The Christmas Joy Ride by Melody Carlson

it.” Joy tucked both into her purse without even looking. She picked up a stuffed tiger. “Now how are we going to wrap all these goodies?”
    â€œI knew there wouldn’t be much time to wrap everything,” Miranda explained. “So I splurged on a bunch of colorful gift bags and tissue paper.” She dug through the mound of bags until she found some of them. “See?”
    â€œPerfect.” Joy shook out a big candy-striped bag and went to work.
    The motor home soon resembled Santa’s workshop as the two sorted and packed the assortment of presents into dozens of varying sized gift bags and Joy carefully wrote out each recipient’s name on a gift tag. She also tied the bags securely with bright ribbons, making them look even more festive.
    â€œVery pretty,” Miranda observed as Joy held a finished bag up.
    â€œTying them closed will discourage peeking,” Joy explained. “You know how curious children can be right before Christmas.”
    Miranda took some photos of all the filled bags that were heaped along the sofa and floor, transforming the RV into a makeshift Santa sleigh. And then the two women dined on the packaged salads that Miranda had bought for them.
    â€œIt’s kind of a skimpy lunch,” she admitted, “but it looked healthy.”
    â€œIt’s just perfect. And we’ll have an early dinner,” Joy promised. “I suspect it won’t take too long to get the Mahoneys’ house all decked out. Not with all those children around to help out—and Ellen assured me that they’ll all be there.” As they ate, Joy described the decorations she’d packed for this visit. “They’re all very child friendly,” she explained. “Lots of cartoon characters and silly things that my boys used to enjoy.”
    â€œI’m surprised your boys didn’t want some of your Christmas decorations for keepsakes.”
    Joy waved her hand. “Trust me, they have more than enough. You know me when it comes to Christmas, Miranda. I always went overboard. The bins I packed for the Mahoneys are all very bright and colorful and fun. Nothing’s easily breakable either. With a little supervision and direction, we ought to be able to just set the children loose with it. I can’t wait to see how it turns out.”
    â€œSounds like it’ll be fun for everyone.”
    By three o’clock, they were in the Mahoneys’ living room. It was a spacious area, but rather stark. A big tan sectional occupied one wall, a green recliner sat against another, and a fairly big TV was prominently displayed across from them. Miranda listened as Joy explained her plan to an overwhelmed but grateful Ellen Mahoney. “We won’t worry too much about perfection here,” Joy told her, with Miranda and the six kids looking on. “This is as much about the process as the final product. I want the children to enjoy all of it.”
    â€œOkay,” Ellen said with uncertainty. “If you’re sure it won’t turn into a big mess.”
    Joy just laughed. “In that case, it’ll be a fun mess.” She looked at the kids now. “I’m sure you’ll all do your best, won’t you?”
    They eagerly agreed, so Miranda and several of the childrenbegan hauling boxes and bins into the Mahoneys’ two-story house. “Hey,” Miranda called to a teenage boy loitering on the front porch, taking a moment to introduce herself.
    â€œI’m Sean,” he told her. Then he pointed to a boy who looked to be about ten. “That’s Phillip, my little brother.”
    â€œHow about if you get the ladder that’s strapped to the back of the RV, Sean? You can be in charge of putting lights on the outside of the house.”
    â€œWe get to have lights on the house too?” Phillip asked.
    â€œYou bet.” Miranda nodded. “We’re doing this up big-time. Why don’t you