A Season for Goodwill : A Shiloh Christmas Story

Chapter 1 : [ Christmas Shopping ] December 20th , 1900

Several months had passed by since Jennifer had come to Shiloh after her parents deaths.

She had'nt wanted to stay at first , but now she could'nt imagine any other place as home.

And she and Randy had become thicker than thieves and the best of friends.

'' I can't believe it's been almost three months since I came to Shiloh , Randy '' , ; Jennifer said

as they drove along the road into town.

The time sure flies , does'nt it , Jenny ? ; Randy replied with a smile.

It certainly does , Randy , ; Jennifer said , smiling back. Especially when you're happy , ; Jennifer added.

Since I've been with you and Uncle Henry and the rest of the boys , I've realized

that I was never really happy back in Boston , Randy , ; Jennifer said.

What was it like in Boston , Jennifer ? ; Randy asked curiously.

Oh , some parts of it were nice , and some parts were noisy and dirty , Randy , ; Jennifer replied.

I like Shiloh a whole lot better , ; Jennifer added. Shiloh's the closest thing to a real

home I've ever had , Randy , ; Jennifer said contentedly.

What was it like where you came from , Randy ? ; Jennifer asked.

It was green , with a lot of hills an'd ridges , and hollers , too , ; Randy replied.

The Virginian told me you came from the South , too , ; Jennifer added.

What part of the South , if you don't mind my asking ? ; Jennifer asked.

No , I don't mind at all , Jennifer , ; Randy said.

I came from a little place called Bald Knob , North Carolina , ; Randy answered.

And how did you get way out here , Randy ? ; Jennifer asked as they rode along.

Well , my family had some trouble with another family , and it came to a shoot-out , ; Randy said.

What happened to your family , Randy ? ; Jennifer asked. They died , Jennifer , ; Randy said qietly.

An'd after they were buried , I just packed up an'd moved on for my own safety , ; Randy said next.

My mama made me promise I'd go West if somethin' ever happened to her and Daddy , ; Randy added.

I'm sorry , Randy , ; Jennifer said softly. They must have been wonderful people , ; Jennifer added.

Oh , they were , Jennifer , ; Randy replied smiling. How old were you when you left home , Randy ? ;

Jennifer asked. Oh , I was about thirteen , ; Randy replied.

And how old are you now ? ; Jennifer asked. I'm almost twenty , Jennifer , ; Randy replied.

So am I , Randy ! ; Jennifer said in surprise.

What's Betsy like , Randy ? ; Jennifer asked suddenly.

She's wonderful , Jenny , a lot like you in some ways , ; Randy replied , smiling gently.

She's one of the most loving people I ever knew in my whole life , ; Randy added.

She saved me from more trouble than I could handle on my own , an'd she

helped me learn to trust folks again , too , ; Randy said.

When I first came to this area , I'd been runnin' from the men that killed

my folks goin' on five years , ; Randy said next.

Shiloh was the first place I ever felt safe at , Jenny , ; Randy said softly.

An'd loved , too , ; Randy added. I'm glad you came here , Randy , ; Jennifer said smiling.

I never had a friend as special as you before , Randy , ; Jennifer said , smiling softly at him.

An'd I'd say the same of you , Jenny , ; Randy said , smiling back at her as he drove along.

And speaking of time flying , before we know it , it''ll be Christmas already , ; Jennifer said as they neared town.

That's for sure , Jennifer , ; Randy replied smiling.

Thank you for helping me with my Christmas shopping , Randy , ; Jennifer said as they drove into town.

You're welcome , Jennifer , ; Randy replied. I'm always happy to help you out , ; Randy added warmly.

And Randy ? - Jennifer began. Yes , Jennifer ? ; Randy said. When I was first here , I knew without anyone

telling me that you thought of me as family , Randy , ; Jennifer said when they stopped outside the general store.

And I loved you for it , ; Jennifer said softly. I'm glad you did know , Jennifer , ; Randy said as he

helped her down. I'm glad , too , Randy , ; Jennifer said as they went inside.

And before Jennifer knew it , they were finished and ready to head home.

''So , how did you and Betsy meet each other , Randy ? ; Jennifer asked as Randy helped her up.

Well , to make a long story short , she teased me an'd she ran off with my vest the first day

I ever saw her , ; Randy said , laughing softly at the memory.

That must have been so funny , Randy ! ; Jennifer said , laughing merrily in response.

Oh , it was , Jennifer ! ; Randy exclaimed. Giddy up , now ! ; Randy said to the team.

Did Betsy ever get used to you boys' rough-housing around , Randy ? ; Jennifer asked as they drove out of town.

Oh , I reckon she did , Jennifer , ; Randy replied smiling. Long before I ever came along , too , ; Randy added.

You must be rememberin' the day that Trampas an'd that other fella were rough -housing around with each

other , ; Randy remarked playfully. I guess so ! ; Jennifer laughed. I admit , I was a little shocked

at first , but later on after I'd gotten to know you all better , I had a good laugh over it ! ; Jennifer said.

I'll bet you did ! ; Randy laughed. How do you know so much about horses , Randy ? ; Jennifer asked.

Well , my daddy taught me a lot , and The Virginian picked up where he left off , Jennifer , ; Randy

replied as they drove along. He must have been a good teacher , Randy , ; Jennifer said.

So , what else do you like to do , Jennifer ? ; Randy asked.

Well , I like to cook , and bake , too , ; Jennifer said. And I love to sew and knit , too , ; Jennifer added.

And I love riding , now that I'm finally getting the hang of it ! ; Jennifer laughed.

And you're getting to be pretty good at it , too , ; Randy replied with a smile.

Thanks , Randy , ; Jennifer said , smiling back at him.

Are you comin ' to the Christmas dance tonight , Jennifer ? ; Randy asked , giving her a warm smile.

I would'nt miss it for the world , Randy , ; Jennifer replied , smiling back at him.

I'm glad to hear that , ; Randy replied playfully.

I'll come by to pick you up about six , Jennifer , ; Randy said courteously as they came in sight of Shiloh.

I'll be ready and waiting , Randy , ; Jennifer replied enthusiastically as they drove up to the house.

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

You're welcome , Jennifer , ; Randy replied warmly. Can I help you carry your packages inside ? ; Randy asked courteously.

Thanks , I'd appreciate that , Randy , ; Jennifer replied with a smile. Come on inside , Randy , ; Jennifer said warmly as they went inside.

Just put them down on the sofa , please , Randy , ; Jennifer said graciously when they came in.

Sure thing , Jennifer , ; Randy replied as he set them down.

Jennifer , is that you , dear ! ; the Judge called from the other room.

Yes , Uncle Henry , ; Jennifer said as she and Randy walked into the dining room.

Hello , Uncle Henry , ; Jennifer said pleasantly. Hello , Jennifer , ; the Judge replied.

Hello , Randy , ; the Judge said , smiling at them both.

Hello , Judge , ; Randy replied warmly. What have you two been up to , Jennifer ? ; the Judge asked curiously.

Randy's been helping me with my Christmas shopping , Uncle Henry , ; Jennifer said excitedly.

Did you two have a good time , Randy ? ; the Judge asked pleasantly.

We sure did , Judge , ; Randy replied smiling. Glad to hear it , ; the Judge remarked good-naturedly.

If you'll both excuse me , I'm going to go and get ready for the dance now , ; Jennifer said ,

smiling at her uncle and Randy. Alright , Jennifer , ; the Judge replied , smiling at her as she left.

I'll be by to pick you up later , Jennifer , ; Randy said. Alright , Randy , I'll see you later , ; Jennifer

said as she went upstairs. Can I talk to you for a minute , Randy ? ; the Judge asked.

Sure , Judge , ; Randy replied politely. I just wanted to say , Randy , how happy I am with how

Jennifer's taken to life here at Shiloh , ; the Judge said kindly.

And thank you again for being there to rescue her that day , and for making her feel at

home here , Randy , ; the Judge said with a warm smile.

I'm just glad I could help , Judge , ; Randy said with a cheerful smile.

In some ways , havin' Jennifer around is like havin' Betsy back here again , Judge , ; Randy said with a smile.

I've noticed that very same thing , Randy , ; the Judge said , smiling in return.

I'm glad you two have become such good friends , Randy , ; the Judge added pleasantly.

So am I , Judge , ; Randy said. Well , I guess I'll see ya' later , Judge , ; Randy said.

Goodbye , Randy , ; the Judge said with a smile. Take good care of my niece , now , ; the Judge

said as Randy turned to go. I will , Judge , ; Randy said as he left.

Smiling to himself , the Judge turned and went back to his paper - work.