A Season for Goodwill : A Shiloh Christmas

[ Chapter 2 : The Christmas Dance ]

''Can I come in , Jennifer '' ? ; the Judge asked as he knocked on her door.

Come in , Uncle Henry , ; Jennifer replied from her room.

You look beautiful , Jennifer , ; the Judge said when he saw her.

Thank you , Uncle Henry , ; Jennifer said as she stood up.

Are you coming to the dance ? ; Jennifer asked.

Oh , I'm afraid not , Jennifer , ; the Judge replied.

I've got a few things I need to do , ; the Judge added.

You and Randy be sure to have a good time , though , ; the Judge added.

Oh , we will , Uncle Henry , ; Jennifer said smiling.

I never had a friend as special as he is , Uncle Henry , ; Jennifer confided.

He told me today that he thought of me as family , from when I first

came here because Betsy and I are cousins , ; Jennifer said smiling.

That sounds just like Randy , ; the Judge remarked with a smile.

When he loves someone , he loves them with everything he has , Jennifer , ; the Judge said.

As I'm sure you've found out by now , ; he added.

I'm starting to , Uncle Henry , ; Jennifer said.

And I love him just as much , ; Jennifer said.

Speaking of Randy , that sounds like him knocking on the front door , Jennifer , ; the Judge said

as they came downstairs.

It must be him , it's almost six o'clock , ; Jennifer said , glancing at the clock.

I'll get the door , Jennifer , ; the Judge said.

Thank you , Uncle Henry , ; Jennifer said as she put on her coat and gloves.

Hello , Randy , ; the Judge said warmly as Randy came in.

Hello , Judge , ; Randy replied in a friendly voice.

Hello , Randy , ; Jennifer said as she walked up to the doorway.

Hello , Jennifer , ; Randy replied , smiling brightly at her.

Are you all ready ? ; Randy asked courteously.

Yes , I am , Randy , ; Jennifer replied smiling. I've got the team and buggy outside , ; Randy added.

Well , I guess we'd better be going , then , ; Jennifer said.

I'll see you later , Uncle Henry , ; Jennifer said as they turned to leave.

You and Randy have a good time , Jennifer , ; the Judge said warmly.

We will , Uncle Henry , ; Jennifer said as they left.

I've got the buggy right out here , Jennifer , ; Randy said as they walked through the yard.

Alright , Randy , ; Jennifer replied.

Up you go , Jennifer , ; Randy said as he helped her up.

Thanks , Randy , ; Jennifer said as she sat down. Giddy up , now ! ; Randy said to the team.

Did The Virginian and the boys leave already , Randy ? ; Jennifer asked.

Yeah , they rode out a few minutes before I came to get you , Jennifer , ; Randy answered.

I thought I heard horses going down the road when I was getting ready , ; Jennifer remarked.

Do you think we'll have snow for Christmas , Randy ? ; Jennifer asked as they drove along.

We just might , Jennifer , if it stays as cold as it is right now , ; Randy said with a laugh.

It certainly is cold enough out here , Randy ! ; Jennifer laughed.

Is it always this cold in Wyoming ? ; Jennifer asked.

Most winters it is , Jennifer , ; Randy answered. The winters in Boston were cold ,

but never this cold ! ; Jennifer exclaimed. I imagine so , Jennifer , ; Randy said as they drove along.

We'd get so much snow some years , it kept everyone busy shoveling it all

away ! ; Jennifer exclaimed. And it would be fresh for a day or two ,

but after that it would just be so dirty , ; Jennifer added.

One year , Medicine Bow got so much snow , that when it finally melted ,

the streets were a mud -bath ! ; Randy exclaimed.

That must've been a dirty mess , Randy ! ; Jennifer exclaimed as they drove onto the Medicine Bow road.

It sure was , Jennifer , ; Randy replied. But you get used to it after awhile , ; Randy added.

Maybe one day they'll have paved roads in town , Randy , ; Jennifer said dreamily.

That would sure be somethin ' , Jennifer , ; Randy said with a little laugh.

No more muddy roads or wagons gettin ' stuck in mud-holes , either , ; Randy said.

Maybe one day , Randy , ; Jennifer said as they came in sight of town.

We're almost there now , Randy , ; Jennifer said when they saw the lights of Medicine Bow.

It looks like it , Jennifer , ; Randy joked as they drove into town.

Whoa , now ! ; Randy said to the team as they pulled up outside the hotel.

Let me help you down , Jennifer , ; Randy said as he climbed down.

Thank you , Randy , ; Jennifer said as he helped her down.

I wonder if The Virginian and the others are here yet , Randy , ; Jennifer said as they went inside.

I expect so , Jennifer , ; Randy said as they came in. Can I take your coat for you , Jennifer ? ; Randy

asked as he hung his up. Yes , thank you , Randy , ; Jennifer replied as she took her's off

and handed it to Randy . I guess we should go on inside now , ; Randy said , giving Jennifer a warm smile.

I guess so , Randy , ; Jennifer replied , smiling back.

I see The Virginian and Trampas over there , Jennifer , ; Randy remarked as they walked along.

Hello , Jennifer , hello , Randy , ; Emmett said when he saw them.

Hello , Emmett , it's good to see you , ; Jennifer replied smiling.

Howdy , Emmett , ; Randy said in a friendly voice. How are things out at Shiloh , Randy ? ; Emmett asked.

Oh , they're just fine , Emmett , ; Randy replied. That's good to hear , Randy , ; Emmett replied.

What are your plans for Christmas , Jennifer ? ; Emmett asked.

Oh , Uncle Henry and I are going to have Christmas dinner with all the boys , Emmett , ; Jennifer said.

Uncle Henry said that you're welcome to join us if you can , Emmett , ; Jennifer said with a smile.

I may just take you up on that offer , Jennifer , ; Emmett replied , smiling at her.

We''ll be looking forward to seeing you , ; Jennifer said.

I'll see you and Randy later , Jennifer , ; Emmett said when he saw The Virginian coming towards him.

Alright , Emmett , see you later , ; Jennifer replied.

Save me a dance later , Jennifer , ; Emmett said as he walked away.

Anytime , Emmett , ; Jennifer replied. Speakin ' of dancing , would you like to dance , Jennifer ? ; Randy asked.

I'd love to , Randy , ; Jennifer replied , smiling as she offered him her hand.

Was Betsy a good dancer , Randy ? ; Jennifer asked as they started to dance.

Oh , she was , Jennifer , ; Randy said smiling. She actually taught me how when I first came ,

since I did'nt really know how , ; Randy added. She certainly taught you well , Randy , ; Jennifer

said with a smile. You're a really good dancer , ; Jennifer said , smiling at him.

So are you , Jennifer , ; Randy replied , smiling back.

My father taught me to dance a long time ago , Randy , ; Jennifer said.

Do you miss him an'd your mama , Jennifer ? ; Randy asked.

Sometimes , but not as much now since I have all of you , Randy , ; Jennifer

replied with a smile. I'm glad you're happy with us , Jennifer , ; Randy said in a gentle voice.

So am I , Randy , ; Jennifer said with a smile. I love Shiloh very much already , ; Jennifer said.

And the people on it , ; Jennifer said , smiling at Randy as the dance wound down.

I know you do , Jenny , ; Randy replied , smiling back at her.

I'm glad you know , Randy , ; Jennifer said as they walked off the dance floor.

Would you like me to get you a glass of punch , Jennifer ? ; Randy asked courteously.

Yes , thank you , Randy , ; Jennifer replied graciously. I'll be right back , Jennifer , ; Randy said as he left.

Alright , Randy , ; Jennifer said warmly. Well , hello again , Jennifer , ; Emmett said when he saw her.

Hello , Emmett , ; Jennifer replied warmly , smiling brightly at him.

Are you enjoying the dance ? ; Emmett asked. Oh , yes ! ; Jennifer replied enthusiastically.

So , how are you settling in at Shiloh , Jennifer ? ; Emmett asked.

It feels more like home with every day that goes by , Emmett , ; Jennifer replied.

I'm glad to hear that , ; Emmett said with a smile. I see you and Randy

are the best of friends , ; Emmett said when he saw Randy coming towards them.

Oh , yes , we are ! ; Jennifer said , laughing merrily. Here's your punch , Jennifer , ; Randy said ,

handing it to her. Thanks , Randy , ; Jennifer replied graciously.

You're welcome , ; Randy said with a smile.

Would you mind if I asked Jennifer to dance , Randy ? ; Emmett asked politely.

Sure , Emmett , I don't mind at all , ; Randy replied courteously.

I'll see you later , Jennifer , ; Randy said as Emmett took her hand.

See you later , Randy , ; Jennifer replied.

Let me know if I step on your toes , Jennifer , ; Emmett joked as they started to dance.

Oh , I will , Emmett ! ; Jennifer laughed. But really , you've improved since we first danced together ,

Emmett , ; Jennifer said kindly. I'm glad you think so , Jennifer , ; Emmett replied with a laugh.

If I have , it must be due to your pointers , Jennifer , ; Emmett said modestly.

And it's because you're smart and a quick learner , Emmett , ; Jennifer said.

How did you get your name , Emmett ? ; Jennifer asked.

Well , from what I heard , it was my granpa's name , Jennifer , ; Emmett said.

Where is your family , Emmett ? ; Jennifer asked.

Well , my mother died when I was born , and my father when I was two years old , ; Emmett said.

After that there was'nt anybody in particular that wanted me , so I lived in an orphanage

until I was eleven or twelve , ; Emmett said next.

And why did you leave ? ; Jennifer asked.

I finally got sick of the place because it was'nt fit for a cat to live in ,

so one day I just ran away , ; Emmett said.

Eventually a man named Ed Clayton and his wife found me , and they took

me in and treated me like I was their own , ; Emmett said.

But a few years later , I figured out that Ed and his family were

outlaws , and I knew I could'nt stay anymore , so I just left , ; Emmett said.

How old were you then , Emmett ? ; Jennifer asked.

I was fifteen , Jennifer , ; Emmett answered.

And then after that , I just kept drifting until I came to Medicine Bow ; Emmett finished.

When I came here and met Judge Garth and Betsy , and The Virginian and the boys ,

I found the first real family I'd known since my father died , Jennifer , ; Emmett said fondly.

And that was something I'd been looking for since I left Pop and Ma Clayton , ; Emmett said.

I'm glad you found what you were looking for , Emmett , ; Jennifer said with a smile.

So am I , Jennifer , ; Emmett said , smiling back at her.

And now you're part of that family , Jennifer , ; Emmett said.

And I feel more a part of it everyday , Emmett , ; Jennifer said as he led her from the dance floor.

Thank you for the dance , Jennifer , ; Emmett said with a smile.

You're welcome , Emmett , ; Jennifer replied , smiling back at him.

I see Randy over there with his cousin Adeline , so I guess I'll see you later , Emmett , ; Jennifer said.

See you later , Jennifer , ; Emmett said as she walked towards Randy and Adeline.

Hello , you two , ; Jennifer said when she reached them. Hello , Jennifer , it's good to see you again , ; Adeline said with a smile.

You too , Adeline , ; Jennifer replied with a smile.

Will you be coming out to Shiloh for Christmas , Adeline ? ; Jennifer asked.

I would'nt miss it , Jennifer , ; Adeline replied. You all are like family to me , ; Adeline said.\

What about me , Adeline ? ; Randy asked with a playful smile.

Of course you're family , Randy , you're my cousin ! ; Adeline exclaimed with a laugh.

Well , I'm glad to hear that ! ; Randy said , laughing merrily.

You'll always be my family , Randy , ; Adeline said lovingly.

I know , Adeline , and I love you , too , ; Randy said with a bright smile.

If you'll excuse us , Randy , I have something I need to tell Adeline , ; Jennifer said.

Sure , Jennifer , ; Randy said courteously. What do you need to tell Adeline ? ; Randy asked curiously.

It's a surprise , Randy , ; Jennifer said mysteriously. One you're not supposed to know about yet , ; Jennifer said playfully.

Okay , I'll go talk to some of the boys ! ; Randy laughed as he left.

So , what's the surprise , Jennifer ? ; Adeline whispered.

The other day , Uncle Henry got a telegram from Betsy and David ,

and they said they're coming to Shiloh for Christmas , Adeline , ; Jennifer whispered.

When will they be here , Jennifer ? ; Adeline whispered.

They're coming in tomorrow , Adeline , ; Jennifer said quietly.

Randy will be so surprised and happy , ; Adeline said.

I know , ; Jennifer replied. Just don't breathe a word to him until they get to Shiloh , alright ? ; Jennifer said.

Oh , I won't , ; Adeline promised. I would'nt spoil this surprise for the world ! ; Adeline exclaimed quietly.

Now let's go and join Randy and the boys , Adeline , ; Jennifer said as they walked up to where they were standing.

What were you two whisperin' about , Adeline ? ; Randy asked curiously.

Oh , nothing , Randy , ; Adeline replied , smiling sweetly at him.

You'll find out when the time comes , Randy , ; Jennifer said mysteriously.

I sure hope so , you two , ; Randy said with a grin.

How would you like to come back to Shiloh with us for Christmas tonight , Adeline ? ; Jennifer asked.

I'd love to , Jennifer , if your uncle would'nt mind , ; Adeline replied.

Oh , no , Uncle Henry won't mind at all , and I'd love the company , and the extra pair of

hands in the kitchen , too , ; Jennifer said. Then in that case , I'd be pleased to come , Jennifer , ;

Adeline said. I just need to go and get some things first , ; Adeline said.

Well , in that case , we'd better get goin' , you two , ; Randy said.

We've got a long drive back , ; Randy added.

Alright , Randy , ; Jennifer said pleasantly. Let's go get our coats , Adeline , ; Jennifer said

as they headed for the coat room.

You two ready to go ? ; Randy asked when he joined them in the coat room.

Yes , we're ready , Randy , ; Jennifer said as he opened the door for them.

Thank you , Randy , ; Jennifer said as she and Adeline walked out of the hotel door.

After that , it did'nt take Adeline long to fetch her things ,

and then they were on their way back to Shiloh.