Page 19 of Wait a HO HO HO Second!

A strangled sob of laughter escaped as Joy wiped her eyes to finish the letter.

I asked the estate to include this photo for a reason. It’s the one I think of most when I think of our relationship. Unabashed love, respect, and laughter. The way you glow on the mall floor, helping our customers. The way you take care of me, making sure my scatterbrain doesn’t forget the important things. Like the new stick pin from the big man himself, Mr. Carrington. I also wanted you to see yourself the way I do. A mirrored reflection of me, but more of who I could have been at your age, had I changed a few things here and there. They always say everything in life happens for a reason, and I like to think I did what I did over the years so I would find myself in a place to spend time with you. Our time together was one of my greatest pleasures, so I’m asking you this with great respect, sincerity, and a touch of demand: Will you please wear the coat? If I am no longer there to wear it, my only wish is for you to put it on and continue the tradition of Van Adler women caring for the friends in our community. Maybe we aren’t blood, but that’s never mattered between us. I was proud to call you my daughter. Think about it, please? When you wear the coat, it will remind you that I am always with you. I hope that one day you can continue my mission by walking the hospital halls in the coat and spreading cheer during the holiday season, just like we used to. When you wrap the coat around you, know I'm still walking beside you, cheering you on.

All the love, respect, and gratitude from your adoptive mother,

Lorelei

P.S. If you’re reading this letter and only five reasons are listed, I know you can picture just how mad I am!

Another sob escaped as Joy nodded, her lips tugging into a smile. When Lorelei got mad, she got even, so Joy prayed she wasn’t hanging around the outlet mall, ready to haunt.

One last request: It’s my greatest wish that you can find a way to forgive my son for what he did to you. I won’t ask that you do it FOR me, as that would be wrong. I won’t ask you to do it for him, as, in my opinion, he doesn’t deserve your forgiveness, though one day soon he may finally be the man who can ask for it. I ask you to forgive him for your own sake. Carrying that hurt and pain is a heavy burden you don’t deserve. This is not a forgive-and-forget request. This is so your heart can finally be free to love and trust another man. You’ll struggle with that, I know, but it’s time to move forward with your life. You deserve nothing but happiness, sweet Joy, so I hope you think about what your life could look like if you let Kian’s harsh words fade and let the voices of those who matter now come through.

Momma L

Pulling the items close, Joy turned off the lights and cried herself to sleep, the letter still clutched tightly in her hand.

14

#Mulligan

Walking through center court, Kian couldn’t help but wonder why Christmas had thrown up all over his mall. Garlands, ornaments, colored lights, twinkle lights, bubble lights, light-up Santas, reindeer, and candy canes stretched as far as the eye could see. Christmas music blasted from the speakers so loudly that he couldn’t hold a conversation with anyone and would probably get the cops called on him, to boot.

Shaking his head, he jogged down to customer service and stuck his head in the door. Thankfully, it was somewhat quieter in the office, though not by much. Marci was at the desk cutting out paper snowflakes. He was about to ask her if she was in kindergarten when she unfolded the paper to reveal the most intricate paper snowflake he’d ever seen. It was another reminder not to judge so quickly.

When Marci looked up, Kian motioned toward the sound system. “I can’t hear you!” she yelled, cupping her ear.

“For Santa’s sake!” he growled, walking over and turning the volume down to three clicks below rock-concert levels. “Why is the music so loud?”

“What’s the matter, Grandpa? Too loud for your hearing aids?” a voice behind him asked. Marci smirked, but he schooled his expression before turning to face little Miss Sass.

It took every ounce of professionalism he had not to burst out laughing at the woman before him. Joy wore a glittery, bow-covered knit sweater, black-and-silver sparkly leggings, and a green-and-gold Santa hat. His gaze kept straying to the leggings. The way they hugged those curves made his mouth go dry and his heart race. If he didn’t know better, he’d think he was back in high school, staring at his first crush.

First crush? Get a grip, man!

“My hearing was fine, but after being out there, I probably need hearing aids!” he exclaimed, throwing his arms up. “What is this look?” he asked, motioning at her like a fool.

“I’m getting my Christmas on. I’m sorry you’re too much of a Grinch to join in the fun.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. I’m happy to help, but for crying in the mud, you gotta keep the music down. Someone will call the cops.”

“Yeah, Marci,” Joy said, turning to her friend. “For crying in the mud, keep the music down!”

“Har-har,” Kian said, making his best Grinch face. “Have your fun, but any fine the cops lay on us will come out of your pocket.”

“What are you doing here at ten p.m. on a Wednesday night, anyway?” Joy asked, as if the question would distract him.

“I’ve made it my mission to stop in at different times of day to make sure I catch all the store owners and employees. Marci’s been helping me with that.”

“Has she now?” Joy asked, her brows narrowing into a squint that suggested Marci hadn’t told her everything. “How kind of her.” Glancing over her shoulder, Joy pinned Marci with her steely gaze. “I’ll deal with you later.” Then Joy’s green eyes were back on him. “That doesn’t explain why you’re here when the mall has been closed for an hour.”

“August needed help at the main office today, and I just rolled back into town. Thought I’d stop by to see how things were going. Didn’t expect this,” he said, motioning to the stacks of garland, lights, and ornaments.

“You were out of town? That explains why everything went so well today. Until now, that is.”

“Listen, decorate to your heart's content, though I have to say it’s bordering on tacky at this point. Just keep the music down. I don’t want to be that neighbor.”

Huffing, Joy crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head. She reminded him of his mother when she used to scold him for pranking the nanny or the house staff. “Tell him,” Joy said, motioning toward Marci with her sassy little chin.