Chapter 94: Let the Contingencies Begin!

"Did you hear that, Dad?"

"Oh no," he moaned, spotting the huge cardboard box, and knowing exactly what was coming next, as his hearing was excellent.

And that's when Allie saw the same thing her father had just seen.

As they all walked closer, Nathan knew what his daughter was going to find inside, placing his hands over his eyes and throwing back his head. This could only happen to him!

"Aww," she cooed, kneeling down on the cold ground. "Dad, I think we have a contingency!"

Millicent knelt down beside her, wanting to see, but covering her mouth so she wouldn't laugh.

The box was full holding a big beautiful, deep-gray Persian mother cat and lots of tiny suckling babies, mostly black, who couldn't have been more than a few hours old.

Thankfully, there were lots of old newspapers lining the box, along with an old tattered, and torn blanket to keep them at least a little warm.

"May I pick them up?" begged Allie.

"No, Sweetie, not yet. We need to gain the mother's trust first, and the little ones need their food. Nathan, where could they have come from?"

But as she asked the question, Millicent realized someone had dumped them there.

Nathan saw the pain on her face, and he knew that between Millicent and Allie, his little family of three had just expanded.

His fiancée wanted so badly to believe the person or persons who had left them there had at least hoped the mother and her kittens would be found, but how could someone do this in freezing weather?

That was the piece she didn't want herself and especially her daughter to think about.

Millicent did the only thing she could do. She picked up the dirty cardboard box, and lifted it up to Nathan, with Allie helping her up.

And though a cat and passel of kittens was the last thing he wanted, Nathan took one look and couldn't possibly leave them there.

He looked around to see if anyone was there, but at first glance, there was no one.

"Why don't you Ladies go back to the sleigh and get warm under the blanket? I'll be close behind."

"Dad, what should we name them?"

"Allie, not now."

"Yes, Sir," she said dejectedly.

Her Dad wanted to listen without any competing noise, as he could have sworn he had heard something.

He could literally feel that someone was there, as he listened quietly.

There it was again.

A tiny snapping twig, and then he saw the flurry of movement. But this expert tracker was much quicker than the young, slight boy behind the smaller tree.

As Nathan reached for him. the boy, about ten years of age, looked like he was about to cry.

"Son!"

"I was just watching them to make sure they were okay!" he blurted out all at once.

"Son, it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you. Why are you leaving the cat and kittens? They could die out in this cold, you know."

"I know! That's why I was watching them. I was going to take them back to the barn if no one found them. My Mama said we couldn't keep them, that we couldn't afford to feed them. The mother cat is a stray who came to our house, and I hid her so she could have the babies, there in my room. But Mama heard them and said I had to take them outside and get rid of them. I didn't want to! I saw this big tree, and I knew someone would want it for Christmas, so I put them here where the kittens and their mother could be found. They just need a good home that can feed them. That's all!"

"Where are your parents, Son?"

"It's just my Mama and me. We live in that cottage over there."

Nathan, having the advantage of height, looked ahead, over the smaller trees, and was aghast at what he saw.

The place was more of a shack than a cottage, one with a roof that appeared to be falling in and sides with missing boards, causing his heart to break.

He searched for the mentioned barn but saw nothing except a tiny structure beside the shack, both about to fall down.

"What happened to your father?"

"Mama said not to ever say, just that he's away."

"Then can you tell me where he is," he asked, an expert at changing words to get the answer he needed.

"He's in prison, east of town, Sir! But I don't know exactly where."

That told Nathan the man was in a minimal-security prison, and that at least he had not committed a heinous crime, for which Nathan was most grateful.

But the thought this child's father was in prison at all, having left his family to fend for themselves, caused Nathan to swallow hard.

With the little boy's words, it was as though he was looking at himself all over again.

It was at that moment, that Nathan made a decision.

"Come with me, Son. We'll take you home to your mother."

The boy looked puzzled. And it was then, when he came fully from behind the tree, that Nathan saw he was wearing a thin tattered jacket, that might have provided some warmth in autumn at best, but not at all in the dead of winter.

Nathan couldn't hold back the tears.

He had been that little boy, although at least he had had food and warm clothes.

"What's your name, Son?"

"Scott Bartholomew Hayes. But Mama calls me Scotty."

Millicent could see what was happening and called Tom to help her down with a blanket.

She was back by Nathan's side in an instant and was devastated to see the boy's lack of warm clothes.

"I'm Millicent. Here Scott, let me place this around your shoulders."

"Thank you, Ma'am."

At least, the boy had been raised well, as he was obviously mannerly.

Millicent then called for Allie to pour a hot cup of Spiced Cider for him, and she and Nathan led him to their sleigh, where she opened the food hamper and found sandwiches for him.

He ate as though he hadn't had a meal in forever, drinking the hot liquid as fast as he could and scarfing down all the sandwiches in the hamper.

"There will be plenty of food, Scott," assured Millicent kindly. "And you'll have as much as you want. But I don't want you getting sick by eating too much all at once. What do you say, let's go find your mother…"


The entire family was silent as their sleigh pulled up to the little shack.

Nathan lifted Scott down from the back seat of the sleigh.

"Tom, will you please stay with Allie?"

"Of course, Chief."

Nathan led Millicent to the front door of the tiny shack, following Scott.

A frail, haggard-looking woman, who couldn't have been older than thirty, opened the door, relief spreading all over her face at the sight of her son.

"I…I…I'm so sorry. I hate for you to see the place like this. But thank you so much for bringing my Scotty home."

"Mrs. Hayes, I'm Millicent Bradford, and this is my fiancé, Chief Inspector Nathan Grant."

"Is it about Caleb? Is he okay?"

"Mrs. Hayes, I'm sorry, but I'm not here about your husband. We're just here to help you and Scott. May we come in?"

Inside the walls, such as they were, old newspapers were plastered everywhere, and the floor was made of packed dirt.

Though it had clearly been swept clean, as much as a dirt floor can be clean.

Apparently, there was no electricity, nor running water that Nathan could see. And his eagle eye had spotted no outhouse, as they drove up to the shack's surroundings.

The furnishings were sparse, and what was there was mostly broken. Their surroundings left Nathan pretty much speechless. He wasn't even sure if the mother and son had beds.

And he was pretty sure there was little food if any.

Millicent stepped in, knowing exactly what to do, taking Mrs. Hayes' hand in hers.

"Mrs. Hayes, we understand you and Scott are having a difficult time, and my fiancé and I want desperately to help you both."

"Why would you do that?" she asked warily.

"Because it's what we do. I personally run several foundations, one in particular that helps families in situations such as this."

Mrs. Hayes looked skeptical, but the set line of her mouth softened.

"What kind of help?" she asked, her interest piqued.

"Well, first of all, we need to get you out of this horrid place into a proper home with heat, electricity, and running water."

The woman looked shocked.

"Are you serious? You can do that?"

"Very serious. You and Scott can't continue to live like this. Winter is going to be especially harsh this year, and this structure could literally fall down under the coming snow. You deserve better, much better. What do you do for a living, Mrs. Hayes, if you don't mind my asking?"

This nice young woman hadn't assumed they were charity cases, and Mrs. Hayes greatly appreciated that. It was very important to her that people knew she did her best to pay their way. And that one comment caused her to be willing to open up a bit more.

"Mama sews for other people," her son proudly interjected. "She makes the most beautiful clothes. But she…"

"Hush, Scottie. The truth is not many people are willing to come to a place like this. I wanted to make Scottie winter clothes, but we don't have the money to buy any fabric, and I've sewn up everything I had to sell."

Mrs. Hayes broke down.

"I don't know how we are going to make it through the winter. I can barely provide enough food for Scotty now, and he's a growing boy who needs his food. I do without so that he can eat as much as possible."

Her gaunt figure confirmed that was exactly what she was doing.

Then she started sobbing, leaving her thin bony body shaking.

Millicent enfolded Mrs. Hayes in her arms, doing her best to comfort her.

Not once did Millicent look down on this woman, she simply befriended her, at the same time allowing her to keep her dignity.

Nathan was very impressed to see the woman he loved once again doing what she was born to do, both sincerely and passionately.

Her voice was soft but confident.

"We can help, Mrs. Hayes. Will you trust us?" asked Millicent tenderly.

"There is no one else offering to help, and as you can see, we desperately need any help you can give us. You look honest, Miss Bradford, like a real live Angel! And so do you, Chief Inspector."

Nathan nodded his recognition, knowing she meant he looked honest.

"I'm afraid I'm a mere mortal just like you, but this is what we can do. We can take you to a nice warm apartment my father owns. It has three large bedrooms, which means you could use one of them for your sewing business. The apartment is in a very good, safe part of town, and if you are as good a seamstress as your son says, I'm sure you could build enough of a clientele to make a good living for you and Scott, especially if you will allow my foundation to provide for you until that can happen."

"But I can't possibly afford that."

"The foundation will pay your rent until you are able to do so, as well as your food, warm clothes, anything and everything you need. But I'm hoping when you do get your business up and running, we can perhaps find you and Scottie a house with a little garden for you to tend for food and enough outdoor space for him to play ball."

Mrs. Hayes sniffled and wiped her eyes.

"I'm afraid that is an impossible dream I stopped dreaming a long time ago, Miss Bradford. But I could never pay all that back, so I'm afraid the answer has to be no."

Nathan noticed Scott's crestfallen look.

"Please call me Millicent. You don't pay any of it back, Mrs. Hayes. The money is there to help in the present. Just pay it forward by helping someone else in need when you are able. That's all we ask."

"Call me Sarah."

"That's a lovely name. One of my favorite biblical names. I see you study the Bible."

It was worn terribly, but the book was open as though she had just been reading it by what light could pass through the single, mottled glass window.

"I was just reading it, praying to God for help. And here I looked up, and the two of you were standing at my door with Scotty. I guess that's an answer I can't deny."

"It most definitely is an answer. We can make this happen right now if you're willing to let us help pack you up and take you there."

"Today? Right now?"

"Please, Mama. I don't like you to be cold at night. And we're so hungry."

The sound that came from her throat was guttural, broken-hearted at what they had gone through and were going through, just existing, doing their best to survive from one day to the next.

Millicent just kept holding her hands, searching her face.

"Sarah, there is no shame in bad circumstances. At one point or another, all of us have them. You've done your very best. That's all God requires. I believe with all my heart it was God who led us to you. How else would our daughter have selected the very tree where your son was?"

Nathan had been silent taking everything in, amazed at how expertly and kindly Millicent was handling the situation, without any pity whatsoever.

He could tell Sarah was just about convinced.

Nathan spoke up.

"Mrs. Hayes," she looked at him as though to correct him. "Sarah, my family has experienced my father going to prison as well."

She looked alarmed, as Nathan continued.

"The shame belongs to the person who has committed the crime, not the family that's left behind. It took me years to understand that. Please understand now, that you and your Son have nothing whatsoever to be ashamed about. You have done nothing wrong."

"You went through this?" she asked incredulously. "This horrible thing?"

"Yes, I did, along with my mother and my twin sister. I know what it's like firsthand. I know the gossip and the murmurs. I know the deep, deep hurt. Please let us help you just like others helped us when we needed it most…"


It took the four of them less than ten minutes to gather all the Hayes's belongings, and lock up the tiny shack, leaving the key on the one window sill.

"Is there anything in the barn?"

Out of respect for Scott and his mother, Nathan called it that, although it was barely a lean-to.

"Oh, just my book. I'll hurry and find it," and Scott was off to the lean-to, hunting under what little hay was there.

Sarah had no coat, so Millicent took off her own woolen one, and placed it around the woman's shivering shoulders, causing Nathan to be concerned about his fiancée.

He quickly tried to give her his own coat.

"No, thank you, Darling. We'll go to the sleigh now, and I'll wrap myself in our blanket," she explained. "It's every bit as warm as this old coat."

"Here, Sarah, it's so cold, you'd better slip your arms in the sleeves. Do you have a scarf?"

"Yes, it's right here."

Millicent took note as it was tattered and worn.

She had already been making mental notes of the many, many things this family would need.

Nathan carried Sarah's one remaining prized possession to the back of the sleigh, as she was carrying her most prized possession, her Bible.

The sewing machine was old and heavy, but well-cared for.

Tom sent Matt to help Nathan lift it, as he stayed ready to protect if anyone came along.

Once the machine was safely placed, Nathan turned to ask Sarah a question.

"Do we need to notify anyone you're leaving?"

"No, this place was just loaned to us for however long we needed it. I would like to come back, though, and thank Mr. Stone for his kindness one day soon, perhaps after I have had a chance to bake him a thank you?"

"Of course," agreed Nathan. "We will be happy to bring you when you are ready."

"Here's my book. I'm ready, Mama," called Scott, running toward them.

Nathan tousled Scott's hair, in affection at the boy's enthusiasm.

The boy's smile was already brilliant, as though he was fully trusting and filled with boundless hope inside.

'This child can already see a better present and even the chance of a wonderful future,' marveled Nathan inwardly. 'Miraculous how young children have that ability to give total trust with no questions asked.'

But today, Nathan was very thankful for that God-given ability.

The two were trusting him and Millicent, and neither would fail them.

Not ever.

As they all loaded up into the sleigh, Millicent passed out the untouched hot thermoses along with sandwiches, followed by Essie's cookies.

They didn't look but could hear Mother and Son hungrily eating after a quick prayer.

When they were finished, Nathan instructed the driver to start their journey back.

Then Nathan resumed leading everyone in singing their Christmas Carols, with Sarah and Scott slowly joining in.

They began with singing happy ones as they left, then more serious ones of faith.

Sarah and Scott finally felt comfortable enough to sing a bit more openly, even offering a smile here and there, on their journey to their brand new life.

The change that came over Sarah's and Scott's faces, in general, was truly miraculous.

Their taunt stressed facial expressions had already eased significantly.

Sarah looked years younger, her face now also filled with hope. Scott looked like a little boy his age should, almost free of the adult worries he had carried since his father had been taken away.

Nathan knew those worries intimately and had easily recognized them. He also knew with his guidance, Scott could overcome them.

"I feel as though the weight of the world has fallen from my shoulders," exclaimed Sarah. "Praise God! My child will have a warm bed tonight. The bed I have prayed for every day. I just don't know how to thank you both!"

"Mama, it's alright. The floor wasn't that bad!" assured Scott.

Millicent shed a tear thinking about that sweet boy sleeping on that awful cold dirt floor, realizing Sarah had done the exact same thing.

She was trying desperately to control herself, so Sarah and Scott wouldn't know.

Nathan drew her closer to him, offering his shoulder.

"You don't have to thank us, Sarah," Millicent was finally able to answer. "Trusting us is thanks enough. We won't let you down. I think you're going to be very pleased with your new apartment!"

"Mama, now maybe we can have Christmas!" noted Scott hopefully.

"Shh, Son. A roof over our heads is more than enough! That will be our Christmas, Honey. And want a grand Christmas that will be!"

"Oh, I believe there will be a bit more of a real Christmas in addition to all of this," assured Millicent. "You've just both got to believe!"

"Please, Mama!"

Sarah drew her son close to her in the back seat of the sleigh.

"For the first time in a long time, Son, I'm beginning to do just that!"

The little boy beamed, tattered clothes and all.

Nathan didn't know how Sarah had accomplished it living in a dirt-floored shack, but despite their worn and dusty clothes, they were all clean, even their bodies and hair.

Although Millicent had no doubt both were ready for long comforting baths.

That told Nathan, she had done her best to be a good mother, despite their circumstances.

Allie was taking everything in from the front seat, rather timidly, her parents noted.

But then Nathan realized Allie had never seen such abject poverty.

Thankfully they had kept her from going inside.

"Scott, what grade of school are you in?" asked Millicent, trying to brighten their conversation. "If you don't mind my asking. There's a really nice school close to your apartment. In fact, it's within walking distance."

"Oh, that's great! I'm in Fifth Grade, Ma'am. I love school so much."

"And he's a very good student, too! All A's." bragged his mother. "He hopes to be a doctor."

"My brother William is studying to be a doctor too. You'll have to meet him, Scott. He wants to be a Surgeon, and has since he was a little boy."

"Really? I'd love that."

"We'll be sure to make it happen," promised Millicent with a smile.

By now, they had traveled all the way back to the Limo.

"What's this," asked a puzzled Sarah.

"I'm afraid we Bradfords are more well-known than we would like, as my father has quite a few businesses throughout Canada. I'm sorry, but this seems to be the only safe way we can travel these days with all the threats we receive."

Sarah nodded, still non-plussed at the huge Limousine, while noticing the large team of men around the family.

Albert came to her.

"At your service, Ma'am! I'll take very good care of you and your Son."

His smile relaxed Sarah and made her feel better about getting inside.

"Albert, can you please take us home first, so I can leave messages related to this afternoon, then straight on to Sandringham Apartments in mid-town to take the Hayes to their new home?"

"Of course, Miss. My pleasure."

Scott was as excited as could be to get to ride in such a vehicle. He had never seen anything like it before! His eyes widened, and he looked at Allie.

"Do you ever get used to this?" he asked shyly.

"I honestly don't know. This is all new to me too!"

Both children laughed, and all was well again as everyone piled into the car to travel to the City…


Albert finally pulled up into the Townhouse drive and got out to open the back door for Nathan and Millicent.

"Allie, why don't you stay here with Mrs. Hayes and Scott and keep them company, while you're Momma and I go in to leave instructions with Auntie Essie? We'll be right back!"

"Sure, Dad, we'll be fine! But do you have to take the kittens, Dad?"

"Yes, Auntie Essie will care for them till you get back, Allie!"

"Yes, Sir!"

Allie didn't like it but she knew they'd be better off than in the car.

Both Nathan and Millicent didn't want their daughter to be distracted by the kittens.

Instead, they wanted Allie to see the Hayes' excitement over their new apartment. They wanted her to see what it really meant to help those in need. And to realize that helping others was truly what Christmas was all about.

Nathan quickly helped Millicent out of the car, grabbed the box containing the cat and kittens, and led his fiancée to their back door.

"Sir, Matt and I will set the hampers inside the door and leave them there on the back porch," offered Tom.

"Thank you, Tom, Matt!" called Nathan from the doorway.

Then he followed Millicent into the kitchen.

"Glory be! You're finally at home. I was getting worried," declared Essie. "Where's our girl?"

"Still in the car, Essie," answered Millicent. "I'm afraid we have an errand to run."

But their look told her there was more.

"Essie, I'm afraid we met a couple of contingencies today. The tree is being delivered, and it's a whopper of a Blue Spruce that can be planted outdoors when we're through," explained Nathan. "Can we leave this on the back porch?"

"What is this?"

"A mother cat and her newly birthed babies."

"Oh, no, not the porch, Sir! It gets much too cold for them out there. Just put them down right there in the laundry room. It's nice and warm, and I'll keep a close watch over them. You can explain later!"

"Thank you, Essie! You're the absolute best

"Essie, can you please call our mothers and tell them to still come if they can make it an hour later? Also, ask if they don't mind helping us shop for a family we're placing in one of our apartments. They are in desperate need of help, and they literally have almost nothing."

Oh, and I need the key to the Sandringham Apartments."

"It's hanging by the back door, Miss, I'll get it."

"And Essie, do we have any frozen casseroles?"

Essie returned from getting the key.

"Here, Miss. Why don't I pack up our lunch, and make another for when you all get home? Give them this, instead. It will just take me a minute to pack. Hendrix, can you come and help, please?"

"The hampers are out back, Essie," explained Nathan. "Let me go get them."

"Thanks, Son!"

Hendrix was there within a couple of minutes, with all four now working furiously to unpack and repack the couple of hampers, as only Essie could direct.

She gave the new family homemade jams and canned goods, along with the freshly baked bread still warm from her ovens, and a huge batch of her shortbread cookies.

She even raided the fridge for sandwich meats and extra condiments.

She also grabbed a couple of bottles of milk for the boy they had told her about and added some Coffee and Tea for the mother.

"Now, what are we leaving out? Nothing, I hope, but Hendrix, would you mind going to the store with Albert when we get back and stock them up with everything a family would need? All the basics and more?" asked Millicent. "Apparently, they haven't had much food for a very long time."

"My pleasure, Miss! Consider it done. We'll give them a bountiful larder and pantry. Give us the name of the apartment and I'll have Albert deliver them as well."

"That's perfect! He's taking them there, so he will know which one. Am I missing anything? Allie and I will buy clothes for both with our Mothers later this afternoon."

"I think this is wonderful. They will be so pleased, Mil!"

"I think so too! I believe we're ready, Darling."

"Oh, don't forget to grab you another coat while Hendrix and I load up the boot," reminded Nathan.

Essie followed her to the Hallway and had a warm coat in her hands before Millicent could reach the closet.

"Here, you go, Miss! Take this scarf."

"Thanks, Essie, and thanks for understanding. I just couldn't abandon them."

"I wouldn't expect anything else. A new hot meal will be waiting for all of you when you return! I'm glad to have contributed my little part for the two!"

Essie had the best heart.

Millicent reached to kiss her cheek.

"You're the best, Essie. I don't know what I'd do without you!"

"Well, thankfully, you're not going to find out. I'm afraid you're stuck with us both!"

The two hurried back to the kitchen, but not before Essie had grabbed a pair of gloves to replace the ones Millicent had given to Sarah.

Then they walked to the back door, with Essie waving, while Nathan helped Millicent back into the Limo…


When Albert arrived at the Sandringham Apartments, everyone was silent.

In fact, there was dead silence.

The car was thick with so many emotions.

But Nathan and Millicent could soon hear Sarah's soft tears.

Finally, she gathered herself together enough to speak.

"This is where we are going to live?" she finally choked out.

"This is the place," assured Millicent.

"Mama, this is beautiful. It's nicer than our old house," exclaimed Scott.

"It most certainly is, Son! And I am beyond grateful to God as well as the two of you!"

"Are you ready to go in? Your apartment is on the first floor just inside the door, to the left, so it will be easy to have people come in and out for fittings if that's okay?"

"Oh, that's ideal. Just perfect, really! And all these big windows look out onto the street? I love that! We'll get so much sunlight, Scotty. I've missed the sun so much. I…I truly can't wait to see it all!"

"Are you ready?"

There was a chorus of yeses from the entire car as all filed out, Albert included. Only the bulk of Security stayed behind to watch the vehicles, while Tom, Matt, Lance, and Kyle went in first to make sure everything was safe inside.

Sarah gasped at the bright, large furniture-filled space.

It was decorated so beautifully in lovely elegant colors.

She immediately started sobbing, simply overwhelmed with it all.

"This is the most beautiful home I have ever seen!"

"It's yours now, Sarah, for as long as you need. If you want anything at all changed, just let me know."

"No, thank you! It's perfect! Absolutely perfect!"

Millicent showed Sarah and Scott through the entire apartment.

"The bedrooms are huge, yet so cozy! I just can't believe this. And we each get a bed and an indoor bathroom? I just don't know what to say."

Sarah couldn't say the words as they simply wouldn't come, so she embraced Millicent instead, holding on for dear life.

"You really are an Angel! I will never be able to thank you and the Chief Inspector enough!"

"Enjoying this space and building your business while at the same time being the wonderful mother that you are to Scott is more than thanks enough for both of us!"

As they walked through the hallway back into the main living area, Nathan smiled.

"Darling, Albert and I have packed away all the extra food, except for their lunch, which Allie has spread on the counter here, ready to be eaten."

"Lunch too? Can you all please stay and eat with us?"

"We wish we could, but we have an appointment, and we have to get a few more things you are going to need that we'll bring by tonight."

"We couldn't possibly need anything more," insisted Sarah.

"We'll see," winked Millicent. "I want you both nice and warm, with everything you need. There is a phone outside in the lobby for all the people living here. Just make yourself at home, because this is your new home now. If you need anything at all, here is my number and don't hesitate to call me at any time."

"You are the kindest person I have ever met, and I will pray for you both every remaining day of my life. Thank you, Miss…Millicent. Thank you, Chief Inspector. My heart is full of gratitude which I hope to be able to express to you both, someday soon. Say thank you, Scott, to the wonderful people" she nudged.

Scott hugged Millicent first with tears in his eyes.

"Don't cry, Love. This is all yours and your mother's, you just enjoy your new home. And Scott, don't grow up too awfully fast."

Then she whispered something into his ear that brought the brightest smile, something about a secret promise of a Christmas Tree.

He then hugged Nathan, Albert, and Allie.

As the Grants turned to leave with Millicent, all hand in hand, she called back.

"We'll see you later this evening Sarah and Scott! Don't forget to lock your door behind us."

As the door closed, before they headed to their Limo, Millicent hugged her daughter.

"Momma, I offered Scott one of the kittens when it gets older, but he said he wasn't very good with cats. But I did find out he has always wanted a dog!"

"You did, did you? That was so good of you, Allie. We'll have to see what we can do, but let's keep that a secret, shall we?"

Allie nodded brightly.

"This, my Angel, is what Christmas is all about! Nothing on earth will ever give you as much joy as helping others! But for now, we need to hurry so we can meet your Grandmothers and help a bit more!"

And though she was only twelve, being the old soul Allie was, she seemed to understand her Momma's words, as the Grants' eyes glistened, all so thankful that Scott and his Mother would soon have full tummies, and finally be in warm beds tonight, just like them.

But there was still even more work to do…