Chapter 18
Faith looked down at room below. The scent of pine and holly had filled the parlor. The ladies were all around the quilting frame sewing and talking all except Meg, she was wrapping yarn around Peter’s hands, “Pete keep your arms spread tighter,” she laughed.
Pete looked at his wife and chuckled, “You could work a little faster.”
“Yes I could but then yarn ball would be too loose for knitting. That snow falling out is a pleasant change of pace.”
“Yeah it’s Christmas snow. The best kind of snow there is.” Adam agreed, “Dad move the wreath a little more to your left.”
“Now scene this is something to remember,” Faith said from other side of the balcony. She took the photo and checked her camera. “This new memory card is a god send," she said as she took a photo of her cousin working on the wreath.
Laura shook her head with joy, the warmth of family and friends brought tears of joy to her eyes, she could feel her father and uncle all around the room. Hank and Clay came in from tending the animals followed by Tom. Everything to him was so new and exciting. For the first time in a while, he felt a sense of accomplishment. The work on their new home and down at the workshop had been hard but he took it all in stride.
Debbie looked at her cousin with her eyes a glow, “Tom, you’ve taken to farm life like one of Aunt Laurie’s ducklings take to water.”
“Deb, I feel totally alive, tired but really alive, this is the best Christmas ever.” Tom laughed.
“You have great talents, Tom. I like working with you.” Hank said pouring a cup of hot spice cider. “This place is full of so much of the light of life that not even a noreaster can dim it.”
“Hank, why don’t you play some carols and we can sing along.” Sue said.
Hank sat down and started playing O Holy Night.
The others joined in but were silenced by Chyanna’s angelic voice, “Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother. And in his name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, with all our hearts we praise His holy name. Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we, His power and glory ever more proclaim! His power and glory ever more proclaim! Noel, Noel, Oh Holy Night.” She looked around the room, “Was I that bad?”
“Shut up, that was so darn pretty!” Cassie said in admiration.
“It sent chills right through me.” Barbara agreed.
Hank began playing it again and this time every one sang it. After a few more carols he looked over at Debra’s guitar, “You know there is only one way to play Silent Night.”
Debra laughed, “But I’m quilting.”
Peggy looked at her with a grin, “Child, you need a break.”
“Is that an order?’” Debra asked sheepishly.
“If I wasn’t plain enough then I must be getting old.” Peggy laughed, putting Debra at ease.
Debra began playing, “Silent Night, Holy Night, All is calm…”
They all joined in Mary and Chyanna leading the way. The two women’s voices blended so naturally that one listening would have thought that the two women had been sing together for years.
Ric got up and poke the fire, “You know, too much time has passed since we were together like this,” He thought has added a new log. He was glad that Lisa and her sister were getting close again after so many years.
As for Terri, she was thinking about all the family living nearby while she and Faith were still living in Logan Harbor. She looked at her mom and aunt, she wondered how she could leave them there by themselves and move back to Morgan’s Hallow, It would be so unfair to lay that responsibility all on Faith.
She sighed and tried to push all those thoughts out of her mind. Mary looked at her youngest daughter; she could read all her kids like a book and knew she was struggling with something. “Terri what is weighing you down so?” She asked.
“I’ve just realized how much I missed Morgan’s Hallow.” Terri replied.
“So I have I.” Faith replied from above.
“So move back here, child, you are old enough to know your own mind.” Peggy laughed.
“Who would look after you and Mom?” Terri asked.
“Landsakes, Terri, we can take care of ourselves.” Mary said.
“Actually Aunt Mary that’s not completely true.” Meg laughed, “Sure there are a lot of things you two can still do but there some things you can’t anymore. Look, I know you both think I just being a worrisome Nettie. But you are getting older and the slightest fall can be a serious thing.”
“Well we can look after each other.” Peggy said indigently.
“Mom, what happens if you both go down?” Pete asked.
“We will cross that bridge when we get to it.” Mary replied trying to sound angry.
“I have an Idea, the Gordon place has been restored and it is closer to town than the farm. Peg and Mom can move in there and we all can help look after them.” Laura said.
“Ellen Gordon would roll over in her grave if we moved in there. She could just barely stay civil with us.’ Peggy laughed.
“She was a proud woman that would never admit that she was wrong.” Mary agreed, “We three finally made our peace after Tom died.”
“I think she would demand that you two live there. You won’t even have to pay rent. Heaven knows that Hank and I don’t need the extra money. You two were there for us every time we needed it.” Laura told them.
“Laura, we have never kept a ledger on anything.” Mary chuckled.
Karyn was fascinated by the family banter. She had never heard her dad talk about his family. She knew about her Mom’s family because her mom told the stories of when they were growing up. She barely knew her father’s parents. All she knew was from the many letters she and her sister got from her grandmother Hazel Barrington. “Mom, do you think that I can call Grandma Hazel on Christmas morning?”
“Karyn, I think, no I know she would love hearing both your voices. She writes us all the time from the Oregon back-country. In fact, she has written more since your dad left us. I think she was hurt by the way he treated us.”
“But she wasn’t the one that hurt us.” Chyanna said.
Peggy and Mary laughed, “Child, we hurt when our own are hurting.” Peggy explained, ‘I think it is in the grandparent’s rulebook somewhere.”
Like the rain on a spring day, the laughter filling the room soon brought everyone back to the cheer of the season. Even though the previous year had been hard on all them, the farm and the love of friends had given them strength to face the next year of challenges.
Lisa and her sister estranged for several years had forgotten the wedge that had separated them. Chyanna and Karyn had found new friends to replace the ones that had left in Seattle. Abby and her cousins were discovering that a new slower culture awaited them. It would be one filled with lots of hard work around their new farms intermixed with a closeness they never expected.
No, all thoughts about the last year had been washed away by love and understanding. All thoughts about the future were also distant signposts. Meg finished winding the yarn and Pete stood up and stretched his arms, “Any one up for popcorn?” He asked cheerfully.
Ric chuckled, “the fire is just about hot enough.”
“More popcorn!” Barbara nodded, “We can make some for popcorn balls!”
“Landsakes, we’ve had popcorn almost every night since we’ve been here.” Mary teased.
“I’ll go and get the bowls, corn syrup, food coloring and sugar.” Laura laughed.
“Don’t forget the Carmel!” Debbie laughed.
“Deb, you’re going to make me lose some of my stitches.” Laura giggled.
Meg looked at her mockingly, “You don’t have any more stitches. The last one dropped out a couple of days ago.”
“I’m more worried about the mess; I will have to help clean up.” Tiffany laughed.
Laura shook her head has she headed for the Kitchen.
“Wait up Laura, I’ll go help you.” Cassie said cheerfully.
Suddenly, Adam started singing, “Bumpy bump, bumpy bump, look at Frosty go,”
“Bumpy bump, bumpy bump over the hills of snow.” Terri sang.
Soon the room was filled with singing and the smell of popcorn, caramel, and sugar. The scent of pine and holly added to the fun and excitement that Cassie had never experience before. All thoughts of her family in North Carolina gave way to the joy she felt at being with her new family and friends.
Soon the quilt was done and Debbie and Gabby held it up for all to see. It was covered with various Christmas scenes with a patchwork nativity in the center. Centered above it was a patchwork of stars in various shades of gold.
“Now that is a quilt to behold.” Greg said. "I have a place ready for it.”
There was a wide bare spot high above the Fireplace. On either side there were two wreaths already hung. Ric got two ladders. With Pete and Clay holding them Ric and Greg carefully lifted quilt and stretched it in place. The ladders were quickly put way. Greg looked at the clock and smiled, “Christmas Eve Gift!” he shouted.
“Oh my gosh, Dad would be proud!” Pete laughed.
“Oh my is it that late?” Laura laughed.
“It is that early. We had better get to bed tomorrow is going to be a long one for sure.” Debra said.
Mary nodded, “More work to do tomorrow than in any of the previous days.”
Sue looked at Laura, “You have better have a fruitcake ready on Christmas day.”
“Sue, I made it last New Year’s day. I let it soaked in rum for a week then wrapped it in foil and put it way back in the old cupboard in the pantry. It will be ready.” Laura laughed.
“Rum?” Adam asked.
“Don’t worry the alcohol is long gone, but the fruit cake will be moist.”
“Hummm, I never had a moist fruit cake.” Tom said.
Meg laughed, “That’s because you’ve only had store bought fruit cake.”
“I’ll take it out first thing in the morning so that the air can get to it.” Laura explained.
The Girls and Laura cleaned up the main parlor then headed for bed. Before she went to bed Debbie updated her blog and journal. “I am tired and give out but I am ready for tomorrow. There is a presence in this place that won’t let trouble intrude.”
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