Come to the Lake

by Macarthur, Autumn

  “Thanks!” Maddie rested a hand on the red woolen check, remembering that roughness against her face when Pop carried her home as a child. Smiling, she picked up the coat and handed it to Brad. “If you want.”

  Flashing his dimple in a heart-melting smile, he slid his arms into the thick fleece-lined sleeves. “Thank you.”

  Stepping out into the moon-bright evening, she took Jacob’s hand, as she always did, and Brad grabbed the other. Jacob happily jumped and swung between them. As they crunched their way to the store on the ice and snow, they felt like a family again, for the first time in years.

  She glanced over at Brad, and he dimpled again as he met her eyes. Her tummy turned a delicious little somersault.

  Jacob wouldn’t be the only one to miss Brad when he left.

  Thankfully, no one waited outside the store. She unlocked the separate entrance to the café, switched on a blaze of Christmas lights inside and out, set carols softly playing through the sound system. She’d just closed the folding doors separating the café from the shop, when Claire and Mrs. Parks arrived to set up for the nativity play.

  Perfect timing, though she always felt slightly nervous when Mrs. Parks was around. The retired teacher had brought most of Sunset Point to the Lord over the years. She watched over her former students with a critical eye and a loving but bluntly opinionated voice.

  Anxious to know how Ruth was, Maddie sent Susanna a quick text when she had a moment to spare between running from one end of the building to the other. The reply wasn’t encouraging. Her OB transferred Ruth to Spokane, so her twenty-six-week preemie could be whisked to their Level IV neonatal intensive care immediately after birth. Maddie’s heart ached for the family.

  Oh, Lord, please be with them all. Keep Ruth and that tiny baby safe! My worries are so small in comparison.

  The café filled as people added their food donations the counter, then stood chatting. Brad’s presence was an unexpected blessing. He kept an eye on things when she was busy elsewhere, and took care of Jacob. Not that he had much choice. Only Claire gathering the children in readiness for the nativity play peeled Jacob away from his father’s side.

  For a guy who claimed he didn’t know what to do around children, Brad sure seemed a kid magnet. Not just Jacob, but the others, too. He’d always been able to turn on the charm, but this went deeper, a new substance she hadn’t seen before. He truly had changed.

  Maybe, more than she had. So much easier to blame Brad than take responsibility for her own part in things. She winced as the troubling whisper hit home.

  Hiram and Gran arrived, and Maddie hurried to take the pies from them, assessing Gran as she did. She smiled, silently thanking God. Whatever was wrong earlier seemed to have passed.

  “You’ve done a good job. Everything is set up nicely.” Gran beamed her approval as she glanced around the crowded room. “It must feel like old times for you, being in charge of the store. I know you never wanted me to sell it.”

  Maddie’s smile stiffened. She hadn’t, though she’d known they had no choice. How could a widow in her seventies and a schoolgirl in her teens have managed? But she’d loathed the cottage when they first moved there, simply for not being the old familiar store with its quirky rooms and its memories of Pop.

  Maybe why Gran had needed to leave? “It’s okay.” She gave Gran a quick hug. “You did what was best at the time.”

  “I did, child. But I know you felt it. Any news from Pat or Susanna?” Gran steepled her fingers against her lips as if already praying for the family.

  Tears stung her eyes. “Not good, I’m afraid. Ruth’s in Spokane. They expect the baby will be born tonight. Susanna asked us to keep them in our prayers.”

  “We have a good gathering here tonight. We’ll use the opportunity to lift their needs to the Lord.” Hiram surveyed the room and sighed. “Joe isn’t here yet? Every year, I wonder if this time he isn’t going to make it.” He glanced at his watch, and then raised his voice. “Welcome to the Sunset Point Christmas celebration. Please, everyone, be seated. We’re ready to begin.”

  They’d moved the café chairs to one side of each table, facing the makeshift stage. Though they used all the chairs Maddie could find, they didn’t have enough to seat everyone. No matter. Standing at the side with Brad, she could still see Jacob.

  She nodded with satisfaction. It all looked good.

  Claire and Mrs. Parks had hung a black curtain at one end to be the night sky, with a big silver star glowing at the top, and laid artificial turf on the floor. A flock of knee-high paper mache sheep stood on the left. Claire had been all for using real sheep and a donkey. Imagining the chaos, Maddie gave thanks her friend let the idea go.

  On the right, they’d assembled a stable from a portable gazebo, cardboard, and straw, held together with plenty of hot glue. The wooden manger, the one her great-grandfather made for the first nativity play here, took pride of place. The children clustered off to one side.

  Hiram opened his Bible and cleared his throat. After a few nervous giggles from the performers, the room hushed. Then noisy footsteps echoed on the porch, the street door opened, and old Joe sidled in, ducking his head as everyone turned to look at him.

  So the trapper made it through another year. Good. Maddie waved to him in welcome, and he moved to stand beside them. Joe lived in a hut up in the hills like a hermit. Unfortunately, he looked and smelled like it, too. She made sure to breathe through her mouth.

  Nodding to the old man with a smile, Hiram began. “Remembering the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Lord, let’s read from the Gospel of Luke. In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken…”

  Brad pulled out his phone and started videoing.

  The old familiar words rolled out, resonant and deep. “So Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.”

  Christopher Mullins and young Sally Parks, holding her tummy, trudged across the stage to the stable and flopped on the straw.

  “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”

  Sally produced a swaddled baby doll from under her cloak, cuddled it, and then rested it on the manger.

  “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.”

  The three shepherds, including Jacob, the smallest and youngest, wandered among their sheep, exactly as they should.

  Hiram continued, “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.”

  Cee Cee Schaefer, the eldest of the elementary school children and least likely to forget her lines, moved on stage. Her eye-popping silver robe decked with battery-operated lights should have come with a Sunglasses Required warning. No wonder the shepherds all covered their eyes.

  “Do not be afraid,” she intoned, in a high clear voice. “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” She extended a glittering arm toward the stable as Hiram took over.

  “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.”

  Two of the shepherds picked up their sheep and headed for the stable. The
third, Jacob, noticed his dad filming him, grinned, and waved. Maddie pasted on a smile and pointed at the stable, but inwardly cringed. There was always one. But why did it have to be hers?

  Handing him his sheep, Mrs. Parks nudged him to move. Finally, all three shepherds were where they should be, kneeling in awe before Jesus.

  Brad’s arm slipped around her waist, in a consoling hug. Though she tried to focus on Hiram’s voice as he finished the Scripture reading, all her awareness centered on Brad. On his strong warm arm holding her securely, offering so much comfort.

  And more than comfort.

  They exchanged a glance. Love shone in his eyes. Real. True. Deep. A forever kind of love.

  The same kind of love she felt for him.

  Chapter 10

  Brad thanked God with every fiber of his being for the precious truth glowing in Maddie’s eyes. She did love him. Her body repeated the message, in the way she leaned against him, surrendering to his support.

  His arm tightened around her. If they weren’t where they were, surrounded by all her neighbors, he’d kiss her. The yearning grew so strong, he might just kiss her anyway and let Sunset Point think what it liked.

  Jacob interrupted with a tug on his jeans and an excited, “Did you see me, Daddy? Did you?”

  Somehow, he’d completely missed the end of the play.

  “Sure did. I’ve got you on video, too.” He pushed the replay button on his phone and showed it to Jacob. “See? You did great.” Releasing Maddie, he scooped his son up in his free arm. Maddie smiled and rested a hand on Jacob’s shoulder. As Brad held her close again, they formed a circle.

  A family.

  Something he’d never felt before, either growing up or in their marriage.

  Emotion swelled in his chest, knotting his throat. So this was what she’d wanted from him, what she’d yearned for and not found.

  For the first time, he started to understand what she’d meant when she tried to explain why she divorced him. They’d shared the same bed. They’d been physically intimate. But the amazing blessing of this emotional connection and overwhelming tenderness — this — had been missing.

  “I want to sing.” Jacob wriggled to be put down.

  “We’ll be singing in a minute,” Maddie reassured him.

  Brad lowered the boy to the floor, breaking the physical circle they’d formed. But the circle of their love remained, bright and real as an eighteen-karat wedding band. It always would.

  As if he’d heard Jacob, Hiram announced, “Tonight’s carols are old favorites. ‘While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks’, ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’, and ‘Silent Night’. As always, we’ll sing all the verses. So if you don’t know them, be sure to take one of the sheets circulating through the room with the words.”

  Brad took one each for himself and Maddie and passed the last sheet on to the disheveled older man beside them.

  “Me too,” Jacob protested as the singing began. Brad handed the boy his page, but chuckled when he held it upside down. As Jacob piped, “While shepherds washed their socks at night,” he decided they’d better do some practice before next year’s carol singing.

  He needed to share Maddie’s sheet after the first verse. Maddie hardly glanced at it, singing with her whole heart in a clear true voice.

  The group worked their way through the traditional carols, ending with “Silent Night”. He glanced at Maddie. Joy transformed her. Unexpected salt stung his eyes as he glimpsed the radiant light of love the carol spoke of reflected in her face.

  She’d never looked lovelier.

  The song ended. After a still moment, a hum of chatter began. Hiram raised a hand. “Before we share our food, let’s take time to pray.” Once the room quieted, he began, “Heavenly Father, we thank You for blessing us with this time of food and fellowship tonight. Thank You for the greatest gift of all, Your Son, Jesus, whose sacrifice allowed us to be forgiven our sins and to come into right relationship with You.”

  Hiram paused. His deep tones echoed not just within the room, but in Brad’s heart.

  “We ask Your blessing on all here tonight, as well as on those who can’t be with us. I especially ask Your loving hand to rest upon Pat, Susanna, their daughter, the little baby about to be born, and their other grandchildren.

  “We thank You for all who’ve served their country, both now and in the past, and ask Your special protection on them. At this season of peace, bring peace to our hearts and to this broken world. Teach us to forgive as we have been forgiven by You. Heal our broken places and our broken relationships. Guide us in Your ways, help us to seek Your wisdom rather than the wisdom of this world, and above all, help us to love as You have loved us. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.”

  “Amen!” resounded around the café.

  “Amen,” Maddie whispered.

  “Can I go play with the other kids now?” Jacob’s bright face peered up at them both. He restlessly stepped from one foot to the other as the room filled with noise again.

  Maddie nodded. “Just stay where I can see you. Okay?”

  He ran to the other children messing around on the stage. Looked like he’d realized his daddy wasn’t going anywhere.

  Yet.

  Knowing he’d leave in nine days sank Brad’s heart. But he had no choice.

  The man next to them hacked out a cough and grinned a broken-toothed grin. “You have a fine-looking boy there, Miss Maddie. And this feller, he’s your husband? Haven’t seen him here before.” His voice creaked, sounding rusty from lack of use like the hinges of an old gate.

  “Thanks, Joe. I think Jacob is pretty special, too.” Her gentle smile lit her lovely eyes. “Yes, I married Brad. You haven’t met him sooner because this is his first Christmas here. He lives in Los Angeles.”

  “Cities!” Joe hoicked as if to spit, then thankfully held back.

  “Huckleberry Lake is beautiful, but L.A. is where my work is.” Brad shrugged in apology. He was beginning to wish it wasn’t, but wishing didn’t alter the facts.

  The bearded man poked a grimy finger at Brad’s chest. “You heard Hiram. Love is our work here. Only love. Remember that.” Hunching his shoulder as if he was done with Brad, he twisted away. “I’ll go speak to him now.”

  Maddie reached out but didn’t quite touch him. “Joe, please don’t leave without seeing me first for your share of the leftovers.”

  “What’s the story there?” Brad asked, low-toned, as Joe stomped across to Hiram.

  An ocean of sadness washed over her face. “Poor Joe. Pop told me they grew up close friends. Pop, Hiram, and Joe. Then Joe went to Vietnam, came back… changed. He was one of the people Hiram meant when he spoke of those who’d served. Veterans’ wounds don’t always show.”

  Brad nodded.

  “He moved to a shack way up in the hills. Once or twice a year he gets a yearning for human company and hikes or snowshoes in. He always comes for the carols. But the rest of the year, anyone who goes too near his cabin is met with a shotgun. When Gran and Pop ran the store, they sent him home with plenty of food. I’ll do the same.” She grinned. “Which reminds me, people are hungry. Time to uncover the food. Come fill a plate each for you and our little shepherd.”

  Brad glanced around and laughed. Jacob and the other shepherds raced their sheep across the stage. “Who would have guessed sheep would be more fun than pie?”

  “Watch how long the sheep last when we start serving.” Maddie chuckled.

  As she crossed the room to the food service area, folk stopped her, wanting to talk. As she smiled, laughed and checked in with her gran, he couldn’t miss seeing how well loved and embedded in this community she was. No wonder she hadn’t been happy in the city. It took a lifetime to grow roots like this.

  Was asking her to leave this behind and offering only himself in return a fair trade?

  Once, in his confidence and pride, he’d believed so. Now, he wasn’t sure.

  After taking a plate of treats to Jacob, he
squatted on the floor beside his son, listening to the boy’s happy chatter. When Jacob wanted to race sheep again, Brad circulated the room, aiming to listen more than talk. Everyone asked about him and Maddie. He answered honestly. She lived here, his work was in L.A., and how they’d work it out, they didn’t know.

  But surprisingly, unlike business social events, this one wasn’t any chore. He found despite their differences, they had plenty else to talk about. He kept a watch on Jacob, too, so Maddie didn’t have to. She still did, of course. More than once, their glances collided. The connection jolted him with warmth, sweeter than her gran’s sugar-sprinkled pie.

  Leaving her post at the counter, Mrs. Parks marched up and took his empty plate. “So, did you enjoy sampling our huckleberry specialties? You won’t find huckleberries like ours anywhere else.”

  “I did enjoy them.” He smiled cautiously, wary of what might come next. Her forthright manner and the determined glint in her eyes suggested she had an agenda. “I haven’t eaten huckleberries for years, since I was last here at the lake. I’d forgotten how much better they are than blueberries, how complex and deep the flavor is.”

  “Yes.” Her decisive nod shook her wattled throat. “The huckleberry knows where it belongs. You can try to transplant them, but they won’t set down roots anywhere except where the Lord planted them, in the soil and conditions He intended them to grow in. They might last a few years at best, but away from their rightful place, they shrivel and die. You think about that.”

  She strode off again, clearly having said all she wanted to say. He’d expected a lecture about the sanctity of marriage or a man’s responsibilities to his wife, not a discussion of horticulture.

  Except she hadn’t been talking about huckleberries. She’d meant Maddie.

  He saw what he hadn’t when they’d married and he’d uprooted her. Like the wild mountain huckleberries, Maddie needed to grow in her own soil to develop into all she could be. Taking her away from here would be wrong, in so many ways.