“Okay,” Landon said, and they finished eating dinner. Restless, he watched a few game shows on television with her. His mind was elsewhere on how to fix this. A silly idea came to him. If anyone had what he needed, his grandmother did.

  “Granny Lonna, do you have any unused Christmas cards?”

  Her eyes lit up. “Why, yes. It’s May, but you can never start too early to stock up because every year they get more expensive...”

  Happiness mixed with sadness. It was July. It was great that she had unused cards, but not so great that his grandmother was two months behind. He exhaled. Her condition was bothering him more.

  “It’s kind of early to send them out, don’t you think?” She squinted, tapping on her thin lips. “It’s almost Mother’s Day.”

  Go with the flow, he coaxed himself. Hopefully, her fog would clear up soon. Landon held on to that glimmer of hope as he held up one finger. “All I need is just one.” His grandmother always seemed to have whatever he needed growing up; even now, she came through for him.

  Granny Lonna stood, and he helped her. With a steady hold on his arm, she led him to her stash and beamed at her stockpile. They rambled through it together until Landon found a card with a picturesque scene of a storefront with a wreath on the door and snow-covered ground surrounding the building. Let It Snow...was scribbled outside in a fancy handwriting style.

  Inside, it read: May the Lord’s blessing be abundant as snow as we celebrate joy to the world, peace on earth, and the many gifts He brings to us.

  Perfect. Landon already knew the message he would add. “Got it, Granny Lonna,” he said, then helped her in bed for a nap. He kissed her cheek.

  She looked at him as Landon covered her with her favorite red throw blanket. “I know you love her, so fix it. Good night.” She closed her eyes, and her lips curled into a smile.

  He left her house, praying, “Lord, please keep her mind stable so she can enjoy the one thing she wants for Christmas, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

  As Landon drove home, his grandmother’s words echoed in his mind. Perhaps Gina’s confidence in giving was because she knew how to follow the money trail. He parked in his driveway but didn’t get out. His mind was consumed with thoughts.

  Without realizing what he was doing, Landon texted her.

  I love you and miss you.

  Then he waited for a reply. His phone showed his text was delivered but not read. After a few moments longer of waiting and no response, Landon stepped out of his vehicle and walked into his house.

  Once inside his kitchen, he took the greeting card out of his inner coat pocket. He reread the words and realized there was so much to say. The card wasn’t large enough to hold his emotions. Landon added to the card, You are my Christmas gift every day. Love you, Landon.

  Landon knew her street and the house, but couldn’t remember the address to mail it. He could always hand deliver it, but considering they weren’t on speaking terms, he’d rather save himself the embarrassment if she wouldn’t answer the door and invite him inside, so he sent it to the company address. “She’s not going to call or text me back,” he mumbled as he grabbed his keys and returned to his car for a quick drive to the post office’s drop box.

  An hour later, when he was about to shower and go to bed, his phone chimed with an alert.

  I miss you too. Tired. Back hurts. Aching muscles. Helping with cleanup at children’s home and getting ready to soak in a tub.

  Hmmm. Although he didn’t mind using his muscles for cleanup, he would rather she didn’t overdo it and hurt herself.

  Her response gave Landon hope that all communication hadn’t been severed. Give me the address, and I’ll come tomorrow after work to help.

  When Gina did just that, a smile tugged at his lips. “Lord, is there any way Gina and I can compromise on this? I really love her.”

  “I commanded twelve apostles with twelve personalities, and they performed My will. Pray, and I’ll give you wisdom to figure it out,” God whispered.

  Gina’s heartbeat was off, filled with a mix of anticipation and nervousness when Landon walked into the children’s home dressed in his worn jeans, long-sleeve T-shirt, and gloves tucked in his back pocket. His eyes seemed to search the room for her, and they connected. Her heart was jumpstarted.

  His smile was inviting and conveyed that all was well with them. Neither had apologized for their stubbornness. Gina wanted to abandon her wash bucket to run to him, demand his hugs, get lost in his embrace, and tell him she was sorry for her attitude. Desperation for his attention had crept in.

  Would an audience of curious teenagers and unfamiliar adults hold her back?

  “I’m here to help.” Landon’s strong voice gained everyone’s attention. His neighbor Bradley was beside him.

  Whew. Regulate your breathing, girl, and get back to work, she chided herself.

  Melody stood from her squatting position in the corner. “Landon, right?” Relief flooded her face. “We can use your help. Follow me to the next room where the men are cutting and removing the soggy drywall.”

  Seeing him and hearing his voice made Gina remember how often they spoke throughout the day and his visits to her office to drop off lunch.

  Gina had come to encourage the young artists that all hope wasn’t gone for them to recover from the loss, and Melody put her to work, salvaging what could be, which was very little. The pieces destroyed had been the most creative she had seen in the five years since she had created the partnership with the children’s home.

  The headmistress gathered the children for bed while the handful of adults finished what they could do for the night. Many had to work the next day like her. Gina heard heavy footsteps and felt Landon’s presence.

  “Hey, babe, are you ready to call it a night?” His words were soothing.

  Turning around, Gina wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face into his chest with a sigh. She welcomed the scent of his cologne mixed with sweat from hard labor.

  The rhythm of his heartbeat lulled her into a peace of contentment that she didn’t want to move from.

  “I’m sorry,” she heard him say—or maybe it was her, but the words were said. Gina looked up and gazed into his serious but soft eyes before they closed, and he rested his forehead on hers.

  Bradley cleared his throat and grinned. “Looks like you two need some privacy to get mushy.” He turned and wandered around, but she sensed the teenager was still watching them. Who cared? She was in Landon’s arms.

  “I still owe you a weekend of pampering once all this is under control.”

  Smiling, Gina nodded. “I’ll eagerly await it.”

  “Agreed.” Landon grabbed two sanitizing wipes, removed her gloves, wiped her hands, and kissed them. “Come on, let me walk you to your car. Bradley and I can trail you home.”

  Gina balked. “Landon, that’s out of your way.”

  “And I was out of my mind for being petty and saying my opinion was the only way. I won’t mentally shut down like that again.”

  They strolled out of the building with Gina leaning against Landon, not for support but for comfort. Bradley was whistling behind them.

  The following day at work, Gina received a red Christmas card. At first, she thought the mail was for a hair salon a few businesses down the block that had asked the Christmases if they could accept their mail until they could get up and running again after the flood.

  Gina was surprised it was addressed to her without the sender’s information.

  She opened the envelope and pulled out a beautiful scenic Christmas card that reminded her of their office after the first snowfall of the year once all the decorations were hung outside.

  The words were simple and elegant, but the handwritten line meant the most to her. Landon considered her his gift. Closing her eyes to relish in the moment of bliss, Gina held the card to her chest and sniffled. She called to thank him. It went to voicemail, and seconds later, a text came that he was on a site inspection.

  A few days later, flowers arrived at the office, with red and green wired ribbons tied around a summer bouquet.

  Gina called to thank him for flowers, but the call went to voicemail. Seconds later, a text came: I’ll call you later. In a meeting. I love you!

  She couldn’t wait until their lives were back on track. Unfortunately, romance was not on their side for the next month as they continued to help those who needed it to bounce back from the record summer flood.

  Whatever audits Gina didn’t finish during the day, she worked on them on the weekends to meet the deadlines.

  But the Christmas decorations needed to go up. Gina had to remind people to be generous and not wait until December to be charitable despite many having turned their attention to flood victims needing assistance.

  Although Every Day is Christmas had some inventory for the auction, that money was earmarked for the older students’ trust fund. She worried about the general items for the Christmas season, as the supply and demand would be off.

  Plus, she hadn’t forgotten about the items in Granny Lonna’s house that possibly came from their store. If she didn’t purchase them, then who?

  Chapter Seventeen

  Gina didn’t see him coming. Every Day is Christmas was known for granting at least eighty percent of requests. Leslie Littles made sure of it.

  “Gina?” Her father’s face came into view.

  She jolted. “Sorry, Dad. What were you saying?”

  “I said,” he stepped aside, and Landon came into view, “Landon is here.”

  Ray chuckled and walked back into his private office after delivering the letters that came in the mail from Leslie.

  “Baby, what’s wrong?” Landon sat next to her desk and scooted closer.

  Gina was so numb that she didn’t answer when she handed him the papers.

  He frowned as he read page after page. Landon looked up with a confused expression. “What are these?”

  “We have received applications from students in need, and we don’t know if our charity can meet them this year. We lost a lot of money on pieces destroyed in the flood.”

  Her father walked out of his office. “Landon, since you’re here, I will leave my daughter in safe hands.” Ray kissed her forehead, shook Landon’s hand, and walked out the door. She could tell he was just as upset as she was.

  Gina withheld her tears until they were alone, prompting Landon to lock the door for a moment of privacy, then he came around her desk. He hugged her. “Baby, talk to me, please.”

  Her words and her mind were out of sync. After regulating her breathing, she mumbled, “I feel like I have failed my dad and the children.”

  “Why, baby?” Landon’s concerned expression made her want to weep.

  Dropping her head, Gina studied her hands. She was ashamed to admit her role in the loss of funds. “I turned away walk-ins. That was lost revenue for our tax business and exposure to information about the silent auction without mentioning it and sales for the Round-Up program.”

  Landon allowed her to vent without interrupting. If a tear fell, he caught it with his thumb.

  “The Round-Up program would have been our charity’s backup, but because of the flooding, funding for the arts isn’t a priority, which is understandable.” Gina took a deep breath and exhaled. “Because of the flooding, very few pieces were salvageable, and I don’t think any of the angel ornaments interest your grandmother. With school starting in a few weeks, there’s not enough time for the children to make up the inventory.”

  “Why don’t you get your inventory elsewhere to meet the supply?”

  “There are a few more high school students, but not as many as those at the children’s home, and I feel bad for them. Every Day is Christmas was meant to encourage and spark creativity in young minds and give them hope beyond their circumstances. Some of these children have nothing. The ornaments are part of their signature collection, and they are used to earn money while helping others. It wouldn’t be the same. Plus, customers like your grandmother can tell the difference between a budding artist and a seasoned professional. That’s what makes our ornament and pieces unique. Customers see the potential before it’s manifested—like faith.”

  “I know faith is for something hoped for and not seen—yet. I’m not seeing that type of vision.” Landon shook his head. “And I’m being honest.”

  Smiling, Gina scooted back so he could see her face entirely. “Look at me and describe me.”

  He chuckled. “I can close my eyes and see you clearly. Your innocent brown eyes make me guess what you’re thinking. Your long lashes and brows seem hand-painted on a portrait. You wear a serious expression while your lips curl in an ever-present faint smile. Your thick, wavy hair is the same shade of brown as your eyes against a complexion that reminds me of pure honey. That wasn’t done by accident. God was very precise when He created you.”

  Choked with emotions, Gina patted her chest. “Wow. I’ve never heard anyone describe me that way—and with their eyes closed. Are you sure you’re seeing me?” she teased.

  He pulled out his phone and held up the camera as a mirror for her to see herself. “I notice everything about you, lady.”

  She leaned forward, and Landon met her halfway for a kiss.

  “Sweet,” he murmured against her lips.

  It was sweet and more.

  Gina withdrew first, panting and refocused. “Sorry for venting. Usually, I only subject Denise to my pity parties.”

  Landon squeezed her hand. “You’ve got me now. How else will I know what’s going on in that beautiful head of yours? Babe, we’re in this together. What affects you also touches me. We’ll brainstorm. You can bounce ideas off me. I know people, too.” He stood and strolled to the nook area, grabbed two water bottles out of the mini fridge, and dropped a ten-dollar bill in the donation box, then unlocked the door for business.

  She wanted to cry at his action. Landon was stepping out of his comfort zone. Gina smiled as she accepted the drink. For the first time since his arrival, she admired his collarless mint green short-sleeve shirt, perfect for August weather, with his khakis. He made any color look good. Nothing was ever out of place with him. She was blessed that they had found each other.

  “I’m sorry that I’m griping over this when I know your thoughts are on Granny Lonna.”

  Landon shrugged and twisted the caps off their bottles. “I don’t know which is declining more, her health or her mind.”

  “Yeah. Who knows if one of the children had created the winning Black angel in the batch ruined by water damage? I don’t want the children to feel guilty over something beyond their control. The auction ended with twenty-three items.” She shrugged and gnawed on her lips. “I wish I could have done more.”

  “You mean like you’re beating yourself up over something beyond your control?” Landon gave her a knowing smile. “Finish up, woman, so we can go. I think you need your man to buy you dinner.”

  Landon didn’t know what contentment was until he met Gina. Life seemed better. The flood disaster allowed them to see the other’s side regarding charity. It was an obstacle that they worked through. There was no one way to help.

  He also didn’t like seeing her stressed about the charity’s finances, and he was about to show her how much she had changed him.

  The Lord had given them the perfect backdrop for a late summer picnic—high clouds, a gentle breeze, and sunny skies with little humidity. Because of morning commitments, Gina and Landon agreed to meet in Creve Coeur Park, the halfway mark for both of them, where lush green grass cushioned their blanket. The sandwiches, fruit, and cheeses made them sluggish as Gina relaxed her back against his chest.

  Landon inhaled the fragrance of her earlier salon visit. He kissed her neck until she giggled with her eyes closed.

  “I have a surprise for you.”

  “What?” She turned around and looked at him, then closed her eyes for a kiss. “What is it?” she mumbled.

  “Can’t tell you because your sweet lips are distracting me.”

  That didn’t stop her from delivering a few more pecks. “Okay. I’ll be good.” Gina’s eyes brightened with expectancy.

  “I want to make a charitable contribution to Every Day is Christmas.” He waited for her reaction.

  “Huh? You do?” She paused, then spoke slowly. “Thank you, but why?”

  Laughing, Landon squeezed her tighter. “One, because I love you. Two, because I don’t like to see my beautiful woman stressed out, and three, I’m confident in your ability to manage.”

  Was that fear or uncertainty in her eyes?

  He was about to sweeten the pot. “My family wants to give, too, as do some groups at my church. Everyone loves you and wants to support the worthy cause—children.”

  Gina looked away and seemed to pick at crumbs falling onto their blanket.

  He lifted her chin and pressed his lips against hers, then rested his forehead on hers. “I know this won’t replace the items lost due to the flood, but the money will be there when requests like the ones you showed me come in, so your charity won’t miss a beat.”

  “Landon...” Gina’s voice was barely above a whisper. Her eyes were misty.

  “Yes, babe?” He knew this news would make her happy but he didn’t expect the tears. “Thank you for helping me break down my walls of mistrust.”

  “You’re welcome. Will you take me to Granny Lonna’s house?”

  That was an unexpected subject switch. “Sure, babe.” Something wasn’t right. Gina’s reaction didn’t match the good news. “It’s Labor Day weekend. My dad plans to barbecue.”

  Gina seemed to gather her composure as she looked into his eyes. Instead of happiness, sadness stared back at him. “Before I can accept your money, I need to check out some pieces that your grandmother has from our inventory. I’ve searched records, and I can’t find any record of her buying them.”