Page 20 of The Mistletoe Wish

In the middle of helping his grandmother out of the rickshaw – despite her hand slapping and exclamations that she required no such help – he smiled and nodded.

It struck Sara how much of a team this young couple were – they were a complete unit. Standing shoulder to shoulder. Their mutual respect and love were truly something to behold; and while Sara liked them both very much, wistfulness stabbed deep. She blinked away sudden moisture. What would it be like to have that kind of relationship?

“I’m not in my dotage yet, Dodge. Now get out of my way while I cross the creek. That birthday cake is calling me.” With a huff and a toss of her long grey hair, Edwina hitched the hem of the scarlet and lime-green filmy dress she wore and flitted across the boulders with the grace and surety of a teenager.

“Damnit, Gran!” Her grandson ran after her, arms outstretched as if ready to catch her should she fall.

“You can both give the gift to Gran. But Kaylee will carry it across the creek.” Snatching Tilly up into her arms, Tessa picked her away from one slippery boulder to the next until she reached the other side. She ensured she was blocking the view of Kaylee, and no doubt the basket her daughter was carrying.

Accompanied by squeals and gasps, everyone else quickly scrambled over. No one wanted to miss the main event.

“Sit here, Gran.” Dodge all but pushed Edwina into a camp chair. He then clapped Troy on the shoulder saying, “Thanks, mate. Everything looks fantastic.”

Troy laughed. “No worries. Natalie did most of the work. I was just the labourer.”

“Well? What are you all waiting for?” Edwina’s eyes fastened on Kaylee and the basket with a hungry gleam.

“Nothing gets past you, Gran,” Dodge chuckled.

“I need my smokes.” She began to slap at her dress.

Her best friend, Pamela Brown, scowled. “Not now, Edwina.”

Dodge moved to stand beside his wife who placed Tilly onto the ground. Kaylee took her sister’s hand, and they moved forward together. Clearing his throat, Dodge said in a husky voice, “This is for you.”

Kaylee laid the basket on Edwina’s lap while Tilly leaned close to her side.

Everyone crowded forward. No one spoke as if they all held their breaths. As for Sara, she watched with a lump in her throat, knowing how bitter-sweet this moment was for the old lady and her family.

Edwina opened the lid. Sucked in her breath. She hesitated; her hands poised above the open basket. Then she dived inside and brought out a squirming, black and tan puppy with super long floppy ears. He had a small slash of white down his chest and his tail was wagging overtime.

Kaylee took the basket away and slipped an arm around Edwina’s shoulders.

Dodge stepped forward to place a gentle kiss on the top of her grey head. “We all miss Rufus, and he can never be replaced. He was our best mate, but he was your best mate most of all. What do you say, Granny? Is it okay to add another member to our family?”

“He’s perfect.” A few tears slipped from her eyes and slid down her wrinkled cheeks. “Yes. Oh, yes.” With a grin beaming from ear to ear, Edwina settled the dashhound puppy on her lap. “I’m going to call him, Boris.”

“Boris! Ick.” Kaylee pulled a face.

Edwina winked. “I knew a Boris once.”

“Not again!” Pamela threw her hands in the air and her sister, Beatrix giggled.

Kaylee planted a kiss on the side of her grandmother’s face. “Oh, in that case, I love the name Boris. Happy birthday, Granny.”

“Thank you, child.”

Tilly demanded, “I want to hold him.”

“You can sit on my lap but you have to be gentle. He’s only a baby.” Gran lifted the puppy in the air as Tilly slid over her knees. “Now, where’s my cake?”

People began to drift away. The vicar, Florrie Miller steered her husband, Jonas, over to a camp chair and got him settled with an iced tea. Beatrix and Maki pulled out a couple of bottles of their home-made organic wine and some plastic cups. The kids reefed off their outer clothes and headed to the creek. Tessa located a pair of floaties for Tilly and patiently waited beside Edwina while Tilly petted the pup.

Dodge ordered, “No jumping or diving, you lot. Kaylee, that means you.”

“Yes, Dad.” Kaylee whispered something to Skye, and they giggled as they stepped into the water with Ousa and Uri.

The girls shrieked and called out varying versions of, “Oooh, its cold!”

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