A Season of Love (34 page)

The women left covered dishes and desserts on the counter
on their way to sit in the family room. Delicious smells wafted through the kitchen.

“All of the
kinner
follow me!” Eli called from the family room. “It’s time to hear the Christmas story.”

Lindsay stood in the doorway leading to the family room as the children cheered and rushed to him. With Emma on his lap and the rest of his grandchildren on the floor in front of the rocking chair, Eli began to tell the story from the Book of Luke.

Matthew sidled up to Lindsay. “He tells the story every year, ya?”

“Ya
,
”
Lindsay said, smiling. “I love watching the way the
kinner
smile and their eyes light up. It’s magical to them every year.”

“They do look excited.” Matthew gestured toward the children. “Mei
daadi
used to tell us the story each year too. I miss him.”

“I’m certain you do.” Lindsay glanced across the room and spotted her gifts for Matthew. “I have to give you your presents.” She motioned for him to follow her to the corner of the room where a pile of gifts sat. She lifted the two heavy wrapped boxes. “I hope this is what you need. Daniel helped me pick them out,” she whispered in order to not interfere with the storytelling nearby.

“Danki.”
He gestured toward the stairs. “Let’s go sit there so we can have a little privacy.”

“
Gut
idea,” she said, following him to the staircase. They climbed up to the landing and sat beside each other.

He examined the drill and accessories, and a smile turned up his lips. “They’re perfect, Lindsay,” he said. “They’re just what I need to start on our
haus.
”

Her stomach flipped at the mention of the future house.
Next Christmas we’ll be married. “Frehlicher Grischtdaag, mei liewe,”
she said.

He echoed the words. “Now I have a question for you,” he
said. “Have you decided how many bedrooms you want in your
haus
?”

“Ya
,
”
she said. “How about five?”

“Five?” he asked, grinning. “You’re expecting a big family, ya?”

“I can hope so, right?” She laughed. “Matthew, I don’t care how many bedrooms we have as long as we’re together.”

“I agree, but without bedrooms, all we’ll only have are a kitchen,
schtupp
, and a bathroom.” He nodded toward the tools. “But if you want five, then five it is.”

“That will be an awfully large house for a couple just starting out,” Lindsay said. “I’ll be satisfied with three bedrooms.”

“Let’s start with five and see how the plans come out.” Matthew’s expression became intense. “
Ich liebe dich
, Lindsay.”

“
Ich liebe dich
too,” Lindsay said.

While he continued to discuss the house, Lindsay sighed to herself.
Yes, this is absolutely the best Christmas ever.

Katie glanced around the group of family members and friends clogging up Rebecca’s kitchen. When the word got around yesterday that Rebecca had had her baby and everyone was going to surprise her with Christmas dinner, Katie hoped someone would invite Jake. She’d spent the past couple of days making a gift for him, and she wanted to give it to him on Christmas.

Moving through the family room, she spotted her grandfather telling the Christmas story to the little ones, and she smiled. She remembered gathering around him every year to hear the story when she was a girl. Even though she knew the words nearly by heart, it was fun and exciting to hear it again, especially since only her grandfather could tell it so well.

She gripped the little gift in her hand and headed toward the front door, trying to ignore the disappointment filling her. She
stood by the door and glanced out at the road, spotting small snowflakes dancing their way down from heaven.

“It’s snowing,” she whispered to herself.

“I know,” a voice behind her said. “I noticed it when I climbed the back porch.”

Turning, Katie found Jake smiling at her.

“Jake,” she said, “you’re here!”

“
Ya
, I’m here,” he said.
“Frehlicher Grischtdaag.”

She touched his arm, noticing that his body was cold. “Did you just get here?” she asked. “You feel like you’ve been walking outside.”

“I did just arrive.” He sat on a bench by the front door and motioned for him to join her. “
Mei daadi
got a slow start this morning, and I was waiting for him to pick me up.” He pulled a small item from his pocket. “I have something for you. It’s not much, but I made it myself.”

“Oh,” she said, placing his gift on her lap. “I have something for you too.”

“I’ll go first,” Jake said, handing her a small package wrapped in red paper. “I hope you like it.” His smile was shy, and she couldn’t help but think he looked adorable.

“I’m certain I will.” She unwrapped the package to reveal a small, wooden box with
Katie
carved in the top. It had brass hinges.

“It’s a prayer box,” he said. “You write down your special prayers on small pieces of paper, fold them up, and put them in the box for safekeeping.”

“Oh, Jake,” she said, running her fingers over the wood. “It’s the most
schee
box I’ve ever seen.
Danki.
I love it so very much.”

“Gern gschehne
,
”
he said. “I’d hoped you’d like it.”

A commotion sounded from the direction of the kitchen, but Katie ignored it, concentrating only on Jake.

“My gift isn’t much.” She held up the little package. “But I hope you like it.”

“I’ll like anything you give me.” He ripped open the green paper and found a knitted, dark blue blanket. “I love it, Katie.”

“I’m so glad,” she said. “It’s a blanket for when you get your first buggy. You put it on the seat to keep it warm. When I have more time, I’ll make you a larger blanket too.”

“It’s perfect,” he said. “Celebrating our Lord’s birth with you today makes this day perfect.
Danki.
This is the best gift I could ever receive this year, other than being here with you.”

“Danki
,
”
she said. “I’m glad you liked it.”

“Hey,” a voice called.

Katie looked up as Jessica walked over.

“I’m sorry,” Jessica said, looking embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you two.” She started to walk away.

“No,” Jake said, standing. “It’s okay. Merry Christmas.” He shook Jessica’s hand.

“Hello, Jessica,” Katie said. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas.” Jessica jammed her thumb toward the family room. “I just got back from the hospital. I brought Rebecca, Daniel, and the baby home.”

“They’re back,” Katie said with excitement. “I can’t wait to see my new cousin.”

“She’s gorgeous,” Jessica said, smiling. “She’s the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen.” Her smile faded, and her expression became serious. “I wanted to speak with you both, especially Katie.”

Katie’s stomach tightened. “Oh?”

“I owe you both an apology.” Jessica looked between Jake and Katie. “I didn’t mean to come between you. I also never wanted to make you feel uncomfortable or cause you to think Jake wanted to be with me. I know he belongs with you, Katie.” She touched Katie’s arm. “I wish you and Jake happiness.”

With surprise, Katie smiled and hugged Jessica. “I forgive you, Jessica. Thank you so much for your honesty.”

“You’re welcome,” Jessica said. She gestured toward the family
room. “I’ll let you two celebrate together. I’m going to go get some of that yummy food that’s in the kitchen. I’m going to miss this Amish food when I head home and go back to being a poor college student.”

Jake smiled as Jessica walked away. “I’m glad she apologized. She told me she felt really bad about interfering, and I suggested she express her feelings to you.”

Katie smiled up at him. “No one can interfere between us now.”

“That’s right,” he said. “Let’s go meet your new cousin.”

“I can’t wait,” she said.

As Katie and Jake started walking toward the kitchen, Katie spotted Lindsay and Matthew coming down the stairs. Katie suddenly remembered how nasty she’d been to Lindsay the night of the Christmas party.
Now it’s my turn to apologize.
She turned to Jake. “I need to talk to Lindsay for a minute.”

Jake raised his eyebrows. “Oh. Let me know when you’re done. I’ll go talk to Timothy and Luke.”

“Danki.”
Katie caught up with Lindsay and touched her arm. “Lindsay.”

“Katie!” Lindsay said.
“Frehlicher Grischtdaag.”
She hugged her. “It’s so
gut
to see you.”

“You too.” Katie pointed toward the front door. “May I talk to you for a moment?”

“Of course.” Lindsay glanced at Matthew. “I’ll be right back.”

“
Danki
, Matthew, for allowing me to borrow her for a moment,” Katie said before following Lindsay to the front door.

Lindsay grinned at Katie. “I heard the news about Jake. I’m so glad you worked things out. That’s
wunderbaar
he’s going to join the church, and you two can be together. I know how much you care about him.”

“Danki.”
Katie smiled. “I never expected things to work out as well as they did.”

“I know. I was surprised when Matthew told me Jake wanted
to be Amish, but it all makes sense.” Lindsay smiled. “Did you hear my news?”

“No,” Katie said. “What is it?”

“Matthew asked me to marry him next season.” Lindsay beamed.

“What?” Lizzie Anne sidled up to them. “Lindsay, did you say Matthew proposed?”

“Ya
,
”
Lindsay said.

“Ach!”
Lizzie Anne said, squeezing Lindsay’s arm. “That’s so exciting.”

“Oh, Lindsay!” Katie said. “That’s
wunderbaar gut.
I’m so
froh
for you.”

“Danki,”
Lindsay said. “Now what did you want to talk about, Katie?”

Katie took a deep breath. “I want to apologize.”

“For what?” Lindsay asked, looking confused.

“For being so awful to you the day of the party at
mei haus.
I shouldn’t have said those mean things to you.” Shaking her head, Katie thought back to the last couple of months. “I’ve been really moody during the past few months, and I’m sorry you both took the brunt of it.” She glanced at Lizzie Anne. “I’m sorry for being nasty to you too, Lizzie Anne. I was a horrible
freind
to you both.”

Lindsay waved off the comment. “Please don’t apologize. There’s no need. You’re
mei freind.
We’re always going to have bad days and say things we don’t mean in the heat of the moment. But no matter what, we forgive and love each other.”

“Ya
,
”
Lizzie Anne chimed in. “We’re always best
freinden
, even on the rough days.”

Katie held their hands. “I’m so thankful for you both.”

“I’m thankful for you both too,” Lindsay said.

“Frehlicher Grischtdaag, mei freinden,”
Lizzie Anne said.

Rebecca held Gracie close as she stepped through the back door of her house. Her eyes widened with surprise when she found all of the members of the Kauffman family waiting for her. Kathryn and David stood over in the corner with Beth Anne and Paul. Timothy and Luke stood by the doorway, and Sarah Rose and Miriam spoke to Caleb and Naomi. Children zoomed in and out of the kitchen, snatching goodies off the counter.

The crowd spotted Rebecca.
“Frehlicher Grischtdaag!”
they called before rushing toward her to coo at the baby.

“Ach,”
Rebecca said. “This is so
wunderbaar gut! Danki
all of you for coming to see us.” She glanced down at her sleeping newborn. “This is your family, Gracie. They all love you.”

Elizabeth emerged from the crowd.
“Willkumm heemet
, Rebecca and Gracie.” She held out her arms. “I just washed my hands. May I take her from you?”

“Ya,”
Rebecca said, handing over the baby.
“Danki.”
She looked at the sea of food that covered the counters and table. “Everything smells so
appeditlich.
I appreciate this warm welcome.”

Elizabeth took Rebecca’s cloak off her shoulders. “
Gern gschehne.
Would you like to rest in the
schtupp
or in here?”

“I’m very sore,” Rebecca said. “I think I’d like to go to the
schtupp.
”

Daniel appeared behind her. “I’ll walk with you.”

Taking her hand, he led her through the crowd to her favorite chair in the family room. Rebecca greeted family members on her way, thanking them for coming and for bringing the delicious food.

“I’ll bring you a plate,” Daniel said. “You relax.”

“Danki.”
Rebecca smiled up at him and then glanced over at Eli, who was in the middle of telling the Christmas story. She spotted Emma curled up in his lap. Junior sat with his cousins
and his eyes were trained on Eli. Happiness filled her. Someday soon, Gracie would be in the middle of the group, enjoying the sacred story with her siblings and cousins.

“Aenti
,
”
Lindsay said, rushing over to her, “I’m so glad you’re home! How are you?”

“I’m fine.” Rebecca held her arms out and hugged her. “How are you, Lindsay?”

“I’m
wunderbaar gut. Frehlicher Grischtdaag
,” Lindsay said. “Where’s the
boppli
?”

“Elizabeth has her.” Rebecca gestured toward the kitchen, where Elizabeth was holding Gracie while talking to Sarah Rose and Naomi.

“Oh.” Lindsay sat in a chair next to Rebecca. “Are you feeling well?”

“Ya,”
Rebecca said. “I’m just sore.”

Daniel returned with a heaping plate of food and a cup of hot cider. He placed the cider on the table beside Rebecca and handed her the plate. “I’m going to go get myself something to eat. I’ll be right back.”