Dawson clasped her gloved hand in his. There were so many things he wanted to say and yet had no words to express them.
Once their last delivery was made and the sleigh and the wagons were empty, they all headed to the orphanage where the rest of Nancy’s family was already preparing for the Christmas pageant. The lively jingling of the bells on the sleigh and the wagons seemed to inspire Nancy to start singing. Before long, they were all cheerfully singing Jingle bells.
And for Dawson, it was fun to ride in a bumpy wagon sitting beside one magnificent woman and her amazing family.
The remainder of their trip to the orphanage was accompanied by the sweet voices of Nancy’s grandchildren singing as the bells jingled and snowflakes fell around them.
Chapter Eight
Dawson found himself speechless as he rode along with Nancy and her family during their annual Sleigh of Hope run. Their kindness and generosity touched him deeply. He had understood, on an intellectual level, what the Sleigh of Hope was, and what Adam and Leo had done each year when they’d come home for Christmas. But he hadn’t really understood what it meant to the recipients until he’d ridden beside Nancy and her son, and watched Adam, Leo, Rebecca and the entire Grayson family share food, blankets, firewood and more with so many families.
He was utterly overwhelmed as he escorted Nancy into the orphanage. This Christmas with the Graysons had already been life changing for him, and it was just beginning.
After they hung their coats and removed their wet boots, they stepped into the parlor. The room was filled with children of all ages and with Nancy’s daughters-in-law and the Donovans. Adam and Rebecca and the rest of Nancy’s family quickly assimilated into the crowded room, exchanging hugs and greetings with the others.
Cranberry-colored velvet curtains were draped and closed across the stage that Dawson had helped build. Brightly polished brass rings fastened the curtains to the rods and matched the gold tasseled pulls and gold corded edges that had been sewn to the velvet panels by Faith, and perhaps by the other Grayson women. The curtains gave the stage a feeling of grandeur that seemed to please the children who would be putting on the pageant. Dawson stood a little taller, glad to know that he was able to contribute a little something to help make Christmas a bit brighter for these children.
“The stage is magnificent,” Nancy said. “Thank you for helping Leo do all of this.”
“It’s an honor just to be here and share in this with you and your family. Honestly, Nancy, I’m overwhelmed by all you and your family do for others.” Being around her and her family had given Dawson insight into why her life was so intricately entwined with her family. They had shown him a world beyond the shipyard and his family mansion and his small solitary cottage.
It made him realize how fortunate he’d been and how he’d grown up taking for so much for granted. He hadn’t meant to. He and his family worked hard to keep the shipyard profitable and provide jobs to hundreds of families. They didn’t flaunt their wealth, or at least he’d never felt they had. But now, thinking about the sprawling mansions that his brothers Elias and Ezra owned on the banks of Crane River put a knot of discomfort in Dawson’s stomach.
Nancy’s boys were doing very well with their two mills and had become one of the prominent families in the area with regard to wealth. They had much to be proud of. And while their holdings couldn’t compare to Dawson’s wealth, they were doing far more for their community than Dawson had even considered doing for his own. That knowledge filled him with shame. He’d been so focused on his own grief and loss that he’d shut out everyone, especially those in need.
Until meeting Nancy, he hadn’t been aware of his lack of compassion. But now, seeing how deeply she cared for not only her family but her neighbors and these forgotten children, left Dawson standing in the doorway with a wad of regret lodged in his throat.
“Look how the children have decorated the parlor,” Nancy said, humor thick in her voice. “I think there are pine boughs and holly on every flat surface.” Her girlish laugh captivated him. Her joy at seeing the children engaged in celebration made her eyes sparkle.
The fragrant scent of pine filled the room. In front of the great window stood a seven-foot blue fir adorned with bright ribbons and glass bulbs, along with homemade ornaments made by the children. A bank of tables sat along the wall filled with platters of food and cookies and a large bowl of punch.
The happiness and excitement in the room was palpable, as the children scurried around the adults, looking for costume pieces and props for the pageant. In that moment, Dawson knew he would forever after associate the sight of the happy children, the sounds of laughter, and the heavenly smell of fresh cut pine with Christmas—and with Nancy and her large loving family.
From across the room, Leo gestured for Dawson and Nancy to join him and several others who were chatting and laughing.
Dawson escorted Nancy to the far corner of the parlor where they exchanged hugs and greetings with the group.
“You all remember, Dawson Crane, don’t you?” Leo asked, directing his question to Cyrus and Tansy, the couple who had taken in Leo and his younger brother, Benny. Adam’s Aunt Aster and her husband, Doc Milton, were also part of the group as well. “Dawson decided to join us for Christmas in Fredonia this year.”
“Nice to see you all again,” Dawson said sincerely. He spied Adam’s other aunts, Iris and Dahlia, across the room talking with Faith and Duke.
“Of course, I remember this gentleman,” Tansy said with her southern drawl firmly in place. “Who could forget that handsome face?”
Dawson chuckled. He wasn’t sure he’d met anyone quite like Adam’s aunts. They’d been a constant source of laughter at Rebecca and Adam’s wedding reception. Leo introduced him to another young couple, Joseph and Lucinda Sackett, but before Dawson could give them a proper greeting a loud jangling of bells came from the stage.
“Attention, everyone!” Jingle-jingle-jingle! came from the stage again and quieted conversation.
The crowd turned towards the stage where Benny Sullivan stood, bells in one hand, the other hand cupped around his mouth. “If you would please take your seats, the show is about to start.”
Everyone hustled to take a seat among the mismatched chairs and stools placed in rows to create the makeshift theater. Dawson and Nancy sat in the middle of the room so that she would have a good view of her grandchildren. He knew she was proud of all they had done and that the kids would love seeing their Grandma out in the crowd.
After the crowd had quieted and taken their seats, Duke and Faith’s daughter Cora stepped onto the stage in a green velvet dress that matched her lively green eyes. She took a deep breath and said, “The Sullivan and Grayson Theater presents… its first annual Christmas pageant!”
Cora swept her arm out wide as she stepped aside, and two tow-headed twins from the orphanage grasped the gold cords of the curtains, pulling them aside to reveal the manger scene hidden behind it. A spontaneous “Aww” rose from the crowd as they saw Mary and Joseph and shepherds and wise men assembled to tell the story of Christ’s birth.
At the edge of the stage, William Grayson stood at a makeshift podium which held the family Bible. And from this Bible, in his deep Grayson voice, he began to read the Christmas story. “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus… and Mary brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn… And it came to pass, the shepherds found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger….”
And so it went, as William read the story of the birth of Christ the children on the stage acted out their parts, each contributing lines as appropriate. But not without its fair share of mishaps. One of the shepherds had forgotten his lines, and a wise man leaned over and whispered in his ear. The little girl who played Mary wouldn’t relinquish the baby for the manger, declaring it her baby. And, one of the wise men, too shy
to step on the stage, watched from the wings, hiding all but his impish face behind a curtain. Each mishap drew laughter from the crowd as the story progressed.
As the story concluded, the children left their set and lined up in a single line on the stage, robes askew and their shepherds’ crooks forgotten, as they began to sing O Holy Night.
The sweet voices of the children filled the room as they sang the beloved Christmas carol. Despite the mistakes and off-key voices, these children were proud of the show that they had put on for the adults. And no one sang louder than little Mary, front and center in the group of children. She had a bit of a lazy eye and was horribly pigeon toed, but she sang the loudest. She had stolen the show and the heart of everyone in the room, including Dawson’s.
By the end of what was supposed to be a solemn song, the entire crowd was laughing and singing along with the children. Dawson was in such a fit of laughter that he had to wipe tears from his eyes–tears of laughter, tears of happiness, tears of absolute joy. He loved being part of this big happy family. He wanted this to be the first of many Christmases he would share with Nancy and her family.
Nancy glanced at Dawson when she heard his robust laughter. She had heard him chuckle many times but had never heard him laugh so unrestrained, so all-encompassing. She thought back to the Dawson Crane she had met last summer. At that time, he was still quiet and reserved. He mainly kept to himself, in his little cottage by the river with his cat and his dog. But seeing him tonight, she realized that the greatest changes in Dawson had seemed to come about during his time with her family. He was becoming a new man. A happy and sociable man. One she was finding harder and harder to resist.
The rousing applause turned her attention back to the stage and the end of the pageant. The children took bow after bow as the crowd surged to their feet in ovation. Finally, William herded the children to the back of the stage and the curtain was pulled, calling an end to what Nancy hoped was just the first of many “Sullivan and Grayson” pageants.
Nancy and Dawson headed towards the refreshments, mindful of the children who darted between them, rushing towards the treats awaiting them. Nancy was pleased to see how polite the children were, knowing how difficult it was for them to remember their manners in the face of such delicious looking treats. She smiled as Mary stepped aside as if to let Nancy go ahead of her.
“Thank you, sweetie, but you go on ahead of me.” Nancy placed her hand on the girl’s shoulder and tucked her in line in front of her.
A loud “Ho-ho-ho!” boomed from the foyer where “St. Nicholas” entered the parlor. Children’s happy screams filled the air as they rushed over to the bearer of gifts, being played tonight by none other than Leo Sullivan. His normal trousers and shirt had been replaced by a long flowing red robe, tied at the waist by a rope. He wore what looked like a sleeping cap on his head in a matching shade of red. A wreath of greenery and holly berries encircled his head, and he carried a bulging burlap sack. The children’s eyes grew wide with wonder as Leo called them all to sit around his feet as he placed a chair next to the Christmas tree.
One by one, Leo called each child’s name. With huge smiles, each ran up and hugged St. Nicholas, wishing him a Merry Christmas. From the burlap sack, Leo pulled bags of cookies and licorice sticks tied together with brightly colored red and green ribbons. The children couldn’t contain their excitement. From under the tree, Leo retrieved a package for each child. Each was wrapped in a colorful quilt or crocheted afghan that the children could place on their beds. And inside each blanket was a gift for the child: a baby doll for little Mary, crayons and coloring books for the older girls, wooden toys for the boys, books for the older children. And warm mittens and scarves for all the children.
The orphan children stood with their mouths agape as they beheld the gifts bestowed upon them. Her own grandchildren, happy to know that tonight was about giving, helped pass out the gifts. Nancy was certain the orphans had never expected the bounty of treats they were receiving. She felt the swell of tears in her eyes and turned towards Dawson and saw he was equally moved by the scene in front of them.
After each child had opened a gift, Leo called them back and they sat in front of him. He leaned forward and with a twinkle in his eye, he began a story, giving the children a rousing rendition of A Visit from St. Nicholas.
Nancy and Dawson stood in the back, sipping punch and watching the children actively listening to the story. Leo was a skilled storyteller and he captivated the children with his tale.
When the tale was done and the room again became a festive crush, Nancy and Dawson exchanged holiday greetings with everyone. As the dinner hour approached, the children settled in with their new toys as their supper of roasted turkey finished cooking in the kitchen. Nancy and her family headed home to the warmth of their own fires, each preparing for their own family Christmas the next day.
The air was frigid and the sky already dark when Nancy and Dawson climbed in the back seat of the now empty sleigh and sat across from Adam and Rebecca. William would take the wagon home while Radford would deliver them home in the sleigh. She and Dawson tucked into the deep seat and wrapped a brightly colored woolen blanket around them.
The night was clear and stars speckled the dark sky. Drifts of fallen snow created an almost silent blanket around the sleigh as it made its way towards Fredonia. The night was quiet and peaceful, and everyone seemed to appreciate the silence after the noisy festivities at the orphanage.
Nancy felt emotionally drained from everything she had witnessed today. She would lift an extra prayer up for each of the families they had helped today, and for each of those dear children at the orphanage.
As they passed the Town Common, Dawson shook his head and said quietly, “I wish I could take all of those children home with me, especially that little Mary. She had me in stitches with her singing.”
“I know. Yours wasn’t the only heart Mary stole today. Do you remember meeting Mr. and Mrs. Sackett?”
“Briefly,” he said.
“Well, they are one of the first families that Adam and Rebecca helped with the Sleigh of Hope. Things turned around for the Sackett’s after that night. They have three boys, but Mrs. Sackett has always wanted a girl. She is finally getting that little girl. They are taking Mary home tomorrow to spend Christmas day with them and begin the process of adopting her.”
The smile that crossed Dawson’s face was one of relief and joy. “That’s wonderful. I hope the Sacketts will provide a good home for her. I’m sure Mary will fill their home with a lot of laughter.”
“They’ll give her a wonderful home,” she said, grasping his hand under the blanket. They rode in silence, hand-in-hand, for the rest of the trip.
Chapter Nine
December 25, 1890
Christmas morning dawned with full sun, a welcome relief from winter gray skies. A fresh top layer of crystalized snow had fallen overnight, giving everything outside a sparkling, magical appearance. The brightness of the day matched the brightness of Nancy’s mood. Despite the emotional exhaustion she’d felt the day before, she had slept well and felt refreshed.
She climbed out of the bed, eager to prepare breakfast for Dawson and her grandchildren. She had spent many Christmas mornings in this house alone, only visiting with her children and grandchildren later in the day, so this morning was a rare treat.
Dressing quickly, she pinned her hair up into a simple chignon at the nape of her neck and headed to the kitchen. As she set about preparing biscuits and gravy and bacon and eggs, she smiled at the thought of Dawson making pancakes. She thought that after spending three months visiting with him almost daily in Crane Landing she knew him well, but it seemed there was much yet to be discovered about the man.
He was a surprisingly good cook. He was handy around the house. He was playful and loving with children.
And that troubled her. Dawson deserved to have children of his own. She’d seen how much he enjoyed the kids, and how delighted he’d been
at their antics. She knew in her heart that he would be a wonderful father—and she couldn’t be the one to deprive him that opportunity.
The thought nagged at her as she pulled the biscuits out of the oven and poured the gravy into the gravy boat. She had hoped to have a private word with Dawson before breakfast, but he came into the kitchen with Adam and Rebecca.
After greeting each other with hugs and wishing each other a Merry Christmas, they ate breakfast and began their day with lively conversation. Afterward, Nancy made tea and they retired to the parlor.
Adam retrieved another log from the wood box and placed it on the fire, giving it a firm poke with the andiron to nest it in the glowing coals. The fire blazed brighter, casting a warm glow across the parlor and reflecting off the ribbons and ornaments adorning her small Christmas tree in the front window. She hadn’t done much decorating for Christmas since Hal’s death, but having Adam, Rebecca and Dawson here changed things. For the first time in many years, she had decorated her home for the holiday.
Adam fetched a silver box from under the tree and gave it to Rebecca. She sat in the rocking chair, smiling up at him, her eyes filled with love. She cracked open the box, and her mouth fell open.
“Oh, Adam… It’s so beautiful.” Rebecca lifted an engraved gold locket in her fingers and examined it. “I’ll be able to put a lock of…” her words trailed off and she gave Adam an impish grin “…a lock of your hair in here.”
Adam took the locket from her hands, opened the clasp and draped it around her neck, fastening the clasp. “Or you can simply wear it and enjoy it.” He released the clasp and winked at her, a silent message passing between husband and wife.
Rebecca popped a playful kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, darling. It’s far too much, but I love it.”
Nancy’s heart warmed to see that they had found their way back to each other and that the great love they shared burned even brighter.
Chances Are Page 11