When Tomorrow Comes by Janette Oke Page B

smile.
    “We’re almost done.”
    She nodded.
    “Why don’t you sit and I’ll finish?”
    “I’m fine.”
    “Thought maybe we could grab a cup of coffee when we’re done. Relax a bit.”
    “Where? Even Jessie won’t be open on Christmas Eve.”
    Laray nodded. “Maybe we’ll have to make our own.”
    “Where?” Christine couldn’t cover her surprise at the suggestion.
    Laray seemed to think it over, but when he answered her, Christine wondered if he hadn’t thought it through already.
    “You’re going from here to take care of Danny?”
    “Right. Mom and Dad took him home to bed, but I said I’d take over.”
    “Maybe we can use Amber’s kitchen.”
    Before Christine could voice an objection, he continued in a teasing manner, “Not much I can do, but I sure make a mean cup of coffee.”
    Christine couldn’t help but laugh. “Okay. A cup of coffee.
    Maybe Mom and Dad will be ready for one too.”
    If that wasn’t really what Laray had in mind, he did not say so.
    Shortly Christine was placing the last of the decorations in their boxes. “Finally. Thanks so much for your help. I’d have been here till midnight if you hadn’t.”
    “I hate to tell you this—but it’s almost midnight now.”
    Christine glanced at her watch. “It is. No wonder I’m so tired. Now we have to load this stuff.”
    “Why don’t we just stack it here? I’ll pick it all up in the morning.”
    “Don’t you have to work?”
    “Rogers is on early shift tomorrow. I take over in the afternoon.”
    Christine nodded, thankful to call it a day. She pulled off her slippers and slipped into her boots. “If you want to stop by and pick me up, I’ll help,” she suggested.
    She didn’t miss the light in Laray’s eyes. “I’ll do that.”
    “Providing, of course, it’s not too early.”
    “How early is too early?”
    “Noon,” she laughed.
    “What about Danny?”
    “Henry’s coming back for Danny to take him out to the cabin. They’ll have their first Christmas morning together.”
    “Hey—that’s great. That brother of yours thinks of everything. Does Danny know?”
    “We didn’t dare tell him. Thought he’d never sleep if he was looking forward to that. Or he might have insisted in going with them tonight.”
    Laray reached for Christine’s coat and helped her into it. When they left the church, Christine was surprised to discover that warmer air had replaced the extreme cold, and a light snow had begun to fall. She lifted her face toward the heavens and let the large, fluffy flakes cool her warm cheeks. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered. “Just what Christmas Eve should be.”
    Laray cleared his throat. “Speaking of beautiful . . .” He hesitated. “You looked pretty good today.”
    Christine’s head came around. She did hope he wasn’t going to make any silly speeches, but he said nothing more. “Thank you,” she murmured in response to the compliment. After all, “pretty good” was not so hard to accept.
    After the short drive to Amber’s house, they saw a light glowing from the front window. Christine could see her mother in an easy chair, head leaned back in rest. Christine smiled. She looked so nice in her gray suit spruced up with a new blouse of pale blue silk. She was glad her father had talked her into purchasing it.
    Christine was about to open the front door when she felt Laray’s restraining hand on her own. He was standing close— very close. It made her feel uneasy. He held out his pocket watch, which she could barely read in the light from the window. “Merry Christmas,” he whispered in her ear.
    Christine felt her body stiffen, but she did manage a whispered “Merry Christmas” in response.
    Laray then opened the door quietly and let them in. Elizabeth’s head lifted immediately.
    “You finally finished? I should have stayed and helped.”
    “Nonsense. Sorry to keep you up so long. How’s Danny?”
    “Well,” said Wynn, laying aside the newspaper, “it took