An Angel in Thistleberry Read online

  Lucas handed Jonah the sheets of music and wrapped his arms around his wife. “I should get you music more often.”

  She giggled.

  Jonah looked down at the contents in his hands, genuinely surprised. He couldn’t imagine how Gabe would react to such a gift. He turned for the door, feeling as if intruding on their moment.

  “Will you go get your daughter?” Lucy said to her husband from behind him.

  “If you save me one of those butter-laden bits of heaven for later,” Lucas retorted as he joined Jonah in the hallway.

  “Let me just go grab Sophia and then we can catch up,” his little brother said, as he climbed the stairs, taking two at a time. “There is much to be done tonight,” he called down, in an obviously jovial mood.

  For the first time since being here, Jonah noticed the piano inset just off the hallway. He looked around, but everyone seemed to be off, busy with one activity or another. He moved closer to the instrument and plunked one of the keys. Then another.

  Back in Oregon, Emma had sung to her children, but he had not had a piano in his house since the day he watched his father destroy their mother’s. He tapped on another key and smiled as the rich, low note reverberated against the air.

  Lucas ran down the stairs and back into the kitchen, a look of sheer panic on his face.

  Jonah followed, a sinking feeling churning in his belly.

  “Sophia’s gone,” Lucas said, his breathing heavy and ragged. “I’ve looked everywhere.”

  “Oh, she’s probably just hiding or playing with the other children.” Lucy put on a strong face, but the worry in her voice was hard to mask. “Sophia,” she called again, moving from one room in the large house to the next to no avail.

  “I’ll go get the others,” Jonah told Lucas. He and Noah could take some horses and look at the surrounding property, while Emma, Kate, and the boys could search through the yard and outbuildings.

  Lucas nodded. “I’m coming with you.” He strode to the door, picked up his jacket from the hook there and shoved his arms through the sleeves.

  Lucy wrung her hands against her apron. “I’m coming too.”

  “Someone needs to be here in case she comes back.”

  “But—” Even as she started, he could see that she knew it made sense, and she dropped her shoulders in resignation.

  “Go,” she said quietly.

  “Lucy,” Jonah tried to offer some comfort, “we’ll find her.”

  “Go!” she commanded and he did not hesitate to obey her order.

  With the storm evolving dangerously into a blizzard, there was little time to waste.

  Chapter Nine

  Gabe looked out across the landscape, barely able to make out the markers that offered a sense of direction. The storm had grown increasingly fierce and he shivered, despite the warmth of Ethel’s fur-lined cloak. He pulled the hood up and over his Stetson, grateful it fit, but sure it must look a sight.

  As he pulled up near the farmhouse on the farthest edge of town, he was careful not to get too close. The last thing he needed was to get caught. He’d mapped out his route early on and had decided to start at the end and work his way home, in order to avoid detection, as he would not be backtracking after delivery.

  Each year, it had been his privilege to select three or four families in the area to help. While every child in Thistleberry would receive a toy, these families would receive a little more. It was the least he could do to show his gratitude for everything with which he and his family had been blessed.

  Somewhere along the road, he’d forgotten the lessons his mother had taught him as a child, but not anymore. He loved hearing about the experiences and excitement that his small acts of kindness brought to others. It was a good feeling that he’d gone many years without. If only he could have explained it all to Jonah, shared with him the joy he’d found in serving others. How he hoped his actions would make a difference in the lives of those around him. But, he’d worked all through the night and by the time he had dragged his aching body out of his bed, everyone had already left for the Christmas festival in town.

  Gabe hopped down off the sleigh and wrapped the reins around the metal cleat just below the seat on the driver’s side, then made his way to the back, where he had stored the gifts. The wind whipped at his face and hands. The storm didn’t show any signs of stopping, so he would need to hurry.

  He unhooked the lantern from its post and carried it with him to the back of the sleigh, setting it down on the runner while he collected the right gifts. He lifted the lid for the storage compartment only to discover the face of his little Sophia peeking out from beneath a large bundle of fur skins and blankets, sleeping peacefully.

  His heart sped up a beat or two.

  He reached down into the compartment and pulled the little girl up into his arms.

  She stirred and snuggled into him, then her eyes popped open, and she sat bolt upright.

  “I knew it was you, Granddad. You are Father Christmas.”

  “Shhh,” Gabe coaxed. The last thing he needed was for the family to come out to see what all the commotion was about.

  “Sophia,” he hugged her close, “your parents are going to be worried sick.”

  “Don’t worry, Granddad. I left them a note.”

  “Since when do you know how to write a note?”

  “Mama is teaching me. She says it will be better when I start school if I already know how to write my letters and numbers,” she responded proudly.

  Gabe doubted the child could write a note clearly enough that Lucas would understand where she’d gone. It was all the more reason to hurry. He set her down on the back seat, next to his most prized creation, pulled out the furs and blankets from the back, and wrapped her warmly inside of them.

  “Stay,” he warned, but couldn’t help the smile that reached his face.

  In barely more than a whisper she responded, “Yes, sir.”

  Gabe scooped up the large potato sack, in which he’d placed all the family’s gifts, and headed for the front door.

  A shadow alerted him that someone was approaching and he ducked out of sight. The lady of the house passed by the window and Gabe waited until he thought it would be safe, then dared start again for the door.

  Slowly, he dragged the sack up onto the covered porch and set it up against the house where it would be safer from the elements, and made his way back to the sleigh and his granddaughter. He blew out a long breath.

  “You stay put, little one,” he instructed as he climbed back up onto the driver’s seat.

  All of the remaining stops were on the way back to Whisper Ridge. He slapped the reins, heading as quickly as he dared toward town. At least she was warm. He glanced back over his shoulder and held up the light. Her rosy cheeks had been scrunched into little balls just beneath her eyes as she smiled up at him.

  As they rode, the sound of Sophia’s little angelic voice humming, then singing carols of Christmas, filled Gabe with light and a slight chill ran down the length of his arms and enveloped him in warmth. He’d forgotten how sweet music could be and reveled in this special moment with his granddaughter.

  The streets were quiet as they pulled into town, the only light coming from the hotel at the far end of the boardwalk. He guided the horses slowly into the middle of Town Square and climbed down off the sleigh. His bones creaked and his body was stiff, but he reminded himself again that it was for a good cause. He reached in, next to Sophia, and lifted the heavy wooden statue from beside her. The nativity had seemed empty until he set the beautiful figure of Mary holding the Christ-child and Joseph kneeling behind them. The piece had turned out better than he could have ever expected and he took a moment to admire the scene.

  Voices came from down the covered walkway around the corner from them. Gabe quickly pulled himself back up into the sleigh and, with just a light tap of the reins, the horses seemed to know exactly what to do as they headed down to the opposite end of the street. It wasn’t lon
g before they were back on the road out of town, headed toward Whisper Ridge.

  Just one more stop. The Collins place.

  This house was a little trickier to get to without calling any attention to oneself. There was a large picket fence that surrounded the home and past experience had told him that the gate squeaked. He pulled out the oil can he’d tucked under the seat and made quick work of greasing the hinge. He grabbed ahold of the gate and gingerly pulled it toward him.

  No squeak.

  With relief, he set the oil back into the sleigh.

  The Collins family consisted of seven children ranging in ages from three to fifteen and their parents. Gabe had handcrafted simple toys for each of the younger children, and more complex ones for the older ones, along with some foodstuffs, a little money, and a small jewelry box for their mother. He’d also put together a collection of woodworking tools for Mr. Collins.

  As he set the last two bags on their porch, he smiled to himself, wishing he could see their faces in the morning. He shook his head at the thought, then made his way down the steps, out the gate, and toward his granddaughter. He needed to get the girl home.

  He lost his footing on a small patch of ice just as he approached the sleigh and fell backward, knocking his head against the hard ground and twisting his knee.

  “Granddad?”

  Gabe heard Sophia’s faint cry as darkness threatened to overtake him. He fought the blackness. Couldn’t relent. He had to keep her safe. When the little girl reached him, she held up the lantern that, by some miracle, had not broken in the fall. He tried to focus on her face. Then, watched as her forehead crinkled, her eyes glazed over with tears, and her lips shook—whether from the cold or with fear he was unsure.

  “Granddad,” she called again, “are you all right?” she asked innocently.

  Gabe fought to sit up, but his head swirled and his leg throbbed. He just needed a minute and he lay back against the snow, the thick fur-lined cloak Ethel had provided for his adventures the only barrier between him and the cold.

  “Soph,” he called up to the child, “don’t you worry none. Everything is going to be okay,” he tried to offer as much comfort as he could.

  His little angel set down the lantern and crawled inside of his coat, snuggling up to his chest.

  All he could do was to put his arm around her, making sure the warmth of his cloak would protect her, and he pulled her close as he worked to catch his breath.

  Chapter Ten

  Two hours had passed and there was still no sign of Sophia.

  Uncle Hank and Uncle Sam, along with their families, had all come over to join in the search. The women and children had stayed closer to the homestead—searching the outbuildings and surrounding landmarks, and some of them had stayed behind with Lucy in the ranch house to keep her from going mad with worry.

  Where could she have gone?

  The weather was bad enough that the men had chosen to go out in pairs. The last thing they needed was to lose someone else. Jonah and Noah had travelled south, while Lucas and their cousin, Seth, had gone east. They had agreed to return to the ranch to regroup and to check in every hour.

  Jonah looked at the men who had gathered around the corral. Solemn shakes of their heads indicated that Sophia had not yet been found. The sound of the rushing creek hit Jonah like a punch to the gut, but he refused to believe she would have ventured that far. Besides, his cousin, Daniel, and Uncle Sam had already checked that direction and had come back empty-handed—to everyone’s relief.

  No matter where she’d gone, a little girl wouldn’t last long if she remained out in this storm, alone. Jonah could only imagine how scared she must be, but he had to keep hope. If she was half as smart as her mother, she was probably cuddled up somewhere, toasty warm, without a care in the world.

  “Lucas! Noah! Jonah!” Lucy ran out into the yard just in time to catch them before they’d headed back out.

  Lucas jumped down off his horse and ran toward her.

  “I found this in Sophia’s room.” She handed her husband a small piece of paper.

  After studying it for a moment with scrunched brows, Lucas handed it to Jonah.

  It was a drawing of his father’s new sleigh with stick-like images of toys sticking out of the back.

  “You don’t think she…?” Lucy’s question trailed.

  “Yes,” Lucas said with confidence. “I definitely think she would. She loves that man and was fascinated by the sleigh.”

  “Do you know where he was headed?” Noah asked.

  Lucy nodded, then proceeded to tell them the names of the three families Gabe had chosen to help this year.

  “But, he would have also stopped by the center of town,” she added, “to place the new piece in the nativity.”

  The men nodded and without wasting another moment, mounted their horses and headed in the direction of town.

  “The Collins place is closest,” Lucas informed them, yelling to be heard over the sound of the wind as it blew large snowflakes in several directions at once. “We’ll start there.”

  As they approached a small farmhouse, Jonah caught a glimpse of red shining back at him through the snow and the muffled sound of anxious horses swirled in the air.

  “Over there!” he yelled to his brothers as he pointed in the direction of the house ahead.

  With a quick slap of his reins, he approached his father’s sleigh, but there was no sign of him or the little girl.

  “Dad!” Noah yelled as he jumped down off his horse and ran toward a snow-covered lump just outside the gate.

  In moments, Lucas and Jonah joined them. Jonah held his breath as Noah leaned down against their father to check for breath.

  Jonah’s heart nearly jumped out of his chest as his father’s eyes opened and he began struggling to get up. Gabe opened his jacket to reveal little Sophia cuddling up against him. One look at Lucas and she pushed away from her grandfather and jumped up.

  “Daddy!” she squealed as she ran into his open arms.

  Jonah reached down with Noah to help their father to his feet.

  Lucas picked Sophia up and spun her around in circles, holding her close against him. He buried his face in her curls, his body shaking with emotion. He pulled back and kissed her face, her cheeks, her head.

  Jonah’s chest swelled with warmth and he said a silent prayer of gratitude. She was all right.

  “What happened, Dad?” Noah asked. “We’ve been looking for Sophia for hours.”

  Gabe wobbled one direction, then another and his arms shot out to steady himself against his sons.

  “She stowed away in the back with all the blankets and toys.” He tried to take a step, but his knee buckled beneath him and he groaned in pain.

  “Blasted leg,” he grumped.

  Jonah positioned himself under his father’s arm and Noah did the same on the other side and they heaved him toward the sleigh.

  “Am I in trouble, Daddy?” Sophia asked as they got closer.

  Lucas laughed through his tears. “No, baby. But, never ever leave again without talking to me or Mama first, all right?”

  “But, Daddy,” she said.

  Lucas looked at her with a raised brow.

  “Yes, sir,” she said quickly before she leaned in close to him. “Granddad is Father Christmas.” She placed a finger over her lips. “Isn’t that wonderful?”

  Everyone laughed.

  She was safe. They were all safe.

  Chapter Eleven

  Christmas Day

  Jonah had never seen so many of his relatives in one place at the same time. Laughter rang through the room like a welcome guest spreading its Christmas joy. The savory aromas of roasted meats and salted potatoes mingled with the sweet scent of several confectionary delicacies.

  He looked over at Emma, who beamed at her boys as they recounted their adventures since coming to Whisper Ridge and Jonah smiled. Moving here had been the right decision.

  The afternoon promised a go
od time with a plethora of Deardon family traditions and festivities—many he had never even heard of.

  “Dad,” Jonah said, shifting in his seat to look at his father. “I just want to tell you—”

  “We both made mistakes, son. Let’s leave it at that. It’s time we look forward and work at being a family again.” He winked. “And now that you’re moving into the MacPherson place, well, we’ll have plenty of time to catch up.” His father clapped him on the back. “What do you say we have some of that pie?”

  Relief washed over Jonah like a warm bath. He’d finally found peace.

  “I have to admit, I’m a little jealous that you all will be living so close to each other. I hate to leave knowing everyone else will be here,” Noah said as he squeezed his wife’s hand.

  “Do you think any more of your neighbors will be selling?” Kate chimed in.

  “Hell,” Gabe said without hesitation, “we’ll build you a place.”

  Everyone laughed.

  “I think it’s time we hear our Lucy play something on the piano,” Uncle Hank called from the other end of the table.

  Lucy wiped the corner of her mouth with her napkin and jumped up. She grabbed the music Lucas had given her from the armoire in the corner and sat down to play.

  Silent Night.

  Jonah looked at his father and shifted uneasily in his seat. Music had not been allowed in their home since their mother had left more than thirty years ago and he feared his father’s reaction to the carol. The peace he’d felt just moments ago was suddenly stripped from him and he held his breath as the verse began.

  “Silent night. Holy night. All is calm…” everyone sang.

  Then it happened. Something Jonah could have never expected.

  “All is bright.” The small sound coming from his father grew. “Round yon virgin, mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild.”