She straightened the band of fluffy cotton and tied it firmly under Lexie’s chin. Then she smoothed the long floppy ears trimmed with pink.
“There. I think that will do. Go show Inga how nice you look and thank her for all her hard work on your costume.”
Lexie ran towards the kitchen, shouting Inga’s name.
Jewel laughed. “I do not believe that child’s feet have touched the ground in two weeks.”
It was true, but that wasn’t what made Penny smile. The sound of Jewel’s laughter brought joy into her heart. Penny couldn’t remember the last time she had heard it.
The past weeks had seen a change in all their lives. Nothing monumental had happened since they started attending services at the small church.
Penny couldn’t put a finger on any one single moment where she could say, “
Right there. That’s when the Lord entered our lives.”
But a new sense of well-being dwelt in her heart.
The comfort Penny experienced was addictive. She wanted more, wanted it all. She attended every service at the church and listened every morning as Alex read wondrous stories. The words filled her like an empty vessel. They gave her a peace she’d never possessed.
She loved the old Bible stories, the adventures, the colors, and strange places. She was proud of Jann’s stumbling but determined efforts to read. She sat enthralled as Alex read. The rich timbre of his voice, the deep confidence in his tone, as if all was right in his world. She wanted to lean into his arms and bask in the comfort there.
With that startling revelation, she realized her emotions and responses weren’t quite as dead as she believed.
“Mommy! Inga says we’re late!”
“I just said…”
Jewel laughed again.
Penny glanced at her friend, and then gave in to her daughter’s enthusiasm and laughed along. “All right, then. Let’s get going.”
Tom and Alex had departed early to help with the church setup.
Lexie had volunteered her father as a reader for the nativity scene.
Of course, Alex said yes, especially after Penny told him no one could do it better.
At the end of the service, Tom was going to play some Christmas carols.
Penny had been asked to contribute as well. She’d managed to keep her offering a surprise from everyone except Tom and Jann.
The high Sierras had not given up their relentless winter hold on Bodie.
As they walked to the church, the boardwalk was icy and treacherous. It was all Penny could do to keep her busy daughter upright and out of the muddy snow piles on the sides. By the time they’d finally climbed the hill, a great deal of her good humor had fled, but in the warmly lit sanctuary it returned.
The kerosene lamps on the walls were turned low. The pulpit had been shoved to the side. Large hurricane lamps, situated all around the raised dais, cast a soft, golden glow on the polished wooden cross behind the altar.
Penny caught her breath at the beautiful scene.
The altar was covered in hay and a wooden manger rested in the center.
Alex was nowhere to be seen.
Tom stood to one side and motioned for Lexie to come forward.
Penny grabbed the heavy wool shawl off her daughter’s shoulders just as she ran forward.
Tom took her hand and led her behind the partition of the altar.
Penny, Jewel, Inga, and Jann found seats on the side closest to Tom and the piano. They just had time to remove their wraps and get situated before Alex walked out from behind the partition.
He looked tall and dashing in his dark suit. He stood to the side by the pulpit, but even in the shadows, his smile flashed bright and dazzling. His confidence, the assurance he exuded made him a natural born leader. It was one of the reasons Penny fell in love with him.
That supreme confidence had also destroyed Penny. She always believed so much in him. If he said she was worthy, then she was. If he said she didn’t belong in a saloon, then she could dream of a house of her own. If he said he would return, he would. When he didn’t, her world crashed down.
She studied the cross behind the altar. Its golden glow brought tears to her eyes. Perhaps if she had put her trust in God instead of Alex, she wouldn’t have fallen so hard or so far.
Penny blinked away the moisture as Alex read about the star that announced the birth of the baby Jesus.
Two older boys, with cloths tied over their heads and shepherds’ hooks in their hands, strolled out from behind the partition, herding all the little sheep. As the little ones stepped into place around the manger, there were some giggles and waves to the audience.
All the fidgeting stopped when the young Jesus and Mary came out. A tiny baby was clasped in the girl’s arms and it made a soft newborn cry. A collective gasp echoed around the room at the innocent sound. The girl murmured to the baby and comforted it.
In a very short time, she laid the sleeping infant in the manger.
Alex began to read, “For God so loved the world He gave his only begotten Son…”
The rest of his words were lost to Penny as those first few reached down deep inside her.
The infant child was born for her, not just for the respectable women in their houses with white picket fences…but for her, the daughter of a whore.
For the first time she believed it…in her very essence.
Three older boys dressed as wise men placed boxes in front of the manger.
Alex finished the last of the readings Pastor Mathews had chosen.
Everyone clapped and the children bowed and smiled.
Tom played several Christmas favorites, and then turned expectantly towards Penny.
She rose and scooted down the aisle.
Jann grasped her hand, smiled, and squeezed. “It’s my favorite, Aunt Penny. You’ll do it perfect.”
She would do it perfect. Not because it was Jann’s favorite, but because, for the first time, she knew she was loved. Jesus had come into the world for her and she knew it.
Tom played the first haunting strains. The notes were flawless.
“What child is this…” Her voice rang out, strong and pure.
The song flowed over the crowd like molten gold. The words surrounded them, filled the small church and poured out of the windows, lighting the dark night beyond.
The song was breathtakingly beautiful. Glorious.
Her gift to her Savior.
A stunned silence filled the church as everyone sat in silent awe.
With his head still bowed, Tom grasped her hand. “Thank you.”
In his gaze, she saw the same knowledge, the same deep understanding she had just experienced.
By the miracle of grace, he, too, was loved.
She held his hand as the crowd clapped and people rose to their feet.
Tom wrapped his arm around her and gestured for her to take a bow.
She extended her hand to him. When he would have stepped into the shadows, she forced him to stay, to smile and nod.
The small group clapped even louder.
Their appreciation humbled Tom. His eyes glistened and he hid it with another quick bow. Over his bent body, Penny saw her husband’s face.
The tender look of love in Alex’s features made her tremble. She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer of thanksgiving.
****
The night was even colder as they walked home after the services. It was late.
The town was silent, but the sharp, crisp air gave the dark sky clarity. The stars sparkled like diamonds, close and brilliant.
Refreshments had been served, and they’d stayed a long while to receive well-wishes and compliments.
Pastor Mathews had already asked Tom if he and Penny would consider doing a special musical program after the Easter sunrise services.
Tom accepted for both of them before Penny could say a word. His eagerness made her laugh with pleasure.
Lexie ate so many cookies and pieces of cake, Penny was surprised she didn’t have tummy troubles.
Jann and Inga left early to take some Christmas Eve treats to Angus, who was still confined by his cast.
Lexie chattered away.
Tom had already grabbed her arm twice to keep her from slipping. Finally, he just held onto her hand.
Jewel took her other one and Lexie walked between them, occasionally skipping and always talking.
Was it easy to learn piano? Would Tom teach her? How soon could she play songs like he did tonight?
Penny shook her head as they trod ahead of them. “I don’t think she’ll ever slow down.”
“She will.” Alex chuckled. “But it will be long after we’re done in!”
It was so true, it made her smile. She took a step and brushed up against his arm. She almost reached for his hand, and then caught herself. Contact with Alex still made her uncomfortable, unsure of herself. So much had happened; so much still stood between them.
“Thank you,” Alex said.
“For what?”
He gestured towards the trio ahead of them.
“For everything. But mainly for my daughter. I missed so much, all of her first years. You can’t imagine how much pleasure it gave me to watch her up there with her floppy ears tonight.” He grinned. “I just kept saying thank you for all of your devotion. Thank you for her strong will.”
“You think I have a strong will?”
He chuckled. “I can’t believe you even have to ask. How many husbands have a wife who owns her own business?” His tone was gentle, teasing. Proud.
It warmed Penny.
“But most of all I was thankful you found the heart to sing again. You don’t know how much I missed it.”
“You never said so.”
“After I was wounded, I wanted to give up. So much pain…” He shook his head. “I couldn’t think straight, couldn’t remember my own name or why I was there. I couldn’t even remember the shape of your face. But if I closed my eyes, I could hear your voice singing.”
“What did I sing?” Her voice was just above a whisper.
“Lots of things. But mostly “Greensleeves.” I’d hear your voice and see your sad look, and everything would come back to me. I knew I had to get well, had to find you and take the sadness out of your eyes.”
“So my songs helped you.” She was deeply pleased.
“Darlin’, you have no idea.” He said it with the soft lilt of his Southern background.
She stopped abruptly, her skirts swaying around her. “Alex, you haven’t called me that since—” She turned.
The moon eased the edges of his features. Blurred them. Washed away the years so it seemed she was looking at the bold, brash young man who’d swept her off her feet and into his world of possibilities.
She was eighteen again. Bright hopes, happiness, and love washed through her. It cleansed away time, hurts, and disappointments. All that was left was the shining love she had for him.
Not stopping to think, she rose on her toes and tilted his head down to hers. This was the boy-just-turned-man she had loved. He had come home at long last, and she welcomed him into her heart and her arms.
Her body awakened, remembered the touch and feel of his lips, his hands as they wrapped around her waist and dragged her closer. He was her husband. This was right.
When Lexie called Alex’s name and they were forced to part, they were both breathing deeply.
He leaned his forehead against hers and inhaled. “If I’d only known that was all I had to say.”
Penny laughed.
They both knew more had happened.
Alex turned her down the boardwalk to their home.
Jann and Inga had already returned from Angus’s saloon. Inga had a pan of hot cocoa bubbling on the potbellied stove in the main room. She poured it into cups while they took off their jackets and settled down. They talked of the evening and the people in the little church.
At long last, Lexie yawned.
Penny rose and pointed to the stairs, but before she left, she leaned over Alex and whispered, “Wait here for me. I want to give you your present early.”
In spite of Lexie’s obvious exhaustion, she fought sleep. After her teeth were cleaned and she lay curled up in her bed, Penny had to sing two songs before her daughter closed her eyes.
It had grown even later by the time Penny finally shut Lexie’s door. She heard the others cross the hall to their rooms. As she hurried down the stairs and back to the darkened, quiet room, she was afraid Alex had given up and gone to bed.
But he was there, seated in the same chair, his long legs stretched out before him, staring into the open door of the stove. The fire flickered over his handsome face.
Penny hurried into her office.
Alex had planned everyone’s Christmas presents. He had put so much thought into each of them because he’d missed so much, he’d said. He wanted this to be a special Christmas they would remember for years to come. He’d even included presents for each of the Spinettis.
Penny had wracked her brain, wondering what present she could get for Alex that would show him how much she appreciated all that he had done. She finally decided what it would be. But afterwards, she questioned her decision. Would it mean as much to Alex as it did to her? Now, she had something to add to it.
“I thought you might have gone to bed.” She closed the door of the office and hurried across the room.
“And miss my present? Not likely. I guess my daughter comes by her Christmas enthusiasm naturally.” He flashed that quick, boyish smile.
She knelt on the floor and her skirt pooled in soft folds. Clasped close to her breast were two envelopes. She held one out to him.
“Open this first,” she murmured.
Alex opened it. The stiff paper of the formal document crackled in the silence.
Inside was the deed to The Copper Penny. It was dated with the original date and Penny’s name as owner. When Alex finished, he looked up at her, a question in his gaze.
“Now read this.” She held out the second envelope.
It was a new deed, written a week before and beside Penny’s name was Alex’s.
“You made me co-owner of The Copper Penny?”
She nodded. “I wanted you to know I’m not afraid anymore. I trust you and I trust God to take care of us. I want us to be partners.”
He was silent, and then he touched her cheek with his fingertips. “I know how much this means to you. Thank you.”