Page 72 of Soldier's Chrismas Hope
Once the kids had helped Nora to drizzle vanilla glaze on the sweet confections, River packed the truck with thegifts they were bringing to put under his family’s tree, and they all headed out.
On the ride over, the children happily pointed out the snowy sights out the windows. But Nora was quiet and withdrawn.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” River asked her quietly.
“I am,” she said, nodding. “We didn’t split on bad terms or anything. Our lives are just going in different directions. I still wish him well. I hope he feels the same.”
Me too,River thought to himself.
He mostly had faith in his brother. He just hoped it was well placed.
When they pulled up in front of the house, the kids were already wiggling in their seats to get out.
River’s parents had a beautiful manger scene in the front yard that included cows and sheep gathered around to watch over the child and his family.
“That’s ababysheep,” John-John was squeaking.
“It’s called a lamb,” Pixie told him. “And it’sso cute.”
“Let’s go see it,” Nora told them with a smile as they scrambled out. “It’s set up so nicely for looking at. But remember, we’re not going to touch it, right?”
“Okay,” John-John said, a little sadly.
They were admiring the scene when the front door opened and River’s mom popped out on the porch.
“Hello, everyone,” she said brightly. “Happy Christmas Eve.”
“Happy Christmas Eve,” the kids chorused back.
“Thank you so much for having us,” Nora added.
“Well, come on in,” River’s mom said. “I’ve got bacon and eggs just off the stove.”
“We made cinnamon buns,” Pixie said with a radiant smile.
River watched his mother, his heart in his mouth.
But he’d had no need to worry. Her face melted into a genuine smile at the sweet little girl’s enthusiasm.
“Oh, cinnamon rolls are my husband’sfavorite,” she told Pixie warmly.
“I like your baby sheep,” John-John said in a nice loud voice.
“Thank you,” she laughed. “Did you know they havereallambs at Cassidy Farm in the springtime? If you come back for a visit, maybe you’ll see them.”
Come back for a visit?That was promising.
“We were there,” Pixie exclaimed in delight. “That’s where River cut down a tree.”
“He did, huh?” his mom asked, gesturing for everyone to follow her.
The kids trailed her into the house, chattering about the farm, the tree, the decorations, and everything else under the sun.
River felt himself breathing a little easier.
“Ready?” he asked Nora, who was holding back a little.
“Yes,” she told him. “Definitely.”
