“Do you doubt her?” Judith patted his cheek while she took Luke’s hand with her other. “Doesn’t she need your help with the scholars? Will Devon be able to perform?”
“That little boy is one tough kid,” Luke said.
“He didn’t even wait for Doris to ask,” Marshall said with a grin. “The little man marched right up to her and insisted he was able to fulfill his duty.”
“Pulsifer is ready to begin his piece,” Luke said.
“Excellent. I’ve been looking forward to hearing him recite it.” Judith took a step forward, but Luke pulled her back.
“I love you.” He cupped her cheek and pressed his forehead to hers. “When I saw that dog jump on you ...” Luke coughed. “I was afraid I’d lost you.”
“Don’t make me start crying again,” she said, blinking her eyes against the burning.
“All right.” Luke lifted his head and met her gaze, his expression soft and loving. “But westillhave unfinished business to discuss.”
“Yes, we do. Now, come.” With emotion threatening to burst from her chest, Judith began towing him toward the performance area.
15
They took their seats in the back of the large room, and Luke wondered briefly what had happened to their attacker. It was a shame the doctor and those helping him were going to miss the end of the program.
Folks had to squeeze in on the benches and many still stood. Judith had been right. Pulsifer’s poem about missing family while out on the range was perfect to lead into the children’s Christmas story.
As the scholars gathered, Luke scanned the benches. With his arm around Judith’s waist and his sisters sitting on his other side, a lump formed in Luke’s throat. Even when he’d been sent away to school, he’d still been part of a family. It had only been when their father had forbidden their communication with Luke that he’d given up. After moving to Wyoming after his mother’s death, he’d tried to accept the loss of his family. Then two years ago Frances’s first letter had arrived. It had truly been a gift.
Like the little family being portrayed on the stage, he was grateful for this blissful moment. He accepted that difficult things were yet to come. He wasn’t in Heaven yet after all. Luke tightened his arm around Judith—and she scooted a little closer. He wanted to shout his love to the world. The corner of his mouth twitched. In averypublic way.
Little Devon Teague did a fine job as one of the three kings placing a gift in front of the baby Jesus with pride. The boy didn’t look nervous at all. Luke could only hope he wouldn’t suffer from bad dreams tonight.
Luke had expected the baby in little Florence Breckinridge’s arms to be a doll until the audience began to clap at the conclusion. The bundle in her arms began the wail of a newborn. Florence shot a worried glance to the side, where Mary Teague was hurrying over to take the babe.
“To begin,” the mayor shouted above the din of chatting people, “I’d like to thank our scholars for their magnificent portrayal of the Christmas story. Let’s give them another hand for a job well done.” When he was able to quiet everyone again, he continued. “I would call our first Christmas Fair a success, and I hope we can count on the fine women of the Ladies’ Improvement Society to continue it in future years.”
“See what you did,” Luke whispered in Judith’s ear.
“I’ll now turn the time over to Mrs. Teague,” the mayor said, when the applause had died down again.
She stepped forward. “We’ve already had enough excitement for today, and I promised my husband I would only stay a few minutes.” Mary looked lovingly at Steve who stood near the door holding the baby. “As I’m sure you can guess, it’s no small feat to pull off an event like this, trust me. There’s more to it than simply making a list of the events. It takes people anticipating what could go wrong and being prepared for it.”
“Like a dog attack?” one of the cowhands called out, setting some in the crowd to chuckling, while others hissed.
“I have no idea how anyone could have anticipated that.” Mary’s face had gone pale at the reminder, and she glanced to where Devon stood with his father. “I wanted to acknowledge the hard work of our volunteers and, even more, to honor one lady I could always count on to do anything and everything I needed her to. She was full of ideas on how to make things run more smoothly. Her insight and organizational skills are the finest I’ve seen.” Mary glanced at the mayor with a sly grin. “If we ever need someone else to help run this town, I know just who to suggest running. And that is Miss Judith Breckinridge.”
* * *
Judith blinkedas the crowd began to applaud. A few people were slow to start, but they finally joined, most with enthusiasm. She stared out at the throng, struck by how many of them she had become acquainted with. Mrs. Knox grinned at Judith. She’d heard the woman didn’t often leave her home and was glad her quilt had won a prize.
“Go to Mary,” Luke said.
“But everyone in the society worked hard,” Judith argued. “I don’t deserve special recognition.”
“Don’t be an idiot.” Frances took one of Judith’s arms and Maude the other, as though they intended to drag Judith up to the stage.
Rather than create a scene, she let them pull her to her feet. Pain at the movement made her groan, and Luke was on his feet in an instant. He groaned too.
“I guess we’re both a little stiff after hitting the ground so hard.” He offered her his arm.
“I hope I don’t look like an old woman walking up there.” Judith slid her arm through his, and they slowly made their way to the stage. She was grateful there were only two steps.
