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Alice held up five fingers.
“And if I take two, how many would be left?”
Alice curled down two fingers. “Free.”
“You are adding and subtracting.” She shook her head. “Wow.”
“Done?”
Julia wondered what other tricks Alice had up her sleeve. Maybe it was time for an IQ test. She was about to ask Alice another question when the phone rang. Julia went into the kitchen to answer. “Hello?”
“Merry Christmas Eve,” Ellie said.
“Merry Christmas Eve.”
“Are you coming?”
“Hopefully. We’ll try to leave in a minute or two.”
“Will she make a scene?”
“She might.”
“We’re waiting.”
“Okay.” Julia said good-bye to her sister and hung up.
She went to Alice then, bent down. “Julia would never hurt Alice, you know that, right?”
Alice’s face pulled into a frown.
&
nbsp; “I want to take you someplace special. Will you come with me?” Julia held out her hand.
Alice took hold, but her frown didn’t soften. She was confused, and as often happened, confusion frightened her.
“First you have to put on boots and your coat. It’s cold outside.”
“No.”
Julia sighed. The fight over shoes never ended. “Cold outside.” She reached for the fake-fur-lined rubber boots and black wool coat she’d put by the door. “Come on. I’ll give you a surprise if you put them on.”
“No.”
“No surprise? Oh, well, then.”
“Stop!” Alice cried out as Julia walked away. Frowning, she stuck her bare feet in the boots, put on her coat and clomped across the wood floor. “Smelly shoes.”
Julia smiled down at her. Smelly was the word for anything Alice didn’t like. “You’re such a good girl.” Reaching down, she took hold of Alice’s hand. “Will you follow me?”
Slowly, Alice nodded
Julia led the girl out of the house and toward Peanut’s truck. As she opened the door, she heard Alice start to make noises. It was the low, throaty growl she used to make.
“Use your words, Alice.”
“Stay.” She looked terrified.
