Page 27 of A Texas Christmas Carol

Timothy grinned, not abashed in the least. “You’re still my favorite, Mr. Day.”

“Ya hear that, Prez?” Lester said as he pushed his chair back and stood. “He likes me best.”

Tom crossed his arms over his chest. “That’s because you bribe him with candy.”

Timothy turned back to Evan and winked. Evan chuckled.

“Well, now that your other comp’ny is here, it’s time for us to head out.” Prez circled the table and made his way to his hostess. “Thank you for the cider, Mrs. Little. It sure hit the spot.”

Darlene smiled up at him. “You’re quite welcome, Mr. Ently. Merry Christmas to you.”

Something nagged at Evan’s brain. The names. He’d never heard their last names before. Lester Day. Prez Ently. Tom . . .

“Mr. Morrow.” Darlene nodded to the last of the three as he moved past her and followed his companions to the door.

A tingling sensation slid down Evan’s nape. Yesterday. Presently. Tomorrow. That couldn’t be coincidence . . . could it?

Prez clapped him on the shoulder as he walked past. “Don’t think about it too hard, son. Just enjoy the day.”

Lester, his bowlegged stride extra wide, came up next. “Better work on yer ropin’ skills, Eb. I ain’t gonna be around the next time someone gets stuck in the mud.”

They were leaving. Evan felt the truth in his soul. He wouldn’t see them again.

“Not here,” Tom said with a tip of his hat. “But we’ll meet elsewhere one day.”

Evan set the basket at his feet and gripped his cane, fearing his astonishment would knock him over.

“Oh, Mr. Day!” One of the middle girls grabbed a hat from the table and ran for the door that had just closed behind the three visitors. “Mr. Day! You forgot your”—she yanked the door open—“. . . hat.” She took a step outside and craned her neck right and left before pivoting to face the household with a puzzled look. “Where’d they go, Mama? I don’t see them.”

Darlene Little moved to the door and took a look herself. “Mr. Day?” She cupped her hands around her mouth and called his name a second time. No one answered.

But then, Evan no longer expected them to.

With a shrug, Darlene stepped back inside. “Hang it on one of your father’s nails,” she instructed. “Mr. Day can retrieve it the next time he comes for a visit.”

Felicity caught Evan’s eye from across the room, looking concerned as she took in his unsettled stance. Are you all right? she mouthed.

He smiled and nodded, his shakiness leaving him as peace replaced shock.

Evan straightened his posture and raised his voice. “Gather ’round, everyone. There’s a Christmas basket to open.”

The children rushed to the middle of the room and made a ring around the basket on the rug, the smallest ones getting the closest seats. Felicity moved to Evan’s side, and the two of them sat on a small settee at a distance from the action, letting the Littles enjoy their Christmas surprises.

One at a time, items were extracted and passed around with much delight.

“What’s this?” one of the boys asked as he pulled a black stick from the bottom of the basket.

“That’s for Timothy,” Evan said, his normally commanding voice carrying a decided wobble. Felicity took his hand in hers. Sharing his anxiety, his excitement, his anticipation.

Timothy reached out just as the silver knob on the end cleared the edge of the basket. His wide-eyed gaze flew to Evan. “One of your fancy canes?”

“This one’s your size.”

A hush settled over the room as all eyes fell on Timothy. He held the cane with reverence for a moment before enthusiasm erupted. Pushing up on his knees, he abandoned one of his crutches for the cane and maneuvered to his feet. He wavered a bit trying to find his balance, but it didn’t take long.

He hobbled over to the settee and looked up at Evan with a beaming grin. “I’m a fancy gent. Just like you, Mr. Beazer.”

Evan laughed and blinked back a bit of moisture that had gathered in his eye. Then, on impulse, he leaned forward and lifted the boy onto his lap.