New Horizons by Lois Gladys Leppard Page A

Celia waited in the lobby while Joe checked in for the night. Afterward the three went into the dining room for supper.
    â€œI would love to see your college,” Joe told them, “but, Mandie, your mother asked me to bring you right back, so we’ll have to get the train tomorrow. I can see your college when I bring you back after the holidays.”
    â€œYou are coming back with me after Thanksgiving?” Mandie asked in surprise.
    â€œOf course,” Joe replied with a grin. “Who else is free enough to do this time-consuming chore?”
    â€œOh, Joe, Uncle John could have come down, or even my grandmother,” Mandie replied.
    Joe shook his head and said, “No, your mother didn’t want your uncle John to leave her that long. And I didn’t think you’d be too anxious for your dear old grandmother to travel thatfar again. After all, she was just here a few weeks ago, I understand. And she is not as young as she used to be.” He stifled a laugh.
    â€œI could go home by myself,” Mandie said.
    â€œOh no, your mother would not allow that, I’m sure,” Joe said. There was a brief moment of silence, and then Joe sighed deeply and said, “So you are thinking up excuses to keep me from coming down here to see what you’ve been up to?”
    â€œOf course not!” Mandie countered. “I just feel like you’ll go to a lot of trouble just to get me home and then back to my college.” Then she added, “But I thank you.”
    â€œI thank you , because by doing this, I was able to talk my parents into spending Thanksgiving at your house,” Joe replied, watching her closely.
    Mandie’s blue eyes widened as she said, “You are? I’m so glad. I thought y’all were staying home for the holidays.”
    â€œNo, I changed everyone’s minds,” Joe said, and turning to Celia, he added, “And I’m pretty sure you are going to find your holiday plans changed, too.”
    â€œMy holiday plans?” Celia asked, confused. “Aunt Rebecca is coming after me tomorrow.”
    â€œI know, but do you know where she is taking you?” Joe questioned.
    â€œNot home?” Celia asked, looking at him and then at Mandie. “Are we going to Mandie’s house instead?”
    â€œThat’s right,” Joe said with a wide grin. “It was a last-minute change, so your mother will be taking Mollie on to Mandie’shouse while your Aunt Rebecca comes after you.”
    Celia looked at Mandie and said, “How wonderful!”
    â€œYes, the Shaw house will be full. Even the New York Yankees will be coming down—Jonathan and his father,” Joe explained.
    Mandie frowned and asked, “Why wasn’t I told about all this, Joe Woodard? Are you making this up?”
    â€œWhy would I make this up?” Joe asked. “I said it was a lastminute decision by everyone, since your mother can’t travel right now,” Joe explained. “And of course Uncle Ned will be there at some time.”
    â€œI hope so. I haven’t seen him since I began school down here,” Mandie said.
    Uncle Ned was Mandie’s father’s old Cherokee friend. Uncle Ned had promised Jim Shaw to watch over Mandie after he had died.
    â€œThere’s one other one you haven’t mentioned,” Joe teased her.
    â€œAnother friend that I haven’t mentioned?” Mandie asked, puzzled by his question.
    â€œYes, the troublemaker.” Joe was teasing her.
    Mandie laughed and said, “Snowball! Yes, he’ll be there for sure. And I’ve missed him, too.”
    â€œThat is one spoiled cat,” Joe said, shaking his head. “I’m surprised you don’t have him living down here with you.”
    Mandie smiled and said, “You know that’s impossible. However, I do have a painting of him hung up in our room.”
    â€œA painting of Snowball?” Joe asked,