Rebecca (Angel Creek Christmas Brides #15) - Lily Graison Page 0,28

time he let me go caroling. That was fun.” Amanda stopped walking and turned to face her. “Maybe we can do that this year. You want to?”

“What? Go Caroling?”

“Yes.”

“Sure. If you want to.”

Amanda grinned and tugged her down the street, listing every song she wanted to sing. Rebecca had been caroling before. The nuns took them to do it. “To spread Christmas cheer,” they’d said, but as she got older, she realized it wasn’t for them, it was just an opportunity to ask for donations, not that it mattered. It was fun to get out and go door to door, singing and just—enjoying life outside the walls of the orphanage.

The store was surprisingly empty when they walked inside. Agatha had given her a list of things to purchase and she filled her basket while browsing the aisles. It was obvious the owners of the store were preparing for Christmas. New items filled one entire cabinet and the tables were filled with small toys and games.

Should she think about getting a Christmas gift for Caleb?

With what? You don’t have two pennies to rub together.

She sighed. So much for that idea. She couldn’t even make him anything. She couldn’t sew, could barely bake, and anything more complicated than stew required help and even then she burned most of it. She doubted he expected anything from her but it still felt odd not doing something.

Maybe you can stop lying to him and tell him who you really are.

She pushed the thought away and carried their purchases to the counter then waited as they added everything to Caleb’s account. On the way out, a poster by the door reminding everyone of the annual Christmas Eve party drew her attention. “Is this the party you were talking about a few days ago?”

Amanda bobbed her head up and down. “Yes! It's so much fun. Everyone from all over comes to it.”

The invitation the two ladies she’d met at the restaurant came back to mind. “The night your father and I came to town to eat, a woman invited him to a Christmas party.”

“Who was it?”

“Um…” What did she say her name was? “Julie? Does that sound right? She was with a lady who mentioned the land office.”

Amanda’s face scrunched up as if she were thinking, before she smiled. “Oh! You mean Julia? She and Caroline Larsen are best friends. Caroline lives in the rooms above the land office.”

“Yes, Julia. That was it. She said she was having a party and invited your father.”

“Did he say he’d go?”

“He said he’d think about it.”

The answer wasn't what Amanda wanted to hear. She frowned but said nothing. Rebecca could tell by the look on the girl's face that she'd bring it up the first chance she got and had a feeling that if Caleb hadn't planned on going, Amanda would make sure to change his mind.

Caleb knew something was up the moment he walked in the door. Amanda rushed to his side, the smile on her face as big as he’d ever seen it.

She took his hat and hung it as he took off his coat. “Pa, Diana said Julia Bailey invited us to a party.”

He glanced into the kitchen where Diana was setting the table. “You’re not even going to let me eat before badgering me about something?”

“Leave your father be,” his mother yelled from the kitchen. “Get in here and wash up, girl.”

He followed Amanda to the table and kissed his mother’s cheek. “Everything go alright today?”

“Yes. Those Hatchet boys came round and shoveled the stoop. I figured they’d knock and ask for a nickel or two but they just ran off across the road and started clearing off Mrs. Taylor’s steps. Guess they've found some trouble to get into again and their pa is making them work as punishment.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time.” He glanced over at Diana. Their eyes met and for once, she didn’t look away. She held his gaze for long moments before giving him a shy smile and turning toward the stove.

“I’m going to go clean up. I’ll be back in a few.” He headed to his room, once again noticing the sweet floral scent that lingered there. He made quick work of changing out of his work clothes and washing up.

Everyone was seated when he walked back into the kitchen. A small ham sat on the table with green beans and potatoes. For once, nothing looked burned, and it smelled so good his stomach growled the moment he sat down.

Amanda