An Angel for Christmas by Heather Graham Page B

Auntie Wenna,” Connor said. “I like playing your games. I’ll think of it that way.”
    â€œThat’s wonderfully mature, Connor,” she told him.
    â€œKiss Gramps and Gram, and let’s go on up,” Morwenna suggested.
    Connor kissed his family, and Genevieve followed him around. When he reached Gabe, Connor somberly shook his hand.
    â€œAnd a good night to you, young man,” Gabe said.
    Genevieve impulsively gave Gabe a kiss on the cheek. He smiled. “Thank you. And good night, Genevieve. I have a feeling you’ll go through life fixing the things that need to be fixed, young lady. You have a good night’s sleep.”
    â€œIt works when we all fix stuff, huh?” Genevieve asked.
    Gabe grinned. “Just like magic,” he agreed.
    â€œCome on, come on up,” Morwenna urged the two. Shayne probably had the kids’ presents out in the car, in the garage, and the storm was still pounding them. It was going to be a trick to geteverything in. She was worried, too, about what they’d find in the house to give the children so that they had something to wake up to; they’d sent the family presents on ahead to Cindy a few weeks ago, since she was going to have the children for Christmas at that time, and Shayne for the New Year’s weekend.
    â€œI’m good, Auntie Wenna,” Connor said at the door to Bobby’s room. “I’m cool. I can put myself to bed.”
    She hesitated. He reminded her of a brave little warrior standing there.
    â€œBoth your parents love you very much, Connor,” she told him.
    He nodded. “Yeah, well, I just need to learn to handle things on my own. I’ve got Genevieve to think about.”
    Morwenna smiled and ruffled his hair. “Good night, Connor. Love you.”
    â€œLove you, too, Auntie Wenna,” he said.
    She brought Genevieve into her room, stood with her while she washed her face and brushed her teeth, helped her into an old flannel gown ofher own that was far too big, but which Genevieve wanted to wear, and sat at the foot of the bed.
    â€œSay prayers with me, Auntie Wenna?” she asked.
    â€œUm, sure,” Morwenna said a little awkwardly. She smiled; as a child, she had gotten down on her knees at night and told God all her problems. As an adult, she’d figured out that he was busy with more serious issues, such as war, starvation and disease.
    When had she gotten to a point where she believed that she had to fight alone against the world? When she’d figured out hers was just a little life, a grain in the sands of time.
    She knelt down next to her niece and folded her hands prayer fashion.
    â€œDear God. Happy birthday to baby Jesus—whatever his birthday might be. We love him, no matter when it is. Please keep my mommy and daddy safe, and Auntie Wenna, Uncle Bobby, Gram and Gramps. And don’t worry about toys for me this Christmas. Honest.” She opened her eyes for a moment to take a sideways glance atMorwenna. “Auntie Morwenna will let me play with some of her stuff, so I’m really good. Oh, thank you for the bread pudding. It was especially yummy. Amen.”
    â€œNice prayer, young lady. Good night.”
    â€œAren’t you going to say your prayers?” Genevieve asked her.
    She looked at her niece for a moment. In her head, thoughts she couldn’t say out loud in front of the child—or anyone—swirled into a prayer. Dear God, please don’t make it that I am an idiot; that Alex really wants to be with me ’cause he believes I’m on the top rungs of the professional ladder, and that he isn’t in Cancún, chasing after Double-D Debbie from Accounting on the beach….
    She gave herself a mental shake and folded her hands again. “Dear God, thank you for my brothers, my mom and dad, and especially my nephew, Connor, and my niece, Genevieve. Guard them for me, please, through whatever life offers.”