The kids had the best time. They’d never been on snowmobiles before and Mack took them all around the area so they would know where everything was; their home, Bill’s house, the store and gas station. They stopped to take a break just as Mack’s phone rang. He talked on the phone, thanked whoever it was and hung up.

“Well, it seems Jeremy is the proud poppa of a healthy baby girl.” He looked at Jeremy. “Let’s go home and meet your new daughter.”

Jeremy let out a loud wha-hoo and they all drove back to the house. Jeremy ran into the house and was greeted at the bedroom door by Heidi holding their new baby. She carefully handed the baby off to Jeremy. “Congratulations, it’s a girl.”

Jeremy looked at the baby and then at Andrea. The girls had already dressed Andrea in a fresh nightgown. He went to her and gave her a kiss. “I have a daughter.”

Andrea laughed. “Yes, you do.” She could see the pride in his face. “You’re not sorry it’s a girl and not a boy?”

“Not at all. I have a beautiful baby girl and she’s going to look just like her mother.” He gave her another kiss and set the baby in her arms. “What are we going to name her?”

“What was your mother’s name?” Before he could answer, Colin peeked into the room. “Colin, would you like to come and see the baby?” Colin gave a nod. “Well, come in, you can’t see her from there.”

Colin stepped up to the bed. “See, I told you it was a girl.”

“Yes, you did. How did you know?” Colin shrugged his shoulders. He reached over and the baby grabbed his finger. Colin giggled and the baby smiled.

“Bella smiled at me.” Colin whispered.

“Colin, we haven’t named her yet.”

“I know.” He replied.

“Annabella was my grandmother’s name,” Jeremy remarked, a bit surprised. “Grandpa always called her Bella.” Everyone looked at Colin.

“Colin, did someone tell you to call her that?” Peg asked.

“She did.”

“She who, Andrea?”

“No. Bella told me.”

“Don’t lie, Colin. The baby was just born.” Peg scolded.

“I’m not lying. She told me her name was Bella, and she wanted to be born.” Colin started to cry. “I want to go home, you’ll never believe me. I hate you.” Colin ran out of the room.

“Oh dear.” Peg didn’t know what to say.

“He’ll get over it.” Jeremy remarked. Everyone admired the baby.

“Well, at least we don’t have to worry about you delivering in the middle of the wedding anymore.” Mary laughed.

Everyone calmed down. They left Jeremy alone with Andrea so he could enjoy his wife and new daughter.

“Anyone keeping a check list,” Bill joked, “check off baby delivery. Next is double bonding ceremony.”

“That’s been taken care of. All arrangements have been made. The ceremony will be held down in the valley at the lodge tomorrow evening at six, followed by an informal dinner.” Mack told him. “Best time of the year to use the lodge, it’s closed to the public except for booked events.”

“How were you able to do that,” Bill asked, “you just found out last night?”

“I have connections,” Mack smiled, “let’s get some coffee.” They both headed for the kitchen. Peg, Mary, Jackie and Heidi were already there, deciding what to have for lunch after a hectic morning.

Robert and Charles came in from outside. “Where have you been,” Heidi asked as she walked to Robert to give him a hug. “Burr, you’re cold.”

“We were putting the snowmobiles away. How’s the baby doing?”

“She’s doing great.”

“Charles and I told her she was having a girl.”

“That reminds me,” she took Robert aside, “Colin told Peg that the baby talked to him. She told him not to lie.” Heidi looked worried and whispered. “He told Peg he hated her and ran to his room.”

“That’s not good. I’d better go talk to him.” Elyse and Simon came into the kitchen. “Where’s Colin?”

“We thought he was in here with you guys.” Elyse told Robert. He gave Heidi a worried look of his own.  “He’s not in his room,” Elyse told them, “that’s why we thought he was in here.”

Robert headed for Colin’s room. He looked under the bed and in the closet. “Colin, I know you’re upset. Come out and we’ll talk. Colin?” He started looking in all the bedrooms. He returned to the kitchen. “I can’t find him, I’ve looked everywhere.”

“Oh no, he has to be here somewhere.” Peg was beginning to feel a bit panicked and guilty. “I’m sorry, but why would Colin say what he said.”

“What did he say?” Robert had been outside.

“Well, he called the baby, Bella, that was Jeremy’s grandmother’s name. When I asked him, who told him that name, he said the baby told him. I told him not to lie and he got upset and ran out.”

“He does stuff like that,” Elyse told her, “he told Heidi, when she got pregnant, she would have a panda baby and not a grizzly baby, and it would be a girl. I’ll bet you anything, he’s right. He always is.”

“All right, nobody panic, he can’t have gone far.” Mack went to Peg. “Don’t worry, he has to be here somewhere.”

“He said he hated me and wanted to go home.” Peg started to cry. “What if he’s run away. He’ll get lost. Mack, what have I done. I didn’t mean to hurt his feelings. I didn’t know he was gifted.”

“First, let’s double check all the rooms in the house one more time.” Mack took over. “Bill and I will check upstairs; Robert and Charles can check all the rooms down here. Peg, I want you to relax and stop worrying, we’ll find him.”

It wasn’t long before everyone was back in the kitchen and no Colin.

“Where could he go?” Heidi was getting upset, she was beginning to regret bringing the kids to California. “Robert, what if we can’t find him? What are we going to do if Colin doesn’t want to stay here? Can we take him back home? I can’t let him stay here if he isn’t happy.”

He shook his head. “No, the adoption is pretty much a done deal. Let’s find him first and try to fix this.” They didn’t realize Peg was standing behind them and heard them. “Sorry, Peg, we didn’t know you were there.” Robert didn’t know what else to say.

“It’s alright, Robert. If he doesn’t want to stay, I won’t force him to.” Peg was in tears.

Elyse went to Peg and put her arms around her. “Don’t worry, Nanna, we’ll find him. When we do, you can explain to him that you didn’t understand. He won’t stay mad at you.”

“I hope so, Elyse.” Peg hugged her back.

“All right, everyone. Time to move the search outside,” Mack grabbed his coat, “Get your coats, let’s get moving.” He gave Peg a sympathetic look and went out the door. Heidi got her coat and joined the search. Everyone searched around the house and out buildings. There was no sign of Colin and no tracks in the snow.

As Robert walked around the front of the house, he noticed one of the compartment doors on the motorhome was ajar. It was the compartment where they had stored the Christmas gifts. Robert walked back to everyone next to the house. “I want you all to go back in the house,” he told them quietly, “I think I know where he is.” Heidi instantly wanted to go to him, but Robert stopped her. “I think Mack needs to be the one to talk to him. I want everyone to go back inside.”

Reluctantly, Heidi agreed and they all went back into the house. Robert told Mack where to find Colin and followed Heidi. Robert realized the night before, Mack was a natural when it came to handling kids, it was a shame he never had any of his own. Now he had a family and Robert knew Mack would make everything better.

It was about an hour before Mack finally came in with Colin sound asleep in his arms. No one made a sound as Mack quietly carried his sleeping son to his room and put him in bed. Mack made himself comfortable next to Colin and held him while he slept. There were a dozen things Mack needed to do for the events of the next couple of days, but it would all have to wait, he was where he needed to be.

Bill and Mary went home, Jeremy and Andrea were spending the day and night, it was too cold out to take the baby home. Everyone else finally relaxed. Jackie and Charles retired to their room so Jackie could rest.

“Where did he find him?” Paula finally asked.

“Hiding in one of the compartments under the motorhome.” Robert answered.

“Did Mack find him, or did you?”

“I did,” Robert told her, “but I felt it was Mack’s place to go to him. Whatever happened between you and Colin, I’m sure he’ll understand.”

“I hope so. I must apologize to you and Heidi, I should have talked to you about what happened before getting mad at a little boy that has recently been through so much.”

Robert sat beside her and held her hand. “I’m sure everything will be fine, Mack seems to have a way with kids, especially these kids, let’s wait and see,” he wanted to change the subject, “now, I’m starving, what’s for dinner?”