Just Around the Corner

And she was strong enough to put her own insecurities aside to support a friend.

“I’ll need help,” she said, only a little ashamed at playing her ace. Was she so desperate for his company that she’d actually manipulate him to get it?

God, she hoped not.

The plan was to make sure he didn’t spend the holiday alone. To show him he wasn’t alone.

That he had a friend in the world.

“Help how?” he asked.

“Lifting the turkey in and out of the oven for one.” That would keep him there for a good part of the day while the bird cooked. “Carrying the pot of water to the stove for the potatoes.”

Okay, she was digging a little deep on that one.

He nodded. His chin was jutting out, his thumb tapping on the steering wheel.

“You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you,” he said, his eyes never straying from the road.

“Probably.”

“It’s that important to you?”

“Yeah.”

“Then let’s do it.”

“You’re sure?”

He hesitated, but only for a moment. “I’m sure.”

Phyllis bit her lip. “And would you mind terribly if Sophie joined us? Just for dinner, not for the day,” she added hastily. “I hate the thought of her being there in a dorm with strangers.”

“No, I don’t mind.” He finally glanced her way, and his eyes, at least in the dim lights, appeared to be filled with warmth. “As a matter-of-fact, I think it’s a nice idea.”

Phew. All in all, that had been easier than she’d expected.

HE’D NEVER BOUGHT a Christmas tree before. Not completely clear about the process, Matt was happy to assume his role of assistant, on hand to do the heavy work and simply trail around after Phyllis. He pulled up the collar of his jacket against the evening chill as he locked the Blazer.

The tree lot, set up out in the desert, occupied more than an acre.

“Where do you want to start?” Phyllis asked him, walking across the straw scattered all over the ground, shuffling her feet like a little kid. She was grinning.

“Wherever you’d like.”

In the center of the lot was a bonfire, with several people—mostly women and children—huddled around it.

“I got a Fraser last year and really liked it. What do you think?”

A Fraser? Matt had a feeling they weren’t talking about television shows.

“Sure.”

“I want a tall one.” She turned in a circle, surveying the lot. “I can’t tell how they’re arranged here.”

At a complete loss, Matt looked around for someone who worked there. He saw several college-age guys wearing sweatshirts, dirty jeans and gloves, but they were all helping other people. The lot was doing a booming business.

“I guess you should just pick a tree you like and we’ll go from there,” Matt said.