Mail Order Husband by Mills DiAnn

Author:Mills, DiAnn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2013-10-09T04:00:00+00:00

twelve

“You’re right, Gabe. It’s snowing too hard to attend church tonight,” Lena said with a disappointed sigh. Already at midday, she could barely see through the window for the driving snow. “I’d looked forward to driving into Archerville for the Christmas Eve services.”

“We can conduct our own,” Gabe replied with a reassuring smile. “It won’t be the same for you, because I know how you enjoy visiting with the other members, hearing the sermon, and singing, but we’ll honor the Lord’s birth just the same.”

“Oh, I know you’re right, and you’ve looked forward to tonight too,” she said. “I’ve noticed how you enjoy the minister’s company.” She tilted her head. “Seems like Christmas Eve should be spent with others, but we’ll make do just fine.”

“Of course we will. I’d like to involve the boys in our own little service, and I do have something for each of you.”

“You do?” When did he purchase gifts? The occasions they’d ridden into Archerville for supplies, she’d been with him the entire time.

He offered a wry grin. “I purchased gifts in Philadelphia before boarding the train there.”

“Mine are very small,” she said, “and not fancy.”

Gabe reached for her hand—an infrequent action for him. “You, Caleb, and Simon are my Christmas treasures. With you, I am the wealthiest man alive.”

His words moved her to tears, for she knew without a doubt he meant every word. Although no mention of love had crossed their lips, she felt it growing as each day passed.

“Gabe, I have never met a man with such a giving spirit. I feel as though you know our needs before we speak them.”

His gaze met hers, sealing those words she wanted to say but couldn’t—not until he spoke them first. “Next to God, my family is my life.”

Oh, my dear Gabe. I never dreamed I could learn to love you, but you have made it easy.

That night after a hearty supper of ham, turnips, white-flour biscuits—which were a rare treat—and a pie made from dried pumpkins, they gathered around the fireplace to hear the Christmas story. Pushing back the rocker, all four sat on the rag rug. Caleb and Simon read from Luke, and Lena led in singing Christmas carols. Outside the wind whistled as it often did during snowstorms, but somehow it didn’t sound threatening as the story of Jesus’ birth unfolded before them.

“I have an idea,” Gabe said, “one I think you’ll enjoy. Caleb, I want you to pretend you are a shepherd boy. You’ve heard the angel’s proclamation of Jesus’ birth and are hurrying with the other shepherds to see the baby. Unfortunately, you must assist an aging shepherd who has difficulty walking. All the others leave you behind.”

Caleb stared into the fire for a moment. He nibbled on his lip, then turned to Gabe. “Knowing me, I’d feel sad the other shepherds would see the baby Jesus before me.”

“Only sad?” Gabe asked.

“Well, probably a little angry.” Caleb glanced at his younger brother. “Sometimes when I have to wait for Simon to tag along with me, I get mad.

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