Season Of Hope

by Cox, Carol

  She tilted her head back to stare at the tallest of the trees, hoping Daniel would be so occupied with felling the spruce he wouldn’t notice her reddened cheeks. Or maybe he would think it due to the cold.

  She tried to set her mind on the tree, the weather, anything but Daniel and her attraction to him, but all her efforts came to naught. She could no more keep her thoughts away from him than she could fly. But what would one afternoon’s daydreaming hurt? If it turned out that Daniel didn’t love her, the memory of this one lovely day might be all she had to carry with her in memory throughout the lonely years ahead.

  What had prompted Violet to voice the idea that Daniel might care for her? Rachel hadn’t thought to ask when she first made her astounding disclosure and hadn’t had the nerve later to bring up the subject herself. Her sister and Daniel did spend a goodly amount of time talking, but would he confide such private matters of the heart to her sister?

  Probably not. More than likely, Violet had sailed off into one of her fantasy worlds again and fabricated the wild conjecture from some offhand comment Daniel had made that didn’t mean anything of the kind.

  She thought back over the past weeks, trying to recall anything that would give credence to Violet’s theory. There had been numerous little kindnesses, but how many of those could be chalked up to acts of compassion for two young women trying to pull their lives together?

  What about today? Daniel hadn’t come seeking out her company, she remembered with a pang. It had been Violet’s doing that they had this time together. But what of the tender expression in his eyes when their gazes locked and she’d felt like she were drowning in a sea of green? Or the lingering touch of his hands around her waist? Surely she hadn’t imagined that.

  “There she goes!” The tree began to topple, and Rachel scrambled out of the way. While Daniel went back to get the team, she tried to gain some control over her turbulent emotions. For all she knew, whatever interest there might be existed only on her part. It wouldn’t help her peace of mind to let Violet’s capricious imagination spark a risky train of thought that could crush her as easily as a falling tree.

  She sat quiet on the ride home after Daniel had lashed the tree to the wagon. He tucked her in as tenderly as before, but Rachel kept well to her side of the seat and fixed her gaze determinedly on the road ahead. She wouldn’t risk the luxury—the danger—of looking into those forest-green eyes again.

  She felt as though she stood on the brink of a deep pre-cipice, ready to teeter right over the edge. What had happened to her levelheadedness, the prudence that made her father willing to trust her with his property? All her reason seemed to vanish the moment she became vulnerable to Daniel’s masculine appeal.

  Her thoughts were interrupted when the wagon turned unexpectedly into the trees not far from Jeb McCurdy’s land. Rachel blinked in confusion.

  “I need to stop at home to pick something up,” Daniel told her. “I hope you don’t mind.” He pulled up in a small clearing and leaped lightly from the seat. Rachel watched him hurry to a building that was nothing more than a glorified lean-to and duck into the doorway of the slapdash structure. Her lips parted in dismay. He called this place home? She stared around the property, looking for any sign of prosperity and finding none.

  How could he have expected to redeem her from her money troubles? Cold fingers of misgiving clutched at her heart. If this run-down place gave any indication of his financial status, he was in a tighter fix than she and Violet.

  “Got it.” He returned to the wagon carrying a small bundle wrapped in burlap. Setting it behind the seat, he grinned and gave her a happy wink. “Ready?”

  Rachel barely had time to nod before he shook the reins and headed out. She no longer wanted to believe he was only after the farm, but how could she think otherwise after the privation she’d just seen? The icy fingers squeezed her heart still harder.

  ❧

  Violet opened the door with a glad cry of greeting. “Let me see what you’ve brought!” She circled the tree, her hands clasped with delight, and exclaimed over its even shape.

  They dragged it inside and set it up across the room from the fireplace. Violet produced her handmade ornaments, and they all helped adorn the tree. When the last bow had been hung, Rachel went to heat water for tea while Violet admired their handiwork.

  Daniel excused himself and went out to the barn. He returned with a burlap-wrapped object in his hand. “This is what I stopped for,” he told Rachel with unaccustomed diffidence. “I thought you might be able to use it.”

  She took the parcel from him, careful not to meet his gaze, and peeled off the protective layers. An angel, wings spread and face lifted in adoration, lay in her hands. “Wherever did you get this?” she asked wonderingly.

  Daniel shrugged self-consciously. “Carved it from a piece of oak. A man’s got to have something to do with his hands besides chop wood and push a plow.” He pointed to a cavity whittled into the base. “You can set it on the top branch, if you like.”

  Rachel turned the wooden figure this way and that, admiring its delicate lines, then held it out to Daniel. “Would you put it up, please?” His fingers brushed hers when he took the angel back, and again she felt the familiar tingle run up her arms.

  She steadied a chair for him to climb on to set the angel on the uppermost branch. He took his time positioning it just so, making sure the figure stood upright. Violet clapped her hands when he had finished, and Rachel felt a rush of admiration.

  “Guess I’d better leave,” Daniel said, picking up his hat.

  Violet’s brow crinkled. “Won’t you stay for supper? After all, you spent a lot of time helping us get the tree.”

  Rachel’s anxiety mounted while she waited for him to answer. After their splendid day together, she knew she would feel bereft if he decided to leave now.

  “Better not,” he said. “I have some things to do back at my place.”

  Rachel threw a shawl across her shoulders and followed him out to the porch, unwilling to let the connection she had felt be broken. “Thank you for all your help,” she told him. “Getting that tree has made it a wonderful occasion for Violet. For both of us,” she added, lowering her eyes.

  “I enjoyed doing it,” he told her, his voice husky in the clear evening air. “I enjoyed the company too.” He raised his hand to her face, one finger trailing along her cheek to tuck a stray wisp of hair behind her ear.

  Rachel caught her breath in a ragged gulp, conscious of his nearness, his warmth. She knew Violet was just inside the house, but it felt as though the two of them stood alone in the stillness of the eventide. She tilted her head back to search his face, hoping to find some hint of caring.

  Daniel’s hand cupped her face, and she pressed her cheek into the soft caress. He leaned so close his breath stirred the loose wisps of hair at her temples. “Rachel,” he whispered.

  She stared at him wordlessly, filled with a yearning beyond her powers to express.

  He closed his eyes and shook his head, slowly withdrawing his hand. “Another time.” He took two steps backward, not breaking their linked gazes until he turned and walked away.

  Rachel stood gazing into the twilight long after the receding echo of his horse’s hooves told her Daniel had gone. The evening chill permeated the scant protection of her shawl. She shivered and went into the house.

  Later, she stared at her bedroom ceiling from her warm cocoon of blankets and wondered. What had he been about to say? His tone and abrupt departure made it seem like he’d interrupted a confession. But of what—love or deceit?

  She twisted into a different position under the sheet, wishing she knew his heart. If only he cared for her. She moaned and pulled the pillow over her head. No use getting carried away by dreams of something that might not exist.

  ❧

  A log crackled and settled into the fire, sending a shower of sparks up the chimney. The burst of light illumined the lovingly decorated tree across the room. Rachel t
ook a final stitch and bit off the end of the thread. The embroidered initials stood out clearly, even in the firelight: DWM. Daniel Webster Moore. She traced the letters, calling herself a lovesick fool.

  When she had asked Jake Samson to add the handkerchiefs to her order, she’d told herself they were only to show Daniel some token of appreciation for all the hard work he had done. It was a good thing she’d decided to work on these after Violet had gone to bed, she thought, folding the handkerchiefs into neat squares. No matter what protestations of unconcern she might make, her sister would have seen right through her supposed indifference.

  Handkerchiefs, to her mind, had been a safe choice. They showed she valued his hard months of labor but didn’t give any indication of sentiment. The idea of giving Daniel a gift of thanks made perfect sense to her, even now. Spending the past two evenings embellishing them with her neatest stitches didn’t.

  She placed her needle and thread in the sewing basket and wrapped the kerchiefs in a scrap of calico, tying the parcel securely with string. After a moment’s consideration, she bent to tuck the small package beneath the Christmas tree. It could wait for Daniel there until sometime after the holiday. Christmas Day would be just for her and Violet. After the way she had behaved over the past few months, a quiet day with just the two of them would help to make amends.

  nineteen

  “How can you not want to invite Daniel to dinner tomorrow?” Violet’s eyes were wide blue pools of astonishment. “He’s done so much for us!”

  “Granted. But Christmas should be a family time. We’ve both worked hard, and I know I haven’t always been easy to get along with. Tomorrow is our day, Violet.”

  “Where’s your sense of fair play? You can’t make him spend the day all alone. Please, Rachel, it’s Christmas Eve!” Violet wrung her hands and danced from one foot to the other, looking for all the world like a child begging for a coveted treat.

  “No, my mind’s made up. I want time with just you.”

  Violet flung her hands in the air and stalked into the kitchen, muttering about ingratitude.

  Rachel rolled her eyes. Why couldn’t her sister enjoy the idea of the two of them having a relaxing day in each other’s company? Sometimes she didn’t understand Violet, didn’t understand her at all. She opened her mouth to argue further, but a knock at the door interrupted her.

  She swung it wide, to be greeted by a mass of dark feathers hanging at eye level. “What on earth—”

  Daniel’s grinning face peeked around the massive turkey. “I heard a bunch of gobblers out back of my place early this morning, so I grabbed my rifle and went looking. Quite a specimen, isn’t he?” He hoisted the bird admiringly.

  Violet hurried from the kitchen. “Goodness, what a huge bird!”

  “I thought you might like to have him for Christmas dinner,” Daniel said. “I’ll pluck him and get him ready out back.”

  “What a lovely idea!” Violet gushed, darting a meaningful glance at Rachel. “How thoughtful of you to want to make our Christmas perfect.” She dug an elbow into Rachel’s ribs.

  Rachel flinched and rubbed her side. “All right,” she muttered between clenched teeth. “You win.” Raising her voice, she called, “Would you like to have Christmas dinner with us? We’ll eat about one o’clock.” She managed a smile for Daniel, then turned to glare daggers at Violet. Honestly! Some people just didn’t make it a bit easy to do anything nice for them.

  Her annoyance melted away when she thought of a whole day in Daniel’s company, with only minimal chores to claim her time.

  ❧

  Daniel tossed down the last handful of turkey feathers. Normally he hated everything about the messy job, but today he couldn’t help but grin. Providing the main course for Christmas dinner had insured him of an invitation to join the Canfield sisters at their holiday meal, just as Violet predicted.

  He shook his head in admiration. The girl knew her sister, all right. And she’d proved to be a quick thinker. Her idea of pushing Rachel into hunting for their tree at the last minute had taken him by surprise, but he’d caught her conspiratorial nod and played along with her strategy.

  Good thing too. Look how well that had turned out. If he hadn’t read the signs wrong, Rachel had been as sorry to end their day together as he’d been. He smiled, remembering the way she’d followed him outside. If he hadn’t caught himself just in time, he might have jumped the gun and proposed out on the porch that night instead of following their strategy.

  He only hoped the plans they’d laid for tomorrow ran as smoothly as Violet expected them to.

  ❧

  The earth wore a new coating of snow Christmas morning, giving the whole area a sparkling look of anticipation. Rachel felt that same sense of expectation mirrored in her heart all the while she set bread out to rise, prepared the dressing, and stuffed the turkey.

  Daniel would be coming for dinner. The thought sent shivers of excitement along her arms, followed by a quick twinge of guilt. This was the very reason she’d wanted to have the day alone with Violet. If Daniel was anywhere nearby, her attention would be on him and not her sister.

  Speaking of Violet. . .Rachel listened at her bedroom door, but the even breathing from under the blankets assured her that Violet still slept. Rachel tiptoed back to the kitchen. If nothing else, she could at least let her sleep late this morning.

  She slid the bird into the oven and looked around, taking stock. Nothing remained to be done just now. Time enough later to wake Violet and let her help peel potatoes and roll out pie crusts. Until then, Rachel had a few precious moments to herself.

  She exchanged her apron for her coat, then poured a cup of coffee and slipped outside, closing the door quietly behind her. Steam from the mug swirled before her eyes, then rose to join the dull gray clouds hanging overhead. Rachel sipped the fragrant brew and closed her eyes in pleasure. It had been far too long since she’d had time to savor a peaceful moment like this.

  She opened her eyes again and surveyed the tranquil scene, determined to enjoy every bit of this blissful respite. To the north, Granite Mountain dominated the landscape, its frosty mantle flowing down its slopes and spreading out across the rugged land, stretching all the way to where she sat. The clean white blanket shimmered before her; only the tracks of tiny nocturnal wanderers marred its pristine surface.

  She filled her lungs with the clear mountain air, refreshing as the purest spring water. Her heart overflowed with contentment, and a wellspring of gratitude for the breathtaking beauty of the place she called home flooded her soul.

  Scuffing sounds from the kitchen alerted her to the fact that Violet had awakened. She hurried inside. Violet stood in the kitchen doorway in her white nightdress, tousled dark hair falling around her shoulders in unruly waves. She shifted from one bare foot to another, excited as a little girl. “It’s Christmas!” she cried and ran to give Rachel a hug.

  Rachel returned her embrace with fervor, breathing a quick prayer of thanks for God’s grace in bringing them through the year’s trials. Then she held Violet at arm’s length and studied her. “You’d better go wash that sleep from your eyes and get dressed before Daniel comes, Lazybones.”

  Violet made a face but hurried to comply. “Do you want to exchange gifts now or later?” she called over her shoulder.

  Thinking of the three wrapped handkerchiefs under the tree made Rachel’s stomach lurch. “Let’s wait until after dinner.” Maybe by then she’d have worked up the nerve to give them to him.

  ❧

  Daniel dampened a cloth in his basin and used it to brush down his suit coat and pants. He stood back, checking it carefully for wrinkles. There. That should do it.

  When Violet had questioned him about his wardrobe the week before, he’d told her he had some nice clothes back at his cabin at the claim without a second thought. He hadn’t expected her order to make the long trip over in the snow to retrieve them, though. He’d grumbled all the way over and back, but he’d followed
her directive, just the same. Hadn’t she been right about everything so far? It wouldn’t make sense to ignore her advice this close to achieving his goal.

  He dressed, wishing he had a decent looking glass to check his appearance in. He didn’t consider himself a vain man, but an occasion like this demanded he look his best.

  “Lord, I’m really going to need Your help today.” He wet his hands and slicked back his hair. “I believe this is what You want, what You’ve led me to, and I’ll admit it sounds mighty good to me. Rachel may take some convincing, though. Soften her heart, Lord, and make her see Your will.”

  With a last glance in his cracked shaving mirror, he gathered his things together and walked out the door.

  twenty

  “More potatoes?” Violet offered the heavy bowl to their guest with a sweet smile. Rachel cast a furtive glance at Daniel, trying to reconcile the sight of him today with the plain-dressed workingman she was used to.

  What a picture he made today! She’d become so accustomed to seeing him in a flannel work shirt and canvas pants that when he showed up on their doorstep in a starched shirt with a wing collar, she almost didn’t recognize him. She sneaked another look. Her heart hadn’t resumed its normal pace since he walked in wearing a double-breasted Chesterfield and doffed his bowler hat.

  Rachel reached to pass the gravy boat to Violet and saw Daniel watching her. Again. She took a deep breath to calm herself and hoped the gravy wouldn’t slosh and betray her trembling hands. Much as she took pleasure in Daniel’s company and lighthearted holiday conversation, the knowledge that his eyes seldom focused on anything but her had been unnerving.

  She picked up her fork and speared her last bite of turkey. If she concentrated on eating, maybe no one would notice her lack of contribution to the dinner table conversation.