Page 61 of The Sound of Sleighbells

Because of the snow, the sleigh would be taken off the flatbed to run on the packed surface of the road. The horses would wear special leather boots to protect their hooves.

* * *

Ruth and Skip had offered to help get Santa ready for the parade. They arrived at Abner’s house with the girls, early enough for Ruth to make him a good breakfast of bacon, eggs, oatmeal, and coffee. While Ruth and her daughters cleaned up, Skip took Abner back to his room to help him dress.

Sitting on the edge of the bed in his underclothes, Abner winced as Skip tightened the brace that would support his back. “A little tighter,” he said. “It’ll hurt some now, but I need to feel solid.”

“Are you sure you’ll be all right?” Skip asked him. “The parade’s important, but so are you.”

“Now, don’t go starting that,” Abner said. “Get me a couple of those pain pills on the nightstand, and I’ll be right as rain.”

Skip twisted off the lid of the bottle, spilled two high-dose ibuprofen tablets into his hand, and gave them to Abner with a glass of water. The old man would be going through a lot to make the children happy today. At least he’d been talked out of appearing at the Cowboy Christmas Ball tonight. The children would be writing letters to Santa, which he’d promised to answer personally.

The weather was sunny but cold. Skip found Abner a warm thermal undershirt and a fleece vest for him to wear under the Santa coat. The loose-fitting trousers were held up by suspenders. Next came the socks and boots. The coat and gloves would be put on last, after Ruth had finished doing his makeup and attaching the beard, hair, and cap. Skip watched his mother work, amazed at her skill. The girls played on the rug with the dog.

By the time Abner was ready to go, it was almost nine. Ruth’s face wore a thoughtful frown. “With Abner in front, the booster seats in back, and the cushions and blankets for the sleigh filling up the rear, there won’t be room for you in the wagon, Skip,” she said. “Would you mind if I drop Abner off at the parade and then come back for you? It shouldn’t take long. We’ll be back in plenty of time for the parade.”

“No problem,” Skip said. “I’ll hang around here, straighten things up, maybe watch a little TV.”

“Mom,” Janeen said, “I want to stay here with Skip.”

“Me, too! We can play with Butch. Please, Mommy,” Tammy begged.

Ruth glanced at Skip. “Is that all right with you?”

“Sure,” Skip said. “They’ll be fine.”

“Then let’s get going, Abner. Have you got your cane?”

“Right here in my hand.”

“Need any help?” Skip asked.

“We can make it.” Ruth steadied Abner as they descended the steps and climbed into the station wagon. Skip watched them drive away. Then he went back to Abner’s room to pick things up and make the bed. Santa would be ready for a nap by the time he got home.

* * *

Digger arrived at his hiding place in time to see the station wagon leave through the gate. Ruth was driving, and her passenger was Santa Claus.

He waited until the wagon was out of sight before he sat all the way up in the ditch to study the house and yard. No dog outside. That was a good sign. With luck, he’d be able to walk into the barn, find the hidden stash, and be on his way to a new life.

For safety’s sake, he forced himself to wait a little longer. His canvas army coat was warm enough, but the snow was frigid through his jeans. His feet, in their worn-out boots, had gone numb.

Teeth chattering, he put his bare hands inside his coat to warm them. Moving too soon could ruin everything. He needed to make sure the coast was clear, and no one would be coming by on the road.

But he was freezing and getting impatient. The only vehicle in the yard was a beat-up farm truck, half-buried in snow. Clearly, nobody was down there. It was time to move.

The hunk of meat he’d brought for the dog was wrapped in plastic. As he crossed the road, he fished it out of his pocket. He needed to be ready in case that God-cursed giant mutt appeared.

So far, so good. Keeping low, he followed a set of tire tracks across the yard to the barn. His pulse leaped as he saw that one of the wide double doors in front was ajar. A brief smile tightened his lips. This was going to be a piece of cake!

* * *

Skip had finished tidying up. He’d settled onto the sofa to watch TV when the dog, who’d been lying on the rug next to the girls, jumped up and ran to the closed door. With low, whuffing barks, he pawed at the threshold.

Janeen looked up at her brother. “I’ve never seen him act like that. What’s he doing, Skip?”

Skip shrugged. “Maybe there’s a cat out there, or even a coyote. When was he last outside?”

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