said anything about why Jake wanted to see them after dinner, but all of a sudden Amy wondered if it could have something to do with the past.

After eating, Lex looked at Amy momentarily, as if he’d just remembered something.

“We’ll be right back everyone. I wanted to show something to Amy while we’re here.”

He stood, waiting for her to join him.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“Into the gift shop before it closes. I wanted to order a couple things for Mom and something for Arielle and I thought you could help.”

Lex escorted her into the shop, which would be closing in another twenty minutes.

“Hi, Suzanne,” Amy said.

“Hi, Amy. How are things going?”

“Good,” she replied, grinning.

“I thought about a couple of things for Mom. Maybe one of those pretty Tiffiny style lamps over there with the dragonflies for the solarium.”

Amy pursed her lips. “She might like something like that for the living room instead, even though we only use it at Christmas. It would brighten things up. I think I’m going to tell Dad to get her another necklace that’s similar to what you gave me.”

“What do you think of these new rings that Dawn designed, Amy?” Suzanne asked, giving Lex a wink. “Maybe Arielle would like one?”

“She probably would,” Amy said, picking one up and trying it on. “I love these new dragonfly designs. I’m sure she would too, Lex.”

“Do you know what size she wears?”

“Probably about the same as me. She’s kind of small boned too, but she’s getting taller. I think she’d like this one Suzanne. I’ll doublecheck her size and give you a call if you want to hang onto this for us,” Amy said.

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