“Luke and I discussed it and think it’s time for you to have your own dog,” Gloriana said. “Papa was already considering getting you one for your next birthday.”

“A dog? A real dog?” JT was so excited that he began to dance around the room. “When can we get him?”

“Captain Johnson said their collie had puppies at Thanksgiving. He thought they’d be ready to leave their mother by the end of January. You get first pick of the litter.”

“Oh boy!”

Luke grew serious. “But remember, there is a lot of work in training a puppy.”

JT nodded. “Will you show me how to take care of him?”

“Of course.” Luke smiled. “I’ve already started building him a doghouse.”

JT put the box down and went to embrace him. “It will make me think of you and Papa.” He wrapped his little arms around Luke’s waist and hugged him tight.

Gloriana smiled at the tender moment.

Luke moved on and drew out a package for the baby. “I hope this will fit.”

Between Sally trying to eat the paper and Gloriana doing her best to unwrap it in a neat order, the entire affair was comical. When the gift was revealed, Gloriana gasped. It was a beautiful pink gown with a white lace overlay.

“This is beautiful, Luke. It’s too big for now, but it will be perfect soon enough.”

He handed her another package. “This is a bonnet to go with it.”

Gloriana had an easier time of unwrapping this, as Sally was preoccupied with the paper from the first gift. The bonnet was also a little big but matched the dress perfectly. “Luke, this is so beautiful. I know Sally will look sweet in it.”

“And this one is for you.”

It was a large box, and Gloriana couldn’t manage it and the baby at the same time. “You’ll have to take Sally,” she told Luke.

He did so, and Gloriana lifted the box from the floor. It was tied with ribbon, so she quickly unfastened it and opened the lid. Inside was a heavy wool coat trimmed in fur.

“Luke, it’s beautiful!” she gasped. She stood and pulled the coat from the box. “I’ve never had anything so grand.”

“Try it on.” He was clearly pleased at her joy.

She slipped into the coat and pulled it close around her. “It’s perfect and so warm. Thank you.”

Luke nudged a similar box toward JT. “I have something in this one for you.”

JT tore into the box and pulled out a black wool coat. “Thank you, Luke.” He wasn’t nearly as enthralled with it as Gloriana was with hers.

“In keeping with the idea of warmth and protection,” Gloriana said, reaching for two packages, “I have these for you two.” She handed one package to Luke and the other to JT.

They quickly opened them to reveal blue wool sweaters.