Dinah's sister, Naomi, moved to the door. "I'll let them in." She was such a quiet woman, it'd been hard to get to know her. Maybe because Naomi had stayed in her room much of last evening and this morning.
Dinah said her sister was still recovering from the birth. But Mary Ellen was more than two months old. Shouldn't Naomi be able to participate more with the family by now? Who was Heidi to judge, though? She'd never given birth. And before meeting little Mary Ellen, she'd not realized the wonderful gift she was missing.
Part of her was thankful not to have a child from Winston.
Two Stones though… He would be such a good father. The thought of what that would require made her middle flip and her chest tighten. She couldn't do it. Not after the way it had been with Winston.
Her eyes burned even as the sound of laughter and happy voices drifted through the open door. She pressed her face into Mary Ellen's hair while she worked to pull herself back together.
"It's beautiful." Dinah spoke to the group from the doorway as Jericho appeared on the stoop, holding one side of a large evergreen. "I'm not sure how you think we'll get it inside the cabin though."
Heidi stood and moved toward them so she could better see the tree. Two Stones held the other side of the wide base, grinning when he saw her.
Something in her belly flipped at that handsome smile. This man could turn heads anywhere he went, even in a Savannah ballroom. She nearly chuckled at that notion. The older matrons would pretend to be scandalized at a black-haired native in their high-brow society. But she knew many a young woman—married or not—who would sigh and swoon every time Two Stones flashed a grin.
How in the world had she landed with such a man? In truth, it was his strength of character that appealed to her even more than his looks, considerable as they were.
His grin deepened as though he could hear her thoughts, but then he was distracted by something Jericho said.
She stepped back with the baby while they sorted how to bring in the tree and where to place it. She could join in the merrymaking by stringing popcorn or placing extra pine boughs and ribbons around the cabin for a festive touch, but having Mary Ellen in her arms gave her an excuse to simply watch. To take in the sweet innocence of it all.
This was nothing like instructing the servants where to place decorations as she'd done her first Christmas with Winston. When he came home that evening and frowned at it all, she'd escaped to her room to avoid his displeasure. By keeping to her chamber, she also managed to be absent when his mothercame to rearrange everything the way aproperhome should be decorated.
For the two Christmases after that, Winston’s mother had come to oversee placement of the tree and trimmings before Heidi even began thinking about the holiday. In truth, it had been a relief to hand over the responsibility to someone Winston approved of. Mostly.
Now, she wasn't being censured for her lack of social discernment, so she could join in the decorating if she chose. But the way this family seemed to enjoy being with each other… She could watch this for days.
Sure, the brothers teased each other and sometimes ended up in a play brawl that should concern her. Yet the affection between them all was thick enough to ease any worry.
Two Stones added to banter at times, often being drawn in by one of the brothers or even Dinah. And sometimes he initiated a bit of teasing himself. Watching him made her want to join in, but she didn't dare.
After the tree was secured, he came to settle on the ladder-back chair beside her rocker, his gaze softening as he took in her and Mary Ellen. She wanted to tell him he didn't have to sit just because she was, but the warmth in his eyes and the curve of his mouth kept her from sending him away. In truth, she'd rather shoo everyone else from the room so the two of them could be alone, as they had been this last week.
Too soon though, Mary Ellen squirmed in her arms. At her first hungry cry, Naomi turned with a weary expression. Mary Ellen had already begun wailing by the time her mother took her.
"I suppose that's my cue to start on Christmas dinner." Dinah moved away from the tree. "If I know you men, you'll be hungry long before dark."
Heidi rose from the rocking chair. "I'll help you."
Time with Two Stones would have to wait. There was much to be done to prepare for Christmas.
Heidi stood at the edge of the massive wooden table, her hands covered in cookie dough as she laid out stars she'd cut from the flattened batter. The delicious aromas of cinnamon and nutmeg wafted through the air, mingling with the mouthwatering scent of roasting meat and cloves. She and Dinah had been at work for hours, with occasional help from Lillian and Naomi, and the feast was nearly ready.
A fire crackled in the hearth, casting its warm glow on the rest of the room. Everywhere she looked, the spirit of the season seemed to have taken hold—from the sprigs of holly adorning each wall peg and door frame to the massive tree that stretched the length of the wall beside the outer door.
With all the batter cut, she carried the tray of cookies to the cookstove, where Dinah stirred the apple cinnamon drink she was making.
"Those are perfect, Heidi. You have a real talent for them."
She smiled her thanks, the words feeling far better than she cared to admit. A talent for cutting star shapes from cookie dough was hardly a lifesaving ability, but the praise seemed so genuine. Perhaps she was too easily affected.
Dinah shifted to the side so Heidi could place the pan in the oven.
"Doesn't it all smell divine?" Dinah paused her stirring to inhale deeply. "There's something so magical about this time of year."
“Indeed.” Heidi’s chest tightened. How had she been so lucky as to find herself here, on this day, in time to experience a simple mountain Christmas so full of joy?
As though Heidi had spoken the question aloud, Dinah sighed. "The Lord certainly blessed us all by bringing you and Two Stones in time for today."
