big tree was erected in the plaza next to the food court, and there was already a line of customers waiting to sit on Santa’s lap. We passed a cookie store that smelled like gingerbread and cinnamon.
I inhaled deeply and sighed. I loved this time of year. The holiday spirit put me in a wonderful mood.
Sandy wanted to work with Logan, so we set up a single table in Nordstrom’s. He watched Sandy wrap a few presents for customers.
“That last one was weak,” he said.
“Weak? What is that supposed to mean?” she asked.
“It was weak. Not your best work.”
“I’d like to see you try it, then.”
Logan winked at me and took over for the next customer. He was about as good as I expected, which was to say not very. Sandy made smug, satisfied grunts while watching him botch the gift-wrapping job.
When he was done, he tied the package with string. “I got my badge for knots,” he told us.
“Was there another badge for wrapping you skipped?” I asked innocently. Sandy dissolved into a fit of giggles.
“I’m rusty,” Logan said defensively. “Let me practice for a while.”
He sat down and practiced on an empty box while we helped the next few customers. One of them, a rail-thin man who looked like he was in a hurry, complained about our options before reluctantly choosing the snowman paper. When he was done he mumbled his thanks and walked away.
“Woah woah woah.” Logan jumped up and intercepted the man before he could leave the store. “I think you forgot something, pal.”
“Logan!” I hissed. “The donations are voluntary.”
“Yeah,” the man stammered. “She said they’re not required.”
“Sure, they’re voluntary.” Logan crossed his arms and began raising his voice. “But the way I figure it? You don’t want to be known as the guy who stiffs a dog shelter. These dogs have no home except for Happy Bones, and you come along and practically steal money from them by using this service without donating even a buck. I’d be awfully embarrassed if everyone knew I was the cheapskate who wouldn’t give money to the nice Girl Scout and the dog shelter…”
By the end, every customer within fifty feet was staring. One woman walked up and dropped a few coins in the donation jar, glaring at the man in front of Logan. He clutched his wrapped box to his chest, and looked at Logan like he was about to be given a wedgie.
“My mistake,” he said. He ran over and tossed a twenty-dollar bill on the table, then rushed out of the store.
“That’s more like it,” Logan said. He followed the man to the store entrance. “Thank you for your donation! The animals appreciate it!”
Sandy nudged me. “I like him.”
“Me too,” I said. “Even if it’s bad policy to harass people for money.”
“You should go out with him,” Sandy said matter-of-factly.
I laughed it off. “Oh, I don’t know.”
“Is it because of the other two new volunteers you have?” she asked. “I like Logan more than them.”
“I like all three of them,” I replied.
“You have to pick,” Sandy insisted.
Do I? I wondered as Logan returned to helping us.
16
Harper
When it came to women, I’d never been able to compete with Riley. He was more muscular than me, better looking than me, more charming than me. I didn’t think I was ugly, but who would want a freckled redhead when they could have someone like him?
So I wanted to do something special for Christie. Something that would set me apart.
I wandered through the grocery store, filling up my basket. Two bulbs of fresh garlic. Organic ground beef. A soft baguette from the bakery. A bottle of merlot that took me fifteen minutes to pick out.
I rarely cooked. But for Christie? I would go all-out.
After buying all the supplies I needed, I drove to the mall. I knew Christie would be done around five, so I lingered in the parking lot before going inside. I found her at Nordstrom’s, the second store I checked.
And she wasn’t alone.
“Hey man,” Logan called to me.
“Harper!” Christie said, eyes flashing with excitement. “What are you doing here?”
She was happy to see me. That made my stomach tingle with warmth.
“Oh, just wanted to swing by to see how you were doing.” I glanced at Logan. “I thought you were only doing eight hours?”
“Decided to stick around longer. Got in a groove. Besides, Sandy would be lost without my help.”
Sandy scoffed loudly.
“I was wondering…” I ran a hand through my hair nervously. I hadn’t expected to ask