The Christmas Child: The Sequel to Return to Shiloh

by Western Gal

The sequel to Return to Shiloh. Randy receives a Christmas visitor from the past. Jenny comes for a visit. And what will happen when Judge Garth and his adopted niece Josie Dawson unknowingly take in her friend Jamie Cole's long lost little cousin Lottie? Will it be a disaster or will it be a Christmas miracle?

5. Chapter 5

The Christmas Child: [Chapter Five]

[Visitors]

I hear somebody coming, Josie. So do I, Jamie. I'll go see who it is. You two finish your hot chocolate. Afternoon, Judge. Hello, Randy, Ellie. Come in out of this wind. Hi, Granpa. Hello, Ellie. Josie has made some hot chocolate. Would you like some? Oh, yes. [Meanwhile in the Kitchen]

Do you get a lot of visitors, Josie? Frequently, Lottie. And almost all of them are welcome visitors. So far we have'nt had any unwelcome ones. Look who dropped in, Josie. Hello, Randy. Hello, Ellie. Howdy, Josie. Hi, Randy. Howdy, Jamie. We're glad you two dropped by, Randy. We were in the neighborhood, Judge, so we were glad to. I'll get you both some hot chocolate. Hi, Josie. Hello, Ellie. And who is this pretty little thing? Randy, this is Lottie. Lottie, this is Randy Benton and his daughter Ellie. Randy has been a part of the family here for a long time. I'm pleased to meet you, sir. Same here, Lottie. And you can just call me Randy. My little girl over there is just about your age. Would you like some hot chocolate, Ellie? I sure would, Josie. Come, you two. Where'd she come from, Judge? Her father was killed and we took her in, Randy. Mark came here last night and told us about her. She's an orphan as far as we know. She sure is a pretty little thing. She's the same age as Annie and Ellie. I sure hope you find her family, Judge. So do I, Randy. If we don't, she'll live here with us. She'll be a part of the family just as you and Ellie are. Then she'll be lucky then, Judge. I just hope I'll be up to the task of raising her, Randy. Well, as far as I can see, you did a fine job with Betsy, Judge. And you're doing a fine job with Josie there. If Lottie's anything like the two of them, it'll be easy. I hope so, Randy. You make good hot chocolate, Josie. Thank you, Ellie. How old are you, Ellie? I'm seven, Lottie. So am I. And I hope we can be best friends. So do I, Ellie. I like you and your daddy. I wish mine had been like him. Where is he, Lottie? He got himself killed, Ellie. My real daddy died when I was five. And Randy adopted you, did'nt he? Yes, he's my daddy now. He and my real daddy were good friends. Josie's uncle asked me to call him granpa because he loves my daddy like he was his own son. I never knew my real granpa or my adopted one, either. What happened to your adopted granpa, Ellie? He was killed before my daddy came to Shiloh, Lottie. And Granpa and my Aunt Betsy took him into their family. I have a great granpa still. But I have'nt got to meet him yet. He may be coming for Christmas. That sounds nice. Do you want to go over where my daddy is? Sure, Ellie. So, Granpa, will you and Josie keep Lottie? I hope we can, Ellie. I hope so too, because I like Lottie. We're partial to her ourselves, Ellie. I can see that, Josie. Why, its almost lunchtime, Uncle Henry. Would you and Ellie stay for lunch, Randy? We'd be pleased to, Josie. Alright, you men clear out of here so I can get it going. Shoo, now. See ya later, Josie. You too, Jamie. Jamie, while I'm preparing lunch, would you show Lottie the horses? Sure, Josie. Do you want to see our horses, Lottie? Yes, Jamie. Come on, then. You too, Ellie. Here's our barn. Most of them are in here because its cold out. They sure are pretty, Jamie. Would you like to pet one, Lottie? Would I? This is Syrup. Oh, she's so pretty. Hi, Syrup. [Neigh-neigh!] You're a pretty little horse. When she's big enough, I'll teach you to ride her, Lottie. I'd like that. Who named her Syrup? I did, Lottie. She's the sweetest foal there ever was. She's kind of like you are. She's so soft, Jamie.

[ A Little While Later]

I think I hear Josie ringing the lunch bell, Jamie. You're right, Lottie. She is. We'd better go back to the house now. Bye, Syrup. It was a pleasure meetimg you. [Neigh-neigh!], Syrup whinnied. How did you find the barn and the horses, Lottie? I enjoyed them, Josie. I got to meet Syrup. She's so soft. I like her, too. Jamie said he'll teach me to ride her when she's big enough. Jamie was the one that named her, Lottie. He told me that. Lunch is ready, everyone. Come, let's eat, everyone.