Little Shoes and Mistletoe

by Sally Laity

  ❧

  “Well, what do you think?” Eliza asked as the youngsters scampered off to play after the meal, leaving the adults to enjoy second cups of coffee at their leisure.

  “The word ‘speechless’ comes to mind,” Micah said truthfully. “There’s still a trace of the old sadness in their eyes, but it’s wonderful to see them smiling again.”

  “Well, they’re such dears,” Aunt Phoebe gushed. “When I think of how fearful I was that children would cause nothing but confusion and destruction, I see how foolish an old lady can be. This little pair seems to delight in fairly quiet play. And they’re ever so obedient. I must credit their parents for that.”

  Micah nodded. “That was one thing I observed in my work in the tenements, actually. Even the youngsters living under such deprivation and woeful conditions are for the most part respectful toward adults and cheerful despite life’s injustices.”

  “Yes,” Eliza added. “I recall your telling me that many of the families in the tenements were quite well-off in the old country, with respected livelihoods.”

  “And they often manage to work their way back up to their old standard,” he went on, “though it takes a fair amount of time and effort on their part.”

  “In any event, I truly enjoy looking after these darlings,” Eliza said wistfully, “though I’m aware of the great responsibility I’ve taken on. I know I must endeavor not to allow the girls to become too attached to us, for their own good.”

  “But while they’re here,” Aunt Phoebe responded with a grin, “it’s a delight to lavish just a bit of attention on them. They’ve been through so much. Christmas is just around the corner, and I can’t help wanting to make it truly nice for them. It may be the first special one they’ve ever known.”

  Even as the older woman spoke, Eliza could hear a statement Micah had made not so long ago. And then what? Three simple words, yet she couldn’t help wondering what the Lord had in store for Gabriella and Rosa Riccio when the joy of Christmastime was past, and they had to settle for real life again, in whatever home or orphanage Micah could find for them.

  nineteen

  Eliza closed the Bible in her lap and met the little ones’ fascinated gazes. “So you see, not only did the Lord take care of all of Joseph’s problems in a wonderful way, as we read in last night’s story, but He did the same for Ruth. She was no longer poor and lonely. Her faith in the God of her mother-in-law, Naomi, took her to a whole new land, and there God brought another man into her life. One who would love her and become her husband.”

  “It’sa hard not to feel’a sad when Mama and Papa go to da angels,” Gabriella said, her eyes downcast.

  “I know, sweetheart. Some things are very difficult for us to understand, especially when loved ones die, as your mama and papa did.”

  The small curly head nodded.

  Sitting on the edge of the children’s bed, Eliza leaned over and hugged them both. “It hurts terribly to be left behind. That happened to me when the man who once promised to marry me just went away. I cried a lot, because I knew he didn’t really love me after all. But when bad things happen to us, it doesn’t ever mean God doesn’t love us. He watches over everyone. He even sees when a little bird gets hurt and falls out of the sky. It makes Him sad when we are sad, and He wants to help us and make things better. Even when it feels like things hurt too much, we must learn to trust Him and wait for things to work out again.”

  “You mean, like’a for Rosa and’a me, God will bring to us da new mama and papa?” Her face scrunched up in question.

  “What I’m saying,” Eliza explained patiently, “is that God always does what’s best for us, when the time is just right.”

  She turned her face up to Eliza’s. “I hope He not’a work too fast, for da new mama. I like’a be wit you. Here. Dis house.”

  Her younger sister nodded in agreement.

  Eliza felt a stinging behind her eyes, and it took a few seconds before she could speak past the huge lump in her throat. “I hope so too, kitten. I love you and Rosa very, very much. But if Mr. Micah finds someone who wants two sweet little girls to be part of their family, we’ll all have to remember to trust God. And try to be happy. Even if it’s hard at first.”

  Seeing that her answer seemed to satisfy them, she gathered the girls into her arms and kissed their noses. “But right now I think it’s time to say your prayers and go to sleep.” Flipping the covers out of the way, she knelt beside the bed, and the two little ones joined her, one on either side, their hands steepled in prayer.

  ❧

  Wide awake as he lay in bed after yet another visit to Harper House, Micah’s thoughts still remained there. He’d been stopping by every day since the Italian orphans had taken up temporary residence, and the improvement in their physical appearance was nothing in comparison to the changes in their outlook. He knew Eliza was doing her best to prepare the girls for yet another transition, hoping the next change would go more smoothly. And obviously it was working.

  He could also see she was becoming more and more attached to the pair herself. Not uncommon for someone who looked after youngsters who’d been hurt by life’s harsh realities. Who didn’t wish for the ability to build a place big enough to take in all unwanted and destitute little ones and make everything right for them again?

  Anabelle.

  He exhaled a painful breath. For all her wonderful qualities, Ana hadn’t found that desire, that compassion, within herself. Not that she’d ever kept it a secret. But somehow, that old disappointment didn’t matter quite so much as it once had. Micah knew he would always carry a certain kind of love in his heart for his lifelong friend. But he knew she’d done the right thing, the valiant thing, in going away. That’s what it had taken for him to see they’d never really been meant for each other. That, and some sleepless, prayer-filled nights. Slowly he’d reached the point of acceptance, the peace that comes from submitting to God’s will.

  He was still a bit numb inside, aware of an emptiness that would take awhile to fill completely, but he had the calm assurance that the Lord was in control and that “all things work together for good,” just as the Bible promised in Romans 8:28.

  Latching onto that precious hope, he turned over and closed his eyes, his thoughts drifting pleasantly to a slender, blue-eyed angel who had two sweet little girls under her wings.

  ❧

  Christmas Eve arrived on Saturday, and with it, Micah and his buggy, to pick everyone up for the traditional candlelight service at Faith Community Church. Eliza tried not to notice how his brown checked coat deepened the shade of his eyes, to say nothing of the blatant admiration in them when his gaze meandered to her and stayed for a timeless moment.

  “Don’t the girls look lovely?” she asked, averting her eyes before she blushed like a silly schoolgirl. She knelt to fasten Rosa’s plush velvet cloak, then held the matching muff for the child to slide her hands into while her aunt saw to Gabriella’s wrap and warm boots.

  Removing his bowler, Micah tipped his head in a gallant gesture which included even Eliza’s aunt. “I’ll say this. I’ve never in my life seen a more beautiful group of young ladies all in one place. I’ll be the envy of every man at church.”

  “Oh, pshaw! Everybody puts on their very best for the holiday services.” With a cluck of her tongue, Aunt Phoebe took the six-year-old’s hand and brushed past him on their way to the door. But not without giving a more-than-pleased grin.

  Eliza couldn’t help smiling herself.

  “Well, that leaves the two of you for me to escort.” Micah swept the little one up into the crook of an arm and offered his other elbow to Eliza. “May I?”

  “We’d be most honored, sir.” Though spoken in a teasing tone, she was all too aware that her insides were quivering like jelly as she took his arm. She hoped it wasn’t obvious, but how could anyone notice anything other than the children’s
glowing eyes anyway? It had been difficult to keep them calm in the face of a special evening, only a prelude to the most wonderful day of the year.

  Several inches of new snow had fallen during the afternoon, giving the girls a chance to bundle up and have a romp in the front yard. Now the runners of the sleigh swished over the packed ground cover, and bells on the harness jingled as the horse plodded toward the church, adding an even more festive air.

  Once inside the brick building, the sudden warmth from the furnace, along with a multitude of flickering candles lining the front and sides of the sanctuary, stung their cheeks. Micah led the way to an empty pew, nodding in greeting to familiar folks along the way. He stepped aside for Aunt Phoebe, and Gabriella and Eliza filed in behind her. Setting Rosa next to Eliza, he took the aisle seat.

  Quiet music from the organ already lent reverence to the occasion, and Eliza fought a twinge of sadness that Anabelle was not at the keys. Though capable enough, the pleasant-faced woman of middle years who had taken her place lacked Ana’s natural flair and smooth touch. If Micah shared those sentiments, he did not let on, but Eliza noticed that he avoided looking directly at the big instrument.

  She loosened the girls’ cloaks, and the two settled back, hands folded in their laps, their attention centered on the large evergreen Christmas tree off to the side, decorated with shining ornaments and candles. It towered over a rough-hewn nativity scene, yet somehow didn’t detract from it.

  “Da Baby Jesus,” Gabriella whispered, pointing out the manger to Rosa, and her sibling craned her neck to see. It was the first time there had been extra objects displayed in the house of worship in the few times Eliza had brought them, and it made them both smile. Often, however, they’d stared in wonder at the empty wooden cross on the wall behind the pulpit.

  Though the services contained far less ritual than the little pair were used to, they enjoyed the singing and would sit quietly to the end. Eliza knew they’d particularly like this special one, being mostly made up of carols and the reading of the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke. It was her own favorite service of the year. This time it seemed all the more touching—whether it was merely having children around for the holidays or having Micah’s strong baritone blending with her clear alto, she wasn’t about to analyze.

  When the program reached the conclusion, the little party bid the pastor and other church members good night, then headed for home.

  “It’sa true? What da man say about da Baby Jesus?” Gabriella asked along the way.

  “Do you mean that He wasn’t always a baby, but that He left heaven to become one just so He could die on the cross for us?” Eliza prompted.

  She nodded.

  “Yes, sweetheart. God loved us so very much that He sent His only Son to be a sacrifice for our sins. If we know Jesus as our Savior, we know we will go to be with Him when we die.”

  The tiny frown eased. “I like’a dat. It’sa nice.”

  Eliza put an arm about Gabriella’s small form and hugged her. “Yes. It’s very nice.”

  After reaching home and enjoying some hot chocolate, the girls were tucked in for the night. The busy day had taken its toll. Smiling at the mention of surprises they’d find in the morning, they barely made it through the bedtime story before dropping off to sleep.

  Eliza hurried downstairs where she found Micah and her aunt already well into trimming the tree he’d hidden behind the shed earlier that day and brought into the sitting room when she’d gone up with the little ones. The mere thought of the joy it would bring her charges elevated her own anticipation. “That looks ever so lovely,” she breathed, assessing their work.

  “And won’t the little ones love it?” Aunt Phoebe asked, stepping back for an overall view. “Why don’t you help Micah finish, while I start gathering the presents to go underneath?”

  “Start gathering?” Micah echoed good-naturedly. “I hope you two aren’t planning on spoiling a certain pair of orphans we all know and love.”

  “Wel–l–l,” the older woman fudged, “they did need so much, you know. But we tried to bear the practical in mind.”

  “That’s good to hear. We wouldn’t want to make every Christmas from here on a letdown for them. Their new family might not be so well-off.”

  Eliza smothered a jolt of alarm. “Does that mean you’ve found someone willing to take them?” She nearly added “already,” but caught herself in time.

  As if he sensed her disquiet, he smiled gently and handed her a section of garland to drape around her side of the tree, then moved where he could take it again and continue on his end. “Nothing definite yet. As we all know, there’s no shortage of homeless youngsters right now.”

  It wasn’t much as far as reprieves went, but Eliza absorbed what little comfort she could from hearing she wouldn’t have to bid Gabriella and Rosa good-bye just yet. Their presence had added so much to this big old house, and she truly hoped they could stay awhile longer. Even Aunt Phoebe appeared years younger and seemed far more energetic and cheerful than she’d been in ages. And with business certain to drop way down after Christmas, the dear woman would have time to spend reading to the girls and making them new treats or clothes.

  “Wouldn’t you agree?” Micah’s voice penetrated her daydreams, and he handed her a brightly painted ornament to hang.

  “Hm?” Not quite in her grasp, the shiny teardrop orb slipped to the floor, smashing into a million pieces. “Oh! How clumsy of me.” She quickly sank down to gather the remains.

  Micah knelt to help. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Not paying attention, eh? Now you’ll be in for it. This was probably a priceless family treasure, too, and now we’ll have to mortgage our very souls to replace the thing.”

  The ridiculous taunt made her laugh. She’d never glimpsed such an embracing light in his eyes, and for a moment she lost herself in it, feeling suddenly warm and giddy and—

  Something sharp cut into her palm. With a gasp she snatched her hand from where she’d inadvertently leaned on a fragment of the broken ball.

  “Here, let me see,” he said at once, taking her hand into his much larger ones. He unraveled the clenched fingers and carefully picked out the tiny shard of colored glass, then used his handkerchief to blot away the few drops of blood that had gathered.

  By now more overcome by his tender ministrations than she was by the sting, Eliza watched him with fascination, noticing the play of firelight from the hearth over the lighter strands of his hair, the golden glow it cast upon the planes of his face. Sensations she’d thought had died with the betrayal of her dearest dreams now fluttered through her being, doing indescribable things to her insides.

  “I think the patient will live,” Micah murmured. Dipping his head as if for one more look, he pressed a light kiss into her palm, then closed her fingers over it. He met her gaze with a heart-stopping smile.

  Something she could not name passed between them in that breathless instant, and for a few seconds she forgot how to breathe. “Th–thank you,” was as much of a response as she could generate.

  “All part of the service,” came his own husky reply.

  The soft tapping of Aunt Phoebe’s shoes broke the spell as the older woman entered the room and set down an armful of colorfully wrapped gifts. “Oh, what’s happened?”

  “Nothing much,” Eliza blurted a bit too quickly as she struggled to her feet, her face ablaze. “I. . .um. . .broke an ornament. I’m sorry.”

  Barely giving the shiny remnants more than a cursory glance, she peered from Eliza to Micah with a peculiar smile. “Not to worry. I’ve always had far too many of those baubles anyway. Well, keep up the good work.” And with that, she turned back down the hall.

  “I. . .think we’re about finished. Don’t you?” Eliza said brightly, purposely avoiding looking at Micah again as he put the star atop the tree.

  He chuckled. “Yes. . .and no. But I do h
ave to be going. It’s getting late, and I must allow you to get whatever sleep you can before our little angels awaken in their roost.”

  Our. Eliza rather liked the sound of that. A lot. A whole lot. She swallowed. “W–will you come to breakfast?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it.”

  “Come as early as you like. We’ll let the girls open a present or two beforehand and save the others until after. They’ll probably want to wear something new to church.”

  He nodded. “Sounds good. See you in the morning then. Sleep well, Eliza. I’ll find my own way out.”

  “Well, thanks again. . .for the help, and all.”

  A soft squeeze to her shoulder, and he strode for the kitchen. A minute more and the back door closed behind him.

  Eliza sank to the nearest chair. She could hardly wait for the children to wake up tomorrow.

  She could hardly wait for tomorrow—period.

  twenty

  Somehow, Eliza managed to arise before the children awoke. She told herself it was because she didn’t want to miss a second of their wonder upon seeing the sitting room decked out in all its Christmas glory, or the beautiful tree with the pretty packages awaiting them beneath it. Yet all the while, she knew it was more than that.

  The memory of last night washed over her, bringing alive Micah’s gentleness when he’d tended her cut, the quick wit he was beginning to display with amazing frequency. But surely some of the sensations she’d felt in his presence had to have been the product of her lively imagination. When he arrived shortly she would be much more in control, better able to conduct herself with propriety. Regardless, she was determined to look her very best. For the girls, she avowed.

  Not long after she finished her toilette and donned the emerald taffeta gown she’d saved especially for the holiday, she heard whispers and giggles drifting from the room across the hall. Eliza smiled to herself and tiptoed to their doorway. “Good morning, dearies. Merry Christmas.”