7
First, Holly had to find the children. Holly was easy to find. Though the little girl was slightly reluctant to leave Daisy, but her eyes lit up when Holly explained that her absence would be due to finding a Christmas tree.
"Is it alright with father?" the small girl asked.
"Yes, your father said it was alright," Holly reassured.
"Oh, that's so great!" Emily exclaimed as the infectious light returned to her eyes.
Holly smiled. "Now, let's go find your brother. We will need him to cut it down for us."
Jake beamed when Holly asked him. He couldn't wait to get the chance to be a man and chop down his first tree with a hatchet, and finished feeding the pigs in double time. He even helped his father unload the grain from the wagon. Then, Jake brought Buck around and harnessed him to th
