Holiday Tales by Kit Tunstall

Author:Kit Tunstall
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: holiday stories, sweet romance, family life
Publisher: Amourisa Press
Published: 2016-12-05T00:00:00+00:00

Christmas Bandit

“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Donahue.” Ellen nodded at her neighbor as she gave her Christmas greeting in a cheery voice.

Mrs. Donahue scowled in return, contorting her wrinkled face into an expression even less pleasant than usual. She clutched her mail tighter against her chest and urged her nervous poodle into her house. The door slammed behind her seconds later.

Kyle shook his head as he opened the front door. “Why do you bother, honey? She’s ignored your every attempt at conversation the three years we’ve lived next door.”

Ellen walked through the living room and dropped the bag of groceries on the kitchen table. As Kyle followed her into the room, she said, “Someday, that old lady will say ‘Merry Christmas’ in return.”

He snorted as he opened the fridge and reached for the orange juice. “Sure, hon. She’s the biggest bi—”

“How about a glass?” She grinned at him as she opened the cabinet near her and handed him a plastic glass.

He took it and filled the glass, taking time to have a drink before continuing the conversation. “I’ve never seen her crack a smile. She doesn’t even grunt when you say hello. I swear that woman memorized A Christmas Carol and adopted Scrooge’s outlook.”

***

Ellen started unloading the grocery bag. “I love Christmas. I have to share my cheer.”

He laughed. “Not even the Christmas Bandit shares his cheer with her.”

She sniffed. “Just because the mysterious person who goes around leaving fruitcakes for the neighbors isn’t generous enough to include Mrs. Donahue doesn’t mean I should ignore her too.”

He put down the glass on the counter and stepped forward to put his arms around her. “If it makes you feel better, I won’t say another word.”

Ellen elbowed Kyle gently in the ribs. “You’re just smug because you figure my attempts are over for another year.”

“After tonight,” he agreed. “Now, how about we sit by the fire, open an early Christmas present, and forget about the scrooge next door?”

Ellen sighed and allowed Kyle to lead her from the kitchen. She didn’t feel like arguing with Kyle about her determination to bring a little holiday cheer to the old woman.

***

Ellen crept from the bed at two in the morning, careful not to wake Kyle. She didn’t turn on the light as she fumbled in the dresser for a pair of black sweatpants and a sweater. She slipped into the bathroom to dress before tiptoeing through the bedroom. Kyle continued snoring as she closed the door behind her.

Once she cleared the hallway, Ellen didn’t worry about working in darkness. Her husband was a sound sleeper, and he wouldn’t hear a marching band go through their kitchen. She flicked on the light switch and walked to the shelf to take down a cookbook. She flipped to the cake section and found fruitcakes. Her eyes widened as she read the instructions.

Mrs. Donahue wouldn’t know the difference, would she? She never interacted with the neighbors, so she wouldn’t realize the Christmas Bandit usually left fruitcakes. Since none of the others in the neighborhood even tried to talk to her, no one would tell her any differently.

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