The Christmas Promise(11)

“What can we do you for?” the older one asked.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t even ask you your name,” Chaz said.

“Tricia.”

“And I’m Kelly,” the young one said, leaning back against the counter and pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Are you the new guy?” Tricia asked. She was warming up to him.

“Does it show?”

“No. I heard they were replacing Ed after he retired. Finally retired! Are you married?”

“No,” he said.

Tricia glanced to Kelly and smiled. “Where are you from?” Kelly said.

“All over, really.”

“Do you have family nearby?” Tricia asked.

“No. My parents are deceased.”

Tricia wrinkled her nose. “I always ask too many questions.”

Chaz smiled and patted her on the back. “No, you didn’t. You’re great.” He rubbed his hands together, thinking ahead. “Maybe you can help me out. Judy sent me down here to ask you to be on alert for a package that will be arriving from GKD Systems.”

“What’s that?” Tricia asked.

“It’s a screening company and they’re sending some materials here that must go through the security office first. You’re in charge, right, Tricia?”

She shifted in her seat. “No. Bill’s the manager down here, but he doesn’t go through the mail when it comes in. We do.”

“Do I need to ask him about this or is it something you two would be able to help with?” Chaz said.

“We can,” Kelly said. “No problem. It’ll be addressed to security, right?”

He smiled, pretending to be uncertain. “I don’t think so. It will probably be addressed to Judy in the office, but security must screen it first before anyone opens it.” They looked skeptical. “I guess GKD had some sort of nut job working for them who sent out hazardous materials wrapped in a common package. Of course, authorities dealt with that guy, but the whole thing makes Judy kind of nervous.”

“Okay. Yeah. Right,” Tricia said, writing the name of the company onto a sticky note and posting it in front of them. “We’ll keep our eyes open and get it up to you guys.”

“You can just get it to me, if you don’t mind. I’d love to do something dangerous so I can tell all my friends.” They laughed and Chaz faked a smile; he was weary of constantly figuring his way out of something. Perspiration stuck to his shirt as he pushed through the doors.





I pulled into a spot across the street from Wilson’s and saw him from behind. He was wearing a university jacket with a blue hat and white tennis shoes, and carrying a backpack like my son’s. I threw the car into park and walked after him. I rushed through the town square, hurrying past men and women who were bundled up for a day of shopping. He walked toward the gazebo and I reached for his arm. He turned in a snap and I felt blood rush to my face. “I’m sorry,” I said, retreating. “I thought you were someone else.” I was a fool. What is wrong with you, Gloria? I thought. Running after people like a bull after a red cape. I hurried toward Wilson’s and my feet slid out beneath me, taking my breath away.

Robert Layton was the first to my side. “Morning, Glory!”

I blew the curls out of my face and searched the back of my head for the bobby pin. “That joke never gets old, does it, Robert?” He laughed, helping me up. “I wasn’t made for winter.” He held me steady as I straightened my coat, shoving the yellow hat back onto my head. One pant leg was riding above my boot and I pulled it down, stamping my foot to knock off the slushy mess on top of it.

“I saw you running after a man, Gloria. Has it really come to that?” I laughed. Robert picked up my gloves and handed them to me. “Besides your pride, is anything broken, cracked, or wounded?”

I brushed snow from my backside. “Well, my mother always told me that if I was going to fall to do so in front of a young man because he’d still be able to bend over and pick me up.”

“I can’t imagine that anyone in my office would call me young,” Robert said, laughing. I had met Robert three years earlier at a charity function. He was an old friend of Dalton and Heddy’s, and I found him to be pleasant and unassuming, quite the opposite of what I’d always imagined for a lawyer. “Is your work keeping you busy, Gloria?”

I clapped my hands together. “Just a few days ago I got a car. That doesn’t happen very often, you know. That’s very exciting for me and Heddy.”

Robert pulled up the collar of his overcoat. “I bet it is.”