Page 5 of A Curvy Wonderland (A Curvy Girl Christmas #3)

5

HOLLY

T he older woman, Mrs. Banerjee, took to Tatum and Lucy like they were her own grandchildren. She fawned over their matching pigtail buns and pajamas, made sure that they had juice to drink, and even put a fresh batch of Nankhatai in the oven for us. She said they were a popular cookie in India, and I couldn’t wait to try them.

While Eldan began sorting through boxes of ornaments and decorations, she talked with the little girls about anything and everything.

Pretty soon, Tatum was telling Mrs. B that her favorite subject in school was English, and that her favorite teacher was Ms. Penny. Lucy was going on and on about her hairdo from the night before and saying that her wish was for a pony to ride.

And eventually, it came out that their dad was in the military, and that he wouldn't be home in time for Christmas this year.

I swore I saw Eldan pause while he was fluffing up synthetic cotton fluff for the nativity set that would go on top of her TV stand, but as he noticed me watching him, I hurriedly got back to work.

We finished all the decorating around the house, leaving the Christmas tree for last. It sat bare in the front window, Emerald Acres having delivered it for her.

The smell of cardamom filled the air while we began decorating it. While Eldan untangled a long string of golden garland, I got to work with the lights, and the girls got out of working, instead playing with a set of blocks that Mrs. Banerjee kept in the living room for when her grandchildren came over to visit.

I spun the lights around the pine needles, the scent wafting up to my nose and blending perfectly with the Nankhatai. Every now and then I snuck a glance at Eldan, who was now very carefully unwinding the glittering strand.

Even though he was uninterested in Christmas, he worked very carefully and methodically, making sure that none of the little plastic strands were ripped off.

As if he felt me staring again, he looked my way, and I refocused on applying the lights. He had to think I was crazy, staring at him like some lovestruck schoolgirl. Why was I so intrigued by him? Maybe it was the gentle way he’d removed the dust from my cheek. Or how carefully he’d treated Mrs. B’s nativity set, like it was made of gold instead of plastic.

Either way, I had to focus on this. The tree wasn't the biggest tree ever, but I got stuck wrapping the lights. They kept falling awkwardly and I couldn’t get the strand tight enough to stay in place.

I didn't want to ask Eldan for help, but I also wanted to make this special for Mrs. B. “Can I have some help, Eldan?”

Silently, he came over to me reaching for the bundle of lights looped over my hand. His fingers brushed over mine, surprisingly warm. Maybe that's why his heart was so icy.

Without saying a word, he worked with me to finish stringing the lights around the tree. It really was easier with two people. Standing this close, at least partially obscured by the tree, I had a much better vantage point to examine him, like some kind of puzzle I couldn’t quite solve. His nose was sharp and pointed, cheekbones high, eyes green and alert, like there was so much more going on in his mind than his silent demeanor would betray. Dark, wavy hair contrasted his lighter features, curling softly around his ears.

We finished stringing the lights, and then the girls did the fun job of placing the ornaments carefully around the tree while Mrs. B brought out cookies and tea for all of us.

Lucy sat at the coffee table, holding her tea with a pinky out. “I feel like I’m at a tea party.”

Tatum rolled her big brown eyes. “This is a tea party.”

Mrs. B. lifted her teacup from her sitting chair. “Absolutely.”

Taking a bite of a cookie, Eldan said, almost to himself, “These are really good.”

Mrs. B practically gleamed. “I knew you'd like them. Try dipping it in your chai.”

We all did, and when the crumby cookie melted in my mouth, I swallowed and said, “This is better than chocolate chip cookies and milk.”

“Come back any time,” Mrs. Banerjee said. “I mean that.”

With how good it tasted, the food went quickly, and it was time for us to go. Just as I was about to help Lucy put on her mittens, Mrs. B said, "Hold on a minute.” She disappeared into one of the back bedrooms and then returned with two small presents.

Tatum and Lucy lit up, like they sensed the presents were for them. Of course, it was easy to guess with only two little kids in the room.

Mrs. Banerjee gave each of them a present and said, “Santa told me to have these ready for you two girls. Enjoy.”

The girls eagerly ripped open the packages, finding beautifully decorated sugar cookies inside. In the back of my mind, I wondered if my friend Belle had made them. She was so good at baking.

“Can we eat them?” Lucy asked, looking up at me. She was already pulling at the wrapper.

“How about a ‘thank you’ first?” I replied with a pointed look.

Tatum said, “Thank you Mrs. B,” and Lucy echoed her.

The older woman smiled, wrinkles deepening especially around her eyes. “Thank Santa. And thank you for making my home so beautiful just in time for Christmas.”

Lucy said, “You're welcome.” And I had to chuckle because she’d done more playing and chatting than anyone else.

Eldan gave was a small wave, and then he walked toward the front door and stepped outside. The girls gave me a confused expression, and then followed him out.

But I stayed behind for a moment. “Mrs. Banerjee, do you want us to come by after New Year's to take it all down?”

Her expression softened. “You have such a big heart, Holly. I would love that if you have the time. And I'll make sure Santa has something for you too.” She winked.

I gave her a hug. “No worries. It was fun. Can I bring the girls along if I'm babysitting?”

“Of course. I thought they were your little sisters. They look up to you so much.”

I smiled, saying, “I hope I can be a good example for them.” But I looked over my shoulder and saw they were already at the doorway. “I better leave before they run off without me. See you soon.”

She gave me a wave, and I followed the girls out onto the sidewalk. Eldan was several steps ahead of us, almost to Cocoa Corner on the way back to Emerald Acres.

“Eldan, wait up,” I called. I tried to be positive most of the time, but I was getting so frustrated with him and his brusque manner. Would it kill him to say thank you or goodbye?

He looked over his shoulder at me, almost like he was indignant that I would use his name, but paused his path on the sidewalk anyway.

Continuing to walk toward him with the girls, I got out a few dollars from my pocket and handed it to Tatum. “Take your sister into Cocoa Corner and get three hot cocoas. I'll be there in a second.”

Lucy grinned. “Hot cocoa and cookies? It’s the best day ever! ”

I laughed. “I guess it is.”

They ran on up ahead, going into Cocoa Corner. As I watched them, I wondered if Delilah had been right about volunteering. They did seem to be in a better mood today, and it had made Mrs. Banerjee so happy to treat them.

When I got to Eldan, he raised his eyebrows. Could he not even spare a word to ask me why I wanted him to wait?

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down before I snapped at him. “Look Eldan, I know that you have this whole...” I waved my hands in the air around him. “Grumpy Scrooge thing going on, but these girls do not need that energy right now.”

He tilted his head as if asking me to explain.

I grit my teeth. “Their dad is in the military, and they just found out last night that he's not going to be home in time for Christmas. So the least you could do is give them a smile every now and then and not treat them like they're a complete burden.”

I hated that I had to look up to him to speak because I really felt like looking down on him and making him feel small for how crappy he'd been to the girls earlier today. He treated them, and me, like an inconvenience.

“Did I say anything rude today?” he asked softly.

His calmness frustrated me more. “No but—”

“Then it seems strange that you're telling me to be kinder.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “You know exactly what you were doing. I don't know what your deal is with Christmas, but I expect you to do better tomorrow, or I'll have to talk to your mother.”

His icy facade fractured long enough for him to say, “You wouldn’t.”

“I would.” I let the words sink in because I definitely meant them. “Now we're going to have some hot cocoa, maybe you should come and have some too. I've never seen anyone as grumpy as you are while they're drinking hot chocolate.”

He smirked. “Maybe that's why I don't drink it.”

Then he turned and walked away, leaving my jaw hanging as he did.