A Cook for Christmas

by Teresa Ives Lilly

  No longer able to deal with the worry, she cornered Ron in the Eating House. “Ron, I need to know something.”

  Ron looked up with wary eyes. “Yes?”

  “Does Barkley have a job?”

  “He’s a miner,” Ron’s voice drifted away. He tried to stand, but Liliana pressed a hand on his arm.

  “Don’t leave, Ron. Barkley assured me he no longer works the mine. He also assures me he can provide a comfortable home for me. I’m concerned. Whenever I ask him about it, he gets upset.”

  Ron reached up and wiped a bead of sweat off his forehead. “Now, Liliana, I’m not the one to tell you anything.”

  “But, Ron, I’m worried. Would you just tell me if he’s breaking the law? I have no money and no place to go, but I can’t marry him if he’s doing something wrong.”

  Ron patted her hand. “He’s not doing anything wrong.”

  Before she could question him further, the Eating House door opened and Barkley stepped into the room, his glance full of questions.

  Ron stood and moved across the room as if to leave.

  “You need to tell her, son. She thinks you’re a thief.”

  “A what?” He stared across the room incredulously.

  “Well, what’d you expect? You don’t work the mine, you don’t have a job in town, you don’t own a ranch or work for a rancher.”

  “But a thief? I thought she cared more for me more than that. How could she believe such a thing?” Barkley turned and stomped out of the Eating House.

  Ron turned back toward Liliana with a shrug.

  A tear trickled down her cheek.

  CHAPTER 14

  The day before Christmas Eve, everything Liliana needed for the Christmas meal was ordered or already in the well-stocked pantry. On the other hand, she’d made no plans for her wedding. She wasn’t sure she would even be getting married, because Barkley had disappeared from town on the day Ron told him she thought him to be a thief.

  She was glad he insisted Ron walk her back and forth to work, but her ears strained each day, hoping to hear his footfall on the back steps.

  On Sunday, she dressed carefully and made her way down the stairs in the Boarding House to go to church services. Even though they were held in the mercantile, she enjoyed the messages that were humbly spoken and the feeling of community. The congregation was made up of mostly miners, the local store owners, Ma and Pa Baker and their boarders and a few married couples. Most everyone knew her by name and gave her friendly greetings. The only thing she missed was Barkley by her side.

  As she came down the steps, she was startled to see Barkley at the bottom of the stairs. Her hand flew to her mouth as she gulped down a lump in her throat. Forgetting to hold onto the rail, her foot slipped. She tumbled head first, slamming into Barkley who then stumbled backward and fell with Liliana sprawled on top of his chest.

  “I expected a cold shoulder, not a warm tackle.” His chest shook with laughter, but Liliana seethed with indignation.

  Lord, why, oh why can’t You keep me from making such a fool of myself in front of Barkley?

  She pulled herself up and tried to smooth down her skirt and straighten her hair all at once.

  “What are you doing here, Barkley?”

  Barkley scrambled to stand. “I’ve come to walk you to the church service.”

  She placed her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Oh really? After disappearing for all this time, you expect me to just come along quietly?”

  “No, I was hoping we could go for a short walk together before service. I want to explain everything to you.”

  She eyed him nervously. His absence had only caused her concern to grow.

  “Barkley, I won’t go anywhere with you, unless you agree to answer every question I have.”

  His eyes dropped and he nodded. “That’s why I’m here.”

  Liliana gazed at him, trying to read sincerity or falsehood.

  “Alright, but I warn you, this is your very last chance. If you still want to marry me.”

  Barkley turned and offered her his hand. Liliana slipped hers into his and allowed him to lead her out the front door and away from town.

  After they had walked for a few minutes, with Barkley telling her to wait on the questions, she pulled him to a stop. “Barkley, this is far enough.”

  “Just come a bit further. There is a lovely rock beside the river where we can sit and chat.”

  Liliana pulled her shawl closer. There had been several small snowfalls lately and the ground away from town was still lightly covered. “Don’t you think that will be a bit too cold?”

  “It’s only a few more steps.”

  Liliana allowed him to move on and within a minute, they stepped out of a small wooded area, into a clearing beside a small river. As promised, there was a lovely, flat rock, big enough for them both to sit side by side. Liliana settled onto the rock and sighed at the beautiful scenery.

  “It’s not the ocean, like in Maine, but the woods and the distant mountain are lovely.”

  “You are beautiful with this scenery as your backdrop.” Barkley spoke in a tender voice.

  Liliana enjoyed the compliment, but she wasn’t going to be put off any longer. “Now, are you ready to answer my questions?” She held her breath, almost afraid he would somehow go back on his word,

  “Yes. Feel free to ask anything you want.” He assured her.

  Liliana sat up straight. “First of all, I want to know where you’ve been.”

  Barkley reached over and tried to take her hand, but she pulled it away.

  “I’ve been staying at an old cabin on the mountain. I’m not sure who owned it, but I’ve known about it for years. I needed to get away, to think, to pray.”

  Liliana sensed he was telling the truth.

  “And what did you pray about?”

  Barkley reached over, tilted her chin up with his hand and stared into her eyes. “You.”

  She gulped. “Me?”

  “Yes. Listen. Why don’t I just tell you everything from the beginning? Then if you have specific questions, you can ask them.”

  Liliana nodded.

  “The reason I don’t work is because I don’t have to. The mine has made my father and me very wealthy men.”

  He glanced at her to see her reaction. She looked rather stunned.

  “I put the ad out before we found that gold. I had enough to provide a decent life for you and I, and all I really wanted was someone to help me with the cooking, cleaning and with Pa. Then we found the gold and everything changed. I started worrying that you would find out about the money and marry me only because of it. By then I no longer wanted just a cook and housemaid. I wanted to find a real wife.

  After meeting you, I realized I wanted someone to love and I wanted someone to love me. I wanted you to love me for myself. I was afraid if you knew how much money I had, you would want to marry me for the money only.”

  Her cheeks flushed red. “Do I seem like that type of woman?”

  “No, but I wanted to be sure. I didn’t want you to know about the room over the Eating House, because I wanted it to be a wedding surprise.”

  “I see.” Her head dropped. She felt a surge of shame. “I’m sorry for the way I’ve acted.”

  Barkley grabbed her hands and pulled them toward his heart. This time she did not pull away. “You acted exactly as could be expected. It was ridiculous of me to behave the way I did. Anytime you asked me about money, I convinced myself you were the type of woman who would only love me for my money. However, when I got out to that cabin and got alone with God, He cleared things up for me. I was able to see what a mess I’ve made of things. I’ve wasted all the time we could have been enjoying our courting, by assuming the worst. Is there any way you can forgive me?”

  Liliana’s eyes caressed his face. She reached up and touched his cheek. “I forgive you, Barkley. I’m so glad to know what the problem was. I only hope you believe me when I say I love you, not your money.”<
br />
  “Now that you know about it, we can make new plans together. You can pick out anything you want at the mercantile, we can buy some land and build a house. Whatever you want.”

  “Barkley, I want you. Those things sound wonderful, for someday. But right now, I want us to live the lifestyle you had already planned.”

  Liliana felt herself pulled into his warm embrace.

  “Thank you, dear. I wanted us to live above the Eating House. Are you sure you can be happy there?”

  “Yes. I already love it. I’ve been secretly working on curtains and a new quilt for the bed. Other than a few womanly touches, I think it’s perfect.”

  “So, am I forgiven?” His breath was close to her cheek.

  “Yes.”

  For a moment their eyes locked, and then Barkley lowered his lips to hers.

  ***

  “Here is a gift for you.” Liliana handed Ginger a flat package. The girl trembled while opening it.

  “I’ve never been given a Christmas gift before. My family was just too poor.” She carefully untied the string and opened the paper. She lifted a lovely Calico dress up and held it in front of herself.

  “Did you make this?” Ginger’s eyes were wide with wonder. “It’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen.”

  Liliana gentle laugh filled the room. The dress had been one of the most simplistic she’d ever sewn in her life, but she wasn’t about to admit that to the girl. She was just pleased that Ginger liked it.

  “Yes, I made it, and I plan to help you make your wedding dress, someday.” Liliana emphasized the word someday, and glared at Ryker. The man actually went a bit pale.

  “Now, its your turn.” Barkley announced, moving across the room with a large package which he set on the floor in front of Liliana.

  She looked up at him, full of questions. “But, what else could I possibly need. You’ve already furnished this home with more than any woman could ever require.”

  Barkley gave her a small wink. “Oh, just a little something extra.”

  Liliana opened the box but before she could lift out even one of the items from within, tears began to flow and she rushed across the room and flung herself into Barkley’s arms.

  “Thank you. Thank you.”

  Ginger leaned forward to see what had caused such a ruckus.

  “Well, aint that some real pretty dishes. But I don’t see why that got you so hept up.”

  Liliana wiped the happy tears from her cheeks. “It’s a set of Blue Willow dishes, like my grandmother had. They were sold when the boarding house was sold. I’ve longed for them ever since.” She turned back to Barkley. “How did you know?”

  “Oh, you mentioned them way back when we first met. I ordered them the second week you were in town.”

  Liliana gulped. This was proof that Barkley truly cared for her as more than a cook or a maid.

  She turned and buried her head on his shoulder.

  CHAPTER 15

  Liliana stood beside Barkley in the mercantile. Chairs were set out so anyone in town who wanted to attend their wedding could. Liliana was surprised to see so many of her regular customers from the Eating House. The men were washed and wearing their best shirts and trousers. As she walked down the aisle, the men slipped their hats off and nodded in her direction.

  She was glad to have Ginger as her maid of honor, since her best friend, Susan Cane, was still back in Maine. Ginger had become just as good of a friend to her over the weeks.

  Barkley stood in front of the preacher, smiling at her. She could see the love in his eyes and she hoped her love for him reflected back.

  As the preacher spoke the words that would bind her life to Barkley’s, her mind drifted back over the past few months and she wondered if coming to Sweet Water to marry Barkley had been God’s plan for her life all along. Not that she didn’t miss her grandmother or her old friends, because she did, but there was little else in Maine that held as much appeal as her new life. Cooking at the Eating House, living in the nice rooms above the Eating House and being married to Barkley Maynard was all she wanted or needed.

  “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

  Liliana turned her face up to receive the gentle kiss from her husband. It didn’t matter that she hadn’t heard a word the circuit preacher had said during the entire wedding. She’d married the perfect man.

  Their lips met.

  ***

  “Yahoo.” One of the miner’s shouted when Liliana and Barkley stepped apart and turned to face the crowd. “Let’s go eat our Christmas dinner.”

  “Yippee!” Another yelled.

  “Hurray.” From another.

  Liliana laughed and placed her hand on Barkley’s arm. “Looks like the weddings over. It’s time to get back to the kitchen.”

  Barkley smiled. “Are you sure you want to spend your wedding day feeding a bunch of…”

  She placed two fingers over his lips. “Shhh. Yes, I’m sure. We have a lifetime ahead of us, why not give them all one Christmas to remember?”

  Barkley leaned close and whispered, “Alright. Oh, by the way, did I mention that you were going to get a chance to meet the owner of the Eating House today?”

  Liliana’s eyes grew large. “No, you didn’t mention that little detail. But I’m glad to hear it. I don’t want to keep working in such a secretive environment. How did you find out?”

  “The assayer is my best friend.” Barkley stated evasively, but Liliana was too happy to notice.

  “You look beautiful, dear,” Barkley touched the soft strands of blonde hair that were curled around her cheeks. “I love when you wear your hair down.”

  “And you, my darling, are very handsome and I’d gladly wear my hair down for you, but right now I need to go put it up again. When I’m cooking, I have to keep it up and out of the way.”

  They kissed again, but were quickly swept along by the men who were anxious to begin the Christmas festivities.

  ***

  The Eating House was decorated with lovely pine boughs, a small tree with handmade ornaments stood in the corner. The air was filled with smells of turkey and the fragrance of fresh baked cookies.

  While the men ate the sumptuous meal, Ron spoke in hushed tones and shared the story of Jesus with them. Many of the miner’s wiped their eyes when he’d finished.

  After several hours of serving turkey, potatoes, biscuits, green beans and pies to the hungry crowd, Barkley asked Liliana to join him in the front room. She blew a piece of hair up off her face and slipped off the dirty apron. When she stepped out of the kitchen, she noted the men gathered in a circle around Barkley. He waved Liliana into the center.

  “Friends, I’d like to thank you all for joining Liliana and me on this marvelous day of our wedding and Christmas feast. However, I think it’s time for Liliana to open her Christmas gift.”

  A cheer of agreement went up. Liliana’s eyes shined, but her voice dropped low in a whisper. “Barkley, you already gave me the lovely Blue Willow dishes last night.”

  “Yes, but this is something altogether different, something you’ve been wanting to know.”

  “Are you going to tell me who the owner of the Eating House is?” Her eyes began to glow.

  “Yes, dear.” Barkley handed her a large box, tied with bright red and green ribbon. Her eyebrows knit together in confusion.

  “But…”

  Barkley leaned in toward her. “Don’t ask questions, just open the box. It will explain everything.”

  Liliana slowly untied the festive ribbons and then slipped the lid off the box. Inside lay a single piece of paper. It looked like a legal document. She set the box on a nearby table and lifted the paper and began to read.

  Her hand slipped to her mouth as she exclaimed, “Oh, Barkley. Is this true?” Her eyes sought his.

  “Yes, my love. I am the one who bought this building and opened the Eating House. I bought it when I read your letter telling how you always dreamed of owning
a restaurant. I wanted to give it to you as a wedding gift. I never meant it to become a troublesome secret.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know what to say. I would never have expected all these wonderful things to happen to an old spinster like me.”

  Barkley frowned. “You, my dear, are in no way a spinster. You are my young, beautiful mail order bride.”

  Liliana blinked back tears of joy. Not only was she now married to a wonderful man, but she was also the proud owner of the Sweet Water Eating House.

  With outstretched arms, Liliana took a step toward her husband to hug him, but her foot tangled in the red and green ribbon on the floor. Before she knew it, she was falling head first toward the floor.

  This time, strong arms caught her and pulled her into a warm embrace.

  “I’m glad to know you’re still falling for me.” Barkley’s eyes sparkled as he stared into his wife’s eyes and his lips met hers once more.

  TERESA IVES LILLY’s ninth grade teacher inspired her writing by allowing her to take a twelfth-grade creative writing course during the summer. After that, it has been her passion and dream to write. However, until her Salvation in 1986 when she discovered the genre of Christian Romance, Teresa did not even try writing. Since then, she has gone on to write over thirty novellas and novels including two published by Barbour Books. Teresa lives in San Antonio, Texas where she and her husband are close to their three grown children and one grandson. Teresa believes God let her be born “at such a time as this” to be able to write and share her stories of faith. Her book Orphan Train Bride was a best seller for two weeks on Amazon.

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