The Double Dabble Surprise by Beverly Lewis Page A

news?”
    â€œNope,” Carly said. “Get to the important stuff. What’s the secret plan?”
    â€œLet’s buy welcome-home presents for our new sisters.”
    â€œLike what?” Carly said.
    â€œLet’s buy matching bears—bride bears!” Abby said.
    â€œWith lots of white lace.” Carly wiggled all over.
    Abby twirled her flashlight. “Mommy and Daddy will be surprised, too.”
    Carly grinned. “If we keep it a secret.”
    â€œWhen Daddy buys gas for the car, we’ll ride along,” Abby said. She planned everything. She always did.
    Abby had another idea. “Let’s make cards for our sisters, too.”
    â€œOut of pink paper,” Carly said.
    â€œAnd lace from Mommy’s sewing box,” Abby said.
    Carly clapped her hands. “To match the bears’ gowns.”
    The girls did their hand-over-hand secret code. Then they prayed.
    â€œDear Lord,” Abby began. “We’re getting new sisters.”
    â€œThey might not know about you,” Carly added.

    Abby finished the prayer. “Please help us show Your love to them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
    They turned off the flashlights and crawled out of the closet.
    Abby curled up on Carly’s bed and cuddled two teddy bears.
    Carly looked worried. “What about our secret place? Can we keep it a secret from our new sisters?”
    â€œDefinitely,” Abby said. “But not for too long.”
    Carly looked like she was going to cry.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Abby said. She moved close to her sister.
    â€œI’m afraid you won’t be my best friend anymore,” Carly whimpered.
    She hugged her bear. “Maybe you’ll like our new sisters better.”
    â€œDon’t be silly,” Abby said, patting Carly’s hair. She wished her own hair would grow. Long and curly like Carly’s.
    â€œLet’s make a braid,” Abby said.
    â€œGoody!” Carly said. She hopped off the bed to get some hair ribbons.
    â€œMake four braids,” Carly begged.
    â€œFour will look silly,” Abby said.
    Carly pouted. “Come on, Abby. Just for fun?”
    Abby tossed the hair ribbons onto the bed. She stomped out of Carly’s room. She could hear Carly yelling for Mother.
    Let her tattle. Abby didn’t care.
    It would be great having a sister who wasn’t such a baby.

THREE
    Abby put the bride bears in a yellow basket.
    â€œI’ll carry it,” Carly said.
    Abby slid the welcome-home cards into the basket.
    Carly twisted her hair. “Do you think they’ve seen bride bears before?”
    â€œMaybe. Maybe not. There will be lots of stuff in America they’ve never seen.”
    â€œWhen will we give the presents?” Carly asked.
    â€œYou’ll see,” Abby said. She wished Carly would stop asking so many questions.

    The airport buzzed with people. Some carried suitcases. Others pushed carts and pulled luggage.
    Mrs. Roop, the caseworker, spotted the airline schedule. “Flight 225 is late.” She pointing at the screen above their heads.
    Abby and Carly groaned.
    â€œLet’s have some dessert while we wait,” Mother suggested.
    They strolled toward the snack shop.
    â€œShow us the pictures again,” Abby said after dessert.
    Her father pulled out pictures of two Korean girls.
    Carly stood on tiptoes to see the pictures. “Will they get homesick?”
    â€œOur home will soon become their home,” her father said. “We want to make things easy for them. You and Abby can help us.” He hugged Carly.
    â€œWe'll help them learn our ways, Daddy,” Abby said.
    Carly nodded. “And God’s ways. We promise.”
    Abby couldn’t wait to give the bride bears to her new sisters.
    She remembered getting her first bear dressed as a bride two years ago, at Christmas. Her father had read the Christmas story from the Bible on Christmas Eve. Everyone opened