Page 2 of A Little Christmas Wish

She’d opened up a lot since then. Bandit and the boys had helped a lot. It was hard to remain aloof with Baron and Royal.

“Why don’t you go home and sit down with your feet up,” Zippy told her. “You look pale. Have some chocolate milk. You like chocolate milk.”

“You like chocolate milk,” Betsy said.

The smile on Zippy’s face was far too innocent. “Oh yeah. Also, you might be out of chocolate milk. I might have drunk it all this morning.”

Of course she had. Betsy bit back a smile. “I’ll make sure there is some when you get home.”

Zippy suddenly looked uncertain before she quickly wiped that look off her face.

Drat.

Betsy wished Zippy would talk to her when she felt unsure.

It will come with time.

“You got this, Zippy?” Ink asked, crouching down.

A rush of love filled Betsy. It was hard to believe that this was her life. With this man.

Who loved her for who she was. And loved her boys. Who took care of them all with an ease and confidence that was inspiring.

A happy sigh left her and both Ink and Zippy glanced at her.

“You okay, Brown eyes?” Ink asked.

“Ah, yep. Just happy.”

“You’re happy that I drank all the chocolate milk and Baron is going to blow up his school?” Zippy shook her head. “Doesn’t take much to make you happy, Betsy.”

No. She guessed it didn’t.

“I got this,” Zippy told Ink. “Not my first day starting a new school, you know. So long as no one calls me Zipporah.”

She hated her full name.

“I’ve told the teacher not to call you that,” Betsy reassured her.

“All right. You’ve got your lunch?” Ink asked.

“Yep.”

“Know where you’re going?”

“Royal mapped the school out for me. I know where everything is.”

“Who is your teacher?” Ink asked.

“Miss Peach. Awesome name.”

“And what are you going to do if anyone gives you any trouble?”

“Punch them in the nose.”

“That’s my girl,” Ink said, fist-bumping her.

Oh, dear Lord.

---