The Geek Who Saved Christmas

“This I want to see.” I doubted Paul’s usual jeans and black T-shirt would get us kicked out of the jewelry store, but I wasn’t turning down a chance to dress him up. “Oh, if you don’t have to rush back, we could deal with rush hour by getting an early dinner down near the square, wait out the traffic rush. I know some places.”

“Yeah, food sounds good. Jim should be okay alone for a couple of hours.”

“It’s a plan.” I couldn’t keep the happiness from my voice as I turned to steer us both toward the master bath. “Now, shower first.”

“Gideon?” Paul paused inside the bedroom, expression going more solemn.

“Yes?” My heart rate sped up.

“Thank you. A lot.” He licked his lips. “I’m not good with words—”

“It’s my pleasure.” I interrupted him because I didn’t want to ruin what was looking to be an unexpectedly good afternoon with a “thanks for everything” speech. Instead, I winked at him. “And I’ve got better uses for your mouth.”

And it was my pleasure. One more rescue mission for Paul, one more chance to play hero for him. I should probably be thanking him, not the other way around.

Chapter Twenty-One

Needed: Extra chairs! The in-laws are unexpectedly joining us for Christmas dinner. All six of them. Who has extra folding chairs we could borrow? Please! ~Penny Jordan posted to the What’s Up Neighbor app

Paul

For once, bumper-to-bumper traffic didn’t irritate me. The shower not-so-quickie with Gideon had been worth the hassle of increasingly worse traffic in Gideon’s little roller skate of a car. He was a decent driver, even if all his radio presets were playing Christmas tunes, and better him than me for zipping around lumbering trucks. Also, unlike me, he knew downtown parking tricks from his years working in Center City in the banking industry, doing corporate IT work.

“Do you miss working down here?” I asked as he locked up the car in the garage several blocks from our destination.

“Nah. I mean, Franklin Square sure is pretty this time of year with the light display and holiday festivities, but the college is way more flexible. They put up with me. We’re like a big family.”

It totally fit that Gideon would value a close-knit working group, but I couldn’t let him talk himself down like that. I made a scoffing noise. “Put up with you? They’re lucky to have you and your color-coded plans.”

“Aw. You’re sweet.” He grabbed my gloved hand, and I let him. Another chilly day, but at least the snow was predicted to hold off until after Brandon and Elaine were here. “And Helene loved her signed football poster. It was a huge hit, so thank you.”

“Anytime. Wish I was as good at my own present hunting.” I followed Gideon across the street. He cut through the square, which was packed with people waiting in line for attractions like seasonal mini-golf and a carousel.

“Are you still deciding on an engagement present?” Gideon asked.

“Burned cookies don’t count?” I laughed. We’d attempted Christmas cookies twice now. The first burnt batch was entirely my fault for distracting Gideon while they were in the oven. The second batch had been missing some key ingredient like baking powder. Like finding the right present, maybe the cookies simply weren’t meant to be.

“Hey, I’m not giving up yet.” Ever the optimist, Gideon gave me a sunny smile. “We can try another batch in the morning before they come if you want.”

“Sounds good.” Far better than me pacing and worrying about plane schedules. “And everything I think of seems cheesy. I got them a gift card to a restaurant, but gift certificates always feel like the easy way out. What would you want?”

“What would I want?” Stopping near a giant snowman, Gideon frowned.

“If you were newly engaged, and it was Christmas, and you were visiting a strange city?”

“Something sentimental,” Gideon said thoughtfully as we resumed walking, heading out of the square and onto one of the surrounding city streets. “A welcome to the family sort of present. Lori’s folks gave us a set of heirloom wine glasses. I gave them back when we split, naturally.”

“Hmm.” I squeezed his hand. I wasn’t sure whether he missed the in-laws or the glasses more, but his faraway tone made me want to hunt down some crystal. “I don’t have much like that. Nothing fancy. I was thinking maybe earrings for Elaine.”

“Earrings?” He stopped by the sign for the business we were hunting, which had a large display window of holiday jewelry. “I’m sure they have something here, but not sure you need to go jewelry price tag big on a gift.”

“Not buy. I’ve been debating giving her a pair of Mom’s earrings. They’re pearls, not diamonds—”

“Yes. Do that.” Gideon’s eyes went misty. It figured that he’d like this idea. “I bet you could find a nice case here, something where she could keep those and her other wedding jewelry.”

“That’s a good idea. Should have known you’d think about presentation.”

“Details matter.” Nodding sharply, he smiled. “It’s sentimental and perfect. If she doesn’t love it, snatch the earrings back.”