An Old-Fashioned Christmas Romance Collection

by DiAnn Mills

  “So, it’s a case of our sacrifice for the good of the majority?” Thomas asked.

  “That’s…right,” Mr. Rudman sputtered. “Be…proud.”

  Grace hugged her father tighter.

  Three carloads of people had arrived and were making their way along the ridge to the little group. David recognized his mother and Mrs. Rudman with several folks from the community. Mrs. Rudman ran to her husband and clasped him in a tear-filled reunion.

  “Here we have a beautiful view of our valley,” Mr. Matthews declared with a sweep of his arm.

  The group came to a muted halt as each individual stared across the farms and town that made up the community of Tappan. The shadow of the dam was slowly ending the day for the close-knit community.

  Someone started to hum “Silent Night,” and soon the voices of friends and neighbors joined in song. Slowly descending snowflakes sparkled in the last rays of the sun.

  David touched Grace’s shoulder, and she gave him a smile that warmed him clear through.

  Chapter 7

  Despite their plans to have a quiet Christmas, the Rudmans’ house was full of visitors on Christmas Eve. The gathering of friends at the dam had followed the Rudmans home, and Grace served them hot chocolate, cookies, and fresh-baked bread with preserves.

  More visitors arrived later to hear the events surrounding Mr. Rudman’s disappearance, and soon the house was overflowing with holiday cheer.

  It was still unclear what motivated Mr. Rudman to go on his excursion and why he was suddenly able to say some words after months of virtual silence. It was a moment to celebrate, nonetheless, and Grace welcomed the festive atmosphere in the house.

  “It’s an answer to our prayers,” Mr. Matthews told Grace. “God’s still doing miracles.”

  Mrs. Rudman sat down to the piano and started playing carols. Some joined in merry singing, while others continued to visit freely. There seemed to be people everywhere. Grace waded through the masses in the parlor with a tray of sugar cookies, smiling and chatting with old friends.

  Someone grabbed her arm and pulled her into the empty front stairwell.

  “David!” She caught her tray as it tilted. “What are you up to?”

  “I…” He opened his mouth, then grinned like a mischievous child and shrugged. “I guess I wanted to wish you a merry Christmas before I go.” In a lightning flash, he bent down and brushed her cheek with a feathery kiss and was gone.

  Grace stood transfixed at the bottom of the stairs, her breath caught in her throat. Dreamily, she dropped to one of the wooden steps, balancing her tray on one hand and her rosy cheek in the other. When had a kiss ever been as sweet? What bitter irony that David Matthews now only treated her like a sister.

  Christmas morning, Grace trudged down the stairs after stealing almost an hour of extra sleep. The day before had been such a draining day, and they were up late visiting with their unexpected company.

  She entered the kitchen to the smell of oven-fresh cinnamon rolls, her favorite.

  “Merry Christmas, my sweet,” her mother sang, her face wreathed in smiles. “Go get your gifts. We will do an exchange before the 10 a.m. church service.”

  Grace skipped back upstairs and soon returned with three gaily wrapped packages. In the parlor, her father was sitting straight in his chair and decked in his best Sunday suit.

  She kissed his weathered cheek. “Merry Christmas, Daddy!”

  A movement in the corner caught her eye, and there stood a small, fresh pine tree.

  “Oh!” she gasped.

  “Merry Christmas, little sister,” John said, popping his head around the little

  tree.

  Grace squealed and captured her brother in a tight hug. John hugged her back and whispered in her ear, “I’m really sorry for being selfish and leaving you here to shoulder all the problems. I came as soon as I got word about Dad, though I missed all the excitement.”

  “It’s forgiven,” she smiled up at him.

  The family had much to celebrate as they draped the little evergreen in ribbons, glass bulbs, and glittery tinsel. Then they exchanged gifts with each other in expression of their love and thanksgiving. The fact that this would be their last Christmas in the sturdy old farmhouse was far from their minds. Being together was the answer to every wish and prayer. They even openly shared memories of Guy and could laugh together about the past.

  The Lord had brought them much healing. The sun reflecting through the window off the fresh-fallen snow couldn’t have shone any brighter this morning than the smiles on the faces of the Rudman family.

  Grace sat beside her father at the little church on Tappan’s main street, ready for Christmas worship. John and his fiancée, Melissa, sat directly behind them. The sanctuary was filled with the low buzz of joyous worshippers as they waited for the special service to start. Mrs. Rudman had taken her traditional place at the piano and was playing a Christmas hymn.

  The Matthews arrived and took seats in the pew across the aisle from Grace and her father. David smiled their way and Grace’s heart started to thump in response. He was wearing the new suit he had worn home on the train. Its classic style fit him well.

  Grace thought of all the things that had happened in the week since their reunion. David had been near her or her family almost every day—often sacrificing precious time with his own family. He was sweet and considerate, a gentleman, and just like a member of her family.

  She knew that when he left for Detroit on Monday that parting would pain her greatly. There would be no guarantee when he would return, and with the community’s scattering in wake of the dam, it would be less likely that they would visit regularly again.

  Lord, she almost chuckled out loud, if David Matthews is not the man You have designed for me, then You must have someone pretty spectacular in my future…because at this point I can’t think of anyone better than David.

  Grace had to pull her gaze away from David’s brownish-red locks, his chiseled features, and his perfectly shaped, strong hand that rested on the back of the pew as he tilted forward to speak with someone. She took a deep, cleansing breath as her father leaned closer, touching her shoulder.

  “The best…dream…” he whispered in a raspy and halting voice, “is usually…what God…places…within reach.”

  Grace quickly looked at her father. He was settling back against the pew with a satisfied smile. She glanced around to try and gather what he had been referring to. Across the aisle, David sent her another smile, and instantly her cheeks flushed a rosy Christmas red that matched the new dress she wore. Her father couldn’t have guessed what she had been thinking.

  The pastor’s entrance to the platform saved her from her tortured thoughts. He introduced a group of schoolchildren who reenacted the Christmas story. Then a choral group led the packed congregation in Christmas songs. Grace sang with her whole soul, enjoying the blend of voices.

  The second half of the service turned to a time of reflection on the church body and surrounding community. The pastor had a special announcement.

  “By Easter Sunday, if all goes according to plan, our church building will have been relocated to a hill six miles east of here. The elders have settled on a fine spot that was donated by a faithful church member.”

  There was clapping and whoops of joy. No longer did the church people have to worry about tearing down the beloved building.

  But when her parents moved to Bowerston, her family would be worshipping at a different church among new friends. Grace would miss the fellowship with these dear people.

  She turned her head and found David watching her. His gaze was deep and serious. Were his thoughts similar to hers?

  It was slow getting through the lingering churchgoers at the end of the service. No one seemed in a hurry to get home to their individual holiday celebrations, but preferred to talk about where neighbors were moving to and how many would still be around for Easter.

  At home, Mrs. Rudman had a feast prepared.
John and Melissa joined the family for the meal along with an older couple from town and the widowed Mrs. Douglas who had been invited at the last minute. Mr. Rudman was also present at the table for the first time in many long weeks. He still needed help managing his food, but it was good to have the family together again.

  Grace relished the occasion, eating until she was almost miserably full. Her mother’s cooking was always wonderful, and she had made all of the family favorites for the holiday celebration.

  Grace also feasted her eyes upon those around the table. She was so pleased that John had decided to join them and bring Melissa. Melissa had a subtle beauty and quiet nature. Her straight blond locks contrasted with John’s deep brown ringlets. They made quite a handsome couple, and it was obvious that they were deeply in love.

  Before they were through with dessert, there was a knock at the door. John answered it and ushered David into the dining room. Grace’s cheeks warmed at the sight of the young man. She chided herself and tried to continue with her dessert, but all appetite for food had left her.

  Mrs. Rudman pulled a chair up to the table for David and placed him between Grace and herself. David casually brushed Grace’s shoulder as he sat down to a large bowl of cream-covered date pudding. Lightning struck through Grace and zipped out her toes. Each new encounter with David seemed to awaken startling new awareness within her. At least separation from David should keep her from going on these bumpy emotional rides.

  Grace sat back in her chair and sipped from her water goblet. She listened as David conversed with the others around the table. He fit in naturally. He and John teased each other, and Melissa blushed at his charming compliments. Even Mrs. Douglas was not immune to his charms.

  “Now, David dear, I hear you are headed back north to Detroit and you still don’t have a wife,” Mrs. Douglas stated frankly.

  Grace fidgeted in her chair, brushing a hand through the ends of her loose curls.

  “Yes, you heard right,” David smoothly replied, “but I would gladly take you with me to fill the position.”

  Everyone around the table burst into laughter. Mrs. Douglas reached across the table and playfully swatted at David’s arm.

  “I’d go in a second, my dear boy, but the move would be too much on this old one. In fact, I’m staying put until the lake is at my back door. But you young ones have to make a life for yourselves beyond the ghost streets of an old town. Just take an old woman’s advice. Remember where you came from and take it with you wherever you go. This town will always, then, be remembered by the wonderful children it produced.” Merry chatter continued around the table, and Grace observed with little to contribute. Her mind tumbled as she mulled over Mrs. Douglas’s words. I can always be proud of who I am because of where I came from.

  David leaned toward her, touching his shoulder to hers. “You don’t have the Christmas blues, now do you?” he quietly asked Grace.

  “No, certainly not. I got everything I wished for.”

  “Everything?”

  “Yes, my father is better, John is home, and Mother has come to a peaceful plan for the future of the farm and their home.”

  “What about you?” he pried.

  “I…well…uh…” She looked at him with a frown. His eyes showed an honest concern. “What do you want to know?” she almost whispered.

  His eyes crinkled with a slow smile. “Will you take a ride with me later?

  Dad still has the old sleigh in the barn, we’ve got a horse that should pull it, and there’s a good coating of snow for the runners. Should I bring it over later?”

  Grace swallowed hard, a nervous flutter tickling her stomach. “Um…should we invite John and Melissa?”

  “I came to see just you today,” was his low, rumbling answer that thrilled and scared her at the same time. It was the same thing he had said the day after her high school graduation when he came to propose. That day ended with her flat rejection. How would today end?

  Chapter 8

  The chill air nipped at their cheeks as the sleigh cut through the snow. Grace burrowed farther under the quilt while David encouraged the horse to a faster trot. Grace’s sudden giggle delighted his ears and he spurred the horse even faster.

  It was a picture-perfect Christmas day. Sunlight glistened on the snow and their breath hung suspended in the still air. Smoke from the occasional chimney drifted straight up to meet the clear blue sky.

  David guided the sleigh around the perimeter of the valley’s bottom then through the main part of town. They waved to a family that was hurrying in out of the cold. Then David slowed the horse as they started the incline up Mill Hill Road. He halted the horse at the bottom of the path to a hillside cemetery and stepped out of the sleigh.

  “Would you like to visit your brother with me?” He lightly suggested as he offered her a hand out of the sleigh.

  She gave her hand without a word, and he kept it as they climbed the steep, snow-covered path. Small granite headstones covered the slope before them. They located Guy’s plot with little trouble.

  “Guy would have loved this day,” Grace said into the stillness. “Winter was always his favorite time of the year.”

  “He loved building snow caves,” David said.

  “And snow forts,” Grace added, “with snowballs.”

  “And eating snow ice cream,” they laughed together.

  “A kid couldn’t have had a better brother,” David reflected more pensively.

  Grace slowly brushed snow from the carved stone. David watched her tender ministrations. She pocketed her spare hand for warmth and seemed to search for something within the depths of the deep coat pockets.

  “I’m missing a mitten. I had it on when we left the house,” Grace said.

  “Then it’s probably in the sleigh. Here, wear one of mine.” David probed his own pocket, and as his hand reached the glove, something hard touched it. He pulled the hard, circular object out and held it toward Grace in the palm of his hand.

  “It seems I still have your most precious of buttons, my lady,” he said with a bow.

  “Wonderful!” she cried. “I have truly missed it. You were so good to rescue it for me.”

  Her eyes were alight with joy as she turned her face to him and closed her hand over the trinket. David’s insides knotted. How he longed to gather her close to him and call Grace his own. He had never been in a better position to make plans for a future—a family of his own. But to be twice rejected could spoil a beautiful friendship. He would have to continue to pray for God’s divine guidance.

  David turned from Grace and the moment was broken. Grace shivered. She had felt so sure that David was close to saying something. Perhaps something very important. She reached out to steady herself against the stone. It was like ice under her hand.

  David abruptly handed her his glove. She slipped her right hand into his large glove, enjoying the soft leather. He continued to scan the view below, and Grace moved to stand beside him.

  The town sat directly below them. Bathed in a blanket of white, it was beautiful. To their right rose the wall of the dam, standing sentinel across the mouth of the valley. And to their left the valley stretched long and wide.

  David reached down for a broken branch and sent it sailing into the brush. There was a long silence between them, and Grace used it to reflect about life in the valley below. She leaned against a large monument and pulled her coat tight against her slight frame.

  All of a sudden, David surprised her by saying, “I may leave for Detroit tomorrow. It shouldn’t be hard to change my train ticket…”

  “What?” Grace came to attention.

  “I had a wire from one of my bosses on Wednesday. I meant to tell you about it yesterday…but then there was your accident and your father’s disappearance…”

  “Well, what was the telegram about?” she probed, while she tried to look him in the face.

  He turned away from her, staring out across the valley below. “I have been offered the s
upervisor’s position that I had wanted.”

  “That’s great!”

  He was strangely silent.

  “It is great, isn’t it?” she asked, suddenly concerned.

  “Sure…sure. It is a secure position with good pay. I guess I wasn’t prepared for the possibilities it opens. The new opportunities.” He turned his face heavenward.

  Grace sighed, not understanding his hesitancy. “Then you are leaving Saturday so you can accept the position?”

  “Yes, they want me to return as soon as possible.” He shuffled his feet in the snow, sending tiny snowballs rolling down the slope.

  She reached for his arm, touching his sleeve at the elbow. “David, I’m really happy for you. Things seem to be working out for you in Detroit.” She paused to focus her thoughts. “You deserve the best.”

  He spun to face her and clasped her hand. “Gracie, you…” He stopped and closed his eyes. After a moment of quiet he shook his head. “I hear a car coming down the hill. I better tend to the horse. Stay longer if you wish.” He turned quickly and bolted down the path to where the horse was tethered.

  Grace was shocked by his brisk manner. It was almost like he was fighting some unseen fear. If only he could understand that she was happy for him. He really did deserve the best of everything, even if that meant that his future wouldn’t include her.

  She walked back to the marker on Guy’s grave. I sure could use some brotherly advice. But it was the words of her father that came to mind. “The best dream is usually what God places within reach.”

  She was already well aware that David Matthews was the best guy she had ever been acquainted with. Her problem was that she had rejected a perfectly good man. I just wasn’t ready then. I had to do some growing up. She stared at the motionless gravestone. I think I’m ready now, Lord. But what kind of man would want to go through the humiliation of asking a second time?