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Mrs. Hanson signed back. “It’s nice, isn’t it?” she said. “I’m learning it from Tina’s mom. Phillip can talk to the twins that way. They love doing it.”

“We used some signs ourselves while we were trying to find the baby,” said Jessie. “They come in handy.

Mom, are you thinking about what I asked about Buster?” Jessie was eating her cereal.

“I talked to your dad. Careful what you say in front of you-know-who.” She cut Phillip’s toast into triangles.

“We’re still thinking about it.”

After school Bryce and Tina came to Jessie’s house and they walked up the street to the Novaks’.

Ben Novak opened the door. “Come in. Come in. Here they are, Anna. Our Forever Heroes!”

Anna Novak entered the living room carrying Andel. She handed the baby to Ben and hugged Jessie and Tina and Bryce all together. She was crying. “We’ll never be able to really thank you enough. You are the most wonderful young people. I hope Andel grows up to be just like you three.”

“We’re so relieved,” said Jessie. “May we see the baby?”

Ben handed the baby to Jessie.

“Look at him, Bryce and Tina,” Jessie said. “Isn’t he beautiful?” Everyone fussed over the baby. She handed Andel back to his father.

“We have something for you, Jessie,” Anna said. She handed her a small white box.

“What’s this?” said Jessie. She lifted the lid of the box and removed a layer of cotton. Nestled inside was the blue baby bracelet. It was clean and shiny and the letters spelled NOVAK. “Oh, I can’t take this.”

“Yes, you take it,” said Ben. “Put it somewhere where you’ll see it every day. Then, if you’re ever feeling low, you’ll see it and be reminded that you are
someone very special.
”

“Thank you,” said Jessie. “I’ll do that!”

When Jessie got home, her mom had her coat and boots on and Phillip was bundled up in his blue snowsuit.

“Going somewhere?” said Jessie

“Keep your coat on,” said her mother. “You’re going too. It’s a surprise.”

In the car, her mom drove through the streets, almost free of snow. They pulled up to a house Jessie had never noticed before. “Where are we?” Jessie asked.

“Where are we?” Phillip asked from the back seat.

“You’ll see,” said her mom. “Can you unstrap Phillip?”

They went to the porch and rang the bell.

Jessie was surprised to see Mrs. Cole open the door.

“Hi, Jessie,” said the woman. “Please come in.”

“This is Phillip, Norma,” said Jessie’s mom.

“Hi, Phillip,” said Mrs. Cole. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

“Do you two know each other, Mom?” asked Jessie.

“Well, we just met yesterday. Dad and I came here to visit Buster.”

“Do you mean we get to keep him?” asked Jessie.

“If you still want to,” said her mother. “We thought he was very sweet. And he needs a home. His owners will be going to prison for a long time.”

Mrs. Cole came back into the room holding Buster. Jessie hardly recognized him. He’d had a bath and a trim and was still shaggy but adorable. Mrs. Cole set him on the floor and the dog ran to Jessie.

“Buster. Remember me?” whispered Jessie. She sat on the floor and put the dog in her lap. He wagged his tail and licked her nose.

Phillip sat on the floor beside them. “Hi, Buster,” he whispered. The dog climbed into Phillip’s lap and licked his hand. Phillip petted the dog and looked up at his mother. “Can we keep him, Mama?” he said.

“Yes you can,” said his mother. “He’s coming home with us.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Four weeks later, on the day before Thanksgiving, snow began to fall. It snowed the rest of the day and night and all through Thanksgiving Day. It finally stopped that evening. The sky cleared and a million stars appeared. A full moon shone.

The next morning, the sun was bright and turned Fairfield and the countryside into a white wonderland. Jessie, Tina and Phillip stood on the Hansons’ front porch. Everyone was bundled up against the cold. Jessie held Buster, who wore his plaid flannel dog coat.

“So,” said Tina. “How’s it going with the new dog?”

“The vet says he’s actually still a puppy,” said Jessie.

“Well he’s plenty cute,” said Tina. “And look at those bright eyes peeking out under his shaggy bangs.” She petted the dog. “Do he and Phillip get along?”

“Best friends,” answered Jessie. “The first night we had him, after Phillip was in bed, I couldn’t find him. He wasn’t in his dog bed in the kitchen. Finally Mom and I tiptoed into Phillip’s bedroom and there he was cuddled up with Phillip. “He’s slept there ever since.”

“I’m surprised your folks let him sleep in Phillip’s bed,” said Tina. “Mine sure wouldn’t.”

“I’m just as amazed as you,” said Jessie. “But Daddy says ‘a boy needs a dog,’” Jessie laughed. “I guess that means sleeping with one.”

“Look, Look!” said Phillip pointing to the street.

“Here they come,” said Jessie.

The beautiful horse and sleigh pulled out of Bryce’s driveway. Bryce, his sister Sunny, and Farley, the Old English Sheepdog, were on the seats in back. Bryce and Sunny waved and smiled and Farley barked. The driver reined the horse to a stop in the middle of the street. Tina picked up Phillip, and Jessie carried Buster while they trudged through the deep snow to the sleigh.

Bryce jumped from the sleigh and helped Tina and Jessie up to the seats. Sunny and Tina sat on one long seat with Farley between them. Bryce covered their laps with a bright red woolen blanket. Jessie and Bryce settled into the seat facing them with Phillip and Buster in-between. Jessie fastened Phillip’s seat belt and her own, then pulled the red lap blanket up high to keep her brother warm.

“It’s a perfect day for a sleigh ride!” said Jessie.

“Thank you, Mr. Sanderson,” she called to the driver.

Mr. Sanderson turned and smiled. “Ready?”

They all called, “Ready!”

He clicked his tongue at the horse and they started through the deep snow.

Buster licked Phillip’s nose.

Phillip pulled his mittened hand from under the blanket, patted his heart, hugged the little dog, and whispered. “I love you, Buster.”