Daughter of Joy by Kathleen Morgan

Author:Kathleen Morgan
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: ebook
Publisher: Publisher
Published: 2007-06-16T16:00:00+00:00

Abby slid the last tray of cookies from the cookstove oven and placed it on a trivet to cool. Then she turned to survey the results of the past several hours’ work. Across the big kitchen tabletop, covered with old newspapers, sat five plates of colorfully decorated cookies, a dark, rich fruitcake brimming with nuts and candied fruit, two pumpkin and one dried apple pie.

The kitchen was fragrant with the scent of baked goods. Abby knew the mouthwatering smells must surely be seeping under the parlor’s closed door, where Conor and Beth MacKay were engrossed in some secret undertaking. At yet another peel of girlish laughter emanating from the other room, she smiled. It was good to hear Beth so happy. Perhaps it would indeed be a merry Christmas for them all.

Abby glanced at the small, polished oak cabinet clock sitting on the cupboard shelf. Half past nine. It would soon be time to head off to her own bunkhouse and bed. But not before, she quickly reminded herself, setting out the manger scene that she had and used every Christmas Eve since she was a child.

It would be the only holiday decorating she planned to do in her own little dwelling, and only there because such a blatant religious symbol would hardly be permitted in the MacKay household. Sadly, they hadn’t even thought to put up a Christmas tree and decorate it. Knowing that, Abby was certain Conor would never tolerate her manger scene.

She sighed. Though much progress had been made in the past weeks, she feared the name of God would never be allowed here. Still, it was Christmas. In the morning, Abby intended on giving out the gifts she had brought and made. Surely even Conor would not begrudge her that small token of the holy season.

When the last batch of cookies had cooled, Abby lifted them from the cookie sheet and onto the last empty plate. She decorated the little gingerbread men with the remaining icing, used colored candies for their eyes and mouths, then stepped back to study them with satisfaction. As she did, the parlor door opened, then closed again.

“Abby?”

She turned to find Beth standing there, dressed in a ruffled blue gingham dress, black stockings, and hightopped, buttoned shoes. Her hair was neatly combed, her cheeks flushed, her eyes bright with excitement.

Both delighted and surprised, Abby cocked her head. “Well, don’t you look pretty?”

Beth glanced down, suddenly shy. “Do you really think so?”

After wiping her hands on her white cotton apron, Abby walked over and crooked the girl beneath her chin. Raising her head, she smiled down at her. “Oh, yes. I do indeed.”

“I think you’re pretty, too.”

“Me?” It was Abby’s turn to blush. “Why, thank you, Beth. That’s one of the nicest compliments I’ve ever had.”

The girl grabbed her hand. “Come on. I’ve got something to show you. Something Papa and I did just for you.”

Abby arched a brow in surprise. Then, realizing how she must look after hours of baking, she pulled back.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.