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She stepped away from the door to the edge of her porch, looking down at me. “You did what?”
“I … I got the gifts all taken care of for your family and mine.”
“Why would you do that? You said you’d pick out the recipient for me, not ‘take care’ of it.” She was glaring at me.
“I thought it would be helpful. And I wanted to do something for you. To make things easier for you.”
“I don’t need things to be easier,” Luci said, her voice even. However, I could hear a glimpse of cold steel underneath.
“Oh, well, sorry about that. I didn’t mean to overstep.”
“It’s okay. It was a nice gesture. Just don’t “
“Yeah?”
“I was going to say, ‘don’t do it again,’ but why would you? It’s not like we’ll ever be together in Montana for Christmas again, right?” She smiled, but it was a sober one. Wistful even.
“Right, sure.”
“How much do I owe you for the gifts?” Luci asked.
“Nothing.” The moment I said it, I wished I hadn’t.
Her expression darkened and she crossed her arms over her chest. “Grant? How much?”
“I’d have to look at the receipts.”
“Ball park?” Luci asked.
“A couple hundred.” It was probably more than that, but I wasn’t about to tell her the exact figure.
“I’ll Venmo it to you.”
“Luci, please, let me do this for you,” I said. “It would mean a lot to me.”
“Why?” She still had her arms crossed over her chest in a most terrifying way.
“Because I … I want to. Can’t that be reason enough?”
She came down the stairs, stopping at the bottom step, making us nearly the same height. She looked straight into my eyes. “Grant, I don’t get you.”
“What’s to get?”
“That’s just the thing. I don’t know why you would leave this morning like your pants were on fire and then go to town and order a bunch of gifts on my behalf. The two things don’t go together.”
I swallowed, glancing away from her penetrating gaze to look up at the dark sky. No stars tonight, only close-feeling clouds. What was I supposed to say? Certainly not the truth.
“Grant, answer me.” She tugged on the collar of my jacket, forcing me to look her in the eyes.
There were voices behind us, coming down the path. I stepped back, putting a good foot between us, and turned to see Jack and Ivy strolling toward us.
They stopped when they reached Luci’s cabin.
“What are you two dummies doing standing in the cold?” Ivy asked in her sweet voice.
“Just chatting,” Luci said. “But I’m headed inside now.”
My heart sank. I didn’t want her to leave me out here without her. On the other hand, I had to play it cool or Jack would see right through me.
