Page 55 of Rebel Moon

Wasn’t that the truth.

He showed us Cassiopeia, the big W, and the Milky Way itself, that river of haze pouring right down the middle of everything, and told us we were looking edge-on into our own galaxy, into the flat of the plate with us sitting out near the rim. He showed us a smudge he said was another galaxy entirely—Andromeda—two and a half million years of light, the farthest thing a human eye can see unassisted.

“You ready to watch the sky fall?” Dr. Williams asked. “This week’s the Geminids. Best meteor shower of the year. Fortunately, the weather cooperated tonight. They peaked a few days ago, but we couldn’t see them because of the cloud cover. But tonight, my friends, we are in for a show. Give it a minute. Don’t hunt for them, just keep your gaze loose.”

We gave it a minute. And the sky did indeed begin to fall.

Not all at once. The first was a quick bright scratch across the dark over the mountains, there and gone. Luci gasped, which made us all laugh. Another blaze ripped across the sky, disappearing as quickly as it had come. Next, two long slow ones drew a sparkly line across half the sky. A few short, sharp ones flared and died. Every time one showed off for us, the whole meadow made sounds of pure delight. Suddenly, we were just wide-eyed kids in a field.

“Make a wish,” Madeleine said, under her breath. Almost to herself.

“You believe a wish can come true?” I asked.

“Maybe it’s time I do.”

Just then, a meteor tore across the dark.

I made a wish. I sure did.

Don’t let this disappear when we go home.

“Did you make one?” Madeleine asked me.

“I did. You?”

“Yep.”

“Can you tell each other your wish or does that take away the power?” I asked.

“No, we can’t share. That’s a rule.”

I chuckled. “Who makes these rules?”

“It’s not for mere mortals to know.” She turned toward the doctor and asked, “Where’s the moon?”

I swallowed. I knew why she was asking. At least I hoped I knew.

“Not up yet,” Dr. Williams said. “Our girl rises late this week. She’s waxing. Just like a woman, saving herself for a grand entrance. But as I told Ivy earlier, she’ll be full on the night of the wedding.”

There were murmurs of delight.

“Isn’t it romantic?” Ivy asked. “Just like this whole month here.”

“Amen,” Grant said.

“You did good, Ivy,” Luci said. “I had no idea there would be this much magic in Montana.”

“Christmas magic,” Blake said, sounding dreamy.

“What is it you always say, Knox? About kissing a girl on a full moon?” Jack asked.

“Don’t do it unless you mean it,” said Grant, Rhett, and Beck in perfect harmony.

“Or do it because you mean it. Isn’t that right?” Ivy asked.

“Subtle difference, but yeah,” I said.

“I sure hope everyone remembers that on December twenty-fourth,” Ivy said, a teasing lilt in her voice. However, I knew she wasn’t just joking. Ivy James had gone to considerable trouble in her matchmaking scheme. Looking around, it seemed like it was working.