“I appreciate your concern, but I’ll work out the details of what might be something amazing with her when the time is right. For now, Operation Festive Flamingo is on, yes?”
I couldn’t think of a better name, but Robin chuckled. “Yes, it is definitely on. I’ll activate the phone tree and keep you posted.”
“I’ll be gathering my supplies today until the concert and working on the display tomorrow while Emily is at Mrs. Partridge’s. They’re building gingerbread houses or something messy that I’m glad isn’t happening at my house.” I would do whatever my little one wanted, but I hated some of the insane messes that would come from our projects.
“My girls will be there too.” She laughed. “I don’t need little bits of candy I’ll be finding all summer long in my kitchen either. Mrs. Partridge is a saint for having all the kids over.”
“Okay, I’ve got a few more calls to make, and I’m going to tell Emily the plan too.”
“Sounds good … see you tonight, Jason.”
Robin took off, and I filled Emily in on what we were doing. Christmas was her favorite holiday, too, so she sounded eager to participate.
“Is Miss Samantha your girlfriend?” she asked me.
“Not yet, Em. But maybe someday. For now, our job is to make sure this is the most special Christmas she’s had in a really long time. You ready for this? It’s a big job to help me, you know.”
Her eyes lit up with enthusiasm. I could tell she enjoyed being a part of a secret operation, and with a heart as big as hers, I knew she’d be all about it. Plus, it had an element of shenanigans that any little girl would want in on. “Oh, I’m ready. I was made for this!”
I laughed. “Made for what?”
“I was made for secret Christmas operations. Come on, Dad. Keep up.”
That kid cracked me up day and night. Sometimes I forgot how young she really was. She was mature for her age, probably from spending so much time with me. I talked to her like a grown-up from the time she was born. I got so lucky with her, and even though it had been just the two of us for most of her life, I was confident that the addition of someone special to our little family would be
good for both of us. She was the perfect partner in crime.
Operation Festive Flamingo was a go.
Chapter Thirteen
Samantha
Jason had texted me a few times throughout the day, asking what I was up to and telling me he was looking forward to seeing me at the concert that evening. Our banter was fun, and I felt like a kid again. I was uplifted, almost cheerful even. I couldn’t deny I was smitten. It had been so long since I’d shared a kiss that I had forgotten how wonderful it was. The butterflies, the smiles, the compliments, had shoved my aversion to Christmas under the rug.
The day was spent as Robin had promised, mostly lounging and alternating between baking and eating. Robin had to take a bunch of calls throughout the day, but I guessed it was just last-minute stuff at work. The day had been glorious, but it was almost time to get ourselves off to the holiday concert.
The children were performing a variety of songs as well as participating in the annual Nativity. It was a tradition, and one of the few holiday trappings that I always looked forward to. I’d have to say that I loved it mostly because it was about the children, but also it took me away from my own grief. It was so easy to get caught up in the enthusiasm of the girls as they got dressed in their costumes. They were so excited to tell me all about their roles, and had offered to practice for me earlier in the day so I would know what they were going to do.
After watching Daisy and Delilah perform “Last Christmas”—the pop rock song, not the traditional carol I was expecting—I was dying to see it live and performed with music. The last two shows that I saw were great but fairly traditional. Apparently, the music teacher had retired since last Christmas, and the new, younger model was giving the holiday show an update. Their rehearsal had earned a standing ovation from Aunt Sam, that’s for sure.
The five of us piled into the car—Daisy, Delilah, Robin, Michael, and myself—one big family. One thing about Friendship that I did enjoy was how close everything was. It didn’t take more than ten minutes to get to the show, and we arrived quite early so that the girls could get organized and ready with the other kids. Robin left me with her husband, who I got along well with, while we milled about in the hallway before going in to find our seats. She wanted to get the girls backstage herself without dragging us all along in a parade with her.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and it was a message from Jason.
Hey beautiful. I saved us rock star seats down front.
Sounds great. I’ll let my sister know, I replied.
“So, Jason saved us seats.” I glanced over to Michael, who was staring off into space.
“Jason?” he asked, looking confused. I guess Robin didn’t tell him about my little dalliance.
“Oh, uh, Jason Hayes?” I didn’t elaborate.
“Oh, okay. I’ll let Robin know. You want to go on in and we’ll find you?” he asked.
“Sure, that’ll work.”