“You’re kind of in a tight spot, aren’t you?” He bit into a cookie and chewed, his brow wrinkled in thought. “Damned if you do and damned if you don’t.”

Ivy nodded her agreement. “I don’t like lying to people. But I also don’t want to disappoint Phoebe. She’s been such a good friend to me, ever since I moved to Tarburton.”

“Is there a way to meet this young man and let him know, without coming right out and saying it, that your friend hasn’t been totally honest with him?”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out. I’m hoping I can find the right words, once I meet him face-to-face.”

“And your third commitment for the evening? I hope you’re going to dinner with your gentleman friend? The real estate agent?”

Ivy laughed. “You really missed your calling as a matchmaker, Lawrence. Yes, we have a date. I decided you’re right. Time to move on and open myself up to new possibilities. Besides, how can I say no to a man who showed up at my door today with a new hot-water heater and a plumber to install it?”

“Good man,” Lawrence said. “It sounds like you’ve got a jam-packed evening.” His face took on a wistful expression. “I used to love going to the Christmas Stroll, getting out and seeing all the neighbors. And of course, the children, lining up to see Santa Claus.”

“Why don’t you come tonight?” Ivy said impulsively. “I’ve got to meet Cody in a few minutes, and then I promised to work for Nancy for an hour or so, but that still leaves me an hour until I meet up with my gentleman friend, as you call him. I could come back and pick you up.”

“Oh no,” he said quickly. “I’m really too old to be out at night like that. I’d only be a burden to you.”

“I insist,” Ivy said. “I mean, if you feel up to it.”

“Well,” he said slowly. “My doctor has been nagging me about getting out into the fresh air and doing more walking. He says it’s good for my heart.”

“That settles it. I’ll pick you up a little before seven. Just make sure you dress warmly, okay?”

“I’ll wear my heavy coat. And one of my great-niece’s scarves. Which reminds me.”

He pulled himself from his chair and retrieved a package from beneath the tabletop tree. It was wrapped in wrinkled green tissue paper that had obviously been recycled, and topped with a stick-on white bow. “A little Christmas gift, from me to you.”

“Really?” Ivy blinked back sudden tears. She hadn’t allowed herself to dwell on what a post-divorce Christmas morning would look like this year. True, under pressure, she’d given in and put up not one but two trees, but on this, her first Christmas by herself, she had no expectation of gifts. “But I don’t have a gift for you, Lawrence.”

“Your presence in my home is the best present of all,” he said solemnly. “Now go on and open it.”