Page 12 of Soldier's Chrismas Hope
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NORA
Afew hours later, Nora sat in the passenger seat of River’s truck, feeling a little twinge of anticipation as he signaled to turn into the long driveway of his farmhouse.
We’re going to see horses…
She still couldn’t believe that they were doing this.
Stealing a quick peek at the back seat, she saw the kids weren’t even going to realize they had arrived until she woke them. John-John had drifted off almost as soon as they left the city. But Pixie was sleeping now too, her little hand still wrapped around her brother’s.
“Will this ruin their night’s sleep?” River asked softly.
“Oh, they’ll be fine,” Nora told him. “They might be a little cranky tomorrow morning, but I’m sure they’ll sleep well tomorrow night after a day spent outside.”
“That’s good,” River said. “It’s going to be so much fun having you guys here.”
The truck rumbled over the gravel path. Even in the pale moonlight, Nora could make out that they weresurrounded by snow-covered fields. It was incredible to see so muchspacearound them.
As they came to a stop, John-John awoke with a whimper.
“You’re okay,” she told him gently. “We’re going to spend the weekend in the country, remember?”
“Horses,” John-John murmured.
“Exactly,” Nora told him. “We just have to get inside and go right to bed so you have lots of energy tomorrow for exploring.”
“Pixie,” John-John said. “Pixie, wake up. We’re at afarm.”
Pixie blinked awake quickly, looking a little alarmed.
“We’re going to see horses, Pixie,” John-John told her encouragingly. “It’s just like Bear Haven.”
Pixie smiled at her little brother.
“We’ll see them in the morning,” Nora told her. “For now, we just want to get inside and get settled for the night.”
“Okay,” Pixie said.
“You guys are my very first guests,” River said happily as he turned off the engine and opened his door, letting in a burst of crisp, cold air. “I’m so glad you decided to have a farm adventure this weekend.”
Nora hopped out of the truck and slung her backpack over her shoulder before opening the rear passenger door to lift John-John from his car seat.
He snuggled into her arms, wrapping his legs around her waist, and she figured it was easier to just carry him than to put him down.
Pixie scrambled down and squeezed out right behindhim, with both her own backpack and John-John’s. When she got to the ground, she grabbed Nora’s free hand.
They walked around the truck together and followed after River to the house. It was a plain, white clapboard farmhouse, but something about it looked so homey. It seemed to almost glow in the moonlight.
“You can seeallthe stars,” Pixie whispered, her little face awed as she looked up at the night sky.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Nora said.
“Where’s the big horse?” John-John whispered as he looked around, clearly not interested in something as boring as stars when the possibility of horses was on the table. “And the little one?”
“They’re sleeping in the barn right now,” River said as he jogged up the porch steps. “If you want, you can come with me tomorrow to see them.”
Nora smiled at the idea. She hadn’t really worked with larger animals since she was in veterinary school, but she had always loved horses.
