It's the middle of a very cold December, and Charlie Mayburn is in desperate need of a seasonal night manager at his self-storage facility. When he comes across a résumé from his childhood sweetheart, Lonnie "Mack" McDaniel, he’s beyond surprised. Mack left right after high school, determined to see the world and abandoning both Charlie and their small town for greener pastures. So what’s he doing back twenty years later? As he's desperate and Mack is the most qualified applicant, Charlie hires him on the spot, along with leasing him a ten-by-ten unit. Mack does good work, but something’s off about him. He's very secretive, often bedraggled, and has holes in his well-worn shoes. Definitely not the clean-cut Mack Charlie grew up with. When Charlie discovers, quite by accident, that Mack has been living in the storage unit he rented -- in the middle of winter -- he takes matters in hand. He offers Mack a place to stay, no strings attached. It takes some doing, but Charlie finally gets Mack to tell him how he ended up homeless. The tale almost breaks his heart, but Charlie is determined to take care of his long lost friend, no matter what. Perhaps this Christmas, both men can find their way through old hurts and forge a new beginning, with good will for all.

And Good Will to All

“Heya, Charles!” He pulled me into a firm hug, then turned to my companion. “And Lonnie McDaniel, it’s good to have you back with us, for however long that is.” He gave Mack a hug, too, which Mack reluctantly returned.


“Uh, thanks,” Mack replied. Sensing his discomfort, Jerome stepped back and waved us on.


We entered the house, and Jerome took our coats.


The place was wall-to-wall people. I could see Jenna in the crowd. She looked up and waved us over. I greeted people along the way, re-introducing them to Lonnie as we moved slowly through the throng. Everyone remembered him, and they were kind and welcoming. I could feel Mack relaxing beside me as we went along.


Jenna embraced us, one after the other. “I’m sooo happy you made it, guys! Isn’t it great? I think the only person not here is Cecil.”


“Yeah, and he made me promise to bring him some of your fruitcake.”


“I have it in a container, ready and waiting.” She grinned at us.


Chapter 10