“I understand.” Lena had grown up with the demands her father’s role as pastor required. He loved his family, but his work often had to come first. She’d lost track of the number of times he’d been called away from the dinner table or from a special occasion like tonight.

She took her time cycling home to the farm, searching for beauty in the barren tree limbs and drying grasses, finding none. She removed her kerchief to feel what little warmth the sun provided, but it failed to cheer her. Once home, she hid the presents and treats she’d bought for the children and started supper.

Wim and Maaike burst through the kitchen door that afternoon, chattering about Sinterklaas Eve and the school holiday tomorrow. Wim no longer believed that Sinterklaas would arrive on his white horse tonight, bringing presents to all the children, but he gallantly played along for Maaike’s sake.

“Have you been good, Maaike?” he teased as they removed their shoes and hung up their coats. “Or will Zwarte Piet be paying you a visit?” Piet was Sinterklaas’s servant who punished naughty children.

Maaike looked worried as she tugged Lena’s sleeve. “I’ve been good, right, Mama?”

“Yes, little one.” Lena combed her fingers through Maaike’s wind-tangled hair, as thick and golden as Pieter’s.

“I wish Ans was here,” Maaike said.

“And Papa,” Wim added.

“I know. I miss them, too.” She bit her lip, remembering how Pieter would sneak outside when the children weren’t watching and run around to knock on the front door after leaving presents from Sinterklaas on the front step. Then he would race back inside and reappear when the children opened the door to see their treats. Lena couldn’t do the trick by herself.

She and Wim milked the cows together and fed the animals, then the three of them sat down at the kitchen table to eat supper. The children didn’t want much, their tummies full from parties at school. “Is it time to put our shoes outside, Mama?” Maaike asked afterwards.

“Yes, let’s do that.” They went into the barn for a fistful of hay and then down to the root cellar for carrots. These were placed outside in one of their wooden shoes to feed Sinterklaas’s horse. Sinterklaas would fill the other shoe with treats and presents.

“Let’s sing,” Lena said, attempting to lift everyone’s spirits, including her own. She sat at the piano in the front room and played the traditional holiday songs while the children sang along. They were in the middle of a song when a loud knock on the door startled them. Maaike’s face lit up, her mouth open wide in anticipation.

“It’s Sinterklaas!” she giggled. Or maybe Opa. Maybe he’d been able to stop by tonight after all, although Lena hadn’t heard his car.

They all hurried to the door. And there was Pieter!