Hell's Glen: A Thrilling and Fast-Pace Gritty Romantic-Suspense by H. J. Russell

Author:H. J. Russell [Russell, H. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-05-30T16:00:00+00:00

IMMANUEL

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

HEBREWS 11:1

Kathryn

The stained-glass windows of the church glowed with pillar candles burning in each arch, and garlands hung between them. A large Christmas tree festooned with silver baubles and fairy lights stood next to the pulpit, and a nativity scene complete with straw and stuffed animals lay beneath the altar. A small choir of children sung carols as Jamie and Kathryn took up their usual seats for the Christmas Eve service.

Simon led the celebrations and after hymns and a prayer, young children enacted the nativity. One of the wise men muddled his lines up after gold was presented, saying “Frank sent this”, and there was laughter. When the youngest children dressed as angels filed down the aisle singing Silent Night, a glassy-eyed Kathryn put a hand to her chest and oohed along with the rest of the congregation.

Simon gave a touching sermon on the true meaning of Christmas and, at the end, invited everyone to turn to their neighbour and wish them goodwill. After shaking hands with those around them, Jamie turned to Kathryn and their eyes locked. He dipped his head and placed a tender kiss on her lips that made her breath catch. The kiss lingered. When he pulled away, they gazed at one another until the people around them began to leave. Was he just playing his part, she wondered? After, he led her towards the community hall where they’d been invited to dine, and when he squeezed her hand, tendrils of awareness crept up her arm and her pulse raced.

Long refectory tables covered in white linen and decorated with wreaths lined the hall, and they found themselves sitting opposite Simon and Hazel. After shaking hands, Simon poured them each a glass of wine and they chatted about the beautiful service. The hall was filled with the sound of laughter, children and music. Women placed warm plates in front of them laden with slices of venison, and they helped themselves from dishes of potatoes and vegetables. As Kathryn ate, a large hand suddenly pressed down on her shoulder and she flinched. Twisting around, she found Marcus behind her.

“Are you enjoying the stag your husband shot?”

Everyone laughed at her expression and through a mouthful, she mumbled, “Absolutely delicious, in fact I might have seconds” which caused more laughter. Jamie leaned in and kissed her temple and they grinned at each other.

When Marcus had gone, Hazel cast him a dark look and muttered, “He just had to tell you that didn’t he?” When Simon shot her a pointed glance, she added, “Well, there was no need.”

A silence descended which Jamie broke by topping up their glasses, and they resumed chatting. When the women began to clear the plates, Kathryn offered to help and she found herself in the kitchen scraping and rinsing dishes with Hazel. Once everything was washed and put away, they returned to the men, and families began to gather up their children and go home.

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