1225 Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber

husband and pushed the talk button.
    â€œHello, sweetheart,” she said.
    â€œWhere are you?” he asked, sounding rushed.
    â€œThe Pancake Palace, why?”
    â€œEric and Shelly arrived with the boys.”
    â€œI didn’t think they were due until five.” Her stepson and his family were hours early. They’d driven fromReno to spend Christmas Eve with Jack and Olivia at Justine’s, and Christmas Day with Shelly’s family. “Can you feed them lunch or do you want me to come home?” she asked.
    â€œLunch isn’t a problem. I’m calling because I need to know if Beth Morehouse has any of those puppies left.”
    â€œI’m sure she does.”
    â€œGreat. Eric was saying he wanted to get Tedd and Todd each a dog after the first of the year, and he was hoping to find a couple of Labs. I told him about Beth’s situation and he’s interested.”
    â€œOh, Jack, Beth would be so grateful!”
    â€œThat’s what I thought. I’ll give her a call and take Eric and the boys out to her place later this afternoon. Do you want to meet us there?”
    â€œIf I have time…”
    â€œOkay. Love you.”
    â€œLove you, too.” She ended the call and dropped her cell back in her purse. Beth would be thrilled to find homes for two more puppies.
    Olivia’s next stop was the Sanford assisted-living complex, where her mother and stepfather had recently moved. The snow had been cleared from the parking lot and the sidewalk swept and salted. Hugging her coataround her, she hunched her shoulders against the wind and hurried inside.
    A large, beautifully decorated Christmas tree sparkling with lights and classic ornaments graced the entry. Red bows were attached to a set of twin chandeliers. Six fresh wreaths festooned the second-floor railing and left a lingering scent of pine. The complex had a homey, welcoming appeal.
    Olivia saw Ben first. He was in the card room set off to the side of the main room. He was apparently playing either pinochle or bridge, his two favorite games. Olivia knew Charlotte was waiting for her upstairs. Her mother insisted on reviewing their Christmas-dinner menu, although Olivia had already prepared most of the dishes in advance. Tonight and tomorrow were for family. She had no intention of spending Christmas Day in the kitchen, although she planned to put the turkey in the oven sometime Christmas morning.
    The menu was the same one they had almost every year, many of the recipes directly from the cookbook Charlotte had compiled for Justine. Last Christmas, Justine had made copies of her grandmother Charlotte’s favorites for the extended family and it was a much-loved treasure.
    Olivia headed for the elevator without interruptingBen’s game and went up to the third floor. Charlotte and Ben’s small apartment was at the end of the hall. The door was propped open, a sign to all who came that they were welcome.
    â€œCome in, come in,” Charlotte said, putting aside her knitting and getting up. She was definitely moving more slowly, struggling a bit. Harry had arranged himself on the back of the recliner, his tail hanging straight down.
    Olivia kissed her mother’s cheek and urged her to sit again. She herself sat down in Ben’s recliner. An end table served as a catchall between the two chairs, and Olivia saw not only Charlotte’s knitting but Ben’s current crossword. Dutifully, she took out a pad and pen. “You wanted to talk about Christmas dinner.”
    â€œOh, yes. I do hope you intend to serve that wonderful artichoke appetizer.”
    â€œGot it,” Olivia assured her. It was done and ready to go in the oven. The artichoke and caramelized onion filling was baked in a flaky dough. Everyone loved it. In fact, Olivia had made two because they were sure to disappear quickly.
    â€œThe potato casserole?”
    â€œWouldn’t be Christmas without it,” Olivia told