Snowy Wishes (7 page)

“Cool,” Robyn said, fascinated. Krista’s life was completely different to her own. It sounded so busy and exciting.

Krista smiled at her enthusiasm and her slanted dark eyes twinkled. “Would you and your parents like to visit my village and meet my family?”

“Would I? I’d love it!” Robyn said at once. “But I’ll have to ask my mom and dad if it’s okay. They’re in the main lounge. Why don’t you come with me, and then you can meet them?”

Krista nodded. “I would like that. I will go and get Uncle Nikolai and Aunt Jorun. They would like to meet your parents, too.”

As Robyn went belowdecks with
Krista, she whispered to Storm, “Isn’t it great that we’ve bumped into Krista again?”

Storm’s little face lit up, and he woofed in agreement.

Robyn woke the following morning, feeling full of excitement. Storm was curled in the crook of her arm. As she stirred, he opened one eye and then tucked his nose back between his paws.

“Come on, sleepyhead!” Robyn teased, gently tickling his furry little
sides. “We’re meeting Krista for breakfast.”

Storm stuck out all four fluffy white legs and had a big stretch before jumping to the floor.

Robyn threw back the quilt and got dressed quickly. Her parents were showered and ready, and they all went to the restaurant together. Robyn spotted Krista at a table the moment she and Storm walked in. She waved to her as she helped herself from the usual display of delicious food.

“Hi,” Robyn said as she went and sat next to Krista.

“Hello, Robyn. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, thanks. Oops,” Robyn said, as she felt Storm scrabbling up on to her lap. She pretended to drop her fork and
just managed to stop him from slipping off again.

The adults joined them with their plates of food. Mr. Parsons and Uncle Nikolai began chatting about soccer. Robyn’s mom and Aunt Jorun talked about knitting, having discovered that they shared a passion for crafts the previous night.

“They all seem to be getting along very well, don’t they?” Robyn commented to Krista.

“Yes, they do,” Krista said. “I am very pleased that your parents have accepted my invitation to visit our village.”

“Me too. I can’t wait,” Robyn said eagerly.

“I’m glad you said that,” Krista replied, her eyes glinting mysteriously. “I have
told my cousin Morten that you are coming to visit. He is arranging a surprise for you.”

Robyn smiled, wondering what it could be.

Later that day, Robyn and Storm were walking past some fishing boats frozen into the ice on a village wharf, on their way to meet up with her mom and dad who were in the supermarket. Robyn couldn’t stop thinking about what Krista’s surprise might be. She smiled down at Storm happily—this was turning out to be one of her best Christmases ever.

Suddenly, Robyn heard some furious snapping and growling. It was coming from a car parked outside a supermarket. In the back were two large dogs, who were scrabbling at the window.

Storm whimpered in terror and cowered against Robyn’s legs. She could
feel him trembling from head to foot through her warm boots.

“Shadow knows where I am. He has sent those dogs to attack me,” Storm whined.

Robyn tensed as she saw the streetlights gleaming on the dogs’ pale eyes and extra large teeth. How was she going to save her little friend? She was just about to pick Storm up and run away as fast as her legs would carry her when a man came out of the supermarket and got into the car. The fierce growling and barking eventually faded as the car pulled away.

“Those horrible dogs have gone now. You’re safe with me,” Robyn said. She picked Storm up and hurried onto a narrow side street.

The tiny puppy pressed himself against her and looked up at her with fearful eyes. “For now, perhaps, but Shadow will use his magic on other dogs we meet. If any of them find me, I may have to leave quickly, without saying good-bye.”

Robyn couldn’t bear to think of losing Storm so suddenly. “Maybe if we hide you really well, Shadow will give up looking for you and then you can stay with me forever. I’ll take you home with me when the cruise ends. You’ll love it there.”

Storm reached up and touched her face with one fluffy, white front paw.

“That is not possible. One day, I must return to my homeland to lead the Moon-claw pack. Do you understand
that, Robyn?” he barked, his little face serious.

Robyn swallowed hard, but she forced herself to nod as she went back toward the supermarket. She didn’t want to think about anything, except enjoying every single moment of her Christmas vacation with Storm.

Christmas Eve finally arrived, and Robyn and Storm stood beside Krista as
Sea Princess
steamed into the harbor with her horn blaring. The grayish winter light hung over the small town, which banked steeply up the hillside behind the harbor.

The ship was only staying for a few hours, as the Christmas festivities would soon begin on board.

“Will it take long to get to where you live?” Mrs. Parsons asked Krista.

“Not long at all.” Krista looked at Robyn and her lips curved in another of her mysterious smiles.

Robyn was puzzled. What could Krista be planning?

Ten minutes later, when she and Storm were getting off the ship, Robyn gave a cry of delight. A beautiful wooden sleigh, pulled by two reindeer in brightly colored harnesses with woolen tassels stood waiting.

“Wow! This is fantastic,” Robyn enthused.

“What a wonderful surprise,” her dad said.

Krista smiled. “I thought you would like it. This is Morten, my cousin,” she
said, introducing the tall young sleigh driver.

“Pleased to meet you,” Robyn said, smiling.

Robyn’s mom and dad greeted him, and then Morten helped them climb aboard the sleigh, before helping to load the supplies.

Robyn settled Storm on her lap and they nestled beneath the warmth of the thick furs. Krista sat next to her. Once everyone was settled, Morten twitched the reins and the reindeer sped off across the snow in a jingle of sleigh bells.

“This reminds me of that “Winter Wonderland” song!” Robyn’s dad said. “In the lane, snow is glistening. Can’t you hear, logs are blistering…,” he
began, singing all the wrong words.

Robyn saw her mom give him one of her looks and poke him in the ribs.

Robyn stifled a giggle as her dad fell silent. Krista glanced at her mom, and they both burst out laughing.

Storm sat upright on Robyn’s lap, looking around at the thick blanket of white snow. More flakes began to fall, dancing in the glow of the sleigh lanterns.

Soon lights were visible in the gloom ahead. Robyn saw buildings with grass
poking up through the snow on their roofs. Tall, cone-shaped tents were dotted around. She could smell wood smoke on the frosty air.

As Morten brought the sleigh to a halt, people hurried out to welcome back Krista and her aunt and uncle. Robyn smiled and shook hands as she was introduced to Krista’s parents, her brothers and sisters, and countless aunts and uncles and cousins. She knew she’d never remember all of their names.

“My grandparents would like to welcome you to their
lavvo
,” Krista explained. Robyn, Storm, and the adults were shown inside one of the tents.

Colorful wall hangings and a crackling log fire inside the
lavvo
made it very warm and cozy. Delicious smells came from
a metal cooking pot hanging over the flames. Robyn sat down close to the fire, and Storm came and curled up beside her.

Krista’s grandparents made them very welcome with food and hot drinks. Afterward, a woman entertained them with traditional chanting and storytelling, while playing on a skin drum covered with drawings.

“We call this
joik
,” Krista told Robyn. “Storytelling is an old tradition of my people.”

Storm sat up and pricked his ears, enjoying the entertainment. “I like this place,” he woofed.

Robyn reached down to pat him, to show that she did too. But she didn’t dare risk whispering to him with all the people around.

Krista showed Robyn around her house, too. It was similar to the houses back home, with a modern TV and a computer, but there was a large wooden hut and a wooden pen for reindeer attached to the side of it. Krista’s mom made fabulous jewelry with silver wire.