The Christmas Quandary: Sweet Historical Holiday Romance (Hardman Holidays Book 5) Read online

  James patted Tom’s leg then leaned back. “I know it hurts, Tom, more than anything you’ve ever experienced, but time really does heal all wounds and things will look better soon. I’m sure of it.”

  Tired of listening to his parents’ encouragement, Tom went to his room and crawled into bed, spending restless hours wondering where Lila was and praying she’d at least be happy.

  The following morning, James insisted Tom go with him to cut down a Christmas tree.

  As they walked into the woods at the far end of their property, James kept up the bulk of the conversation. He talked about the crops he planned to plant in the spring, the things he wanted to update on the house before the baby’s arrival, and asked Tom if he thought it would be possible to add a bathroom at the back of the house.

  Tom stared at his father. “You’re really thinking about adding indoor plumbing. With a bathtub and everything?”

  “Everything,” James said with a grin. “I don’t want your mother to have to go through all the work of hauling water for a bath or traipsing out to the privy when the baby is close to due. She practically lived in the outhouse the last month before you were born and I don’t want her to go through that again.” James looked at Tom. “Do you think you might like to help me do the work?”

  “If you let me know when you’re planning to do it, I could probably arrange to take a few days away from work.” Tom pointed to a grove filled with perfect-sized Christmas trees.

  James gave him a long look. “Are you sure you don’t want to take Ed Daily up on his offer? Your mother and I have some money set aside. We’d be happy to help you purchase the paper.”

  “I appreciate the offer, Dad, but all things considered, I think it best I go back to Portland. At least for now,” Tom said, setting down the pack he’d carried on his back.

  He removed a flask his mother filled with hot chocolate and handed it to his father. James took a swig then handed it back to him.

  Tom took a drink before returning it the pack he’d carried. “Despite everything that happened, this trip home has reminded me how much I like being here and what a good community we have.”

  “Well, I’m glad to hear you got something good out of the last several weeks. I think the students at the school will be sad to see you leave, even though they love Alex. I wonder what will happen after she and Arlan become parents. I doubt she’ll return to teaching.” James took out an axe and motioned to a bushy tree. “Will this one do?”

  Tom walked around the tree and shook his head. “Mama won’t like bare branches on this side.” He studied three other trees before choosing one. “This is the one.”

  “Stand back and let me at it,” James said, wielding the axe and striking near the base of the tree.

  Tom would have liked to get in a few chops just to work out some of his aggression, but it would most likely do damage to his healing arm.

  After James felled the tree, they finished drinking the hot chocolate and ate a few cookies Junie sent along for their enjoyment. Tom tied a rope around the trunk of the tree and dragged it toward home while his father carried the axe.

  They hadn’t even made it up the porch steps before Junie opened the front door and excitedly rushed outside.

  “Oh, it’s beautiful! You two outdid yourselves this year.” Junie kissed James’ cold cheek as he settled a hand around her waist.

  “You say that every year, June-bug,” he said, stamping snow from his boots so they could carry the tree inside.

  “I mean it every year,” she said, giving him a hug. “It really is a marvelous tree.”

  “You’d say that if we brought home a stick that only had bare branches,” Tom teased, bouncing the tree on the walk to shake the snow off the limbs.

  Junie crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “I would not and you know it, smarty.”

  Tom grinned and hefted the trunk while his father lifted the tip of the tree, carrying it inside the house. Junie had a bucket of sand ready in a corner of the parlor to hold the tree.

  When it stood straight, she added a few rocks to help keep it upright then poured water into the sand to keep the tree from drying out too quickly.

  She took a deep breath and brushed her hands as she surveyed the tree. “It smells so good.”

  “That it does,” James agreed, shrugging out of his coat.

  An hour later, even Tom laughed as they decorated the tree. The ornaments they owned were not expensive or fancy, but they all held great sentimental value.

  Tom fingered a little stuffed bear ornament his mother had made for him when he was about six. It wore an embroidered smile of red thread and a bright red bow around its neck.

  “I see you found Bobo.” Junie pointed to the bear.

  “I did, Mama. It wouldn’t be Christmas if he wasn’t on the tree.” Tom hung the ornament on a branch then reached for another. He lifted a heart-shaped ornament his father made by cutting a series of sticks in graduated lengths then gluing them together.

  “Oh, my heart,” Junie said, taking the ornament from Tom and placing it on a branch with loving care. “We’ve had that one since our very first Christmas together.”

  “Well, we couldn’t afford much more than sticks and glue that first year,” James said, wrapping his arms around Junie’s waist and kissing her neck. “Things have changed a lot, haven’t they, June-bug?”

  “They have, Jimmy, so much, but I wouldn’t trade anything for the experiences that brought us to where we are today.” She turned and smiled at her husband, giving him a light kiss.

  Tom rolled his eyes and feigned disgust although it pleased him to see his parents so much in love.

  He’d planned to spend his life loving Lila and envisioned being just as enthralled with her twenty years down the road as he was now.

  Only, that was not meant to be.

  Aware of the maudlin mood about to settle over him, he forced away thoughts of the beguiling girl and instead asked his mother to tell him about some of the ornaments on the tree. He knew the story behind each one, but Junie loved reminiscing and Tom gratefully embraced the distraction her stories provided.

  If he hoped to make it through the holidays with his sanity intact, he’d have to seek out every distraction he could find.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “Mr. Grove?” Maura Granger tugged on the hem of Tom’s suit coat, gazing up at him with pale green eyes.

  “What is it, Maura?” he asked, hunkering down and smiling at the adorable little imp.

  “Is it time?” she asked, referring to the children’s program. To keep the children from restless anticipation of their performance, Chauncy agreed to schedule the program before the Christmas Eve service started. Without the addition of live animals, it simplified things immensely. Although, the rascal wearing the donkey costume was determined to wear holes in the knees of it before the program ever started by crawling around the floor and kicking out his hind legs with a sound that vaguely resembled a donkey’s bray.

  Tom had given up trying to get the boy to sit still and moved him to the end of the stage where he wouldn’t cause damage to the props or fellow actors in the performance.

  “It’s almost time, Maura,” Tom pretended to tug on her nose, making the child grin.

  She leaned against him and sighed. “I miss Lila,” she said. Her lip puckered into a pout.

  “Me, too, but she’d want us to have fun tonight, don’t you think?” Tom hugged the little girl.

  Maura nodded and pointed to where one of the shepherds got into a shoving match with the sheep.

  “Stay here, Maura,” Tom said, rushing over to break up the two boys and restore order. Blake and Arlan stepped behind the curtain and helped get the children into their proper places. Dora volunteered to oversee the music and Ginny, from years of helping with the program, offered to fill in for Lila.

  Percy Bruner and Anna Jenkins did their best to keep the younger children occupied.

  When Tom ga
ve the signal they were ready, Filly Granger hurried behind the curtain and handed Anna her sleeping son. “Just don’t set Cullen in the manger or drop him,” she cautioned the girl.

  Anna nodded, taking the safekeeping of the baby seriously. She held the infant close to her chest with Percy huddling beside her.

  As Luke and Blake pulled back the curtain, the program began.

  Erin Dodd stole the show when, in her role as an angel, she smacked one of the misbehaving wise men on the head with a pasteboard star she held in her hand.

  Snickers and subdued chuckles echoed throughout the church. Tom had to work to keep a straight face as he and Ginny led the children through the remainder of the program.

  Fred Decker, who won the camera the Bruner’s gave away at the store, did his best to take a few photographs of the children in their costumes.

  Cullen stretched and awakened just as Anna finished her last line. Unaccustomed to seeing her face, the baby let out a wail and fussed, effectively ending the program when Anna gave Filly a panicked look.

  Filly took the baby and the audience joined in a hearty round of applause.

  Tom waited until the children joined their parents in the audience before he took a seat next to Junie and James.

  Chauncy moved behind his pulpit, one Blake had generously carved as a Christmas gift a few years prior, and ran his hand across the smooth wood before he cleared his throat and smiled at the congregation.

  He delivered a heart-felt message of hope and love that left many dabbing moisture from their eyes.

  “Will you all rise and join me in singing ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing?’” Chauncy asked.

  As the congregation blended their voices in the familiar carol, Tom was sure he picked out Lila’s sweet, clear soprano, but that was impossible. She was probably halfway to New York by now.

  They neared the end of the last verse when Percy Bruner stepped beside Chauncy and whispered something in his ear. The pastor grinned and nodded.

  “Please be seated,” Chauncy said, motioning the congregation to return to their seats. He led them in a brief, emotional prayer, then raised his gaze and grinned. “We have a unique request. Someone would like to sing a special song before we all leave this evening.”

  Chauncy took a seat next to Abby and lifted Erin on his lap as a beautiful voice sang from behind the curtain where the children had performed their program.

  The love song, pouring out a promise of devotion to last a lifetime, wasn’t what anyone expected, but the voice singing it was so beautiful, no one thought to dispute the appropriateness of it.

  Afraid to dream, but filled with hope, Tom stood when Lila Granger moved from behind the curtain and continued singing. Her silvery gaze locked with his and he stepped into the aisle, rushing to her.

  The last note of the song lingered in the air as he wrapped her in his arms and rained kisses on her face. Her hair hung down her back in a disheveled mess and her hands felt like ice, but she was there. She was really there, proclaiming her love in a way that left everyone in the church aware of her feelings for him.

  “You came back,” he said, lifting her up and whispering in her ear. “How did you get here? When did you get here?”

  Lila laughed and leaned back, still held in his arms. “I woke up yesterday morning and realized what a mistake I’d made, especially after I read your poem, Tom.” She held out a piece of parchment in her hand. “I should never have left. I’m sorry. Emerson agreed I needed to return to Hardman. I got off the train at the next stop and bought a return ticket. I missed the stage in Heppner, so I rented a horse at the livery and rode all the way here as fast as I could.”

  He breathed in her fragrance, soaked up her essence. “I’m so glad you came home, Lila Lilac.”

  Her heart was in her eyes when she bracketed his face with her hands. “I love you, Tom Grove, with all my heart, and if you haven’t withdrawn your proposal, nothing would make me happier than being your wife.”

  “Oh, Lila,” he groaned, kissing her in a way that made Chauncy clear his throat and many members of the congregation whistle and cheer in a boisterous manner.

  Lila’s face glowed as red as the holly berries decorating the front of the church when she pulled back, but she kept an arm wrapped around Tom when he finally set her on her feet.

  He smiled at the congregation, his family, and friends. “In case you didn’t figure it out yet, Miss Granger has agreed to be my bride.”

  More cheers and clapping filled the church. People surged forward to extend their well wishes.

  Junie rushed up to them and engulfed them both in a hug. She pulled back and smiled at Lila. “What made you come back?”

  “This,” Lila said, handing Junie the sheet of paper.

  Junie’s hand went to her throat and she blinked back tears as she read the words her son had written to his sweetheart.

  Beneath the frosty branches

  Buried deep in winter’s snow,

  There lived an empty man

  In a place no life could grow.

  He wandered in the darkness,

  A vessel dimmed by night,

  Until the day he met

  A sweet fairy made of light.

  Her smile held summer sunshine,

  Her lips a hint of dew,

  Springtime lilted in her voice

  And the lonely man then knew

  One glimpse of silvery heaven,

  One taste of succulent bliss,

  Snow melted in the lilacs

  Hope blossomed in her kiss

  The fairy full of laughter

  Would forever change his life,

  If she returned his love

  And vowed to be his wife.

  “Oh, son,” Junie gave Tom a watery smile. “No wonder Lila rode through the cold and snow to reach you.”

  “And I’d do it again in a heartbeat,” Lila said, leaning against Tom. “I’m sorry I left, Tom. I should never have gone.”

  “I know,” he said, kissing her chilled nose. “But the important thing is that you’re here now, on one of the most blessed nights of the year.”

  The festive atmosphere carried through the next hour as they shared mulled cider, punch, cake and cookies in the church’s basement.

  Most everyone had left, anxious to return to their homes for Christmas Eve dinners, when Erin screamed. “Mama sprung a leak!” she yelled, pointing to a puddle at Abby’s feet. “Mama’s leaking!”

  Chauncy clamored over chairs, knocking aside tables to reach his wife. “Is it time, Abby?” he asked, taking in her ashen skin and beads of perspiration dotting her upper lip.

  “Yes,” she panted, bracing both hands beneath her extended belly.

  “Why didn’t you say something earlier?” he demanded, wrapping his arm around her to offer support.

  “Because you were in the midst of delivering a beautiful Christmas Eve service, that’s why. We’ve got plenty of time before this little one will appear, but I’m ready to go home, Chauncy.”

  Luke ran for the doctor while Filly rushed next door to the parsonage to ready Abby’s bed.

  Lila found herself holding Cullen while Blake and Ginny herded Erin and Maura upstairs to put on their coats and take them to Granger House.

  Tom glanced over at his parents and they nodded, understanding he wanted to stay with the Grangers.

  “Please, Tom, ask your folks to come with us,” Lila said, smiling at Junie and James as they approached.

  “Mama, Dad, we’re going to help keep an eye on the children. Would you like to join us at Luke and Filly’s place?”

  “We’d love to, son,” James said.

  Alex and Arlan stayed behind to set the church to rights so Chauncy wouldn’t need to worry about coming back later.

  Together, the Grove and Granger families prepared to leave. Junie held Cullen while Tom helped Lila slip on her coat, then they all strode down the boardwalk to Granger House. Tom ended up carrying Maura while Blake held a sobbing E
rin.

  “My mama’s leaking to death,” the child cried. “Why’s she leaking?”

  “She’ll be fine, sweetheart. No need to carry on so,” Blake said, rubbing the child’s back. “Your mama is in good hands with Uncle Luke and Aunt Filly and Doc. They’ll take good care of her. I promise.”

  Her sobs lessened to sniffles.

  Blake kissed her cheek. “Do you remember watching my horse have a baby back in the spring?”

  Erin nodded and scrubbed a hand across her eyes.

  “The horse leaked, didn’t she?”

  Another nod.

  “And both she and the baby were fine. So don’t worry, Erin. Your Mama will be fine and you’ll soon have that baby you’ve been eager to meet.”

  “I will?” Erin asked, leaning back to look at Blake.

  By the time they reached Granger House, Erin had calmed considerably.

  After divesting the two little girls of their coats, Ginny took them into the parlor to admire the towering fir tree.

  Lila once again gave Cullen into Junie’s keeping while she shrugged out of her coat. Tom caught her hand, concerned by how cold it felt.

  “Before you do anything else, Lila, I think you best change your damp clothes,” Tom said, giving her a nudge toward the hall. He kissed her cheek and offered her a warm smile. “I can’t have my bride-to-be taking sick.”

  She returned his smile. “I thoroughly like the sound of being your bride, Tom. I’ll be right back.”

  While she changed, Tom held the baby. Blake and Junie made hot tea and poured cups of milk for Erin and Maura.

  Blake set everything on a big tray and carried it to the parlor. With slow, steady steps, Tom followed his parents down the hall as he held Cullen. He rather liked the feel of the little one in his arms and envisioned holding his own son someday, one with gleaming dark hair like Lila’s and her silvery eyes.

  Cullen remained asleep, much to everyone’s relief. Once they settled in the parlor, Junie took the baby, rocking him as she sat by the fire.

  “Well, we’ve had many interesting Christmas Eve experiences in the last several years,” Blake commented, wrapping an arm around Ginny’s shoulders and pulling her against his side.