The Christmas Secret by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Author:Wanda E. Brunstetter [Brunstetter, Wanda E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-68322-030-5
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2011-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

A short time later, David entered the Warners’ front yard and gave the brass knob a quick pull.

“Is Helen at home?” he asked when Helen’s mother, Margaret, answered the door.

“She’s in the parlor, practicing the piece she’ll be playing for church this Sunday,” the petite woman replied.

“May I speak with her? It’s of the utmost importance.”

Margaret hesitated a moment and finally motioned to the room on her left. “Go on in.”

David stepped into the parlor, where Helen sat in front of a spacious organ, pumping her feet as she played and sang, “Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, that calls me from a world of care, and bids me at my Father’s throne, make all my wants and wishes known!”

When David moved closer to the organ, Helen’s head jerked, and she blinked several times, looking up at him like a frightened bird. “Oh my! You startled me, David. I—I didn’t know anyone had come in.”

“I need to speak to you. Your mother said that I could come in.”

“Wh–what did you wish to speak with me about?” Helen seemed nervous, which was out of character for this usually calm, confident woman.

He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out Elizabeth’s note. “I found this at the cabin.”

Helen dropped her gaze to the organ keys.

“It’s a note from Elizabeth.”

Still no comment.

Why is she acting so strange? She must know something, and I have to find out what it is.

“She called off our wedding and has gone away,” he said.

“I’m very sorry, David.”

“Did you know about this?” he asked, taking a seat on the bench beside her.

She nodded slowly.

“Where is she, Helen? What caused Elizabeth to change her mind about marrying me?”

Helen’s shoulders trembled as she lifted them in a brief shrug, refusing to make eye contact with him.

David placed his hand on her shoulder. “Please tell me what you know. I can’t bear the thought of losing Elizabeth. I love her so much, and until I found this note, I was sure she loved me, too.”

Helen’s chin quivered as tears gathered in the corners of her chestnut-colored eyes. “I know this is painful for you, David, but you must accept Elizabeth’s decision and get on with your life.”

“Get on with my life?” He shook his head vigorously. “How can I accept her decision when I don’t understand the reason she called off the wedding?”

Helen said nothing.

Irritation welled in David’s soul. Helen was hiding something; he was sure of it. Was she trying to spare his feelings, or had she promised Elizabeth not to tell?

“Is there someone else?” he questioned. “Is Elizabeth in love with another man?”

“No.”

“Then what is it? Why couldn’t she look me in the eye and tell me that she doesn’t love me anymore?”

Helen rose from the bench and moved over to the window. “I can’t discuss this with you. I gave Elizabeth my word.”

“If you won’t tell me why she wrote the note and left town, then at least tell me where she’s gone,” he said, quickly joining her at the window.

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