Chapter Eighteen
LARISSA WATCHED AS Josh hoisted Darlene onto his shoulders so she could help hang some decorations around the edges of the roof, large ornaments that he had purchased that morning. Wrapping her arms around herself, she glanced around at the others gathered there, people she came to know since arriving Friday afternoon and some new faces, as well. Younger kids ran around the house, screaming and chasing each other as the older kids helped the adults decorate. A table had been set up with food and drinks, and people took their time decorating the house of someone they reverently called Old Man Tucker.
“This is amazing,” she said as she watched everyone work. “I’ve never seen people come together like this.”
Alanna nodded as she turned toward the table for a beer. “Yeah, w
