Free A Texas Holiday Miracle by Linda Warren Page A

with pain.
    Emma ran to her and wrapped her arms around Lacey’s waist. “The doctor won’t forget, will he, Lacey?”
    “No, sweetie. Put your coat back on so you’ll be ready.”
    Emma did as Lacey asked, and they waited. Gabe stood by the table, his hand on Pepper while the vet worked. Tall, strong, yet vulnerable like the big oak that was not twelve feet from him. She wanted to go to him, but she had Emma to think about. She was torn about who needed her most.
    It was a relief when Gabe motioned for them to come outside. Emma shot out the door and stood next to Gabe, touching Pepper gently. Lacey stood on Gabe’s other side.
    The vet had his hand over the IV in Pepper’s foreleg. “Say goodbye,” he said, and then she noticed that with his other hand he injected the medication into the IV.
    “Bye, Pepper. I love you,” Emma whispered. “When you see my daddy, tell him I love him.”
    The words were low, but Lacey heard them. Her chest tightened in pain. Emma hadn’t had the chance to say that to their father before he’d passed, and obviously it had bothered her. Lacey didn’t have time to dwell on it, as she felt the man beside her tremble. She rubbed his back in reassurance, just as she would have done to Emma. He leaned into her hand as if he needed her support.
    The vet removed the IV very quickly so Emma couldn’t see. Pepper took a short breath, and then she was still. Gabe stroked her head, “Goodbye, girl. You’re at peace now. I’m sorry it took me so long to do...this.” His voice wavered on the last word, and Lacey clutched him around the waist for reassurance.
    The sun popped out like a cork from a bottle, spreading its goodness everywhere and lighting up the cold, dreary day.
    “Is Pepper gone?” Emma asked.
    The vet nodded. “Yes.”
    Emma glanced toward the bright sunshine. “She turned on the light for us.”
    It was a moment of relief for all of them. The vet put everything back into his bag and helped Gabe lift Pepper into the coffin, bed and all. Gabe covered her with a big quilt and positioned the lid on top.
    “Would you like me to help?” the vet asked.
    “No, thanks. I have it from here.” The two men shook hands and Dr. Morris left.
    Until that moment, Lacey hadn’t noticed the big hole Gabe had dug against the wood fence. He must’ve stayed up all night digging.
    Gabe picked up a nail gun from the deck and nailed the coffin shut. Emma watched all of this without saying a word. She seemed fine, but Lacey was skeptical.
    When Gabe finished, Lacey stood at one end of the box. “I’ll help you carry it.”
    Gabe didn’t respond. He just picked up his end and they carried it to the hole. Emma followed without saying a word. Gabe jumped into the hole, and then picked up the coffin and slid it in. He had to step on the box to get out. Then he marched toward the house.
    “Where you going?” Emma called.
    “To get a shovel to close the hole.”
    Emma made a dash for their house. Lacey had no idea where she was going until she came back with a small shovel their dad had bought for her to help in the yard. Lacey wasn’t going to be left out, so she went to the garage and found their father’s spade.
    The three of them shoveled dirt over the coffin. Lacey’s arms grew tired, but Gabe and Emma kept dirt flying. Gabe stopped long enough to remove his hoodie. She could see the muscles in his arms bulging as he worked in just a black T-shirt. Lacey stopped for a moment just to watch, and then she caught herself. This was definitely not the time.
    Gabe used a rake to smooth out the dirt. Pepper had been put to rest. Emma glanced toward the bright sunshine.
    “Pepper’s happy now.”
    “Yes,” Lacey agreed, and thought it chased away the sadness of today. “Time to go to school.”
    “’Kay.” Unexpectedly, Emma hugged Gabe around the waist and he tensed. “Bye, Mr. Gabe.” She ran for the house.
    “I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Lacey said to