Free The Christmas Pony by Melody Carlson Page A

the giant snowman as Mama took the photograph. “When I get the film developed, I’ll send you this picture,” George promised.
    Lucy felt sad now. “You mean when you and Veronica are in California?”
    â€œHere.” Mama handed George his camera, pausing to look at him with a funny expression, almost as if she was trying to figure out a problem. Then, just like that, she thanked him andturned away. But it was the look in George’s eyes that made Lucy wonder. As he watched Mama going into the house, it almost seemed as if he had a hopeful look in his eyes.
    At lunchtime, Lucy carefully watched George and Mama every time they spoke to each other, which wasn’t often since Veronica was there and doing most of the talking. But unless it was Lucy’s imagination, there seemed to be some kind of invisible conversation going on between Mama and George. It was the way their eyes seemed to light up, the slight lilt in Mama’s words, the way George smiled.
    As Lucy helped Grandma in the kitchen, she decided to mention it. “Do you think Mama and George are falling in love?” she asked quietly.
    Grandma dropped the pan she was scrubbing and turned to stare at Lucy. “What?”
    â€œDo you think—”
    â€œI heard you perfectly fine, Lucy. I just cannot believe you would say such a thing.”
    â€œWhy?”
    Grandma slowly shook her head. “I think you’re awfully eager to see someone falling in love. First it was Veronica and George. Now Mama?” Grandma chuckled. “Next thing I know you’ll be having George and me falling in love. No, Lucy, I do not think your mama is falling in love with George.” Grandma returned to scrubbing the pot.
    Lucy wanted to ask Grandma what made her so sure but knew that would only invite more trouble. Besides, Grandma was a grown-up . . . she was probably right.
    â€œWhy don’t you go visit with Veronica,” Grandma suggested as they were finishing up.
    Lucy almost admitted to Grandma that she’d rather work in the kitchen, but she knew this would only bring unwanted questions, and when it came to Veronica, Lucy felt more and more confused. As much as she had liked Veronica to start with, she didn’t trust the pretty lady too much now.

7

    S o, doll, you haven’t told me how our little scheme is going,” Veronica said as Lucy sat down in the chair in the front room. “Did you manage to convince Georgie that he and I should be hitting the road tomorrow?”
    Lucy felt confused. “But you were at lunch,” she reminded her. “You just heard George telling us that there’s too much snow in the mountains to travel right now.”
    Veronica scowled. “Yeah . . . but I had hoped you would work your magic on him.”
    â€œMy magic?”
    Veronica rolled her eyes. “I think you could wrap old Georgie Porgie right around your little finger.”
    â€œHuh?”
    Veronica smiled in a way that reminded Lucy of Helen Krausner after she’d said something mean or the way a cat might look after eating a pretty bird. “Not that it’s a bad thing. I happen to find that to be a rather attractive quality in a man.”
    â€œWhat?” Lucy was hopelessly lost.
    â€œOh, never mind! ”
    Lucy stood now. It seemed clear her company was not wanted here anymore, but she still needed to remember her manners. “Excuse me, please.”
    â€œWait.” Veronica’s voice warmed up. “I’m sorry, doll. I suppose I’m in a bit of a snit today, but I shouldn’t take it out on you. That’s not fair.”
    Fingering the scratchy fabric of the chair behind her, Lucy waited.
    â€œYou see, I’d gotten my hopes up, you know, that George and I would be leaving tomorrow and we’d make Los Angeles by midnight. I even got my bags nearly packed. And now this. I’m severely