One Bright Christmas
Page 34
“I suppose it’s not entirely out of the question. At some point.” She paused. “Can he eat some of this pork dumpling? Or it is too rich for him? It does seem a shame to waste perfectly good food.”
Ezra’s face broke into a wide smile. “I wouldn’t feed him wonton dumplings every night. But in this case, I think giving him a bite or two is the perfect way to start the new year. For Teddy. And for you.”
Ezra seemed to think that by this time next year that silly dog would be sitting on her lap and she’d be hand-feeding him tasty tidbits of who knew what sort of delicacies.
She held her tongue. From what she’d seen lately, stranger things could happen around here. She knew a lot at her age, though even she had to concede that she didn’t know everything. Perhaps, overall, that was a good thing.
* * *
* * *
Lucy often met Reverend Ben at the homes of her patients who lived in the village. Especially those who had just been released from the hospital. On Saturday morning, she was leaving the house of a new patient, who lived near the harbor on Bayview Street, when she noticed Reverend Ben walking her way, his black Bible tucked under his arm.
“Good morning, Lucy,” he said as they met on the sidewalk near her car. “I see we’re involved in the changing of the guard again today. With the patient’s medical needs attended to, it’s my turn for the spiritual.”
“Right on time, Reverend. As usual.”
“How were your holidays? It was nice to see all of your children in church on Christmas Eve.”
Lucy smiled. “We loved having them all at home, even for a few days. But I’m happy to be back at work again.” New Year’s Day had fallen on a Friday. School and work started again for most people on Monday. But she’d been happy to get back to her normal schedule today. “I love the holidays, but I’m always glad when they’re over.”
“It’s definitely my busy season. I’m glad when the merrymaking is over, too. We had the movie crew around this year. That made it feel even more hectic.”
“It did,” Lucy agreed, growing a bit quieter. “I liked your Christmas sermon, Reverend. It hit home with me. I had a surprise gift. Well, two, actually. A beautiful necklace that Charlie gave me.” She shook her head, still amazed by the gift. “And the other was . . . oh, nothing you could lay a hand on, or even describe easily. But it was just as you said. Something I’d never imagined or asked for. But exactly what I needed, in a way.” She paused. “I’m sorry, I’m rambling like a madwoman and not making any sense at all.”
He shook his head, his blue eyes soft with kindness. “You’re not rambling. And I understand.”
She wasn’t sure how much more to say, but she felt she owed him a tiny bit of clarity. Without going into any details.
“Someone wanted to apologize to me, for something that happened between us a long time ago. I wouldn’t even hear them out at first. For a lot of reasons,” she said quickly, knowing a big part of it was wanting to punish Craig. “When I finally did, I felt so much lighter. Older, too, putting away that chapter of my young life. But in a good way,” she added. “It all came out of the blue. Nothing I ever asked for or thought I wanted. Or thought I needed. But it was the best Christmas gift I’ve gotten in long time . . . Except for the necklace from Charlie,” she added. “That was remarkable, too.”
Reverend Ben smiled and touched her hand. Something in his expression gave her the feeling that he knew who she was talking about. Was that even possible?
You’re being paranoid. And silly. How could he possibly know, or even suspect?
“It sounds like you had a very interesting Christmas.”
“I did, Reverend. I took a long look at my life and all the choices that got me here. I know now that even the most difficult times happened for a reason. And I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Reverend Ben smiled and gently touched her hand. “I’d say you’re a very wise and fortunate woman for learning that. God bless you, Lucy. Now, and all through the new year.”
Lucy thanked him and wished him the same, then went on with her day. Maybe it was just her imagination, but she did feel as if she was seeing the world differently now, her spirit free from shadows and full of light.
She had one person to thank for that. And God. In her heart, she thanked them both.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Thomas Kinkade, the Painter of Light, emphasized simple pleasures and inspirational messages through his art–and the branded products created from that art. From textiles, to collectibles, to music and books, Thom believed that both the ability and the inspiration to create his paintings had been given to him as a gift. His goal as an artist was to touch people of all faiths and to bring peace and joy into their lives through the images he had created.
Katherine Spencer is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty novels. She also writes the Angel Island series, as well as the Black Sheep Knitting Mysteries under her real name, Anne Canadeo.
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