A Magical Christmas (27 page)

Julie laughed. “Sure!” she told him.

He rose, then helped her out of the snow. “Hey, kids! What are we, a bunch of crazies, having a snowball fight in a graveyard? Let’s get back to some warmth.”

“And video games,” Jordan said agreeably.

Ashley took her father’s hand as they started out of the cemetery.

Julie paused, just a few steps behind the others. She saw a tall figure leaning against one of the trees, wearing a slouch hat and old-fashioned frock coat.

Union style.

He lifted a hand to her and waved good-bye.

It couldn’t be. It really couldn’t be.

“Merry Christmas, Aaron Wainscott,” Julie whispered. “Merry Christmas. And thank you!”

Again, he waved.

Then he seemed to fade into the night. Julie waited just a second longer, then smiled and followed her family back to the car.