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measured the ingredients and added them into the mixer Leona manned.
    "Your mom taught you well. She'd be proud." Leona scraped the flour off the sides.
    Bryan smiled. "Thanks. Must admit it's the first time I've received a compliment for working in the kitchen." He grabbed the rolling pin and began rolling one of the five balls of dough Leona had separated.
    Cameron and Marissa stirred food coloring into batches of icing.
    The afternoon rushed by without any of the underlying tensions Leona feared.
    Once the trays were filled with cookies, they began decorating them.
    Marissa dotted the last button on a gingerbread man. "This is kinda fun. I've never done anything like this before."
    Both Bryan and Cameron spoke in unison. "Really? Never?"
    "Never." The word was coated with sadness.
    Leona walked next to her and squeezed her shoulder. "Well, I'd never know." She pointed to Marissa's gingerbread man. "This guy is perfect. You really have a knack for this. Not everyone does, you know." She nodded toward Cameron's gooey mess.
    Marissa laughed. "Thanks. I see what you mean."
    "Hey, these are the best kind." He popped the icing-cookie concoction into his mouth. When his gaze met Leona's, he sent her a huge icing-laced grin.
     
     
     
     

Huit
     
    That night Leona relived the day with an entry in her journal. After she'd captured all she wanted onto the pages, she made a cup of chamomile tea, wrapped up in the down quilt, and stepped out onto the balcony.
    The moon directly overhead lit up the night like a giant spotlight while the thin layer of snow on the decking crunched under her slippers. The stillness enveloped and gratitude filled her heart. Thank You for all You are giving me.
    She brushed away the snow from the handrail and leaned forward. The snow-covered mountains in the distance towered over the valley as majestic warriors on watch. A bunny rabbit hopped in the snow near the base of a large pine leaving his distinct trail. The branches of the pine sagged from the weight of the accumulated snow.
    As Leona took in the picturesque scene, the sound of muffled sobs drifted in the thin night air. She shared the balcony with the room next door—Marissa's. Dare she investigate?
    Be My voice.
    She couldn't ignore the prompt. With measured steps, she made her way to the French doors of Marissa's room. One door stood ajar with only the light of the moon filtering into the bedroom through the glass panes. She knocked on the doorframe. "Marissa?"
    Silence replaced the crying. Should she try again? Her pulse raced. She didn't want to impose, but something moved her forward. "Marissa?" she whispered.
    A figure moved in the bed and before long Marissa sat on the edge. She turned toward the door. "It's you. What are you doing here?"
    Leona stepped forward into the doorway. "Is everything all right?"
    The moonlight illuminated Marissa's puffy face. She stared at Leona and remained silent.
    Uncertain of what to do, Leona remained at the doorway. "If you want to be alone, I understand, but I can be a good listener."
    Marissa patted the bed next to where she sat. Leona hobbled forward, tea cup in hand. "Want some tea? I'll make you a cup."
    "Would you really do that for me?"
    "Sure." Leona ditched the quilt and then worked the portable coffeepot to make the hot water for tea. She chose chamomile.
    She handed Marissa the tea. "C'mon. Let’s sit on the balcony. It's a beautiful night. God has outdone himself tonight."
    She wrapped up again in the quilt. Marissa did the same with her quilt. They walked in Geisha-girl fashion to the Adirondack chairs on the balcony and then dusted the snow off the chairs before sitting in them. "Thanks for the tea." Marissa held up her cup.
    "You're welcome. It really hits the spot." Although the temperatures dipped in the low twenties, being out on the balcony was not as miserable as Leona had expected. The brusque air helped clear her head. She sipped from her cup and waited.
    "Guess you're wondering