Harper came back with a weird look on her face, her arms still full of what she was supposed to put back.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

She walked up to me without a word, dropped the afghan and other items in the car, and handed me something.

I looked down at the crisp bills in my hand. “Where’d you get that?” I asked. “Did you find it or something?”

She shook her head. “Someone gave it to me.”

“Gave it to you?” I repeated. I glanced around.

She closed her fist again, her eyes all sparkly and a smile erupting on her face. “This really nice old lady. You should have been there, Ella. It’s really hard to explain, but it’s like a Christmas miracle or something. I was just trying to make sure she was okay, and then we started talking, and I told her what we were doing here, trying to help out Melissa’s family with some gifts. And she gave me this.”

We stared down at the two one-hundred-dollar bills in her hand.

“She said her daughter would have wanted her to help,” she said quietly amidst the buzz of shoppers and blare of the intercom announcing deals around us.

I blinked, not sure what she meant by that at first. Then it dawned on me. “Oh,” I said. “Wow, well, that was really nice of her. I mean, what are the odds?”

She smiled again, like someone had just told her she’d won the lottery. “I can’t believe it either. She was gone before I could say thank you, but this is great. Now we can buy these gifts and get some groceries.”

I smiled too. Crazy how fast things could change, especially for the better.

We moved ahead in line, the tired-looking cashier finally in view. The guy, who didn’t look much older than us, wore a Santa hat but looked like he was so over Christmas.

My phone buzzed in my back pocket, and I pulled it out. Harper took control of the cart while I read the message.

Jesse: Hey, we made it through the first leg of our flight back, but the airport just announced delays until further notice. Big snowstorm just started a few minutes ago :/ Looks like we may be spending Christmas Eve here. Which really stinks because I miss you.

“Oh no,” I said out loud.

Ella: :( Let me know if something changes?

Harper looked over my shoulder. “What is it?”

I met her gaze. “It’s Jesse. His flight back to Atlanta is delayed. He doesn’t think he’ll make it back in time.”

Harper frowned.

Jesse: I’ll let you know. But my parents said we’re gonna head to a hotel. Hopefully the weather will clear up tomorrow.

I bit my lip, tears welling up in my eyes. Harper put her arm around me.

“I’m really sorry,” she said.

“Me too,” I replied. “I just really wanted to see him before I left tomorrow. I can’t believe it’s going to be two more weeks before I see him.”

I tried to think positive but couldn’t come up with anything. Usually, I was good at seeing the bright side of things, and so was Harper, but right now, there was nothing.

“I feel like I just rained on your parade,” I said with a small smile.

She squeezed my hand. “Don’t worry about it. Getting to deliver these presents, not to mention wrapping them, and Tori’s party will get your mind off of not seeing Jesse.”

I nodded. She was right. I couldn’t let this ruin the rest of our night, no matter how disappointed I felt right now.

“Besides,” Harper went on. “Maybe you guys can Skype later? Or maybe he’ll get here in time to meet you at the airport tomorrow? That’s better than not seeing him at all.”

“Yeah,” I said. “Maybe we can hang out at the airport for a few minutes or something. If his flight gets here before mine leaves.”

It was only a small ray of hope, but I clung on to it.

All I wanted for Christmas was Jesse.