24
At first, Tigger’s absence cast a sadness over the Christmas celebrations, but quickly everyone rallied as if they were determined to cheer up Isabelle. Lyle kept a close eye on her for the rest of the day. He missed Tigger too, but not with the intensity that Isabelle did. Then again, she threw herself body and soul into everything she did, so it was no wonder she’d taken his departure so hard.
Once the insane gift-giving spree began, no one could stay sad for long. It was a crazy process of scrambling all over the lodge, then radioing the recipient of whatever present you managed to find.
The gifts were mostly fairly simple. Gracie had knitted hats for everyone, including Lyle. He was honored to wear the pink and purple-striped creation even though he knew how ridiculous he looked
