Merry nodded, climbing the stairs, leaving Clyde alone with Charlie.
“I want to get Merry the perfect Christmas present, but I don’t know what that would be,” Clyde said after a moment of silence.
Charlie frowned. “I don’t know either. She hates Christmas.”
“What? How can she hate Christmas? She’s a Christmas ornament maker who lives in Mistletoe, Montana. She can’t hate Christmas. It’s against the law or something!”
“Her parents were killed on Christmas Eve four years ago. She’s hated Christmas ever since. She’s been putting on a brave face all day, trying to look like she was excited for the children.”
He frowned. “How can I make her love it like I do?”
She shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t think there is a way. I made her a nice warm hat for winter and a matching pair of mittens.”
“But…I have to find some way to help her see that Christmas is the best time of year. I can’t let her go on hating it!”
Charlie got to her feet. “I wish I had ideas for you, but I don’t. I tried to talk to her about it today, and I don’t think she heard me at all.”
Clyde’s brows drew together in concentration. Surely there was a way for her to fall in love with the holiday like he had. Mistletoe, Montana was all about Christmas, so if she was going to love it, there was no better place to learn how.
When he climbed into bed with her a short while later, he pulled her close. “I’ve picked out what I’m getting the children for Christmas, but I’m having a hard time deciding what to get you. Do you have any ideas?”
“Don’t worry about buying for me. I don’t need anything.” She rested her cheek against his shoulder. “Christmas is just like any other day for me.”
“But it shouldn’t be! Christmas is all things that are magical and special in this world!”
She shrugged. “It’s just another day. People are born, they get married, and they die. Just like every other day.”
He sighed, wondering how he was going to convince her. “I’m going into town tomorrow,” he said, changing the subject. “It’ll be safer for me to make the trip on my own. I need to get a few things.”
“That’s nice.”
He kissed her, determined to get her out of the sad mood she seemed to have settled into. No wife of his was going to spend her life hating Christmas. He would find a way to show her the magic, no matter what it took.
*****
On Wednesday afternoon, when it was time to get ready for the drive into town for the Christmas Eve celebration, Merry was dragging her feet. Both of the children were ready, and Charlie had never looked prettier, but she had no desire to go.
She had her dish to share all ready, and she put on her prettiest dress. Taking a deep breath, she went downstairs to join her family, putting on her coat and mittens for the long, cold ride to town.
She and Charlie had baked potatoes to use as foot warmers, and she planned to gather the potatoes to eat later. Sure, their feet would be cold on the way home, but according to Clyde, they’d all be filled with the warmth and magic of Christmas by then.
When they got into town, he parked the sleigh a little away from the church, because the street was busy. He carried the baby, proud to have a family this year. His arm stayed around Merry’s shoulder as he led her to the most special celebration of the whole year.
Merry felt out of place as she looked around her at all the people, very few of whom she recognized from her two prior meetings of people in town. Mrs. Murphy came over and took her coat, hugging her. “I hope you’re enjoying Mistletoe. You married one of our most special men.”
Merry smiled at that. “I did marry a pretty wonderful man. I can’t believe it wasn’t even two weeks ago that we got to town.”
Charlie smiled and nodded at Mrs. Murphy. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Why, I thought you’d be back in Massachusetts for the holiday!”
“I decided to stay. I’m going to be helping Merry out, since she has her own business.”
Mrs. Murphy smiled at Merry. “I had no idea you had a business.”
Merry handed Charlie the dish she’d brought and reached into the small purse she carried over one arm. She pulled out a small wrapped gift and handed it to Mrs. Murphy. “I brought you this to thank you for helping us out when we first got to town. It’s something I made.”
Mrs. Murphy opened it quickly exclaiming over it. “Oh, this is beautiful! Where did you learn to make something so exquisite?”
Merry smiled as she looked at which ornament Mrs. Murphy had unwrapped. She’d brought several to give to others, but she hadn’t labeled them in any way. “My father taught me to carve when I was a teenager, and I’ve been painting since I was a small child.”
“This is wonderful! You should sell them at our store!”
“Clyde said he was going to talk to Colin about that. I’ve been selling them at a store back home, and through a catalogue for three years now.” Merry saw a couple of other people standing, waiting to be introduced to her. She put on her best smile and turned.
“Merry, I want you to meet Everleigh Walsh. She’s a newspaperwoman.”
Merry smiled and nodded. “You don’t hear about many women in your business. Do you enjoy what you do?”
“Very much.”
A man came over, taking Everleigh’s arm and leading her away. Merry wondered who he was, but she wasn’t about to ask. She didn’t know enough people there yet to ask too many questions.
“Oh, Merry. I want you to meet Dr. Shannon Callaghan as well. She’s just saved our town from an epidemic of measles.”
“Measles! I had no idea! Is it gone now? Should I take my children home?” Merry felt slightly panicked at the idea of Joey contracting measles. He was still a little too thin, and she didn’t know if he’d survive it. She knew Addy would probably be fine, but it always surprised her which children were taken by the disease.
The doctor shook her head, a sweet smile on her face. “It’s gone. The last of the children are better now.”
“Oh, I’m so glad to hear it. It’s good that you were here!”
A man with a star on his shirt approached and offered his arm to the doctor, and they both walked away, gazing into one another’s eyes. Merry smiled after them. The way Dr. Callaghan was looking at the sheriff was exactly how she felt about her Clyde.
Clyde walked up behind her and slipped his arm around her shoulders. “The pastor’s about to pray, then everyone’s going to eat. I thought you’d prefer to be with family.”
Merry realized she’d lost Charlie to a small group of cowboys again. The other girl was clutching Addy to her as if she was a lifeline. “I’m going to go get Addy, and then we’ll all sit together.”
In the pew in front of them during the meal was a young couple, strangers to even Clyde. “You should introduce yourself. They’re new in town too,” he coaxed.
Merry made a face, feeling like an idiot as she interrupted the giggling couple, who obviously only wanted to be with each other. “Hi, my husband said you’re new in town too. I’m Merry Bellman.” It was the first time she’d said the new name, and it felt strange on her tongue. “I arrived in town less than two weeks ago.”
“I’m Miranda, and this is my fiancé, Randall. We’re going to open a restaurant together.” Miranda grinned at the man beside her, as if the words were some sort of inside joke.
“That sounds wonderful. I’m sure my family and I will eat there.”
Merry looked at Clyde as if to say, “Happy now?” He just smiled at her and shoveled a bite of food into Joey’s mouth.
As they drove back toward the ranch a couple of hours later, Merry teased Charlie about all the men who had surrounded her all evening. “Did you have a good time? Fall in love with anyone?”
Charlie wrinkled her nose. “Not yet. I’m sure there’s someone here for me though. There are so many men!” She sighed. “I keep forgetting to introduce myself as Ch
arlotte.”
Merry laughed. “You’ve been Charlie for a whole lot of years. That makes sense to me.” She rested her head against Clyde’s shoulder as they drove. “I just realized you put bells on the sleigh. They sound nice.”
Addy snuggled against Charlie. “I’m sleepy. Are we home yet?”
“A few more minutes.” Merry hated that the children were out in the cold night air, especially after finding out there had recently been measles in their small town.
“Do you want to open presents tonight, or wait til morning?” he asked.
Merry frowned. “We’re supposed to open presents on Christmas morning.” It was the way her family had always done it, and the way every family she knew had done things.
He lowered his voice and spoke softly so only she could hear, despite the crowded confines of the sleigh. “Go in and get the children ready for bed, but give me ten minutes alone downstairs. Then bring them back down. I’ll be ready then. We’re going to celebrate tonight, rather than waiting. We need our own traditions.”
“I can do that.”
As soon as they were home, she took the children upstairs, watching as he called Charlie over. Obviously Charlie was involved with whatever he had planned so she took the children upstairs to get them ready on her own.
When both were in their nightclothes, she called down the stairs. “We’re coming down!” She carried the baby and let Addy go down the stairs in front of her, slowly and carefully.
When they reached the bottom, there were candles on the tree, lighting it up as if from within. All of the ropes of popcorn looked beautiful, and she smiled. It was a little smile, but it was a smile.
There were presents all under the tree, and Merry leaned down to put Joey on his feet as she sat down on the floor with her legs crossed in front of her. She knew Charlie had known where her presents to the others had been hidden, and she could see her friend had gotten them and put them amid the other presents.
Clyde grinned, his face lit up like a toddler’s with excitement. He obviously loved Christmas. Getting down on his knees, he fished under the tree and pulled out a box, pushing it toward Addy and another that he pushed to Joey.
With Merry’s help, Joey unwrapped his present first, finding many more train cars. There was a simple hook at the front and back of each car that would enable them to be strung together to make a long train.
Joey picked up one of the cars in each hand and banged them together enthusiastically. Merry’s eyes met Clyde’s and she smiled, mouthing the words “thank you.” There weren’t a lot of men who would take on two young children who he’d never met and make them such an important part of his life.
She looked over to where Addy was slowly opening a gift. Merry knew it was another doll, and she said a silent prayer that he’d managed to get the right one this time. She wasn’t sure if he could handle a Baby Pigeon Toes.
Addy opened the box, and she picked up the doll, hugging it to her. It was the one Merry had thought he should buy the last time. She looked just like little Penelope. “I’m going to call her Carole. She’s beautiful, just like my mama.”
Merry felt tears sting her eyes as she thought of her sister, lost to her children forever. She wanted to rage at the universe that everything was unfair. All she wanted was one more day with her sister to tell her she’d take good care of her babies. One more day with her parents to ask them what she was supposed to do without them. But she’d never have either.
Merry pulled out the gifts she’d made for the children, giving Joey his first. She couldn’t say anything, because her throat was too tight for words. She helped Joey open his present, and laughed when he hugged the little yellow carved duck to himself. She wasn’t sure why she’d made a duckling, but it had seemed to suit him in her mind, so she’d made it happen.
Clyde laughed at the little duck. “Do you like it? Aunt Merry made that for you!”
Joey responded with some of his gibberish words, but nobody minded.
Addy opened her gift. “I hope I get a duck too!” she said, digging into the box.
Merry was nervous for a moment as the little girl pulled out her quilt and held it up. “It’s the perfect size for Carole!” She jumped up and ran at her aunt, hugging her tight. “It’s just right! Thank you, Aunt Merry!”
“You’re welcome.”
“This is the best Christmas ever!”
Charlie pulled two more presents out, giving them to the children. Her gifts didn’t make the children quite as excited. She’d made them each mittens and snow hats.
Clyde took the baby from Merry. “I’m taking this one up to bed.” He looked at Merry. “You get the girl child!”
Merry laughed, standing up and taking Addy’s hand. They’d never put the children to bed together before, and Clyde was unsure of the routine, so he stood back and watched as Merry kissed the children and tucked them in soundly. “Sleep sweet,” she whispered to each of them as she left their rooms.
“Now I want to give you my present,” Clyde said softly.
Merry looked at him with surprise. “I wasn’t expecting anything!”
“I know you weren’t. I got something for you anyway.”
Merry smiled, nodding. “I made you something.”
They went back down to the tree, and Merry saw that Charlie was waiting for them. She pulled out her gift for Charlie first, handing it to her friend. She was surprised when Clyde pulled something out for Charlie as well.
Charlie received a nice afghan from Merry. “I thought it would be nice to snuggle under when you read.”
“Thank you, Merry!”
From Clyde, she got a small bookshelf. “I thought you’d like to have something to put your books on. Merry told me that you like to read.”
“Thank you both!” Charlie smiled, obviously content.
“Are you missing your family?” Merry asked.
Charlie laughed. “Are you kidding? Now that I’m too old to be part of the demon horde, I’m their favorite victim!” She stood up, lifting the bookshelf with one hand and tucking her afghan under her arm. “I’ll leave you two.”
“Do you want me to carry that?” Clyde offered.
“No. It’s light. Goodnight and Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas,” Clyde echoed before turning to his bride. “Addy liked her doll this time.”
Merry smiled. “She loved it or it wouldn’t have her mother’s name. It would be Baby Stupid Face or something.”
He shook his head. “She’s creative with names when she doesn’t like a doll, isn’t she?”
“Very.” She reached under the tree and pulled out the package she’d wrapped for him. “I made this. I hope you like it.” She pushed it toward him, biting her lip. She wanted him to like it, but she wasn’t sure he would.
He opened the box carefully, uncertain what she would have had time to make for him in the short time they’d known one another. Inside the box was something wrapped in brown paper. He peeled back the paper to find a buffalo, carved from wood, and meticulously painted. It was like nothing he’d ever seen. The tiny ornament’s she’d made had been detailed and good, but this was beautiful.
“I love it. Thank you.” He leaned toward her, kissing her softly. “I don’t know where you found the time!”
She shrugged. “I worked on it during naptime mostly.”
He pulled something from beneath the tree for her, hoping it would mean what he thought it would. He put it between them, watching her face as she opened it. Inside the box was a set of carving tools, much more expensive than she’d ever been able to afford, but underneath was a tiny little baby blanket.
She looked at him. “Two things?”
He nodded. “I wanted you to know that I accept you for whoever you want to be. If you want to have children and raise them without working, that’s fine. If you want to continue working and get help with the children that’s fine. Whoever you want to be, that’s who I love.”
She bit her l
ip, staring into his face. “Wait—you love me?”
He chuckled softly. “I think I fell in love with you the first time I saw you, standing on that train platform looking alone and lost.”
“How could I look alone with a baby in my arms?”
“No idea, but you managed it!” He cupped her cheek in his hand. “I hope you like the gifts.”
She nodded, a tear coming to her eye. “More important than the gifts were the words. I love you. I hope you know that.”
He smiled. “I hoped so. I wasn’t sure, though.”
“Of course, I do. I love how kind and caring you are. I hope you’ll treat our children as well as you treat our niece and nephew.”
“So, do you hate Christmas any less?” he asked, his face full of hope.
She shrugged. “Maybe a little. I have a feeling that spending the holidays with you will make the hatred eventually go away.”
“But you don’t love Christmas?” he asked, disappointed.
“I love you. It’ll grow on me, I’m sure. It felt better this year than it has in a long time. Does that satisfy you?”
“I guess it’ll have to!” He pulled her close. “Next year we’ll get a tree that’s even bigger, and we’ll have more ornaments for it. Then you’ll love it like I do!”
“Am I expected to carve all these ornaments?”
He shrugged. “Well, I don’t know how to do it!”
She laughed softly. “Merry Christmas, Clyde. Thank you for making this one special.”
He sighed contentedly, pulling her closer. “Thank you for making mine full of the sounds of children and laughter.”
They sat and watched as the candles continued to burn on the branches of the tree, the night truly magical for both of them. They’d found love. What was more magical than Christmas with the people they loved?
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