The Christmas Room

by Catherine Anderson

  They turned to gaze at the fire, absorbing the warmth of each other and the flames.

  • • •

  Sam presided over the holiday dinner seated at the head of the table. Maddie sat at the foot. He led with the meal blessing. Then everyone unfolded their linen napkins and laid them over their laps. He quickly served himself some turkey and held the platter for Mrs. Pedigrew while she forked a piece of roasted bird onto her plate. Bowls and platters followed, and soon everyone had full plates. Sam began to eat, and everyone else joined him.

  For the first time in far too long, Sam felt happy at Christmas. He settled his gaze on Maddie at the opposite end of the table. She glowed with contentment and joy as she smiled at him. Laughter rang out. Conversation hummed. Emma Pedigrew thanked Sam at least five times for inviting her over. Her son and his family lived in Seattle, and they hadn’t been able to come see her for Christmas this year. Emma could have flown out to be with them, but she didn’t like to fly alone. She got lost in big airports.

  “It’s so nice to be included. Otherwise I would be eating a microwave dinner all alone.”

  “It’s great to have you. And I hope you’ll join us again tomorrow for the wedding reception at my home.”

  “Oh, I’d love that. I put up a small tree and set out decorations, but my house feels so lonely without my kids there.”

  Sam made a mental note to invite Emma again next year. Not that Maddie would let him forget. She was a caring woman with a huge heart, and Christmas was a time when people shouldn’t be alone.

  After desserts were set out, Sam kept an eye on Rickie. When the boy had eaten two pieces of Maddie’s pumpkin pie, Sam excused himself from the table and beckoned Rickie over to the Christmas tree. “I have a gift for you, Rickie, but I waited until now to give it to you.”

  Sam plucked his cell phone from his pocket and pulled up his picture gallery. Thumbing through several images, he found the one he needed. He handed the device to Rickie. “His name is Lightning,” he told the child. “I trained him myself. He’s a really great horse.”

  Rickie looked bewildered as he stared at the palomino. “He’s pretty. I’ve petted him through the fence lots of times.”

  Sam realized Rickie didn’t understand and chuckled. “He’s yours now. I’m giving him to you as a Christmas present.”

  Rickie’s eyes widened. “He’s mine? Oh, wow!” Then his expression clouded. “That’s very nice, Sam, but I’ll have to ask my parents if it’s all right.”

  Sam laughed again. “I’m a step ahead of you. I already asked.”

  Miguel walked over and put a hand on his son’s shoulder. “He’s a beautiful animal, son. It’s very generous of Sam to let you have him.”

  Rickie shouted, “Caleb!” Then he ran to find the older boy. The next instant, both kids raced from the building.

  Sam met Miguel’s startled gaze. “I think we’d better follow them over. You’ll want to supervise during Rickie’s first ride. That’s why I waited until after dinner to give Rickie his present. I knew he’d bolt.”

  Both men circled the room to say good-bye to the guests, who would be taxied home by Sam’s friends, and then they drove over to the ranch in Sam’s truck. Rickie was beside himself with excitement. Caleb was showing him how to saddle the gelding. Sam swung up to sit on the fence rail. Miguel joined him.

  “This is a dream come true for my son,” Miguel said. “Thank you, Sam. I will make sure he takes good care of the horse.”

  Sam nodded. “I know you will, Miguel. Not a doubt in my mind. Lightning is perfect for a boy his age. He’s intuitive, and he won’t go any faster than Rickie can handle.”

  • • •

  Maddie hated to leave the Christmas room, but it was growing dark, all the guests had left, and mountains of dishes awaited her at Sam’s place. Even so, she lingered to gaze at the nativity scene and admire the beautiful tree. Caleb had strung lights around the windows and along the walls. The room glowed with Christmas cheer.

  Sam startled her when he stepped up behind her and enfolded her in his arms. “Penny for them.”

  Maddie sighed. “I feel as if this is the end of a chapter, Sam. I know it’s silly, but Caleb has only two more years of high school, Cam is getting married in the morning, and changes I haven’t considered are coming.”

  “Yes.” His deep voice curled around her like tendrils of warm smoke. “But the next chapters will be just as wonderful.”

  Maddie smiled. “Maybe we’ll share a grandchild soon. That will be lovely.”

  Sam joined her in admiring the room. “Caleb sure worked hard to transform this place. It’s a gift of love to you. I know it’ll be hard to turn out the lights and walk away.”

  Maddie nodded. “I took pictures. Not that I need them to remember this. It’ll remain in my mind, just as it is, for the rest of my life.” She leaned back against him. “My little boy is growing up, Sam.”

  “He’s a fine young man, Maddie, and he loves you very much. No matter how old he gets, that’ll never change.”

  They walked arm in arm to take a last tour of the room. Then they slipped on their coats, walked to the door, and turned off the lights.

  • • •

  When the kitchen at the main house was cleaned up, Kirstin and Cam slipped away to her house. Assailed with a sudden case of bridal jitters, Kirstin went over her checklist to be sure she had forgotten nothing.

  “Calm down, Kirstie.” Cam grasped her elbow and twirled her into his arms. “You’ve checked that silly list dozens of times. The flowers have been delivered to the church. The altar society ladies will put them out right after the public mass is over.”

  “Poor Father! He’ll be exhausted by the time he finishes our nuptial mass.”

  Cam chuckled and nibbled her neck. “Really? You’re going to worry now about Father’s energy levels?”

  “Don’t laugh. Tomorrow is the most important day of our lives, Cam. I want it to be perfect.”

  He ran a hand over her hair, which felt like silk against his fingers. “And it will be. Our parents have become best friends. Nobody made any mistakes at the rehearsal. Your dress is fixed. What can go wrong?”

  “Do you like the dress? I got so focused on re-creating the one I saw as a little girl that I never asked if you like it.”

  He trailed soft kisses along her cheek. “It’s a fabulous gown, but quite frankly, I think you’re beautiful wearing anything or nothing at all.”

  Kirstin grabbed his hand, led him to the bedroom, and said, “Prove it.”

  “That’s an invitation I can’t turn down.”

  • • •

  Afterward they lay in each other’s arms, contented and relaxed. The soft illumination of Christmas tree lights came in from the living room, touching the shadows with shimmering color. Cam felt as if everything was right in his world.

  “I’m so glad I stopped at the Cowboy Tree that afternoon,” Cam told her. “I know we would have met eventually, but I’m not sure we would have connected so fast emotionally under other circumstances.”

  Kirstin giggled. “I may have thought of you as the hillbilly next door.” She sobered and snuggled closer. “I’ll always feel that God led you to me that afternoon.”

  “Me, too,” Cam whispered. “You were the answer to my prayer.”

  • • •

  In the morning, the Montana sky was a steel blue and hovered low over the valley, a forewarning of snow that began to fall as they drove to the church. Kirstin rode with Sam, her gown and accoutrements protected by plastic. Maddie would help her dress in a back room. Sam would cool his heels in the vestibule, waiting for the bride so he could walk her down the aisle. It sounded simple, and Sam hadn’t screwed anything up at the rehearsal. But he was still nervous.

  As wedding guests wandered in, he greeted them and then let the ushers take ove
r. St. Anne’s had always reminded Sam of an elegant old lady. From his vantage point, he could see inside, and today the church sparkled. Christmas trees draped with tiny white lights and gold-trimmed angels flanked the altar. Snow blew against the stained-glass windows, damping what sunshine there was outside so that the nave beckoned to visitors like a beacon. When altar boys ignited the candlewicks, the sanctuary glowed like a small earthly corner of heaven.

  As the church began to fill with people, Sam grew jittery again. Kirstin still hadn’t joined him. The organist blasted the pipes with a trill of music, and he nearly parted company with his skin. He took a deep breath to calm down. Then he focused on details around him to remain that way. The right front pew had been reserved for the family, he recalled, and there would be no bride or groom’s side. Sam and Maddie wanted to sit together as their children were joined together in holy matrimony. Sam noted that the ushers were seating guests on both sides. Everything was proceeding as planned.

  Cam and Caleb appeared at the front of the church, both of them looking sharp in black tuxedos. Gabriella, Kirstin’s matron of honor, looked splendid in a simple pink dress. She stood opposite Miguel, who was Cam’s only groomsman.

  Just then Kirstin entered the vestibule by a side door. She looked so beautiful that Sam got tears in his eyes. “Ah, sweetheart, I wish your mother were here to see this.”

  “She is, Daddy. She is.” She lifted her veiled face to smile at him. “I like your new suit. Nice Western cut. It’s perfect for you.”

  Sam laughed. “I couldn’t walk you down the aisle wearing shitkickers and jeans.”

  “Not if you plan to live to see your first grandchild.” She placed a hand at her waist. “Oh, Dad, I’m so nervous.”

  “Don’t be. You look beautiful.”

  “I don’t have a flower girl.”

  “You said you didn’t need one, remember? You wanted a simple wedding.”

  “And Rickie is a little old to be our ring bearer.” Her mouth curved in another smile. “Oh, but look how handsome he is!”

  Sam took in the boy’s suit and hoped Miguel hadn’t broken the bank to buy it for him. “At least Rickie won’t drop the rings. That’s a plus. Gabriella looks beautiful. She was a smart choice as your matron of honor. Imagine what a pain in the ass bridesmaid dresses would have been.”

  Kirstin giggled. “Don’t be irreverent.”

  Sam heard the organist play a warning refrain. He offered his daughter his arm. “Are you ready, baby girl?”

  “Yes, Daddy. I am so very ready. When I leave this church, I’ll be Mrs. Cameron McLendon.”

  • • •

  Kirstin had eyes only for Cam as she walked down the aisle. His blue gaze remained fixed on her. His hair glistened like warm honey and fell in slight waves over his forehead. As he stepped forward to take her hand, she realized she was shaking with nerves.

  The ceremony began, a blend of the liturgical rituals of a mass and the nuptials. Kirstin lost track of the words and fell back on habits ingrained in her since childhood. She was acutely aware of Cam beside her. Everything else was a blur. It seemed to her that the ceremony lasted for a small eternity and might never end.

  But then she and Cam made their vows, promising to love and honor each other for the rest of their lives. Seeing the tenderness in his eyes and hearing the strength in his voice made this the most beautiful moment of her life. She trailed her gaze over his chiseled features, every line of which had been indelibly etched in her memory. Cam. His name whispered through her mind, and she knew that joining hearts and hands with him this morning was the best Christmas gift she’d ever received. Even better, she knew that he felt the same way.

  • • •

  Snow had continued to fall while they were inside the church, and Sam held on to Maddie’s arm as they made their way down the front steps and across the parking lot. She wore heels with slick soles. He didn’t want her to fall.

  “That was one of the most beautiful weddings I’ve ever seen,” he remarked.

  Maddie sighed. “How could it fail to be? Did you see the love they feel for each other in their expressions?”

  “I did. It’ll be a good, solid marriage, Maddie.” Sam saw Caleb climbing into his snazzy new Dodge and yelled, “Don’t speed on the way home. The roads will be dangerous!”

  Caleb shouted back, “I’ll be careful.”

  Sam helped Maddie into his truck. When he slid in under the steering wheel, he said, “I’ll follow close behind him just in case he goes off into a ditch. Did you hear all the sighs and sniffles when Caleb insisted on hugging his new mother before he’d let Cam take her up the aisle?”

  “I did. I think every heart in the church melted.” Maddie sent him a smile. “He’s a dear boy.”

  “He is that,” Sam agreed, “and I don’t want him getting in a wreck going home.”

  “He should be fine. Northern California gets plenty of bad weather. He learned to drive on snow and ice.” She glanced over at him. “Is my makeup smeared? I couldn’t help it and cried my eyes out as they exchanged their vows. It was so beautiful.”

  Sam smiled. “Your makeup is perfect. How’s mine? I cried, too.”

  She laughed and settled back against her seat. “I’m so glad we have two hours before people start showing up at the house. I’m exhausted. I’m going to enjoy a leisurely glass of white wine and rest for a while with my feet up.”

  “I’ll second that. I’m sure glad Kirstin wanted a small wedding and kept the guest list short. I don’t know how to cook for crowds.”

  “That’s the problem with holiday weddings. It’s impossible to find a caterer on such short notice.”

  “I didn’t want a caterer, anyway. People might start thinking I’m fancy. Besides, no professional can outshine Gabriella.”

  Sam kept Caleb’s red truck in sight as he drove through Rustlers’ Gulch on snow-covered streets lined with old buildings.

  “I love this town,” Maddie said. “I’ve seen communities that try to look old, but they can’t compete with the real thing.”

  “Some of these buildings were built way back in the eighteen hundreds.”

  “Yes. I’ve read the history. It’s fascinating. And the feeling here is one of the things that convinced me to buy our land.”

  “Tonight after the kids leave for the airport, we should come back here for the caroling. On Christmas night, groups from St. Anne’s go out to sing.”

  Maddie nodded. “Once I can take off these heels and put on walking shoes, I’d love to do that.”

  When they reached the ranch, Sam helped Maddie out of the truck. Caleb, already parked near the porch, ran over to grasp her other arm.

  “Gram, after I help you get inside, can I go see a couple of friends and show off my new truck?”

  Snowflakes drifted around them, a reminder to Maddie that the roads were slick. “The driving conditions are bad, darling.”

  “I know, Gram, but my friends live on Fox Hollow Road, so I won’t be going very far.”

  Maddie reached the porch, where no snow had collected. Sam relaxed his hold on her arm, and she turned to regard her grandson. “Do you promise to drive slowly?”

  “I promise!” Caleb bounced back down the steps. “I’ll only be gone about an hour. Then I’ll come back to help with the reception.”

  Maddie curled an arm around Sam’s waist as she watched Caleb drive away. “Oh, to be that young again,” she said with a sigh.

  “There’s nothing more exciting to teenage boys than a brand-new set of wheels.”

  Sam led her into the house, where they removed their coats and hung them up. Then Maddie kicked off her heels. Still dashing in a dress shirt and slacks, Sam turned on the tree lights, put on some Christmas carols, and returned to the living room with two glasses of wine, offering one to Maddie. They retired to the sectional and
sat side by side.

  “This is lovely,” she told him. Then she glanced at her watch. “Quiet before the storm. Thank goodness we did all the prep work last night.”

  “Just don’t get in a dither. The guests will be old friends. If necessary, they’ll roll up their sleeves and help.”

  “Like one big happy family?”

  He nodded and smiled down at her. “Merry Christmas, Maddie.”

  She tipped her head to study his face, which had become so dear to her. “Merry Christmas, Sam. There was a time when I couldn’t have imagined this. Our kids are married! What does that make us, parents-in-law?”

  His expression remained serious. “I’d like to change that up and make us husband and wife. I’m not much good at being romantic, so I’ll just ask you straight out. Will you marry me, Maddie?”

  Maddie wasn’t taken off guard by the question. She had come to love Sam with all her heart and knew that he loved her. So instead of saying yes, she asked, “When?”

  He grinned. “I thought about waiting a while, maybe even a year. The kids’ Christmas wedding was really beautiful. I don’t want to waste that much time, though. No guarantees, remember? I want to enjoy every day I can with you.”

  She nodded, because she felt the same way. Every moment they had together was precious.

  “Cam and Kirstin will be back for New Year’s Eve. We’ll have Caleb until then. So I’ve been thinking about getting married New Year’s Day. A small wedding followed by a reception in the back room of the Cowboy Tree. Then we’ll make our escape to somewhere in the tropics.”

  “That sounds fabulous, Sam. Just the two of us.”

  “Yep. We can practice making out until we spontaneously combust.”

  She laughed. Then she sobered and gave him a questioning look. “Are you certain you’re okay with no guarantees?”

  “I don’t come with any, either. I’ll take my chances, you’ll take yours, and if the worst happens, I’ll be grateful for whatever time God gives us to be together.”

  “Will Father Merrick allow us to get married that quickly? What about posting the banns and all that?”