Happiness for H: A Christmas to Remember

December 31, 2008 (part 4)

Horatio pulled his flashlight from his pocket, running the light over Ghost and Emily. The snow by the shepherds left front paw was red. When he tried to touch it the big dog quickly pulled it away, whimpering softly, but not moving from where he sat with Emily. Moving around to her side, Horatio gently touched her arm. He noticed how she flinched at his touch.

"Emily. Emily, let go of Ghost. I think he's going to be all right. Help is on its way. Come on sweetheart. Come on, that's it." He continued to talk to her as he loosened her grip on the big dog.

Emily heard Horatio, but couldn't seem to make her arms let go of Ghost. The tears were freezing on her lashes, her teeth were chattering and her fingers were ice cold. Tipping her head up to look at her face in the small beam of his flashlight, he saw how red her face had become from the cold, snow and tears. Emily tried to say she was sorry for not waiting at the lodge, but she couldn't seem to make her mouth work. He saw the confusion in her hazel eyes and gently shushed her, telling her it would be ok. Reaching into his pocket, he brought out the flask Grandma Estin had given him. Uncapping it, he brought it up to Emily's lips telling her,

"Just a sip or two Emily. You need to get warm. That's it."

As the whiskey left a warm trail down her thoat, she mumbled, "Grandma's favorite remedy."

He smiled, the little lines near the corners of his eyes crinkling.

"That's my girl." Opening his coat, he gathered her close to him. She felt the heat from his body as he told her,

"Emily we've got to get you warm sweetheart. Help is on the way. Put your arms around me. Keep your hands under my coat. That's it." He kept talking to her softly, giving her something to focus on until the lights of the snowmobiles picked them up several minutes later.

Later, her foggy brain couldn't remember much of the ride back to the lodge. While one team worked on the Deputy, another came over to where Emily and Horatio sat. Emily tried to tell them Ghost had been hurt, but Horatio shushed her, telling the EMT's that she had possible frostbite and exposure. Once she had been safely loaded onto a snowmobile with one of the EMT's, Horatio turned his attention to Ghost. Looking the big dog in the eyes, he told him,

"No growling now. These people are here to help, you know."

Grandma Estin had been waiting at the door for the rescue team to get back. When she saw the lights coming through the trees she heaved a sigh of relief and said a little prayer hoping everyone was safe. The Deputy was loaded into the ambulance and it went whining away into the night. Emily was helped into the lodge next, refusing to go in the ambulance.

"I'll be ok." She sunk down on the bench beside the door and Grandma helped her off with her boots and outdoor gear. Horatio and Ghost came last, the big dog limping after him into the lodge.

Grandma had fresh coffee and Bailey's ready, in addition to some of her warm cinnamon rolls. After wrapping Emily in some blankets and giving her a bowl of warm water to soak her fingers in, everyone sat down at the kitchen table with the Sheriff. He was none too happy about being dragged out into the cold on New Year's Eve. Emily saw Horatio and her grandmother exchange wicked little grins.

Several cinnamon rolls later and in a better frame of mind, the Sheriff had Emily's statement, and Horatio's account of what had gone on in the woods. On his way out the Sheriff saw Ghost resting on his bed, trying to lick his wound through the bandage the EMT had fashioned for him. "Too bad he can't tell us what went on," he commented. Wishing them all Happy New Year he went out to his car and drove off into the night.

After shutting the door behind him, Grandma looked at where Emily sat forlornly at the table and Horatio sat silently across from her. 'Not a good way to begin the New Year' she thought to herself.

"Okay, you two. Midnight is just 15 minutes away. I will put the kettle on and make some toddies for us. Horatio, could you please check the fire in the main room? It might need a few more logs. Emily, I think Ghost might need something to eat. And some fresh water. Can you manage?" They both answered her with a "Yes, ma'am." and went about their tasks. Emily was still not looking at Horatio if she could possibly help it and Grandma wondered what else had gone on in the woods.

It was only as Emily was filling Ghost's water bowl that she noticed her bare hand.

"Oh, no!" Grandma's ring was missing. She must have lost it in the snow.

"What is it dear?" Grandma Estin had noticed her granddaughter's white face and came over to see what was wrong. "Mmmm, perhaps you might want to turn off that faucet. Ghost isn't really up to going swimming, there Em."

Quickly turning off the tap, Emily thumped the water bowl down by Ghost's food bowl and looked at her grandmother.

"I can't believe I lost it. What am I going to do? I lost your ring Grandma. It … it must have come off in the snow." Emily's eyes were wide and glittered with new tears. 'Could this night get any worse?' she wondered. "I'm so sorry grandmother." Emily felt like a child owning up to a particularly naughty deed. Words failed her and Grandma Estin reached over to give her a hug.

"Em, I'm sorry you lost it. But it would have been far worse if something had happened to you, my dear. And I'm sure Horatio will say the same. Rings can be replaced." Emily thought she saw just a glimmer of tears in her grandmothers eyes and felt even more miserable. As her grandmother shooed her out into the main room, saying she would bring the toddies in a few minutes, Emily dreaded facing Horatio even more.

TBC