She closed her door, shutting herself away from the prying eyes and questions of her staff. She couldn’t deal with them right now. She fell onto the couch and stared at the photograph of David on her desk. What would she tell him? He’d started making plans for the day when the boys were out of the house. A baby would obliterate those plans. This news would crush him.
So many questions poured through her, but one pressed its way to the forefront—why now? Why had God chosen this time in her life to give her another child? Why not ten years ago when her boys were younger, when she was younger and less established in her career? How on earth would she handle dealing with a teenager when she was in her sixties? And what if the child had problems? She was over forty, and that automatically put the baby at risk for complications.
She hadn’t asked for this. She’d always been content with what God had given her. Sure, at one time she’d thought she’d wanted a daughter, but she’d given up on that dream long ago.
How could God do this to her? What about her plans? She had a life, a career. Who would possibly take her seriously now?
She was too old to be a mother again. Her boys were grown. She had friends who were becoming grandparents, and she was about to become a parent again? It was outrageous.
Kate closed her eyes and tried to breathe as the reality of her situation sank in.
Chapter 4
Is this a surprise for your wife?” The travel agent, named Marcia, according to the plaque on her desk, had a glint in her eye as she took the information about the trip David wanted to book for him and Kate.
“Yes, it’s a Christmas present.”
“Oh, isn’t that romantic. I know you two will have a wonderful time.” She turned to her computer and began typing in the information from the questionnaire he’d completed. She stopped typing after a moment. “Kate Walters? Is this Kate Walters, the town manager from Bethlehem?”
“That’s right. We don’t have a travel agency in Bethlehem.”
“Why, you’re the ones putting on that live nativity tonight. I saw your wife on Channel Six just the other night talking about it.”
“Yes, that was her. In fact, she’ll be on Channel Four today at noon.”
Marcia looked at the clock then leaped to her feet. “Allison, Allison, turn the TV to Channel Four. That lady from Bethlehem we like is going to be on again promoting the nativity.”
David followed Marcia toward the sound of a TV changing channels.
“How do you know?” called Allison.
“That’s her husband,” Marcia stated as they entered the room, pointing to David.
Allison glanced at him then shook her head. “It’s not fair. She gets the great hair and the good-looking husband.”
“Mm-hm. And he’s surprising her with a cruise, too.”
“Some girls get all the luck.”
David pretended to ignore their exchange, but he couldn’t deny it bolstered his ego. Maybe he should let these women explain to Kate just how lucky she was to be married to him.
The news came back on and the anchor began to discuss the nativity. However, it wasn’t Kate sitting across from him promoting the project. It was Myles.
“Hey, that’s not your wife,” Marcia stated.
As if he didn’t know. David pulled out his cell phone. He’d turned it off earlier when he decided to come to the travel agency. He hadn’t wanted anyone deterring him from his mission of booking this trip, but apparently he’d missed quite a bit. Something serious must have happened for Kate to step aside and allow Myles to take a television interview.
He turned on his phone. He had six missed calls and three voice mail messages. “Can we finish booking the trip another time? Apparently I’m needed at home.”
Marcia rushed back toward her desk. “Sure. I’ll go ahead and make all the arrangements then call you when they’re done.”
“That sounds fine. I wrote down my cell phone number.”
She gave him a reassuring nod. “I’ll take care of everything, Mr. Walters. Don’t worry. And hey, maybe we’ll see you tonight. I told my husband we should go.”
“I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Thanks for your help.”
David hit his voice mail key as he walked to his car. The first was from Myles, letting him know that there had been changes made to the program. Kate was now playing the role of Mary, and because of that, David had been changed to the role of Joseph. A second message from Myles asked David to meet him an hour earlier than planned to make certain both he and Kate knew their roles. The third call was a hang up.
David got in and started the car. His sense of urgency had been tickled. He needed to get back to Bethlehem. Something was going on. Kate would never voluntarily hand over a TV spot to Myles. And how had he talked her into taking on the role of Mary? Something was going on with her, and he was pretty sure he knew what it was.
He faced the facts. This thing with Keith was hitting her harder than she wanted to admit. It was the only explanation. She was having trouble dealing with him leaving home. And the fact that Myles could convince her to play the role of Mary was enough to assure David that she shouldn’t take on the role.
Playing Mary would require her to hold a baby. In her already emotional state, how would that affect her? David worried it might only upset her more, causing her to dwell on the days when John and Keith were babies.
He dialed her cell, but the call went to her voice mail, so he hung up. He was suddenly glad Myles had changed his part, too. He needed to be Joseph so he could be there with Kate, beside her, to keep her from falling apart when nostalgia overwhelmed her.
He had to keep her eyes on the future and not on the past. Otherwise, all the plans he’d made for them were for nothing.
“Where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you all afternoon.” David’s accusing glare matched his tone when he cornered Kate in the fellowship hall of the Bethlehem Community Church, where the nativity crew and players were meeting to eat before the production. “You didn’t answer your cell, and that assistant of yours kept giving me the brush-off.”
“I was busy with last-minute project details.”
“Did she tell you I called?”
Lisa had left Kate a note taped to her door letting her know that David had been phoning all afternoon. Kate had found it a half hour ago. Until then, she’d been locked up in her office staring at photos of her boys and wondering why God would choose now to ruin her life.
“I got your messages,” Kate assured him. She wouldn’t let Lisa take responsibility for her not getting them. Too late, she realized that admitting she received them also meant admitting she hadn’t bothered returning them.
The stab of hurt in David’s eye was quickly replaced with a glint of anger. “I understand I’m now playing the part of Joseph because Myles somehow talked you into playing Mary. I guess I didn’t get my memo on that change.”
“David, please, I’m not in the mood to argue.” Her phone buzzed. She hated to check it in front of him, but she had no choice. It was a message from Myles. “They want us to pose for photographs.”
“Fine.”
Kate’s costume included pregnancy padding. She changed in the women’s restroom and found herself rubbing the bump of her stomach as she stared at herself in the mirror. In a few months, she wouldn’t need the cushioning to appear pregnant. Her own child was already growing inside of her. She leaned into the mirror and took a deep breath. She couldn’t have those kinds of thoughts. She couldn’t go there tonight. It would only lead her down a slippery emotional slope. Somehow, she had to pull herself together and get through this evening.
David had changed and was waiting for her when she came out of the restroom. She should tell him about the baby. She really knew she should. He had a right to know, and keeping it from him wasn’t going to change anything. But this wasn’t the right time or the right place. Tonight, they couldn’t afford to be David and Kate Walters. They had to be Joseph and Mary for the sak
e of the town and the production.
They took pictures and then Kate removed the pregnancy padding and they posed for more photos, this time with the baby. Kate was shaking as the child’s mother handed him over. How long had it been since she’d held a baby? She stole a fervent glance up at David. His hands felt like weights on her shoulders. The tension between them was so thick and heavy that others had to notice.
“Try to smile,” Myles suggested to them. “Joseph and Mary were happy when Jesus was born, remember?”
Kate choked back tears. Everything about the moment was wrong. Having a baby in her arms felt awkward and uncomfortable, and David’s strained countenance shouted volumes—he was not interested in babies, even when they weren’t his.
Kate was glad when the photo session ended and the baby’s mother took him back. She felt ill-equipped to deal with him. How would she ever deal with a baby of her own? It was obvious to her that her motherly instincts had expired. Whatever skills she’d had to care for John and Keith were gone. Would they return when the new baby came?
As the nativity began, Kate tried to train her focus on the presentation. She could not think about the pregnancy or David’s reaction. She had to be Mary. She had to get through this night.
Lord, please give me strength.
Kate moved closer to David, suddenly glad Myles had changed the roles so that he would be her Joseph. She trusted him to meet his marks and to lead her to where she needed to be. He always seemed to know when she needed him to be the strong one—like this morning when she’d needed him to step in for her with the boys. Why didn’t he do that more often?
She sighed. She knew the answer to her question. She didn’t often give him an opportunity.
“You okay?” David whispered to her, obviously hearing her sigh.
“I’m okay,” she replied. But she wasn’t. Maybe it was her hormones going crazy from this pregnancy, but she was beginning to feel very vulnerable when it came to David. He was a good husband and had been a good father to their boys.
Oh, God, I can’t do this without him!
Why had she treated David so poorly? Why hadn’t she appreciated what she had in him? Sure, he had his faults. Sure, he was wrapped up in this traveling thing. But what was so wrong with that? And why had she never told him she didn’t want to leave her career and go with him? They should have discussed all of this long before now.
They reached the scene where the innkeeper offered them the manger. David followed him to the inn while Kate followed the innkeeper’s wife off the set.
The scene transferred to the shepherds. Kate reconnected with David and they walked to the stable, where their next scene was to take place. Kate spotted the mother with the baby who was playing the role of Jesus.
“He just had a bottle, so he shouldn’t be fussy. He’ll probably go right to sleep. But if he doesn’t, try humming to him.”
The man beside her seemed irritated. “Pamela, the woman runs the entire town. I think she can take care of a baby for a few minutes.”
Pamela handed the baby over. “Of course you can. I didn’t mean to doubt you. After all, you’re a mom, too. You raised two boys and they’ve turned out fine.”
“We’ll take good care of him. He’ll be fine.”
When they entered the stable, Kate saw the manger and felt relief flood her. At least she wouldn’t have to hold the baby the entire time.
She placed him in the manger and made certain he was covered. She stroked his cheek and was amazed—she’d forgotten how soft a baby’s skin could be. His lips were soft, too, and pink. He smiled up at her, and she noticed how his eyes held such innocence and trust. There was no fear or question in those eyes, only a certainty that he would be taken care of. She wondered if all babies were born with such trust.
Certainly the baby Jesus had had that trust. He had known with certainty that He would be cared for, because His earthly parents had been chosen for Him before He was born. God had handpicked Mary and Joseph to be Jesus’ earthly parents—to care for Him and raise Him, until He was ready to start His ministry.
Then it struck her. Weren’t all parents chosen? Children were not merely accidents of nature. Hadn’t God chosen her and David to be John and Keith’s parents just as He’d chosen Mary and Joseph?
And that woman had been right when she said John and Keith had turned out well. Maybe they weren’t perfect, but they were good boys who both loved the Lord. She and David had done a fine job of raising them.
She touched the baby in the manger and felt a connection to the child growing in her womb. She now shared a truth with Mary—that the child inside of her was a gift from God to be nurtured and cherished. God was not trying to ruin her life. God had a plan, and He was making her a part of it.
Relief and love swept through Kate as she let go of the burden she’d been carrying. God had given her this gift, and she knew He would give her the strength she needed when she needed it. He would help her become the mother she had been to John and Keith. He would help her regain her maternal instincts.
David nudged her, and Kate turned to look at him. She had something else in common with Mary—telling her husband about a baby he didn’t plan for and obviously didn’t want.
David was glad to be able to shed his costume and put on some work clothes instead. Everyone seemed pleased with the production, and as the crowd began to dissipate, the townspeople were getting geared up.
David helped make certain lights and heaters were off and unplugged. He smiled, listening to the murmur of the volunteers as they went about their designated tasks. Some helped load the animals used in the production while others handed out coffee and hot chocolate. David asked for a cup of coffee and dropped a donation into the box.
“Mr. Walters! It’s Marcia from the travel agency.”
He turned to find a young woman heading toward him. “Hi, Marcia, yes I remember. I’m glad you came.”
“It was wonderful, very authentic. I might see if I can convince my husband to come back again next week. Was that your wife playing the role of Mary?”
“Yes, that was Kate.”
“I know you two are going to have a great time on your trip.”
He placed a finger to his lips. “It’s a Christmas present, remember.”
“Oh, of course. I’ll let you know when the tickets arrive.”
He waved good-bye to her then went looking for his wife. Tomorrow, they would do it all over again.
He found Kate accepting congratulations for her idea and the way the nativity went. Even Alex Littlejohn and Victor Patterson, two of the three selectmen who’d appointed Kate town manager, made an appearance and told her how pleased they were with the turnout.
David was tired and ready to get home, but he didn’t rush her. She’d earned this praise. She didn’t take the credit, though. She gave it back to the town and glorified God for their success.
That was his Kate, unselfish to the core. She gave everything of herself to whatever project she was involved in, and Bethlehem was lucky to have her nurturing their little town. He was proud of her, but he was also envious that others were receiving her attention instead of him. Why did this job, this project, have to pull her so far away from him?
He thought of the cruise he’d booked. Maybe with this trip, they could find their way back to the close relationship they once shared.
As they headed for the car, Kate seemed preoccupied.
“Who was that woman I saw you speaking to?”
“Which woman?”
“Just before we left. The pretty blonde.”
He smiled, remembering his secret. “Marcia. She’s actually a big fan of yours.”
“How do you know her?”
“I don’t. She came for the nativity and stopped to tell me how much she enjoyed it.”
He opened the car door for Kate and she slid inside. He hated being coy, but he didn’t want to ruin the surprise.
Chapter 5
David drove out to
the marina to review a claim submitted by one of his policyholders for damage done to his sailboat.
Paul Matthews lived on his boat all year, often sailing down the eastern coastline for warmer weather. However, he was docked for a while after running into a rock bed in the bay. David surveyed the damage, took photographs, then assisted Paul in submitting a claim.
As Paul signed the forms, David admired the lines of the boat.
“Do you sail?” Paul asked, handing David back his iPad.
“Not for a long while. My wife and I used to dream about buying a boat and sailing down the coast. That was a long time ago.” Before kids and jobs and responsibilities became their life. Suddenly, David envied Paul his freedom.
“You should do it,” Paul told him. “There’s nothing like having the ability to drop and go whenever you like. The weather is the only thing that determines the timing and the direction.”
David smiled at the idea of him and Kate alone on the water. He’d been considering purchasing a condo. Why shouldn’t he consider a boat instead? They could live on it and sail away on a whim. “Maybe I’ll look into that.”
“I have a friend down near Portland who is looking to sell his boat. I’ll give you his number, if you’re interested.”
David took down the information. He was definitely interested.
Kate’s phone beeped again. Lisa had been texting numbers all morning. Indications were that the nativity was a success on all fronts. They’d dealt with a few hiccups, but nothing that couldn’t be addressed for the upcoming performances.
Kate nibbled on a piece of dry toast as she thought about who she needed to schedule meetings with.
The door opened and David entered, dressed in his running clothes. He dropped his iPod and earbuds onto the counter and frowned at her. “What are you doing home?”
She still hadn’t gotten up the nerve to break the news to him about the baby, so she couldn’t tell him the truth—that morning sickness was kicking in strong and hard.
Christmas Comes to Bethlehem - Maine Page 3