Page 60 of Soldier's Chrismas Hope
“What’s Carla’s Place?” Nora asked.
“It used to be a house, but now it’s sort of a hangout for the older folks in Trinity Falls,” he explained. “They wouldloveto see the kids.”
“That sounds great,” Nora told him. “Do you think these guys will be okay down here, or should I bring them up to my room?”
“I’ll check on them when I go for the horses,” River said. “And if their mama comes back, it’s better if I can get to them easily.”
“Still no sign of her?” Nora asked.
“Not yet,” he said. “Kids are taking it hard, huh?”
“Can you blame them?” she asked him.
“Not at all,” he said, shaking his head.
She felt an urge to sit at the table and talk and cry with him, show him all that was in her heart—her fears and hopes for the kids, and her worries about whether they would ever feel safe.
But she had made herself a promise, and she had to see it through.
“Well, I guess I’ll head up to bed,” she told him. “If the kittens need me, I’m sure they willlet me know.”
He nodded to her, and she headed up the stairs.
“You’re a good woman, Nora Young,” he said, just as she turned at the landing.
He knows exactly why I’m not staying down there,she thought to herself with relief.
It was a lonely feeling to go to bed without the cozy chat she had grown accustomed to. But as she tossed and turned and tried to ease herself to sleep, his words echoed comfortingly in her head.
16
RIVER
River walked up Park Avenue the next day with a spring in his step. The taste of snow was in the air, the shops were decorated cheerfully, and he had his favorite people with him.
He had taken the kids for a little walk around town while Noraran a few errands, but now they were all together again.
Of course she had really been buying the children’s Christmas presents. And she had been as thrilled as could be to have the chance to surprise them, with River’s help to look after them while she shopped.
The whole thing gave him a bittersweet pleasure.
He’d felt lonesome drinking his tea alone last night before heading back to the cottage, but the truth was that he didn’t blame her for not falling into his arms. He felt conflicted himself over his feelings for Nora.
It had been good to take the opportunity to center himself and remember all the things that were going well in his life. He finally owned the farm he had dreamed of.His parents were alive and healthy, and close by enough to drop in.
And other feelings aside, he was grateful to have Nora’s friendship. Giving the kids this special Christmas was a privilege, and maybe a chance to practice the skills he hoped to use one day as a father.
He also had the chance to try and come to terms with the fact that he was going to see his brother soon, for better or worse. His mom had been right to remind him.
Though they clearly didn’t see eye to eye as far as what a marriage commitment meant, River loved Edward and he was determined to do his best to make things as right as he could with his brother.
Whatever he has to say for himself, I’ll hear him out. And I won’t take a swing at him even if he deserves it. He’s my brother.
He only hoped he could be as good as his word.
Taking care of the horses this morning had been another opportunity to anchor the peace he was trying to grow in himself. By the time he’d finished and gotten back, Nora and the kids were showing the kittens how to drink their formula from tiny bowls. Later today, they planned to try mixing in a little bit of the special wet kitten food the vet had given them.
“Look,” John-John said, scampering over to the window of the little real estate office and peering delightedly at the Victorian dollhouse that rested on a bed of cotton snow and was adorned with tiny Christmas decorations.
