Silent Stars of Bethlehem (O Little Town of Christmas)

by Laura Hodges Poole

“Stack ‘em up against the house.”

  “Are they home?”

  “Not sure. We stack and leave.”

  Keenan followed Drew up to the house and piled his armload of wood on top of Drew’s. He glanced toward the front door, as if expecting it to open. During the next hour of repeating the scenario with similar houses, Keenan’s grumpiness grew.

  With the last load of wood delivered, Drew started the pickup and pulled onto the highway. No sense in confronting his brother. He’d voice his dissatisfaction soon enough. Instead, Drew turned up the Christian radio station and leaned his arm on the door. He ran his hand through his hair and thought about the lyrics of the song.

  Keenan shifted in his seat. “I don’t get it.”

  Drew reached for the volume control and turned the music down. “What don’t you get?”

  “We spent an hour delivering wood to people who don’t even know us. I mean, I know we’re helping them, but they don’t know we’re the ones who did it.”

  “Doesn’t matter. They know the church is reaching out. God sees our work and our hearts. The important thing is that they get the wood.”

  Keenan snorted.

  Drew shot him a glance. “Got a problem?”

  “No. I don’t mind helping out my ‘fellow man,’ but I don’t see where any of this really gets you anywhere.”

  “It’s not supposed to. I’ve been blessed with a lot in my life. These folks are struggling to survive and stay warm. Maybe they have to choose between that and putting food on the table sometimes. The satisfaction of helping is what it ‘gets’ me.”

  Keenan rolled his window down and leaned his arm against the window opening. His scowl didn’t soften as the air blew against his face and ruffled his hair.

  Whew. I don’t know what’s got into him, Lord, but I can’t take much more of this. Give me patience and strength to deal with him. A little wisdom wouldn’t hurt, either.

  Drew pulled into the dirt bike garage parking lot and turned off the ignition. Keenan was out of the truck before the ignition died.

  “Wait.” Drew pulled his checkbook out, scribbled a check, and extended it to his brother.

  Keenan hesitated for a moment, then took it and slid it into his pocket. “Thanks.” He started to walk away but stopped. “If you need any more help, let me know,” he mumbled without making eye contact.

  “Sure. I appreciate the help.” Drew watched his brother disappear into the garage. Was it the money, or had the work actually made an impression on him?

  God, help him get his focus off himself and see the people around him in need.

  ***

  Carly tugged at the old Christmas scenery inside the dusty storeroom at the church. She couldn’t quite get the backdrop loose from the wooden animals lodged in around it. A whirl of dust flew up, and she sneezed.

  “Bless you.”

  She looked up and wiped her forehead. “Who’s there?”

  “Hopefully, your help for the afternoon.” Drew emerged from the shadows of the doorway. “I saw Lottie’s car out front.”

  Carly exhaled. “Couldn’t miss it.”

  “That’s for sure.” Drew offered her his hand, and she grasped it and stepped out of the conglomeration of set designs.

  Her pulse skipped a beat as he squeezed her hand before releasing it. He reached up and pushed a wayward strand of hair from her cheek. “Aren’t any spiders in here, are there?”

  Carly leaped back and looked above her. “I hope not.” She brushed her arms and shivered. “Are there?”

  Laughing, he reached for a push broom leaning in the corner. “Maybe, but they’re harmless. Anyway, I thought I recognized your vehicle, too, and since I did offer to help…”

  “Yes…well,” she stammered. This wouldn’t do. She was a like a school girl crushing on this guy. Likely, he meant to be nothing more than helpful. She’d heard the men’s ministry leader was friends with Drew and had elicited his help with the wood drive. She frowned. What were his motives?

  “Mind if I ask you something?” She pulled up a wooden chair, brushed it off, and sat.

  “Shoot.”

  “Why are you so helpful? Don’t you have your own church and things to do? Your brother, for one?”

  His hand slowed on the broom, and he turned to face her. “Really, when you get down to it, we’re all part of the same church. We’re just in different buildings.”

  She bit her lip. Her questions had been insensitive and dumb, yet he’d found a way to gently correct her.

  He leaned against the broom, his forehead furrowed. “And Keenan? You’re right. He’s almost a full-time job when it comes to worrying. But my mother does most of that.” He shrugged and resumed sweeping. “I pick up the slack where I can.”

  “I’m sorry. I’ve never met anyone who was so helpful that didn’t want—” Her breath caught. What was she doing? They were in church. Or at least in the church building. She groaned.

  “All’s forgiven.” He flashed a smile, dismissing the rest of her statement. “Let’s drag the set out into the hallway and see what we have. You might have to repaint some of it. I’m not artistic, but I can help you cut some new wood, if need be.”

  “Great.”

  For the next thirty minutes, they pushed and pulled the scenery until they got it lined up in the empty corridor. Carly stood back and assessed the set. “The animals look like they’re in decent shape. The backdrop will need to be scrubbed or painted. Maybe both.”

  “If you want to get really creative, we can try to find some better animals than these cut-out ones.” He rested his hand on a wooden sheep.

  “When we were kids, we fought over being the animals. No one wanted to be an angel. But the boys always got selected to be the sheep or cows.”

  Drew snorted. “I wonder why.”

  Carly giggled. “And it was hard to keep everyone still. Maybe that’s why they went to wooden props.”

  “Could be.” He rubbed his hands together. “You’re the boss. Where do you want me to start? Should I drag these out into the parking lot and start washing?”

  “Sure.” She summoned her courage and reached out and touched his arm. “Thanks for helping me.”

  His eyes sparkled, and he covered her hand with his, sending a tingling sensation rippling through her. This time she didn’t pull away.

  “Yoo-hoo,” a voice echoed down the hallway, causing Carly to jump.

  Lottie hurried toward them. “Is this Drew?”

  Carly’s cheeks warmed. “I didn’t say anything. I mean, I wasn’t talking about you.”

  His lips quirked a smile.

  Lottie waved aside her words. “Nonsense. Larry Davis over the men’s ministry told me you might stop by.”

  “I see.” Drew extended his hand. “Carly’s told me so much about you.”

  “All good, I hope?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Carly smiled.

  “I’d better get to work.” He nodded to Lottie. “Nice to meet you.”

  “And you.” She smiled then swung her gaze back to Carly as he walked away. “Nice young man.”

  “Yes, he is.” Carly surveyed the storeroom. “This could use a good cleaning, as well.”

  “I’m glad to see you’re having so much fun with this.” Lottie beamed as she peeked into the storeroom.

  That’s one word for it. Carly didn’t have the heart to say she’d rather be at her clean shop, where everything was in order, painting or sculpting. She glanced back at Lottie. For some reason, none of that mattered when she saw the joy in that wrinkled, smiling face. She swallowed against the ache in her throat. It had been a long time since someone had pricked her heart like Lottie. Tears stung her eyes.

  Lottie glanced at Carly. “Something the matter, dear?”

  “Just some dust in my eyes.” Carly turned away. “Think I’ll go to the bathroom and wash it out.”

  “Good idea. I’ll see if I can find the cleaning man and ask him to come vacuum this out.” Lottie
hurried down the hallway.

  Carly swiped the tears off her cheeks as she hurried off in the opposite direction. How did this lady have such an effect on her? Must be the holidays and the ache of always spending them alone. Lottie and Drew had appeared out of nowhere, filling her empty hours and heart. Was it mere coincidence? Or…She glanced up. Alone for so long, she didn’t know how to process her feelings. That’s the only explanation for why she’d consider a supernatural presence when she’d walked her toughest days alone. All alone. Yet now she almost felt like she belonged here.

  She pushed into the restroom and turned the sink faucet on, letting the cool water run between her fingertips. After splashing her face and drying it, she returned to the storeroom to make a checklist of items she’d need to bring next time. The janitor pushed his vacuum in and began cleaning, so she hurried outside in search of Drew.

  Across the parking lot, he sprayed the set with a water hose, stopping occasionally to run a scrub brush over a particularly dirty spot. Something stirred within her, the same emotion that had overcome her inside. Had her description of him to Lottie been accurate? Was he good?

  He glanced her way and even with the distance between them, his smile radiated to her, filling her with a peace she hadn’t experienced in a while. Yet lurking at the edge of her heart was the reminder that she’d been hurt so many times by seemingly good people. Did she dare believe it would be different this time?

  Chapter Four

  Drew glanced over at Carly as she hovered near the doorway of the church. Tentative, non-committal, she didn’t cross to where he stood. Instead, she seemed lost in thought. Her blond hair stirred in the gentle breeze and she reached back and caught it up in a pony tail. Everything about her was beautiful, from her fringed double-layered shirt with sleeves pushed up to her elbows, her jean shorts, and hiking boots to her sparkling eyes that never dulled, even when they wandered with thoughts sealed tight. Her image was unconventional yet painted an artsy picture of independence and vulnerability at the same time.

  He set aside the props in the sun away from the puddled water and then moved onto the major backdrop. It definitely needed repainting.

  He motioned for her to join him.

  Smiling, she hurried over. “How does it look?”

  “It’s all salvageable, but you’ll need to repaint this backdrop.” He turned off the water and began to rewind the hose. “I’ll be glad to help.”

  Carly frowned and crossed her arms. “I can’t continue to put you out like this. Don’t you have a job or something else you should be doing?”

  Slowly, he rose up from disconnecting the hose and met her gaze. “Actually, I freelance on architecture projects, mostly seasonal. I also flip houses. So, you see, I’ve got a flexible schedule because this”—he motioned toward the props—“is what I want to be doing. Helping out where I can.”

  Her face softened. “Sorry for how that sounded.”

  “No problem. It was a logical question. I guess it seemed strange that I always seem to have free time.”

  “It’s okay. My work is also fairly flexible.” She glanced at her watch. “Although if I want to make money, my shop has to be open, which it isn’t.”

  He nodded. “Why don’t you take off? I’ll explain to Lottie that you had work to do.”

  She tilted her head, as if considering. Slowly, she shook it. “No, I promised to help. I keep my word. Besides…” She glanced back at the church. “I don’t want to disappoint Lottie.”

  “I don’t know you that well, but I can see the effect she’s had on you.”

  Carly smiled. “Based on her interaction with everyone here, I don’t think I’m alone in that.”

  Drew grabbed the bucket of suds and tossed the contents into the grass then washed it out at the spigot. “You’re probably right,” he called over his shoulder.

  “Feel like pizza?” Carly pulled out her cell phone. “Since you bought last time, I thought I’d treat.”

  He arched an eyebrow but didn’t voice his surprise. “Sure. My stomach says it’s past time for lunch. I’m gonna let these dry, and then I’ll carry them back inside for you.”

  “Okay. Pepperoni?”

  “With mushrooms and peppers?”

  “Sounds delicious.” She glanced up, then went back to punching in info on her phone. Once done, she slid it into her back pocket. “I saw paint in the back of the storeroom. Lottie said they used it last year, so I’m not too confident it’s still any good.”

  “Let’s go see.” He followed her inside and switched on the storeroom light.

  Carly lifted several cans out, and Drew pried open the lids. Goopy separated paint peered out at them.

  “Yeah, I was afraid of that.”

  “No, I think we can salvage these.” Drew stacked the cans off to the side. “I’ll run the cans down to Lowe’s and see if we can get them spun again.”

  “Oh, will you?” Her eyes lit up. “That would really save a lot of money. Especially with this many cans. Lottie mentioned some of the costumes had to be replaced.”

  “No problem.” Drew stacked the cans in the hallway. “Better go check for the pizza delivery guy.” His heart stirred with hope. No matter what pain lay behind the façade Carly had built around her heart, Lottie had broken through it, and she’d allowed him in, as well. Now they were working side by side on a project that she was clearly passionate about. Well, maybe not passionate but at least all in for Lottie’s sake.

  Though Carly had walked the length of the hallway to the outside door to peer out, her perfume lingered in the air. The earlier touch of her hand still resonated on his arm. He’d not realized how much he’d missed having a woman in his life, a companion, since his last relationship had soured two years before. He’d never believed God wanted him to be alone, but he’d felt nothing but loneliness. Filling his time with mission work helped, but he longed for a Christ-centered relationship with a beautiful woman like Carly.

  Frowning, he realized the error of his thoughts. Nothing about Carly indicated she was a Christian. He absently watched as she paid the delivery man and headed his direction. She was beautiful, sweet, and kind—at least the little he’d seen of her. But she’d made disparaging remarks about religion. Was that the source of her pain?

  He groaned inwardly.

  God, please don’t let me fall for the wrong woman. Again.

  ***

  Carly noticed a change in Drew’s demeanor as she slid the pizza onto the countertop in the fellowship hall. Quiet, almost sullen. What was going through his mind? Before she had a chance to say anything, Lottie bustled in, humming a Christmas hymn.

  “It won’t be long now,” she sang out. “Christmas is only a few weeks away.”

  Carly smiled at the older lady. “Would you like a slice of pizza?”

  Lottie clasped her hands in front of her face. “Oh, I haven’t had pizza in years.”

  Drew lifted a slice and put it on a napkin then handed it to her. “I’m not sure if there are paper plates somewhere, but I didn’t want to start going through the cabinets.”

  “This is fine, dear.” She sat at a table and motioned for them to join her. “I want to hear all about the progress on the set today.”

  Carly sat beside Lottie while Drew took a chair across the table from them. After saying grace, Drew bit into his pizza as Carly explained their plans.

  “We’ll put everything back into the storeroom, and I’ll come again next week. I’ve got festivals this weekend.” Carly sipped her soda in between bites and bringing Lottie up to speed on their work.

  “Let me know if you need any more help,” Drew said. “That goes for both of you beautiful ladies.”

  Carly’s face flushed, and she slid a glance at Lottie, who seemed pleased by the compliment.

  Her laugh teetered through the air. “I haven’t been called that since Mr. Adkins passed.”

  Drew laughed. “Well, it’s true.” He stood and gathered the pizza box and napkins from
the table and headed into the kitchen.

  A realization swept over Carly as she watched him. He was nice to everyone. Had she misinterpreted the special connection she’d felt between them? After all, they’d only known each other a couple of weeks.

  Lottie looked at the clock. “Time to head over to the ladies’ afternoon tea. I’ll leave you two to put everything away and lock up. The janitor is still on the grounds, so he’ll double-check everything before he leaves.” She stood and gave Carly a quick hug. “He likes you,” she whispered.

  Carly’s stomach flopped. “I-I…what?”

  Lottie cupped her hand against Carly’s cheek. “It’s okay. I’m not even sure he realizes how much, but he does. I’m an old lady. I’ve seen many a young romance. Give it time.”

  Carly grimaced and glanced over her shoulder. “He’s gonna hear you.”

  “Would that be so awful?”

  “Yes, I would die.” Carly chewed her lip.

  Lottie burst into a full laugh.

  “What’s so funny in here?” Drew reemerged from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a dishtowel.

  “Nothing.” Carly shook her head. “Lottie’s leaving.”

  “See you both later.” The older lady disappeared through the doorway and down the hall, her warbly voice singing the Christmas carol she’d been humming earlier.

  Drew crossed the room and stood next to her. “It’s so beautiful outside. Let’s go for a walk while we wait for the set to dry.”

  “Good idea.”

  ***

  Drew touched his hand to her back as they went out, closing the door behind him. She crossed her arms in front of her and looked into the blue sky. Puffy white clouds floated overhead, blocking the sun at the right places. A cool November breeze had set in, chilling the air slightly.

  “Penny for your thoughts.”

  Carly chuckled and met his gaze. “I haven’t heard that expression since my grandmother used to say it when I was little.”

  “She must have been the same generation as my mom then.”

  “That’s doubtful.”

  “I haven’t asked you, but do you have family around here?”

  Carly tensed and pulled her sweater closer in front of her. “My family’s all gone.”