Page 53 of A Winter Thaw

Shep and Elaine sat down between the roaring fire and the twinkling Christmas tree, and he pulled a small package from his suit coat pocket. It was wrapped somewhat clumsily but tied with a beautiful gold ribbon.

“Is this for me?” Elaine asked, her heart thumping. During all the many hours she’d spent looking for a gift for Shep, she hadn’t given any thought to the fact that he would also be buying her a Christmas gift. She was filled with excitement.

Shep nodded. “Open it,” he urged her.

Elaine opened the wrapping paper and inhaled when she saw a red velvet jewelry box. She opened it and tears filled her eyes when she saw a beautiful pearl necklace.

“This is gorgeous,” she breathed. “I absolutely love it.”

Shep didn’t say anything, but he smiled at her adoringly. She wondered if he’d remembered how much she liked pearls. He probably had. He was good at remembering little details about her—that was one of the first things that had clued her in to the fact that he had feelings for her.

“Would you put it on me?” she asked, feeling suddenly shy.

He nodded, and she held it up for him. Their fingertips brushed together as he took it, and then he placed it around her neck and clasped it gently.

“I didn’t put on a necklace tonight,” she said, laughing. “None of mine felt right. I’m so glad I didn’t—this necklace is perfect.” She touched the pearls lovingly.

“You look beautiful,” Shep told her.

She squeezed his hand, suddenly feeling nervous. Now that she’d received Shep’s thoughtful, expensive present, she felt as though the crockpot she’d bought him wasn’t up to snuff. She’d already experienced some doubts, starting the day after the purchase, and now she felt sure it wasn’t the right gift for him after all.

“I have something for you too,” she said hesitantly, standing up and going over to the Christmas tree, where Shep’s gift was resting, wrapped in gold and red paper and tied with a green ribbon. She picked it up and handed it to him.

“It’s big,” he said, laughing a little. “And heavy.”

Elaine winced. Shep seemed excited about the gift, and she had a sinking feeling that he wouldn’t be excited anymore in a few minutes. “I bought it for you, and it felt right, and then the next day I started to think it wasn’t right after all. I spent so much time trying to get you the perfect gift, and I couldn’t seem to find the right thing. Then I found this, and I got excited, but I think I was so relieved to find something that was maybe right that I wasn’t thinking clearly. I don’t think you’re really going to like it.”

Shep chuckled. “Well, I’d still love to see it.”

“Okay.” Elaine winced. “You can open it.”

Still chuckling, Shep undid the ribbon surrounding the present and began to tear away at the wrapping paper gently. He lifted up the Grinch-themed crockpot and began to laugh.

“I get it,” he said. “A grumpy crockpot for a grumpy guy, huh?”

“Well, yes. I figured you’d think it was funny, and I know you needed a crockpot.” Elaine spoke quickly, feeling nervous. “But it’s not really that nice of a gift—I mean, it’s an antique, and a fully functional antique, but it’s used. And you bought me this gorgeous pearl necklace and I bought you a silly cooking appliance!” She sighed. “It’s just not good enough. I’m so disappointed. I really wanted to find the perfect Christmas gift for you, and I never did.”

Shep shook his head. “It absolutely is good enough. I love it. It’s thoughtful, and funny, and useful. And you know I love old things.”

“I do,” she said, brightening. “I think that’s why I got so excited about it in the first place. I was thrilled that I’d found you something old that you could use.”

“You were right.” He smiled. “A crockpot sounds very useful.”

“It really is. I could teach you all my favorite recipes sometime.”

“Sounds like a date.”

They beamed at each other for a moment, and then Shep said softly. “You are a gift in and of yourself, Elaine. This is the best Christmas I’ve had in such a long time, because I have you. Anything you give me as a present is just a bonus.”

“I feel the same,” she said, her eyes shining.

They shared a kiss, and Elaine felt as though all the twinkling lights on the Christmas tree were glowing inside her.

“Come on,” Shep said, standing up and pulling her to her feet. “Let’s go get some apple cider.”

“Sounds wonderful.”

He held out his arm and she took it, and he escorted her in style to the dining room.