The 6'1" Grinch by Tiffany White Page A

and Elena weren’t due back for a while, but that still didn’t prevent Hollie from worrying.
    To distract herself, she went to the stereo system and put on the radio, turning from a talk radio station to a station playing Christmas carols.
    Returning to the refrigerator, she got out the endive bunches, red leaf lettuce and romaine to wash for the tub of salad. While her hands were busy with the idle task of rinsing the lettuce, she let herself itemize the holiday tasks she had yet to do. First on the list was finding the Barbie in the pink dress for Elena.
    Then she wanted to try making sugared fruit. Oh, yes, she needed to get the makings for a gingerbread house because she’d promised Elena she could spend the night and they would make one together. And as of yet, she hadn’t found the special ornament for this year to add to the tree, a custom she’d started when she’d bought the house.
    She let out a little gasp, suddenly remembering she’d forgotten to kiss a pomegranate on December 15, which would have meant all her Christmas wishes would come true. Instead she’d kissed a grinch—it was impossible to know what that meant.
    Noel could have easily spent the day doing something besides helping her cook and, now, chasing down Midnight. Was he trying to get into her good graces so she’d sell the house to him? He’d claimed he was helping so they could look at some houses later in the day. But, she wondered if the real reason he’d offered was that he was lonely.
    She’d just finished the lettuce and drained the water, when the doorbell rang. Wiping her hands dry on a dish towel, she went to get the door, hoping it was Noel with Midnight.
    Her hopes were answered. Midnight was squirming, but safe and sound in Noel’s arms. Noel, however, looked as though he’d been hit by a truck.
    â€œWhat happened to you?” she cried, taking the dog as Noel came inside. “Are you all right?”
    â€œI need to sit down.”
    She helped Noel to the sofa, while Midnight made her way to her water dish and lapped loudly.
    Noel gingerly lowered himself to the sofa. “Can you turn off the music, please? And turn out the lights.”
    Hollie hurried to do as he requested. Midnight, tired from her adventure, headed for the bed in Elena’s room.
    â€œWhat happened to you?” Hollie asked again when she returned to Noel’s side.
    â€œA low branch knocked me senseless when I was chasing that, that…dog! And then I had to crawl under a car to get her in the end.”
    â€œI’m so sorry, Noel. Can I do anything for you?”
    â€œAs a matter of fact, you can. I’m prone to tension headaches and I’ve got a prescription to pick up.” He reached in his pants pocket to withdraw his wallet. “Here, take this. There’s cash and my insurance card. Those pills should take care of this headache. I’ll just wait here until you get back.”
    â€œWill you be okay by yourself? You could have a concussion or something,” she said with concern.
    â€œNo, I’m fine. I’ve got a goose egg on my forehead and a headache, but I’m not dizzy or nauseous. If you’ll just fetch me my prescription from Walgreens on Lindbergh, I’ll be fine.”
    She took his wallet and jotted down her cell phone number on her business card, then placed the card on the table beside him. “You can reach me on my cell phone if you need me,” she said, retrieving the portable phone and setting it beside the business card.
    â€œThanks.”
    Hollie checked the rouladens in the oven to make sure they were ready, then turned off the oven.
    â€œOkay, I’m leaving now,” she told him, heading for the front door.
    â€œIt smells good in here,” he mumbled as she left.
    Since it was the last Saturday before Christmas the roads as well as the stores were packed. The drugstore was no exception. There was a long