Page 13 of Soldier's Chrismas Hope
By now, John-John was getting a little wiggly. Nora bent and put him down, then took the backpacks from Pixie, who grabbed her brother’s hand as they ran up the steps together.
River opened the front door and ducked inside. Immediately, the porch and entry area were illuminated.
Nora followed the kids, who were waiting at the door.
“Come on in,” River said from inside. “I’m just turning on some lamps.”
When Nora had caught up to the kids, they all went in together.
Nora and Alma and their parents had only spent afew years in Tarker County when she was younger, but this whole adventure already brought back so many memories.
The walls of the farmhouse were hung with old-fashioned flowery paper and there were exposed wooden beams in the plaster ceiling. Even the slightly earthy scent of the house felt like home.
“I just bought the place,” River said. “So I haven’t made any changes yet. But the bones are good, and it’s got a new roof and wiring.”
She didn’t know what kind of changes he had in mind, but Nora decided that she already liked the house very much just the way it was.
“It’s just like Farmer Bear’s house,” John-John squeaked before she could say so.
“That’s their favorite book,” Nora told River. “And we love that house. Right, guys?”
“Yes,” Pixie said seriously. “It has a ceiling just like this, and a fireplace just like that, but with a big pot in it.”
“Wow,” River said. “That sounds really cool. I wonder if I should get a big pot. Sounds like my kind of book.”
“We brought it,” John-John said excitedly. “Webroughtthe book, so you can read it.”
“I’d like that,” River told him.
But John-John didn’t respond, because he had spotted the long hallway just off the living room.
“Race you, Pixie,” the little guy shouted, his feet already moving before the words were even out.
“Oh goodness,” Nora said.
But it was too late to stop them. Before she even hadtime to think about trying, the two had flown down the hallway toward the dim light at the end.
“They’re used to only being able to run in the hallway of the condo,” she told River apologetically as she took off after them. “This hallway is so much longer. I guess it’s irresistible.”
“Not a problem,” he told her. “There’s nothing here for them to hurt. And I keep a nightlight on in the kitchen in case I want to come down for a snack.”
“A man after their own hearts,” Nora couldn’t help laughing. “We get up for drinks of water and snacks in the night too, sometimes.”
She expected some more running, but when they reached the kitchen the children were at a standstill. They both stared up at the ceiling, where there were copper pots and pans hanging from racks, and what looked like some dried herbs too.
“It’s like a witch’s house,” Pixie whispered, her eyes wide.
“Oh, those are just very fancy pots and pans,” Nora told her. “And some nice spices.”
“The lady who moved out of this house was very sweet,” River said. “She loved to cook. And she left lots of her things behind.”
“She was a good witch, Pixie,” John-John decided.
“Does anyone need a drink of water before bedtime?” Nora asked.
The kids both did, so River opened a cupboard, pulled out amber glass cups, and filled them with water from a pitcher in the refrigerator.
They all sat down at the wooden table to enjoy theirdrinks. The house was so still and peaceful. The occasional gurgle from the radiators and the rattle of the old windows when the wind picked up were the only sounds.
