Forever Christmas by Cat Cahill

Author:Cat Cahill [Cahill, Cat]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cat Cahill
Published: 2019-11-11T06:00:00+00:00

NOON CAME AND WENT without the train from Cañon City arriving. With only hotel guests to feed, both the girls at the lunch counter and in the dining room finished the meal service far more quickly than usual.

When Elizabeth entered the lobby with Genia, she found Penny wandering like a fretting ghost with Dora, Adelaide, and a redheaded girl—Millie, Elizabeth remembered. Elizabeth had tried to keep her own fears at bay since early that morning. The train probably hadn’t left the station in Cañon City. Her brother and his wife were likely comfortable in a hotel there. And as much as she wished to see him again—and finally put her fears to rest—her heart broke for Penny, who was without her fiancé.

“We can always delay the weddings,” Dora was saying when Elizabeth and Genia approached them.

“But that’s not fair to you and Mr. Gilbert. Think of all our plans! I wouldn’t postpone your wedding.” Penny twisted her hands together as she glanced out the window. The wind and the snow had only increased in ferocity since early that morning. “I’m afraid for him. What if the train is stuck?”

The thought had crossed Elizabeth’s mind, but she’d batted it away like a fly over a summer meal. “They wouldn’t have left if the conductor saw a storm coming, would they?” she asked.

“I doubt it,” Millie said. “But Mr. McFarland informed Penny that a couple of men volunteered to ride up the tracks a ways to ensure all is well.” She turned to Penny. “If he’s out there, they’ll find him.”

Penny didn’t answer, and Elizabeth knew why. Riding out in this growing storm was danger in itself. Those men couldn’t go too far, or they’d risk getting lost or stuck themselves if the storm worsened.

“There’s nothing to do now but wait,” Adelaide said. A small smile crossed her face. “Although I’m surprised my brother didn’t fight off this storm singlehandedly. He’s never been one for patience.” When she saw Elizabeth’s confused look, she added, “Penny’s fiancé is my brother.”

Elizabeth’s heart warmed to the girl. Adelaide had shown her such kindness when Elizabeth had entered the hotel, desperate and alone. And now she also worried for a brother. Elizabeth reached for her hand. “I imagine he’s trading stories with Mr. Hartley about pesky little sisters.”

Adelaide gave her a grateful smile, even as Dora, Millie, and Genia traded confused looks.

Elizabeth wished there was something she could do to help them all take their minds from the situation. As she surveyed the lobby, her eyes landed on the proud but unadorned pine Landon had set up. “We should decorate the tree!”

One by one, the other girls nodded, and Dora even smiled. But Penny shook her head.

“Come on, Penny,” Elizabeth said. “It will be good for you to do something. Besides, the candles we place on the tree will shine through the window. It will act as a beacon. Maybe it will help draw those we love toward us.” It wasn’t as if Penny’s Sheriff Young

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