Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy - Janice Lynn Page 0,89

at the check in his hand, wondering…no, it wouldn’t make sense for Maybelle to have been the person who sent the check.

But she’d be able to let him know what was needed, might even have a list of the Triple B kids’ genders and ages and wish lists—or at least be able to get one to him in a hurry.

“Looks like we’re shopping.” He glanced at the figure on the check and shook his head in disbelief. “Lots of shopping.”

Ben rubbed his hands together. “This is going to be fun.”

Ben was right. But what Cole looked forward to most was seeing Sophie’s look of surprise when he and the guys walked in tomorrow laden down with toys.

Or maybe, right or wrong, he most looked forward to seeing Sophie, period.

“Can you hand me a piece of tape?”

Without looking up at Maybelle, Sophie tore off a piece of tape and handed it to the older woman. “Here you go.”

Volunteers were lined up, wrapping and sorting presents that would be delivered on Christmas Eve. They’d ended up with enough donations for the original requests.

But not enough to meet the needs of the Triple B Ranch for Kids.

After Rosie and Sophie had a long heart-to-heart, Rosie had contacted Triple B earlier in the week to let them know that they would be delivering presents, but not as many as they’d hoped. Still, they’d make sure each child had something to open.

“So many children who are going to be so excited on Christmas morning,” Ruby said, finishing with the package she held. “It’s going to be so wonderful.

“Agreed,” Aunt Claudia added. “Almost as wonderful as the trip I’ll be taking come January. We’re headed to Greece, you know.”

“We all know because you won’t be quiet about it,” Rosie said, rolling her eyes. “How about you find something different to talk about? Like Sarah and Bodie’s honeymoon.”

“Ha. If you had any sense about you, we’d be discussing where you and Lou are going on your honeymoon,” Maybelle said drily.

Ruby looked up from where she was wrapping a gift. “Any luck on getting a location out of either of the happy couple?”

“I have Sheriff Roscoe on it,” Maybelle assured. “But so far, he says Bodie isn’t talking.”

“I can hear you,” Sarah called from a nearby table where she placed wrapped gifts into large plastic bags labeled with each child’s name and address.

“We know, child,” Rosie assured. “We’re hoping if you hear us bring it up enough, you’ll feel bad and tell us.”

Sarah gave her friends an amused look. “I don’t know where we’re going, so you won’t be getting any information from me.”

Sophie smothered a smile.

“And good luck on getting a clue from Bodie,” Sarah told them. “His lips are sealed, and not even the Butterflies can get him to crack, because as much as he loves you all, he doesn’t want you accompanying us on our honeymoon.”

Maybelle harrumphed. Rosie snorted. Ruby just smiled. Aunt Claudia was still talking about her upcoming trip to Greece even though no one was really listening.

“Is this everything?” Maybelle asked when she picked up the last toy. “We’ve still got the foster kids from Triple B Ranch. We’ve not crossed any of them off our list.”

Sophie’s stomach plummeted. Rather than divvy up the gifts they had, leading to them being more thinly spread, Sophie had decided to proceed as normal, then see what was still needed. She’d hoped more toys would come in, that her estimates would prove to be much lower than the reality and there would be plenty for all.

With a sinking heart and her eyes threatening to spill tears, Sophie stepped forward, then paused. No, she wasn’t giving up. She wouldn’t let those kids not have a Christmas. No way.

“Not yet, but we’re working on more last-minute donations.” She would get them, too. Even if it meant going to every business in town and begging for additional contributions. Plus, she’d raffle off one of her quilts. She’d find a way. “No worries, Maybelle. Every child will have a gift and—”

The church community door opened and Cole, Andrew, Ben, and several other firemen came in carrying boxes and bags.

Huge, overflowing boxes and bags.

“What’s all this?” Sophie asked, her eyes still blurry with unshed tears, but her gaze not able to leave Cole.

She hadn’t seen him since they’d collected the last boxes and he’d told her he didn’t want to be her friend. Again.

Her stomach twisted at the memory.

Oh, how she’d missed this man who had come to mean so