Love Inspired December 2014 - Box Set 1 of 2: A Rancher for ChristmasHer Montana ChristmasAn Amish Christmas JourneyYuletide Baby

by Brenda Minton

  It was his guilt that made him coddle Marianne, Toby knew that. But he didn’t know how else to respond to her needs. He noticed Greta watching them from the doorway to the kitchen. Her eyes told him of her sympathy. For himself, or for Marianne, he couldn’t be sure which.

  “I’m weak because I was in the hospital just like you,” his sister told Morris.

  “It was a miserable place, if you ask me.” Morris turned back to the window.

  “And as soon as we get you home, you will grow strong again,” Toby assured her.

  She scrubbed her face with her hands and nodded. “Aenti Linda said in her letters that I will get better quick as a wink when I get there. Can we go there soon? I want to go home.”

  Toby prayed that his aunt’s words would prove true. He heard the outside door open. Greta glanced over her shoulder. It sounded as if Joe and Carl had come in. Toby leaned sideways to look at Marianne’s face. “Are the tears done?”

  Greta came to crouch in front of her. “If they are, you can help us put out the greenery. Would you like that?”

  Greta held out her hand and helped Marianne scoot off Toby’s lap. Naomi, Betsy and Lizzie came into the living room carrying fragrant bundles of cedar branches in a burlap sack. Marianne, her tears forgotten, helped them tie together the branches with cord to make a strand long enough to drape over the mantel.

  Greta, smiling like a kid herself, tickled Marianne’s good ear with the tip of a branch. Christmas, not wanting to be left out of the fun, began chasing the dangling end of the cord. Marianne giggled and teased the cat, making her dart left and right as she jiggled the other end.

  “The snow will stop soon and you can take her home,” Morris said.

  Toby glanced at Morris, but his gaze was still fixed out the window. Looking back, he met Greta’s gaze across the room. Toby realized with a jolt that he didn’t want to leave. Pennsylvania was simply too far away from the woman he couldn’t get off his mind. A smile lifted the corner of his mouth. “I hope it snows for a month of Sundays.”

  *

  Greta rolled out of bed the next morning and drew back the curtains. It was still snowing. Possibly harder than it had the day before.

  He wouldn’t be leaving today. She grinned, rubbed her hands together and turned around to find Betsy watching her.

  Her sister arched one eyebrow. “Okay, what’s going on?”

  Greta composed her face. She glanced at Marianne’s bed and saw the child was still sleeping. She lowered her voice. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  Betsy spoke softly, too. “No one is that happy to see a blizzard this close to Christmas.”

  Greta went to the closet and pulled out a lavender dress with a black apron. It wasn’t her best dress, that one was reserved for Sunday services, but it was her second best. Much nicer than her worn and stained everyday garments. “I like snow.”

  “No you don’t. I think you’re grinning because one certain guest will be staying a few more days.”

  Unable to keep her happiness contained, Greta glanced over her shoulder at Betsy. “Does it show?”

  “To someone who doesn’t know you well, maybe not. To your sister, it shows.”

  Greta crossed the room to sit on the bed beside Betsy. “It’s foolish, isn’t it?”

  “It’s not going to snow forever,” Betsy said gently.

  Greta picked at a loose thread on the quilt. “I know. But it’s snowing today and I’m going to be thankful for that. He makes me laugh. Sometimes, he seems to know what I’m thinking. Odd, isn’t it?”

  Betsy pulled the covers back to her chin. “It’s too early to be up. Go back to sleep.”

  “Betsy, can I ask you a question?”

  “If you must. Then will you go back to sleep?”

  “Are you in love with Alvin?”

  Flipping the quilt down, Betsy folded her arms and studied the ceiling. “I think we will get there. We are comfortable with each other. We like the same things. We want the same things. He’s a good man.”

  “But if you don’t love him, surely you aren’t thinking of marriage?” Greta reached out to take Betsy’s hand.

  “I am thinking about it, but I’m young and I’m not in any hurry to settle down. Enough about me, what about your new fellow? He’s good-looking. I love his smile and that dimple!”

  Greta returned to pulling at the loose thread. “They’ll be leaving soon. He has a sister to take care of. You saw how she was when he was outside.”

  “Poor Marianne. She has had a lot of sorrow for one so young. Have you noticed how taken with her our uncle is? He never treated us so kindly.”

  “That’s true, but if she can reach him, our uncle is not beyond hope. Betsy, have you forgiven him?”

  “I have forgiven him, but I have not forgotten his cruelty. What about you?”

  “I have not forgotten or forgiven. I think God must be very disappointed in me.”

  “I think God is much more disappointed with Onkel Morris. It’s cold up here. I think I hear Naomi in the kitchen. Let’s get downstairs so you can make sheep eyes at Toby and I can warm my toes by the fire.”

  “I haven’t been making sheep eyes at him.”

  “I don’t know what else you would call it.”

  “Have I really? Do you think he noticed?”

  Betsy began to dress quickly. “I don’t see how he could miss it because he’s always making sheep eyes at you, too.”

  “Is he?” That giddy sensation returned in full force. She couldn’t help but smile. She closed her eyes to hold the feeling close.

  When she opened them, she saw Betsy’s smile had faded. Her expression grew serious. “Greta, are you falling for Toby?”

  Some of her happiness fled. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  “Oh, please, don’t.”

  “Why do you say that?” She thought Betsy would understand.

  “If you have to ask, I’m really worried. I thought you were just having some fun, a little flirtation. You’ve only known him a few days. Days! Do you hear what I’m saying? He’s going to be gone as soon as the snow lets up. He lives hundreds of miles away. Do you think he’ll come courting on Saturday evenings or after Sunday services?”

  Why did her sister have to make it sound so hopeless? “I know he won’t. But I’m happy when I’m with him. Is that so bad?”

  Betsy sighed. “It isn’t bad, but don’t lose your head. Or your heart. Be sensible, Greta. Please.”

  “I will,” she said, but was it already too late?

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Greta slipped back under the covers. So what if it was foolish to crave another day of Toby’s company. She couldn’t help it. She couldn’t. She was foolishly falling head over heels for him. He would leave soon, but not today.

  Not today. I won’t be sensible today. He won’t leave today. Please, God, let it snow a few days longer.

  She would be sensible when Toby was gone, but not until then.

  Marianne was still asleep, but Betsy had gone downstairs. With Naomi and Betsy both in the kitchen, there was no need for Greta to rush down. She sat up abruptly. Except that Toby might be up already, and she would be free to visit with him.

  Tossing back the heavy quilts, she quickly put up her hair and pulled on her lavender dress. When she opened the door, Christmas came in. She stooped to pet the cat. “Happy morning, little one. The day you are named for is almost here. We should make it your official birthday and have a celebration for you, too.”

  Although she felt like skipping down the stairs, Greta maintained a sedate pace. Her uncle Morris was reading by the fireplace. Although she worried that he would ruin her good mood, she called out, “Good morning, Onkel. I hope you’re feeling well this fine day.”

  “There’s nothing fine about it. The cold is seeping into these old bones. I will soon be as stiff as an icicle.”

  Yes, he was all doom and gloom, but it didn’t affect Greta’s mood one bit. Toby was sitting on the couch
reading a book. His friendly smile warmed her heart as he wished her a good morning. She entered the kitchen still floating on a cloud of happiness.

  Not today. He wouldn’t leave today.

  She stopped when she saw her grandfather pacing back and forth in front of the kitchen window. The wind howled outside unabated. She knew from the look on his face that he was deeply worried.

  Carl was facing the window, too. “I built a half dozen sheds in the pastures for them this fall. Most of them will weather this storm safely.”

  “You did a fine job, but they won’t all go into the sheds. Sheep are funny that way. Some of them will shelter along the stone walls or in the thickets. Those are the ones that I’m worried about.”

  “If the snow drifts over them, will they smother?” Greta asked. She had been so happy to see the snow. She had prayed for it to continue. Now she saw the folly of her selfish prayers.

  Her grandfather turned to look at her. “They can smother, but often they huddle together and the heat of their bodies will form air holes to the surface. I’m more worried that the pregnant ewes won’t find enough feed. If they can paw down and can get to grass, they can survive for a few days, but if they can’t move, they will start to starve and that may cause them to miscarry. They need good feed to have healthy lambs. I pray God watches over them all.”

  “And that’s all you can do at this point, Joseph,” Naomi said from her place by the stove where she and Betsy were cooking. “Worrying will not help them. It shows a lack of faith in God’s mercy.”

  Daadi turned away from the window. “You’re right. The storm is by His will. Whatever comes of it is meant to be.”

  Naomi smiled at him. “Invite our guests to breakfast and then you should have a game of checkers. I’m sure one of them will take you on.”

  Greta’s grandfather moved to his place at the table. “I hope it’s Morris. I would love to give him a sound beating.”

  Naomi crossed her arms as she gave him a stern look.

  “At checkers, my good wife. I was talking about beating him at checkers.”

  “Sure you were. Greta, call the others. The girls and I have many things to bake. Christmas will be here before we know it and I want to be ready. I don’t need a bunch of men in my kitchen today.”

  “It’s my kitchen, too, you know,” Daadi said. “It was my kitchen for twenty years before you showed up.”

  “And how many Christmas cookies did you bake in all that time? Well?” she demanded when he stayed silent.

  He hooked his thumbs under his suspenders. “Not many.”

  “None, I would venture to say. So if you want a delicious assortment this year, go play checkers in the other room after breakfast or put on an apron.”

  “If I had known how bossy you were, I would’ve thought twice about asking you to marry me.”

  She walked up to him and gave him a peck on the cheek. “You never did ask me. I’m the one who proposed because you never had the courage. Tell the truth, now, Joseph.”

  “Ja, you proposed. Then, quick as a wink, I was shackled.”

  She chuckled. “And how many days have you regretted that?”

  He tapped her nose with his finger. “Not one single hour. I like snickerdoodles. I like chocolate chip cookies and I like the ones you make with the cherries in the center.”

  “My thumbprint cookies?”

  “Ja, those.”

  “Then you shall have all three if you stay out of my kitchen today and let me cook.”

  “I will, I will,” he grumbled. “Can I have my breakfast now?”

  Greta went up to wake Marianne, but the girl was already up. When they came back downstairs, everyone else was already seated at the table. Although the food was plentiful, hot and delicious, everyone’s mood was subdued. When they finished eating, her grandfather leaned back in his chair. “Who is up for a quick game of checkers this morning?”

  “Marianne likes to play checkers,” Toby said with a smile for his sister.

  Naomi began gathering up plates. “There you go, Joe. Play a game of checkers with Marianne. It will do her good to play someone she can beat.”

  He laughed as he left the room with Toby and Marianne. Naomi’s smile faded as she watched them. She moved to stare out the window, crossing her arms as if she were cold.

  Greta joined her. “You are good to distract him.”

  “I don’t like to see him worry. I pray this storm ends soon and that God intends to save our sheep. I’m not sure Joseph has it in him to start over.”

  “I will pray it ends soon, too.” Greta’s gaze was drawn to the living room where the game table was being set up. Toby had pulled a chair over to sit beside his sister. He noticed Greta’s gaze, smiled at her and winked. She smiled back, but her heart was heavy. Their time together couldn’t go on forever. He would leave and she would be left to wonder if it could have turned into something more for them.

  More than a brief flirtation.

  That’s all it was. She might wish it were more, but she had to be practical. Betsy was right to caution her. She would not lose her head or her heart to someone she had known less than a week. Love at first sight was the stuff of Englisch romance novels that she and her sisters had read on the sly when they were teenagers.

  Real love had to grow over months and even years of getting to know each other. It took time and prayer to know if that person was the mate God had chosen for you.

  *

  Toby, acutely aware of Greta’s sadness, wondered at the cause as the day wore on. She worked very hard at hiding it from others, but sometimes he would catch her when she thought no one was looking. The storm had everyone on edge, but he knew it was more than that. He hated seeing her unhappy. It wasn’t until late in the day that he managed to get her alone. Naomi sent her to the cellar to bring up jars of canned fruit. Toby put his book down and said, “Let me help you.”

  It seemed for a moment as if she would refuse him, but then she nodded. He followed her down the steep steps to the basement. She switched on two battery-operated lanterns that hung at the foot of the stairs. The dark recesses were bathed in sudden light. Tables and benches were stored along one wall along with an assortment of summer lawn furniture. The other walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling shelving that housed hundreds of jars full of produce.

  She walked along the shelves pulling out jars of peaches, blueberries and plums. She handed them to him and tried to reach a jar of quinces. It was just out of her reach.

  “Let me get that for you.” He stepped up.

  “I can manage.” She rose on tiptoe. She was still an inch shy of her goal.

  “I can manage, too,” he said, stepping in beside her. Their shoulders brushed against each other. She took a quick step away. He handed her the jar of fruit.

  “Danki.” She wouldn’t look at him.

  “Greta, are we still okay?” He asked, wondering if he had done something to upset her.

  She turned away. “Your family in Pennsylvania must be worried by now. I’m sure you’ll be glad to get back to them.”

  “Of course I will.”

  “The storm can’t last much longer.”

  “You don’t think it will snow for another month of Sundays?”

  She turned back to the shelves. “I hope not. Daadi is very worried about his sheep. They can’t do without food much longer in this cold.”

  “It’s hard to remember that other creatures are suffering while we are snug and warm.”

  Naomi came to the top of the stairs. “Are you having trouble finding something?”

  The mother hen checking on her chick. Toby smiled at the image, but he understood her concern.

  “The quince, but I have it now.” Greta ran up the steps leaving Toby to turn off the lights. He still didn’t have a clue what was wrong. He was only halfway up when Betsy appeared in the doorway above him. He stepped aside to let her pass, but she stopped a few risers up.

  “You might think that Greta i
s tough, but she isn’t. She is the frailest of my sisters. She has scars you can’t see. I was happy to see her enjoying a little flirtation until I realized that wasn’t the case. She likes you, but unless you are planning to stay in our community, be careful. Don’t make her wish for something she can’t obtain. She has had failure thrown in her face far too many times.”

  He stared at her in surprise. “I like your sister, too. I honestly do.”

  “I’m glad, but that isn’t enough. I’ll take those jars.”

  He handed them over. She smiled. “Danki for your help. I’m glad we had this little talk.” She trotted up the steps and closed the door, leaving him in the dark.

  So the women of the family were banding together to protect Greta from the big bad wolf. He’d never pictured himself in that role. Were they right to worry? Was this connection he shared with Greta doing her harm?

  That was the last thing he wanted.

  So what should he do about it?

  *

  Greta pleaded a headache and spent the rest of the day in her bedroom. It was the coward’s way out, but she didn’t know what else to do. Facing Toby only made things worse. She didn’t know how to explain what was wrong. That she had foolishly allowed herself to become infatuated with him. So rather than pretend indifference, she was hiding in her cold bedroom working on her cross-stitching with gloves on her hands. She spent as much time pulling out her mistakes as she did completing a pattern.

  When Betsy and Marianne came up at bedtime, Greta was already under the covers pretending to be asleep. Sometime in the middle of the night, she woke listening for the wind, but all she heard was silence. She went to the window, but the glass was frosted over and she couldn’t see out.

  Quietly, she donned her robe and slippers and went downstairs. She padded silently through the kitchen. At the front door, she pulled on her coat and stepped out onto the porch. The storm was gone. The air was calm and crystal clear. Millions of stars sparkled in the black sky and lent their glitter to the snowy white fields. Her breath rose in frosty puffs in the still night air.

  “It seems the storm has blown itself out.”