The Bowdre parlor was a hotbed of noise and activity when Rebel and Jenny arrived for the meeting the next morning. She went straight to Martha and asked about Henry.
“His leg was broken, and Doc Mary says he may limp the rest of his life.” Martha had bags under her eyes, and Rebel knew the reason why.
“He’s lucky the ordeal didn’t kill him.”
Martha gave her a sad smile. “I’m sorry you had to go out in that storm, but Henry was very grateful and talks about your kindness.”
“Think nothing of it, Martha. I’m happy to help anytime you need it.”
“Funny thing. I don’t know what you and the men said to Henry on that pile of blasted rocks, but he’s changed.”
“How so?”
“He lined the boys up, looked at them real stern, and said he didn’t want any more trouble out of them. If they gave him grief, he’d set them straight in no time.”
Would wonders never cease! It seemed Henry had turned over a new leaf, and it was long past due. Rebel found a seat near where Jenny was playing with Nora’s Willow and Tally’s baby, Dillon, a six-month-old darling.
As wife of the town founder, Tally Colby took charge. “Thank you all for coming. We owe Rebel a debt of gratitude for her brilliant idea for the Advent celebration. Hope’s Crossing needs something like this.”
Everyone started talking at once, their eyes on Rebel.
“I haven’t celebrated Advent in the last ten years.” Belle January slid her hand inside Tobias’s, and their gazes met.
Rebel glanced down at Jenny, on the floor playing with Willow. “It’s been longer than that for me, Belle. I was just a child.”
“All right, we have a lot to discuss.” Tally glanced at a sheet of paper. “Tobias, since you’ll be making the wooden calendar, tell us what you’ll need and how long it might take to build. It needs to be finished by Monday. Advent officially begins this Sunday with the lighting of the first of four candles.”
Tobias stood, his long, white beard flowing down his chest. Although he had to be over seventy, his eyes twinkled like a young boy’s. Rebel could see his delight. “I’m honored. Advent always used to be an important part of the holidays for me and Belle. We have plenty of wood left over from the various buildings, so that won’t be a problem. I’ll start on it today. Making all the little doors will take the most time.” He held up a drawing. “Pass this around, and tell me where I need to make changes.”
After everyone in attendance had seen the sketch, Tally glanced around the room. “Does anyone have anything to say?”
Martha Truman struggled to her feet with considerable effort, wiping away tears. “My boys have never celebrated Advent, and I think us doing so will make a difference in their lives. They need to know that Christmas is about more than one day and why. I know they’ve been unruly, and I apologize. Especially to Rebel. Billy has been unkind to Ely, but I pray this will make him consider his actions.”
Rebel stood. “As I pray it does for Ely too, Martha. That’s one reason I thought of this.”
“Amen,” Tally murmured.
“If no one has any suggestions for me, I’ll get busy.” Tobias put his hat on. “I need every minute between now and Monday.”
“Thank you, Tobias.” Tally turned to the rest. “Now, let’s make a list of names to go inside the doors of the calendar. We need twenty-five volunteers.”
Women around the parlor began raising their hands and signing up.
“I’ll take Sunday, the 19th,” Rebel said, knowing Sundays would be hardest to get taken.
One by one, they filled every day except for December 24th. Tally scanned the group. “Will someone take Christmas Eve?”
The silence dragged on for several moments.
Then a whisper came from the corner. “I will.”
Rebel craned her neck, surprised to see Eleanor Crump slowly rise. The woman kept apart from the rest as though they had the plague or something. No one knew much about her. As usual, the woman’s matted hair, stooped shoulders, and strange bug-like eyes made Rebel shiver. All of the children were frightened of Eleanor and refused to walk near her home, which was little more than a lean-to. Who knew her age? Eleanor could be anywhere between thirty and seventy.
“I’ll take Christmas Eve,” Eleanor repeated softly.
Stark quiet descended, and Rebel imagined everyone was wondering how they’d get the children to go to her house for the treat on December 24th. Or even what the odd woman would give out.
But Rebel felt her pain. “I’m happy you took a day, Eleanor. I’ll be glad to help if you need it.”
“So will I,” Tally declared, along with a roomful of murmured reinforcement.
The woman gave them what appeared a nod and hurried her bent frame out the door. Rebel’s heart broke. She had to find a way to make Eleanor feel useful and wanted. And she’d have a talk with Ely and Jenny about being kind to the older woman—lots of talks.
They were going to learn about the true spirit of Christmas and acceptance of all.
* * *
A weak sun came out that afternoon, but the cold continued to seep into Rebel’s bones. Jack and Clay put in a new windowpane to replace the broken one in her kitchen, and the light lifted her spirits a little.
She decided to decorate the soddy for Christmas and took down the jar that held a few coins her washing, ironing, and sewing took in—forty cents in all. Some colorful paper would be cheap enough, and Ely and Jenny could cut pretty shapes to hang with string.
It wouldn’t be as nice as a tree, but it would be something.
Rebel grabbed her scarf and coat and headed to the mercantile. On the way, she passed the outdoor firepit where the men liked to gather. A man she knew only by name joined them. Tait Trinity had built quite a reputation and had the largest price on his head of all of them, but she liked the honesty and fairness in the outlaw’s eyes. Yet, Rebel suspected that anyone who dared to cross him would find themselves in a bad situation in the time it took to breathe.
Jack warmed his hands. “I hate to change the subject, but what are we going to do about a Christmas tree? There’s nothing in this part of the country except scrub oak and juniper. The children need a real tree.”
That they did. Rebel paused to listen.
“Anyone volunteer to ride to Cimarron after a tall pine and haul it back?” Clay asked.
“I’ll go.” That came from a man she only knew as Drew.
“You just got out of the calaboose,” Jack said. “Alice and the kids would throw a fit.”
Tait Trinity straightened. “I’ll go after it.”
“I’ll ride along to keep you company,” Ridge Steele offered.
Rebel smiled and continued on to the mercantile. One large tree would do. Everything pretty much was a community effort, and she liked that. Sharing made it easy for everyone to enjoy the same thing without the expense or effort falling to one person.
Flakes of snow hit her face, and she glanced up. Now, it felt like Christmas.
But thoughts of Travis that were never very far away muted the joy.
* * *
Supper that night was simple but filling, perfect for a cold winter evening.
Rebel turned the conversation to Advent and told the children Eleanor Crump had taken Christmas Eve.
“Well, I’m not going to her house,” Ely declared. “She’s scary. I think she might be a witch. Billy Truman says so. He says she eats kids.”
“And that makes it gospel?” Rebel asked. “I will not have you being rude.”
“But—”
She fixed Ely with a stare. “We have manners and compassion in this house. You’ll act accordingly.”
Ely ducked his head. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Good.” Rebel pushed back her chair and rose to pour herself another cup of coffee.
After they did the dishes, she helped the children cut pretty snowflakes and other designs from the colored paper. Then she put string on them, and soon they hung from every portion of the soddy, adding a bit of cheer to their lives.
The glow of a warm fire with snow softly swishing against the windowpanes brought thankfulness to Rebel’s heart. Only one person would make it better, but she didn’t know where he was or if she’d see him again in this lifetime.