ceiling.
Colleen loved that Tucker was so invested in making sure the less fortunate children in their community had plenty of toys to play with. A big kid at heart, she enjoyed seeing him look at every single donation. Sometimes it appeared as if he was toying with the idea of pulling each item out and playing with it himself, but he refrained.
“So, did Christian tell you he wants all of us to sing at the festival?”
“Yeah, he told me. I tried to explain that I can’t carry a tune in a bucket, but that French accent can convince you to do anything,” Tucker said, shaking his head.
“Well, then I guess I should hope that no French women get near you,” Colleen said, putting her hands on his cheeks. He leaned down quickly and kissed her.
“No woman, French or not, could hold a candle to you.”
“Are you just gunning for a really great Christmas present?” she asked, scrunching her nose.
“I already have the best present I could ever have,” he said, squeezing her tightly.
“I think you’ve been around Christian too much. That was super sappy!” she groaned.
As they stood there laughing, Colleen was so thankful. There was nothing else she would’ve wanted in her life other than what she already had. Some people didn’t get to live the life of their dreams, but somehow she was getting to live hers.
Sometimes she thought back to her life in California as an attorney and wondered how she had ended up in a small town in South Carolina working for a toy inventor. Things had really changed in such a short time, but she wouldn’t have had it any other way.
“Excuse me? Is this where I’m supposed to drop off a toy donation?”
Colleen looked up and saw Tina standing there holding a small plastic bag.
“Oh, hi, Tina! I’m Colleen. I was at the mall when we went shopping.”
“I remember you. Julie’s daughter, right?”
“Right. We didn’t have time to talk much, but I’m glad you could join us.”
“Me too. It was a lot of fun. Julie told me about the toy drive, so I went to buy something I could donate. It’s not much, but hopefully it will help,” she said, holding out the bag.
“Any donation is welcome,” Tucker said, offering up his most genuine smile.
“I wish I could do more. I know these kids need toys for the holidays. It’s just a little toy car, but I hope one of them will enjoy it.”
Colleen was struck by how quiet and almost sad she seemed. Christmas time in Seagrove was magical, with all the lights and sounds and decorations. All of that was right behind where Tina was standing, but she seemed like a lost soul. Colleen could see why her mother had taken her in for the holidays.
“Some little kid is going to really love this car. I can promise you that,” Tucker said.
“Well, I better get back. I’ve been helping your mom make Christmas wreaths for the festival.”
“I’m sure she really appreciates that! She’s not the most crafty person I know,” Colleen said, laughing.
Tina waved goodbye and walked out the door, pretty much as quietly as she had walked in.
“She seems really sad,” Tucker said.
“I know. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I think she must’ve had a really difficult past. I mean, she was staying at the worst motel in the area. I just hope she has a good Christmas.”
“Me too. Hopefully she finds that the magic of Seagrove will change her life like it has for so many other people.”
* * *
Janine stood on the platform of the boat. She knew that Dawson was a great woodworker, but she sure hoped that his handiwork withstood the entire boat parade or she was going to fall in front of everybody.
Dressed as an elf, she was standing next to William, who was all made up as the perfect Santa Claus. It had taken some negotiation to get him to agree to dress up, but he finally relented for the good of the children in the community.
With everybody’s help, they had gotten the boat to look as festive as possible, and she was sure that he had a great chance of winning the competition. Even though he got nothing special, other than a Christmas stocking with “first place” embroidered on it, it was the principle of the matter. Any time William did something, he wanted to be the best at it.
They covered the boat in garland and tinsel and all things