He blinked back tears. Fear swelled inside him. Everyone stepped toward a chance to love and flourish, even enough to order a bride and please their pure Greek lines. There was a reason for tradition—it gave sure guidelines to live life on purpose.
But what if his life’s purpose was best lived with Leanna? Was she any different than a Greek bride? Her allegiance to his family was just the same as any Greek.
What had Tommy’s grandmother said? That they were one according to the Good Book. Alex loved his people, and their origins, but his love for Leanna was beyond all that. He had never been so sure of a plan for his heart than he was right now.
Alex couldn’t help but smile.
He’d have to get a copy of the Bible.
The restaurant was full of miners who were desperate enough to marry a stranger. But Alex did not need to resort to such things. No matter what Papa or the Coffeys said, his plan, maybe God’s plan, was obvious.
He’d encountered more Americans who might help erase these steadfast boundaries, too. Will Jacob had promoted him, Leanna protected him and his family, and Tommy’s grandmother had summed it all up as a greater belonging—to a people under God.
Could the death of prejudice start right where the old lady implied? With love?
“Lord, if You are listening, take away our fear.” He dropped to his knees, the hard, frozen earth doing little compared to the pangs of his emerging heart. “And Lord, take me back.” Everything seemed connected in this moment. God and Leanna and the chance to peel away the darkness at last. At his next breath, the clouds dissipated and the bright light of a half-moon appeared. A breeze whipped through his hair, and sudden relief radiated through his chest. The urge to run up the dark path to Leanna’s was hard to fight off, but he did so with all his strength.
Nobody would stop him from loving her. God may have used Leanna to awaken his faith again, but Alex was certain that she had more purpose in his life than that.
Leanna McKee was his future. And he would not let her leave Castle Gate without his promise to love her no matter what.
The familiar smell of cloves and cinnamon was not nearly as sweet as spying Leanna’s hesitant entry from the shadowed dining-room threshold. She shut the back door behind her while noticing Momma at the fire. Her rosy lips grew into a genuine smile. She adored his family. A broody frustration unleashed inside him. The only thing stopping his father from embracing this near-perfect Pappas addition was his stubborn old pride.
But Alex had a plan tonight, in spite of tradition—and propriety.
“Meesus McKee. So glad you here.” Momma’s carefully crafted English did not damper her enthusiasm for their guest. Alex chuckled silently, unnoticed by either woman. Momma cried out, “Kala Christuyenna!” and grabbed Leanna by the shoulders, boldly kissing her on each cheek.
“Merry Christmas to you,” Leanna blurted behind a giggle. She still hadn’t seen him, and he was fine with that. His new favorite pastime was admiring Leanna McKee from a distance. Her beauty, her confident cadence, and the flicker of abundant life in every expression. “Can I help?” Leanna motioned to the spoon, her brow filled with eagerness.
Momma nodded vigorously, handing her the spoon. She held up a finger signaling for Leanna to wait here then hurried past Alex, patting his chest as she went into the dining room. In a flurry of Greek she called out, “Hurry, Maria, finish setting the table. It’s almost time.”
Leanna’s back was turned to him as she stirred the wassail. Every second slipped past like the steam leaving the pot. The fire beneath the pot was no different than the circumstances forcing her to leave.
But he was there to snuff out all their obstacles tonight.
“Merry Christmas,” he near whispered, suddenly aware of this quiet moment alone. Her head lifted, and she turned, only slightly, finding him from the corner of her eye.
Her lips pressed together in a coy smile. “Merry Christmas, Alex.” She rested the spoon on the edge of the pot and spun around. The dim kitchen did not hide her delicate features—high cheekbones prodded upward by her smile, her perfectly straight nose, and those eyes, blue topaz pools swimming with affection.
“I am glad you came, Leanna.” He approached her and gathered up her hands. “This is my greatest gift.”
She squeezed his palms, her eyelashes fluttering as she sighed. “I tried talking myself out of it, but I—”
“Shh,” he hushed her with a finger to her lips. They were soft, her breath warming his skin. Her eyes brimmed with expectancy, and he brushed her bottom lip with the back of his finger now. A quiet hitch of her breath triggered his heart to a wild beat. He marveled at her once again. “I want to share with you—”
“Meesus McKee!” Teddy popped his head over the counter and waved a hand covered in powdered sugar. “Yiayia wants to cut the Christopsomo! Come!” He jumped up and down.
“Teddy, you are a little rascal.” Alex sighed. “Momma will be in here next, hands flying.” He glanced at her with a playful grin and gently tugged at her hand. “We better join them.” She drew close to him as they shuffled out of the room, bolstering his assurance that she was worth fighting for.
The entire family sat around the large table at the back of the restaurant. Snow blew sideways beyond the glass window in front. Nothing cold met them in this room, though. Even Papa gave Leanna a cordial smile and tipped his fisherman’s cap as Alex guided her toward her chair.
“Kala Christuyenna!” A chorus greeted.
“You are our guest of honor,” Alex whispered in her ear while she sat.
“Me?” Leanna lowered to her seat.
“The children learn so much from you,” he said. “And I shall never be the same, Mrs. McKee.” She stared up at him, her knowing eyes seeming to dance with both sadness and love. If only he could speak with her now, but the Christopsomo would not wait for them. A delicious Greek tradition, indeed. He sat next to her.
“So tell me, Alex.” Leanna leaned closer to the table. “What is this?” She pointed at the round bread with the star baked on top.
“Christopsomo—it is Christmas bread. Many Greeks make it this time of year.” He winked at Maria, who’d grown more eager to listen to his English. “We decorate it for our family. Momma used to make a sheep out of the bread dough on top, but now she chooses the star of a persimmon fruit. Persimmon is a symbol of prosperity.”
“And fertility!” Yanni declared then roared with laughter as he stroked his baby son’s black hair.
“I see your English is coming along nicely, Yanni.” Alex chuckled with him. “Perhaps we should begin working on good manners?”
Yanni dropped his grin and tilted his head with a look of confusion.
Leanna giggled, and Alex just shook his head. Her laughter was a sound he hoped to hear for the rest of his life. It was authentic and melodious, just like her singing voice, which had carried to him in her church.
Momma lifted a knife to her masterpiece and Papa sucked air through his teeth. Each year, she took care to collect the finest ingredients, even sending Alex to Salt Lake City to hunt down anise seed. All Momma’s effort would soon fill their bellies with the sweet, spiced bread fading into the memory of another Christmas on American soil.
When Alex was in the boardinghouse, the men would often reminisce about the Christmas bread, the cookies, and the syrupy baklava of their home country. A roomful of Greek miners sat with mouths watering while their only morsels were bland meat and bread from the American cook at the local saloon.
Now, he and Yanni were blessed more than any other miner in this town. His whole family sat here, including the only two Greek women in Castle Gate. His Christmas dinner would be nearly as satisfying as keeping Leanna close to his side.
He pushed out a staggered breath, probably mistaken by the others as one of regret when Momma pierced the bread. He must find a proper time to speak with Leanna before it was too late.
“Maria, pass out the bread, please.” Momma placed genero
us pieces on plates and pushed them toward Maria who was careful to stand and take a plate to each person.
“Meesus McKee, you come back and visit at Easter. The Tsureki is just as delicious,” Maria said.
Leanna’s lips parted, and then she gave a resolute smile. “Perhaps,” she said, glancing at Alex with an apologetic quirk of her eyebrow.
“Thios Alex, Salt Lake City is not so far?” Maria’s earnest expression brought an ache in his heart. Leanna watched him, as if waiting for his answer, too.
“No, it is not so far,” he said.
When they had all finished their first piece, Momma was eager to dish out seconds to anyone who was willing.
“No, thank you. Would you like me to bring in the tea?” Leanna asked.
Momma scrunched her nose in confusion. Alex translated.
“Oh, neh neh!” she agreed. Leanna excused herself and went to the kitchen.
He pushed his chair back, his heart thudding like a train barreling through the valley. This might be his chance—
“Alex. I have something for you,” his father announced. He cleared his throat and rummaged in his pocket. “I received this from Athens a while ago.” He handed him an envelope. The seal was broken.
“What is it, Papa?”
“You will see—” His voice caught when he diverted his attention over Alex’s shoulder. Leanna sailed through with a kettle and mugs on a tray. “Perhaps, you should wait until this evening.” He went to reach for the envelope, but Alex snatched it away.
“You gave it to me. Now you want it back?” A nervous pang scattered his anticipation to speak with Leanna. He pulled out a letter. Something fluttered to the ground. Maria hopped from her seat and picked up a photograph.
She stared hard at it then handed it to Alex. “Who is that, Thios Alex?”
The photograph was of a plain young woman. Alex gave his father a quizzical look, his spirit overcast by a foreboding shadow. Papa sat back in his chair and began to fiddle with his worry beads. Alex skimmed the letter while Leanna passed out mugs of steaming tea.
He did it. His father went ahead and followed through with his scheming, hadn’t he?
If it wasn’t Christmas, and if the woman who stole his heart was not standing so close by, Alex would slam a fist on the table. Instead, he crumpled the letter in his hand, shoved it in his pocket and tossed the picture on the tabletop. He dared not look at his father. He was afraid of the contempt that would surely shine from his eyes.
How could Papa suggest this, on such a day, with such company around?
But the letter made it perfectly clear that his father had gone back on his word and made arrangements for a Greek match anyway. The woman’s voyage to America had been purchased and set for arrival in January.
“You like babies.” Penelope spoke English to Leanna, who cradled little George in her arms. Was it that obvious? The baby slept soundly until his lips grew into a smile then a sudden pout. He whimpered and with a contented sigh settled back into a peaceful sleep.
“He is so beautiful,” Leanna whispered, consumed with all the life that pressed on her arms. Never before had she held a baby so small. He was perfect. His thick black hair, soft as velvet, had a natural part to one side.
When she was married to Jack, she had been so wrapped up in her departure from society and trying to adjust to living in a household without servants, she had never considered a family of her own. She was learning to be a wife, without a thought to motherhood. But deep down, she knew she wanted it. Now holding baby George in her arms stirred her soul deeply, mixing maternal instinct with a fear that she may never hold her own child. Like James had teased, she might just be a spinster for the rest of her childbearing years.
A ruckus of Greek chatter rose from the men at the counter behind them. Penelope gave her a wary glance as they looked over their shoulders. Alex slammed his hand on the counter then stormed into the kitchen. Mrs. Pappas’s high-pitched voice carried through the door.
“What is the matter?” Leanna whispered.
Penelope glanced down at Maria and spoke Greek in a hushed voice. Maria looked up at Leanna with much seriousness. “Papou found a wife for Alex.”
The slight weight of the baby was featherlike compared to the rock in her stomach. Is that what the letter was about? She had wanted to ask about it, but it seemed that once Alex crumpled it in his hands, everyone moved on and finished their spiced tea. The picture appeared to be that of a woman, but she could not make out the details when he flung it across the table.
“Mama says Alex is very upset. He does not want a prearranged marriage. But the woman will be here in January.” Maria petted her baby brother’s hair.
“January?” Her mouth fell, and the heaviness inside pressed so much she could hardly swallow.
Was this a humorous turn of events on God’s part? Scoot her out of the picture to make room for a proper Greek girl? She looked back at Mr. Pappas. This man would make sure that the American did not enchant his son, wouldn’t he? Perhaps he was more persistent in these finely drawn boundaries than even Mr. Coffey.
“Your papou must not like me at all.” Leanna squeezed out the words beyond her tightening throat.
Maria looked sideways in her grandfather’s direction. “He like you, Meesus McKee. He like Greek women better.” She giggled. “I want you to be my thia, though.” She shifted her chair close and slipped her hand in the crook of Leanna’s elbow, just beneath the baby’s head. Little George squirmed. His face grew red, and he began to wail. Leanna carefully handed him back to Penelope, who excused herself to feed the baby in the kitchen.
Leanna should leave. The warm evening that she’d hoped for was turning out to be a sign that every decision was for the best. This was exactly what she should’ve expected. The Pappas family would move forward just as she would when she boarded that northbound train.
But the piece of her heart stolen by Alex was larger than she thought. Perhaps she’d given too much away to a man who’d never be hers.
Alex sat beside her. “I am sorry for leaving you alone so long.”
She couldn’t look at him. He was so close, but come January he’d be a stranger again—another woman’s hope and affection.
“You didn’t leave me alone.” She folded the small blanket left behind by George. “I was with Penelope.” Maria grabbed her arm again. “And Maria.” She forced a smile for the girl, but it was short lived as her mind spun out of control. She would love to be her thia, too. A grimace tugged at her lips. Foolishness was inevitable when she allowed her emotions to control her. She’d learned that with Jack. Expectations were fool’s gold.
Alex leaned an elbow on the table and clutched the hair at his forehead. He sighed loudly and deeply.
“Are you all right, Alex?” She tried to keep her gaze set on anything benign, anything that would curb the battle inside her.
“I was, until—”
“I know.” She couldn’t bear to hear the truth again, especially from him. “I should leave.” She pushed her chair back.
Alex dropped his hand and threw her a desperate stare. Through gritted teeth he said, “Maria, go help your yiayia.” Maria began to protest, but he snapped, “Now.”
She dashed across the room, and Yanni and Stergios followed her into the kitchen. Crying and voices were muffled on the other side of the wall. Leanna hung her head, trying to form the strength to leave. But nothing inside her wanted to go just yet. Once she left this place, she’d never return.
This was not how she’d hoped to end this season of love and second chances with Alex Pappas.
“Some Christmas.” He shook his head then ran his fingers through his hair. “I apologize that you must witness a family dispute.”
“I’m family, remember?” She gave a tender smile. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I am quite familiar with family disputes.”
“I can’t believe my father. If I were a boy, or a daughter, I would understand. But this? I am a
grown man who has been married before.”
“How long has the arrangement been in place?” Every fiber of her heart begged her to change the subject, to not wallow in the devastation of it. Yet she must know what she would leave behind. What life Alex might have after her.
“He had written his cousin in September. Momma worries about me, especially on Sundays since I don’t attend liturgy.” He shook his head. “She hoped that a good Greek wife would change my heart for church. But when Papa overheard men talking about our hike—” He hesitated, his expression darkened. “They offered to pay the girl’s way to expedite the plan.”
A dagger twisted in her heart. Her insides quivered with shame for her desperate decision to forgo church and follow Alex on his hike. She’d provoked his parents to take such drastic measures.
Her eyes ached with a flood of tears. She could only whisper, “I didn’t realize how they felt about me.”
Alex tilted her chin up. A tear slid down her cheek. “This is not about you. They adore you. This is about me and their efforts to change my ways.” He gathered up her hands in an impassioned grip. “But I have changed, Leanna. And you are the reason. I am a better man for it.” He rested his teeth on his lip and searched her face with intense eyes. “I did not think I could love again after Helena. I blamed God for it, but it was my pride that hardened my heart. Then you came to me, with your tender spirit and your unwavering faith and—”
“Unwavering?” Leanna grimaced. “I did not have faith like I should have. Faith to forgive Jack and myself.”
“You have faith in God’s plan for you.” He leaned forward. “And I assumed God had nothing for me. But then He gave me you and this uncertain dance of ours,” he said, his lips forming a faint smile. “How could I be angry anymore when the only sane thing I could manage to do was pray?”
An overwhelming rush of love and awe forced her to laugh. She placed her hand on his cheek, thankful that they were alone in this moment.
My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah Page 17