Free The Christmas Joy Ride by Melody Carlson Page B

like attacking the aisles of Walmart? It is just four shopping days until Christmas. This place looks pretty packed.”
    Joy let out a weary sigh. “Yes . . . I suppose it might be rather busy in there.”
    â€œHow about if I do the shopping?” Miranda offered suddenly. “You can stretch out on the bed in back and have a little nap.”
    Joy brightened slightly. “You know, that sounds rather nice, dear.”
    â€œAnd when I’m done, I’ll hunt us down something good for lunch,” Miranda assured her. “We can just eat in here.”
    â€œYes, that would be nice.” Joy pointed to her red and green notebook. “I have the names and ages of all the Mahoney children in there. Look in the Oklahoma City section.” She was fishing something from her handbag.
    Miranda reached for Joy’s notebook, flipping to the right section to look over the names of the kids.
    â€œUse this.” Joy handed her a Visa card. “Just sign my name for me. I doubt anyone will notice or care.”
    â€œYou’re sure?” Miranda thought about using one of her own credit cards, except they were all nearly maxed out. That was the result of being jobless these past six months, and something she preferred not to dwell on right now. “What’s the limit? I mean, per child?”
    Joy frowned. “I don’t have the slightest clue. What do you think?”
    â€œTwenty dollars a person?”
    â€œGoodness, that seems a bit stingy, Miranda. Surely we can do better than that. How about fifty?”
    â€œFifty per child?”
    â€œUnless you see something really wonderful that costs more. And older kids’ presents might be more expensive. Take that into consideration too. And be sure to get something for the parents too. We can say it’s from the kids. And how about a couple bags of fun groceries? You know the fun kinds of things that families on a budget can’t always afford? Food that feels like a party?”
    â€œUh-huh.” Miranda grabbed a pen. “Let me write this down. I don’t want to miss something.”
    â€œJust do your best, dear. I trust you implicitly.”
    As Miranda hurried into the store, she wasn’t so sure about this shopping mission. Buying gifts and food for eight people she’d never met—well, that could be a challenge at best. And she really wanted to get it right. As much for Joy’s sake as for the Mahoneys.

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    B efore long, Miranda was cruising the crowded aisles and pressing into “rolled-back prices” with the best of them. This was a whole new world to her, but she kind of liked it. With her list in front of her and canned Christmas music playing merrily in her ears, she quickly got her bearings and figured out the lay of the store.
    â€œPut on your Santa,” she whispered to herself as she studied the list she’d compiled in the RV. She’d started with the youngest kids’ names, leaving a space to fill in with whatever she selected for them—just to keep things on track. Her plan was to check the names off as she located just the right gifts. But the more she shopped and perused the store, the more she realized this wasn’t as easy as she’d expected. It took some time and careful thinking. And even some heartfelt prayers for divine direction.Would five-year-old Katie really want a tea set? Would eight-year-old Benjamin already have a soccer ball?
    Ninety minutes and two overflowing carts later—and with the assistance of a tall and helpful employee named Tower—Miranda was loading her loot into the RV. With Joy watching in amusement, Miranda piled bag after bag on the floor by the door, then waded on through. “I can’t believe your credit card didn’t go up in smoke when they totaled the purchase.” She handed Joy her card as well as the receipt. “I hope I didn’t spend too much.”
    â€œDon’t worry about