“If I wake up on time. I might be up all night making those pies,” Katie joked.
“Do you need any help? I may not be able to bake, but I would be happy to measure or pour ingredients,” Aaron suggested.
Katie shook her head. “I would like that, but it’s too tempting. I don’t think we should be alone together anymore. You’ve seen what happens.”
Aaron sighed. “You’re right. As much as I wish things were different, they aren’t. I’ll go.”
Katie walked Aaron to the door. “Thank you for stopping by. I’m glad you didn’t leave before we resolved things. I was upset after our last conversation.”
“I feel the same way,” Aaron told her. “Thank you, Katie.” He reached out and tucked a stray piece of her hair behind her ear. “I’ll never forget you.”
Katie’s body responded to Aaron’s touch, fighting desperately to get closer to him, but she stayed where she was. “Good night, Aaron.” She closed the door, then turned and slumped against it, sinking to the floor. Her heart pounded. She knew she was doing the right thing in letting Aaron go. Why did it feel so wrong?
Chapter Ten
“Jasper, get down from there!”
“Merry Christmas, Uncle Timothy!”
“Amy, make sure you’re holding the baby’s head up...”
“Who wants a peppermint stick?”
Aaron looked around the church in amazement. The space was filled with people, and nearly all of them seemed to be related to Katie in some way.
The boys were having a ball. They played with Katie’s nieces and nephews, laughing and frolicking around the church. Aaron hoped everyone would quiet down and behave themselves for the church service. Fortunately, they would be eating after church, which meant no one had consumed any of the sixteen pies Edna Petunia and Katie carried.
“One for good luck,” Edna Petunia winked at Aaron as she waved one in front of his nose.
Sarah Jane ran around the room, trying to find space for more pies. “I thought you said you were bringing five, Edna Petunia, not sixteen!” Sarah Jane complained.
Katie grinned. “Well, better to have too many than not enough!”
Theresa, rubbing her protruding stomach, came up to admire the pies. “Don’t worry, Sarah Jane. There won’t be many leftovers once I’m finished eating.” She turned to Aaron. “I’m eating for two,” Theresa explained before she returned to tending to the babies her husband, Cody, carried in a large bassinette.
Another of Katie’s sisters, Hope, giggled. “As if you couldn’t tell she was pregnant! She’s huge!”
Aaron smiled politely, not wanting to say anything that would offend any of the Sanders family members. He looked again at the infants in the bassinette, confused. “Are those her children, too?” The babies seemed too small for her to have another one on the way, but he wasn’t as well-versed in child rearing as the others seemed to be. The babies must have been older than they appeared.
Katie nodded. “They are, but she didn’t give birth to them. She adopted them after finding them on the steps of the schoolhouse, actually!”
“Someone left those babies on the steps to a schoolhouse?” Aaron asked, horrified. He was glad that one of the Sanders girls had been the one to find them. He knew the babies were in good hands now.
“Yes. We never found out who the birth parents are. So Theresa and Cody married and adopted them,” Katie explained. “Now they’re expecting another baby, so they’ll have their hands full.” She felt wistful as she watched Theresa cradle one of the twins. Would she ever get the chance to do that with her own child?
“Wow,” Aaron said. Just then, a young girl walked up to them.
“Aunt Katie! You look beautiful!” Amy Brooks said admiringly.
Katie bent down and gave Amy a big hug. “So do you, Amy. I love your hair.” She touched the red velvet bow that adorned Amy’s head. “This is my niece, Amy,” Katie introduced.
“Hi, Amy,” Aaron said kindly. “What do you want for Christmas this year?”
Amy smiled. “I want our whole family to be healthy and happy.” She spotted one of her brothers and skipped away.
Aaron was touched by the small girl’s words. “What a remarkable child.”
Katie watched her niece playing with the other children. “She really is. Her mother and father died from illness a few years back, so she’s very sensitive to matters of health. Who knows, maybe she’ll be a doctor one day, like Dr. Iris!”
“If her parents died, how is she related to you?” Aaron asked.
“My sister Betsy married her older brother, Charles. Since then, they’ve basically raised her as their own. Charles is much older than his siblings, so it worked out.” Just then, a man came up and wrapped Katie in a big, one-armed hug.
Aaron felt jealous of the man coming so close to Katie. Then he startled as he realized the man only had one arm. In the place of where his other arm should have been, he wore a hook.
“Aaron Cavett, this is my brother-in-law, Will Hart. Fastest roper you’ve ever seen,” Katie said proudly.
“Pleasure. I’ve heard a lot about the work you’re doing to place these boys in good homes. Wish we could take the whole lot ourselves, but we haven’t got enough room. I hope you find homes for all of them,” Will said genuinely.
Aaron smiled. Will was smooth and easy to talk to. He had thought he would feel uncomfortable chatting with a man who had a hook in place of an arm, but instead it felt completely natural.
Will checked around the room. “I think I lost Hattie and the baby again. I’ll see you later, after the service.” He rushed off to find his wife.
Aaron blinked. “I don’t know how you keep track of all of your sisters and all their children and husbands.”
Katie shrugged. “Every single one has his or her own personality. It’s a lot of fun!”
“I can imagine it would be.” Aaron watched as the cousins laughed and carried on together. “When I was little, a big family like this was what I always dreamed of.”
“Me, too,” Katie agreed. She became upset as she thought about how Aaron was leaving after the Christmas celebration, but she tried to stay calm. She hoped he would like the surprises they had planned for him.
“Sh!” Sarah Jane hissed.
Around the room, pockets of children and adults grew quiet while other groups continued talking. Finally, a loud, shrill whistle hushed the room.
Edna Petunia turned to Sarah Jane, looking very pleased with herself. “Go ahead, dear.”
Sarah Jane looked sternly around the room. “Let’s all be quiet and respectful as we begin the Christmas service.”
Everyone nodded in agreement, and Micah walked to the front of the church. “Family and friends, Merry Christmas to all of you, and welcome to our community. I’m so glad all of you are here tonight.”
As Micah spoke, Aaron marveled at the warmth and comfort he felt inside the church. Everyone was so kind and supportive. He had never been in a town that felt that way before. He certainly didn’t feel that in New York.
As the service went on, Jacob nudged Katie. “I’m nervous.”
“It’s normal to be nervous,” Katie reassured him. “That means you want to do a good job. I know you can do it.”
Jacob nodded, but he didn’t seem sure. Katie patted his knee.
Soon, it was Katie’s turn to sing. She rose from her spot in the pew and ventured to the front of the room. As she sang, her voice spread and filled the entire church.
Cletus closed his eyes. It was true that his daughter had the voice of an angel. She had a true gift.
Aaron always loved hearing Katie sing, but that evening, her voice brought tears to his eyes. Knowing it was the last time he would hear her sing made it even more bittersweet.
As Katie came to the middle of the song, she pointed out into the audience. One by one, each of the fifteen Robert Ballinger Institution orphans joined her at the front of the church. In unison, they began to accompany her,
singing in delicate harmony with Katie’s remarkable voice.
Aaron was blown away. More tears sprang from his eyes. He hadn’t realized any of his boys could sing like this. Katie’s voice and teaching had elevated them to a level he had never dreamed of. Aaron also recognized the tune. It was his favorite church hymn. Aaron shook his head in wonder.
Katie saw Aaron in the crowd, looking amazed at the performance. She smiled at him, hoping that he would see that she was looking only at him. Although she understood why, she hated that he had to leave. She would never forget Aaron or the love that they’d shared.
As she sang, Katie wondered if she’d ever be able to move on. Although she didn’t like the prospect of it, she hoped that she would be able to fall in love with someone else. She still wanted to become a mother and raise a wriggly, happy group of children. It was all she had ever wanted. It wouldn’t be with Aaron; that much was clear. But she hoped that future awaited her.
After church, Gertrude followed the children around, making sure they weren’t disturbing the presents scattered beneath the Christmas trees the Bartons had put up at the back of the church. “No peeking!”
Jed, Gertrude’s freewheeling husband, trailed behind her, winking at the children and shaking the boxes to try to guess what was inside.
Gertrude whirled around, catching Jed in the act. “Jed! You’re as bad as our children!”
Jed simply grinned and kissed her on the lips. “I’m lucky that I’m married to you, then. You’re so good, you balance me out!”
Opal chased after her twins. “I see those chocolates—you’ll spoil your appetite!”
“Have you seen Aaron?” Evelyn asked Katie. “Frank’s looking for him. Needs to have a word.”
Katie blushed. “Why are you assuming I know where Aaron is?”
Evelyn laughed at Katie’s expression. “You don’t have to play games. You know how our sisters are. Word travels fast. We all know that you and Aaron are involved.”
Katie shook her head sadly. “He’s leaving, though.”
Just then, Sarah Jane called for attention again. “We are so thankful to the Lord for this family, this food, and this fellowship. May He bless us with another wonderful holiday.”
Everyone murmured their approval.
At last, Jed called, “Let’s eat!”
Everyone made a mad dash for the food except for Katie. She was curious about Evelyn’s question. Where was Aaron? Katie planned to give him his gift as soon as dinner was over.
She looked around for Edna Petunia. The woman somehow seemed to know where everyone was at all times. But for some reason, Edna Petunia was nowhere to be found, either. Katie’s stomach rumbled. She got in line with the others, waiting for her turn to load her plate with holiday treats.
Katie took a seat next to her sister Betsy at the tables Sarah Jane and Micah had set up inside the church. “Have you seen Edna Petunia?”
Betsy shook her head. “It’s hard to keep track of anyone in this family! Why are you looking for her?”
“No reason,” Katie said. She began to eat her dinner. Each of the Sanders sisters had made a different main course, side dish, or dessert, and the result was an incredible feast of diverse foods. Katie had taken a small amount of nearly everything, hoping to taste it all.
Katie looked for Aaron all through dinner, but couldn’t find him. She spotted Edna Petunia speaking to Martha and Minnie and approached the group. “Edna Petunia, have you seen Aaron? He didn’t already leave, did he?”
Edna Petunia frowned and looked around the church.
Just then, Cletus stepped to the front of the church. “Attention, everyone! Let the gift-giving begin!”
To Katie’s relief, Aaron walked back into the church, talking to Jed. She wondered what they had been doing outside.
The younger children ran around the church, searching for gifts with their names on them. The older children went a bit slower, but were still excited. Katie decided it was time for her announcement. “Each of us families picked the name of one of the orphans. Each one of you is getting a gift!”
The Sanders sisters and their spouses, Edna Petunia and Cletus, and Katie took their gifts out and approached the recipients.
Katie walked up to Aaron and handed him the small package, wrapped in brown paper. “Merry Christmas,” she whispered. “We’re all going to miss you so much.”
Aaron opened his mouth to say something, but stopped. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”
Katie smiled. “I know.”
Aaron lifted the paper, taking care not to tear it. He removed the paper and held up a leather-bound book. “Thank you. I can’t accept such a fine gift.”
“You’re going to have to, though,” Katie pointed to the spine. Aaron’s initials were engraved on the book.
“Thank you. I’ll put it to good use,” Aaron said, still in disbelief that after everything, Katie could be so kind and thoughtful toward him.
“There’s more,” Katie added. “Take a look inside.”
On the inside cover of the book, each of Aaron's fifteen pupils had scrawled his name and a message to Aaron. Once again, Aaron was overcome by emotion. “I love it,” he whispered, pulling Katie in for a hug. “Thank you.”
Katie stepped back before she could fall under Aaron’s spell yet again. “You’re welcome.”
Katie made her way through the crowd, spotting Alice and her husband, Mark. They were watching Callum open his gift, a toy train car.
“I love it!” Callum shouted, excitement dancing in his eyes. He grabbed the toy and ran off to show it to Jacob.
Katie laughed. “Seeing them smile makes me so happy.”
“It’s all because of you,” Alice told Katie. “This was a wonderful idea.”
Katie shook her head. “We’ve all done a lot to make this work. I only hope that they’ll find permanent homes here.”
Alice and Mark exchanged a look.
“What’s wrong?” Katie asked, suddenly concerned.
“Nothing at all!” Alice said brightly. “Oh, hi, Hattie!” Alice waved across the room toward Hattie.
Katie frowned. Something was wrong. Alice was acting very strangely.
Sure enough, Hattie crossed the room to greet Alice and Katie. “Oh, Katie, your singing was just beautiful! As always. You really are something,” Hattie complimented.
“Thank you,” Katie said warily.
Hattie looked around the room, like there was something specific she was checking for.
“Hattie, what are you looking for?” Katie asked.
Suddenly, Hattie dumped the glass of milk she was holding all over Katie’s dress. “Oh, my! I’m so clumsy! I’m sorry, Katie.”
Katie squirmed as the cold milk soaked through her blouse.
“Does anyone have a towel?” Alice called, but didn’t move to find one.
Sarah Jane flew over. “Oh, Katie, come with me, I’ll get you all cleaned up!”
Katie breathed a sigh of relief. Sarah Jane would take care of this.
Sarah Jane led Katie to the living quarters and pulled her into the bedroom. “The only problem is, all my clothes are in the wash. Except for what I’m wearing, of course.” She peeked into her wardrobe. “Hm. The only thing I have...but no, you won’t want to wear this!” She pulled out a white wedding dress.
Katie’s eyes filled with tears. It was too much. “But that’s the dress you wore, and Ruby, and Mrs. Hayes...”
Sarah Jane bit her lip. “I’m so sorry. It’s truly the only thing I own that’s clean. Would that be all right?”
Katie shrugged. “It will be warmer than this wet blouse, that’s for certain.”
“Hang on a moment,” Sarah Jane said. She disappeared and returned a few minutes later with Penny.
Penny looked at the dress critically. “Let me make a few adjustments.” She pulled out a needle and thread and began altering the dress to fit Katie better, while Katie was still wearing it.
“What is goi
ng on?” Katie wondered out loud. “You’re all acting so strange! I’m only going to wear this dress for a few hours. It doesn’t have to fit me perfectly.”
Sarah Jane and Penny looked at each other and laughed. Katie sighed.
Ten minutes later, she walked out into the church.
Aaron Cavett stepped to the front of the church. “I want to thank everyone for all the work you’ve done on behalf of the boys. Thanks to you, each and every one of them will have a permanent home.”
Katie’s jaw dropped. She couldn’t believe Aaron had found homes for all the orphans. She knew he had been working very hard on it, but Nowhere was a small town. She couldn’t believe everything had worked out.
“The even better news is that even though the boys will live in separate homes, they’ll be related by a common thread. The Sanders family. Everyone in this town has been wonderful, but you all have been especially gracious and welcoming. Thank you,” Aaron continued.
Katie looked puzzled.
“But there’s one more announcement I have to make, and it’s really more of a question. Katie Sanders, will you marry me?”
Everyone turned to stare at Katie. She felt like the room was spinning. Tears clouded her eyes as she stepped forward toward Aaron.
Dorothy stuffed a bouquet of flowers into her hand.
Edna Petunia clasped a gold bracelet around her wrist. “I love you, dear.”
“I love you, too,” Katie replied. She couldn’t believe what was happening. Was her Christmas wish actually coming true?
Katie looked at Aaron in amazement. “What’s going on? And where have you been all night?”
Aaron looked sheepish. “Your gifts gave me a great idea. What if the Sanders family adopted one orphan each? Everyone has enough room for one extra person, and the family is so close that the boys will feel like they’re still being raised together. Oh, there’s one more thing.”
Katie put a hand up. “Wait. You said each family...are Edna Petunia and Cletus taking a boy, too?”
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