Page 50 of Hearing Little Hadley

Finn laughed and rubbed his face. “Thank you, little one. I’m just really nervous.”

“You shouldn’t be. It’s clear Hadley loves you to the moon and back.”

“My Little one, although a bit blunt, is right. That Little girl does love you very much.”

Finn thanked them for their kind words and rubbed his sweaty palms on his jeans.

“Let’s do this,” he said. This time the words sounded far more confident.

Chapter Eighteen

“I love Dasher. I think he’s just as special as Rudolph,” Mindy said, brushing the fur on the reindeer.

Hadley nodded. It was truly magical. Seeing reindeer with huge antlers had startled her at first, but their huge brown eyes and velvet coats were beautiful and when one gave a gentle huff and dipped his head as if saying hello, she’d been won over. She didn’t have a favorite reindeer, but agreed they should all be loved the same. She adjusted the bells around Dasher’s neck.

“Are you having a good time with your Daddy tonight?” Mindy asked.

Yes. Good.

“I’m really sad you’re leaving soon, but it’s been so nice meeting you. Do you guys think you’ll come back and visit?”

Yes. Daddy.

Mindy frowned as she stared at the Daddy card.

“Did you and your Daddy talk about it?”

Hadley nodded and Mindy smiled. “I’m getting so good at talking in Hadley.”

A giddy giggle escaped Hadley before she slapped her hands over her mouth.

“Hey, no,” Mindy soothed, touching Hadley’s arm. “Don’t hide your laughter from me. I love to hear it.”

Hadley lowered her hands and Mindy gave her a reassuring smile.

“Finish up, Little girls. Santa is on his way to collect his reindeer,” Miss Samantha said, walking by and speaking to her group.

“Someone was unkind to you, weren’t they?” Mindy asked, her eyes full of tears. “Because you’re a little different? Is that why you don’t like to talk?”

Hadley nodded.

“I’m really sorry, Hadley. That’s awful. You know that’s a reflection of their own insecurities, right? They aren’t happy with themselves, so they point out perceived faults in others. Usually it’s things that others can’t change because it makes them feel better about not working on the things in themselves that should be changed. I hope one day their ugly words won’t live in your heart.”

Hadley hugged the Little girl tight. Her words had been very wise for a pseudo-four-year-old. Mindy hugged her back and cupped Hadley’s face. “You’re perfect just the way you are.”

“Okay, everyone, jackets and gloves on so we can get the team back to Santa. He needs to get back to the North Pole so he can make sure everything is running smoothly for tomorrow night,” Master Travis said. “Once you’re dressed, line up outside, please.”

Mindy’s Daddy helped them back into their winter jackets and gloves before guiding them outside to the small group of people waiting for Santa.

Master Travis and Tiago, whom Hadley now knew was one of Eloise’s Daddies, helped hook the reindeers into the harnesses connected to Santa’s sleigh before leading Rudolph outside with the rest of the team following. Hadley was a little disappointedhis nose wasn’t bright enough to light up the whole ranch, even if it was super sparkly.

“Look! There’s Santa!” one of the school-aged Littles yelled.

Hadley squinted and sure enough, the large, jolly man was walking down to his sleigh. He carried his empty red bag over his shoulder and rang a bell in the other hand.

“Ho! Ho! Ho!” he yelled.

The Littles jumped up and down, clapping. Hadley observed them and realized in some ways she wasn’t so different after all.

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