Making Spirits Bright

by Fern Michaels

  When he returned, he switched off all the lamps so that the room was lit only by the Christmas tree and the fireplace. Maddie was sitting on the couch with the puppy in her lap. “Noah is going to be so excited,” she said as Asa handed a mug to her and offered one of the cookies. They each took one and Asa collapsed onto the couch, looked at the puppy, and said, “I wonder what we should name him?”

  “I think you should let Noah name him,” she said. “My brother Tim has always had the job of naming our barn cats and he takes it very seriously. He’s come up with some pretty funny and appropriate names.” She paused. “I’m sure Noah will come up with something good.”

  Asa watched the firelight dancing on the walls and reached for Maddie’s hand. “How come you always know the right thing to say?”

  She smiled and shrugged. “Oh, I don’t always know ... but I usually just follow my heart.”

  Chapter 9

  “Dad?” a small voice whispered. Asa opened one eye and tried to remember where he was. “Dad, are you down there?” Asa heard small footsteps coming down the stairs and sat bolt upright, shook his head to clear the cobwebs, and glanced next to him at Maddie and the puppy. He cleared his throat. “Noah, don’t come down just yet.”

  “Why?” the small voice asked.

  Asa suddenly realized that calling back and forth wasn’t going to work. He got up quickly and found Noah already halfway down the stairs. “Because Grandma and Grampa aren’t up yet,” he whispered, “and you are up kind of early ... it’s not even light out.”

  “I just wanted to see if Santa came ...” Noah whispered back.

  “Well, we have to wait for everyone to get up.”

  “Can I go wake them?” Noah asked hopefully.

  Asa sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “Don’t you want to go back to bed for a bit?”

  “No!” Noah answered brightly.

  “All right, you can wake them ... but don’t go jumping on their bed or anything. They were up pretty late.”

  “Okay!” Noah said cheerfully, bouncing back up the stairs.

  Asa shook his head, found his boots and the leash, lifted the sleeping puppy off Maddie’s still dry lap, and whispered, “Hey, you did pretty well ... for a beginner!” He stepped out into the early morning air and let the puppy take care of business. Then he brought him back in and looked around for the box his parents had talked about.

  “Maddie,” he whispered softly. She looked so peaceful that he felt bad waking her. He sat down next to her and shook her knee. “Maddie ...”

  She opened her eyes and looked around. “Is it morning already?” she asked.

  “Not really,” Asa answered, “but Noah’s awake and I can’t find the box.”

  Maddie sat up and tried to clear her mind. “I thought I saw a box on the back porch last night.”

  Asa opened the door and looked. “You’re right!” He brought the box in and then went to the bottom of the stairs to listen for his parents. There was definitely movement coming from their room and he could hear Noah talking. “I think I have time to make coffee,” he said, putting the box on the couch and heading for the kitchen.

  Five minutes later he heard his mother call softly, “Asa, are you ready for us to come down?”

  “Just a minute ...” he said. He put the box on the floor, and lifted off the top, and Maddie kissed the puppy and gently put him inside.

  “Just for a few minutes, little fella!” she said as Asa put the top back on.

  “Okay ... ready!” he called.

  They could hear Noah at the top of the stairs. “C’mon, Grandma ... Dad said he’s ready.”

  “Okay, honey, just a minute.”

  There were footsteps on the stairs again ... and then Noah was standing there, grinning from ear to ear as he surveyed the scene. “Wow! I guess he was here!” He looked at the empty eggnog glass and the plate with just a piece of carrot left. “He really was here!” he whispered.

  Samuel looked at Asa sleepily. “Did he make us a pot of coffee while he was here?”

  Asa grinned. “He did ... somehow he knew that was just what you wanted.”

  Noah looked up at his grandfather. “Is that really what you wanted, Grampa?”

  Samuel tousled Noah’s head and laughed. “I always—” but his sentence was interrupted by an odd sound.

  Noah looked up in astonishment. “What was that?” he asked. It happened again ... and then one of the boxes under the tree moved. Noah’s eyes grew wide. “Dad, what’s in that box?”

  Asa smiled. “I don’t know ... maybe you should open it.”

  Noah reached for Samuel’s hand. “C’mon, Grampa.” Noah knelt down next to the box and started to unwrap it.

  “Noah, I think you just have to lift off the top,” Samuel said.

  As soon as Noah did, the puppy jumped up against the edge, knocking the box over, and Noah fell backward, laughing in surprise. The puppy, sensing an advantage, climbed on top of him and started licking his ears and face ... but Noah tried to roll away, giggling ... and finally sputtered, “Stop! Stop! I have to go to the bathroom!”

  Asa laughed, too, and lifted the puppy off of Noah so he could escape and run to the bathroom. A moment later, he was running back ... and bowling his grandparents over with the biggest hugs they’d ever had.

  He sat on the couch between them, and Asa put the little black pup on his lap. The puppy gazed up at him and Noah asked, “What’s his name?”

  “He doesn’t have one yet,” Asa replied.

  Samuel smiled. “A handsome pup like that needs a handsome name. We thought maybe you could come up with one.”

  Noah considered thoughtfully and gently stroked the pup’s soft ears. “He’s beautiful,” he said softly. “His coat is so shiny and black ... he’s as black as coal.”

  He looked up at Asa. “How about ‘Coal’?”

  Asa smiled and nodded. “I think Coal is a perfect name.”

  “Coal is a great name, Noah,” Maddie agreed. “I knew you would think of something good!”

  Sarah and Samuel both smiled and nodded and Noah looked around at all of them. “Why are you crying? What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, sweetheart,” Sarah said softly. “We’re just happy ...”

  Noah nodded. “Hey, Coal,” he whispered. The puppy barked and Noah grinned. “I think he likes it, too!”

  Samuel stood and wiped his eyes. “Okay, who’s ready for coffee?”

  Three cheerful “Me’s!” replied.

  Sarah looked up at Samuel. “Can you put the oven on four hundred, too?” Samuel nodded and disappeared into the kitchen.

  Noah hugged the newly named pup and whispered, “This is the best present ever!” Then, remembering he had gifts to give, too, he turned to Asa. “Dad, can I give Maddie her present?” Asa nodded and Noah handed Coal to Maddie and grinned. “That’s not your present ...” he said warningly.

  “Are you sure?” Maddie teased as Coal nuzzled her hand. “I think he likes me.”

  Noah grinned. “I’m sure!” Then he searched around under the tree, looking for the present wrapped in brown paper with chickadees on it. He found two. “Dad, can I give Maddie yours, too?”

  Asa sat down on the floor next to Maddie and nodded. Noah knelt in front of her with the two gifts and Maddie held one in each hand. “Which one should I open first?”

  “Mine!” Noah replied, pointing to the one that appeared to be a box. Maddie carefully pulled away the pretty paper as Coal happily tugged on the ribbon. Noah was grinning as she lifted off the top of the box and peered inside. She pulled back the tissue paper and there nestled inside was an intricately carved Christmas ornament of a female cardinal. She lifted it out by its ribbon and Noah said, “You can hang it ... or you could put it in the nest.”

  Maddie smiled. “Noah, it’s just beautiful. Thank you!” She eyed him. “How did you know I like cardinals?” Noah just shrugged and grinned and Maddie handed Coal to Asa and stood up.

  N
oah held up one of the middle branches. “It’s right in here.”

  Maddie reached inside the tree and gently nestled the cardinal into the nest. “You’re right,” she said admiringly. “She looks like she belongs there.” Noah nodded.

  They sat back down and Maddie began to open her gift from Asa. She pulled off the paper and Asa said, “I know you got a copy of this for your mom ... but I had already gotten it, too. It must be good if we both picked it out!” Maddie smiled and held up a slim paperback for Sarah to see.

  She nodded. “Oh, yes. One of our neighbors gave me That Quail, Robert to read a couple of years ago ... it’s a very cute story.”

  Samuel came in with a tray of mugs and saw the book, too. “That’s such a good book ... even Noah would enjoy listening to it.”

  For the next hour, they sipped coffee and opened gifts and by the time they finished, the floor was covered with tissue paper, wrapping paper, and shredded ribbons and bows. Amidst the strewn-about boxes were one sleeping puppy, three wool sweaters, books of all shapes and titles, L.L. Bean boots for Asa and a quilt-lined flannel work shirt, new soft scarves for Sarah and Maddie, mittens and a hat for Noah ... and a new jug of maple syrup that had made Asa laugh. When it seemed that everything had been opened and admired, Maddie reached into an unwrapped cardboard box and lifted out the tiny Norway spruce. She handed it to Noah with a grin. “I know it looks a bit like a Charlie Brown tree now, Noah, but if you plant it in a sunny spot, and take good care of it, it will grow to be as big as the Christmas trees in Rockefeller Center.”

  Noah took the little tree carefully. “Wow! Thanks, Maddie.” He looked at Asa. “Dad, where should we plant it?”

  Asa smiled. “Somewhere where there’s plenty of room!”

  Chapter 10

  After a breakfast of cheese and sausage strata, sweet cinnamon buns, orange juice, and more coffee, Maddie and Asa were shooed from the kitchen.

  “Why don’t you two take the pup and his new owner for a walk?” Samuel suggested.

  “Hmmm ... that’s an idea,” Asa said, looking over at Maddie. “Are you up for a walk on the beach?”

  “Sure,” Maddie replied.

  They bundled up, stepped outside, and discovered that it was surprisingly mild for Christmas Day. Asa was also surprised to find that Noah already knew all about the path through the brush ... and he was astonished to find it better maintained than when he was a boy. “Dad kept ... I mean my other dad kept it clear,” Noah explained as he led the way with Coal in tow, seemingly at peace with his own words.

  They slid down the dune onto the beach and were greeted by a chilly ocean wind. “Gee ... it’s not quite as tranquil out here!” Asa said with a grin. Maddie pulled her scarf snugly around her neck and looked up at the white wispy clouds racing across the blue winter sky. In spite of the strong headwind, the tide seemed to be ebbing, and the surf, although turbulent, was not as intimidating as an incoming tide. Noah ran ahead, laughing, with Coal, ears flopping, happily at his heels. Maddie and Asa walked along, watching them as they chased the waves ... and as the waves chased them back. Coal splashed blissfully through the shallow remnants of each receding wave and seemed completely at ease with the new experience of getting wet.

  “Look, Dad,” Noah shouted. “He loves the water.”

  “Of course he does!” Asa shouted back. “All Labs love water!”

  Noah grinned and raced down the beach, putting his arms out as if he were flying, the wind billowing his coat.

  “You know, that’s not entirely true,” Maddie ventured.

  “What’s not?”

  “Not all Labs like water,” Maddie explained with a slow smile. “My dad had a big yellow Lab named Mulligan and he didn’t retrieve or like water!”

  Asa was incredulous. “Are you sure he was a Lab?”

  “Positive.” Maddie nodded. “If he had to go out and it was raining, he would tiptoe through the puddles ... it was pretty funny.”

  “No way!”

  “Yup.”

  Asa looked up the beach and realized that Noah and Coal were getting a little too far ahead of them. “Noah!” he called out ... but his voice was lost in the wind. They started to pick up their pace when, out of the corner of his eye, Asa noticed a rogue wave barreling inland—right toward the two small figures in the distance. Asa called again and started to run with Maddie right behind him, both shouting, “Noah, look out!”

  Asa began sprinting—his heart pounding as he realized he wasn’t going to reach them ... he could only watch as Noah turned and saw the wave, too ... he could only watch as the small figure that he loved with all his heart ... ran toward the wave and, without hesitation, scooped the little black pup into his arms and barely escaped its crushing force. When Asa reached them, Noah had collapsed onto the dry sand with Coal on his chest. The bottoms of his pant legs were soaked and his face was getting a bath ... and he was laughing! He looked up at Maddie and his father with a grin and sputtered, “Boy ... that was close!”

  “Too close!” Asa said, his heart still pounding. He lifted the wet pup off of his son and pulled him to his feet ... and then he knelt down in front of him and looked in his eyes. “Noah, you need to be more careful,” he admonished.

  Noah nodded at the look of concern in his father’s eyes. “It’s okay, Dad,” he said softly. “We’re okay ...”

  Asa pulled the little boy into a hug, felt his slight frame . . . and was suddenly overwhelmed with an aching desire to always protect his son from all of life’s dangers and sorrows. Tears streamed down Asa’s cheeks as his heart swelled with a love that he hadn’t fully understood before. He buried his face in Noah’s wispy blond hair, breathed in the little boy’s wonderful sweet scent, and whispered, “You two are soaking wet. I think we’d better head back.” He wiped his eyes, felt Coal shiver, unbuttoned his coat, and tucked him inside.

  Noah put his hand gently on Asa’s arm and repeated, “It’s okay, Dad. Nothin’ happened ...”

  Asa smiled and wiped his eyes again. “I know, buddy, I know.” They walked back together. This time Noah stayed nearby and ventured only far enough to gather smooth stones that the tide had left behind. By the time they reached the path through the brush, his pockets were full and he looked longingly at the water. “Dad, can I skip some of these stones before we go in?”

  “Aren’t you cold?” Asa asked.

  Noah shook his head and grinned hopefully.

  “Okay,” Asa relented. He watched as Noah reached into his pocket, pulled out a handful of stones, picked out the flattest ones, and hooked them, one at a time, expertly into the surf. Asa looked over at Maddie. “You’re awfully quiet,” he said, putting his arm around her shoulder.

  “So are you,” she said with a half smile.

  Asa pulled her close and, as he did, Coal leaned out of his coat, stuffed his wet nose in her ear, and promptly snorted. Maddie laughed and turned her head away, but Asa gently turned her back to face him and searched her eyes. “Maddie, I’m sorry it’s taken me so long,” he said softly.

  Maddie felt her heart pounding as Asa touched her cheek ... and then pulled her head close to his and pressed his lips lightly against her forehead. Slowly, he moved down ... kissing her eyelashes ... and her nose ... until he finally found her lips ... and her soft, warm kiss in return. A moment later, another face joined in, nudging its cold wet nose between their chins and licking their cheeks. Maddie pulled back, laughing, and Asa grinned. “Well, you two have one thing in common ... a cold nose!” Maddie laughed again and Noah looked over his shoulder at them.

  “Dad, Maddie, look at this stone,” he said, holding up a large black rock. “It looks like a piece of coal.” He held it in his palm thoughtfully and walked toward them. “Hey, Dad ... you said I might get coal for Christmas,” he said, grinning as he reached up to stroke the puppy’s silky black ears. “And I did get Coal for Christmas!”

  They all laughed and Asa put his arm around him. “Yes, Noah, you sure did!”

>   For more on these characters, look for Nan Rossiter’s novel The Gin & Chowder Club.

  For an old Parson family recipe for Glug, visit www.nanrossiter.com

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  Copyright © 2011 by Kensington Publishing Corporation Making Spirits Bright copyright © 2011 by MRK Productions Fern Michaels is a registered trademark of First Draft, Inc. Runaway Christmas copyright © 2011 by Elizabeth Bass Home for Christmas copyright © 2011 by Rosalind Noonan Christmas on Cape Cod copyright © 2011 by Nan Rossiter

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  ISBN: 978-1-4201-2557-3