“Yes, please, do that, Viola. I want you here, too,” exclaimed Rachael, regaining her strength, moving to hug her sister.
While the women were busy, so were the men, who were trying their hand at wrapping presents after a hilarious shopping trip. Their efforts continued to be humorous. Sometimes they lost the string or ribbon under the table. At other times, they actually lost the present. Fortunately, nothing was broken or missing for long. Best of all, they clowned around, laughed, and had a grand time. It was quickly determined that Rachael’s father, Glen Hathaway, was the winner at package wrapping.
“Of course, I’ve had a little more experience at it than most of you boys, that’s all,” he declared. Then he had an afterthought. “Also, I’ve had an excellent teacher, my lovely wife.”
That afternoon, they made preparations for the horse show. Excitement was in the air, along with dry snowflakes, some of which were seen magically floating or spiraling upward on chilled air currents. The men marveled at this occurrence, while digging an evergreen from out back and potting it for the occasion in the barn. Several commented on those snowflakes and the icy snowdrifts found nearby, when they brought that live evergreen in to present it to the ladies for inspection.
“We didn’t want to cut down another tree,” commented Cousin Emery. “It’s really cold outside.”
“So, this one will live to become your indoor tree next year, perhaps,” added Buddy.
“All we need is some popcorn strands or whatever decorations you ladies choose, and look who’s here,” John happily told the group. “We greeted him upon his arrival and invited him to join us for tree searching. He helped us select a prize one.”
It was Rachael’s cousin, Wren. She went to hug him and patted his hand. “I’m so glad you’re here for the holidays.” After she introduced him to those he hadn’t met, Rachael, her sisters, Aggie, Amber, and Mariah headed toward the door to rush to the house for tree trimmings. John’s parents and grandparents stayed in the barn with the men, who helped to raise the garlands they’d made to hang high from well-placed nails on the rafters.
Then, all at once, in stepped Swan to surprise Rachael. “I came with Wren. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Swan, you’re here! Thank you for coming.” Rachael hugged her best friend and thought of how very exciting this Christmas season had become. “You’ll stay for Christmas, of course.”
Guests were in wonder about this event as they entered the barn to find a festive scene, for most weren’t really quite sure what a ‘Winter Solstice Horse Show’ would be. Soon, it was everything John, Rachael, and their families and friends wanted it to be, and more. In truth, it was a celebration of man and nature, with a light lunch offered, Christmas carols quietly being sung in a corner near hay bales for sitting, and a rabbit petting area. Adding to the festivities were the horses, of course, the stars and heroes, which were periodically walked around the area, sometimes with small, delighted riders on board.
It also included an ongoing theatrical performance by Crane and his lovely bride, Mariah, and their charming hand puppets, whose endeavors to entertain were well-received. Delicious, colorful cookies on trays, circulated throughout the crowd, including Viola Hathaway’s favorite Thumbprint cookies, which she had somehow found time to bake. Antonio Bradshaw was duly impressed, and he let her know. Rachael was glad he had come, along with his sister, Robin, while hoping all the while that the Bradshaw brother and sister might someday join her family.
Quite astonishingly, that afternoon, Rachael, Butterscotch, and Chocolate heard something unusual. She had just stepped away from the crowd for a few moments to pet the horses in their stall, when suddenly the pair perked up their ears, swished their tails, stamped a foot, and turned to glare at the barn boards on the wall, as if they wished to see through them. No window was there, but Rachael had an idea. Since the others were busy, she excused herself to Phoebe, saying she was stepping outside for a moment to view the snow, so at least her sister would know of her whereabouts, for she had heard voices.
Opening the barn door, she quickly and quietly stepped outside into the frigid air. Large snowflakes danced or hung in the light, arctic breeze on this first day of winter. It was then she heard the men. Though faint, she knew approximately where their voices were coming from ~ near Dragonfly Pond. Pulling her shawl tighter around her shoulders, she carefully stepped to the end of the building, not even daring to peer around the corner.
“It should be right here,” she heard a gravelly voice exclaim.
“Well, I wish we’d find it, so we could bury this loot with it until later. I want to get out of this freezing cold,” a second male voice explained, grumpily.
Rachael leaned against the barn, exhaled, and listened intently, careful that the trespassers did not see her exhaled breath hanging in the frosty air. Chills swept over her as she realized these weren’t guests.
“I’m telling you the Treasure Map Of 1818 leads us right here,” the first voice barked.
Rachael gasped in shock and was instantly annoyed. How did someone get our map?
“Dig deeper then,” his partner insisted. “I’m no surveyor, but I am a good map reader, and the 1818 treasure’s got to be here. We have to hide the gold and coins from Spice Dock with it before the party breaks up, I say, or before everything disappears in a whiteout.”
“I’m digging.”
So, the treasure map she’d drawn for John, along with gold and coins stolen from the wharf were all here, Rachael quickly thought to herself. Stunned, she had heard all of the evidence she really needed to hear, right from the thieves’ mouths. They were the robbers and the answer to the Spice Dock mystery.
“When we find it and bury this stuff, we can mark it with a boulder before that snowstorm comes in and covers everything,” the first man instructed. “We’ll come back for it later, when the snow melts.”
“Right!” His partner agreed.
This was indeed enough intrigue for Rachael Hathaway. She hurried inside to her fiance. “Come with me, quick,” she whispered, taking his hand, leading him to Sheriff Turner, so she could tell them both the news at the same time. Luckily, John came readily, trusting her, asking no questions. “There are two thieves outside in the field. I overheard them say they had the loot from Spice Dock, gold and coins, and our Treasure Map Of 1818. How could that be, John? Right now, they’re out there digging for treasure in the pasture near the pond. I’m so glad we didn’t bury it there. I don’t want anyone getting hurt, though. So, please, if you go out there, be careful,” she implored them, for she knew that they would certainly hurry to handle this situation, keeping the guests safe. They were that kind of men – brave and good.
John and Joe looked at each other, smiled, and nodded.
“I’ll explain about the map later, sweetheart. I believe I may have lost it at the mercantile while Christmas shopping,” John briefly explained, as he hugged her. “Thank you, precious. I’ll get Monty and Buddy, Joe. They’re over there,” he whispered to Rachael and the sheriff, while pointing.
“Good. I’ll fetch the pastor and your cousin. They’re behind me,” explained Joe Turner. “Thank you, Miss Hathaway. Could you please quietly advise your father, Crane, and some of the other men to stand just inside the door? Tell them to allow no one outside or in until one of us returns to declare that all is well.”
She agreed and hurried to her father, glad he was here. Within seconds, the group with the sheriff headed toward the door, where John handed them arms from his gun safe.
“As sheriff, I deputize all of you, and thank you. Be careful, and let me do the talking, please,” Joe advised.
However, it was really a quiet showdown, with no resistance from the robbers. Surrounded by the sheriff and his men, the shivering pair decided to go quietly, since they could not dispute the evidence before them. A few moments later, when the announcement was made that t
he Spice Dock mystery was solved, the gold and coin shipment missing from the Snagpuller North had been recovered, and the bandits had been caught, everyone was relieved. Quiet applause was heard, so as not to disturb the horses or rabbits.
“Miss Rachael Hathaway is our hero today, folks, in more than one way.” The pastor continued to inform the happy throng. “She did wonders with her idea to have this horse show, and because of it she overheard the thieves out yonder. We apprehended them and they are on their way to jail. Our banker, Mr. Cunningham, is overjoyed, since the coins were rare. Our host, John, is happy, because the horse show was not disrupted, and the reward is Rachael’s.” A whispered cheer followed Pastor Hoover’s speech.
“Well, the horses heard the thieves’ voices, too,” Rachael explained, while pointing at the pair in their stall. “They knew something was wrong. I was just there at the right time. So, they’re heroes, too.”
Later, over sandwiches, and vegetable and fruit tray slices, Rachael announced, “John, I forgot to buy the oranges and your ring!”
He patted her hand. “Relax, darling, I’ll take you to the village. The guests are leaving. We need your wedding ring, too.”
Bells were ringing, carollers were singing, when they approached to find the hamlet a picture of Christmas personified. It had truly been transformed into the look of white, velvet-covered chateaus by the snowfall, with sparkling, crystal icicles hanging from buildings, signs, swags, and garlands, like so many ornate ornaments, causing everyone to be in high spirits. Mariah spotted them immediately and waved, then hurried to join them to show Rachael and John a treasure she’d found for Crane while shopping.
“We’re buying our wedding rings today,” Rachael happily informed her friend, “and we have oranges to get, too.” She watched as Mariah turned to point at The Market On The Main, then waved, and was gone.
“Ah, here’s the lovely bride and lucky groom.” Antonio Bradshaw greeted them with a warm smile and a handshake for John at the market. “I’m greatly looking forward to your wedding. What can I help you with today?”
“We need rings,” an excited Rachael replied, while hopeful at finding some at this late date.
“We also need oranges, please. We’ve had guests, the horse show, and a very busy holiday season,” John told their new friend, as he turned to Rachael. ”Don’t worry about anything, sweetheart. Everything’s getting done on time.”
“Right this way,” Antonio advised, making their shopping much easier with his professional expertise.
After finding the perfect rings, John and Rachael briefly separated in order to buy Christmas and wedding gifts for each other. Soon, they were back in the sleigh headed home. John thought he saw Monty’s carriage at Cousin Emery’s on the way home, yet said nothing about it, since Rachael had enough on her mind already.
Carolling was on the agenda the next afternoon. Again, Monty and Phoebe surprisingly joined them to begin singing as the Snagpuller North pulled up to Spice Dock. Rachael and John surprised the captain and crew with oranges and cookies, as a thank you for transporting the drilling necessities and drillers. Next, the crooners headed to the village. Cocoa was offered by the merchants to warm the singers. Afterward, snowflakes swirled again, making their performance brief. Quickly, they boarded their carriages for the return trip. For a couple of days, all was quiet, with games being played, occasionally, by host, hostess, and houseguests. Yet, the group had a lively time filling the Christmas stockings. Rachael stuffed in her wrapped homemade mittens and rolled up botanical papers for everyone, while her mother followed, adding a handkerchief. Viola gave a thumbprint cookie to each new friend, while Phoebe gifted everyone with a quill pen. Robin added a candle; Miss Callie gave lace to the ladies and shoestrings to the men. Mariah tucked in a homemade napkin, and Swan gave a fortune cookie. Cloie gifted each with gingerbread. Hattie dropped in a coin, and Andrea squeezed small packages of nuts into each sock.
Later, the men added a small package for their special lady containing a brooch, plus other various gifts for each other ~ a candy stick, dried fruit, soap, postage stamps, a cookie, a cologne, a piece of cheese, crackers, a spoon, a poem, and Charles Earl gave vegetable seeds from the gardens at Fernhaven.
In secret, later, Rachael wrapped John’s Christmas gift, a volume on fossils. Her wedding gift to him was soft moccasins to rest his tired feet and legs. She had successfully traded for them by giving her dragonfly and fish fossils to Chief Morning Star, thinking that she and John would find other fossils, someday, for the museum.
Meanwhile, John was pleased as he wrapped the two wooden display boxes topped with glass for Rachael’s Christmas present, which he’d commissioned Pastor Albert to create for her dragonfly and fish fossils. He also took great care to wrap his wedding gift to her in soft fabric obtained from Miss Callie especially for this purpose. His gift to her was a snow globe, which held an exact replica of Hope, their cat, the one that comforted Rachael after her leg injury, helped save John’s life, and disappeared under the house during the loud horseshoes game.
Breakfast was festive Christmas Eve morning, when their families arrived from Black Woods Castle, Sunset Place, Willow Poncho, Otter House, and Apple Valley Ridge, where some of the guests had been invited to stay. Colorful fruits, juices, ham, eggs, French toast, jams and preserves graced the side buffet and awaited them in the excited Davis household. After partaking of the meal, everyone delighted in receiving their gifts within the overstuffed, Christmas stockings, especially Lily, who also had some packages to unwrap under the tree on Christmas morning.
Within minutes, the group was off to the Christmas Eve morning church service, some of them to present a surprise. Shortly before the service ended, several in the audience slipped out quietly, so that when the service did end, The Wedding March began, surprising most of the entire congregation.
First, in came the bridesmaids: Emma, escorted by Pastor Albert, followed by Viola with Francisco Antonio Bradshaw, Aggie, ushered in by Dr. Buddy Callahan, Mariah with Crane, Swan was escorted by Sheriff Joe, and Robin, escorted down the aisle by Robert Hathaway. Yet, where were Rachael and Phoebe Hathaway, some wondered?
When Rachael next came down the aisle on the arm of her father, Glen Hathaway, at the same time that Dr. John Davis III entered a side door to join the wedding party at the alter, all in attendance were amazed and delighted. The audience, still standing, then heard the church doors opening once again. Rachael turned toward the door for a most unexpected surprise, for there came her other dears, Grandmother Rachael and Great Aunt Millie, escorted by Wren, bearing the ring bearer’s pillow, to the delight of the waiting bride.
To almost everyone’s surprise, the Wedding March then began again. This time, Amber Worthington appeared, escorted by Emery Davis Senior, to exchange vows with Emery Davis.
“Ohhhhh, a double wedding!” was voiced by several. Then, silence prevailed, while the audience waited to be seated so the ceremony could begin. But instead of seating everyone, Pastor Hoover quickly changed their minds when he happily swept his hand toward the doors again, and they began to open.
Rachael gasped. So did everyone else, as another lovely bride entered, making this a triple wedding. Placing a hand over her mouth, Rachael sighed, “Oh.” Happy tears welled in her eyes. Her groom steadied her, for there in the doorway stood her other sister, Phoebe, on the arm of their dear father. Uncle Emery and Amber’s entrance had given Mr. Hathaway time to slip out the side door, unnoticed, to happily escort his second daughter to the church alter for wedding vows.
Barely containing her joy, Rachael was thrilled as Phoebe and Monty joined them for the ceremony. It was then she saw the three sets of rings upon the pillow Wren held, and she knew that this all was meant to be, a well-kept secret by Pastor Albert, Emma, Amber, Emery, Phoebe, Monty, Wren, Crane, Mariah, Rachael’s grandmother, aunt, parents, and who knows who else.
“Rachael, I hope you
don’t mind that we changed your plans and let Wren carry the rings, since he was escorting your family members,” Mariah Emerson now whispered, and the happy bride shook her head ‘no.’
The choir, led by choir director, Aggie Hoover, began to sing the song Rachael had written for Crane and Mariah’s wedding. Next, John surprisingly sang, too.
The Wedding Rhapsody
As we now declare our love,
May the heavens up above,
Shine on us as our heart sings,
Giving all of us ~ wings.
After the ceremony, at the reception, three elated brides and grooms each cut a piece of their wedding cake to serve to their spouse. Moments later, Miss Callie and Mariah cut servings for the guests, while Crane and Charles Earl poured punch and offered sandwiches to the astonished guests within that sanctuary.
His gift to her was a snow globe, which held an exact replica of Hope, their cat, the one that comforted Rachael after her leg injury, helped save John’s life, and disappeared under the house during the loud horseshoes game.
Chapter Thirty
“Now, we have a surprise Christmas gift for you all! It was prepared for you by the loving hands of Jason, Jay, Joshua, the Hoovers, and generous donors throughout this community. So, please bundle up and follow me,” Rachael announced, at the end of their wedding reception. As John placed her wedding cloak around her shoulders, she watched as the grooms of Amber Davis and Phoebe Graham, the other two new brides, did the same. Emma and Aggie had learned of the surprise triple wedding plan when Monty and Phoebe came to the parsonage to speak with the pastor and his wife about marrying. So, a cloak for Phoebe was quickly fashioned, identical to the other two cloaks, for the occasion.
Rachael went to the door and stepped outside into the snowy wonderland. A train of excited followers joined her. Moving carefully along the freshly shoveled boardwalk, which had been cleared of snow earlier, she stopped next door at the newly constructed building many in the village had been wondering and whispering about for some time now, since its humble beginning.
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