Little Christmas Miracles: Her Christmas Wedding Wish / Christmas Gift: A Family / Christmas on the Children's Ward

Elizabeth filled her in on all the plans. “And last but not least, we’re taking you both to see Scrooge. Would you like that, Toby?”

“I don’t know what that is, Grandma,” Toby said.

“Oh, of course not, dear. But you’ll like it. It’s the story of a man who gets a second chance to be good at Christmas, like me.”

“You’re very good, Grandma,” Toby said earnestly.

“Thank you, my angel,” Elizabeth said with a big smile. “Oh, do you have a suit?”

“No. My daddy had suits, but Mommy said I shouldn’t have one because I would outgrow it so soon.”

“Well, I think we should get you a suit for Christmas. We can buy you another one when you outgrow it. Would you like that?”

“I guess so,” Toby said doubtfully.

“That won’t be your only present, Toby, I promise.”

“You mean I might still get a puppy?” The boy couldn’t hide his excitement.

“No, Toby, I don’t think that’s what your grandmother meant,” Molly said hurriedly, trying to erase that image from his mind at once.

“Oh.”

“Toby, your grandmother is being very nice to you,” Molly said softly.

The boy responded by straightening his shoulders and smiling at his grandmother.

“Oh, Toby, you are such a dear boy,” Elizabeth said.

“You’re a good grandma, too.”

Molly encouraged him to finish his breakfast. After he had done so, she sent him upstairs to wash his face and hands.

As soon as he left the room, Elizabeth said, “I know just what to get Toby for Christmas. A puppy!”

Chapter Five

“ELIZABETH, don’t—I mean, don’t you think you should discuss such a gift with your son before you say anything to Toby?”

“Why?”

“I appreciate your wanting to make Christmas special for Toby but Richard lives here, too. I don’t think you should please Toby at the expense of your son. He loves you and tries to protect you.”

“I guess you’re right.”

Molly was relieved Elizabeth seemed to change her mind. “I’m glad you realize how important your son is in your life.”

“Yes, of course. I’ll discuss the dog with Richard tonight.”

“Elizabeth, have you thought how much a dog could disrupt your household?”

“Louisa?” Elizabeth called. The young woman imme diately appeared from the kitchen.

“Yes, ma’am? Do you need something more?”

“Oh, not for breakfast. It was delightful as usual. No, I need to speak to Albert.”

Louisa returned to the kitchen. Immediately, Albert appeared in the breakfast room. “Yes, ma’am?”

“Albert, do you know how to train a dog?”

“You mean to go outside and not in the house?”

Elizabeth nodded. “Yes.”

“Sure, I can do that.”

“So, if we got Toby a dog for Christmas, you could help us with that problem?”

“Yes, ma’am. Is he going to get a dog?”

“Maybe. Do you like dogs?”

“Yeah,” Albert said, getting so excited he forgot his usual response. “I always had dogs until—I mean, when I started working for you and your husband.”

“You and Delores have your own quarters here, Albert. Couldn’t you have had a dog here?”

“No, ma’am. Your husband told me I couldn’t.”

“Oh, Albert, I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right, ma’am. He was probably right.”

“Well, I’m sure Toby would share his dog with you.”

Molly wasn’t so sure about that.

“It’s not definite, Albert. Elizabeth is going to discuss it with her son,” Molly said. “Please don’t mention it to Toby.”

“No, ma’am, I wouldn’t do that.”

“Of course not, Albert,” Elizabeth agreed. “That’s all I needed. I wanted to be able to tell Richard you could help us.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He hurried back to the kitchen.

“I think this will work out well,” Elizabeth said, smiling.

Molly wanted to warn her again, but she didn’t think she should. Hopefully Richard wouldn’t think this was her idea. If he thought that, he would probably ship her off to Florida before Christmas even got here.