Love's Abiding Joy (Love Comes Softly #4)(58)

"Oh, Clark, I pray thet it might be so," said Marty, the tears filling her eyes.



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"If only I could have talked to him--made him understand me somehow."

"Can I see 'im?" asked Marty.

"He's gone."

"Gone? But how could--"

"Lane went fer Dr. De la Rosa, an' the doc decided when he checked Jedd out thet it would be better fer 'im to have Jedd at his house so he could watch over 'im. Lane took 'im on over in the wagon. They left jest a few minutes ago."

"Oh, Clark. I hope he makes it. I hope thet ya have a chance to talk to him. Was he really bad, Clark?" Clark nodded his head solemnly.

"Oh, Clark!" cried Marty again. "Let's pray." Once again they knelt beside the bed.



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Chapter Twenty-seven




Christmas Day



In spite of anxiety over Jedd, Christmas Day was a time of thanksgiving and joy. With two small boys in the house, it was impossible not to feel excitement and pleasure concerning Christmas. Even though they had retired late the evening before and had had difficulty getting to sleep, Clark and Marty were up early and over in the big house. Nathan and Josiah, already up and filling the house with cries of happiness as they looked at the gifts which had arrived sometime during the night, were not very interested in their breakfast that day.

Nathan was thrilled with the sled that Clark had made and begged to go out and try it even before he had eaten. Clark laughed and promised the boys he would take them out on the sled just as soon as their mother approved. Missie, smiling, shrugged her shoulders helplessly.

Nathan's favorite gift from his parents was a new halter for Spider, his pony. Willie finally gave into his pleadings and told him they would go to the barn and be sure that the halter fit. Nathan soon reappeared, bundled to his eyebrows with



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Marty's gift of socks, mittens and carelessly-looped scarf. Willie laughed at the sight that the boy made.

"Ya shore enough look well cared fer weather-wise, 'ceptin' fer yer feet. Ain't ya plannin' to wear any boots?"

"They won't go over my big socks," replied Nathan, which brought more laughs.

Josiah soon rounded the corner too. He was still in his nightclothes and over them he too had looped his long scarf. One eye was hidden and he peeked out from the other one, his head tipped to give him better vision. His mittens had been pulled on the wrong hands, and the empty thumbs stuck out to the side like two misplaced horns. The socks, partly on but mostly off, gave Josiah the appearance of having duck feet. He waddled forward, pleased with himself and ready to join his brother and pa for the trip to the barn. Now Willie really howled. He led the two boys back to their room, properly dressed Josiah and helped Nathan to find socks and boots that worked together. Then, with the small Josiah on his shoulders and Nathan trudging along at his side with the cherished new halter, Clark joined them and they all started out for the barn.

"They do make some sight, don't they?" said Missie at the window, a lump in her throat.

"Don't know how many times I've stood at my window an' watched yer pa an' his sons crossin' the yard," Marty responded. "Iffen I had no other reason to love yer pa than thet single one--the seem' of his carin' fer his young'uns--thet one would be enough to make me love him as long as God grants me breath," she continued softly.

They turned back to the preparations for the day. There was much to be done, for Christmas dinner for all of the hands had become a tradition on the LaHaye ranch. Though busy and going many different directions, on Christmas Day they took the time to all eat together and share the Christmas story.

That morning around the breakfast table the discussion often had been directed to the wonder of Jedd Larson turning up on the LaHaye spread. They had not heard of Jedd since he had left his farm back home and headed west so many years



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ago. Marty wished there was some way she could share with Clae and Nandry the exciting news, and then she sobered. If Jedd did not make it through this Christmas Day, the news they would have to share with their girls would be bad news, not good news. Again and again through the day Marty prayed.

After the trip to the barn, as promised, Clark took the bundled-up boys for a sled ride.

At first it was difficult for him to pull the sled with the two small passengers up the nearby slope, but eventually he found that his crutch, jammed into the snow, made a good replacement for the limb he did not have.

The boys squealed with delight as Clark shoved them off and they made the short, swift trip down the hill. This time, Nathan pulled the sled back up the hill, but it was hard for little Josiah to make the climb on his own. Clark went to meet him and carried him up the hill piggyback. Again and again they sped down the hill and made their slow and awkward climb back up. At last, exhausted but happy, they agreed to head back to the house and get warmed up.

"We'll have to do this ag'in, huh, Grandpa?" said Nathan. " 'G'in," echoed his little brother.

"Shore will," said Clark, who had enjoyed it almost as much as the boys.

"After dinner?" asked Nathan.

"Well, I dunno 'bout thet. I think thet yer pa an' ma might have some of their own plans fer after dinner."