The Year the Cat Saved Christmas - a novella (10 page)

Ah, but that one kitten--now he was really
something special. Sebastian knew it wasn't simply his pride
speaking or his vanity. That little Maine coon cat was the one he'd
been waiting for. The kitten was strong and curious and brave.
Sebastian could teach him things, important things, like how
sometimes a cat had to do the impossible to keep his family
together. It was an important lesson and he would see to it the
little one learned it well.

"We're going outside for a minute," the Man
said to him. "You take care of things for us, you old devil."

The Woman kissed the top of Sebastian's head
then followed the Man out the door. Sebastian leaped onto the
windowsill and watched as they made their way through the deep snow
to the wooden sign that had been in the front yard for months now.
She pulled it out of the ground and handed it to the Man who broke
it over his knee then threw the pieces as far away as he could.
Then, to Sebastian's delight, they wrapped their arms around each
other and he knew they would be out there a long time.

His son meowed. Sebastian leaped down from
the windowsill and pressed his nose against a tiny ear.
One day
you'll love them as much as I do,
he thought.
When I'm gone,
you'll be here to take care of them and keep them safe from
harm.

Sebastian yawned. He wasn't at all tired but
maybe a short nap wasn't such a bad idea. Tomorrow was Christmas
and he knew how his humans were about Christmas.

He'd be lucky if he managed to get any rest
at all. Funny how Christmas had managed to come, even though there
was no tree or twinkling lights or presents stacked up higher than
a cat could jump.

Maybe Christmas was more than presents and
laughter. Maybe it had something to do with the feeling inside his
heart that seemed to grow stronger each year that he spent with his
people.

His family.

Sebastian yawned again. He wasn't tired but
it would feel nice to lie next to the fire and dream. He settled
his ancient bones near the fireplace and was about to doze off when
his son curled up next to him, his sturdy little body pressed close
to Sebastian's side.

The front door squeaked open then shut and he
heard the sounds of whispers and laughter from his people. He had
waited a long time to hear the house echo again with those sounds
and he congratulated himself on a job well done. There would be
many more happy Christmases spent in this house and he intended to
be around a long time to enjoy them.

Life was good, Sebastian thought as he fell
asleep next to his son.

Very good indeed.

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Bundle of Joy

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Laced with Magic

Spun by Sorcery

Charmed: A Sugar Maple Short Story

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Girls of Summer

Idle Point

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Paradise Point

Shore Lights

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The PAX Books

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All We Know of Heaven

Historical Romances

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Novellas

I Do, I Do . . . Again

The Marrying Man

Cookbook

A Skillet, A Spatula, and a Dream

Other Titles

Her Bad Boy Billionaire Lover

Second Harmony

The Edge of Forever

Sail Away

Once Around

Just Like Heaven

About the Author

Barbara Bretton is the award-winning, USA
Today bestselling author of over fifty novels, including
contemporary, paranormal, and historical titles. Over twelve
million copies are in print in over twenty languages. Her stories
have received starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly and
Booklist.

Here's how you can reach Barbara:

Barbarabretton AT gmail DOT com - email

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Barbarabretton.com - website

Barbarabretton.net - e-book and audio
website