The Christmas Cat by Amy Clipston

Author:Amy Clipston
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2017-07-10T04:00:00+00:00

Emma’s heart raced as she placed Henry’s gifts on the kitchen table. She couldn’t wait for him to open them, and she was curious about what he would give her. She stared at the two boxes—one large and one small—and an unexpected pang of disappointment shot through her. Neither gift was much since the store was only now starting to turn around, but worse, neither was the one gift she’d most wanted to give him this year.

Closing her eyes, she heaved a deep, cleansing breath as she reminded herself of how blessed she and Henry were. They had a lovely home and a good, solid marriage. The store was starting to show a little profit. She consistently sold a good number of lap quilts, and she hosted dinners with her mother nearly every week to help with the bills. Their parents were healthy, and loving, supportive friends like Urie and Ella surrounded them. Emma and Henry had a good life together. They would have a child when God saw fit.

Emma refocused on the excitement of Christmas as she placed a platter of pancakes on the table next to the bacon, then filled their mugs with coffee. She had returned to the counter to fetch the sugar and creamer when arms encircled her from behind. Startled, she gasped.

“Frehlicher Grischtdaag.” Henry’s voice whispered against her ear, sending shivers cascading down her spine.

“Henry!” She spun, smacking him on the chest as his warm laugh filled the kitchen. “You startled me.”

“I know.” He touched the tip of her nose. “But I startle you when I’m wearing work boots. You never hear me.” He pulled her into his strong arms and kissed the top of her head.

Emma rested her cheek on his shoulder as she looped her arms around his neck. She closed her eyes and breathed in the familiar scent of his shampoo.

“Breakfast smells amazing.” Henry rested his chin on the scarf covering her hair, then released her from his embrace.

“Why don’t we eat before it gets cold?”

“Ya, that’s a gut idea.”

Emma found the sugar bowl and creamer and they sat down at the table.

After a silent prayer, they chatted about visiting their parents later in the day, and soon their plates were empty. Emma was nearly bursting with excitement to exchange gifts.

Henry reached down to the floor and lifted two boxes, each wrapped in bright red paper. “I have something for you.”

Her pulse raced as she ripped open the paper on the top box. As she lifted the lid, she gasped with delight, pulling out a wooden paper towel holder with hearts on the top and bottom, along with a matching napkin holder. “Did you make these?”

He nodded. “Ya. I thought I’d try to make something a little more complicated than a wooden frog.”

“I love them!” She lifted the paper towel holder from the box and set it on the table. Then she put the napkin holder beside it. “They are lovely. Danki.”

“Gern gschehne.” He pointed to the second box. “There’s more.”

She unwrapped

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