by Kit Morgan
She wouldn’t look at any of the town the same way. She’d met Tom Turner, the man depicted in a statue in City Park. Colin was there too, along with his brothers. Not to mention Dunnigan’s Mercantile, or Mulligan’s Bar & Grill, or Canyon Park … it was one thing to know places had historical roots, but now she was seeing the roots as they were being put down. It was an education, as much as learning to bake bread or riding in a one-horse open sleigh with a freshly cut Christmas tree and a real live cowboy.
But now it was time to concentrate on the play and prepare for singing Christmas carols and enjoying the refreshments afterward.
Colin performed his part perfectly, much to Annie’s relief. Lorcan did a fine rendition of the Andel Tree. Tom Turner narrated the play with unusual warmth and heart. And Fanny Fig did her best as a rather pinched-faced Mary. At least she didn’t give Colin the evil eye like she had during rehearsals.
When it came time for intermission and the first round of refreshments, Jefferson introduced her to some of his other relatives and the “Jones boys,” as they were called around town. But Seth and Ryder Jones were grown men with sons of their own, having married two of Jefferson’s second cousins. They would indeed stay in Amon’s cabin that night, then head home in the morning.
The second half of the play went as smoothly as the first, but Lorelei was eager for it to end. Tomorrow was Christmas, followed by Jeff talking to his dad about marrying her. Any apprehensiveness she’d had about the MacDonalds messing it all up was gone, or at least well locked away. She knew that Jeff would fight for her, and the Wallers, and she herself. Nobody was going to take away her man. Besides, who knew when – or if – the MacDonalds would ever return?
“That was the best play yet!” Parthena said on the way to the wagon later. “I want to be an assistant angel again next year.”
“I want to be Gabriel,” Colin said jovially. “Then you can keep me from falling off a chair.”
“I want to be the camel,” Thackary said. “Sam can be my hind end.”
Sam frowned. “I don’t want to be nobody’s hind end. I want to be the innkeeper.”
“You’re too young – I’m afraid you’ll have to pick another part,” Belle said when they reached the wagon. “Do we have everyone?” She looked around. “Lorelei? Where’s Lorelei?”
“Right here.” She’d been floating on a cloud of pre-marital bliss since the previous day, and sometimes it distracted her from … well, everything.
“Oh, good,” Belle said worriedly. Now why would that be? The woman didn’t think she’d just, poof, disappear, did she? Or maybe she did. Did Belle know something she didn’t? Were the MacDonalds coming? Oh no! She hoped not!
She fretted over that the entire ride home. Were they showing up tomorrow to take her? No, no, no – she wouldn’t let them take her from Jeff. She’d have to come up with a plan if they tried. Was there somewhere she could hide? A weapon she could use?
She looked at Jeff sitting on the other side of the wagon bed and shook her head. She was being silly, worrying like this. Everything would be fine. He would talk to Colin the day after tomorrow, Colin would give his blessing, they’d meet with the outlaw preacher, and in a few weeks (or days) she’d be Mrs. Lorelei Cooke. She just wished she could invite the Jensens. Well, and rub Cindy Crankshaw’s nose in it. But you couldn’t have everything.
They returned to the ranch, unhitched the wagon, got the stock settled and gathered around the Christmas tree. Sam stood on a chair and put the star on top, then Belle and Colin lit the candles that had been placed carefully on the tree’s branches that afternoon. Lorelei was fascinated by the clips on the candle holders, having never seen them before – in her time, it would be considered a fire hazard.
Thank goodness the tree was so fresh. Thoughts of it going up in smoke and burning the whole house down flashed across her mind as she watched. But now that the tree was lighting up, she saw why folks in the past, this one included, used them.
The family stood back when Belle and Colin were done and admired the soft warm glow of the tree. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” Lorelei said in awe.
“It always is.” Colin put his arm around Belle and looked at Lorelei, who was standing between him and Jeff. “Merry Christmas, Lorelei.”
She smiled, but before she could say anything, the rest of the family echoed him with a chorus of “merry Christmas, Lorelei.”
Her jaw trembled. “Thank you. That … was a nice gift.”
“That’s not your gift,” Parthena said. “Mother made you mmpfff!”
Jeff narrowed his eyes at his sister before removing his hand from her mouth.
“Sorry,” Parthena gave her mother a sheepish look.
Lorelei looked at the floor. “I don’t have any presents for anyone …”
“Nonsense,” Colin replied. “You’ve already given my son great happiness.”
Lorelei’s jaw dropped and she looked at Jeff, who was grinning hard enough to split his head open. You know, she thought at him, I think your father’s going to give us his blessing.
* * *
Christmas morning, the Cooke family awoke to snowfall. It was beautiful and Lorelei watched the big fat flakes come down from the bedroom window.
“Are you going to wear your new green dress today?” Adele asked as she went behind the changing screen to put on her clothes.
“Yes. I think it’ll be perfect for today.”
“It doesn’t accentuate your waist as much as the blue day dress, but it’s still lovely on you.”
“Thank you.” Lorelei turned from the window, went to the armoire and pulled out the dress.
“Would you like me to style your hair today?” Adele stepped out from behind the screen. “You’ve been wearing it the same way almost since you got here. And those ribbons are beginning to look …”
Lorelei looked at the ribbons Shona tied onto her braids to hide the rubber bands. It seemed like ages ago. “Ratty?” she volunteered.
“Frayed and ugly.” Adele went to the dresser and picked up a hairbrush. “Though I suppose they do look like rats have been chewing on them. Let’s fix them quick. As soon as chores and breakfast are done, we get to open presents.”
Lorelei smiled, pulled the ribbons from her braids and quickly removed the rubber bands, sticking them in a pocket of her green dress as she picked it up. She had other things she’d rather do than explain them to Adele – maybe another time. “Let me put this on first, then you can tackle my hair.”
“Tackle?” Adele laughed. “For Heaven’s sake, it’s not that bad. I don’t have to wrestle it to get it to do what I want.”
Lorelei smiled. “Don’t be so sure.” She went behind the screen and changed, then let Adele do her hair before she washed her face and got a good look at herself in the mirror. “Should I be wearing my hair down like this?” As she recalled, young girls in this era wore their hair down, but women didn’t. Was she wrong?
“You’re not married,” Adele said as she ran the brush through her own locks. “Besides, your hair is so long and beautiful.”
Lorelei turned. She did have long hair, almost waist length. Patsy was always trying to get her to cut it, but she never gave in. “Your hair’s long too.”
Adele finished tying it back with a ribbon as she’d done for Lorelei. “Yes, but not as long as yours. Now let’s hurry – I want to see what’s under the tree!”
They went downstairs to a houseful. Honoria was there with her bulging belly and her husband Major. Jefferson and Edith were there too, and the ranch hands. Belle and Honoria were already setting food on the table buffet-style, while Parthena went around pouring coffee for everyone. “About time you two came down,” Grandpa Jefferson barked. “Merry Christmas, Adele!”
“Merry Christmas, Grandpa.” She kissed him on the cheek, then Edith.
“And Merry Christmas to you, young lady,” he said to Lorelei.
“Merry Christmas, Mr. Cooke.”
&
nbsp; “Well, don’t just stand there, come here,” he ordered.
She went to him and he grabbed her into a hug. “And here’s to many more Christmases!”
Edith hugged her next and kissed her on the cheek. “We’re so glad to have you with us.” She motioned to the table. “There’s plenty to eat, so have your fill.”
Lorelei looked at the spread. It was true. There were fried potatoes, ham, bacon, sausages, pastries, boiled apples, and Belle was just setting a huge bowl of scrambled eggs on the table. “What happened to chores?” she whispered to Adele.
“The hands must have already taken care of everything. They don’t come into the house until they’re all done – ours included.”
She smiled. “They certainly gave you a nice present, didn’t they?”
“We’ll be sure to send them off with lots of cookies!”
Colin and Jeff came in the back door. Jeff took one look at her and smiled. “Merry Christmas!”
And around the room it went. Lorelei had never heard so many “Merry Christmases” in one house before. Soon they were standing in a large circle around the entire kitchen, hands joined. Colin cleared his throat, said the blessing, then to Lorelei’s surprise, everyone hugged everyone else. She took it all in, her throat growing thick at the sight.
She couldn’t help sending up a silent prayer. Oh please, I don’t want to leave this place. I don’t care about having to use an outhouse, hauling water, chopping wood and all of that. I know it’s not my own time, these people are not my own, but I don’t have a people. Please, I want to stay…
Lorelei had no idea if God heard her. She’d never been much of a churchgoer except when Bob and Patsy dragged her to a Christmas or Easter service. But she attended one service at this Clear Creek’s little church and would like to attend more. She just had to make it through the next few days. Jeff had to talk to his father. They had to talk to Preacher Jo. Everyone had to hope no time travelers came by to toss a wrench in the works. This was starting out as the best Christmas she’d ever had, and she didn’t want it to end.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Lorelei held up the scarf. “It’s lovely. I don’t know what to say.”
“I hope you like the color,” Belle said. “I kept thinking of the beautiful dress you were wearing when …” She smiled. “… we first met.”
Lorelei smiled weakly in return. “I’m sorry I don’t have anything …”
“You needn’t worry. We know your situation. And as my husband said, you’ve made Jefferson so happy.”
Lorelei blushed. “And he’s done the same for me.”
“I guess that means it’s my turn.” Jeff stood, a small wrapped box in his hand.
“Oh, you didn’t.”
He took her hand and pulled her away from Belle. “I wanted to.” He gave her the gift.
She smiled. “Thank you.”
“Open it.”
She tore off the wrapping and string and opened the little box to find a delicate silver bracelet with a tiny heart charm dangling from it. “Oh, Jeff …”
His face lit up. “I picked it out myself, then sold it to myself.”
Her face screwed up. “What?”
“The day I helped Father with inventory at the mercantile.”
“Oh,” she laughed. “Thank you – it’s lovely.”
“You’re lovely.” He leaned closer.
“Ooooh!” Parthena called. “They’re gonna kiiiiiss!”
“Parthena!” Adele scolded.
Lorelei wanted to kiss him, but not with his entire family watching, and getting a private moment anytime today was unlikely. A heartfelt smile would have to do. But it didn’t matter. They were together, surrounded by laughter and love. What more could she want?
The day progressed and Lorelei found herself caught up in the celebration of the holiday. And she did get a moment with Jeff when she accompanied him to the woodshed to gather some for the house fires after supper. “What a wonderful day this has been.”
“It sure has.” He stopped, spun on her, grabbed her around the waist and kissed her quickly but firmly. “And it just got better.”
“Whoa there, cowboy,” she laughed. “I’m as eager as you are, but if we get ahead of things your parents will flip out!”
He pulled away a little but didn’t loosen his hold. “You sure do have some funny expressions in your time. Or do you mean they’ll throw you out?”
“Well, I meant they’ll get angry. But they might throw me out too if they think I’m leading you into sin or something.”
“We wouldn’t want that,” he said with a smile.
“We certainly wouldn’t. I love you too much to lose you.”
Me too.
His heart’s words melted into her own heart, warming her all over. It was such a strange phenomenon, yet at the same time, was so natural. So much of this was strange, but the more time went on, the less stranger it became. I just hope I don’t end up disappointing you.
Now he did release her. Honey, how could you ever disappoint me?
It took her a few seconds of picking up wood to figure out why she’d said that, or rather, her heart did. I told you my parents died when I was young.
Yes, I know. Jeff set up a log on the chopping block and grabbed the hatchet.
So when they died, there were no relatives to take care of me. You have Cookes around you for miles, but there were no other Carsons.
He split a log with one easy blow, then lined up one of the halves. Did you end up in an orphanage?
No, but … maybe in something worse.
I can’t imagine anything worse than an orphanage. WHACK!
She stared at him a moment. This form of communication was almost second nature at this point. She understood full sentences. Time for a real test. Well, in my time they have what’s called “the foster system.” The state pays families to take in orphaned kids, or kids that can’t stay with their own families for some reason. That means I had someplace to go, but if the foster family decided I was too much bother or we didn’t get along or they just got bored with me, they’d send me back and the caseworkers – the state employees – would have to find another family to put me with. She passed him another log and waited to see if he’d respond the way she hoped. Did he get the whole thing?
That’s terrible. Did you get sent back?
She drew in a shuddering breath and nodded. He did! Five times. And the last family I was with, for six years, wasn’t the nicest. And they had a son who was just mean to me. A total brat.
She swore she could feel his heart seizing, even as he kept chopping away. I’m so sorry you went through that. I know my family won’t send you back, I promise.
Thank you. But it’s not just that. She began loading the wood into the wheelbarrow. It’s that … I didn’t have examples to follow of a good marriage, being a good wife, raising children. I did my best, and some of the foster parents weren’t awful, but … I worry that I won’t know what I’m doing, that I’ll be a terrible wife, that I’ll mess up everyth–
Stop it!
Funny – a yell sounded even louder when it was inside your heart. What?
Stop it. You’re not going to fail. You’ll be a great wife and mother. And anything you don’t know, you can ask Mother or Aunt Sadie or Mrs. Kincaid or Edith or Grandma or any of the women in town for help. I don’t know what your Clear Creek is like, but in this one we help each other.
Lorelei stopped and took a deep breath. “Really?” Her voice sounded strange to her ears.
He swallowed hard and stared at her. He was as unnerved as she was at carrying on such a lengthy heart to heart conversation. “Of course,” he said. “We couldn’t survive out here if we didn’t.”
She shuddered. If the MacDonalds did show up, this was one thing she’d demand they tell her about. How could they possibly communicate this way?
“Lorelei?”
She smiled at him and thought about what he’d just said about survival
. A very good reason indeed. No wonder she loved this place – people really did care about each other, even if it was just because they’d die if they didn’t. But she knew it was more than just survival. I love you, Cowboy.
Jeff grinned at her as he split another log. I love you too, Future Girl.
“Lorelei, Jefferson! Hurry up with the wood!” Belle called from the house. “We’re going to sing Christmas carols! And it’s way too quiet over there!”
Lorelei and Jeff both chuckled. Nothing improper was going on, but what were they supposed to say – “we were just reading each other’s minds”? “We’ll be back in a minute!” Lorelei yelled back. She grabbed another armful and dumped it into the wheelbarrow.
Jeff helped her gather up the rest. “I think we have enough. Let’s go.”
They each picked up one arm of the barrow and began rolling it toward the house. Lorelei felt a little tired from all the hard work, but hey, it was a great workout and she didn’t even need to pay a club membership. She was going to build up some terrific arm muscles. One more benefit of the 19th century.
She just hoped she’d be allowed to stay and got a few explanations to some things besides.
* * *
The next day was another load off Lorelei’s mind. “Did you honestly think I’d say no?” Colin told her and Jeff incredulously.
“Well … you never know,” she replied. “I mean, me being from …”
Colin pulled her into a suffocating hug. “Of course you two have my blessing! My dear daughter-to-be, I wouldn’t care if you were from the future or the past or you arrived on an elephant from Siam – it’s obvious you and Jefferson are made for each other. That’s all that matters.”
Jeff scratched behind his ear. “But what if the MacDonalds come and try to take her back?”
Colin pulled away and let Lorelei breathe again. “Then either we’ll send you with them, or I’ll be giving them what for. And so will your mother, I’m sure.”