Page 81 of Soldier's Chrismas Hope
“They’re waiting in the barn,” River told her. “So that we can set up their surprise first.”
“What is it?” John-John asked.
River opened the wooden gate and led them over to agood-sized evergreen tree that grew near the fence. He’d brought a ladder out here earlier, and it was leaned on the split rail. He had also cleared away some of the snow around the tree, and knocked most of the snow off the branches.
“I thought we could decorate a tree for the horses and the birds,” River told them. “I thought that could beourspecial Christmas tradition, if you guys agree.”
Pixie’s eyes lit up and John-John began jumping up and down in place.
“Yes,” John-John said excitedly. “Yes, yes,yes.”
“River, this is such a special idea,” Nora said.
Her blue eyes were lit up brighter than the lights on any Christmas tree, and he wanted to kiss her so badly that he thought he might forget how to breathe.
Soon,he reminded himself, willing his thundering heart to slow.We’ll be married soon, and I can kiss her all I want.
They had talked about it last night and decided to marry as soon as they could get a license. He hoped that would be quick, because it was torture to behave himself now that he knew she loved him too.
He dragged his eyes from hers and crouched to set down the crate. Inside were carrots, halved apples, and strings of small pinecones painted with peanut butter and dipped in birdseed.
“I made these last night when I had the idea,” River said. “But next Christmas, we can make loads more.”
“We’re gonna put these on the tree?” John-John asked.
“Yes,” River said. “We’re making Christmas for the animals.”
“This is a very good idea,” Pixie told River, her eyes serious.
In no time at all, he was up on the ladder, weaving the strands of pinecone feeders among the branches, up high enough that only the birds and squirrels could reach them. Nora and the kids arranged the apples and carrots in the lower branches, at just the right height for the horses to find.
When they were finished, they all stepped back to admire their handiwork.
“It’s beautiful,” Nora declared.
“If Farmer Bear had thought of this, it would be in his book,” Pixie decided.
“Can we get the horses now?” John-John asked plaintively. “I want them to see their surprise.”
“You stay here,” River told him with a smile. “Keep a lookout for birds while I grab Peter and Tinkerbell.”
By the time he got back with the horses, there were already some chickadees and a cardinal couple singing and pecking at their Christmas treats.
The horses ran off their energy for a moment before cantering over to see why everyone was standing by the tree.
As soon as Tinkerbell found the first apple and started crunching, Peter got the idea and joined her, pulling a carrot from between two branches with his teeth and making Pixie giggle.
They watched the animals enjoy their treats until sunlight filled the meadow, glittering in the snow and lighting up the faces of the people River loved most in the world.
Later that morning,they had their own special feast at his parents’ house.
The kids opened their gifts and were thrilled. River was impressed that Nora had found the perfect books for both kids. John-John seemed to enjoy his little racetrack and cars too, and Pixie loved the set of wooden blocks that included turret shapes for making castles.
Afterwards, the adults relaxed over cups of coffee, talking about Christmases past, while the children read and played.
Nora had told River that his brother was seeing someone and that she had encouraged him to bring her by today, and River was glad to see that he had.
Anita was shy but lovely, with big brown eyes that looked even larger because of her glasses, and a way of looking at Edward that made River pretty sure that this time his brother had found a love that would last.
