Rachel searched.

Nothing.

She checked inventory.

The computer showed zero.

Gideon sighed.

“I'll find it somewhere else.”

Rachel looked at him.

“Wait.”

She picked up the phone.

“I'm calling the manager.”

A few minutes later, she returned.

“There might be one at another store.”

“How far?”

“Forty minutes.”

Gideon smiled.

“Let's go.”

Rachel laughed.

“You're really committed.”

“Yes.”

The store manager offered to hold it.

Gideon thanked him.

Before leaving, Rachel handed him a small bag.

“What is this?”

“A gift.”

Inside was a princess storybook.

Gideon looked at it.

“You don't have to.”

“I know.”

He smiled.

“Thank you.”

Outside, he loaded the dolls into his truck.

Before leaving, he looked at the motorcycle parked near the entrance.

Then he smiled.

The massive biker who had frightened half the store was now surrounded by princess dolls.

It was almost funny.

He drove to the other location.

The doll was waiting.

The employee handed it to him.

“Cinderella?”

“Yes.”

“Last one.”

Gideon looked at the box.

He smiled.

“This is the one.”

He paid.

Then he drove home.

But he did not know that Sophie was waiting.

And she had no idea what was coming.

When Gideon arrived home, Sophie was sitting at the kitchen table doing homework.

She looked up.

“You're late.”

“I know.”

“Where were you?”

“Shopping.”

“For what?”

Gideon smiled.

“Nothing important.”

Sophie narrowed her eyes.

“You're lying.”

“I'm not.”

“You are.”

Gideon laughed.

“Finish your homework.”

Sophie sighed.

Later that evening, Gideon told her to close her eyes.

“Why?”

“Just do it.”

“Grandpa.”

“Trust me.”

Sophie closed her eyes.

Gideon opened the garage door.

The dolls were everywhere.

Boxes lined the walls.

Princess castles.

Princess cars.

Princess bedrooms.

Princess accessories.

And, in the center, an enormous castle playset Gideon had secretly ordered online.

Sophie opened her eyes.

She froze.

For several seconds, she said nothing.

Gideon waited.