A/N: Thank you to all who stuck by this little story. I am surprised and touched at how many enjoyed it, and grateful to all who took a moment to tell me so.

Chapter 7

Is odd, what difference sun make.

Another day with sun and no storm and everything seem better somehow. Hopeful. Or maybe is that Missy Cartwright seem better — sit up and eat some this morning. Or maybe is eve of New Year, stretching out before us like unbroken snow, full of possibilities.

Fresh start. Leaving Year of the Ox. Entering Year of the Tiger.

I look around big room after my final sweeping up of luck for old year and think about my own fresh start in this strange and faraway place - little less strange each day, maybe.

Chinese New Year decorations hang everywhere, giving room funny look.

Not bad funny — good funny — like room big enough to hold many kinds of thinking in harmony. I sweep my pile of dust and dirt by door and pause again to read fai chun hanging there:

"May you have happiness and great fortune."

"May you have wealth and treasures."

Need one more, I think:

"May you be wise enough to recognize them when you have them."

I will add later.

I am about to sweep pile out door when the tiny one start up wailing and I shake my head. Always something, this one. Was planning to check on brothers anyway — maybe he come, too. Warmer today — like fresh air, maybe.

I put down broom and go to pick him up.

He stop cry immediately.

Not hungry, then. Not wet either. Just want company, maybe.

"What you need now?" I ask him. "Motha betta. You go back with her soon. Make you happy, yes?"

He look up at me and gurgle, wrap tiny hands and mouth on my shoulder and suck on it.

I shake head. "What you doing now? How many times I tell you — just cook; not you sau nai-nai."

He coo like little bird and I sigh. No telling this one anything.

I open door with free hand and reach again for broom — sweep dirt and dust out, watch it scatter in light breeze.

Old luck gone. Ready for new.

I squint my eyes, looking for Missas Adam and Hoss. Hear shout and see them running. Frown.

What now, these boys?

Then smile when I see, head suddenly light with pleasure.

"Look," I tell tiny one. "Look who — what I tell you? First motha back, now fatha. Why you ever doubt Hop Sing?"

I see Missa Cartwright walking horse through deep drifts. Not alone; little closer and I recognize Burl and Jake and doctor, too.

Missa Cartwright bend down as Missa Adam reach him and hold him close, then lift Missa Hoss to carry him. Lucky thing Missa Cartwright big man, can carry his big-though-still-little boy.

Missa Adam take horse, walk alongside. I can hear talking, both boys at once, but not words. As they get near I see Missa Cartwright's face with all the worry of last few days still on it.

"Missy Cartwright much betta," I tell him at once. "Eat today."

Missa Cartwright give me quick smile, full of questions.

Doctor give his horse to Missa Adam, too. "That's good news. Let me check her over — no, you stay here with your boys, Ben. I know the way and I'll make out much better without you underfoot."

Missa Cartwright look uncertain. His eyes follow doctor, then find mine.

"Much betta," I repeat.

He nod, not convinced I see, but he remember boys and try to smile. "And these three scalawags — how did they behave?"

Missa Adam glance away, not sure what I say.

I give him small smile. "Boys very good. Big help to Hop Sing."

Missa Adam look at me with big relief, then at father.

Missa Ben grip his shoulder, then look closer at both boys. "What — have you boys had your hair cut?"

Little Hoss nod hard. "Hop Sing cut it — for New Year's."

Missa Cartwright stare at me, go white.

"Hop Sing," he almost whisper. "I'm so sorry. With everything that's happened I forgot…" He glance at sun, back at me. "It's a hard ride into town with the snow, but I think you could make it by sundown if you begin right away. Take any mount you like."

Missa Adam and the little Hoss stare at father then at me, faces suddenly gone empty.

I look at them and bounce tiny one. "New Year celebration last fifteen day," I tell him. "I go later."

Missa Ben frown at boys and lower voice. "But New Year's Eve is the most important day — you told me that yourself. A day to be with those close to you — family."

I think on this.

Both Missa Adam and Missa Hoss look at me. The tiny one has grasped my collar now and sucks it happily.

"Is true," I say at last, raising brows at boys. "Very important family day. We have many plans, yes?"

Missa Adam's sudden smile bright — for moment, nothing hidden — and little Hoss clap his hands. "It's true, Pa. Wait'll you see what we done! I made flowers and there's chickens what still got their heads and chin-hoes …"

"Chuen-ho," Missa Adam correct him.

Missa Hoss not perturbed. "Well, they taste good; Hop Sing let me have a little. Come on and see, Pa!" He squirm to get down, and father lower him.

"All right, all right - you two go ahead. I'll be right there." His eyes are on me. "Hop Sing … "

I shrug to stop words. "Few days, I maybe like go see Lantern Festival." My eyes stop on dark head below me, then light one lower still and I pause, look question at Boss. "Maybe boys like go with me?"

Missa Hoss jump up and down. "Can we, Pa? Can we, please? I wanna see the dragon dance!"

Missa Adam say nothing but his face is filled with same feelings as little Hoss's words.

Missa Ben look from them to me, then run his fingers through Missa Hoss's new haircut. "I don't see why not," he say, slow, then smile. "In fact, if your mother is well enough, I think we should all go. I'd like to see a dragon dance myself."

Missa Hoss hug his legs. "Oh, goody! Thanks, Pa! Wait till you see all the food! And we're gonna stay up all night! Come see my flowers! Come see Adam's fighch'n!"

"Fai chun," Missa Adam correct with sigh, as little brother duck through door. But he smile at father. "Thanks, Pa."

Missa Ben reach down and rub his head lightly. "All right. Why don't you make sure your brother stays out of the doctor's way for me?"

Missa Adam nod and follow brother inside.

Missa Ben reach out to take tiny one, looking at me. The worry on his face remind me so much of Missa Adam I cannot hide smile. He kiss top of tiny one's head then look after two older boys as though still seeing them. Finally he say, "Marie … she's really better?"

"Much betta. Docta tell you."

He nod again, jiggle tiny one and listen for moment to merry sounds boys making inside. He look at me again — not worried now, face filled with … something else. He cough, then smile at me.

"Hop Sing, I …" He shake head, looking happy and sad both. "I don't know what to say."

I shrug so he know I understand him. "Is New Year. Say 'Gueng Huei Fa Zuai'."

He look surprise, then he laugh — laugh that sound like maybe partly tears.

"Gueng Huei Fa Zuai," he smile, putting free arm around my shoulders. "Gueng Huei Fa Zuai, my friend."

Fin

And gueng huei fa zuai to all of you.

Well, now you know, Tauna! Just as you wanted! Hope the story didn't disappoint and thanks for sticking with it.