CHAPTER 5
Madison’s mind raced as she considered Betsy’s requested gifts from Santa—an Easy-Bake oven, a pink bike, a Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine and a red velvet dress. She supposed she should be a responsible adult and tell the clerk to take the bike back.
She ran her fingers through her hair. “Damn it. Betsy deserves that bike. All the neighbor kids have a bike. I swore when my husband deserted us that Betsy would have a good life in spite of only having one parent.”
Madison heard rumblings, groans, and foot shuffling from patrons in line behind her. She glanced over her shoulder. A woman dressed in a navy business suit tapped her watch as she talked on a bedazzled cell phone. A heavy-set man folded his arms across his chest and glared at her. A young, obviously exasperated mom with a crying baby stared wide-eyed at Madison.
The clerk asked, “What’s your decision? I have many other customers, as you can see.”
Madison swallowed. “I guess I should-”
A well-dressed, handsome man in a suit and tie jumped the line and stood beside Madison. “Excuse me. Is there a problem?”
She bristled, assuming he, too, was in a huge hurry. “Sorry I’m taking so long. I have a situation.”
The man stood in place. “What kind of situation?”
The young clerk butted in. “Sir, I’ve got this. You need to take your place in line.”
The stranger didn’t move.
Madison stared at her feet, embarrassed, and mumbled, “I can’t afford to pay for the layaway items for my daughter.” She wiped a tear and pushed her hair behind her ears. “I was laid off.”
When she couldn’t meet his eyes, she noticed the man had shiny shoes that had obviously never stepped in a mud puddle. His crisp, white shirt and expensive watch smelled of money. Immediately, she was envious—and hurt. Why me? Why can’t I have nice shoes and a nice watch? What did I ever do to the world?
He fished out a brown leather wallet. “Let me help.”
Madison’s eyes bulged. “What? You don’t even know me. I can’t accept your money.”
“Please. I want to help. It’s the giving season.” He pulled out a silver Discover card and handed it to cashier.
The cashier’s eyebrows shot up. “Don’t you want to know the total first?”
The man said, “Doesn’t matter. Just close it out.”
For a moment, the employee stared at the credit card, then he held it in mid-air, as if wondering whether to proceed.
Madison flashed a grateful smile. “Are you sure? What if it’s five hundred dollars?”
He shrugged. “Somehow, I doubt that, but if it’s for your daughter’s Christmas, then it doesn’t matter.”
Madison’s mouth went dry. “This never happens to me. Nothing good ever happens to me.”
As the man waited for the employee to run his credit card, he peered at Madison. “One more thing. My business meeting was cancelled so I have a free hour. Let me buy you lunch at the deli across the street.”
Madison couldn’t believe her ears. A gorgeous man out of nowhere offered to pay off her layaway, plus he wanted to take her to lunch. She immediately regretted her dowdy jeans and drab, gray sweatshirt. She attempted to stand tall and poised, hoping it would take his mind off her dull clothes. “I’d love to go to lunch with you. And thank you from the bottom of my heart. You’ve made Betsy’s Christmas—and mine.”
As the cashier completed the transaction, the stranger placed the bagged toys in a nearby cart. “Ready?”
Madison pushed the tiny pink bike alongside the cart unable to get the indelible smile off her face. Her grin might as well have been a tattoo on her face.
Part of her wanted to cry from his generosity but she mostly wanted to throw her arms around this Good Samaritan’s neck. She decided to go with being elated and hoped her red, tear-stained, splotchy face would clear up before lunch.
As they strode through the jam-packed parking lot, the man asked, “Where are you parked?”
With her head, she pointed in the direction of her older white Camry. They walked in silence toward the car.
“Let me help you load these.”
Madison watched as the man gingerly handled the toys. He eased the bike into the trunk and wedged the toys around it so it wouldn’t roll.
He grinned. “Don’t forget and let your daughter open your trunk.”
Madison shifted her purse to her other shoulder. “Good thought but she won’t. She’s only five.”
He retrieved his car keys. “What’s her name?”
“Betsy.”
“That’s a nice name. I bet she’s as pretty as her mom.” His hazel eyes twinkled. Before Madison could respond, he asked, “Do you know how to get to Divine Deli down the street?”
Madison felt her cheeks blush from the compliment. Darn this stupid sweatshirt. Why couldn’t I have worn a black turtleneck and nice boots? She bobbed her head. “Yeah. I know where it is. See you in a minute.”
As she pulled out of the parking lot, she wondered if going to lunch with a strange man was such a great idea. Of course, the man had paid for her layaway ensuring her daughter would have a wonderful Christmas. He surely couldn’t be a bad guy with a heart like that.