“It did. Your aunt saved it all these years and brought it for you.”
“Thank you, Auntie Stell.”
“You’re most welcome.” Estelle basked in her nephew’s approval and his first use of her pet name. She sat beside Susan and passed dishes of food to the other ravenous young men. Not even Margie’s empty place at the table caused sadness this glorious Christmas morning. Estelle imagined the young bride preparing breakfast for her young husband at their new home and smiled with satisfaction.
She met her brother’s gaze. Paul reached over and grasped her hand. That one gesture expressed his forgiveness and acceptance. Her voice held a sister’s lifetime love. “Merry Christmas, Paulie.”
“And a blessed Christmas to you, Stell. Having you in our home and full of joy is the best gift I could receive today, I think.” After one last squeeze of her fingers, he returned his attention to his breakfast. Noting his heightened color, Estelle let the emotional moment end.
Josh advised Flora to hurry if she still wanted to accompany him on the sleigh ride. Glowing with excitement, the little girl raced through her chores and ran upstairs. Estelle wondered when Frank would arrive. As soon as the kitchen was tidy, she did some primping of her own.
Along with the blue satin gown for Margie’s wedding, Estelle had found time to add two new shirtwaists to her wardrobe, one white and one of gray calico with pink sprigs. They would enliven her worn black skirts and jackets until she found time and means to sew more colorful garments.
Regarding her reflection in the small mirror above the dressing table in her dormer bedroom, Estelle coaxed the wisps of hair behind her ears into loose curls. The mere memory of Frank’s expression when she removed her cloak at the hotel last night brought a smile to her face. He found her attractive, she knew, and the realization pleased her beyond measure.
At the reception, he had kept her at his side throughout the evening. The most disturbing moment for Estelle had come when she met Mary Bilge’s flinty stare. That poor woman! Something must be done to help her. But what? She was no worse off than Estelle had been upon her arrival in Coon’s Hollow. God could bring joy and love into Mary’s life, too, if she would allow it. With a nod at the mirror, Estelle appointed herself to pray for Miss Mary Bilge.
The pin-tucked white shirtwaist Estelle wore contrasted nicely with her black jacket, and a red ribbon at her throat gave it a festive touch. Hearing sleigh bells, she ran to the window. Powder trotted up the drive, blowing twin plumes of steam.
Lest she keep Frank waiting, Estelle hurried downstairs, tying a long scarf over her bonnet and tucking it around her throat. With the addition of her cloak, mittens, and overshoes, she considered herself ready to brave the weather. “Frank is here,” she called, patting Eliza’s silky black head.
“Enjoy yourself, dear,” Susan answered from the kitchen.
Paul leaned against the kitchen door frame. “Be home before dark,” he warned with a twinkle.
“Yes, sir.” Estelle gave him a hasty kiss before bustling outside.
Frank tucked her beneath robes and furs, climbed in beside her, and clucked to his horse. “Can’t keep Powder standing when he’s warm.” At first the horse kicked up a frozen spray, but once he settled into his stride, Estelle uncovered her face.
“How beautiful!” Sunlight glittered on rolling drifts of pristine white. Silvery bells jingled with Powder’s steady trot. The cold tingled her cheeks and froze inside her nose.
Frank’s eyes seemed to reflect the vivid sky as he returned her smile. “Yes, you are beautiful.”
Estelle unburied her arm enough to link it with his, then leaned her face against his shoulder. “This is the happiest day of my life.”
“So far,” he said with a grin. “I passed Josh and Flora on my way.”
“They’re off to the races, no doubt. I think Flora will be the envy of every eligible young woman in the county. I wonder why Josh hasn’t started courting a girl yet,” Estelle said.
“I imagine he hasn’t found the right one,” Frank answered. “I’m glad I waited until you came along.”
Estelle snuggled closer. “I approve of your hat. It matches your eyes.”
“So I was told by the lady who knitted it for me.”
“Lady?”
He chuckled. “Jealous? Beatrice Coon was the lady.”
The cutter swept through town, around on a looping county road, then back toward the Truman farm. Estelle waved at each sleigh they passed, recognizing chapped and smiling faces. David and Margie waved a joyous greeting but didn’t pause to chat. Josh and Flora stopped to visit. Their horses pranced in place, steaming with sweat but still raring to go.
“I’m guessing by your smiles that you whipped Abel Coon today,” Frank called.
“We beat him by a mile!” Flora shouted back. “But Abel says Josh cheated because I’m his sister and can’t be his best girl.”
Josh grinned. “He thought up that rule too late to do him any good this year.”
Frank laughed. “Are you on your way home?”
“Yup. Got to give Chester and Sandy a good rubdown and some hot mash. They earned it today. Merry Christmas, and congratulations, Pastor Nelson. My aunt will make you a great wife.” Josh winked at Estelle and clucked to his fretting horses.
“Good-bye,” Flora called, and Estelle blew her a kiss.
Frank jiggled his reins, and Powder trotted on. “Amy and Bradley chose to remain at the parsonage today,” Frank said. “Their best gift to me this year was the news that I’m to become a grandfather next summer. I hope you don’t mind marrying a grandfather.”
Despite his teasing tone, Estelle detected a hint of anxiety underlying his question. “As long as I get to be a stepgrandmother, I favor the idea. I love babies. Since I can never have a child of my own, I shall treasure the opportunity to love your children and grandchildren.”
Powder slowed to a walk. Estelle studied their surroundings. “Where are we?”
“Nowhere. I’ve been thinking and planning, but for the life of me I can’t think of a place we could go today to find some privacy.” Leaving his horse to set a moderate pace, Frank turned on the seat, caught her mittened hands, and brought them to his chest.
Estelle’s heart thundered in her ears. Frost glittered in his eyebrows and mustache, but his expression warmed her face. His voice wavered. “This is our first Christmas together, and I want you to remember it always with joy.” For a long moment, his blue eyes studied her. She saw his lips twitch with emotion and suddenly understood.
“I shall.” She was too bundled up to move, so she put one hand behind his head and gently pulled his face toward hers. His frosty mustache tickled, but his lips on hers were surprisingly warm.
He sat back with a pleased smile. “Thank you.”
“I love you, Frank.”
His smile widened. Giving a little whoop, he snapped the reins and started his stalled horse off at a brisk trot.
Tracie Peterson, Tracey V. Bateman, Pamela Griffin, JoAnn A. Grote Page 57