Amos interrupted their work with a raucous cry.
“Must be time for him to eat.” Emma swept the toddler into her arms, then touched his forehead, nose, and chin before tickling his tummy. “Millie, would you…”
The girl finished Emma’s sentence, “Put the pies in as soon as the bread comes out? Yes, of course.”
“With Christmas on Monday, we need to do as much as we can today.” Emma fed the baby and rocked him to sleep while humming to Christmas carols sung by Millie in a sweet soprano.
***
Emma dropped her sewing when she heard Joseph open the door. She hurried to the kitchen to welcome him. Millie always turned her head away when Joseph kissed her, but Emma didn’t intend to suggest he stop. The greeting kiss was one of the best parts of her day.
“Pastor Sam made us a present for Amos. Where is the boy?”
“Sleeping.”
Joseph stepped outside and returned. “You know what a fine carpenter Sam is. Well, he made our boy a wagon. Isn’t it something?” He put the wagon on the floor and pulled it back and forth.
Emma’s heart swelled each time he referred to Amos as their child. “Millie mentioned a wagon would be a great gift for him. We were thinking of something you could make in the blacksmith shop, but this wooden one will make him so happy.”
“I’ll hide it in the barn.” Joseph grabbed the wagon. “Say, think the pie needs testing? Sure smells good.”
“The pie doesn’t need sampling, but you can help with the fence post on the back porch. I want to use it for our Christmas decoration.” Emma showed him where she wanted the hole for the candle cut and the collection of fabric bows and paper stars she’d made to use for ornaments.
Joseph retreated to the barn to finish the chores, and notch the Christmas log while Emma and Millie continued their sewing and cooking.
***
A light dusting of snow sparkled and shone on Christmas morning. Joseph scurried out to take care of the animals while Emma prepared a big breakfast for her family. She'd asked Millie to keep Amos occupied until she and Joseph requested the younger ones come out. She wanted this Christmas to be special for Millie because the girl had suffered many difficulties in her short life.
Emma gathered the gifts she’d been hiding and placed them around the fireplace, then draped a quilt so they couldn’t be seen from the kitchen. The decorated log waited. Joseph would light the candle just before they went into the parlor.
“Got cold last night.” The chill from outside followed Joseph into the kitchen. “Let’s go get them.”
Emma linked her arm through Joseph’s. When they said Merry Christmas, the door flew open and Amos raced toward the kitchen and climbed up into his chair.
Millie laughed. “He doesn’t know what Christmas means, but he knows the smell of breakfast.”
After they all filled their stomachs, Emma and Joseph prepared the parlor, then removed the quilt. Instead of running into the room, Amos stood there as if mesmerized.
“On our first Christmas together, let’s remember the real first Christmas.” Joseph brought out the well-worn Bible and read the story from Luke. Then they sang beloved carols together and each offered a sentence prayer for the great gift of God’s love given to all at Christmas.
In the spirit of the gifts presented to Jesus, they exchanged their gifts. Amos received his wagon, the rabbit from Millie, new clothes, a small cotton-tote bag, and clothespin animals.
Emma encouraged Millie to open her gifts next and moved next to Joseph when the girl unwrapped the first gift.
“Oh, thank you.” Millie cried as she traced the letters Millie’s Room burned into a board.
"You won’t let us pay you, so you must be family,” Joseph said. “I never had a sister, and Emma lost hers. We’re inviting you to fill the empty spot in both our lives. You'll always have a room in our home.”
“Are you sure?”
Emma cuddled the girl, and Joseph nodded approval.
“We can nail your sign to the door today if you want," Joseph said, "after you open your other gifts."
Millie shed more tears when she opened a hat from Emma. “People will think I’m a real lady when I wear this.”
“Well, you have two options. Look underneath. You can use a regular bonnet when you’re working in the sun and the fancy hat for special occasions.” Emma relished the joy shining from Millie’s face.
Joseph received a shirt from Millie with a promise for another. He examined and admired her workmanship.
“You’re popping the buttons off your old shirts, so Emma and I are working together to keep you clothed,” Millie teased.
Then Emma gave him a cotton boll quilt. “Joseph, this cotton boll quilt is because you love the cotton so much, but it’s also to let you know I’m learning to love this Blackland Prairie so dear to your heart. I have another gift for you, a rocking chair. Pastor Sam didn’t finish it in time for Christmas, so you’ll have a gift for later.”
“Perhaps the wagon for Amos kept him busy. I think he likes it.” Emma gestured to Amos who wove his way through the room pulling his wagon with the stuffed rabbit tucked under his arm.
Joseph turned to Emma. “Now it’s your turn. You have two gifts also. One for now, and one will arrive in the spring. I’ve ordered you two oaks. I know how much you’ve missed the trees of Missouri. I want us to have tall leafy friends around our home to remind you of all the seasons.”
Emma kissed Joseph. “Oh, Joseph, you know me so well.”
He handed her another package and waited until she opened it before speaking. “These shoes are special. I measured both your feet when you were sleeping and had a cobbler make shoes to fit you. The one is a little higher so your feet will be even.”
Emma couldn’t speak. She touched the supple leather, marveling at the consideration and concern these shoes represented. One year ago, she’d been a too-tall, deformed spinster. Today, she lived in a noisy, happy house with a husband who loved her, a child she considered her own and a newly acquired sister.
Millie started singing Joy to the World, and Joseph and Emma joined her. Even Amos added his voice.
Emma reached for Joseph’s hand. “What a perfect Christmas!”
“My best one ever,” Joseph whispered.
Mail-Order Emma had found home.
The End
A Word from the Author
Thank you for reading about the romance between Emma and Joseph. If you enjoyed their story, please consider posting a review on Amazon. Even those one-sentence reviews help to make books like this one more visible on Amazon.
My books may be seen on the Amazon Author Page for Linda Baten Johnson.
To read more books in this series, look for the Widows, Brides, and Secret Babies series. Each book begins with Mail Order and then the name of the bride.
About the Author
Linda Baten Johnson grew up in White Deer, Texas, where she won blue ribbons for storytelling. She still loves telling tales. A tornado destroyed the town when Linda lived there, and the experience of watching faith-based actions in rebuilding lives and homes after the tragedy influences her writing. Her historical fiction books for young readers and her squeaky-clean romances are available in print, e-book, and on audio. Visit her website www.lindabatenjohnson.com.
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Mail Order Emma (Widows, Brides, and Secret Babies Book 26) Page 7
