“Tree next and it’s one of those fancy things that you just pull up out of the box, and presto, it’s ready except for a bit of ‘fluffing,’ as Granny says.” Declan removed it from the box and sure enough, it sprung right to life.
“I’ll make sure none of the limbs are twisted if you’ll wrap that first length of lights around your arms,” Betsy said.
The phone startled all three of them, and Kyle laughed. “I’m surprised we got this much done. It’s been like this since Sunday night when I made the announcement. I have to answer every call in case it’s one of the flock in trouble, but most of the time it’s just folks wanting to gossip. Carry on, please.”
“They say the third is the charm,” Declan said as they started circling the tree.
Betsy clipped lights to the tree branches. “What does that mean?”
“This is our third tree to decorate together. The bar, Lottie’s, and now the church.”
Betsy smiled up at him. “What’s it supposed to charm?”
He nudged her shoulder with his. “Betsy, what are we going to do about us?”
“I’d say we have to figure out who we want to be before we can make that decision.” His touch, even though his chambray work shirt and her faded plaid flannel shirt, sent waves of heat from her shoulder to her boots.
“What does that mean?”
She snapped a few more lights in place and said, “Do I want to be a Gallagher all my life? And I’m not just talking about my name. And do you want to be a Brennan? Again it’s attitude, not name. Because a Gallagher and a Brennan have no future together.”
“Just as I thought,” Kyle said as he crossed the room. “It was someone asking me not to leave. Got to admit it is nice to be wanted. Now what?”
“You ever done this job?” Betsy asked.
“Couple of times for my grandmother,” Kyle answered.
“Then take over for me and I’ll unpack more boxes so we can see where we are with all this,” she said.
* * *
Declan kept an eye on what Kyle was doing with the lights, but he also watched Betsy from the corner of his eye. What she said made sense, and although he’d made the decision to separate himself from his family to some degree, was he ready to take it to the final step for Betsy Gallagher? Then again, would she be willing to do even more for him, because if the relationship went to the big step, she would have to change her name to Brennan? They’d both been indoctrinated since they were in diapers that the other side was even more evil than Lucifer, so how would she feel about her final step in the big picture?
“Thinking about her?” Kyle whispered.
Declan nodded. “Can’t seem to stop doing that.”
* * *
Ten minutes before Kyle unlocked the church doors at exactly seven thirty for Wednesday-night service, they plugged in all of the lights. All three of them stood in complete awe at what they’d created that day.
“It’s more beautiful than it’s ever been,” Betsy said softly.
Declan slipped an arm around her shoulders. “We still need to open all the doors into the Sunday school rooms and get those rooms lit up. Who would have thought we’d have enough to do the whole church? I’ve never seen it look like this.”
Kyle nodded seriously. “Well, since this is my first Christmas here, I can’t compare, but it’s the prettiest I’ve ever seen anywhere I have been. If we each get two rooms then we should be ready to open the doors and let the folks in. From the looks of the parking lot, I’d say we’re going to have a packed church tonight,” Kyle said. “I would like for y’all to sit on the deacon’s bench behind me, since you made all this possible from the beginning to the end.”
“I’m not even dressed for church, much less to sit up there for everyone to see,” Betsy said.
“I don’t think God looks at what a child of His is wearing. God is interested in your heart, and believe me He is very pleased with what He sees there tonight. Please humor me,” he said.
“Might as well. Whole town knows we’re both living out at Lottie’s place.” Declan shrugged.
“Five minutes. Let’s light up the Sunday school rooms, then you can take your places on the deacon’s bench and I’ll open the doors. I can’t thank you enough for this and for a decent parsonage and office. My mind is boggled at what all you have accomplished.”
The oak deacons’ bench with high arms was small enough that two people were squished pretty tight together on it. Suddenly, Betsy jumped up, removed the band holding her ponytail up, and shook her red curls free. She tucked her shirt into the band of her jeans and brushed away the dust that had settled on her jeans.
“Thank goodness I didn’t spill any of that delicious tortilla soup Kyle served us for dinner and supper on my shirt,” she mumbled.
“If you had, you would still be beautiful.” He reached into his pocket and brought out a brass button and put it in her hand. “April of your freshman year in high school. I was a junior. We had to hide the Easter eggs for the little kids at church that year. This fell off your sweater.”
“How…” She plopped down.
“I have more than twenty years’ worth of little things in a box. It pains me to share them, darlin’, but you need to know this is not an instant thing that started with a poker game,” he said.
The doors swung open, and people swarmed inside the church, their eyes aglitter and gasps bouncing around. They looked and sounded like little kids on Christmas morning.
“I told you all…” Mavis sucked in a lungful of air as if she were about to deliver a lecture right there in the church.
“Hush and sit down, Mama,” Russell said curtly.
“You are all…” Naomi pointed at several members of her family.
Henry pushed her hand down. “That’s enough, Mama.”
Both women puffed up like bullfrogs and sat down in their pews, each sending glares across the church at the other. Christmas music began to play softly in the background, and Kyle took his place behind the podium.
He held up his palms and leaned toward the microphone. “If I could have your attention, please.” He waited until quiet settled over the amazed crowd like a soft layer of pure-white snow and then waved his hands toward all the decorations. “It’s lovely, isn’t it?”
A dozen amens and a church full of bobbing heads answered him.
“It was made possible by only two people in our congregation. They wanted the people of this church to have a program this year, and they asked to remain anonymous. Not only does the church look like this but my office doors are open. After I finish, take a look at the new rug and furniture in there and the most beautiful credenza I’ve ever seen. It will hold several of my wedding pictures, I’m sure. And the parsonage has new area rugs on the cold hardwoods, new living room furniture, a stove that has all four burners and an oven that works, a refrigerator with all the shelves, and a really nice bedroom suite. I’m totally amazed that this was all done in less than a month.”
“Did those two up there on the bench do this?” Mavis yelled.
“The two that did it made me swear an oath of confidentiality, but the two on the bench, Betsy Gallagher and Declan Brennan, gave a whole day today to the church, making this possible for you to see tonight. We will have a Christmas program on Friday evening instead of the regular services. The Gallaghers will be in charge of the nativity; costumes are in the choir room. The Brennans will be in charge of the actual program, as in readings and music. Quaid, you will take care of that, yes?”
Quaid nodded without even looking at his grandmother.
“And, Angela and Jody, you will be Mary and Joseph with baby Christian having the role of the newborn Savior in the nativity?” Kyle asked.
“Yes.” Angela stood up. “This is the miracle I prayed for, and we’ll be so honored to have that part in the program. And I want
everyone here to know that all this had to be by donation from different folks because I gave that angel on the tree to the cause. My granny hand crocheted it when I was a little girl.”
Lottie popped up from her seat. “And that arrangement on the altar is my collection that Leland gave me through the years for Christmas. The lace cloth it’s sitting on was hand made by my sweet sister.”
Verdie was next. “The Christmas tree and skirt came from our ranch. The skirt was my great aunt’s. Y’all will remember Ina. She was the pianist back before Polly started playing.”
Honey Gallagher stood slowly. “I gave that silk floral arrangement on the piano. And I recognize some of those ornaments on the tree.”
After several more testimonies, Kyle removed the microphone and carried it with him to the center of the stage. “This is what happens when folks begin to think of something other than themselves and put this ridiculous feud aside. There are decorations from the Gallaghers and the Brennans on the tree, all mixed up together. I understand a Gallagher donated the stable for the nativity and the costume Angela will wear in the program. But a Brennan gave the manger. The Sunday school rooms are all decorated too, as well as the fellowship hall where Christmas refreshments are laid out this evening. Take time to look at everything. Now, I’m going to ask a question, and I’m a patient man. I’ll wait to let you think about it. I’d like for anyone in this sanctuary who would like to see this crazy feud end to stand up.”
Russell Brennan was the first one. Mavis hissed something at him, and he shook his head, folded his arms over his chest, and winked at his son. Henry Gallagher was the first one on that side of the church, but he didn’t beat Lottie, Verdie, Gladys, and Polly by much. One by one, others stood until finally Mavis and Naomi were the only two people still sitting.
Declan had to consciously keep his jaw from dropping as he looked out over a church full of people all voicing their opinions simply by standing to their feet. Evidently, Betsy felt the same way because her hand slid over his and squeezed.
“We did it,” she whispered.
“You may sit down now. Mavis, do you have anything to say?”
“My people have spoken, and I will honor their wishes. I can’t say that I’m not disappointed or that I’m ever going to like Naomi Gallagher, but the feud is over.”
“Naomi?” Kyle asked.
She stood up and turned to face Mavis. “I’ll do what my family wants, but I don’t have to like it or you. The hatchet might be buried as far as the feud goes, but it will always be between us.”
“This might take baby steps, but what has happened here tonight is a miracle. Now I want every one of you to stand up and mingle for a few minutes. Shake hands and sit somewhere totally different. Gallaghers will sit in the center section and on what was formerly known as the Brennan side. The Brennans will do the same,” Kyle said.
Russell crossed the church in front of the altar, stuck out his hand toward Henry, and said, “Merry Christmas.”
“Same to you,” Henry said.
“Magic,” Declan whispered.
The whole church had a different atmosphere when the folks sat back down. Mavis and Naomi hadn’t budged an inch from their original pews, but there were Gallaghers around Mavis and Brennans around Naomi when it was finished.
“One more thing,” Declan said.
“Don’t ask me to hug Quaid Brennan. I’m not ready for that,” Tanner said loudly.
Laughter filled the church.
Kyle nodded. “Baby steps. No, this other thing. I want a show of hands from everyone in the church who has ever read or saw Romeo and Juliet.”
Several hands went up.
“Well, we have our own Romeo and Juliet right here with us tonight,” Kyle said.
“Mama, he’s not going to make us listen to Shakespeare, is he?” a little boy in the back of the church whispered loudly.
“No, son, I’m not, but I am going to tell you a story. Romeo and Juliet were in love, but they couldn’t be together because of their families. It’s a shame that something like a feud or a person’s last name could stand in the way of real, lasting love, isn’t it?”
Russell’s head was bobbing up and down even though Mavis looked like she’d been sucking on green persimmons. Declan could feel what was coming, and he was ready for it. He’d thought about what Betsy had said all day, and he couldn’t wait to spit out those three words that he’d never been able to spit out before.
“We have Romeo behind me and Juliet sitting right beside him, and mainly what has kept them apart is the feud. Since it’s over, I want your promise that no one will stand in their way,” Kyle said.
“You got mine,” Henry said.
“Amen.” Russell nodded.
Declan eased up to his full height, pulling Betsy up with him. “Could I borrow that microphone for a minute?”
Kyle handed it to him and sat down in the bench behind them.
“This is for Betsy, but if the whole lot of you want to listen in that’s fine because I’m not ashamed of any of it,” Declan said as he dropped on one knee. “Betsy Gallagher, I love you. I have since we were in elementary school. Never thought I could tell you, but there. I’ve said it. I don’t deserve you, but I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you.” He looked up into her eyes. “Betsy Gallagher, will you marry me?”
“I love you too, Declan. Not since we were kids but just as fierce and just as strong. So my answer is yes,” she said.
The applause could have been heard all the way to heaven.
Chapter 26
“Be still. You’ve always fidgeted when I’m trying to do your hair,” Willa fussed at Betsy.
“I wanted to go to the courthouse, so don’t gripe at me.”
“And you are my only child, my only daughter, and you are going to have a wedding.” Willa settled the crown of baby roses and white ribbons on a bed of red curls on top of Betsy’s head. “And you are still fidgeting. I can’t believe I’m going to stand up there as your matron of honor and watch you marry a Brennan.”
“I’ll be a Brennan in half an hour. We’ve asked Kyle to make it a quick ceremony.”
Willa grabbed a tissue and dabbed her eyes. “My God, you are beautiful. My dress looks better on you than it did on me thirty-two years ago. We’ve done it. We’ve gotten a wedding that should have taken a year to plan ready in less than a week.”
“Merry Christmas. Miracles do happen at this time of year. Declan and I are living proof. I wish Lottie were here,” Betsy said as she turned toward the floor-length mirror on back of the door in the senior citizens Sunday school room. A hand went over her mouth, and her eyes misted. “Oh, Mama.”
“My tomboy has turned into a princess,” Willa whispered.
What had been pure-white satin had aged like fine pearls to an ivory luster. Fitted sleeves ended in points on top of Betsy’s hands and fastened with a dozen tiny buttons that matched the forty-two buttons up the back of the dress. The sweetheart neckline hugged her figure as if the dress had been tailor-made just for her. Willa fussed with the long train so Betsy could see what it would look like stretched out down the aisle as she went to the front of the church to meet Declan.
“I’m glad you didn’t wear a veil. The roses in your pretty red hair are just the right touch,” Willa said.
“Got any last-minute advice for me? I know this is still hard on the family even if the hatchet is buried,” Betsy said.
“Marriage is a partnership. All relationships take hard work, but loving Declan the way you do, most of the time you won’t even realize that it’s work,” Willa said. “And the family will learn. Baby steps, as Kyle said. Oh, a little something extra for today. A gift from your new father-in-law. These are the pearls that his great-grandmother wore the day she married into the Brennan family, and he would like you to have them.” Willa pu
t them around Betsy’s neck and fastened the tiny, diamond-encrusted clasp.
“Mavis will lie down right in front of the altar and die.”
“Probably not. She wouldn’t give Naomi the satisfaction. Now, your bouquet.” She put a dozen red roses tied with pretty green ribbons in Betsy’s hands. In the middle of it all was a slightly faded green ribbon with a brass button attached to the end.
“I still don’t know what that’s all about,” Willa said.
“It’s my something old.” Betsy smiled. “Let’s go get this done so I can eat wedding cake, and…you didn’t forget the Twinkies did you?”
“I did not. There’s a big basket of them on the table between the groom’s cake and yours. I don’t understand that either.”
Betsy hugged her mother. “Someday I’ll tell you all about it.”
* * *
Declan’s hands were clammy as he and his father waited in the front of the church. Family from both sides as well as more of the town of Burnt Boot were packed into the church that Christmas evening. New beginnings were everywhere, and so much at once was more than a little intimidating, even to a big, tall cowboy.
He’d teased Betsy when she wanted to get married on Christmas Day, but she said she did not want a long engagement and, besides, he would never forget their anniversary.
Music came from the speakers, and Declan looked at his father and Kyle.
“Don’t look at me. Your fiancée took care of the songs she wanted played,” Kyle whispered.
“The Time of My Life” played loud and clear.
Several of the old folks looked around in astonishment while Betsy wiggled her shoulders all the way down the aisle as the lyrics said that with her body and soul she wanted him more than he’d ever know. Declan smiled and nodded when the words said that she was the one thing he couldn’t get enough of and this could be love because he’d never felt this way before.
When Betsy reached the front of the church, she handed her bouquet off to Willa, threw her arms around Declan, and kissed him firmly on the lips.
A Cowboy Christmas Miracle (Burnt Boot, Texas Book 4) Page 27