“Lee, Charlotte’s mom, adores your store,” said another.

“Thanks. Would I know your mom?” Lauren asked.

“Lee Hessinger,” Charlotte said.

“Yes, of course, I know her. I’m so sorry she’s in the hospital. She adores just about everything we have. Want me to help you choose something?” Lauren asked. She’d gone to high school with Lee, who had married right after graduation. Lauren knew that Lee had a daughter but didn’t realize she was in high school. Time flies, she thought. She could have had a child in high school had she found the right guy. Well, maybe not high school, but elementary school at least.

“Thanks, I’ll look first, and if I don’t see anything, you can help me out, if that’s okay?” Charlotte said.

Lauren got the feeling Charlotte wanted to pick the gift out herself and understood completely. “Of course, it’s okay. I’m here if you need help.” She let the girls wander up and down the aisles while she continued to make sure everything was in its place.

“Excuse me,” one of the girls said, and motioned with her head to Lauren to step into an aisle away from the other two girls.

“I’m Lacey, Char’s friend. She doesn’t have a lot of money, and I have some saved, so if she doesn’t have enough to pay for whatever she buys, would it be okay if I secretly paid the difference? If there is one, I mean. Her mom is really sick and all.”

Tears welled up in Lauren’s eyes. “Of course, but let’s do this. Whatever Charlotte chooses, I’d like for her to allow me to give it to her. Free of charge. As a get-well gift. Since her mother is a good customer, and in the hospital. Do you think that would be okay with Charlotte? And just so you know, I think Charlotte’s very lucky to have such a good friend.” This was so much like her and Madison at that age that, again, she had to fight back the tears.

“You’d really do that?”

“I really would,” Lauren said with a smile so big her cheeks hurt.

This is what Christmas is all about, she thought. Giving, sharing, and caring for those in need.

But, she reminded herself, I have to keep the store up and running, no matter what else I have to do. Still, a little generosity isn’t going to make or break the place, and it feels right.

For the next half hour, the girls perused practically every item in the store. When Charlotte chose a handmade scarf with a matching afghan, it was all she could do to keep from crying. Her mother had knitted that last season with the finest wool, and Lauren had wanted to keep it for herself but knew it would find a good home in the store this year. Silver-and-gold threads sparkled in the late-afternoon sunlight as the girls brought the items to the register. Lauren knew there was no price tag on these two items. She’d held back in hopes that if they didn’t sell, she’d add some cash to the till, and they would be hers. Now, however, she was thrilled they were going to a very special home.