Donation

"Thanks so much for helping out at the last minute," Trish said to Mac as she parked the car in front of a quaint little cobblestone art gallery. "The local community was so generous to donate all of these art supplies, and I wanted to get them here before the gallery closes for the holidays."

As the two women carried the boxes inside, Mac admired the various forms of artwork on display – the wood and clay sculptures, the oil and watercolor paintings, and the simple pencil sketches and colorful drawings. Trish greeted everyone they passed with a friendly hello and well wishes for the holidays.

When they reached the end of the hallway, an older man was perusing the selection of paints in the storage closet, grumbling to himself about mixing primary and secondary colors.

"Merry Christmas, Edgar," Trish said pleasantly.

Edgar startled a little before his face dawned in recognition. "Oh, Merry Christmas, Trish," he said.

"Mac, this is Edgar," Trish introduced them. "He teaches one of our painting classes. Edgar, this is Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie."

Upon hearing Mac's military rank, Edgar scrutinized her from behind his thick glasses. "A lady Marine and a lieutenant colonel," he remarked in an unimpressed monotone. "Don't see too many of those around here."

"She's marrying my son on Christmas Eve," Trish informed him.

"Your son? I thought you said your son was in the Navy." Edgar frowned and gave Mac a stern glare. "Since when did jarheads start marrying squids?"

"Oh, Edgar," a syrupy sweet voice interrupted. "It's Christmas...don't be such a grinch."

Edgar glared at the newcomer to the conversation but snatched his batch of paints and went on his way, grumbling about how they no longer made Marines like they used to.

"Jennie!" Trish exclaimed. "Mac, I'd like you to meet Jennie, one of our mural painters. She's just been commissioned to paint a mural in downtown San Diego next year."

"Wow, congratulations," Mac said sincerely. "Nice to meet you."

"You as well," Jennie said, tossing her long, blond hair over her shoulder. "Now did I hear you say that Harmon Rabb, Junior, is getting married?"

Mac glanced curiously at Trish, and Trish cleared her throat, as if she knew Mac's question before it was asked. "Jennie…uh, used to date Harm in high school."

Mac raised an eyebrow as Jennie laughed a little self-consciously.

"Well, we went out a couple of times, but we were really just friends. Harm was always such a gentleman, but he was completely obsessed with flying."

"Doesn't sound like he's changed much," Mac deadpanned.

Jennie laughed again and tucked another loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Well, I'm really happy for both of you," she said. "It always seemed like Harm was looking for something in life, you know? I'm glad he finally found someone."

Jennie gave Mac a genuine smile, and Mac couldn't help but find herself smiling back.

"So am I."