Christmas in a Snowstorm

by Lois Richer

  Joy turned her head to see what had caught Grace’s attention. Two deer stood under the glow of a streetlamp at the edge of the woods. She noticed Sam was now filming the pair.

  Grace’s whispered voice cut in.

  “Seems like you-know-who sent some friends to check out our festival,” she murmured for the camera. Then as the deer bounded away, she chuckled merrily. “They’ll sure have a lot to tell that jolly man. So why don’t you join us? Trust me, you’ve never experienced Christmas our way. Hope we see you soon.” She waggled her gloved fingers, stepped forward to accept Drew’s helping hand into the sleigh and then sank down gracefully onto the seat between the children. Suddenly she leaned forward.

  “I almost forgot! For more information please check out our website, ExperienceChristmas.com.” She waved one hand toward the horses. “On, Dasher, on, Dancer,” she called with a merry laugh.

  The sleigh pulled away as, one by one, Christmas trees along the roadside lit up like a path to follow.

  “Cut!” Sam called. He walked over to Joy. “Well? What do you think?”

  “I think she’s perfect.” It came out as a whisper because Joy could barely find her voice. “I think you’re amazing.” Then, embarrassed by her effusive tone, she added, “I think I need to get home.”

  Sam laughed wholeheartedly, every handsome feature of his face highlighted by that amazing smile.

  “Drew’s coming back now, Joy. As soon as Miss Partridge is on her way home, we’ll leave,” he promised.

  Joy stood beside him, savoring the sound of the horses’ clopping hooves. And then it started, that faint first ripple of anticipation at the prospect of Christmas. She hadn’t felt that in years. It was exactly the feeling she wanted her children to have. In fact, it was an intricate part of the perfect family Christmas she so desperately wanted Josh, Becca and Cris to finally experience this year.

  “Dad made that sleigh years ago when a really long, cold winter kept him inside in the evenings,” Sam explained. “We always go for a ride at the ranch on Christmas night as a family. But I thought it might be fun to offer rides through the forest outside of town and back as part of Experience Christmas.”

  “What a great idea. And what a creative man Ben is.” Joy smothered her laughter as Miss Partridge descended from the sleigh like a princess.

  “Sam?” the lady demanded, marching to where they waited. “Tell me I didn’t just lie. Do we even have a website?”

  Joy winced at the word lie, wondering if Sam was offended by it.

  “Being built as we speak.” Apparently, he wasn’t bothered because his smile never diminished as he touched Grace’s shoulder to show her what he’d recorded. “You did an awesome job, Miss Partridge. But then, I knew you would. Can we shoot a couple of other short segments tomorrow? I want to have a variety to run.”

  “Sure, if you text me the scripts tonight so I can study them,” she agreed, but she wore a frown. “Won’t advertising be terribly expensive?’

  “It would indeed. But we’re not going to pay for our advertising,” Sam explained. He paused to thank Drew and Mandy before turning back to Grace.

  “We’re not?” Grace glanced at Joy, who shrugged because she had no explanation.

  “Nope. We’re going to put them on YouTube. We’ll feature different ones on our website and we’ll send out tweets, too. Plus we’re going to put up posters and hand out pamphlets.”

  “YouTube,” Miss Partridge whispered, her blue eyes wide with something Joy couldn’t define. “Maybe they’ll go viral. Maybe through this the Lord will lead me to that special man I’ve been searching for...”

  Joy blinked her surprise that this straight-laced woman was looking for love. Here was proof that everyone had deeply hidden desires.

  “You’re looking for romance?” she asked.

  “Now that I’ve retired from the library, I’m ready for new horizons. Who knows if God has romance in store for me?” Miss Partridge smiled. “Can I see what you videoed again, Sam?”

  “Yes, but tomorrow, after I tinker with it. We may reshoot and there are a few things I want to move around, too,” he told her then winked. “Not much though, because you were fantastic.”

  “Well, I changed your script a lot,” Grace murmured. “I couldn’t remember exactly what you’d written so I ad-libbed.”

  “So what?” Joy shrugged. “I thought it was perfect, especially when the deer showed up.”

  “That was particularly special.” Miss P. glanced up into the night sky. “Our Father sent a little surprise. Confirmation that He has His eyes on us.” She patted Joy’s shoulder. “Now dears, you get on home. Tomorrow’s your moving-in day, isn’t it, Joy? I’ll be there to help however you need me. And Sam, I’ll be at the meeting tonight, too. I’m getting really excited about our Experience Christmas schedule.”

  “Tonight? I thought there was a meeting tomorrow night.” Joy blinked her surprise.

  “There’s one tomorrow night, also,” Grace said with a grin. “And probably every night until we really experience Christmas.” She waved a hand. “Goodbye, dears.”

  Joy didn’t know what to say as Sam drove them back to the ranch. It was clear this reporter was far more gifted than she’d even imagined. And that he saw untapped talent in the most unexpected places.

  “You’re doing the website yourself?” How could he possibly keep up with all the jobs that needed to be done in order to pull off this event? she wondered.

  “Not me.” He sounded relieved. “The teacher from the high school computer lab is helping his students assemble it as a class project. They’ve got some pretty innovative ideas and they’re far more knowledgeable than I am about how to get the word out. I’ve only been involved in traditional media.”

  “I don’t think you’re that much out of step with the world, Sam,” she said.

  “Glad you think so.” He chuckled when she blushed. “Seems I won’t be doing any more filming either. Trent Brown just texted me. He was driving home from college and saw us in the park. Once he knew what we were doing, he offered his high-tech video equipment. He’ll splice everything together, too. He’ll do an amazing job because he’s going to use it as his end-of-term presentation.”

  “You’re getting the whole town involved.” Why was she surprised?

  “That’s the idea. This can’t be only my promotion, Joy. Sunshine has to embrace Experience Christmas as their own to make it work,” he said quietly. “And so far, most of them seem willing to do just that.”

  Joy thought of his naysayers from that first town meeting and wondered if they would cause problems down the road. But she didn’t want to voice her concerns. Tonight’s filming with Grace had gone amazingly well. Why spoil it?

  “Moving day tomorrow,” he reminded.

  “Yes. I can hardly wait.” She hugged herself in happiness. “God has blessed me so much, and in sending you to help us.”

  “I’m not sure God cares much that I’m here.” The way Sam said that bothered her.

  “That’s not right.” Joy frowned. ‘“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you,’” she recited. “That was one of the first verses Miss Partridge had me memorize. Why would you think God doesn’t care about you?”

  “Experience,” he muttered half under his breath as he pulled up in front of the log house.

  “He wasn’t with you in all your travels?” she asked in a very quiet voice. “Or when you were orphaned before the Halstons took you into their home?”

  “Well, maybe then but—I don’t know the answers to those questions anymore, Joy.” Sam raked a hand through his hair as if he was annoyed. “I used to think God was with me. Until recently. But then...”

  Something inside Joy knew he was referring to filing that false report. Again she wondered what had happened. What made him doubt God was with him?

 
“It doesn’t matter,” he said, summoning a smile as he braked in front of the log house.

  “Of course it does,” she informed him sternly. “You can’t doubt that God is with us all the time, whether we feel Him or not! That’s a big part of having faith.”

  Sam said nothing, but he didn’t look convinced as he got out of his car and went around to open her door. Joy laid her hand on his arm to draw his attention.

  “The Bible tells us that God cares about us more than He cares about even the birds whom He knows intimately. And it says we’re worth far more to him than those birds. You are worth more. We’re His children. Can’t you have faith in your Father?” She’d barely finished speaking when the report of something exploding echoed through the ranch. “Was that a car backfiring—Sam?”

  He stood frozen and unresponsive, his glazed eyes peering blankly into the distance, his body rigid.

  “Sam?” Joy repeated, afraid to touch him, to rouse him out of this—stupor? “Are you okay?” she whispered.

  Sam didn’t answer her for a long, long time. Her worries grew as she scoured the yard for someone, anyone who could help them. No one appeared. Her fingers had just closed around her cell phone when Sam suddenly roused back to awareness.

  “Are you all right?” Joy studied his face, looking for some explanation for his odd reaction. Could it have something to do with his time in the Middle East?

  “I’m fine.” He managed to smile, but his face was bleak, strained. “Want to check out your van?”

  “Not now,” she said firmly after glancing at where it sat in front of the little log house. “I’ll do it tomorrow. Do you want to come in for supper? The kids—”

  “Thank you, Joy, but I haven’t spent much time with my parents,” he cut in, his words almost inaudible. “I better get home. Good night.”

  “Good night.” But she stood watching as he drove his car to the main house, parked it and then walked inside.

  What was wrong with Sam?

  Chapter Six

  “You’re sure you want to take all of this stuff?” Sam’s eyes widened at the number of boxes piled inside the door of the log cabin. “You do remember that the bakery comes with the equipment?”

  “I know. But I’m familiar with the way my own pans bake. I’m used to my stuff.” Thankfully, Joy saw no sign of his odd reaction last night. This Friday afternoon move should go off without a hitch. She smiled and patted his cheek with her mittened hand. “Humor me, okay, Sam? If I end up having to take it all back home, I won’t ask you. I’ll do it myself.”

  “Not what I meant,” he told her in a droll tone.

  “I know.” She chuckled when Sam made a face before motioning to his brothers. After Drew and Zac blinked in surprise at all the supplies she, Grace and Clara had organized, the three men began carrying everything out of the log house and into the huge ranch trailer parked in front.

  Sam was such a good friend. What would she do without him?

  When Joy turned back, she noticed Josh, Becca and even Cris each struggling to carry something to the truck. A smile curved her lips at their sweet efforts to help. Sam’s influence, no doubt. He seemed to have a positive effect on her kids.

  “You guys are so great,” she said, trying to hug each one, though Josh managed to wiggle free. “How much are you going to charge me for your help?”

  “Nothin’,” Cris said, huffing as he pushed a box up the ramp toward Sam. “Families help each other. Sam said so.”

  “Yup, he did.” Becca’s bag got stuck partway up the ramp. She burst into giggles as Zac swept her and the bag into his arms and carried them both inside the truck. A moment later she scampered out, squealing with delight as he chased her.

  “You sure can pay me, Mom,” Josh muttered as he flung a sack of towels and cloths up into Drew’s outstretched hands.

  “What do you want money for?” Joy kept her face impassive as she waited for her son’s response.

  “Gifts.” He didn’t look at her. “It’s gonna be Christmas soon.”

  “I heard, son.” As Josh swept past her and returned to the house, Joy wondered if she could somehow wrangle enough money out of her squeaky-tight budget to buy him a really special Christmas gift, something other boys his age had and enjoyed. Maybe a video game?

  Josh was such a great big brother, taking on responsibility far above his years. He seldom asked for anything. None of her kids did. That was why Joy wanted to make this Christmas an extra-special one. A family one. If only her family...

  “What’s with the frown?” Sam murmured from behind her. “I thought moving day would make you happy.”

  “It does. Very happy. Just—thinking.” She turned and forced a smile.

  “Must have been dark thoughts.” Sam clapped his gloved hands together as if to warm them. “We’re loaded, I think. Want to check if we’ve left anything behind?”

  “Sure.” Joy hurried inside the house, but one quick look around told her there was nothing more to take.

  “Okay?” Sam asked from the doorway.

  “Perfect. Let’s get to the bakery.” She followed him outside, closed the door then tromped down the snow-covered stairs. “I wish it would have waited to snow until we were unloaded.”

  “These few flakes won’t be a problem when we back up to the loading door,” he promised. “Anyway, everything’s covered inside the trailer. Can I ask you something?”

  “I guess.” Now what?

  “What does Cris want for Christmas? He says you won’t get it for him.” Sam lifted one eyebrow in a question.

  “No, I certainly won’t tell you.” Joy scooted past him and into her new van before he could see her burning cheeks. As if she was about to explain to Sam that her youngest son wanted a daddy who would take him to all the father-son events in his Boy Scouts troop!

  Joy followed the truck into town, loving the feel of her new van. This vehicle had plenty of room for her kids, and more in the back. Sam had suggested installing some shelves to transport baked goods in the cargo area. It was a good idea. But it would have to wait until the bakery was open and running.

  Clara and Grace had finished the Friday deliveries and were waiting at the bakery. With so many helpers and Clara as director, it took very little time to unload both Joy’s van and the trailer. Thanks to her assistant’s quick help and solid knowledge of how a bakery functioned, everything was in place in very short order.

  “We ordered pizza,” Sam told Joy once they’d finished. “We can use that big finished room downstairs with chairs and tables to eat in.”

  “What about up here? At these tables and chairs, where my coffee nook will be?” Joy paused a moment to relish a mental image of the space filled with people sipping coffee and enjoying her baking.

  “I thought it might be better if we kept your storefront clean and tidy. Less work today if there are no spills to clean up,” Sam suggested.

  “Okay, sure.” She shrugged.

  “Besides, I have an ulterior motive.” He grinned that playful smirk of his. “I’m thinking your lower space would work for some of the events we’re planning, in addition to the hall. Actually, in place of the hall for the next few days. The work there won’t be finished until next Tuesday, I’m told.”

  “What are the activities?” she asked hesitantly.

  “First, a coloring contest for the smaller kids.” He expanded on that idea. “We’ll have a sitter if parents want to leave their children to visit the booths. It should last two hours, tops. We want the coloring done on-site to make sure the kids do it all themselves. The contest must be fair so they all have an equal chance to win a prize.”

  “And the second activity?” Joy listened while the baking list for tomorrow filled her head.

  “That’s going to depend on you and Clara.” Sam smiled at her surprised expression. “I’d like to hold the g
ingerbread contest here. Maybe downstairs?”

  “Okay. And—oh.” The fuzzy picture in her brain cleared. “You need us to bake the gingerbread.”

  “Yes.” Sam let his hand rest on her shoulder for a minute. “I know it’s a lot to ask, Joy,” he said seriously. “If you can’t do it, we’ll figure out something else. You’ve already got a ton on your plate with opening this place.” He narrowed his gaze and came up with different scenarios. “We could use cardboard or something in place of gingerbread. Or have a craft time.”

  “Cardboard? In place of real gingerbread? I don’t think so,” she said with a shake of her head. “We are a bakery.” She glanced at Clara. “We can do it, right?”

  “If it’s later in the afternoon, yes. We’ll need to get the main baking finished first,” the other woman explained. “Then the oven will be free and we can bake large slabs of gingerbread. They’ll need time to cool before your participants cut them to their specifications.”

  “Have I told you how glad I am that you’re on board?” Joy said as she hugged her helper. “I’m already shaking. I’d never manage this all on my own.”

  “Hey, I’m glad to be back at work,” Clara said, returning the hug. “Together we’re going to knock off Sunshine’s socks.”

  Joy gave a thumbs-up. Just then a truck horn tooted at the back.

  “That’s our frozen order, I hope.” Clara motioned for Joy to stay where she was. “I’ll get our product unpacked and arranged in the freezer the way I like. Then I’ll start panning out for tomorrow. Once that’s safely in the proofer, I’ll head home, have a nap and come back at midnight to start my shift.”

  “But we’re going to have pizza,” Grace countered.

  “Thanks, but my daughter’s making dinner tonight,” Clara explained with a smile. “I have to be there because this is the first time she’s done it. Thanks anyway, though.” She hurried away.