“You can’t fool me, Lucy. I know you too well,” said Sue, turning the radio dial to a classic rock station. As they drove along together listening to old John Lennon tunes, Lucy thought how glad she was that she had a friend like Sue. The trip home went quickly as they munched their fries, talked, and sang along with the radio. Soon they had turned off the highway onto Route 1 and had passed through Tinker’s Cove center and turned onto Old Red Top Road. Lucy’s driveway was just ahead.

As Sue turned into the driveway, the headlights picked out a huddled clump of black-and-white fur.

“Oh, Lucy! Isn’t that your cat?”

“It sure looks like it. Probably hit by a car. Stupid cat. I never could teach her to stay out of the road.” Lucy began unloading her bags and packages. “I don’t know how I’ll tell Elizabeth. She loved that cat.” She waved to Sue and trudged over to the little furry body. It was definitely Patches.

Lucy took a deep breath and marched toward the house, clutching her Christmas presents and bearing bad news.

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SIX

#7059 Our frosted glass night light gives a comforting glow as well as a reassuring sense of security. UL tested. $9.

Lucy stashed her packages in the ell off the back door and let herself into the house. She followed the sound of voices into the living room, where she found Bill perched on a stepladder in a tangle of Christmas lights and greenery.

“You’re putting the tree up,” accused Lucy. “Weren’t you going to wait for me?”

“Of course. We were only getting it ready,” Bill reassured her as he climbed down. He looked at her closely. “Did shopping tire you out?” he asked sarcastically. “I’ve got a big pot of clam chowder sitting on the stove, I’ve spent quality time with my children—a lot of quality time, I might add—and I’m ready for a beer. Do you want something?”

“A glass of wine?”

Bill went off to the kitchen, and Lucy hugged Sara, who was tugging on her coat and squealing, “What did you get us?”

“Yeah, what about us!” demanded Toby.

“Seven days till Christmas and you’re asking for treats?” Lucy raised her eyebrows in disapproval.

“Don’t you know that Santa might be watching?” inquired Bill, returning with the drinks.

“Oh, nobody believes that stuff,” Toby grumbled.

“Nobody believes in Santa?” Bill was incredulous. “Do you believe in Santa, Elizabeth?”

“Yes, I do.” She nodded her head gravely.

“What about you, Sara?”

“I believe in Santa, Daddy.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear it. It seems to me that you’re in the minority here, my boy.” Bill looked sharply at his ten-year-old son. “Perhaps you’d better rethink your position.”

Lucy laughed and drew three candy canes from her pocket. “You can chew on these while you mull things over.”