Debbie Macomber: 1225 Christmas Tree Lane

“But she isn’t due for another two weeks,” Mel declared.

Ned opened the truck door. “Instead of discussing it, let’s go find out.”

A middle-aged woman approached as Linc got out of the truck. “You must be Mary Jo’s brothers,” she said. “I’m Grace Harding. Merry Christmas!”

The woman looked friendly, and Linc appreciated the pleasant greeting. “Merry Christmas to you, too. Sorry for the delay….”

“We got lost.”

How helpful of Mel to point out the obvious.

“Some guy named King gave us the wrong directions.”

“King’s Gas and Grocery?” A man came up to them, extending his hand. “Cliff Harding.”

“That’s the one,” Ned answered.

Cliff pinched his lips together, but didn’t speak.

Linc shook hands with Grace’s husband. “Linc Wyse,” he said, introducing himself. “My brothers, Ned and Mel.”

Hands were shaken and greetings exchanged all around.

“We were wondering if you were ever going to find the place,” Cliff told them.

“If it hadn’t been for the fireworks, we probably wouldn’t have,” Mel admitted.

Linc ignored him and glanced at the aid car. “Mary Jo?” He couldn’t bring himself to finish the question.

Grace nodded. “She had the baby.”

“A boy,” Mel said confidently. “Right?” His eyes lit up with expectation.

“A girl.”

“A girl?” Linc was shocked. “Mary Jo had a girl?”

“You sound disappointed,” Grace said, studying him closely.

“Not…disappointed. Surprised.”

Ned felt obliged to explain. “For some reason, we were all sure she was having a boy.”

“Well, she didn’t. You have a niece.”

“We have a niece,” Linc said to his brothers. Mel gave him a congratulatory slap on the back that nearly sent him reeling. He suddenly realized what this all meant. He was an uncle. He hadn’t thought of himself in those terms until that very moment.

“The EMTs are bringing Mary Jo and the baby down now,” Grace was saying.

“Can we see the baby?” Linc asked.

“And talk to Mary Jo?” Mel added.

Grace warmed them with a smile. “I’m sure you can.”

A little boy raced up to her. “Grandma, Grandma, can I play my drum for the baby and Mary Jo?”

Grace crouched down so she was eye level with her grandson. “Of course, Tyler, but remember you have to play quietly so you won’t disturb the baby.”

“Okay!”

Two EMTs rolled Mary Jo toward the aid car on a gurney.

As soon as she saw her brothers, Mary Jo—holding the sleeping newborn in one arm—stretched out the other. “Linc, Mel, Ned…oh, my goodness, you’re here!”

They hurried over to her side.

“You had a girl,” Mel said, staring down at the bundle in her arms.

“She looks just like you,” Ned commented.

“No, she doesn’t,” Linc chimed in. “She looks like the Wyse family—like all of us.”

“And like herself,” Mary Jo said.

“I’m sorry we were so late,” Ned apologized.

“Yeah, we got lost.”

If Mel announced that to one more person, Linc might be tempted to slug him.

“Where are they taking you?” he asked.

“To the birthing center in Silverdale,” one of the EMTs answered.

“You won’t have any trouble finding it,” Cliff assured them. “I’ll draw you a map.”

“No, thanks.” Mel shuddered noticeably.

“We’d better follow the aid car,” Linc said.

“Mary Jo, we brought you gifts.”

“Thank you, Ned.” Her face softened as she looked at the three of them. “That’s so sweet.”

“We’re sorry about the things we said.” Again this came from Ned, who was more willing to acknowledge he was wrong than either Mel or Linc.

“Yeah,” Mel agreed.

Linc muttered something under his breath, hoping it would pass for an apology. He did feel bad about the way everything had gone and the pressure they’d put on Mary Jo. They hadn’t meant to. Their intentions had been the best, although he could see now that they’d gone too far. Still, he wasn’t letting David Rhodes off the hook. The man had responsibilities and Linc was as determined as ever to see that he lived up to them.

“Linc, Mel, Ned, I want you to meet Mack McAfee,” his sister said, her arm out to the EMT. “Oh, I forgot,” she added. “You guys met earlier.”

Linc nodded at the other man. So did Mel and Ned.

“Good to see you again,” Mack said. “And congratulations on your brand-new niece. Oh, and this is my partner, Brandon Hutton.”

Once more the brothers nodded.

“I couldn’t have managed without them,” Mary Jo said fervently.

Linc thanked them both. “Our family’s much obliged to you for everything you’ve done.”

“Just part of the job,” Brandon said.

“It was an honor,” Mack told them. “I have to tell you this was the best Christmas Eve of my life.”

“And mine,” Mary Jo said. She looked at Mack, and the two of them seemed to maintain eye contact for an extra-long moment.

“Now, Grandma?” Tyler stepped up to Grace, a small drum strapped over his shoulders.

“Now, Tyler.”

The youngster set his sticks in motion. Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum.

Linc glanced over at the barn and saw the ox and the lamb in the paddock. They seemed to be keeping time to the drum, bowing their heads with each slow beat.

Mary Jo was right. This was the best Christmas Eve of his life. Of all their lives.

20

Mary Jo woke to find Mack McAfee standing in the doorway of her private hospital room. “Mack,” she whispered. Her heart reacted to the sight of him, pounding extraordinarily hard. She hadn’t been certain she’d ever see him again.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, walking into the room.

“Fine.” Actually, she was sore and tired and eager to get home, to be with her family.

“I brought you something.”

“You did?” She sat up in bed and selfconsciously brushed her fingers through her hair.

Mack produced a bouquet of roses, which he’d been hiding behind his back. “For you, Mary Jo.” He bowed ever so slightly.

“My goodness, where’d you get these on Christmas Day?”

He raised his eyebrows. “I have my ways.”

“Mack.”

“Oh, all right, I got them in the hospital gift shop.”

“They’re open?”

“Sort of…I saw someone I knew who had a key and she let me in.”

Mary Jo brought the fragrant flowers to her nose and breathed in their fresh scent. The vase was lovely, too. “You shouldn’t have, but I’m thrilled you did.”

“I wasn’t sure your brothers would remember to send flowers.”

Her brothers. Just thinking about the three of them, all bumbling and excited, made her want to laugh. They’d practically shoved each other out of the way last night, fussing over her and the baby. They’d been full of tales about their misadventures in Cedar Cove and the people they’d met and their near-arrest. Mel had a few comments about a meat loaf sandwich, too—and then they’d all decided they were hungry again. Their gifts of the gold coin, the perfume and the incense were on the bedside table.

When they’d arrived at the hospital, her brothers wouldn’t let her out of their sight—until the physician came into the room to examine her and then they couldn’t leave fast enough.

They’d returned for a few minutes an hour later—apparently well-fed—to wish her a final good-night and promise to come back Christmas Day. Then they’d all trouped out again.

“I stopped at the nursery to see…” Mack paused. “Do you have a name for her yet?”

Mary Jo nodded. “Noelle Grace.”