Yours for Christmas

“Hi,” she said, telling herself to ignore the now-familiar quivering that accompanied either seeing him in person her hearing his voice.

“Bailey, I don’t know what to say. They’re gone.”

His voice was thick with tension and disbelief. The quivering disappeared and worry took its place.

“What’s gone? What’s going on?”

“The toys. I emptied the barrels this morning and drove out to load them in the trailer. The lock is broken and the trailer’s empty. All the toys are gone.”

CHAPTER TEN

IT DIDN’T TAKE long for word to spread and people to start showing up at the empty trailer. A couple of women Kenny didn’t know stood talking on their cell phones. A few of Bailey’s friends he recognized but couldn’t name were standing together looking stunned.

Kenny stayed by his SUV. He could see inside the large empty space. There was nothing left. Not even part of a carton or some torn packaging. Whoever had taken the toys had done a thorough job.

He knew this kind of thing happened all the time. People stole from food banks and took deliveries off neighbors’ porches. But he hadn’t realized it could happen here. In Fool’s Gold. Things were supposed to be better here. There wasn’t a lot of crime. From what he’d heard, people barely locked their doors at night. It was that kind of place.

Only not anymore. And if someone could steal toys meant for disadvantaged children, then other bad things could happen. People could get sick and die. Pets could be lost. And green-eyed redheads could decide they didn’t want to have anything to do with him. Bailey could walk away and take Chloe with her, and he would be left with nothing. His heart stolen, just like the toys.

Mayor Marsha arrived in a small red car. She got out and walked over to him.

“It has to be someone from out of town,” she said by way of greeting. “I refuse to believe that a person I know would do this to the Sprouts. Those girls are going to be heartbroken.”

Something he hadn’t thought of, he realized. What would Chloe and her friends think when they found out what had happened? They’d worked hard on their project. They’d decorated the bins and had spent time asking for donations.

“Then there’s the matter of the children in Sacramento,” the mayor continued. “We have to make sure they have a good Christmas.”

Bailey arrived. Chloe was with her, the seven-year-old’s eyes filled with tears.

“Are they really all gone?” she asked as she rushed up to him.

“Afraid so.”

Chloe turned to her mother. “Mommy, I don’t understand.”

“Me, either.” Bailey put an arm around her. Together they stared into the empty trailer.

“It was nearly full,” Bailey murmured. “People were so generous.”

She looked devastated. He wanted to go to her and hold her tight. He wanted to make things right. Which meant he was in deeper than he’d realized and he’d better retreat while he still could.

“I’ll write a check,” he said.

Bailey and the mayor stared at him.

He motioned to the empty trailer. “I’ll write a check to cover everything taken. We can go buy more presents.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Mayor Marsha said. “I think the town can fix this problem.”

“I agree.” Bailey smiled at him. “But thank you for being generous.”

He wasn’t. Didn’t she see that? He was trying to buy his way out of a difficult situation. Because he could. Because he couldn’t risk giving anything else.

“Let me know if you change your mind,” he mumbled and returned to his SUV.

“Kenny, wait.” Bailey hurried after him. “We have a lot to do to make this right.”

He shook his head. “Angel and Taryn are back in town. It’s their project. Let them fix it.”

He didn’t turn around. He didn’t want to see the shock on her face or the hurt in her eyes. He didn’t want the proof that he’d hurt her. Even though he knew he had.

* * *

AS BAILEY HAD EXPECTED, the town rallied. The trailer was moved into an empty warehouse with locked doors and an impressive security system. The police department offered to patrol the area regularly. Once word went out, presents started pouring in. The bins filled up so quickly, Bailey arranged times for people to go directly to the warehouse with their donations. During those collection times, one of the guys from the bodyguard school was on hand as extra security. Not that there had been a problem.

Bailey took the last of the packages that Denise Hendrix had dropped off and walked to the large trailer. Angel, on duty with her today, carried it inside.

Chloe studied all the toys in place and smiled. “We’re going to do it, Mom. We’re going to fill the trailer again.”

“I know we are.”

Her daughter leaned against her. “I’m glad people are helping.”

Angel jumped down from the trailer, then squatted in front of Chloe. “What do you think about the people who stole the presents?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” Chloe admitted. “I guess they’re bad. They stole at Christmas. They stole toys.”

“I agree.” He stared into her eyes. “There are always going to be bad people. But the thing to remember is that most of us aren’t like that.” He pointed to the toys. “How many families have donated toys?”