by Jillian Hart
“We need to wait for it to get completely dark and for your father to come back inside.” Eleanor had draped the black flannel from her father’s telescope along the window sill and added some red ribbon for color. She was glad to see that the candle looked impressive.
“Then can we go out and see the real stars in the sky?”
“I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and see if the stars are out tonight,” Eleanor answered.
The telescope was next to her valise, wrapped in a piece of old flannel, and the kitten was curled up next to it.
The girl seemed to think about all of that for a minute before looking up at Eleanor again.
“Grandma said I can put my daddy’s present under the tree. If I hide it under the branches, he’ll see it, won’t he?”
Eleanor smiled. “I’m sure he’ll see it the very first thing tomorrow morning.”
The girl had asked her almost that exact question several times already today and each time Eleanor had assured her that Adam would not only see the present, but he would welcome it. She suspected it was something the girl had made for her father.
As for herself, she was planning to make some simple gifts after everyone went to bed. She wanted her gifts to be a surprise so she hadn’t worked on them this afternoon. Besides, she needed to wait until the candle was lit before she could make her present for Hannah.
Just then Adam opened the door and came inside. She smiled when he made an elaborate show of brushing the snow off of his buttonless coat.
Hannah giggled when she saw him.
It wasn’t until he took a bow that Eleanor grinned, too, understanding that he was doing it to amuse his daughter.
“I could put other buttons on your coat for today,” she said when he’d stopped flapping the edges of it around. “It’s no trouble.”
“That’s all right,” he said as he finished taking the garment off. “I’m having so much fun, a little cold is nice. Tomorrow is coming fast.”
With that, he went over to the fireplace and held his hands out to the warmth of the flame. “It should be warming up out there. There’s some hail so maybe tomorrow will be better.”
“Do you think the clouds will go away?” Eleanor asked as she walked over to where he stood. “Hannah has been asking about looking at the stars tonight.”
“I don’t think the sky will be clear by then,” Adam said.
Then he looked at Eleanor, his eyes warm with faith and confidence. “Maybe Christmas night will be better. Maybe everything will be better by then.”
“Did you write a letter?” she asked with her throat tight. She hadn’t meant to ask, but how could she not?
“No.” He looked up in surprise and then seemed to understand. “I’m never writing that letter.”
With that, he opened his arms and Eleanor found herself sliding into his embrace as though it was the natural thing to do. His shirt was cold as she laid her cheek against it. He wrapped his arms around her tight and they just stood there.
“Christmas is a time of hope, after all,” he said softly as he moved far enough away to brush the hair away from her face. “I’m not giving you up.”
Eleanor looked at his eyes, memorizing them for her dreams. “But your mother—”
“I’m not giving you up,” he repeated. “That’s all I know.”
Finally, Hannah’s voice came to them. “Is it dark yet? Can we light the candle?”
Eleanor turned to see the little girl looking at them impatiently.
“Let’s eat first, shall we?” she said as she started to walk toward the table. “Then we’ll light the candle after we read the Christmas story. Just before you go to bed.”
Hannah nodded.
“That way you’ll have Christmas dreams,” Eleanor turned to say to the girl.
With Hannah’s encouragement, their supper was over and they were gathered in front of the fire before much time had passed. Adam’s mother sat on the stool and everyone else sat on the buffalo robe. Adam had brought in plenty of wood and stacked it high so the flame would give off enough light for him to read from the Bible.
As Adam read the holy words, he stopped at the first mention of shepherds and looked over at Eleanor with a smile.
His mother cleared her throat before Eleanor could say anything in response.
“We know,” the older woman said impatiently. “The sheep were good enough for God. You don’t have to tell us.”
“But I didn’t mean—” Adam turned to his mother in startled distress.
Eleanor thought the other woman looked tired and discouraged.
“Just read the story,” his mother snapped.
And so he did. Hannah’s face lit up at the mention of the star that had guided the wise men. And Eleanor smiled when they wrapped the baby in swaddling clothes.
“I never realized what ordinary people Mary and Joseph were,” Adam said as he finally closed the Bible. They were quiet together for a while after that, each watching the fire and remembering what had happened thousands of years ago.
Finally, Eleanor reached over for the long twig she’d taken out of the wood box earlier so that Hannah would be able to light the candle in the window.
Adam lifted his daughter up and Eleanor handed the girl the smoldering twig.
“Careful now,” she said as Hannah held the twig out to light the candle that was balanced on the sill. The night was dark outside but tiny flakes of snow flew past the window.
When the girl drew the twig back slightly, Eleanor stepped forward and took it so she could blow it out.
Adam’s mother walked over and stood next to them as they watched the candle burn.
“Peace on earth and good will to men,” Eleanor muttered after a bit.
Then Adam suggested they form a circle and pray together. The wind outside had grown worse and a shiver ran down Eleanor’s back as she reached out her hands to Adam and Hannah. She had one more day to be in this family circle, she thought as she bowed her head. And then she didn’t know what God had for her.
“We’re grateful for the birth of Your Son, Lord,” Adam prayed, his head bowed and his voice reverent. “It’s a mystery to me that You would give Your Son to make us your family, but we’re grateful all the same. Keep us mindful of Your love for us. Amen.”
Adam’s mother and daughter went to the back room to get ready for bed, but Adam stood with Eleanor watching the embers of the fire.
“My mother will come around,” he said after a minute. “She might be difficult, but she loves me and Hannah.”
“I know,” Eleanor said, wishing it wasn’t so. If his mother was cold toward her son and granddaughter, the choice would not be difficult. Eleanor would stay. But how could she marry Adam if it meant his family was broken apart?
Fortunately, he did not ask her to make a choice. He might not even realize there was a choice. Instead, he wrapped her in his arms again briefly before saying he needed to finish his work in the shelter and that he’d see her in the morning.
Eleanor didn’t want him to leave, but nodded, anyway. It would take her hours to do what she needed to do for tomorrow, as well.
* * *
Adam glanced back at Eleanor before he opened the door. He didn’t like leaving her alone, not when she stood there in the firelight with her copper hair shining and her eyes dark with sadness.
“We need to have faith,” he whispered across the room.
She nodded, but did not hold his gaze for long.
“I’ll see you in a few hours,” he added.
“Christmas morning,” she said with a smile. “Hannah will be up early.”
With that, he opened the door and faced the storm outside. Gradually, his eyes adjusted to the dark and he could see enough to follow the walls of the house until he found the door to the shelter. He had carried the presents he’d bought in Miles City into the shelter this afternoon.
In anticipation of meeting Eleanor, he’d brought a hat that his mother had selected f
rom those on display at a small shop on the edge of town. He’d known all day that the hat was not something Eleanor would like so he’d decided to give it to his mother along with the brooch he’d picked out for her when he first heard she was coming.
Hannah’s gift was a new gray coat with a black velvet collar. He’d sent away for it months ago.
Once he had decided not to give the hat to Eleanor, he’d sat down and thought about what he could give her instead. He had a few finishing touches to add to her gift, but since it was dark, he’d have to complete it in the morning. Hopefully, the horses would be cooperative then so he could continue to use them as his guide.
Adam settled down in the hay even though he could still hear movements on the other side of the fireplace. Eleanor was up, watching over the fire again. He could not remember the last time Christmas had much meaning for him. But thinking of her and all she had done to make the holiday joyous for his daughter almost overwhelmed him. He knew she was restless and not settled in his family yet, but the time had to come.
We need her, Lord, he prayed. Help her to know she belongs here with us.
Chapter Eight
Eleanor woke slowly, realizing the wind had died down. The fire was almost out and there was barely enough light in the room to see the walls and furniture. She’d fallen asleep late last night on the buffalo robe, but the new day already showed promise. A faint pink glow in the window meant the sun was struggling to come up. The storm was over.
It was Christmas morning and, as she lay there, she heard a rustling in the other room.
She scarcely had time to slip the presents she’d made last night under her blanket before the sound of little feet made her look up to see Hannah peek around the curtain.
“She’s awake,” the girl turned to whisper to her grandmother who was still in the back room. “Can I go out now?”
Eleanor heard a mumbled answer, which must have been yes since Hannah came into the room, her face alive with excitement.
“Merry Christmas,” Eleanor whispered as she sat up and opened her arms.
The little girl hurried to her for a hug.
Eleanor didn’t want to let go when she held the child. But Hannah had other things on her mind.
“Are there presents?” the girl asked as she studied the tree, trying to see the shapes around it in the dim light.
“We have to wait for your father and your grandmother,” Eleanor insisted. “Let’s go over and sit at the table and I’ll make you a cup of my Christmas tea.”
“You have Christmas tea?” she squealed. “Is it for little girls, too?”
“It’s especially for them,” Eleanor said as she stood up and smoothed back her hair. Fortunately, she’d slept in one of her wool dresses so she could leave the blanket on the buffalo robe to cover the presents.
Hannah got the tin cups down from the lowest shelf while Eleanor put some water into the kettle. She’d thought of the tea last night and taken what she needed out of her valise so she had enough dried spices to make the fragrant drink she remembered serving to her father last winter. With a few drops of the peppermint oil, it would taste festive enough to be served in the finest establishment on the East Coast. She would taste it first, though, just to be sure the peppermint mixed well. She wanted to avoid any criticisms Adam’s mother might make today.
A knock on the shelter side of the fireplace let them know Adam was awake. Hannah rushed over and knocked back so he’d know to come join them.
While the girl rushed to invite her grandmother to have tea with them, Eleanor was able to slip her presents beneath the tree. She hadn’t been able to wrap them and her gift for Adam was only partially completed.
It took a few minutes for everyone to gather and sit at the table, but in that short time the sun rose more fully and the shadows in the cabin gave way to daylight. Before long, the whole cabin smelled of peppermint and spice.
At the table, Eleanor and Hannah shared a trunk for seating. Adam’s mother had the stool and he sat on the other trunk.
“Wonderful tea,” Adam said after a long sip.
“Thank you,” Eleanor said. She’d managed to not only taste the tea, but to slip into the back room and change into another dress before Adam came over. She’d saved a red ribbon to wear around her neck and it made even the gray flannel look festive.
“Isn’t the tea wonderful, Mother?” Adam asked.
“She doesn’t need to—” Eleanor began, but the older woman interrupted.
“Yes, of course. No one ever said the woman couldn’t make a decent cup of tea.”
Eleanor hid a smile. She rather thought that had been implied in the general criticisms the other woman had made of her skills as a hostess. But she didn’t want to hold a grudge. “Thank you.”
No one had any appetite for cold beans, not when they were going to have a meal of roasted trout and bacon-fried onions in a few hours, so they lingered over their tea. Adam was the first one to suggest they sing a Christmas hymn, but then Eleanor had a few favorites, too. Even Mrs. Martin asked them to sing ‘Silent Night.’”
Finally, it was time to open the presents. They moved back to the fireplace, with Adam’s mother on the stool, and the rest of them sitting on the buffalo robe.
“We’ll take turns giving out the gifts,” Adam said once they were all comfortable. “Hannah you can be first to pass the presents you’re giving.”
The girl sprang up from where she was sitting and walked as fast as she could. She’d put her gifts behind the tree and knew exactly where they were. She pulled out three packages wrapped in brown paper.
Eleanor was proud of the girl as she gave her father the present she’d made for him. Adam opened it and thanked her in genuine delight as he looked at the handkerchief she’d embroidered with his initials. He passed the cloth to Eleanor so she could see it, as well.
“Very nice,” she complimented the beaming girl. “I know grown women who don’t have as fine a hand at embroidery as you do.”
The girl then produced two ladies handkerchiefs, one for her grandmother and one for Eleanor.
“I made them before I came,” the girl confessed as she sat back down close to her father. “Grandma said I should make them with your married initials.”
“Well, they are perfect,” Eleanor said. “You did such a nice job on the E and the M.”
Adam’s mother was next and she went into the back room and brought out two hat boxes.
“They weren’t all filled with my hats.” The woman smiled as she gave one of the boxes to her son and the other to Hannah. “I just figured no one cared enough about hats to be curious and look inside them.”
Adam opened his box and found a white Stetson.
“For when you’re an important cattle rancher,” the woman said to him. “Why, you might even end up in politics. Governor, even. Wouldn’t that be something fine?”
“Thank you, Mother,” Adam said politely. “I’ll keep it for church.”
Eleanor knew white would not wear well around here, but it was a handsome hat. There was no time to voice her admiration for the gift though because Hannah had opened her box.
“Ohhhhh,” the girl screamed as she reached in and pulled out a beautiful china doll with long blond ringlets and a blue silk dress. Hannah looked up at her grandmother. “She’s for me? I’ve never seen such a pretty doll.”
“Of course it’s for you. Come give me a hug, then,” her grandmother suggested in an indulgent voice.
Hannah did just that, holding on to the older woman long enough to make tears form in the woman’s eyes.
“And now it’s Eleanor’s turn,” Adam said.
She nodded shyly and stood to walk over to the tree. Her handmade gifts didn’t seem so grand when compared to the ones Mrs. Martin had given. But they came from her heart, she told herself.
She hadn’t had paper or a box to wrap her gifts, so she folded her skirt around the one for Hannah as she walked over to where the little girl sat on
the older woman’s lap.
“This is for you, Hannah,” she said as she brought the gift out and held it out to the girl.
“Ohhh.” Hannah set her doll down on her grandmother’s lap and reached for the black stuffed lamb Eleanor had hand-stitched for her last night. “For me?”
The girl clutched the lamb to her chest, and now the tears were in her eyes. “I’ve never had a lamb before. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Eleanor said.
Just then a horse neighed and some bells rang nearby.
“That must be the Hargroves,” Jake said as he stood up.
“The girls?” Hannah asked although no one had time to answer because there was a knock at the door and, before anyone could think, the small cabin was bursting with Christmas greetings.
“My wife wanted us to come in caroling,” Jake said, as he stood grinning in the doorway with his family behind him.
“Come in. Come in,” Eleanor invited them.
“Of course, we couldn’t agree on which song to sing so we thought we’d wait and get warm first.” As Adam spoke he stepped to the side and, a pleasant-faced woman and toddler entered, followed by two brown-skinned girls, with their shiny black hair pulled back into long center braids and their brown eyes bright with eagerness.
“My word,” Adam’s mother gasped loudly. She stood up from the stool and gawked at them. “They’re Indians.”
Everything went silent. Even the cat stopped walking across the floor.
“I’m—I’m sorry,” Adam finally breathed out as his stricken eyes sought out those of his guests. “I forgot to mention anything to my mother. That is, she’s from back East and—”
Jake and his wife looked around the cabin cautiously.
“We’ve been so excited that you were coming,” Eleanor rushed to say as she took a step toward the family in the doorway. “Please come in. You must be cold. I’ve made some of my special Christmas tea and I can’t wait for all of you to taste it.”
She was talking too fast. She knew that. But no one moved.
“Please,” Eleanor said again as she slowed her voice and opened her hand, hoping the gesture would show them they were indeed welcome.