Sweetwater Springs Scrooge: A Montana Sky Holiday Short Story (The Montana Sky Series) by Debra Holland Page B

up a big yawn.
    “I’ll hang it up for you,” Marian assured him.
    Noah looked up at Elias in appeal. “Will you stay and have some milk, too, Mr. Masters?”
    Marian gave Elias a nod of encouragement.
    “For a few minutes. I can’t leave the horse out in the cold for too long.”
    “Good.” Noah yawned again and leaned over to pick up the kitten.
    The milk in the icebox was almost frozen, and Marian poured the slushy mass from the pitcher into a pot on the stove, using a wooden spoon to stir it. The milk warmed, and she poured the comforting beverage into three cups of her best china. But when she turned, holding two cups and saucers, Marian saw Noah had fallen asleep again, his head pillowed on his arms and Haggai curled on his lap. Smiling, she set the cups on the table.
    “I’ll get him.” Elias rose from his seat. He picked up Haggai and handed the kitten to her before scooping up Noah.
    Marian motioned Elias to follow her. She picked up the lamp and still carrying the kitten, walked down the hallway to Noah’s room. She set the lamp on his chest of drawers and the kitten on the far side of his pillow, and then yanked back the covers of his bed. “Oh, dear, there isn’t time to heat up a hot brick. The sheets are going to be cold.”
    “Leave him in his clothes, take off his shoes, and keep this blanket around him.” As he spoke, Elias laid the boy on the bed. “You can give it back to me tomorrow.”
    Marian removed Noah’s shoes and tucked his feet under the covers. Then she pulled the blankets up around his shoulders. “Sweet dreams, dearest,” she whispered to him, kissing her grandson’s forehead.
    Straightening, she glanced at Elias and found him watching her, a tender look in his eyes.
    Suddenly shy, she looked down at the floor.
    Elias pulled her into an embrace.
    Marian snuggled against him in the same way she had so many years ago and let out a sigh of satisfaction. Blissful! She’d never thought she’d feel this way again.
    Elias held her for a long moment, resting his cheek against her head.
    She glanced from her sleeping grandson to Elias. “After all the pain of the last years, I never thought to be happy again—not like this. And now I have the two I love most in the world with me.” With a pang, Marian thought of her beloved daughter. “I think Juliana would approve of us.”
    “She’ll always be your daughter, and you’ll never stop being her mother.”
    “Thank you for understanding—for not trying to….” She smoothed a hand over the lapel of his coat, right over his generous heart.
    “To hurry you out of your grief?”
    “Oh, Elias,” Marian said on a grateful breath. “I feel very blessed.”
    “I’m the one who’s blessed.” Elias stroked Marian’s cheek. “I love you so, Marian. And Noah, too. God has blessed us every one,” he slightly misquoted Tiny Tim and leaned in to kiss her.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

    In memory of Tanya Lauralynn Freed,
    whom our family lost at age 20
    Always loved and never forgotten.

    And with love to her mother—
    my cousin Mindy Codner Freed, my assistant and friend—
    who (without knowing it)
    provided some of Marian’s words and emotions.

    In gratitude to:
    My editors:
    Louella Nelson
    and
    Linda Carroll-Bradd,
    who always make my stories better.

    To Delle Jacobs, friend and talented cover artist.

    To my formatter:
    Author E.M.S.,
    whom I always trust to do a great job.

    To my beta readers:
    My mother, Honey Holland
    My aunt, Hedy Codner
    Kandice Moser
    Marlene Larsen

    To superfan Ed Millner,
    who has rescued my formatting on several occasions.

    To all my Facebook friends,
    who make suggestions when I ask for help
    and are so eager for more Montana Sky Stories,
    I’m truly blessed to “know” you!