“I didn't know any of this, Chris. You're just a wealth of information today.” Betty gasped.
“Well, we both know the man in question lived a very selfish life, Aunt Betty. He loved to bring my parents to this island when I was younger and brag about his wealth. I think deep down, he realized that Peter McOwens wanted this island to be for children, and when you and Candy told him about your plan, I think he saw that as a sign from God to finally do the right thing.”
Another sign from God? Finding out that a man named Peter McOwens—a man who loved his own father enough to try and complete a fallen dream—had turned the island into a sanctuary for lost children? Now the island was going to become the home for toys. But, Candy wondered...were more than toys involved in God's plan? Suddenly Candy felt a warm...tingly...feeling touch her heart. “Would it be okay if I explore the castle?” she asked.
“We all can.” Chris smiled. “It's been a while since I've been here.” Chris raised a snow-covered boot and gently tapped the foyer floor. “As you can see, most of the interior is all gray right now. All the fancy artwork and furnishing have been removed. From what I can see from here, the interior looks empty. The way our voices are carrying tells me you two were given a castle, yes, but I think a very greedy wife of a certain rich banker made sure nothing was left inside of the castle that held any value.”
“Including the library?” Betty asked, reading Chris' mind.
“I would like to see if the library is still intact, yes.” Chris smiled again. “You still can read me like a book, Aunt Betty.” Chris turned to face Candy. “The library is amazing. It's like having a three-story tall library all to yourself. It has a massive cobblestone fireplace, antique bookshelves that run from the floor to the ceiling, and a second and third-story level. If I remember correctly, the library was filled from top to bottom with books.”
“Oh...wow,” Candy gasped. She could barely believe her eyes. Was she dreaming?
Betty walked everyone out of the foyer and stopped at a grand wooden staircase that took Candy's breath away. “This grand staircase always reminds me of the one on theTitanic,” Betty told Candy and then squeezed her gloved hand. “I've always dreamed of owning this island and turning it into...well, dear...aChristmas Toy Island. Together we're going to make my dream—”
“Our dream!” Candy cut Betty off and then hugged her with warm, loving arms. “Our dream, Betty...oh, and this is a dream. But we're going to make this dream come true, wait and see.”
Tears began falling from Betty's eyes. “My sweet baby. Oh, how I love you.”
Candy hugged Betty even tighter and held on for a long minute before letting go. “Let's go explore the library...and then...well, everywhere.” She giggled in a way that immediately captured Chris' heart. Chris heard a giggle that was filled with innocence, beauty, love and...without really knowing how to describe it the right way...Christmas.
“I'll lead the way.” Chris smiled. He lifted his right hand and pointed down a long hallway that stood on the right side of the grand staircase. “If I remember correctly, the library is down that hallway.”
“You're right.” Betty wiped at her tears. “Candy, before we go off exploring...Dear, I just want you to know that I do believe everything that's happening is from God. It has to be. With you winning the lottery, the way my cousin gave us the island, the way the toy factory was saved from being destroyed, and with Chris being available for work, and all the way to...Bob dying. This all has to be from God. I know you believe that.”
“I do, Betty...oh, I do,” Candy promised. “Betty, we're going to make our dream come true. God is with us. I just know it. Allof this is...the bag full of miracles...nothing is by mistake. We're meant to be on this island. God brought us here. God saved the toy factory...and in the end...God will make our dreams come true. You wait and see.”
Betty squeezed Candy's hands. “I know, dear...oh, I know. But the reason I'm saying this is because if anything happens to me, you have to carry on the dream, dear. You have to. I'm the starter...but you will be the finisher. I want to make that very clear.” Betty cleared her throat. “Now, let's go check out the library to see if any books are left and then go have a cup of coffee.”
Candy smiled and nodded. “Let's—” she began to say, but stopped when she spotted something out of the corner of her eye. She turned her head. A creepy man carrying an ax appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Candy screamed. Betty spotted the man...and the ax...and nearly fainted.
Chris threw himself in front of Candy. “Get back!” he roared. “Don't hurt these women...get back!” Chris felt helpless. All he had was his hands to protect two innocent women. His hands would have to do. “Get back!”
“Stay behind us, Betty!” Candy cried.
The creepy man holding the ax just grinned and then raised it up into the air. “I don't like intruders...no, not at all.”
Candy nearly fainted. Was some creepy man going to hurt her with an ax? WasChristmas Toy Islandgoing to perish before the first toy arrived? Candy wasn't sure. All she could do was watch the creepy man raise the ax he was holding higher and higher up in the air and prepare...to make sure Christmas never arrived.
