Abby Hunter smiled when Eric introduced her. “I have a gift for you, but you must come to my church on Christmas Eve to get it. It’s the Christmas play. I’m going to be Mary.”
Mr. Tressler smiled for the first time. “Why thank you, I’d be delighted.”
Jason Birchall was next. He couldn’t stand still. “Want a fast dance or a slow one?” he asked.
“As you wish,” Mr. Tressler said.
Jason began his jig. It looked like he was making it up as he went.
Then Mr. Tressler began to play his flute. It was “Jingle Bells” with lots of extra notes.
Jason’s jig got better and better.
At the end, Mr. Tressler said, “Now I have a surprise for all of you.”
Eric peeked through the storm door. He could see Mr. Tressler heading for the kitchen. But he didn’t see any angels.
What was going on?
ELEVEN
Eric heard a soft cooing sound.
Mr. Tressler was coming through the living room. Eric leaned forward to see.
What was that on his shoulders?
Eric couldn’t help it. He stared.
Mr. Tressler stood in the doorway. He was covered with white doves! They perched on his shoulders. And on his head. When he cupped his hands, three flew into them.
So these are the angels! thought Eric.
The birds seemed so comfortable around the old man. It was like he was their trusted friend.
Dee Dee’s eyes grew wide.
Carly giggled.
Abby’s jaw dropped two feet.
Stacy whispered, “Wow!”
Dunkum scratched his head and stared.
Shawn and Jimmy watched silently.
Jason blinked his eyes faster than ever.
Softly, Mr. Tressler began to whistle. The doves cooed along. Eric could see their short legs under their round bodies. What a strange sight.
Doves do look like tiny angels, thought Eric. All in white with big wings.
Eric felt good inside. Mr. Tressler wasn’t like anyone he’d ever met. Except maybe for Grandpa.
Grandpa loved birds, that was no secret. And sometimes he did strange things, too. Like tramping around in the spring, spying on birds with his field glasses.
Mr. Tressler stopped whistling. “Merry Christmas, kids,” he said, waving his arms. The doves flew to the Christmas tree. They perched on the branches.
The kids shouted, “Merry Christmas Mr. Tressler!”
The new neighbor wore the widest grin on Blossom Hill Lane.
Eric whispered to him, “You whistle good.”
The old man winked at him. “So do you.”
“Want to come caroling, uh, whistling with us?” Eric asked.
Mr. Tressler reached for his cane. And his long brown coat. It looked just fine. Not creepy at all.
First stop, Eric’s house.
Eric pressed the doorbell. He stood beside Mr. Tressler. They whistled while the others sang “Silent Night.” They sounded good.
Grandpa came to the door. Eric introduced him to Mr. Tressler. Grandpa gave Eric a big hug, then he grabbed his coat and hat. He joined the group as they caroled around the cul-de-sac.
Eric was so happy he stopped whistling and tried to sing. It sounded flat, but it didn’t matter. Mr. Tressler would never have to be alone again. The Cul-de-sac Kids could be the old man’s family!
Mr. Tressler’s cane danced in the air as the carolers went from house to house.
Soon, they were back at the old man’s house. He invited Eric’s grandfather inside for coffee.
The Cul-de-sac Kids waved goodbye to them. “Merry Christmas!” they shouted.
“And a Merry Christmas to all of you,” Mr. Tressler said, waving his cane. He was out of breath, but a smile burst across his long face.
Before the two men reached the porch, Eric was whistling again. It was time for his favorite carol—“Angels We Have Heard on High.”
THE CUL-DE-SAC KIDS SERIES
Don’t miss #4!
NO GROWN-UPS
ALLOWED!
Jason Birchall can’t wait for Valentine’s Day! His parents are going away for the weekend and Grandma is coming! Jason has big plans! Can he trick his grandmother into allowing him to change his bedtime? Or his eating habits?
Strange things happen when Jason pigs out on chocolate and stays up late for a scary show!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Beverly Lewis plays Christmas music in August. In December she helps her kids make Snow Creatures. Dressing them up in “people” clothes is giggle-time.
Beverly’s never seen a flying angel. But she has heard the silvery full-moon sound of a flute, played by her sister, Barbara Birch—who designs the pictures in these books.
Other chapter books you’ll enjoy by Beverly: MOUNTAIN BIKES AND GARBANZO BEANS and THE SIX-HOUR MYSTERY.
Also by Beverly Lewis
Amish Prayers
The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook
GIRLS ONLY (GO!)†
Youth Fiction
Girls Only! Volume One • Girls Only! Volume Two
SUMMERHILL SECRETS‡
Youth Fiction
SummerHill Secrets: Volume One • SummerHill Secrets: Volume Two
HOLLY’S HEART
Youth Fiction
Holly’s Heart: Collection One‡ • Holly’s Heart: Collection Two‡
Holly’s Heart: Collection Three†
SEASONS OF GRACE
Adult Fiction
The Secret • The Missing • The Telling
ABRAM’S DAUGHTERS
Adult Fiction
The Covenant • The Betrayal • The Sacrifice
The Prodigal • The Revelation
ANNIE’S PEOPLE
Adult Fiction
The Preacher’s Daughter • The Englisher • The Brethren
THE ROSE TRILOGY
Adult Fiction
The Thorn • The Judgment • The Mercy
COURTSHIP OF NELLIE FISHER
Adult Fiction
The Parting • The Forbidden • The Longing
THE HERITAGE OF LANCASTER COUNTY
Adult Fiction
The Shunning • The Confession • The Reckoning
OTHER ADULT FICTION
The Postcard • The Crossroad • The Redemption of Sarah Cain
October Song • Sanctuary (with David Lewis) • The Sunroom
www.BeverlyLewis.com
†4 books in each volume ‡5 books in each volume
From Bethany House Publishers
Fiction for Young Readers
(ages 7-10)
ASTROKIDS
by Robert Elmer
Space scooters? Floating robots? Jupiter ice cream? Blast into the future for out-of-this-world, zero-gravity fun with the AstroKids on space station CLEO-7.
THE CUL-DE-SAC KIDS
by Beverly Lewis
Each story in this lighthearted series features the hilarious antics and predicaments of nine endearing boys and girls who live on Blossom Hill Lane.
JANETTE OKE’S ANIMAL FRIENDS
by Janette Oke
Endearing creatures from the farm, forest, and zoo discover their place in God’s world through various struggles, mishaps, and adventures.
The Crazy Christmas Angel Mystery Page 3