"No way! It's exactly the one I wanted."

Alexis shot her sister an uneasy glance as Brian read the tag.

"It's from Santa!" he announced.

Owen looked puzzled. "Why would Santa leave us presents here? He knows where we live."

"Sometimes Santa makes a mistake, but he can't turn back because he's on a schedule, so he leaves a gift where you're sure to get it," Alexis explained.

"Santa's a genius!" Owen gushed.

"He's not a genius if he makes mistakes, dummy," Brian said.

"Brian, don't call your brother names," Joe said sternly.

Alexis gestured toward the right side of the tree. "Owen, I think he may have left something for you, too."

Owen rushed to the tree and scoured the gifts. He pulled out a book-shaped present. "This one says Owen! Can I open it, Mom?"

Betsy nodded and Owen tore away the paper.

"It has dinosaurs! What does it say?"

Betsy leaned down to read the cover. "I Wonder Why the Dodo is Dead and

Other Questions About Extinct and Endangered Animals."

"Awesome!" He hugged the book to his chest and Alexis sighed inwardly, pleased with her purchase. Betsy's expression toward her sister softened.

"Elmo!" Joey cried.

Joey pulled out an Elmo DVD and talking Elmo doll from under the tree. He started squeezing Elmo's belly and laughing when Elmo talked. Joe beamed, taking pleasure in his son's enjoyment.

"I thought you were going to get me something," Brian said to Alexis.

Alexis ruffled his hair. "I need to get to know you better first so I don't buy you some lame gift. I'll do better next time. When's your birthday?"

"May thirtieth."

"I'll do better May thirtieth then."

Brian gave her a big smile and returned to his scooter.

"Look, Santa left something else here," Alexis said, plucking a small, wrapped box from under the tree and handing it to Betsy.

"Really?" Betsy asked. "Wow, my first adult Christmas gift from Alexis."

"Well, it's not a handmade tree ornament. I hope you're not disappointed."

Betsy laughed, remembering Alexis's efforts at crafting Christmas ornaments out of salt dough and ribbons. "I might still have a few of those."

Betsy reached into her shoulder bag and pulled out a package for Alexis. The wrapping paper was decorated with reindeer and covered in green and red tape.

"I'm going to go out on a limb and guess you had some help wrapping this,"

Alexis remarked with a smile.

"Where would Santa be without his elves?" Betsy replied as she tore off the wrapping paper. "Oh, Alexis. You shouldn't have."

It was a gift card for Salters, the nicest shop on the island for home décor.




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