The Christmas Token

by Shanna Hatfield

  “Are these your drawings, darling?” Dora asked, holding the sketches up for Ginny to see.

  “Yes, Mother,” Ginny said, trying to gauge her mother’s reaction.

  “They are quite good,” Dora said, patting the sofa seat beside her. Rather than the landscapes Ginny used to draw, the pad was full of sketches of people. “Tell me all about the people in here.”

  Filly smiled at Ginny as she sat down next to her mother and discussed her drawings. “You know the Bruner family, Mother. This is Percy. One day, he stopped by with a delivery covered in dust and had a cobweb stuck to his cap. When I asked him what he was doing, he told me he dropped a dime in a crack in the boardwalk and crawled under it to retrieve it.”

  “He’s an active little fellow, isn’t he?” Dora commented, turning the page and recognizing Chauncy and Abby. The following page featured Erin’s adorable face. “Tell me that isn’t Erin. She can’t be so big already.”

  “She’s grown so much since you’ve last seen her, Mother,” Filly said, leaning forward in her chair to glance across the table at Ginny’s drawing. She perfectly captured Erin’s sweetness and unique little spirit. “And she talks.”

  “Non-stop,” Ginny added with a laugh. “You should hear how she talks about Unca Wuke and Aunt Fiwwy.”

  “Oh, I can’t wait to see her,” Dora said, clasping her hands beneath her chin then urging Ginny to continue turning pages. As they neared the back, Ginny tried to close the book but Dora took it from her. “I want to look at the rest of them, dear.”

  “But Mother, you…” Ginny said, then felt her cheeks flush as the last several pages revealed drawings of Blake.

  She’d sketched him smiling, laughing, concentrating on his work, rubbing his hand along Samson’s neck. Her favorite showed him gazing intently at someone only he could see, his eyes filled with depth and warmth, intensity and love. It was the way Ginny saw him when she closed her eyes - the way he’d looked at her numerous times in the past two months.

  “Who is that man?” Dora asked, putting a hand to her throat. “Gracious, Ginny, he’s certainly handsome. He almost looks… regal. Something about him seems familiar.”

  “It’s Blake, Mother,” Ginny said, wanting to snatch the book away from her mother. She hadn’t shared those particular sketches with anyone. They were hers alone. Grateful she hadn’t found time to sit down and draw a sketch of him without his shirt, she should have remembered to put the book in her room. There was no help for whatever her mother would say or think now. “Blake Stratton.”

  “This is Blake Stratton? He… I… oh.” Dora sat quietly looking from the sketchbook to Ginny.

  “Let’s have a look, daughter,” Greg said, holding out his hand for the book. Ginny gave it to her dad and watched him nod his head in approval. “He very much resembles his father, doesn’t he?”

  “I always thought so,” Luke said, trying to move the focus of the conversation a different direction. “Did you know his folks moved back to England?”

  “Yes, I believe you told us that when they first left. Does Blake still have the horses?” Greg asked. He’d enjoyed going out to the Stratton place when Robert and Sarah lived there and talking horses with the man. He wasn’t much of a farmer, but no one bred and trained horses like Robert Stratton.

  “He does. Remember that old stallion Robert had? The big, black beast? Well, Blake kept his son and Romeo is in high demand these days,” Luke said, winking at Ginny as Greg handed her the sketchbook and she held it on her lap. “He’s even taken him on the train to some place in Washington to do his… um… duties.”

  “Is that right?” Greg asked. He and Luke discussed the horses while the women talked about Christmas menus and planned activities for the next few days.

  When Greg and Dora announced it was time for bed, Ginny helped Filly with the dessert dishes before retiring for the evening.

  “You might want to keep your sketches in your room,” Filly said, handing Ginny the book after she left it on the sofa in the parlor. “You really are very talented and those drawings of Blake are truly special.”

  Blushing, Ginny nodded her head and wandered down the hall, hoping her mother wouldn’t start listing all the reasons Blake was unworthy of her affections.

  The truth of the matter was that Ginny felt entirely unworthy of his.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Ginny and Dora were setting the table for lunch when the kitchen door banged back against the wall and Luke ran in the room, looking wild-eyed and upset. He wasn’t wearing his coat or hat and his hair looked like he’d shoved his hands through it, making it stand up in a tousled mess.

  “Where’s Filly?” he asked, frantically looking around the room, not seeing his wife anywhere.

  “She’s just…” Ginny started to say, but was interrupted as Luke ran to the doorway and yelled down the hall.

  “Filly? Filly! Where are you?”

  “Luke! Stop that this instant,” his mother said, smacking at his arm and turning to look at Greg as he sauntered in the door and closed it behind him, carrying Luke’s outerwear. He hung up his son’s things on the hooks by the door then removed his own.

  Dora turned back to Luke. “I didn’t raise you to holler like a wild ruffian. Show some decorum.”

  “I don’t have the time or patience for decorum right now, Mother,” Luke said, shaking off Dora’s hand from his arm. “Where is my wife?”

  “She ran upstairs for a minute, Luke. She’ll be right down,” Ginny said, wondering what had her brother in such a tizzy. He was usually calm and, since marrying Filly, most often in a good mood. He currently stood in the kitchen frantic and tense, looking like he might fly into a rage at any moment.

  A tap at the back door interrupted further speculation as Greg opened it and admitted Blake.

  “My apologies for stopping in unannounced, but I wanted to let Ginny know I took care of treats for the program practice today,” Blake said, noticing the concerned looks on the faces of the people in the kitchen.

  “Well, Blake, my boy, you are a sight for sore eyes,” Greg said, slapping him on the back and shaking his hand. “How are you, son?”

  “Very well, sir,” Blake said, genuinely pleased to see Greg Granger. Like Luke, Greg was easy to get along with and frequently full of fun. He’d always been kind to him and his parents when he and Dora lived in Hardman. “It’s a pleasure to see you and Mrs. Granger.”

  “Blake, you’ve grown since the last time I saw you,” Dora said, surprised when Blake took her hand, brushing the back of her fingers with his lips as he bowed in front of her, calling upon his finest manners. He couldn’t have given the queen herself any more of a respectful or dignified greeting.

  “Yes, ma’am. I suppose I have, but you are every bit as lovely as you were ten years ago. You don’t look old enough to have two grown children,” Blake said, hoping some flattery, even if it was true, would help grease Dora’s wheels where he was concerned.

  “I see your manners have improved as well,” Dora said, blushing from his praise. “Would you care to join us for lunch? We were just getting ready to serve the meal.”

  “No, thank you. I didn’t mean to impose. I just wanted Filly and Ginny to know they didn’t need to bring cookies to the church this afternoon,” Blake said, backing toward the door. Luke paced the floor, looking agitated and out of sorts, entirely unlike himself. “Is everything okay, Luke?”

  “Yes. No. I don’t know,” Luke said, glancing down the hall again as he plowed a hand through his hair. It stood up even more than it already had been, giving him an almost demented appearance. “Where did you say Filly is?”

  “Right here, Luke,” Filly said, sweeping into the room and putting a hand on her husband’s chest. Her bright green eyes glowed with humor. “Must you bellow about the house like a bull in the chute? I could hear you from upstairs blustering about.”

  Greg and Blake both laughed while Ginny shook her head and Dora stared at them.

&n
bsp; “Yes, I must,” Luke said, putting his arms around Filly and looking intently in her eyes. “Mrs. Ferguson told Aleta Bruner who mentioned to Arlan she saw you at the doctor’s office this morning. What’s wrong? Are you gravely ill? Why didn’t you tell me you were going?”

  “Can we please talk about this later, Luke?” Filly asked, giving Luke a tight smile while tipping her head toward the four other people standing in the kitchen. “Now isn’t the most opportune time for a discussion.”

  “No, I can’t wait five more minutes. Tell me what Doc said,” Luke begged. Tightening his grip around her, he looked at her in desperation. “Please, Filly, darlin’? I’ve got to know you’re going to be fine. Please tell me now.”

  “Come with me, then,” Filly said, walking down the hall and into the library with Luke hot on her heels.

  Ginny looked at Blake and shrugged her shoulders while Greg washed his hands then helped Dora fill water glasses. Motioning for Blake to stay, Ginny almost dropped the platter she picked up to set on the table when Luke let out a whoop that she was sure people on the far end of town could hear.

  “What on earth?” Dora said, staring in the direction of the library. Soon footsteps thudded down the hall and Luke rushed into the room carrying Filly in his arms. Her hair threatened to spill from its pins and her cheeks flushed brightly, but she looked quite happy.

  At least for someone Luke had been convinced was dying just a few short minutes ago.

  “Put me down, you crazy man,” Filly said, laughing as she tapped Luke on the shoulder.

  “Never,” Luke said, swinging her around the room before stopping by the table and setting her on a chair.

  “Luke, I need to finish setting lunch on the table,” Filly said, trying to get to her feet.

  Luke gently pushed her down and wagged a finger in her face. “You’ll stay right there and then this afternoon you’ll rest with your feet up and then…”

  “Then I’ll be completely bored and annoyed,” Filly said, shaking her head at Luke. “I’m not an invalid, I’m just…”

  “Yes, Filly, dear? What are you exactly?” Dora asked, hoping her suspicions were correct.

  “Go on, Luke, you tell them,” Filly said, blushing again.

  “We’re going to be parents,” Luke said, beaming from ear to ear. “We’ll be welcoming a summer baby, so she says.”

  “Oh, darling, that’s wonderful,” Dora said, hugging Filly’s shoulders then wrapping her arms around Luke before sitting down next to Filly and hugging her again.

  “Mr. Granger, we’re going to be grandparents!” Dora exclaimed, quite pleased with the news.

  “Yes, Dora. I gathered that much,” Greg said dryly, shaking Luke’s hand and grinning at Filly.

  “Congratulations to you both,” Blake said, shaking Luke’s hand. He edged toward the door, not wanting to intrude on a special family time. Happy for his friends, he knew they’d be wonderful parents. Watching them with Erin, it was easy to see how much they would love a child of their own.

  “Don’t leave, Blake,” Ginny said, reaching out and grasping his hand while Dora and Greg fussed over Filly. “Please stay.”

  “This is family time, Ginny. I really should go,” Blake said, not wanting to leave, but knowing he should.

  “Oh, you might as well stay, Blake. There’s plenty of food and we all feel like celebrating,” Dora said, smiling at him with sincere warmth.

  Blake worked to keep his jaw from dropping open. Dora Granger was nothing like he remembered from his youth.

  She’d been judgmental and curt, looking down her nose at him when she acknowledged his presence at all. Ten years ago, he was convinced it was her decision to get Ginny out of Hardman and away from him that resulted in the family returning to New York.

  Now she smiled at him like she not only accepted his presence, but also welcomed it.

  “If you all are sure it won’t be an imposition,” he said, standing at the door, his hat held tightly in his hand.

  “Absolutely sure,” Luke said, slapping him on the shoulder.

  While Blake removed his coat, Greg disappeared and returned carrying another chair. Ginny and Dora set the food on the table and Luke offered a very heartfelt and joyful prayer over the meal.

  Blake was surprised to find himself sitting elbow to elbow with Ginny. Turning his head, he grinned at her as she handed him a platter of cornbread.

  Something passed between the two of them when his fingers touched hers as he took the plate from her hands. Something he couldn’t define or fully understand, but it made his gut clench and his heart pound.

  “So, Filly, I assume the upcoming expansion of your family is the reason behind your recent bouts of illness,” Blake said, looking at his hostess. Her face glowed and he thought she looked quite lovely. Almost as lovely as Ginny.

  “Yes, the doctor said I need to slow down a little and get plenty of rest. Other than that, I should be just fine,” Filly said, smiling at Luke and patting his hand. Now that he knew she wasn’t about to die of some horrid disease, he was clearly on top of the world.

  “I have four witnesses who heard what you said, Filly, so the first time I find you running yourself ragged, you are in big trouble,” Luke teased, clasping her hand in his and kissing her fingers. He couldn’t seem to keep from touching her through the meal.

  “Please tell me you’re not going to be an overbearing, fussy nag from now until the baby arrives,” Filly said, making everyone laugh.

  Luke didn’t know what to say to that, making Filly and Ginny laugh all the harder.

  “I’m not a nag,” Luke finally said, shoving beans around on his plate.

  “No, certainly not. And you’ve never been overbearing a day in your life,” Ginny said, smiling sweetly at her brother. Blake joined in the laughter at Luke’s expense.

  “Why didn’t you tell us sooner?” Dora asked, looking at Filly.

  “I wanted to make sure with the doctor first and I thought it would make a lovely Christmas surprise,” Filly said, looking around the table. “Since Mr. Impatient couldn’t wait a few more days, now you all know.”

  Turning her gaze to Blake, Filly smiled at him. “And I apologize, Blake, for you being the unfortunate witness to such a personal conversation.”

  “No need to apologize. Between you and the Dodds, you’ve been my extended family since my parents left,” Blake said, grinning at Filly. “Besides, Luke won’t be able to keep this a secret for long. We could place bets on how long it will take for the news to be all over town.”

  “Here, now. There’s no need for that,” Luke said, frowning at Blake.

  “I’ll put a dollar in the pot,” Greg said, grinning at his son. “I’d say there won’t be a resident of this town who doesn’t know the news by the end of the day tomorrow.”

  “Do you really think it will take that long? I’d guess by noon tomorrow everyone will know,” Dora said, surprising them with her comment. At the shocked looks on their faces, she shrugged her shoulders. “What? Between Luke and Chauncy, once he knows, how could it possibly be a secret?”

  “I think this is a good time to change the subject,” Luke said, turning to Blake. “Do you need any help with deliveries or finishing projects now that your arm is injured?”

  “I could use some help with deliveries, if anyone has time. I thought I’d make most of them before our last program practice. There are a few that need to wait until Christmas Eve,” Blake said, nodding appreciatively at Luke.

  “Dad and I can help you, can’t we?” Luke said, looking to his father for agreement.

  “Certainly. What are we helping with?” Greg asked, glancing from Luke to Blake.

  “Blake makes furniture in addition to doing carpentry work. He has several Christmas orders that need delivered. When the cougar ripped into his arm the other night, he had to get three impressive rows of stitches,” Luke explained to his dad. “He could use some help lifting the heavier pieces.”

  “Goodness!
” Dora said, glancing at Blake and noticing the bulge of a bandage beneath his shirtsleeve. “Doesn’t it hurt?”

  “Stings a little,” Blake said, not willing to admit his whole arm still felt like it was on fire. He was so grateful to Luke for offering help with his deliveries. Thank goodness, the only project he had left to finish was a special one for Ginny. Working carefully, he should have it done in plenty of time to give it to her Christmas Eve.

  “I should say so,” Greg said. “Luke showed me the beast this morning. How close were you to that thing when you shot it?”

  “Closer than I ever again want to be to anything with claws and teeth like that,” Blake said with a teasing smile. He woke himself up twice the previous night with a vision of the cougar’s face in his, its pointed teeth lunging for his neck. He supposed it was natural to have nightmares considering what happened.

  “It gives me cold shivers just thinking about it,” Greg said, winking at Ginny.

  It gave her shivers, too.

  Every time she thought about how badly Blake could have been hurt, she wanted to wrap her arms around him and refuse to let go. She wondered what he’d do if she did.

  Looking at him, he caught her eye and winked. Dropping her hand beneath the table, she reached out and squeezed his where it rested on his thigh. Heat zipped up her fingers to her arm and traveled straight to her heart. When he gently squeezed back, she smiled at him.

  “What time does your practice for the program begin?” Dora asked, wiping her mouth with a napkin as she looked at Ginny.

  “At two o’clock. A few of the children won’t be able to make it since they live out of town, but we’ll practice with the ones who can,” Ginny said, suddenly wondering what Blake prepared for a treat. “Blake, you said you took care of the treats today, what did you plan to share?”

  “I think I’ll let it be a surprise for you as well, Miss Granger,” Blake said, finishing his last bite of ham and not saying more.

  “Would anyone like a slice of cake? There’s plenty left over from last night,” Filly said, starting to get to her feet.