Web of Dreams (Casteel 5)

you," he said. "I made it myself and wrapped it

myself."

I opened the small package and couldn't believe

my eyes. He had made it? It was a little ceramic horse

with a girl rider. The girl could be taken off

"That's Sniffles," Troy explained. "My horse.

An

d that's you riding it."

"You made this?"

"Not the little girl," he confessed. "Tony had

that made at his factory, but I made Sniffles. I took a

picture of her and traced it and shaped it and baked it.

Then I painted it myself," he added proudly. "It's beautiful, Troy. It's one of the best

Christmas presents I have ever received. Thank you."

I kissed him on the cheek. His eyes twinkled and then

he went back to unwrapping his presents. What a

wonderfully talented little boy he was, I thought. How

could Momma not be charmed by him?

"You have other presents," Troy said pointing.

There were at least-a-dozen different brightly

wrapped boxes with my name on them, some from

Momma, some from Tony, but a small box caught my

eye first, because I saw the emblem of Daddy's ocean

liner company on the card's envelope.

Carefully, lifted the box and ran my fingers

lovingly over the top. Troy was impressed with the reverent way I treated it. He put down his next gift

and drew closer to me.

"What is it?" he asked in a whisper.

"A Christmas present from my daddy.

Somehow, he got one here."