Christmas in the Air by Irene Brand

the youngest in the group, Livia wouldn’t open her gift until last.
    Only two of the packages were professionally wrapped. The others showed the absence of expert handling.
    Sorting through the eight gifts, Eric picked up a flat, loosely wrapped gift, which he handed to Les.
    â€œTo Les from Sean,” he said.
    Les threw a smile Sean’s way. “As mean as I’ve been to you, hard to tell what this might be.”
    â€œI just wanted to show you I can do something else besides play basketball,” Sean said, returning the smile.
    â€œOh, my,” Les said when he tore the paper away. He held up a pen-and-ink drawing of the interior of the Sheltering Arms Church, focusing on the chancel—the way it must have looked in its heyday. The dirt and cracks had been removed from the windows, and the furniture and floor shone as if they were new, giving a splendor to the old building.
    â€œSonny, I’ll treasure this all the days of my life. Thanks.”
    â€œWell, mother-in-law,” Eric said. “You’re next. ‘To Roxanne from Lester.’”
    Her gift was wrapped in a brown paper bag, and Roxanne took out a carved wooden dog. “So that’s what you were making yesterday,” Roxanne said. “Thank you so much. It looks like the little terrier I had when I was a child.”
    â€œI always did like to whittle,” Les said, embarrassed.
    â€œAllen,” Eric said, “I had a gift for you—a pair of gloves that I’ve only worn a few times. But in light of what you’ve just told us, I’m going to give you something else.”
    He handed his Bible to Allen. “I’ve used this Bible for several years, and it’s well-marked with my favorite verses. It’s something I cherish, but I want you to have it with my blessings.”
    It seemed odd to see tears brighten Allen’s eyes.
    As the rest of the thoughtful gifts were passed to the recipients, it was difficult to remember that they werestranded travelers. Goodwill and love filled the old building as a few rays of sunshine brightened the room.
    Roxanne had her daughter’s name, and she gave her a set of pearls that she’d bought and had wrapped in Detroit. Marie gave Quinn a set of cologne and after-shave lotion that she’d bought for Eric. “Sorry, honey,” she said to her husband, as Quinn unwrapped the gift.
    Sean appreciated Livia’s scarf, and immediately tied it around his neck. “Wish I’d had this when we were on our rescue mission this morning,” he said.
    Livia received the last gift, and she’d already figured out that Quinn had pulled her name. Her hands moistened as she unwrapped the beautifully wrapped box that had obviously been bought before they’d been stranded. Whose gift was she getting?
    The box contained a music box, with a twirling silver angel on top of the revolving base. With trembling hands, she wound the tape, placed the music box on the table and as the angel revolved slowly, the music of “Angels We Have Heard on High” swirled throughout the room.
    Meeting Quinn’s eyes briefly, Livia said with all the warmth she could muster, which wasn’t much, “Thank you. It’s a beautiful gift.”
    She wanted to say, “Did you buy this for the woman you’ve been dating? Because if you did, I don’t want it.”
    She knew her thoughts were mean-spirited, because others had received gifts bought for someone else. Buther heart was still vulnerable where Quinn was concerned, and she was unsure of herself.
    And of Quinn’s feelings.

Chapter Nine
    B y humming “Jingle Bells,” and moving in time to the music, the stranded travelers created a festive air, as they heated the sweet potatoes on the stove and sliced the cold ham for sandwiches. As a surprise, Allen had brought two pumpkin pies and one cherry pie to top off the meal.
    â€œAs good a Christmas meal as I’ve