Chances Are by Wendy Lindstrom

Author:Wendy Lindstrom [Lindstrom, Wendy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: Rustic Studio Publishing
Published: 2016-07-08T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

December 25, 1890

Christmas morning dawned with full sun, a welcome relief from winter gray skies. A fresh top layer of crystalized snow had fallen overnight, giving everything outside a sparkling, magical appearance. The brightness of the day matched the brightness of Nancy’s mood. Despite the emotional exhaustion she’d felt the day before, she had slept well and felt refreshed.

She climbed out of the bed, eager to prepare breakfast for Dawson and her grandchildren. She had spent many Christmas mornings in this house alone, only visiting with her children and grandchildren later in the day, so this morning was a rare treat.

Dressing quickly, she pinned her hair up into a simple chignon at the nape of her neck and headed to the kitchen. As she set about preparing biscuits and gravy and bacon and eggs, she smiled at the thought of Dawson making pancakes. She thought that after spending three months visiting with him almost daily in Crane Landing she knew him well, but it seemed there was much yet to be discovered about the man.

He was a surprisingly good cook. He was handy around the house. He was playful and loving with children.

And that troubled her. Dawson deserved to have children of his own. She’d seen how much he enjoyed the kids, and how delighted he’d been at their antics. She knew in her heart that he would be a wonderful father—and she couldn’t be the one to deprive him that opportunity.

The thought nagged at her as she pulled the biscuits out of the oven and poured the gravy into the gravy boat. She had hoped to have a private word with Dawson before breakfast, but he came into the kitchen with Adam and Rebecca.

After greeting each other with hugs and wishing each other a Merry Christmas, they ate breakfast and began their day with lively conversation. Afterward, Nancy made tea and they retired to the parlor.

Adam retrieved another log from the wood box and placed it on the fire, giving it a firm poke with the andiron to nest it in the glowing coals. The fire blazed brighter, casting a warm glow across the parlor and reflecting off the ribbons and ornaments adorning her small Christmas tree in the front window. She hadn’t done much decorating for Christmas since Hal’s death, but having Adam, Rebecca and Dawson here changed things. For the first time in many years, she had decorated her home for the holiday.

Adam fetched a silver box from under the tree and gave it to Rebecca. She sat in the rocking chair, smiling up at him, her eyes filled with love. She cracked open the box, and her mouth fell open.

“Oh, Adam… It’s so beautiful.” Rebecca lifted an engraved gold locket in her fingers and examined it. “I’ll be able to put a lock of…” her words trailed off and she gave Adam an impish grin “…a lock of your hair in here.”

Adam took the locket from her hands, opened the clasp and draped it around her neck, fastening the clasp.

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