O Holy Night by Amy Clipston

Author:Amy Clipston
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2020-09-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Cal couldn’t take his eyes off Elaine during supper. He studied her long neck and gorgeous profile—her high cheekbones, her pink lips, her cute little nose.

His mouth dried as he looked down at his plate. Though he had no good reason to hope she’d ever like him as more than a friend, he couldn’t deny the intense feelings swelling in his heart. And he still wasn’t sure she’d ever even consider him a friend.

When they’d finished eating the main course, Mamm made coffee and Elaine served her pie. Cal enjoyed the delicious dessert while his parents continued to pepper the Lantzes with questions about their community in New Wilmington.

Elaine seemed shy, almost uncomfortable in her own skin as she gave terse answers to the questions directed at her. She clearly did not like to talk about herself. And he was sure she had no idea how beautiful she was.

When the pie was gone—every piece—and their mugs were empty, Elaine helped Mamm and Lovina clear the table.

“Abram,” Dat said. “Let’s go sit on the porch.” Then Dat turned to Cal and Ray. “We’ll enjoy this evening out there.”

Cal stood and headed out behind the other men. When he reached the doorway to the family room, though, he stopped and looked back at Elaine. She met his gaze and gave him a bashful smile, causing warmth to spread in his chest. He had to find a way to get her alone so they could talk. But how?

The question spun through his mind as he grabbed his jacket, then stepped onto the front porch, where Dat, Abram, and Ray had already chosen rockers. The sun had begun to set, sending brilliant hues of orange and red across the cloudless sky.

He sat in the swing at the far end of the porch, next to Ray’s chair. He pushed it into motion as he stared at the horizon, but he felt unsettled and anxious. He wanted to go back inside, take Elaine’s hand, and lead her out back, where they could sit and talk on a bench without an audience. But could he do that without embarrassing her? He didn’t think so.

“How do you like working in Mel’s shed shop?” Dat asked Abram.

“Very much,” Abram responded. “Our dat was a carpenter, and he assumed that both Mel and I would follow in his footsteps. He was surprised and not too froh when I moved to New Wilmington and worked on my father-in-law’s dairy farm instead.”

Dat chuckled. “I bet he was. I was just telling the family I’ve noticed that shop stays busy all year round.”

Cal tried to pay attention while the two older men talked, but it was sweet torture to be stuck out here while Elaine was inside. If only he had an excuse to return to the kitchen.

“Cal,” Ray whispered. “Are you all right?”

Cal stopped the swing and faced his brother. “Ya.”

Ray studied him. “You look . . . twitchy.”

“I am.” Cal was careful to keep his voice low. “I asked Mamm to invite the Lantz family over so I could get to know Elaine.

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