A Cardinal Christmas by LoRee Peery

Author:LoRee Peery [Peery, LoRee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian Fiction
ISBN: 9781522301707
Publisher: Pelican Book Group
Published: 2018-12-01T05:00:00+00:00

~*~

Boxes and totes without lids rested on every seat in the great room except Dad’s recliner. How he snoozed with all the noise Blythe and her mother made was a mystery. They worked comfortably together and every once in a while, hummed along with the carols sounding from the stereo. The tactile task of Christmas decorating, late as it was, her mother bemoaned, freed Blythe’s mind to go every which way.

Number one, her attraction for Werner. He was taking up way too much of her mental activity. Their time on the trail. How automatic it was to hold hands. They seemed linked together most where the old railroad tracks once joined small towns.

Mom had asked him to carry the five pole pine trees from basement storage. Four unopened boxes rested against the iron basement rails. His head appeared as he carried up the tallest, which was seven-feet and would end up near the hearth.

He grinned as he met Blythe’s gaze and tossed a wayward curl from his brow. “I’m still disappointed we didn’t go out and find a live one.”

What did a live Christmas tree represent to him? Stability? Everything about his life was on hold, temporary, even.

Except his faith.

“Show me where you want this, and then I’m ready for refreshment.”

Mom answered from where she arranged a nativity scene. “In line with the others. We’ll unwrap them here and you can put the boxes back in storage. Tomorrow, if you’re tired of the stairs.”

Blythe pecked him on the cheek on her way to the kitchen. “Hot chocolate or coffee?”

Mom snapped the lid on a tote. “Could you put on water for me, please? I’ll have tea since I’m fighting the clothes dryer. It’s shrunk every pair of pants I own.”

The three of them laughed.

“You’re just right, Mrs. Travis.” Werner had the second tree, this one a five-footer, out of its box in one swoop.

Mom swatted at Werner with flimsy plastic packing that flopped in the air. “Call me Bette Jean, mister.”

He extended a hand to encompass the space where they stood in the great room. “In all seriousness, I’ll never forget how you’ve welcomed me into your family, your business, and your home. You make me feel part of something. This is my first Christmas without my parents. I don’t have the words to say how I appreciate all of you.”

Blythe wrapped her fingers around the heart dangling above her breastbone. Their gazes met and communed. She broke eye contact first and glanced from Mom to Dad, where he stirred in the recliner. She’d spent way too many Christmases away from her parents. It was past time she soaked in the moments with them now. And Werner. She could get used to having him around, and she’d examine that realization later.

Dad grunted and repositioned his leg. “You fit right in, son. Glad to have you here. Never think you’re imposing.”

Werner came to her side. “I’ll get the mugs. Ross, what would you like to drink?”

“Coffee. Black. It’s time to ice my knee as well.

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