Christmas Under Western Skies (18 page)

She had good reason to distrust people.

But if she wanted the one thing she needed—love and belonging—she had to trust God would keep both her and Derek in the palm of His hand.

Was that too much to trust Him for?

She knew the answer to her question. Peace descended and sleep finally claimed her.

 

She woke to Kathy calling, “It's Christmas morning!

Get up, everyone, so we can open gifts. Hey, where are the gifts?”

The adults had decided not to place them under the tree until morning so as not to tempt Beau to explore.

Winnie dressed hurriedly, as anxious for the day as Kathy, but for an entirely different reason. Scooping up her parcels, she hurried from her room. Uncle Mac and Derek stepped from theirs at the same time, both with arms full as well.

“Merry Christmas,” they said in unison.

Winnie laughed. She suspected her eyes overflowed with joy for the day.

“Hurry, hurry,” Kathy called.

Laughing, the three of them hurried to the tree and deposited the gifts. Already the smell of the turkey cooking filled the room. She was glad she'd put it in the oven the night before. The aroma made Christmas more real.

Beau caught Kathy's excitement and tore around the room yapping. Derek caught him and held him to calm him.

“Can I open a gift now?”

Everyone agree Kathy should go first. She opened the biggest one, which was from Uncle Mac—a nice bed with a little mattress for Beau.

The next one was from Derek. She folded back the
paper to find a real drawing book with thick, smooth pages. “Ohh, I can hardly wait to draw in it.”

Then she took the gift Winnie handed her. She unwrapped a rag doll complete with cherry-red cheeks and black braids, her dress of the same material as Kathy's new dress. “I love her! Thank you.” She hugged each of the adults.

“I made everyone something.” She passed them each a gift. They opened up drawings. She had not drawn stick figures. In fact, her drawings were quite good.

Derek's showed him riding his horse. Uncle Mac leaned against a fence before the barn. Winnie stood in front of the house, the mountains rising behind it. She looked like she was welcoming someone home. Kathy had titled it
“Home, Sweet Home.”

“How lovely. I'll find a nice frame and hang it where I can see it every day. In fact, we'll frame all three of them.”

The men had gifts for each other—a new lariat for Derek, a new belt for Uncle Mac.

Uncle Mac gave Winnie a nice serving tray.

She gave Uncle Mac his gift from her. He displayed his new shirt proudly.

The last gift was for Derek. He pulled out a shirt. “It's fine. Really fine.” She hoped he was pleased.

“Try it on.”

He shook the folds out and a small package fell to his lap. He opened it. Her aunt had given her the small hanging that Winnie had carried with her since she left her
uncle's house. The edges were dog-eared, and stained where she had pressed her finger to it many times. “I'm sorry it's not new.”

He read the words aloud. “‘Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it.' Song of Solomon, eight, verse seven.”

“All my life I have hoped and prayed for that kind of love. I have found it here. Thank you.” She meant to include them all, but couldn't tear her gaze from Derek's dark eyes.

Uncle Mac cleared his throat and pushed to his feet. “Kathy, I think Beau needs to go for a walk.”

Winnie barely noticed the pair leave the house, with Beau tearing out the door ahead of them.

Derek slowly rose and stood before her. He pulled her to her feet and held her shoulders. “Winnie, do you mean to say you love me?”

“I certainly do. I've known for a while, but feared to trust it.”

“No more fears?”

“God has given me what I always wanted. I'd be foolish to throw away such a wonderful gift.”

Derek sought her gaze hungrily. She knew he waited to hear the words—the same words that had melted the resistance in her heart. “I love you, Derek Adams. I will gladly share your life, help raise your little sister and build a solid home here in the west.”

He still kept her at arm's length. “Winnie, I promise to love and protect you always. You and any children
God blesses our union with. You have completed my life and given me real happiness.”

He finally pulled her close and she lifted her face to meet his kiss, giving her whole heart into their promise.

Dear Reader,

In an earlier book,
The Path To Her Heart
, I mentioned the tragedy of children taken from families against their will. It got me to thinking of children who suffered even worse—given away by parents because of economic or health restrictions. Thus Winnie was born. Okay, created. I wanted to tell her story but to set it in a positive light. What better way than to give her Christmas?

I love the simple message of Christmas—God's love sent to us in the form of a baby. Yet so often I miss the simplicity of the message as I add commercialism, consumerism and other-isms. Writing this story was a joy because my characters brought me back to the true meaning of the season. Wouldn't it be great if all of us could get down to the basics of love and joy this Christmas? I pray that will be the case in my family and yours.

I like to hear from readers. Contact me through email at [email protected] or [email protected]. Feel free to check on updates and bits about my research at my website www.lindaford.org.

God bless,

1. Winnie has known rejection. How has it shaped her character? What word or words would you use to describe her?
   
2. Winnie is on her way to Banff to work in a sanitorium. Why does she feel this is the solution for her problems? Do you agree with her?
   
3. When she first meets Derek, she is not thinking romance and yet something about the man appeals to her. What is his appeal?
   
4. Derek is father and mother to Kathy. How is he doing at the job? How does he think he is doing?
   
5. Derek's faith has been sorely tested by the events leading up to the story. What has his reaction been?
   
6. Christmas reminds both Winnie and Derek of some important truths. What are they, and how does each character apply it to his/her life?
   
7. God's love healed their hearts. Do you have a hurt that needs God's love and healing? God is offering it to you today just as He was ready to pour it into Derek and Winnie's life. What truth do you need to grasp?