by Lynn Landes
A Promise
For
Christmas
Lynn Landes
By:
Lynn Landes
Published by:
Landes Publishing
Cover art by:
Cora Graphics
www.coragraphics.it
This book is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, and events portrayed in this novel are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2018 by Lynn Landes
http://[email protected]/
All rights reserved.
Other titles by Lynn Landes:
Mercy's Promise
Savannah's Promise
A Question of Faith
Delta's Dawn
Dust & Dreams
Stolen Dream's
Treasured Dreams
Perilous Dreams
Chapter 1
Nazareth, Pennsylvania
1878
“Oma, will you tell me the story again?” Tinley pleads.
“Of course. Snuggle down into your blankets,” Elizabeth says. Snow white hair and bright green eyes glow with the joy of having her only grandchild home for the holidays.
Tinley settles back on her pillow and stares at her. “Are you a snow angel?”
“Not yet, my sweet,” she laughs while propping a pillow behind the child. Elizabeth sits in the rocking chair next to the bed and frowns like she can’t remember the words.
“Where do I start?” she teases, and Tinley giggles, covering her mouth with her hand. Dark curls bounce as she moves excitedly.
“You remember, Oma,” she says. “No one knows where it came from…”
“That’s right,” Elizabeth laughs. “No one knows where the lantern came from, nor do they understand the source of it’s power.”
Tinley nods and listens with rapt attention.
“Some say it’s the magic of Christmas that gives it light, others say if you make a wish under the lantern, your most secret wishes will come true.” Elizabeth’s eyes glaze over as she remembers her childhood.
Sebastian stops outside the door and listens to his mother tell his daughter the story she told him when he was little.
“Once, when I was a little girl about your age, I snuck out.”
Tinley gasps, “Oma!”
“I know it was naughty, but my Papa was away working on the railroads, and I desperately wanted him to come home again. I’d have given anything for one of his big hugs.”
“What happened?” Tinley asks softly.
“It was the clearest night, and the brightest stars were shining in the winter sky. I dressed in my boots, coat, and gloves, not forgetting my scarf, for the wind was up, and I didn’t want to be sick when Papa came home.”
“Was the lantern glowing?” Tinley asks.
“Yes, a brilliant glow that seemed to light the path from the front door to the lantern.”
Tinley glances out the window and back. “You were very brave, Oma,” she whispers.
“Sometimes, we must be brave. I made my way to the lantern and stood beneath it, closing my eyes tightly. I made my wish, and the lantern flickered!”
“It did!”
Elizabeth nods, “That very next morning, my Daddy came home!”
Tinley’s eyes flick to the window, and she falls quiet. “Oma do you think Christmas magic could bring my Mama home?” Her mother left when she was a baby. Papa said she had a sickness and died shortly after.
Sebastian flinches as if struck. The pain that had dimmed rears it’s ugly head, reminding him of why they came home for the Holidays. They’re here to make new, happy memories with no reminder from the past.
“No, my sweet, God needs all his angels.”
“I thought so,” Tinley says.
“You could always ask for something else for Christmas. If you want, I could walk with you?” she offers, hoping Tinley will say yes.
Sebastian had told her just that morning how Tinley was keeping her Christmas list all to herself.
Tinley thinks hard. “Maybe I could ask for something else,” she murmurs. “I can’t tell you Oma, or it won’t come true.”
“Never stop dreaming, dearest,” Oma says, kissing her on the forehead.
“Yes, Ma’am,” Tinley yawns.
Sebastian takes that as his cue, “Time for sleep,” he says, pushing into the room. Elizabeth smiles at her son and watches the two of them from the door. Identical dark curls and eyes shine back at her, and the joy in her heart is palatable.
“You made my secret dreams come true by coming home for the holidays. Tomorrow we shall see if we can’t dig up our Christmas decorations. I haven’t decorated in years.”
“That sounds fun, right, Daddy! Could we get a tree?”
“Of course, we will find the biggest one in the woods. It won’t stand a chance against my ax.” Sebastian pumps his arms to show his muscle and Tinley giggles.
“You’re funny, Daddy,” she yawns again and lays back to let him tuck her in.
“Sweet dreams, my heart.”
Her eyes drift shut, and she smiles, thinking about all the things she could wish for. The truth is that she only wants one thing for Christmas. A new mother. God needs her mother, but perhaps he could send her a new one for Christmas?
Tinley dreams that night of an angel with dark hair telling her to make a wish. She smiles in her sleep, and the lantern grows brighter. The beam seeks its target and shines on Tinley snuggled in her bed.
The light wakes her, and she stares with wonder as her room fills with golden honey colored light. Tossing the covers from her little body, she runs to the window seat and climbs up to look outside. The lantern is glowing so brightly!
Tinley nods and makes her decision. She pushes open her door and tiptoes down the hallway to the grand staircase with the ornate iron railing.
Her feet are quiet on the wood floor as she heads to the front door. “Coat,” she mumbles to herself and grabs her coat and slips on her boots. Tinley looks up the steps towards her Father’s room and chews on her bottom lip.
Decision made she pulls open the door, and the lantern brightens sending a beam on the ground straight up the porch as if guiding her. All her fear is replaced by awe. Tinley walks down the porch and breaks into a run with a giggle.
With every step she takes the beam retreats, guiding her through the night. Taking a deep breath, she steps into the light beneath the lantern and is surprised by the warmth in the glow. Tinley presses a hand to the cold, black, iron base and stares up in awe.
Sebastian is in the office down the hall when he feels a cold breeze. “What in the world?” The flames in the fireplace dance and he hurries to find the source of the wind. His heart drops when he hears a childish giggle. “Tinley!” he shouts and runs to the door.
Tinley is bathed in honey beams of golden light, and he can see her lips moving. Sebastian runs and he stumbles when the lantern flickers above her head. She shouts, clapping her hands with glee.
“Did you see it, Daddy! It flickered, just like Oma said!” she runs halfway to meet him, and he scoops her up in his arms.
“What are you thinking, Tinley, coming outside at night alone! You could’ve gotten hurt!” he rumbles as he spins and walks back inside the house.
“Daddy, it worked!”
“Tinley!” Sebastian storms with her into the office where the fire is. He drops her onto the stool and kneels down to remove her boots and coat “That was dangerous. Promise me that you’ll nev
er do that again.”
Tears fill her eyes, “But, Daddy, it flickered,” she whispers.
“I understand that you like Oma’s story, sweets, but going outside at night without a grown-up is dangerous.”
“Yes, Sir,” she whispers, and a single tear trickles down her cheek. “Don’t you believe in Christmas magic, Daddy?” she asks softly.
“Oh, Tinley. The day you were born, I saw true magic. The magic of God’s love. He gave me the greatest miracle when he chose me to be your Daddy.”
Tinley smiles and throws her arms around his neck. He scoops her up and laughs, “Now, let’s get you to bed so we can get some sleep.”
Chapter 2
“Most young women our age want a scarf or new gloves for Christmas. Only you, Mena, would ask for a promise for Christmas,” Aiylin jokes.
Mena grabs her sister’s hand and stares intently at her. “I know what I’m asking is odd, but I’m desperate. She has sabotaged our wedding plans three times, and I know she means to do it again!” Mena insists. “Promise me that you won’t tell anyone about our plans.”
“I promise, Mena. Tell me what your fiancé thinks of you eloping?” she asks.
“He’s all for it! We will be married and on the ship before his Mother even realizes we’re gone,” Mena beams with excitement.
“Are you sure you want to do this, Mena? To marry into a family this way could cause hurt feelings. It may make things worse. Have you thought about the consequences?”
“Of course I have, Aiylin. I’m not naïve,” she jumps up and paces in the sitting room. Mena tosses her blonde hair over her shoulder and glances at her sister with her dark eyes flashing. “I never dreamed that I’d find love again after Michael died, but God has blessed me, and here I am.” She sniffs and looks at the mantle, where her husband’s tintype rests. “We are ready to start our lives together, and this is the only way that’s going to happen.”
“I understand. You know I’d do anything for you, Mena. What do I need to do?”
Mena beams with joy. “I need you to ride with me on the train in two days and deliver a message for me. You go to Nazareth after we marry and tell his Aunt that we will not be joining them. His mother insisted that I go and meet them to see about having our wedding at her house in Nazareth. I’m sure she has other nefarious plans. She always has an ulterior motive. I had this made for you,” she goes to her wardrobe and pulls out a red velvet bustled dress with black detailing and a fur neckline and offers it to her.
“It’s perfect for your coloring,” she beams with excitement.
Aiylin is beyond baffled. “It’s lovely, but why do I need a dress,” she asks, running a hand over the velvet. “I don’t understand why you think that sending me to deliver a message for you will help?”
“It’s simple, every time I’m away she brings a parade of young eligible women for Patrick to ‘choose’ from. I’m sure that she means to separate us for a few days so she will have time to talk him out of marrying me. Instead, you will go in my place, and his Mother will think that she’s won. By the time she learns differently, we will be married and on the way to our honeymoon.” Mena grins triumphantly.
“What exactly am I supposed to say to this Aunt?” Aiylin asks.
“The letter will explain everything. You will take the day train and come back on the afternoon train. Of course, we will pay for your ticket.”
“If you think this is for the best, then, of course, I will go,” Aiylin promises. “Tell me where I’m going?”
“Nazareth, Pennsylvania. It’s a short, day trip from Lockhaven and beautiful scenery. Or so I’m told.”
“Nazareth?” she frowns. “Are you sure it’s only a day trip? Isn’t that at the foot of the mountains?” Aiylin asks.
“It is. I have everything planned out. Don’t worry about a thing, except what you will tell Langdon.”
“Oh, you had to bring him up.” Aiylin jumps up and pushes a strawberry blonde curl out of her eyes.
“I’m sorry, dove. I’ve been so selfish. Tell me everything,” Mena insists and pulls her back to the bed.
“There’s nothing to tell. Langdon won’t take no for an answer, and Father is making it worse by pushing him at me for every function. The truth is I could use a few days away.” Aiylin sighs and tosses her strawberry blonde waves over her shoulder.
“I see. Have you tried telling Langdon that you aren’t interested in marrying him?” Mena asks.
“Every time he starts to hint or ask, I tell him the same thing, Mena. We aren’t suited. I have no romantic interest in him. We only had one date,” she jumps up and starts pacing. “You know I’m honest to a fault. I’ve tried not to hurt his feelings, but he won’t listen.”
Mena watches with a frown. “You’ve never truly met anyone who lives up to your expectations, Aiylin. Have you considered that you may be judging him harshly?” she asks.
“Not everyone is as lucky as you, Mena.” Tears fill her eyes, her voice is hoarse with unshed tears, “Patrick adores you, and the two of you can barely keep your hands off each other. I want what you have. Would you wish any less for your sister?” Aiylin demands.
“Of course not,” she jumps up and rushes to her.
“Mena, I’ve asked myself a thousand times what is wrong with me. I’ve dated men, but it feels wrong to lead someone on if I don’t feel anything. I don’t want to settle, not when I’ve seen what true love looks like. Our parents have been married for almost forty years.”
“I know Aiylin. Nothing is wrong with you! You just haven’t met the right person.” Neither says what they are thinking, that she’s twenty-two and her time is running short.
“Papa has no problem telling me all my shortcomings. Mama has long since given up hope of me making a suitable match. I love working at the factory, but he wants a male heir to pass his legacy on too. Unfortunately, that will be up to you and Patrick,” Aiylin laughs when her sister blushes.
“You say the most outrageous things!” Mena says, pulling her in for a hug. “I promise once I’m married to do everything in my power to help you find your soul mate.”
“Right now, concentrate on your wedding and enjoy your honeymoon. My lunch break is over. I should get back to work.”
Mena walks her to the door. “Friday, plan for the day off. I will have everything arranged. Patrick will pick you up early so that you can meet the train. His mother is supposed to drop me off. We will simply jump ride to Harrisonburg and after the wedding you will take the train to Nazareth.”
“I’m glad I get to be with you and Patrick for your wedding.” She hugs her sister goodbye.
“Me too.”
Chapter 3
Aiylin takes a deep breath before walking into her father’s office. A sharp knock and he calls out for her to come in.
“Here are the files you asked for,” Aiylin says, smiling at him bent over his desk. He’s so handsome. Large, blonde and bearded, her mother liked to joke that his German bloodlines made him so. She walks to his side and glances down at the drawing on his desk.
“What do you think?” he asks, tapping his pencil on his glasses, a nervous habit she has long since gotten used to. Charles Francis Miller inherited the CF Miller workshop from his father becoming the president at a mere forty-eight years old. His Miller guitars were custom, one of a kind pieces of art, that sold for an extraordinary amount of money.
Ten years after inheriting, they were able to go from workshop to a factory. The original designs were still handmade, just on a larger scale.
Aiylin leans over and hands her father the files to take a closer look. She traces her fingers lovingly over the shape, “It’s lovely, what kind of wood were you thinking of using?”
“Mahogany,” he answers, and she whips her head up to look at him.
“Truly? We only use that for the neck. The tone would be…” she stops talking and smiles. “Oh, the tone would be deep.”
“Exactly!” he grins. “I started carvi
ng last night.”
“That’s exciting. I can’t wait to play it. The finish will be unique, but do you think they will sell?”
“I don’t see why not. People like to see something new and Miller’s…”
“Millers innovate,” she sings, plucking the stack of paper back and walks over to a cabinet. Aiylin pulls a drawer open and begins sorting them into order, dropping the papers into files. “I’m going to take tomorrow off to help Mena with her wedding plans.”
“Oh?” He’s distracted and sketching. “That’s fine. Your mother and I are going out of town for the weekend. I promised her a trip to Harrisonburg for some shopping. We decided to make a weekend of it. You’ll have the house to yourself. You should spend some time with Langdon.”
Aiylin looks over and finds him staring at her. “Umm, no thank you. Dad, I know you have hopes for him, but Langdon Barnett isn’t for me. Please, stop pushing him at me,” she pleads.
He sighs and walks over to her. “I understand that you think…”
“No,” she snaps. “You aren’t listening! I don’t know how many times I have to say it. I’m not interested in him.” He blanches at her tone. She’s never raised her voice before.
“I’m sorry you feel that way, Aiylin. Perhaps you should take the rest of the week off.” He suggests and walks away to get back to his design.
“I think that’s a good idea.” Aiylin drops the files on top of the cabinet and walks over to the design. “I think it would be lovely to see some inlay details around here,” she quickly sketches on his design. “It would give it an amazing look, with perhaps some Mother of Pearl inlay.”
Before she walks out of the office, she turns back to him, “I love you, Dad. I know you mean well. Forgive my tone. I pray every day that I will find the love that you and Mother have. I’m trying to be patient, but until then, I’m also living the life the Lord gave me. It’s hard to enjoy it when everyone is constantly reminding me what a failure I am.” Tears shimmer in her aqua eyes. She leaves before he can say anything.