The Christmas Train (17 page)

“That's you, Tom,” Joelle said. She and Anna both looked up at him.

“Yeah. Back in college.” He glanced down at Anna. “Your mother must have taken it.”

Anna picked up the picture. “My mom always said she didn't have a picture of you.” She studied it a long moment, then turned it over. Written on the back in Nana Rose's handwriting it said:

I think this must be Tom Thurston. His hair and eyes are just like yours. I found it in one of Carrie's old boxes and didn't know the right time to give it to you. But you are old enough, I think. I pray one day he will look for you and learn to love you. And that you will be able to love him, too.

“I do,” her father said, and once more kissed the top of her head. “I do love you, Anna.”

“Me, too,” Anna whispered, resting her weight against his arm. Nana Rose had taken care of her while she was a little girl, making a happy family of just them. Then Miss Eva had come along to make sure she found her father and made a happy family with him. And now she also had Joelle and Nesta and Mr. Nesta. And Aunt Sarah and Uncle Sal, too.

She sighed, smiling at Joelle and then up at her dad. “I think this might be the best Christmas ever.”

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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2014 by Rexanne Becnel

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First Pocket Star Books ebook edition November 2014

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ISBN 978-1-4767-7984-3