“Ella!” a boy named Jarom called from his wheelchair, waving energetically. A woman Ella didn’t recognize stood behind him. She wondered if it was his mom. Smiling, he held the red-and-green-striped pillow over his head.
“That’s the biggest grin I’ve ever seen,” Ella said. “What have you got there?”
“Santa brought these. They were on our pillows when we woke up this morning.”
Stepping forward, Hawk slid her a knowing look. “Oh, he did? Very clever of him.”
Ella wanted to jab her elbow into his side, but Jarom’s smile was too contagious. She knelt by his wheelchair.
“That’s amazing,” Ella said.
“I’m so excited. I couldn’t wait to show my mom. And now we have our very own store? This is the best Christmas ever!”
Ella hugged him and went from child to child, friend to friend, chatting with each one, hearing of their excitement, of their joy in something so simple as a new covering for their pillows or the toys and books their families had brought.
Ella paused at the sight of a sweet little girl, Laura, standing beside one of the shelves in a complete stupor. The little girl was completely bald, her skin soft and smooth. She wore a snowman nightgown.
“Everything okay, Laura?” Ella asked.
“These look too pretty to eat,” Laura said with a slight frown.
Ella bent down to Laura’s side, resting her hands on her thighs. “Which one are you going to choose?”
Laura’s smooth brow rose. “You mean I can pick one?”
“Of course,” Ella said with a chuckle. “This is your Christmas store.”
With excitement only a child can wield in her shining eyes, Laura reached carefully for the gift bag tied with a gold ribbon.
“I like this one,” she said with awe, cradling it to her chest. “Now what do I do?”
Ella crouched at her side, resting her hand on Laura’s shoulder. “You got tokens in your Christmas stocking this morning, right?”
A nod.
“See that good-looking guy behind the register? Go give him one of your tokens, and it’s all yours.”
With a grin as bright as diamonds, Laura skipped to Hawk and handed him her bag. Rather than remaining behind the register, Hawk stepped around the counter and knelt beside her, one arm around her shoulders as he answered her questions.
Laura gave him an excited smile and bounced up and down, hugging him before he resumed his place behind the register. He proceeded with the transaction.
The shared glee on every face, the sound of crinkling paper being opened, the shouts of happy surprise and laughter, were beyond satisfying. This was worth every stressful hour of sewing, and every hour of missed sleep the night before, to do something to bring a little happiness to these kids. Too bad Chloe and Brandy couldn’t have seen it too.
Being a part of the children’s joy in any way was a blessing, but sharing this with Hawk and the other hospital staff who worked so hard to care for these kids made things even more worthwhile.
Too soon, the phone in Ella’s back pocket vibrated. She checked it, only to have the name on her cell screen douse her elation in an instant.
Hawk was surrounded by kids, entertaining them as he made swooping motions with his arms. She wondered what story he was telling. Other kids were opening their gifts, pulling soft, squishable plush animals from boxes.
Ella didn’t want to answer Stina’s call, but she needed to deal with this sooner or later. Might as well be sooner. She stepped into the adjacent hall and braced herself.
“Hey, Stina.”
“Howard is rather disappointed his apartments didn’t get the treatment he was hoping for last night.” No other greeting. Just a jump right into criticism.
“Yes, I can understand that,” Ella said, regretting that she’d ever answered. “I’m sorry, but it’s Christmas, and I decided I was going to celebrate it. I’m sure he can wait just like everyone else.”
She anticipated the backlash, for Stina to spout all the horrible reasons she was disappointed in Ella and pronounce the end of her employment. Ella knew she’d never see her dad once that happened, but she rarely saw him as it was.
“I—I’ll start job hunting,” Ella began, attempting to ward her off.
“Why ever would you do that? And leave me shorthanded again?”
Puzzlement crumpled Ella’s forehead. “I thought you’d be firing me.”
Stina laughed, a wicked, horrid sound. “Why would I do that? I expect you to show up as always. After what you pulled last night, you owe me.”
That was something no one ever wanted to hear, not where Stina Malus was concerned. The woman held grudges as the dying clung to life. Did Stina think she was doing Ella some kind of favor by keeping her on?
Ella knew this was her chance. She should speak up, state her intentions of finding a new job, and continue being brave. But her courage fled. It whiffled and deflated like a punctured ball, and Stina ended the call before Ella managed to utter a single word.
Regret nudged its way in between her ribs. You owe me. Ella shook it off, refusing to let the worry settle. She wouldn’t focus on that. She was having the most amazing Christmas of her life, and it was time she returned to it.
Hawk stood with an elbow resting on the counter and a gift in the other hand. He straightened as she approached.
“There you are,” he said. “I was afraid you’d left before I could give you this.”
Pushing away the unease inside of her, she took the gift. “I’m sorry. I didn’t get you anything.”
“Just open it.”
Ella tore the festive paper and pulled out a lovely, knitted, red scarf. Its yarn was thick and soft. Positive thoughts began to stream in, one at a time like droplets of water to fill a half-empty bucket. Time to turn that thing around. This was a half-full kind of moment.
Who was she kidding? Hawk Danielson was with her. He’d kissed
