Part 19 (2/2)
”To Ephron,” he excitedly answered, wrapping his arms around her for a fierce hug. ”They are Sent to bring him back!”
Prissie was too stunned to say a thing. It was so sudden. Almost as if... .
A series of thuds and a m.u.f.fled shout sounded down the hall, soon followed by Tad's voice, then Neil's. Zeke's whoop confused her, since he wasn't usually so noisy this early. Then Jude opened her door, poking his head around the corner. ”Aren't you coming?” he asked.
She was still patting Koji's back and hardly knew how to answer. ”What's going on?” she finally ventured.
The six-year-old giggled. ”Did you forget?”
”What are you talking about?”
With a sunny smile, the littlest Pomeroy announced, ”It's Christmas!”
The tiny angel floundered through the darkness, pus.h.i.+ng himself to reach the light that sustained him. In the dimness, he blundered into an obstacle and emitted a tiny squeak as two hands closed around him, trapping him. He trembled with exhaustion and fear as he was lifted higher, and a pair of solemn eyes studied his much-dimmed face.
”Well, now,” murmured a familiar voice. ”This won't do at all.”
Lavi blinked through the gaps between long fingers, then managed a soft whimper before sagging to his knees. Abner promptly sat down on the cave floor, humming softly as he ministered to his lost lamb. Light bloomed in the darkness, renewing the yahavim's strength, and the Caretaker smiled in satisfaction as the little one frisked around his head in a dance of thanksgiving.
”It is good to be reminded that even one as small as you can be counted among the Faithful. Go back to Ephron, little lion.” With a grim smile, Abner further instructed, ”Stay with him until we come; for we, too, have been Sent.”
The day was dim, and Prissie was astonished to learn that it was already after eight o'clock when she reached the kitchen. ”Has Zeke ever slept this late on Christmas morning?” she wondered aloud.
”Good hibernating weather,” Grandma Nell declared, taking a peek into the oven.
Neil breathed deeply as he shrugged into his coat. ”Smells good already! Save me some!”
Momma pa.s.sed Tad a thermos. ”Breakfast is in an hour. Try to hurry?”
”Not sure the weather's going to cooperate, but I'll tell Dad and Grandpa,” her eldest agreed. ”How long have they been out there?”
”Your father woke at his usual time and went out to shovel,” Momma replied. ”Met your grandfather halfway.”
Grandma Nell interjected, ”It's blowing bad enough that they strung the guidelines. Use them.”
”Yes, ma'am,” the boys chorused before heading out into the storm.
Prissie watched from the window. ”I can't even see them anymore.”
”They are safe,” Koji murmured, his dark eyes gazing at the whirl of white beyond the frosted gla.s.s.
Momma came up behind them. ”They'll only stay out long enough to see to the animals. Koji, I'd like you and Beau to bring in extra firewood ... just in case.”
”I will,” the young angel quickly agreed. He paused and shyly added, ”Merry Christmas.”
Mrs. Pomeroy patted his head and warmly returned, ”Merry Christmas, Koji.”
Even though it was the same every year, Zeke grumbled over having to wait for the real excitement of Christmas to begin. ”First things first,” Momma soothed. ”We'll have all day to play.”
”I'll help!” the eight-year-old offered, padding toward his boots in his footie pajamas. ”Then the work'll be done faster!”
”Not so fast, young man.” His mother collared him and firmly said, ”If you want to help, set the table.”
Zeke pouted mightily, then drooped. ”Yes, ma'am.”
”Won't the eggs freeze?” Jude asked worriedly.
”Neil will find them for you today,” Momma soothed.
”Does he know all the best places to check?” the six-year-old asked uncertainly.
Grandma Nell laughed. ”Gathering eggs was his job when he was your age. He's not likely to forget a hen's tricks.”
”Neil likes chickens?” Jude asked, clearly baffled by this new revelation.
Zeke wisely replied, ”Sure he does! Especially when Grandma fries 'em.”
Eventually, the clock hands crept to the appointed hour, and the menfolk tromped inside, shedding snow and sharing news. ”It's not showing any sign of stopping!” Jayce exclaimed.
”The drift fences are drifted under,” Grandpa Pete grumbled. ”I'll have to get the tractor out this afternoon.”
”It'll keep,” Grandma Nell chided.
”Time for stockings?” Zeke pleaded.
Mr. Pomeroy grinned. ”Sure, sure ... just as soon as I shake the icicles from my eyebrows.”
While the rest of the family bustled around, Prissie edged close to Koji and whispered, ”When do you think they'll be back?”
He shook his head. ”I do not know.”
”They'll be okay ... right?” she pressed.
The young Observer hesitated, then repeated, ”I do not know.”
Marcus pushed himself, fighting to keep up with his mentor, and Jedrick slowed, ever mindful of his apprentice. ”This way,” the Flight captain urged, dropping swiftly. Three sets of boots. .h.i.t the snow, and the young Protector peered at their surroundings. ”I know where we are.”
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