Christmas Trio B. Debbie Macomber

only toy Gabe had referred to, at least in Jake’s hearing, was the robot. He’d even risked Holly’s wrath and traveled into the city on his own just to see it again and watch it in action.

      “What about a train set?” his father suggested. “Every little boy wants a train set.”

      Jake had. He’d longed for one the Christmas his mother and sister had died. But there’d been no presents the next morning or any Christmas morning since the accident.

      “He might,” Jake said. “But—”

      “Well, we have one of those.”

      Jake wondered what his father was talking about. As head of the toy department Jake was well aware of the inventory left in stock and there were no train sets. This season had been record-breaking in more ways than one; not only the robot but a number of other toys had sold out. The trains, a popular new doll, a couple of computer games. “Exactly where is there a train set?” he asked. “Unless you mean the one in the window …”

      “Not the display train. A brand-new one. Except that it’s twenty-one years old.” J.R. swallowed visibly. “I have it,” he said. “It’s still wrapped in the original paper. Your mother bought it for you just before …” He didn’t need to finish the sentence.

      “Mom bought me the train set I wanted?” Jake asked, his voice hoarse with emotion.

      J.R. grinned. “You were spoiled, young man. Your mother loved you deeply. And your little sister adored you.”

      A sense of loss hit him hard and for a moment that was all Jake could think about. “You kept the train set all these years?” he finally asked.

      J.R. nodded solemnly. “I always meant to give it to you but I could never part with it. In a way, holding on to it was like … having your mother still with me. I could pretend it was Christmas Eve twenty-one years ago and she hadn’t died. Don’t worry, I didn’t actually believe that, but I could indulge the fantasy of what Christmas should’ve been. That train set made the memory so real….”

      “And you’re willing to give it up for Gabe?”

      “No” was his father’s blunt reply. “I’m willing to give it up for you.“

      Jake smiled and whispered, “Thanks, Dad.”

      “You’re welcome. Now we’ve got a bit of digging to do. I don’t remember where I put that train set but I know it’s somewhere in the condo. Or maybe the storage locker. Or …”

      “Do we have time? Did you change your flight?”

      “Flight?” J.R. repeated, then seemed to remember he was scheduled to fly out that evening. Shaking his head, he muttered, “It’s fine. I’ll catch one tomorrow if I have to.”

      Jake didn’t want to pressure his father, but he’d promised Holly he’d invite J.R. to dinner at her apartment. Although he’d already tried once, he’d ask again. If he was going to disappoint her on one front, then the least he could do was surprise her on another.

      “Since you’re apparently staying over.” he began.

      “Yes?”

      “Have Christmas dinner with Holly and Gabe and me tomorrow afternoon. Will you do that, Dad?”

      His father took a long moment to consider the invitation. Then, as if the words were difficult to say, he slowly whispered, “I believe I will. Something tells me your mother would want me to.”