The Christmas Secret (10 page)

David and Marvin returned a short time later, and then Marvin suggested that he and Isabelle go to the kitchen so Elizabeth and David could talk privately.

David pulled a straight-backed chair close to the fire and took a seat. Then he turned to Elizabeth, took her hand in his, and said, “I have some good news.”

“Wh–what’s that?” she asked, barely able to look at him, fearful that she’d give in to her threatening tears.

“We’re not related. Your father is Charles Canning, and my father is Raymond Stinner.”

“But my aunt Lovina said in her journal—”

“I know what she said.” David gave Elizabeth a heart-melting smile. “I found out that Lovina lives in Philadelphia, and I went there to see her.”

“You did?”

He nodded. “Lovina lied. She made the whole thing up because she was in love with Charles Canning, and when he chose your mother instead of her, she was angry and jealous, so she wrote that horrible lie in her journal.” David rose from his chair and picked up the satchel he’d dropped on the floor when he’d first come in. He returned to his chair and pulled out a piece of paper. “This is a signed confession from Lovina. She feels horrible about what she wrote and asked me to give you this.”

Tears welled in Elizabeth’s eyes as she read her aunt’s letter of apology, knowing how hard it must have been for her to relive that heartache and admit her mistake. “Oh David, this is a Christmas miracle.” Closing her eyes, she silently thanked God for this unexpected turn of events. Instead of being angry with Aunt Lovina, Elizabeth was overwhelmed with appreciation for her aunt’s admission to the lie she’d written so long ago.

“You’re right—it is a Christmas miracle. It’s also an answer to my prayers.” David reached into the satchel again and handed Elizabeth a small velveteen pouch.

“What’s this?”

“It used to belong to your mother, and your aunt wanted you to have it.”

Elizabeth inhaled sharply as she removed a small gold locket from the pouch. “Oh, it’s so beautiful.”

David stood and gently pulled Elizabeth to her feet. “Elizabeth Canning, will you marry me on Christmas Eve?”

“Oh yes,” she said, nearly choking on a sob. “I thank God we’re together again, and from now on, there will be no more secrets between us.”

O
n Christmas Eve, snowflakes fell gently outside the window as Elizabeth and David stood in front of the glowing fire inside the small cabin that would soon be their new home. After the blizzard-like weather had abated, they’d left Coopersburg and returned to Allentown to prepare the cabin for their wedding, which was where they’d both wanted to hold the ceremony. David’s mother and grandfather, Elizabeth’s father and stepmother, and her grandparents and a few close friends, including Helen and her parents, had come here to witness their marriage.

Elizabeth, wearing her mother’s ivory-colored wedding gown and gold locket, had never felt more beautiful.
Oh, how I wish Mother could be here to see me get married.

“And so,” Reverend Warner said, pulling Elizabeth’s thoughts aside, “what God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” He nodded at David. “You may now kiss your bride.”

David lowered his head and gave Elizabeth a kiss so sweet she thought she might swoon.

“Happy birthday, Mrs. Stinner. I have a surprise for you,” he whispered when the kiss ended and they’d received congratulations from their family and friends.

“What is it?” she asked breathlessly.

His lips curved into a sly smile. “It’s a secret. A Christmas secret.”

“I thought there would be no more secrets between us.”

“This is a good secret.” He slipped Elizabeth’s shawl over her shoulders and took her hand. “Come with me, and you’ll see what it is.”

Leaving the warmth of the cabin, David led Elizabeth out the door, where he motioned to the most elegant-looking, mahogany-colored carriage with brass mountings. It was fit for a princess going to a ball.

“I may not be able to give you a beautiful home just yet,” David said, “but at least you’ll have a handsome carriage to ride in.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “I really don’t need a beautiful home or a handsome carriage, but I thank you for such a lovely gift.” She leaned her head on his shoulder and sighed. “I found all I’ll ever need the day I met you, and I’m perfectly happy to live in our little log cabin for as long as necessary.” Just minutes after being pronounced husband and wife, Elizabeth didn’t think her heart could be any fuller.

David bent down to give her another kiss, this one even sweeter than the last. As they walked hand in hand back inside to their family and friends, a tiny movement caught Elizabeth’s eye. She smiled to herself when she spied a ladybug crawling on the wall above the mantel.

Elizabeth was sure that God must be looking down from heaven to bless their marriage. “Maybe someday our own son or daughter will begin their life in this log cabin,” she murmured against David’s ear. A feeling of contentment enveloped her, and she knew without any doubt that this night was just the beginning of many dreams to come true.

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter

1 egg

1 cup molasses

2 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1 cup hot water

In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter; beat in egg, add molasses. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Blend into the creamed mixture. Stir in the hot water. Pour into a greased and floured 9-inch pan. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.

1/2 cup wild yeast starter (stir before measuring)

2 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon melted butter

2 1/2 cups lukewarm water

5 to 6 cups whole wheat flour

Combine starter, water, salt, and butter; mix well. Slowly stir in 5 cups flour. Continue to add up to a cup of flour until dough starts to ball together. Wet a flat board and your hands. Turn dough out onto surface and knead for 10 to 15 minutes, until the texture of the dough is uniform. Grease a large bowl and place dough inside; cover. Set for 8 to 12 hours. Turn dough out onto a damp surface, and shape into 2 loaves. Place in greased pans and let rise for 2 hours, until doubled in size. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons butter

1 cup milk

1 cup flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

2 cups water

1 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons butter

1 tablespoon cornstarch

Cream together sugar and butter; add milk, flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing well. Fold in raisins and nuts. In a saucepan, bring water, brown sugar, butter, and cornstarch to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes. Pour syrup in bottom of baking dish. Top with batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

New York Times,
award-winning author, Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs. When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties.

Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at
www.wandabrunstetter.com
.

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A Vow for Always

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