Christmas on the Prairie

by Frances Devine

  “Well, Aunt Ansley said we could stay some nights.”

  “I’m sure she didn’t mean her first night.”

  Normally, Ansley would have followed Seth’s lead, since it was obvious he didn’t want the children to stay. But the thought of being alone was weighing more and more heavily on her mind the closer the time came for the family to leave. “I’d love for them to stay.”

  Seth sent her a scowl and addressed the children. “You don’t have your church clothes.”

  Teddy smiled. “I’d be happy to come back over and bring them.”

  Seth caught Ansley’s gaze, his hazel eyes perusing her face, searching. “You don’t want to be alone tonight, do you?”

  She shook her head, and averted her gaze, feeling like a total fool.

  “Okay. They can stay.”

  Ansley caught her breath and looked up in surprise as the girls threw their arms around Seth.

  Seth glanced at Jonah. “You staying here or coming home?”

  Ansley held her breath as he shrugged. “I think I best stay, Uncle Seth. She don’t know how to build a fire. The girls’ll freeze to death if I don’t keep it going.” He seemed downright proud.

  Seth nodded, pride and perhaps some amusement, shining in his eyes. “I think you’re probably right. Maybe you should teach her how to build a fire in the morning. After all, you can’t stay here every night.”

  Ansley accepted his comment for what it was—a reminder the children belonged with him. Her mind went to the telegram in her reticule and she forced herself to hold his gaze.

  “We’ll be by in the morning to fetch all of you for church.”

  Teddy gave Ansley a quick, tight hug. “I’ll bring their clothes over in a little while.” She pointed to the counters. “We brought over a few supplies to get you started. I can take you to town next week with the wagon so you can get stocked up. Most of us have already bought our supplies for the winter, so Mr. Dennis at the general store might have to order this and that, but if you run out of anything while you’re waiting, you know where we are.”

  Ansley smiled. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

  “You’re welcome.” She walked to the door, and then spun around. “I almost forgot. There’s a cold cellar next to the cabin with butter and eggs and some meat. And down the path out back there’s a smokehouse. Seth brought over some bacon and ham. There are some cuts of beef, as well. So you should be all set for meat.”

  Overwhelmed by their generosity, Ansley could only thank her. She stood on the porch, protected from the rain by the eaves hanging over the porch. The children joined her, and Lily slipped one chubby hand into hers. Hannah stood on her other side and did the same.

  Ansley’s heart nearly burst from her chest, and she could imagine Rose’s joy that she and the children were building a relationship.

  Now if only Seth would understand. How long before he learned of the upcoming lawsuit? And when he did, would she see the children again?

  Chapter 10

  By morning, Saturday’s cold rain had turned into four inches of snow on the ground. And there didn’t seem to be an end in sight as the snow fell, wet and heavy. Seth shook the snow from his boots, and then pulled them off as he came into the house from morning chores. He hung his coat on the peg next to the door and walked into the kitchen. Teddy stood at the stove, fixing breakfast.

  “Sit down and warm yourself,” she said. “I’ll get your coffee. Breakfast is almost ready.”

  “Thank you.” He padded to the table in stocking feet.

  “Seems strange not having the children underfoot, doesn’t it?” She poured the steaming hot coffee into his cup, then moved back to the stove and turned the bacon in the pan.

  “I guess I better hitch up the sleigh after breakfast and go get them.”

  Teddy lifted slices of bacon onto a plate and cracked open two eggs in the skillet. “I’ve been wondering if you would, or if maybe you’d consider letting Ansley have another day and night with them.”

  Seth frowned at his sister. “Without any word?”

  “The children know what to expect during this kind of weather. They’d probably be surprised if you did show up over there.” A shrug lifted her shoulders as she slid a spatula under the eggs and flipped them over. “I took the children clothes so they’ll be fine there. And I added a few more supplies since they were staying the night. Even with three more mouths to feed, they should be cozy with more than enough.”

  Seth stared at the plate she set in front of him, but his mind followed the image Teddy’s words had conjured. Ansley and the three children snuggled up together laughing, reading, singing, all in the cabin where the children longed to be in the first place. Of course they longed to be there with their parents, but was their mother’s sister the next best thing?

  Teddy sat and nibbled on a biscuit, her steady gaze on him. Seth glanced at her. “That all you’re eating?”

  Grinning she nodded. “No need to be a good example today. The children aren’t here.”

  He sipped his coffee, watching her over the rim of his cup. Perhaps it wasn’t fair to Teddy that they’d been forced to care for Frank’s children. She had barely turned twenty years old when they came to live here. But she had taken over their care so naturally, it had never occurred to Seth that she might be giving up a chance for her own life, husband, family, by taking on the role of mother to three children. “You probably need a day off, don’t you?”

  Averting her gaze, Teddy stared at her cup, fingering the rim with her forefinger. “I have to admit, it might be nice to sit in front of the fireplace with a cup of coffee and just stare in silence for a while. The house is rarely silent anymore.” She glanced up and met his gaze. “Not that I’m sorry you took the kids. Not at all.”

  Seth believed her. But guilt still wound its way through his heart. “Whatever happened to that fella in Martin’s Creek, used to come courting every so often?”

  Teddy’s cheeks bloomed. “Billy?” She gave a nonchalant wave of her hand. “He took up with a girl closer to home. Grandpa was fit to be tied. I thought he might go after him with his shotgun.”

  “Have you given more thought to going to live with Grandpa?”

  Teddy had been all set to move to Martin’s Creek to keep an eye on their paternal grandfather just before the accident.

  “You know I’d never leave you to take care of the children alone. We’re in this together. I’m an old maid and you’re an old bachelor and the children need us.”

  “I never intended for you to give up your life to help me raise them. Things are smoothing out around here, now that the children are getting used to living here. Maybe we need to start thinking about getting you moved to Grandpa’s after all.”

  A frown creased her brow, but not before Seth saw something akin to hope flash in her eyes. “I couldn’t do that to you or the children.” She grinned. “Besides, it sounds like you’re trying to get rid of me. Should I be insulted?”

  Seth chuckled. “No, but you should consider the idea.”

  Her expression sobered. “I’ll think about it and pray. But I can’t imagine God would send me away when I’m needed here.” She swallowed down another bite of her biscuit. “Too bad Grandpa is so stubborn. If he’d sell out at Martin’s Creek and move here, it would solve everyone’s problem.”

  Seth knew exactly why their grandfather refused to do that. Teddy would never be free to find her own life if she was wrapped up taking care of three children, an old man and Seth. He had to figure out a way to set her free.

  * * *

  Ansley sipped her coffee and watched the snow falling outside the window. She was used to winter snows and had always loved to watch the falling flakes, but she had never seen the beauty of evergreens laden with snow. The wooded trees beyond the cabin were, b
ranch after branch, covered in white—the exquisite beauty reminded her of a painting. Still, despite the beauty, she knew danger lurked for anyone caught outside very far from home. She would not be venturing out to services.

  The children had stayed up well past bedtime, curled up next to her in front of the fireplace while she told stories of her childhood with Rose. They wanted to hear all about living in a big house and more about the strange idea of her having servants. Their amusement made her laugh, but also she started to consider how ridiculous it was for a woman alone to live in a house the size of Aunt Maude’s. Even if the children were to come live with her, the very real idea had begun to form that it might be best to sell that house and purchase something smaller.

  She smiled at the thought. Aunt Maude would likely turn over in her grave at the very idea. The home had been in her father’s family since shortly after the revolution, over a hundred years.

  Well, it wasn’t something she had to decide this minute. And she couldn’t sit there all day staring out the window at the falling snow, either. The children would be rising soon and she needed to have something prepared for their breakfast. Just as she was contemplating exactly what to cook, Jonah scurried down the ladder from the loft.

  They’d spent the better part of the day yesterday cleaning up there and hanging fresh sheets to separate the girls’ side from Jonah’s.

  “Good morning.” Ansley smiled at him and her heart thrilled at his returning lopsided grin.

  “Guess I slept a little longer than usual,” he said.

  “I’m sure it was just all the hard work we did yesterday.”

  He nodded. “It was nice sleeping in my old bed, too.” He frowned. “Not that I don’t like Uncle Seth’s house.”

  “I know.” Any other words she might have offered fell flat before they reached her tongue. Jonah stepped to the window and glanced outside. Darkness was fading into the soft light of cloud-covered, snowy morning, revealing the beauty of the new day.

  “Uncle Seth won’t be coming to get us for church in this.” He grinned at her. “Looks like you’re stuck with us another night.”

  “As much as I was looking forward to service today, the thought of having you children for another night pleases me. Now, what should we have for breakfast?”

  “I thought I’d go down to the cold cellar and bring up some bacon. Aunt Teddy left some eggs, too.”

  Ansley watched as he pulled on his boots, then his coat and hat. He looked very much like a young man, rather than a boy as he stepped outside. Quick tears sprang to Ansley’s eyes as she thought about all the things Rose would miss—milestones in her children’s lives.

  As much as she was beginning to care for Seth and Teddy, she just couldn’t imagine going back to Boston without at least attempting to take the children with her.

  Before Jonah returned from the cold cellar, the girls woke and climbed down from the loft. They were still clad in their soft cotton nightgowns. They curled up next to Ansley on the sofa, snuggling close for warmth.

  When Lily began to shake, Ansley drew her closer, thinking the girl was cold. Then as she pulled the little girl onto her lap, she glimpsed tears on her cheeks.

  “Sweetheart,” Ansley said, alarm seizing her. “Whatever is the matter?”

  “I thought Ma and Pa would be here.”

  Next to her, Hannah pressed her head against Ansley’s arm and she knew the other little girl was crying, as well.

  “Girls, tell me why you thought your parents would be here.”

  Lily’s watery gaze nearly dissolved Ansley. “We left when they left. So I thought if we came back, so would they.”

  Ansley prayed as she never had before. For wisdom and understanding and the right words to speak. “Is that what you thought, too, Hannah?”

  Hannah shook her head. “No. They’re in heaven. I just miss them more since we’re at our old house.”

  “You little darlings. I bet your mama is looking down from heaven right now wishing she could hold you and comfort you.”

  “Do you really think so?” Lily asked. “Sarah Wayne says when someone goes to heaven, they’re so happy playing with Jesus that they never even think about anyone down here.”

  Irritation wound its way through Ansley’s stomach. “Well, Sarah Wayne doesn’t know everything. Are you going to believe her or me?”

  Lily grinned. “You, Auntie Ansley.”

  “Well, I should say so.”

  Jonah returned with an armload of meat. He set his bundle on the counter and removed his coat and boots.

  “We’re cold, Jonah,” Hannah said.

  He nodded. “Temperature’s dropping. I’ll get the fire built back up.”

  “Shouldn’t I be doing that? After all, you’re a child.”

  Hannah giggled. “Jonah builds the fire every day. That’s one of his chores.”

  “Really?”

  Jonah nodded and grinned. “We don’t got servants here.”

  Ansley knew she was never going to live down the fact that she had servants for household tasks. Honestly, the children must think her the laziest person they ever met.

  Ansley shooed the girls up the ladder to get dressed, while she set about frying bacon, which she could do quite well. Flapjacks, on the other hand, weren’t her forte.

  She did her best and the children ate without commenting on the burnt edges of the flapjacks. At least the bacon had turned out well.

  They spent the morning and early afternoon staying warm, reading, talking and generally enjoying each other. By midafternoon, the snow had stopped falling and the windows frosted over. A beef stew bubbled on the stove to go with the a loaf of fresh bread Teddy had brought the day before.

  Jonah had filled the wood box to overflowing to get them through the day. By suppertime, they heard the jingle of bells outside. The children ran to the door. “Uncle Seth hitched up the sleigh!” Ansley’s heart sank a little. She’d thought she’d have another night with the children.

  “Does that mean we don’t get to stay home another night?” Hannah asked.

  “It looks like Uncle Seth is here to take you back home.”

  Seth kicked the snow from his boots before he entered the house.

  “You must be freezing,” Ansley murmured. “Would you like some coffee to warm you up?”

  He shook his head. “It’s getting colder. I’d better just collect the children and get them home.” He included all three with his gaze. “Get your things and make sure to bring your quilts to cover up with.”

  The children moved slowly to do as they were told, clearly wishing to stay put. Though she’d never encourage disobedience, she couldn’t help but be warmed by their resistance to leaving.

  When they were in the loft, Ansley turned to Seth. “Are you sure they should go out in this?”

  “They’ll be okay.” He glanced around. “You’ve been working hard.”

  Still processing the fact that he was here to take the children away, Ansley shrugged. “We cleaned upstairs yesterday. Today, we’ve been lazy and cozy by the fire.”

  He motioned toward the kitchen. “Smells good.”

  Gracious, the stew. How on earth would she ever eat it all? Even over several days. She’d planned for the children to eat supper with her and thought she’d serve it for lunch the following day. “Are you sure you can’t all just stay for supper?”

  “We’d best not. It’s starting to snow again.”

  Bedding dropped from the loft onto the floor and the children climbed down behind it. They remained somber as Ansley helped them fold the quilts.

  Seth gathered up Lily in his arms and they trudged out into the snow to the waiting sleigh. Turning to her, Seth lifted his arm in farewell. “I’ll be back over to check on you tomorrow.”

  “
Then why didn’t you just wait until then to get the children?” she muttered under her breath.

  As she listened to the jingling of the bells, she closed the door and glanced around. Suddenly the cabin that just minutes ago had seemed so cozy and warm felt just as large and cold as Aunt Maude’s mansion.

  Chapter 11

  Ansley filled the evening pulling Frank’s and Rose’s clothing from the wardrobe and packing it in the crates Teddy and Seth had provided. The bedding had been put in a pile to be laundered as soon as the weather cleared, and Ansley had borrowed bedding from Mrs. Boatwright to tide her over until she washed these. She unpacked her own gowns from her trunks and hung them in the wardrobe, barely able to fit them all.

  Guilt struck her at her overabundance. Rose may have enjoyed the benefit of nice furnishings but her wardrobe was sparse by comparison. There were only four dresses, and only one that Ansley felt proper for wearing to town. Rose would have loved the gowns Ansley had purchased for her. She had left those in her trunks. Teddy might like to have them. They would need minor alterations to fit her, but much less than would be necessary for Ansley to wear them.

  As she worked in Rose’s room, she hadn’t realized the house was growing cold. But as soon as she stepped into the kitchen and living area, she realized she had let the fire die.

  “Oh!” How could she have been so stupid? Jonah had shown her how to make the fire, but had suggested she at least try to keep feeding it so she wouldn’t have to work from the ground up to build one. And now she would have to do just that.

  Trying to remember the steps Jonah had taken to build the fire, she got small pieces of wood from the kindling box and set them in the bottom of the fireplace, then tried to light it. The wood absolutely refused to catch. After several frustrating failed attempts, she gave up and leaned back against the wall, catching her breath and sending a desperate plea to heaven. As she stood to go into the kitchen, where it was warmer, her gown snagged on a wood plank, and as she turned, a board dislodged and hung down.