by LoRee Peery
Closed at noon on Christmas Eve, Hayley picked up the curious jewelry piece from Kameron, and opened her computer. She hooked the pretty chain around her index finger. What did it attach to? Opalescent mother of pearl glinted as it caught sunlight and eyed her from its flower-petal setting. Some unknown artisan molded the golden vines and flowers for a purpose. She squeezed and the clamp opened. What did it hold?
She crimped it open and shut, held it in her palm until the jewelry warmed. Thank you, Kameron.
With her free hand, she brushed over the double hearts at her throat, and then set the clip on the desk in front of her. She began her search. Several vintage pieces pulled at her for a zoomed-in look, but that had to wait until she added to inventory. Created with care, old jewelry represented more heart than mass produced costume junk that buried displays in chain stores.
Scrolling through pages of photographs, there it was. A glove clip, circa 1940s. The chain closed around a purse strap and the clamp held gloves.
“Who would have guessed it?” Hayley opened a drawer and pulled out a store tag. Striding over to a simple black vintage bag, she opened the hook, kissed the heart shape it formed. It opened wide enough to loop through the o-ring, and she closed it at the base of a purse handle.
A drawer housing a collection of gloves stood open. She selected a hand-stitched pair in powder blue and opened the glove clip. Perfect. Not yet. She tied on the note that read NOT FOR SALE, and couldn’t wait to demonstrate the jewelry’s purpose for Kameron.
Speaking of whom, she needed to change clothes and wear something he hadn’t seen yet. Her vow to only consider him a friend didn’t matter. God would work it out. Right now, she must look her best.
Moments later, she contemplated the offerings of her tiny closet, smoothing a finger over her locket. How soon would Kameron suggest unlocking the hearts again with the T-bar at the end of the fob chain? He had to be curious about Gregg as a young man. He’d told her that, to his knowledge, there were no pictures of her grandmother among the pastor’s belongings.
She sure wanted to enlarge and study the photograph of her Grandma Kathleen.
A dog barked. Summer already? He can’t be here yet.
She grabbed a knee-length red sweater dress and squiggled into snowflake leggings.
A knock sounded. She buttoned the dress as she went through the apartment. “Hi. I saw you leave to get Pastor Gregg. I imagine you left him comfy in his easy chair by now.”
“That’s wishful thinking. He’s actually sequestered in hopes of leading the service tonight.” Kameron’s brown eyes glowed with a secret light.
“That’s amazing for him to be feeling so well.”
He smoothed his knuckles down her cheek. “You sound out of breath.”
“And you sound different. Lighter somehow. It must be a relief to have the pastor home for Christmas.”
“It’s time you call him by his first name. I hope you’ll be at the house so often it feels like home.”
She couldn’t hope for anything better to look forward to. But Christmas first.
“Your prayers have come true, my Hayley. Jesus has changed my heart.” Kameron had planned to tell her later.
She straightened, drew up a leg, and turned her beloved face to him. “I’m all ears.”
“Happened last night. This morning. He empowered me to see everything new before I even opened my eyes. I thanked Him for Mom, the only mother who matters. To appreciate all she’s done for me is humbling.” He paused, Winter’s snoring the only sound. “I’m grateful Samantha admitted her similar beginning. I embraced her as sister. We parted in tears at the airport.”
His heart surprisingly at peace, he reached for her soft hand, ran a thumb over and over her palm. He sank further into the corner of the leather couch. “Confession is good for the soul. It was time, my night of salvation. I gave up the fight, and was born anew. So much of the process I’d heard others tell and scoffed at how happy they seemed. My head said I needed to take my eyes off myself and put them on the Lord.”
She stared at their hands. “It’s easier said than done.”
“Anyone around me knew it was no secret I sometimes wondered why I was even alive. You know why. Left the way I was as a newborn made me believe I had no value. The only way I could escape was into my fictional worlds. Then as a writer I used those worlds as a reason to be reclusive and grumpy.”
She raised her head and smiled.
He read humor and acceptance. How he loved her. He folded her hand in his and turned her around to lean on his chest. The fruity scent combined with her warmth grounded him. Someday soon he’d tell her she represented home more than this house.
“I’ve always seen your worth. As well as your torment. I’ve prayed for you since we first met.” Her soft breathy voice touched him like a promise, accented by the squeeze of her hand.
“I look back and see that any success as an author had to be unacknowledged Divine intervention. I hope to never again type a word or plan a scene without prayer.” Kameron raised their hands and ran her fingertips across his closed lips. Tangy fruit, the scent of pineapple and orange, teased his nostrils.
She sighed, and peace engulfed him.
“My deepest regret? I rejected what God offered. Turned my back on the kindness and love Mom and Gregg showed me every moment we spent together. I didn’t accept friendships offered early in life, or even in my building. I’ve lived there since age nineteen. Three other apartments filled with singles. Couples have come and gone through the years. I only grunted when greeted. It didn’t take long and they ignored me the same as I ignored them.”
This time, Hayley moved their hands and kissed the knuckle of his index finger. “That’s so sad. I missed never knowing my father. Mom tried to make up for it. I was never alone. As a girl, I had Blythe around. Since Mom’s been gone, Bette Jean and Ross have shared my life.”
“I talked to make-believe people and deep down inside, dreamt of never being alone.”
She turned and cradled his face. “Your lonely days are over, Kam.”
“I know. Jesus opened my heart. Now because of His love, He is my solace.”
“I love the writer’s words you use. And, Kam, I love you.”
Oh, glorious day. Kameron Kohl knew love, God’s love. And love from the woman who had unlocked his heart.
Hayley sank below the surface, drowning in Kameron’s kisses. Wave after wave of deliciousness awakened the promise of a future filled with such embraces.
The dogs awoke, and Kam loosened his hold. Rough-housing as they ran past, Winter tripped over Kameron’s legs and broke a kiss that covered all the plot points of a romance novel, including the happy-ever-after.
Kameron groaned. “Better let them out.”
She followed close behind, her fingers holding on to the back of his belt. She never wanted to let go.
Freezing air hit her legs. A look over the backyard revealed a scene that belied the crisp temperature. The snowy world lay within the muted pinkish color of sunset. The calm of Christmas Eve.
Silent Night. Holy Night.
All was calm. All was bright.
Kameron shut the door and pulled her close. They stood still, gazes fixed on the sky as night fell.
The beauty broke as the dogs rushed to be let inside.
“Can you feed them one more time?” Pastor Gregg appeared in the kitchen dressed in his coat.
Hayley squealed. “It’s so good to see you. May I hug you or will it hurt?”
“Hug away.” His bright blue eyes invited her to do just that.
“Some parishioners love coming early. I doubt I’ll have the opportunity to sit and look at the cross for long.”
Kameron reached for her hand.
They studied Gregg’s steady walk as he journeyed the short distance to the side door of the church. Lights already revealed the stained glass windows.
She hugged his arm
. “Would he mind if we went now, too, but not bother him?”
“I’d like that.”
The pipe organ played “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and Kameron hummed as he held the door for her.
Dim lighting and green pine boughs dotted with red bows welcomed them. In the calm atmosphere, they found their seats.
Hayley prayed silently until the worship leader and small group invited the congregation to sing carols along with them.
Pastor Gregg took his spot on the platform.
The congregation rose to their feet and clapped.
Kameron whistled.
Hayley laughed.
“Welcome friends, on this holy night. Thank you for that wonderfully warm welcome. We’d be here all night if I expressed all the thankfulness in my heart. We are heart to celebrate a holy night. This night is not about me. This night is not about you, though it can be a busy time of year. Especially if you have small children or entertain. Christmas is never perfect, though most have a picture of the perfect Christmas home setting. Sometimes in the homes of others.” He paused.
Chuckles skittered in response.
“Seriously, though. People aren’t perfect. People disappoint. People are sinners. Life isn’t perfect or ideal. What we need is to accept it all. The imperfections. Illness and heartache. Broken dreams. Live with what happens. Be accepting of others. Be thankful rather than critical. I stand here and look out at you dressed in your Christmas finery. Or not. We live in a dressed down, casual world these days.” He waited for the snickers to ease. “Look to Jesus, the only perfect and sinless man, who loves us no matter what. We are perfect in His sight, despite our shortcomings. He chose us. He died for us. He loves us. Let’s all turn to John chapter two and read how Love came down at Christmas.”
Kameron swiped a tear, and whispered, “The Lord’s as patient as He is loving. He never left me alone. Not once.”
Hayley swiped her phone. Kam chose the pew Bible.
Shuffling pages quieted, and Pastor Gregg continued. “Love is the key. Love and acceptance of one another. Our Christmas celebrations will never be perfect, but heaven is perfect. Christmas is found within, a gentle nudge of love. Christmas is found with a heart responding to the light of innocence and belief in a child’s eyes. Love is found between the covers of God’s love letter. Straight from His heart to ours. Find your places and let’s begin.”
All gazes looked up in the silence.
“Good to know I have your attention. God wants that attention. So this may be a little different, but I want you to take turns reading, one verse at a time, rather than me getting weary standing up here.”
She followed along on her phone, wishing she didn’t need both hands so she could touch Kameron. He shuffled, enabling their arms to brush, as though he’d read her mind. The recitation was beautiful, only a couple hesitations from those who didn’t feel comfortable reading out loud.
They continued the service by singing more carols. It ended too soon, but with a beautiful, blessed doxology.
Murmurs began.
A preschool boy from the pew in front turned to Kameron. “I like your dogs. Can I come play with ‘em in the snow sometime?”
Kameron smiled.
Hayley’s mouth fell open. “Knock me over with a peacock feather. Am I imagining things?”
His smile spread.
The spark in his eyes hit her straight in the heart. “Your dimples are adorable.” Sexy as all get-out.
Kameron patted the boy’s head. “If your parents say it’s all right, maybe we can walk on the trail together with the dogs. We don’t have to wait until the snow is gone.”
The child scampered off.
The congregation exited the church to ringing bells. The stars and moon brightened the inky sky. Kameron reached for Hayley’s hand and led her off the sidewalk. They moseyed over the lawn, their boots crunching through crusty snow to create the only sound until dogs barked inside the house.
She drank in his smiling, handsome face in the glow of porch lights.
Kameron slipped off a glove, loosened her scarf to run a finger over her locket. “It’s warm.”
“From my heart to yours.”
“Oh, yeah. Our hearts are a perfect fit.” He leaned in.
She closed her eyes. “Just like our antique trinkets.”
Author’s Note
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my Christmas story.
Have you ever considered that hope came down from heaven in the body of Jesus as a baby? I pray He lives in your heart and you live each day with hopeful expectation.
Like Kameron, many of the churched have yet to come to saving grace, fighting against what they’ve heard all their lives. No matter your background, seek the Lord’s strength to overcome what haunts you. As humans, we all have “stuff” to deal with in life.
As for Hayley, we’ve probably all met those who come across as pushy or preachy in their exuberance to introduce Jesus. Each of us has a different way of sharing the greatest Gift of all.
I value your time investment. If you aren’t ready to leave Hayley and Kameron yet, I would so appreciate a review. Authors love comments from readers.
Thank you again, and I wish you renewed hope as you celebrate how the Lord blesses you.
In Him,
LoRee
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