The Final Sleigh by Gretchen Allen

Author:Gretchen Allen [Allen, Gretchen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Summer Prescott Books
Published: 2019-07-04T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

I’m so sorry to leave. We’ve had such a wonderful time until, well… you know. The flights are running again, and we’re going to spend the holiday with my parents. I think it’s best for Dale. I don’t want him remembering Christmas like this,” Norah explained.

“None of us want to remember Christmas like this but, for a child, we completely understand.” Victor nodded, putting one arm around Norah. “No one should have their Christmas memories include death.”

Holly was trying to hold it together, but with Victor’s last comment she just couldn’t. She hoped that when she dashed out of the room with tears in her eyes, that it had gone unnoticed by the group.

“Are you okay?” Dale asked, carrying his chihuahua, Rex, in his arms.

Holly looked up from where she sat on the stairs that led to the second floor of the inn. “I’m okay,” she said, brushing away the tears.

“You don’t look okay. Are you upset about what happened outside?” Dale sat down next to her.

“No, it’s not that. Of course it was upsetting, but it’s not how you should remember Christmas,” she replied, trying to mimic what his mother had said.

“You’re different now,” he pointed out, pulling the small dog up between them.

“What do you mean?” Holly laughed through the tears she couldn’t seem to stop from falling.

“I don’t know. You’re not grumpy anymore. I like you better now that you decided to be happy, though. Being sad isn’t any fun.”

Holly thought for a moment, remembering the old saying ‘from the mouths of babes’. Dale was a very wise eight-year-old. Holly certainly had experienced several emotions since she’d arrived at the Evergreen Inn, and it took a child for her to realize just how meaningful that was.

“You’re right. I never meant to be grumpy. I haven’t enjoyed Christmas in a really long time, so when I came to a place like this,” Holly said, gesturing to the decorations surrounding them, “it wasn’t quite as fun for me as it was for you.”

“Who doesn’t like Christmas? That’s silly. Everyone is so much nicer this time of year. They all say hi to everyone else, and smile more. All the decorations and stuff really make people happy too, I think. Lots of people that look grumpy like you did, even sing all the Christmas songs. It’s not supposed to be something bad.” Dale looked at Holly as though she had three heads.

“You’re right again, kid. I stopped looking at Christmas as a good thing. Everything you just mentioned is exactly what the holiday spirit is all about. It’s important to be kind and joyful. Make sure you never lose your spirit,” Holly said, smiling at the young boy and his dog.

“Don’t be sad anymore okay, Holly? Maybe we’ll see each other again sometime.” Dale leaned into Holly and put his head on her shoulder. Rex jumped in Holly’s lap and nuzzled her neck.

“What’s going on here?” Jackson asked a few moments later.

“Just hanging out with this cool guy before he leaves.

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