SHIFT EXCHANGE

Chapter 30

They cruised down Main Street in the cold gray of a Christmas Eve on their way to the doctor's office. All the store fronts were decked out in fresh garlands of fir boughs trimmed with wide, bright, red bows. The city had hung LED backlit holiday flags from all the street lights and strands of lights crisscrossed the sky above the downtown district.

Kara navigated the roundabout in the center of town that split the quaint, downtown shopping district to the north from the slightly more modern blocks of business offices to the south. The red brick buildings at the south end of town, while still historic and picturesque, had been refurbished inside to accommodate the lawyers, doctors and CPA's who called them home.

Kara remembered the big battle and news fiasco that had been 10 years ago with the historical society orchestrating a sit-in trying to ban the refurbishing. Their little town was nothing if not fierce.

In the center of the roundabout was the prize of downtown. A 16 foot tall Douglas Fir Christmas tree wrapped in sparkling LED lights and topped with a bright shining star.

"I can't believe tomorrow is Christmas." Kara breathed wistfully. With all the business of work and taking care of Jake she'd barely gotten anything done. She had one long time customer coming in who only wanted to rent a room. She'd assured Kara she would be spending most all of her time with family and simply needed a place to lay her head. Kara promised to have breakfast ready and waiting in the morning with a large pot of coffee. Her guest would be dining out for the rest of her meals which allowed Kara to breathe a sigh of relief.

Anita had invited Kara to come over for Christmas as she did for all the holidays that they were not at work for. She'd kindly extended the invitation to Jake as well, acknowledging he and Kara were a couple.

Now that Jake would be getting his stitches removed he'd be able to wear regular pants and he was getting around much better; with barely a limp. She hadn't asked him to come to Anita's with her yet, but he hadn't mentioned any other plans.

They pulled up in front of Jake's doctor's office and Kara put the car in park. "Do you want me to come in with you?"

"No. I think I can gimp in there and have the threads pulled out of my butt by myself." He shot her one of those heart stopping smiles. "You gone on with your shopping and I'll call you when he's done."

Kara nodded and leaned over to kiss him. "I'll just be down the street. I still have Anita and her family to shop for."

"So what your saying is you've already gotten my present?" He returned her kiss and pulled away with her eyebrow raised in a devilish look.

"Maybe, maybe not." She returned his stare with a completely blank one.

"Fine." He tried to fake pout, but failed. "See you in a few." Jake opened the car door and carefully lifted and slid himself out and onto his feet. As Kara watched he limped carefully up the curb, across the sidewalk, and into the building.

Kara checked the traffic flow and pulled carefully back onto the roadway. She went around the roundabout one more time and parallel parked midway down the 4 blocks of the uptown shopping district.

Making sure that her ringer was turned up to hear his call she entered the Toy Emporium. After twenty minutes of searching and weighing her options she finally purchased suitable gifts for the twins and made her way next door to the Man Cave.

Contrary to his assumption, she'd not yet gotten his gift. Not for lack of trying; she'd gone out in search several times, but nothing had called out to her as 'the gift'. Anita suggested checking out the Man Cave since it catered to men.

Kara was assaulted by the sweet smell of pipe tobacco and mahogany as the door closed behind her. The whole store was outfitted in dark colors, leather, and wood. It emanated a very masculine aura. She looked around and decided to start a circular search to her right.