Taylor sits back in her seat. “I’m sorry?”
“You’re not one of those young people who thinks senior citizens can’t get things done, are you?” Miss Lily asks.
“No one, and I mean not a soul in this town, would ever think that of you, Miss Lily,” Taylor says.
“Seconded,” I add.
“Good,” Miss Lily says, then pauses to sip her tea. “Did I not tell you I listened to Glynnis go on about this for years? I know everyone involved, from the mayor to Mr. Groggins. If you get an email or phone call, forward them to me. I can handle it for two days while you fetch reindeer.”
I wait for Taylor to object, but she sits in silence, studying Miss Lily. “Everyone will do what you tell them, won’t they?”
Miss Lily smiles. “Yes. Except Joyce Hardy. But I can handle her.”
“Oh, she’s already had her outburst this week,” Taylor says.
“Suggestive birdcalls. Rotary club,” I explain.
“Ah,” Miss Lily says. “That would do it. I do hope you told the Rotary Club to make their display extra prominent and possibly even demonstrate them anytime Joyce is near?”
“That seems to be Mr. Winters’s plan,” I tell her.
“Then the rest of the week will be easy,” Miss Lily says. “Not to take anything away from you, Taylor. You’ve been doing a fine job. But now you must go on a reindeer rescue mission.”
Taylor stares at Miss Lily with something like awe. Then her eyes meet mine, and a smile turns up the corners of her lips. “This is going to work,” she says.
I nod. It’s hard to doubt Miss Lily.
“I can’t thank you enough, Levi,” Taylor says, reaching over to clasp my forearm. She leans forward, her eyes serious. “When you walked in on that call, I was sure Christmas was wrecked for the townandRome. I can never repay you for this. You’ve got a favor to call in for life. Multiple favors, even!”
Miss Lily notes Taylor’s hand on my arm and takes another sip from her tea cup, but I could swear it’s hiding a smile.
“Oh, you can repay me, all right,” I tell Taylor. “You’re coming to my parents’ house after the café closes and breaking the news to my mom that you’re hijacking me for a few days after she barely got me back.”
She gets a hunted look. “You have a dragon I can slay instead or something?”
“Nope.”
“But your mom is going to kill me.”
“There’s a good chance, yeah.” When she looks like she’s second-guessing this whole plan, I add, “Remember the kids, Taylor.”
She casts a beseeching look at Miss Lily.
“I’m sorry,” Miss Lily says. “That one is beyond my abilities. But remember the kids.”
Taylor squares her shoulders. “For the kids.”
I nod. “For the kids.”
“So, um, when is your mom less likely to be violent when I drop this on her?”
“Never. You’re most likely dead meat.”
“Levi . . .” It’s pretty much a whine.
“For the kids, Bixby?”
She heaves a deep sigh. “For the kids.”
