8 Chapter 8

“Yeah. Thanks for the awesome tip,” he said, grinning. “That night was awful. I left that job a couple of weeks ago. Spent too much on gas. Plus driving in the winter sucks.”

Matthew nodded, eager to get on with the story.

“Anyway, I guess you didn’t recognize me at the store today, huh?”

Matthew cocked his head, staring at him. “Actually, I recognized your eyes.”

“My eyes?”

“Yeah.” He looked down, embarrassed. “I’ve never forgotten your eyes.” He smiled tentatively at Tyler and saw he was blushing at the compliment. “But with the combination of the white beard and Santa suit, I couldn’t place you.”

“Yeah, I figured.” He grinned. “Well, when your niece asked me for her wish, I got this crazy idea in my head and…well, here I am!” He spread his arms out wide, laughing.

“What do you mean, ‘her wish’?”

“She didn’t tell you?” Tyler asked, his eyes wide. “Well, crap.”

“Tell me,” Matthew urged.