Web of Dreams (Casteel 5)

automatic switch, I wondered. At Christmas, the tree

spontaneously lit itself and the fireplace self-started.

As if the house were really toying with me, Christmas

music suddenly began playing through the speakers

built into the walls.

I laughed. I felt so silly all of a sudden. Was

there a mechanical Santa Claus set to come down that

chimney every Christmas Eve too? Curtis must have

been nearby and heard my laughter because he

suddenly appeared in the doorway with a look of

confusion on his face when he saw I was alone. "Is there anything I can get you, Miss Leigh?" Yes, I wanted to say. Get me my daddy and my

mommy. Get me the happiness we once knew. Put us in this warm room together, laughing and smiling, kissing and embracing each other with love and

tenderness. Make this a real Christmas for me. "No, Curtis. Not right now. Thank you." "Very good, Miss. Just ring if there is anything

you want" "Thank you."

He nodded softly and was gone. I looked at the

Christmas tree and the presents and then gazed up at

Momma's murals. My heart felt heavy and leaden and

my throat ached from holding in my sobs. I left the

room quickly and went up to my suite. I was so very

tired. I got into my nightgown and then crawled under

my covers in my new bed. After I put out the lamp at

the side of my bed, I looked through the sheer curtains

on one of my windows and saw the moon peeping

through a cloud. It drew me to the window.

I gazed out at the vast expanse that was

Farthinggale Manor. From here I could look down at

the long winding driveway. Tonight, because of the

melted snow, the driveway gleamed like a silver metal

ribbon. It was easier to be lonely in a place that was as

big and as rich as Farthy, I thought. My friends back