Page 10 of A Curvy Wonderland (A Curvy Girl Christmas #3)
10
ELDAN
I dug into my pancakes and eggs as Mom sat across from me at the table with her own plate of breakfast.
Dad always woke up early, and he was already outside shoveling the pathways of the Christmas tree farm so that it would be ready for customers who came later in the day. The three of us usually connected at suppertime. They were the kind of parents that thought eating dinner together as a family was just as expected as snow in winter.
While chewing my food, I flipped to the next page of my book, reading one of the classics on a list recommended by my English teacher for winter reading. This one was a little less dull than the last, but luckily, I was a fast reader, otherwise this story wouldn't have kept my attention for very long.
After a few bites, I got to the end of the chapter and shut the book.
As if she was waiting for me to get to a stopping point, my mom said, “I talked to Delilah this morning. She called me on her way to work.”
My back straightened at the mention of Tatum and Lucy’s mom. “What did she say?”
Mom smiled down at her plate of food as if she didn't want to show me how happy she really was. “She says that this has been really good for the girls. All three of them.”
My lips twitched into a smile, but I hid it because I didn't want Mom getting any more bright ideas. Even if the giving tree idea hadn’t been as bad as I expected, I was still a little annoyed at having my winter break commandeered. “That's good,” I finally said.
“She said she thinks that Holly's taken a shine to you.”
Now my cheeks, neck, and ears were feeling hot. “ Mom… ” I muttered.
She looked far too satisfied by my reaction. “She's a cute girl. I love her smile, and her sense of fashion. I wonder where she finds all of those Christmas sweaters.”
“You should ask her,” I said. “And let me know, so I can sue them for pain and suffering.”
Mom let out a chuckle. “You're awful.”
I shook my head. “It should be illegal to have that much Christmas cheer in your closet.”
Mom smiled. “Then you'll really love what Delilah said they're all wearing today.”
“What are they wearing?” I asked, already horrified. It couldn’t be worse than matching Christmas pajamas… could it?
Mom smiled coyly. “I'll let it be a surprise for you.”
Knowing she wouldn't budge even if I pressed, I took another bite of my breakfast and then got up, bringing my plate to the sink.
Mom asked, “What are you doing today?”
“We have enough presents stacked up that I thought it would be good to deliver them today.”
She smiled. “That will be so much fun.” Her eyes lit up, like she just got an idea.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing,” She hurried away from the table, leaving her plate there.
“Okay, I'll pick that up for you!” I called after her.
“Thanks!” She was already halfway across the house.
I put her plate away and waited a few minutes in the dining room to see what my mom was up to. Bob sat beside me, his fluffy head tilted like he was curious too. But after a little while, I had to leave or else I would be late to meet Holly, Tatum, and Lucy in the café.
“Come on, Bob,” I said, stepping outside.
The air was crisp against my lungs as I walked over the freshly shoveled path between the house and the café building. Once there, I let myself inside. Bob followed me, shaking out his thick fur.
I scratched his ears, and the deep sense of love overwhelmed me. It almost hurt. Because no matter what, this dog was at my side. He didn't judge me, didn't make me feel like I had to put on a show and act happier; he just accepted me and loved me as I was.
Dogs were definitely better than people. At least, Bob was.
Just then, the door to the café opened, and Holly, Lucy, and Tatum came inside.
I stared in horror at their outfits.
Holly wore a Rudolph sweater, all brown with the reindeer’s face front and center. A big red fluff ball was attached for its nose. With her sweater, she had on brown leggings, brown boots, reindeer makeup, and the gaudiest antler headband I'd ever seen.
Tatum and Lucy trotted in after her, galloping like reindeer and making snorting sounds, with matching reindeer headbands perched atop their own heads.
“You have got to be kidding me,” I said. “ Please tell me you brought a change of clothes.”
Holly grinned bigger than usual. It made her eyes crinkle at the corners, and her nose scrunched in the cutest way. “I always bring extra outfits for the girls, just in case, but you're stuck with me like this for the day.”
Tatum said, “I don’t wanna change.”
I turned to Tatum and Lucy. “How much did she pay you to dress up like this? I'll double it.”
Tatum and Lucy looked at each other giggling, and then Lucy said, “She didn't pay us.”
“So it should be easy to buy you out.” I got out my wallet, completely ready to pay them. But then the door to the café opened again, and my mom came in holding a duffel bag. “I found it,” she said breathlessly.
Then looking around the room, she saw Tatum, Holly, Lucy, and my horrified look, and burst out laughing.
My lips twitched even though this was so not funny.
“You girls are adorable,” she said.
“Thank you, Mrs. Green,” Holly said. “Scrooge over here doesn't seem to appreciate it so much.”
My mom said, “What if we changed him into a Santa instead of a Scrooge?”
Tatum and Lucy nodded excitedly, but I looked at her skeptically. “What are you saying?”
“Well, if you're delivering presents today, and you already have the reindeer, it only makes sense that Santa would be the one delivering them.”
I started backing away, saying, “Bob, sic ‘em.”
He let out a huff and lay on the ground, a big blob of fur. Traitor.
Mom set the duffel bag on one of the tables, unzipped it, and held up a bright red Santa suit–red velvet, furry white trim, black belt and all.
“ Yes ,” Holly said maniacally.
“Not a chance,” I said, backing into a chair and then sidestepping it. I waved my hands in front of me forming an X . “There is no way you're getting me into that.”
Tatum leaned over and whispered in her little sister's ear, and then Lucy came up to me.
“You are not playing mind games with me,” I said to them. “Puppy-dog eyes won't work.” I reached the wall, unable to go any further.
Lucy walked up to me anyway, her little hands folded in front of her, and looked up at me with big brown eyes and stuck out her bottom lip.
“No,” I said. I looked up at a Holly who was giving me the same, pleading look. “No," I repeated, but then I looked back at Lucy. “No," I said again. “Not happening.”
And then Lucy said, “ Please .”