A Christmas Wish

By Robert F Moore

Young orphan Mandy sits on Santa's lap and asks for one Christmas wish. Mandy and her friend, Carmel the hamster, journey up the Christmas tree to reach the angel atop and have her wish granted. Along the way they meet friends and foes who help or hinder their progress.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert F Moore
• Release date: Apr 10, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476006192

Robert F Moore

Robert F Moore is a tenured investment professional who gleans elements of his thriller novels from analysis of markets, corporations, economies and business leaders. His thriller novels involve people and events which pose extraordinary socioeconomic impact to the United States and world. Characters routinely face unprecedented situations which forces them to utilize all internal and external resources."Minerva" Robert's third thriller novel, introduces the character Dax Rushmore and is scheduled for release in late 2015.

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A Christmas Wish

Published by Robert F. Moore at Smashwords

Copyright 2012 Robert F. Moore

Cover by Red Willow Design

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter 1

Town Square Christmas Celebration

Amanda Binkle leapt off the bus, twirled, and marveled at the huge Christmas display. A smile widened on the face of the seven-year-old when she spotted thousands of lights all around the park. It was her first smile in a long time.

Come on, Mandy. Her friend, Shelly grabbed her arm and they ran to the center of the square.

Mandy didn’t know where to look first. A team of Clydesdale horses caught her attention. They stood in front of a giant red sleigh loaded with presents. Two Dalmatians atop the sleigh stared down at her. She wanted to climb up and pet them, but didn’t want to scare them.

The clang of the merry-go-round bell caused her to turn and look to the other side of the park. Large wooden horses shifted up and down as the platform began rotating. Brilliant colors of red, green, pink and gold filled her sight. Shiny jewels attached to the bodies of the horses glistened. Smiling children grasped the pole and bobbed up and down.

We have to take a ride on that, Shelly said. Mandy and Shelly pulled wristbands out of their pockets and helped each other put them on. Kids from the orphanage had been given all-access passes. They giggled as they looked at everything they could ride for free.

They ran to the other side of the square and stopped abruptly when train gates lowered and cut off the path. The brightly-lit engine billowed white smoke. Colorful lights were wrapped around each of the cars. Mandy saw children and parents standing on the caboose waving to the crowd as the train chugged past. Her heart sank momentarily.

Mandy looked into the grey sky, flurries gently fell. She rustled through her pockets and yanked out her mittens and scarf. The hand-me-down items were an ugly brown, but she had nothing else.

A lot of the kids she saw were dressed in bright jackets with matching scarves and hats. Some had neat designs. For Mandy, all she owned were a few pair of pants, a frayed red jacket and shirts too big for her. The orphanage gave her whatever clothes they had available.

Clothes seemed trivial compared to the lack of affection she so desperately needed. She looked at the kids around her. Hands locked inside their parents’ grip. Most clutched something in their free hand—stuffed animals, toys or balloons. Glow sticks and blinking necklaces were everywhere, along with decorated Christmas hats.

Shelly grabbed her hand. Let’s go.

Why?

Shelly spun her around. Mandy saw Harriet and her bully friends walking toward them. Mandy and Shelly ran.

A teenage girl with a microphone called for everyone’s attention. She stood on a stage in front of an enormous Christmas tree. None of the lights were lit. Okay, there’s only a few minutes left before we do the lighting. Everyone gather around and help with the countdown. People pushed their way toward the stage. Mandy grasped Shelly’s outstretched hands and joined her friend.

This tree has to be twenty feet tall, Mandy said as she looked up.

I think it’s even bigger. I love all the ornaments, they’re so beautiful.

Mandy stood on her toes. When someone blocked her vision she moved aside to see more of the tree. Ten, nine, eight, the teenage girl on stage shouted, seven, six, five, the crowd joined, four, three, two, one. Radiant lights flashed. Red, blue, yellow, purple, green and a variety of other colors illuminated the sky. She also spotted a large number of animal ornaments spread throughout the tree. A bright white angel poised on top, glistening in the dusk.

The band started playing, Twelve Days of Christmas. Carolers sang the lyrics. Come on, Mandy. Shelly yanked her hand and they ran toward the merry-go-round.

Mandy had been at the orphanage for as long as she could remember. For Shelly, it was her third home. They had become close friends soon after Shelly arrived. Yet no one would ever confuse them as sisters. Shelly had brown hair, brown eyes. In stark contrast, Mandy was blonde with green eyes and light complexion compared to Shelly’s olive skin.

They waited impatiently as the merry-go-round came to a stop. Mandy raced for the beige horse. Shelly sat next to her on a black one. They leaned forward and hugged the necks of their wooden runners.

This is Ivory, Mandy said. A wide smile swept across her face as she petted the head.

Have you ever heard of Black Beauty? Shelly asked.

Sure, I have. Who hasn’t heard of Black Beauty?

That’s her name, Black Beauty. She’s the fastest horse in the whole world.

The bell clanged and the merry-go-round lurched forward. They sat upright and tightly grasped the pole in front of them.

I’ll race you, Mandy said.

Mandy plunged her feet into the stirrups and rode the horse as if it were real. Every time it rose she coaxed it along with gentle hand urges and soft words of encouragement. They extended their arms and clasped hands. The up and down motion made them strain to keep their fingers locked. Sometimes only their tips touched. They giggled loudly whenever their touch separated. Both leapt off their horses when the merry-go-round came to a stop.

They looked around and decided where to go next. Look, the line to Santa is really short, Shelly said. Both smiled, held hands and darted to Santa’s Wonderland. With three kids in line, they only had to wait a few minutes.

Shelly went first. She sat on Santa’s knee and told him everything she wanted for Christmas. She held up her hand and used her fingers to count through the list. As Santa talked, Shelly nodded her head. Mandy walked up once Shelly got off his knee.

Merry Christmas—young lady. Hop up and tell Santa what you want this year.

Mandy sat on his lap and thought for a few seconds.

Is there a toy or doll you’ve had your eye on?

No, Mandy said.

Surely, you must want something?

I do—it’s just, you probably can’t give me this as a present.

Try me.

I want a family, Mandy mumbled, and bowed her head.

A what?

A family—like a mom and dad. Parents who will bring me to their home and let me live with them. Someone to read me bedtime stories, and tuck me in at night in my own bed and own room. Then, when I wake up in the morning they’ll be there and we can make breakfast together and go to the park. We can play games at night, or hide-and-seek. Mandy paused and looked into Santa’s eyes. I want someone to love me—to take care of me.

Santa wrapped his arms around her and she leaned her head against his shoulder. You’ve asked for something every child should have.

I know it’s a lot, and I guess you probably don’t get asked for gifts like this too much. I figured maybe you could help.

I’m not sure if I can, but I may know someone who can.

Really? Who?

What’s your name?

Amanda, Mandy for short.

"Well, Mandy, why don’t you enjoy the rest of your day and my little friend will