Christmas morning of 1910 dawned bright and beautiful in Coal Valley. Actually, the town was in a sort of limbo as far as its name was concerned, as Mike Hickam had already painted over the word "Coal" on the water tower, but was waiting until the new year to paint "Hope" in its place.
Elizabeth, Abigail and Rosemary awakened to a familiar rhythmic sound behind the café, and after coffee was brewed and biscuits buttered, they found themselves standing at the back window with their robes pulled tightly around them, watching.
Abigail sighed. "What is it about a man chopping wood?" she said softly.
Rosemary exhaled. "What is it about three men chopping wood?" she said, her voice filled with the wonder of what she was seeing.
Nathan was on the left, Bill in the middle, and Lee on the right. A thing of beauty to watch, and a true Christmas gift to the women in the window gazing at them. The morning didn't look to be too cold, and none of them had hats on. So adding to the sight were three usually well-combed heads that had been set blissfully free. Nathan's was especially out of control, with a floppy lock of dark brown hair that continually fell near his eyes and required his hand combing through it to tame.
Abigail had to admit that her eyes were drawn to Bill Avery. Older, maybe a tiny bit more measured on the uptake, but still very strong. There was something about the set of his mouth that had her heart beating a little faster. And Abigail had to admit it had been a while since she'd felt this way.
Every now and then, Bill would turn to his left or his right, and just a few words drifting through the silence of the morning let the women know that they were talking about baseball.
"Men chopping wood and talking about baseball," Rosemary said wistfully. "Ladies? Does it get any better than this?"
Elizabeth and Abigail shook their heads in agreement, laughing softly.
As it turned out, each woman had her eye on a different man. Rosemary tilted her head watching Lee, who was clearly no stranger to an axe, having been around logging for most of his career. He had a way of lifting his chin and eyeing the piece of wood almost as a challenge each time, just before he pulled the axe over his head and dropped it neatly in the center.
Rosemary was allowing herself a little holiday from stress, especially since she knew it wasn't good for her growing baby. She'd had a long talk with herself, and she was also beginning to take the advice of the two very kind and intelligent women she was living with. Rosemary was exhausted from worrying about Jack and she was trying not to do it anymore. She had to admit that watching Lee Coulter chop wood was a very good antidote to her recent stress. It was simple and it was beautiful - beyond that, on this beautiful Christmas morning, she didn't question it.
Of course, Elizabeth was watching Nathan. She found that rather than being more immune to seeing the rise and fall of the axe in his hands since that first day outside the teacherage, her breath was coming even faster now. Because not only could she see the strength and perfection of his arms, she also knew how it felt to be held by them. When she saw him press his lips together just before splitting the wood precisely down the middle, she could remember the feel of them on her own lips, warm, urgent, passionate...
Elizabeth's sudden, very audible, and involuntary intake of breath, and the "oh!" that she uttered self-consciously after it, caused Abigail and Rosemary to look over at her. All three women burst out laughing.
Abigail shook her head, but her eyes still gravitated back outside. "You'd think we were schoolgirls, standing here fluttering over three men with axes."
Rosemary sighed. "But they are beautiful, aren't they?" she said, raising her eyebrows.
"Yes, they certainly are," Abigail said softly, lifting the cup to her lips.
Elizabeth said, "They'd probably appreciate some coffee, don't you think?"
Abigail laughed. "Go ahead," she said, nodding. Elizabeth had already started toward the rack by the door to get her heavy coat. Abigail got a tray with three cups and the coffee pot, along with some warm biscuits, butter, and jam in a basket covered with a napkin. Elizabeth took off her slippers and put on her heavy boots and took the tray outside.
"Merry Christmas!" she called out from the back porch. Rosemary and Abigail were still watching from the window as all three men gratefully secured their axes in the blocks and walked toward her.
While Bill and Lee made their way to the coffee and biscuits, Nathan walked straight to Elizabeth. "Merry Christmas," he said softly, pressing his cold nose against her ear and making her shiver and giggle before she put her arms around him.
"Are Rebecca and Allie up yet?" Elizabeth asked, giving him a quick kiss.
"Yes, they're making breakfast together. And you need to get ready, because Allie isn't going to be able to wait for very long. I've had the dollhouse hidden in the shed out back, but she knows something is up."
Elizabeth smiled. "She's going to love it so much, Nathan. It's beautifully made, and the dolls I'm giving her will be the perfect size for it. Once she opens that present, we probably won't see her for the rest of the morning."
"How long will it take you to get dressed?" Nathan asked, looking toward the steaming cups of coffee that Bill and Lee were already enjoying.
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "I'm nearly as fast as you are," she said. "Two shakes of a lamb's tail." She giggled and wrinkled her forehead. "Who said that first, I wonder..."
Nathan laughed. "Let's talk about it on the way," he said, giving her a warm hug before stepping over to the coffee tray.
"Morning, Elizabeth," Bill said, raising his cup. "Greatly appreciated. And Merry Christmas."
Lee raised his cup as well. "Likewise!"
Elizabeth smiled. "So what has all of you out here this morning?" She smiled over at the window and waved. "Not that we're complaining. We've been enjoying the show from inside."
Lee nodded and grinned. "Glad to be of service," he said, giving a low bow to the ladies in the window. He turned back to Elizabeth. "I needed wood for the stove in the sawmill office, and Nathan needed it for the Mountie office, and Bill..." Lee looked over at Bill and shook his head, "Bill just doesn't like to be left out, I guess."
Bill laughed. "Just being a good neighbor, Lee." He looked back at the pile of wood he'd created. "This is for the ladies of the café," he said, raising a biscuit slathered with jam to Abigail in the window and taking a bite. "Truth is, I'm just here for Abigail's coffee and biscuits." Lee raised an eyebrow skeptically, thinking it might be more for Abigail than for her biscuits.
"And it's appreciated," Elizabeth said to Bill before turning to go. "Come inside if you need to warm up." She inclined her head toward the coffee tray. "There's plenty more where those came from."
Lee closed his eyes, savoring the flaky biscuits and homemade jam. He turned to Bill again. "I think I'm going to be chopping a lot of wood out here..."
By the time Nathan and Elizabeth left, Bill and Abigail were at the stove cooking ham and eggs while Lee and Rosemary watched them from the sitting room.
"Enjoy your morning," Abigail said to Elizabeth. "Give Allie a big kiss from her Auntie Abigail. And don't forget her present."
"I've got it right here," Elizabeth said. She looked into Abigail's eyes, almost feeling tears coming on. "You're such a dear friend," she said, hugging her. "You've given me so much, Abigail. Merry Christmas."
Abigail hugged her back. "Not nearly as much as you've given me." She was feeling the sting of tears as well, so she said quickly, "Now go, have fun!"
As Nathan closed the door from the outside, Elizabeth said, "Four people who would have been alone on Christmas." She gazed up at Nathan, her heart full. "And there they are, together."
Nathan turned to her and put his arm around her shoulders. "Families come in all shapes and sizes," he said, taking a deep breath of the cool, crisp air.
Elizabeth turned to him. "That sounds like something Rebecca would say," she said, smiling.
Nathan laughed. "It is. As I get older, I find myself quoting her more and more.
"She's a very wise woman. And I already like her so much," Elizabeth said.
"I like her around you too," Nathan said, raising an eyebrow. "She's on her best behavior."
Elizabeth laughed. "I'm glad I rate her best behavior, then." She turned to Nathan. "What does bad behavior look like? I can't imagine your mother behaving badly."
Nathan turned and smiled. "Opinionated, stubborn, and she knows how to use a wooden spoon like no one else."
Laughing, Elizabeth said, "Oh, I'd like to see that."
Nathan chuckled warily, "If I get out of line, you just might."
They'd been walking, and suddenly, Nathan stopped in front of what used to be Abigail's row house. There was a miner living here now, a single man named DeWitt Graves, though it was widely expected that he and Mary Dunbar would be announcing their engagement soon. Nathan happened to know that DeWitt was celebrating Christmas morning with Mary and her son Caleb at Mary's house, so there was no one at home here. Nathan didn't think DeWitt would mind.
They both had heavy coats on and the steps were free of snow and ice because DeWitt always kept them that way. Nathan set down the bag holding the gifts Elizabeth was bringing and he tilted his head. "Sit with me?" he asked with a smile.
Elizabeth had wonderful memories of these steps. They'd watched so many sunsets here. Nathan had first kissed her hand, he'd gifted her with the apple on her first day of school, and he'd asked if he could court her, right here on these steps. Not to mention the wonderful conversations they'd had about Allie, and the town, and life.
"I would love to," she said, taking his hand and walking up. They both turned and sat down, and then just naturally moved closer to the center and locked their arms together, snuggling into each other.
They sat in silence for a time, looking out at the field covered in a soft blanket of snow and the trees beyond, with their branches heavy and dripping tiny sparkling waterfalls in the light and heat of the sun moving higher in the sky. Elizabeth leaned her head on Nathan's shoulder and said, "I can't remember being happier than this."
Nathan exhaled softly. "Neither can I." He turned and kissed her forehead. "You're my best Christmas present."
"Ah," she said, smiling, "But not your only one."
Nathan looked at her suspiciously. "We promised nothing big, remember?"
Elizabeth looked up at him and nodded, "It's not big. It's from the heart."
Moving closer, Nathan said, "Then it's perfect." He pressed his lips to hers and Elizabeth's arms came up around his shoulders; she sighed as she pulled him closer, feeling their shared heat thaw the cold skin of their cheeks and noses. Elizabeth couldn't help remembering how she was feeling earlier watching him from the window, and she let that memory lead her further into the kiss. After a time, she pulled away, breathless, and Nathan exhaled deeply into her curls.
"Do I need to ask where that came from?" he said, laughing softly. "How long were the three of you standing there?"
Elizabeth laughed too. "Obviously, long enough…"
Nathan put his arm around her and they looked back out at the rising sun. "I think we should get married on these steps," he said.
Smiling, Elizabeth said, "I know you're kidding, but I might not argue with you."
Taking a deep breath, Nathan said, "I wonder how many of Mom's presents Allie has opened by now?"
Elizabeth pulled away, perturbed. "Before we get there? I love watching people open presents!"
Nathan stood and took her hand. "Allie can be very persuasive," he said.
"You're preaching to the choir," Elizabeth said, laughing. "Remember, she's in my classroom all day." She took Nathan's hand and stood up. They walked quickly up to Nathan's row house and were greeted with the aroma of pancakes, bacon and eggs, mixed with fresh coffee and undertones of honey and syrup.
"I just got very hungry," Elizabeth said, coming through the door with Nathan close behind her.
Rebecca wiped her hands on her apron and came quickly to her, engulfing Elizabeth in a warm, soft, floury hug. "Merry Christmas! And it's good you're hungry because I've made too much!"
Allie was patiently waiting her turn and once Elizabeth was released by Rebecca, she put her arms up. "I got a dog," she said, as Elizabeth pulled her up into a hug.
Nathan looked around in alarm and Rebecca laughed. "Not a real one, a stuffed one," she said quickly, accepting a hug from her son enthusiastically. She leaned up and said softly, "Not sure how much longer we can hold her off. She keeps saying Santa might have left something in the shed…"
"Did she have breakfast?" Nathan asked quietly. When Rebecca nodded, he said, "Okay, I'll be right back." He turned to Elizabeth and tilted his head toward the back yard and she nodded. She made a point of talking to Allie so that they were faced the other way, toward the front door.
When Nathan came back in, he was carrying something large covered by a small blanket. He set it down in front of the tree and stepped back, nodding to Elizabeth. "Allie," she said, turning. "What's under the tree?"
Allie looked and then her eyes went wide at the new addition. She wriggled out of Elizabeth's arms and ran to it. It was nearly as tall as she was, and she bent down to lift a corner of the blanket. Then she squealed in delight as Nathan helped her lift the blanket completely.
It was a perfect, three-story Victorian mansion, painted white with pink trim, with clapboard siding and shingled roof. Nathan showed Allie the latch, and then opened the front of the house on a hinge to reveal a living room, kitchen, sitting room, staircases on each side that led to upstairs bedrooms, and finally an attic with round latticed windows.
Allie looked up at Nathan with wide eyes. "Mine?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Nathan got down on his knee and smiled at her. "Yours, sweetie. Merry Christmas." He put his arms out and Allie rushed into them, hugging him.
Elizabeth brought her bag over and put a large box wrapped in colored paper down in front of the dollhouse. "You might want to open this, too, Allie."
Allie turned and tore into the paper, then opened the box. In it she found six exquisite dolls dressed in various colors of satin and lace. And to Allie's delight, they were all wearing elaborate hats.
"Hats!" she said happily, and turned to hug Elizabeth. Nathan picked up the dollhouse and moved it over to Allie's play area. "We'll get you set up over here…" Allie followed him, and in no time, she had a doll situated in each room. Allie turned.
"Lizabeth?" Allie called out. "What are they named?"
Elizabeth turned quickly to Rebecca, remembering their conversation from yesterday. She smiled and turned back to Allie. "I don't know, honey. You'll have to ask them."
Allie turned back and began talking to the dolls softly. Rebecca took Elizabeth's hand and pulled her over to the sofa, planting herself right next to her and grinning contentedly. "That is one very happy little girl," Rebecca said. "And not just because of the dollhouse, or the dolls, wonderful as they are." She was still holding Elizabeth's hand, and she squeezed it tightly. "She's happy because she has a family again," Rebecca said softly.
Elizabeth smiled back at her. "And families come in all shapes and sizes…"
Rebecca beamed at her. "That's what I say!"
Laughing, Elizabeth said, "I know. Nathan told me that."
Her eyes wide, Rebecca said, "You're saying he actually listens to me?"
Nathan sat down on the other side of Elizabeth. "Occasionally, Mom," he said, grinning and raising an eyebrow. Nathan put a small handmade wooden box into Elizabeth's hands on her lap. She looked over at him.
"Something small," he said. "And from the heart," he added, his eyes soft and nearly translucent blue.
Elizabeth opened the top of the box and from a bed of blue plaid fabric, she lifted out a charm bracelet of fine silver. It had three charms already on it. She held it up and looked at it as it shone in the lights from the tree.
Smiling, she held the tiny stagecoach dangling there. Elizabeth laughed and turned to Rebecca. "Where we first met," she said softly, tears forming in her eyes.
Rebecca moved closer and peered at it. "Just as you described it," she said quietly.
Elizabeth looked at Nathan for a long moment, and he tilted his head toward the bracelet in her hands. "There are more…" he said.
The second charm Elizabeth held up was a silver apple. Again, she turned to Rebecca. "Apple for the teacher. Nathan gave me one for my first day at school." Rebecca looked at her son affectionately, showing her pleasure at the sweetness of this gift.
The third charm was an angel with wings and long flowing curls. Elizabeth turned to Nathan with a question in her eyes. "An angel?" she said.
Nathan's eyes seemed to turn even more blue. "Because you've saved me in every way possible," he said softly. "You're my angel, and I want you to always be reminded of that."
Elizabeth's tears started just a split second after Rebecca's. And when Elizabeth put her arms around Nathan, Rebecca put hers around Elizabeth.
Nathan held them both. Elizabeth was crying because she loved Nathan so dearly. Rebecca was crying because in this love, she finally saw the possibility of healing for her son.
And as any mother knows, there is no greater gift.