Love's Abiding Joy (Love Comes Softly #4)(55)

of.

Clark was far more patient with the man and explained carefully what Scripture had to say about the original fall into sin and selfishness, man's need of a Savior, and God's solution to this need. Cookie was gradually realizing his need and understanding what Christ had done for him. Clark felt confident that when Cookie made his decision, there would be no turning back. Still, Marty inwardly chafed, wishing it wouldn't take him so long.

Scottie, too, was on the Davises' prayer list. They liked and respected the foreman, and they wished to see him make his peace with God. Scottie came to the Sunday services whenever he was free to do so, but he did not seem to feel any need of a change in his life.

Lane, the one who had helped Doc De la Rosa with the surgery, was growing spiritually. Daily he sought out Clark or Willie for the answer to some question that he found as he read the Word. He not only read the Bible, but he endeavored to live daily by its commands and concepts. Lane could never be accused of being a hypocrite. Even the bitter Smith began to show a grudging respect for Lane and one day admitted to Jake, "Don't hold much to religion. Always figured thet it was fer women an' kids an' men who couldn't stand on their own



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feet; but iffen I was ever to git religion, I'd want the kind thet Lane got."

Jake looked skeptical. "Didn't know there was more'n one kind," he drawled.

"Ya didn't? Then ya ain't been watchin' Lane lately."

"So where did Lane git his special brand?" sneered Jake.

"Reckon he got it from the same place thet the boss an' his pa-in-law got theirs. It seems to be made of the same stuff."

Jake thought of Willie and his steadiness even through the tough times, his fairness with his men, and his concern for his community. He also thought of Clark and his acceptance of his handicap, and he murmured under his breath, "Yah, reckon it is." Then he turned to Smith. "So, iffen they are able to pass it on an' are so anxious to share it, what's stoppin' ya from gittin' yerself some?"

Smith did not answer. He just scowled and rode away.



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Chapter Twenty-five




Christmas



Christmastime arrived, and Marty's thoughts were often on her family at home, even as her thoughts had been on Missie in the Christmases that they had been separated. Kate was there to help Ellie make a Christmas for the family on the farm, and the last letter had stated that Nandry's and Clae's families would both be home for Christmas as well, even though Clark and Marty would not be there. Soon after the new year, Joe and Clae and little Esther would be leaving for the city where Joe would finally have his opportunity to get his seminary training. Marty wished she would be there to tell them good-bye, but it brought a measure of joy to her heart to know that they would be in the very city where Luke eventually would be going to take his medical training. It would not be nearly so hard to let him go knowing that Clae and Joe would be there to welcome him.

Even so, Marty thought much of her other family as she made her little preparations for the Christmas with the family in the West.



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Wong and Cookie combined their efforts to prepare a Christmas feast for all of the members of the ranch family. It was bound to be a sumptuous affair, and everyone--old and young alike--were anticipating the occasion. Marty supposed that they would all eat more than they really needed.

Nathan and Josiah especially had worked themselves up into a fever of excitement. Nathan knew of Christmases past and the thrill of receiving gifts. Josiah was too young to remember other Christmases, but he was willing to take his big brother's word for what would happen.

Marty had busily knitted mittens, socks and scarves for the two boys, and Clark had been carefully fashioning a snow sled. "Shore enough," he told Marty, "with all them hills around, there must be one that a sled would work good on." Marty agreed. Even though they would be many days' journey away from the rest of their family, they were happy to be able to spend this Christmas with Missie, Willie, and the boys.

On Christmas Eve, Marty finished the last of her Christmas presents, and they bundled up their gifts and themselves and went out into the starlit winter night through the snow for the short trip to Missie's house. They had planned an evening of games, Christmas carols, and popcorn over the log fire. The gifts would not be exchanged until the next morning.

Nathan was the one to answer their knock. He squealed with delight, and Josiah was just behind him to echo his joy.

"Hi, Grandpa! Hi, Grandma! Come in. We're havin' Christmas," called Nathan.

"Ch'is'mas," echoed Josiah and pulled them in by the hands.

The evening was full of love and joy. They chatted and ate and played games and sang amid laughter and lighthearted banter. They shared their memories of other Christmases; Nathan loved the stories, but Josiah's heavy lids kept drooping as he fought to stay awake.

Finally Missie rose reluctantly to put the two children to bed. Nathan certainly was not anxious to go, afraid that he might miss something. Missie assured him everything would be there for him to see and share in the morning.



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When the children were settled and the grownups were having coffee and slices of Wong's Christmas cake made from one of Marty's recipes, Missie, her cheeks aglow and her eyes alight, shared her secret.