The Gift of Christmas Present by Melody Carlson Page A

door to let herself in. Sayingnothing, Christine started the engine and headed for home. She glanced over at her silent passenger while waiting at a stoplight and noticed how much softer the old woman’s face looked when she was sleeping. She almost did look like someone’s grandmother. A wave of longing swept over Christine. Suddenly she wished she could tell this woman who she was and why she was here. But then she remembered the old woman’s warning about no shenanigans. How would Mrs. Daniels react to the news that she’d been tricked like this, deceived by her own granddaughter?

“Do you recall that I said you’ll be required to work some evenings?” Mrs. Daniels asked on Friday morning.
    â€œYes,” Christine said as she helped Mrs. Daniels from the shower.
    â€œWell, I need you to drive me over to my stepson’s house. It’s my grandson Jamie’s birthday party this evening, and I promised to come. And, if you don’t mind, you could just stick around and then take me home afterward. I know it’s an inconvenience for you, but I don’t plan to stay late. Naturally, I will pay you extra. I don’t expect you to work for nothing.”
    â€œIt’s okay,” Christine said as she carefully rebandaged the injured foot. “And you don’t need to pay me extra. I’m glad to do it as a favor.”
    â€œNonsense.” Mrs. Daniels firmly shook her head. “How do you ever expect to get ahead in this world if you talk like that?”
    â€œMoney isn’t everything,” Christine said as she finishedthe last wrap and pinned it securely. She stood up and smiled. “But I’m sure you know that.”
    She frowned. “Goodness, I hope you’re not going to preach a sermon at me now.”
    Christine shrugged as she gathered the wet towels. “Sorry, I’m not much of a preacher.”
    Due to the festivities planned for the evening, Mrs. Daniels decided they would have a quiet day at home. They’d gone grocery shopping yesterday, and Mrs. Daniels was still learning how to use her new computer. Christine had started her out by teaching her how to play some of the card games so she could get comfortable with the keyboard and mouse, and later on today she’d show her how to cruise the Internet.
    â€œWould you wrap Jamie’s gift for me?” Mrs. Daniels said that afternoon. “There are wrapping things in that high cupboard in the laundry room.”
    â€œI’d be happy to,” Christine said as she picked up the empty teacup from the side table she’d moved next to the new recliner. “I love wrapping gifts.”
    Mrs. Daniels seemed to consider this as she picked up her book. “I used to enjoy wrapping gifts too. Then my daughter took over for me, and, well, I guess I never really did it much after that.”
    Christine felt an unexpected tightness across her chest, almost as if someone had wrapped a wide leather belt there and then suddenly cinched it. It was the first time Mrs. Daniels had made any mention of a daughter.
    â€œYou have a daughter?” Christine said, hoping to sound only mildly interested.
    Mrs. Daniels sighed. “I used to.”
    â€œOh.”
    Mrs. Daniels pulled out the footrest and leaned back. “I think I’ll rest now. You’d better take care of that gift. And see if you can find a birthday card. I keep a box in the second drawer down on my desk.”
    It was obvious that Christine wasn’t going to extract any other information about Lenore just now. So she went on her way and discovered a very nice selection of gift wrap and bows in the cupboard above the dryer. She suspected these items had been there for a long time. Maybe even back when Lenore lived here. Christine selected a blue and white paper with sailboats. It seemed boyish, even if it was a bit old-fashioned. Then she carefully wrapped the box, taking time to neatly fold under the