It was twilight when Matthias and his family set out for Town and Country plaza one Friday evening.
"I'll bet Santa Claus is already there, isn't he?" asked Paula from the back seat.
"I'd imagine so, but we're going for dinner first," said Ginny. "Aren't you hungry?"
"Yeah, but I wanna ask Santa something special, and I don't wanna forget it," Paula replied.
"I'm gonna ask him for a Baby Tender Love of my own," said Lili.
Matthias parked in front of Morrison's cafeteria, and the family got out of the car. Even though Paula was bundled up warm in her winter coat, a cool breeze made her shiver.
The Brimmers went inside the restaurant, grabbed trays, and got in line.
"What's that purple stuff, Mommy?" asked Paula a few minutes later.
"Those are beets," said Ginny. "You used to love them when you were a baby, but you haven't had them in a long time."
After a moment's consideration, Paula shuddered and moved on.
Later, she sat watching her mother help Benny eat his mashed potatoes. He was just learning to use a spoon and fork and got about as much food on the high chair tray as in his mouth. She thought about what she wanted to tell Santa and knew she wouldn't forget it. It was too important.
After their meal, the family headed into the main part of the plaza. Red and green streamers lined both sides of the path, Christmas carols were playing over the intercom, and right in the middle sat Santa in a big chair next to a Christmas tree laden with balls and tinsel. A line of children waited to sit in his lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Paula, Lili, and Benny joined the line.
At last it was their turn, and Benny toddled up to Santa, who lifted him and held him. He couldn't really say much, but Matthias snapped photos of the event. Lili was next.
"I want a Baby Tender Love," she told Santa. "My big sister has one, and I want one of my own."
"I'm sure that won't be a problem," said Santa. Lili went back to stand with her parents, and Paula finally had her chance.
"What can I do for you, little girl?" asked Santa.
"I want a pony!" Paula cried.
"Well now, that's a pretty big present, but I'll see what I can do!"
Paula grinned. "Thanks, Santa!"
She took her father's hand as the family entered the Gayfers department store.
"I told Santa I want a pony for Christmas, and he said, I'll see what I can do," she told her parents as they walked along.
Matthias and Ginny exchanged glances but didn't say anything.
After Gayfers, the family visited Murphy's and several other stores. They bought many nice things as gifts for their friends and family members. Paula saw a set of toy cars she thought Jakob would like and baby toys for Jeremy and Jennifer. The stars were already twinkling in the night sky by the time they set out for home.
At home, the children had their baths, then put on their warm pajamas and heard their bedtime story.
"Ponies need a lot of room to run around in," Ginny told her oldest daughter as she tucked her in. "I don't think there's enough room in our yard for a pony."
"Aw, not even a tiny little pony?" asked Paula.
Ginny sighed. "I don't think so. I'll talk to your father about it. He knows more about ponies than I do."
Paula yawned. "I hope he says it's OK."
After tucking Paula in, Ginny joined her husband in bed.
"I can tell she has her heart set on a pony for Christmas," she told him. "I hate to disappoint her, but our yard isn't nearly big enough for a pony, is it?"
"Not for a pony," Matthias agreed. "But there are miniature horses that are about the size of a big dog. I can't promise anything, but I'll see what I can do."
For several days, Mattias asked around at the car dealership and everywhere else he went, trying to find a miniature horse breeder. At last, a customer told him about a miniature horse breeder named Mr. Knight who lived on a large ranch with a stable in an adjacent county that was about an hours' drive away.
As soon as he got the chance, Matthias called Mr. Knight and asked if he had any foals for sale.
"As a matter of fact, I do," Mr. Knight told him. "Several of my mares have given birth over the last few months, and all the foals are weaned. You can come out and look at them whenever you like."
"How about Wednesday, December twenty-third?" asked Matthias.
"That sounds perfect!" said Mr. Knight.
Early Wednesday morning, Matthias and Ginny got their children up early.
"We're going for a ride in the country," Matthias told them.
"A long ride?" asked Lili.
"Fairly long, yes."
"Why are we going?" asked Paula.
Her father winked at her. "It's a surprise."
"A Christmas surprise?" asked Lili.
"Maybe."
"Oh, I can't wait to find out what it is!" cried Paula.
Matthias grinned. "You'll have to!"
He drove past the suburbs into the wide open fields. The family saw barns, silos, and large pastures with grazing cows of various different colors. Paula started singing 'Old MacDonald', and Lili quickly joined in.
They were up to about the twentieth verse and had long ago run out of animal names and started substituting silly words like 'toaster' and 'rug' when Matthias parked in front of Mr. Knight's horse ranch. Beyond the fence, the children could see miniature horses grazing. A solid brown mare grazed beside her foal, which was white with black spots.
"Horses!" Paula shrieked. In a flash she was outside the car and standing at the fence. The rest of the family followed her.
She turned to look at Matthias. "They're so tiny, Daddy!"
"They're miniature horses," Matthias replied. "They don't need as much space to run around in as regular horses - or ponies."
Mr. Knight appeared. He had dark brown hair streaked with white, bright blue eyes, and a goatee.
"I'm Matthias Brimmer. We spoke on the phone." Matthias shook his hand. "This is my wife Ginny and our children Paula, Lili, and Benny."
"Nice to meet you folks," said Mr. Knight. "What can I do for you?"
"Well, Paula here wants Santa to bring her a little horse for Christmas, and I was hoping to find one for him to bring," said Matthias.
"That one, Daddy!" Paula pointed to the white foal with brown spots. "He's so pretty! can I have him? Please?"