by Verna Clay
Traipsing over a dusting of snow, Jenny happily led the way to one of the scraggly pine trees that grew in the area. She said she'd had her eye on it since the beginning of December. Brant carried Ty on his shoulders and Luke brought up the rear of their parade. When they reached the tree, Jenny giggled. "See, it's perfect!"
Wally barked his agreement and Abby put her arm around Jenny's shoulders. "You're right. It's going to make a beautiful Christmas tree. We'll have so much fun decorating it."
"Oh, yes, Mama, I can't wait!"
Brant stopped in the midst of lifting his axe and Luke made an unintelligible sound.
Abby whooshed into the frosty air. Turning her head swiftly, she fingered tears from the corners of her eyes at hearing Jenny call her Mama.
Brant swung the axe and asked Luke to carry the tree back to the cabin. Silently, the boy tossed it over his shoulder and walked swiftly ahead of everyone. Inside their home, he laid it against the wall and then, at his father's request, went to the shed to make a stand to nail it to.
After supper, Abby helped Jenny and Ty decorate the tree with paper chains and dough ornaments they'd made. When Jenny asked her father to bring out their other ornaments, he said quietly, "Not this year."
"But Pa, they're so pretty."
"Not this year, Jenny."
After Abby tucked Ty and Jenny into bed and told them a story, she walked back to an empty room, sadly looking at the tree. The joy of the season had left with Brant's and Luke's sorrow. She wrapped herself in a blanket and walked onto the porch to sit in one of the rockers and stare at a cloudless night. Snow dustings gave the ranch an ethereal quality and she lost herself in the beauty of nature.
When Brant walked over from the barn, he said, "It's a beautiful night."
"Yes."
"Abby, I'm sorry about today. I know I should be more into Christmas, but…"
"It's okay. I know you must be hurting remembering other Christmases." Her voice cracked and she muffled a little sob.
Immediately, Brant was at her side, kneeling beside her. "Please don't cry. I'll be okay in a couple of days."
She sniffed and turned her head so he couldn't see her tears. Unexpectedly, he stood and bent over her, picking her up and carrying her into the house.
She laid her head on his shoulder.
He carried her to the bedroom and gently laid her across the bed. "Let me kiss your tears away, sweetheart." Then he proceeded to do just that for hours.
The day before Christmas, Abby walked into her little schoolroom to find the book Treasure Island pushed into the bookshelf Brant had relocated from the front room. She wondered when Luke had returned it. Scanning the rest of her books, she noticed that A Journey to the Centre of the Earth was missing. Perhaps her idea of reaching Luke through books just might have a chance.
Christmas dawned to blue skies and Jenny was up before daylight knocking on Brant and Abby's bedroom door. "Come in," he croaked sleepily.
"Pa, it's time to get up! It's Christmas! Mama, I'll start getting Ty dressed. Hurry!"
Brant laughed and Abby thrilled at the sound. True to his word, he seemed to have gotten over his melancholy mood. Abby jumped from the bed, dressed quickly, and started a fire in the stove while Brant stoked the one in the fireplace. Before long, the fragrant aroma of coffee mingled with the scent of burning logs and the piney freshness of their Christmas tree.
Abby and Jenny prepared a breakfast they'd been planning for days and happiness radiated like warmth throughout the cabin. Even Luke laughed when Ty made funny faces during their meal.
After cleaning the dishes, everyone settled around the Christmas tree; the children on the floor and Brant and Abby in rocking chairs. Wally stretched and rolled onto his back in front of the fire.
Quietness settled over the home as Brant opened the family Bible and read the Christmas story proclaiming Glad Tidings of Great Joy. Lifting Ty onto her lap, Abby brushed a tear at the beautiful words and Jenny sat on the rag rug resting her head against Abby's thigh. Luke pulled his knees to his chest and closed his eyes.
After the reading, Brant suggested they sing a few carols and his baritone voice started off each song. At the end of the last song, Abby sighed in heartfelt contentment.
"Can we open presents now?" Jenny asked excitedly.
"Yeth, presents," Ty echoed.
Brant laughed. "Jenny, why don't you pass out everyone's gifts?"
"Okay!" Reaching for the presents Abby had made, she found the name tags attached to the brown wrappings and handed them out.
"Go ahead, Jenny, open yours first," her father encouraged.
She ripped the paper open, exclaiming at the pretty pink neck scarf and matching socks, "Oh, I love this color!" Immediately she began pulling off her old socks and putting the pink ones on.
Ty opened his present and copied his sister by pulling off his own socks and saying, "Mama make socks."
Luke opened his gift and said without his normal resentment, "Thank you, Abby."
After the children opened their gifts, Brant opened his and exclaimed over his own scarf and socks. "Honey, this scarf is going to keep me warm while I chase cows, and the socks are perfect because I hate having cold feet. Thank you." He leaned over from his rocking chair to hers and kissed her cheek. So much happiness bubbled up in Abby's chest she thought she might explode like a volcano.
Next, Jenny grabbed the big bone with a bow for Wally. Giggling, she teased him before untying the bow and giving him his gift. After that she passed out the presents she and Ty had made. They had drawn pictures and fastened a ribbon at each corner to create a hanger.
Jenny pointed to her pa's picture. "See, that's you on your horse rounding up cows."
"Jenny, you're very talented." He looked at Ty. "And so are you, son." Ty grinned and climbed onto his father's lap.
Jenny walked to Abby's side. "This is you and Pa and me and Luke and Ty. I pretended we was all having our picture taken as a family. And see, I drew a baby in your arms so you can have one of your own."
The room went silent and Abby swallowed thickly. "This is a picture I shall forever cherish, Jenny. Thank you, my darling girl."
Abby lifted her eyes from the picture to glance at Brant. He was staring at the fire.
Jenny said, "And I drew Luke in one of his adventure stories. He's the prince protecting the beautiful princess and he's happy all the time." Luke cleared his throat and said softly, "Thanks, Jenny."
Suddenly, Brant said, "Luke, go to the barn and start bringing in our gifts."
Luke jumped up like he wanted to escape the room. "Sure thing, Pa."
"You got something in the barn for us!" Jenny exclaimed.
"My lips are sealed. You'll just have to wait and see. In fact, I better go help Luke." He handed Ty to Abby.
A few minutes later, the cabin door opened and Brant carried in a small vanity, followed by Luke carrying a stool. "This is for you, Jenny. A place for you to store all your girlie things. Me and Luke made it."
Jenny ran and threw her arms around her father and then hugged Luke.
Luke said, "Aw, cut it out, Jenny."
"Thank you. Thank you," she gushed.
After the vanity was placed in Jenny's bedroom, Luke returned to the barn. This time he came back with a wooden wagon for Ty. Sitting him in it, he actually chuckled and pulled him around the room. The baby laughed delightedly.
The next trip to the barn, Brant and Luke carried back a desk for Abby. It was small with one drawer, but perfect for her little classroom. After they set it in place, she also threw her arms around Brant and kissed him unabashedly. He returned her kiss with the same enthusiasm and she heard Jenny and Ty laughing. She also heard the front door close on Luke before she had a chance to thank him.
The remainder of the day became a happy blur of more carols, a lovely Christmas dinner of venison, corn mush, corn bread, boiled eggs, boiled potatoes, and steamed pudding. Christmas stories were told around the fire, and lots o
f laughter ensued. When the children started falling asleep during story time, Brant and Abby tucked them into bed. Luke said a quiet goodnight and climbed to his loft. For another hour, Abby and Brant sat in front of the fire drinking hot sweetened milk and enjoying occasional bouts of conversation. After that, they made sweet love.
Chapter 12: Luke
On a cold, stormy day in late February, Abby had a sudden inspiration while teaching class. "Luke, since you read so much, have you ever thought about writing?"
"No."
"Well, I have a project for you."
Abby heard him groan, but persevered. "There's a writing contest sponsored by the Philadelphia Inquirer each year that I always asked my students to participate in. I'd like for you to enter by writing at least a ten-page adventure story. The entry deadline is May fifteenth. If you have the story ready in two weeks, that will ensure plenty of time for it to reach Philadelphia. What do you think?"
"I think I don't want to do it."
"Is there a reason why you don't want to? Or is it just because I'm asking you to?"
Luke looked away and stared out the window.
A voice from the doorway said, "He'll do it."
Both Abby and Luke jerked their heads toward Brant.
"Won't you, son." It wasn't a question.
Luke didn't respond.
"Hmm?"
"Yes, sir."
Abby gave Brant a tentative smile.
"Can I do it, too?" asked Jenny.
Abby smiled at her eagerness. "Honey, it's only for participants between the ages of fourteen and nineteen. When you turn fourteen, for sure you can enter."
Ty picked up the paper he was drawing on. "Papa, see." He jumped off his stool and ran to the doorway. Brant scooped him up and said glowing words over his scribbles.
For the next two weeks, Luke worked on the writing project during class and Abby encouraged him. Often, she would see him write something and smile, which made her happy. He also used the dictionary quite frequently. In the evenings, of his own volition, he would sit at the dining table and write.
At the end of the two weeks, he voluntarily handed the story to Abby. "Here it is."
A big smile lit her face. "May I read it?"
"Yeah, I guess. Ah, maybe you could check for misspelled words."
"Luke, I'd love to."
While the children worked on lesson assignments, Abby read Luke's story.
The Land of Forever
The dark jungle surrounded the boy and girl. The boy said, "I think we're lost."
"Sam, please don't say that. We haven't walked far from camp."
"I know. But now I don't know which way to go. I'm sorry Marybeth for getting us lost. My temper got the best of me."
"You know, Sam, you should stop fighting with Pa. He's doing his best to take care of us."
"I know. But sometimes I just can't help myself."
"What do you think we should do now?"
"Remember how Pa's always telling us to stay put if we get lost? I guess that's what we should do."
"Okay, if you think it's best."
Sam and Marybeth sat on nearby rocks and listened to birds and jungle sounds. Suddenly, the air glowed around them.
"What's happening?" asked Marybeth. "This is weird."
"I don't know."
Marybeth shrieked when a bright light shot through the trees and hovered in front of her. Sam placed his body in front of hers to protect her. The light circled them. They turned and ran, but the light moved in front of them. When they turned another direction, the light darted there, too.
Panting, they stopped and clung to each other, waiting for the unknown. The light flashed brilliant and they closed their eyes against it. When they opened them again, a beautiful woman stood in front of them. She lifted her hands and said, "Come with me and I will show you the Land of Forever."
Abby turned the page and looked up, wonder and amazement lighting her face. "Luke, this is incredible!"
He glanced up from his schoolwork, shrugged, and went back to his lesson.
She continued reading the adventure of a brother and sister in a fantasy land where loved ones lived on forever. The fact that Luke was addressing his heartache over his mother in this story gave Abby hope that he could now say goodbye and move on—like Jenny had done at the grave.
When she finished reading, she said, "Luke, I really think you have a chance of winning the competition. We'll get this mailed off next time we're in town. You'll need to copy it in ink, and other than a few grammar corrections that I'll mark for you, it looks great. I'm so proud of you. You have a wonderful talent. Maybe you'll want to read your story to the family some evening. I know your father would love to hear it." Abby knew she was rambling, but she couldn't help herself. She so wanted to express her feelings to Luke.
All Luke said was, "Can I be excused now? Pa needs my help."
Trying to hide her hurt, Abby smiled. "Ah, yes, class is over."
That night Luke sat at the kitchen table by the light of a kerosene lamp and copied his story in ink onto the expensive paper Abby had brought with her.
Chapter 13: Birthdays
After a winter that seemed to drag on, and Brant said was one of the harshest he'd ever been through, the approach of spring and Jenny's and Ty's birthdays brightened everyone's moods. Both children had been born at the end of April and Abby wanted to have a combined surprise birthday party. When she'd gotten the idea to have the party after church and approached Brant about it, he'd given her a look that sent warmth all the way to her toes.
"Abby, that's a wonderful idea."
"I figured we could ask Pastor Merriweather this Sunday. If he gives the okay, I can talk to Mrs. Merriweather and ask her advice for planning the surprise."
Pastor and Mrs. Merriweather were overjoyed by her suggestion and set about secretly inviting the other parishioners.
The week before the party, Abby caught Brant alone in the barn before he rode out. She wanted to discuss what they should give the children as gifts. Because of his aversion to accepting any of her money, and the fact that he had little to spare, she said hesitantly, "Jenny is so creative, I have a set of chalk crayons that I brought from Philadelphia. I'd love to give them to her."
Brant studied her face and she fidgeted. He said softly, "How about I buy the art paper to go with the crayons?"
His response thrilled her and she threw her arms around his neck. Laughing, he tripped her feet out from under her, caught her, and lowered her onto a heap of hay.
"Brant, what are you doing?" she asked breathlessly.
"Behaving like a teenage boy."
She giggled, and when he was distracted by one of the horses, jumped to her knees and started to crawl away. He caught her by the waist and hauled her back beneath him.
"Now, that was right ornery, Mrs. Samson," he said low and husky.
She smiled and reached to smooth her hand across his forehead. "I can be right ornery, Mr. Samson. Do you want me to show you?"
His gaze roamed her body. "Yeah, why don't you do that."
Abby lifted her mouth to his and when he closed his eyes, she rolled out from under him, laughing and jumping to her feet. He caught her and hauled her backwards into the hay again.
"Oh, you're going to pay for that." His voice sounded playful.
Abby was laughing so hard she couldn't stop even when his mouth touched hers. Soon, however, her laughing ceased and incredible feelings for her husband overwhelmed her. When their kisses and caresses turned sensual, she said, "Brant, the children could walk in on us."
Sighing, he rolled onto his back. "I know." He turned his head sideways to study her face, his lips still moist from her kisses. "We'll continue this tonight. In fact, I want you to soak in the tub after the children go to bed–"
She gave him a questioning look and his responding smile promised a night of delights. The flames dancing in his eyes filled her stomach with butterflies.
"–because
I'm joining you," he finished.
Abby's mouth formed an "o".
Brant jumped up and held his hand out to her. When he pulled her upright and moved his mouth sensually over hers, she almost begged him to drop her into the hay again.
Cupping her bottom, he pulled her tightly against him and said with a wink, "Tonight." Retrieving his hat from where it had fallen in the hay, he turned and repeated, "Tonight, Miz Abby."
Several times throughout the day, Jenny and Ty had to repeat themselves. Abby couldn't concentrate. Her body tingled just thinking about the coming night with her husband. She placed her hands on her flaming cheeks. He's going to join me in the bathtub. For months, she'd shied from allowing him to see her naked in the light of day, and the thought of him doing so made her flash hot and then cold. Her body was anything but perfect. She wasn't tiny like Molly had been; she still had generous hips and breasts, even after losing weight. Maybe she could feign a headache and divert Brant from his intention.
Diverting Brant was not to be, however. While she told the children their bedtime story, she heard him pumping water and carrying buckets back and forth from the kitchen to the bedroom. I can't do this.
When both children fell asleep, she remained on the stool beside their bed, staring at their sweet faces.
"Abby, it's time. I've added hot water from the stove so the bath temperature is perfect," Brant said softly from the doorway.
She turned her head slightly until he saw her profile. "I'll be there in a minute."
Scolding herself for her feelings of inadequacy, when her husband had always made her feel physically desired, she inhaled a calming breath and kissed her children's cheeks.
Brant sat at the table drinking a cup of coffee when she entered the living area. With the cup to his lips, he watched her face, not saying anything.
