“Nothing.”
“Bear,” she started to protest, but I held up my hand to stop her.
“There was no charge because there was nothing to fix,” I explained. She didn’t need to know I’d planned on taking care of it for her if there was.
“Also, I talked to Spazz a few minutes ago. He hasn’t been able to find anything to suggest Carter Perry might be following you.”
“Then, it was probably nothing,” she said and waved her hand dismissively before she quickly looked away. “But I appreciate you both taking the time to look into it.”
“Mommy,” Brinkley called from the living room, where she was staring up at the tree. “How are we gonna reach the top?”
“Well, Brink, that’s a good question.”
“Mr. Bear, can you reach the top?”
“Maybe with a ladder,” I joked.
“Mommy, do we have a ladder? Mr. Bear needs one to reach the top of the tree,” she squealed with excitement. “He can put the star on, and then Candy can come for Christmas!”
Mackenzie sighed. “Is it too late to exchange it for a smaller tree?”
“I was more up close and personal with that tree than I’ve been with any human in a long time. For that reason alone, yes, it’s too late to return it.”
“Okay then. Let me go fetch the ladder.”
“Is it the one hanging in the garage?” I asked.
“It is.”
“I’ll get it,” I said and brought it to the living room to set up in front of the tree.
“Hold on,” Mackenzie said. “I’m going to need food before tackling a project of this size.”
“I could eat.”
“Can we have McDonald’s?” Brinkley asked.
“I don’t know about that, but I’ll make sure to order something you like.”
“Thank you, Mommy. I love you,” she smiled and returned to her toys.
Mackenzie laughed. “She must be trying to finagle her way into getting a milkshake too.”
I shrugged. “Fast food is fine with me, if that’s okay with you.”
“It is today. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until we started talking about food.”
When I offered to pick up the food, Mackenzie grinned and suggested we all go in her car.
Curious as to what was in store, I readily agreed.
When we pulled up to the window to pay for our order, the woman turned to repeat the total and jumped back with a short scream.
“Boo!” Brinkley shouted from the back seat before she erupted in a fit of giggles.
I looked back to see her waving to the cashier, and wearing a hockey mask.
“She’s been doing that for about six months now,” Mackenzie laughed. “And I have no idea why.”