Jack threw open the door to see Ted and Espinosa covered in snow. “Why are you standing there? Get in here, and take off your boots and socks. I know just what to do. Go on in. Harry’s by the fire.”

From that moment on, Jack was busier than a posse of squirrels storing their food for the winter. When he returned to the living room with warm socks, heated blankets, and a tea cart loaded down with food, he said, “Your goddamn paper said we were going to have snow flurries. There has to be ten inches of snow out there. Maybe more.”

Ted bellowed in outrage, his teeth chattering, “So, you’re blaming me for all this snow! Is that what you’re saying?”

Jack sniffed. “Well, it is your paper!”

“No one is answering, Jack. Annie and Myra obviously didn’t listen to you and left Bell’s offices. Maggie is the only one who answered, and she hasn’t heard from anyone.” Harry narrowed his eyes and stared across at Jack. “That means we do not have a plan. We need a plan.”

Jack opted to take the high road. “Then come up with a plan, Harry. I’m all ears. And, it goes without saying, I am at your disposal. I think I speak for Ted and Espinosa as well. So, Harry, let’s hear it.”

“I’m working on it, Jack. I sure as hell can’t do worse than you did with those stupid pumpkins in Utah.”

“Well, Harry, those pumpkins, stupid or not, worked, now didn’t they?” Hoping to divert Harry and erase the murderous look on his face, Jack looked over at Ted and Espinosa. “Did you guys decide about your Christmas gifts for the girls?”

“I did!” Espinosa said. “I e-mailed the ladies, and they’re going to gift wrap the earrings in a white satin box and send them by overnight mail. I’m done, and twenty tons have been taken off my shoulders. Gold wrapping paper with a green satin bow. I gave my credit-card number, and bing, bing, bing, it was done. Patsy e-mailed me and said it was a pleasure doing business with me.”

“Me too,” Ted said. “Jill said I get silver paper and red velvet ribbon. Maggie is going to love it. I’m done. How about you, Harry? What did you decide? What about you, Jack?”

Jack decided it was time to play host. He stacked the TV dinner trays on the tea cart, along with the empty cups. “I haven’t decided,” he mumbled.

“You know why the son of a bitch hasn’t decided? Because he’s probably going to get a discount on his gift for sending the ladies new customers. Ain’t that so, Jack?” Harry said through clenched teeth.