Read The Christmas Promise (Christmas Hope) for Free Online

it to get the guy off the sidewalk. “For coffee and a meal. I’m new here, too, but they say Grimshaw’s up the street has the best food in town.”
    Mike took the money and shoved it in his pocket. “The old ladies can breathe a sigh of relief now,” he said, walking away.
    Chaz ran inside the store and reeled past customers, pushing his way through two swinging doors that entered a room whose cinder-block walls were painted a pale yellow. Large mail bins lined one wall with each department the mail was intended for typewritten below each bin. White countertops made their way around two of the walls and they were covered with boxes and small packages. Huge industrial lights hung from the ceiling and he heard the bulbs buzzing above him. Two women, one around his age and the other in her midthirties, turned to look at him. “Hi, I’m Chaz,” he said. The young one looked at him and smiled and he knew he had her where he needed her. He stepped toward her and smiled, manipulating and maneuvering, his MO for any situation. “I work in security.”
    “What can we do you for?” the older one asked.
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t even ask you your name,” Chaz said.
    “Tricia.”
    “And I’m Kelly,” the young one said, leaning back against the counter and pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
    “Are you the new guy?” Tricia asked. She was warming up to him.
    “Does it show?”
    “No. I heard they were replacing Ed after he retired. Finally retired! Are you married?”
    “No,” he said.
    Tricia glanced to Kelly and smiled. “Where are you from?” Kelly said.
    “All over, really.”
    “Do you have family nearby?” Tricia asked.
    “No. My parents are deceased.”
    Tricia wrinkled her nose. “I always ask too many questions.”
    Chaz smiled and patted her on the back. “No, you didn’t. You’re great.” He rubbed his hands together, thinking ahead. “Maybe you can help me out. Judy sent me down here to ask you to be on alert for a package that will be arriving from GKD Systems.”
    “What’s that?” Tricia asked.
    “It’s a screening company and they’re sending some materials here that must go through the security office first. You’re in charge, right, Tricia?”
    She shifted in her seat. “No. Bill’s the manager down here, but he doesn’t go through the mail when it comes in. We do.”
    “Do I need to ask him about this or is it something you two would be able to help with?” Chaz said.
    “We can,” Kelly said. “No problem. It’ll be addressed to security, right?”
    He smiled, pretending to be uncertain. “I don’t think so. It will probably be addressed to Judy in the office, but security must screen it first before anyone opens it.” They looked skeptical. “I guess GKD had some sort of nut job working for them who sent out hazardous materials wrapped in a common package. Of course, authorities dealt with that guy, but the whole thing makes Judy kind of nervous.”
    “Okay. Yeah. Right,” Tricia said, writing the name of the company onto a sticky note and posting it in front of them. “We’ll keep our eyes open and get it up to you guys.”
    “You can just get it to me, if you don’t mind. I’d love to do something dangerous so I can tell all my friends.” They laughed and Chaz faked a smile; he was weary of constantly figuring his way out of something. Perspiration stuck to his shirt as he pushed through the doors.
     

    I pulled into a spot across the street from Wilson’s and saw him from behind. He was wearing a university jacket with a blue hat and white tennis shoes, and carrying a backpack like my son’s. I threw the car into park and walked after him. I rushed through the town square, hurrying past men and women who were bundled up for a day of shopping. He walked toward the gazebo and I reached for his arm. He turned in a snap and I felt blood rush to my face. “I’m sorry,” I said, retreating. “I thought you were someone else.” I was a fool.