When the last child boarded The Santa Express, Shelley breathed a sigh of relief. Everyone was excited, including the Christmas elves who were walking through each carriage with baskets of candy.
She glanced at her watch, then at the clipboard in her hand. So far, they were on time—which in itself was a miracle.
While she had a spare moment, Shelley texted John to tell him The Santa Express had left the station. His instant response calmed her nerves. It was important to her that tonight went well. It was the last fundraising event of the year and everyone was looking forward to it.
Forcing a smile, she picked up her activity basket and opened the door to the back carriage. Her shoulders relaxed as a wave of excited chatter and Christmas music rushed toward her. With the fairy lights twinkling from the garlands, and red bows hanging from the back of each seat, it was a wonderful way to start a magical night—and it would only get better.
As the steam train rolled to a stop, John rubbed his hands together to keep them warm, relieved that the storm that had threatened tonight’s event hadn’t returned.
His gaze skimmed across the elves waiting in strategic points between the train and the barn. Everyone had been issued with a flashlight and whistle. If any passenger walked outside the marked path to the barn, an elf would blow their whistle, alerting everyone to the problem.
No one was taking any of the passengers’ safety for granted, especially with so many children here tonight.
The number one goal of the security elves was to get everyone off the train and into the warm barn as quickly as possible—even if it meant hurrying people along. And looking at the number of photos that were being taken, everyone needed some sort of encouragement to get them out of the cold.
Holding his walkie-talkie to his mouth, he was about to tell the elves closest to the train to move everyone along when he heard the sound of bells.
Everyone stopped and looked around the ranch.
The trees surrounding three sides of the barn formed a natural amphitheater. Any noise ricocheted off the snow, bounced off the old wooden walls, and sent echoing notes of sound around the property. With the bells ringing in the still night air, Santa made an unexpected appearance on the back of a snowmobile.
John had no idea which elf was driving, but they were doing well. Dodging temporary fencing, directional signs, and the mounds of snow they’d pushed away from the barn wasn’t easy when you were the center of attention.
When Santa climbed off the snowmobile, the children rushed toward him, eager to say hello to the merry man in red. Santa, thank goodness, wasted no time in gathering the children close and walking toward the barn. In half the time that John thought it would take, everyone was stomping the snow off their shoes and heading into the barn.
He glanced back at the train and smiled.
Shelley was walking toward him. “We made it!”
“You certainly did. There are a lot of people here.” Another six elves hurried past them wearing long red coats. “You dressed for the weather.”
Shelley pulled her coat close. “It was Mabel’s suggestion. We hired them from a theatrical company in Kalispell.”
Another elf jogged up to Shelley. “Hi, Pastor John. I’ve checked the carriages, Shelley, and everyone’s gone from the train.”
“Thanks, Benji. I’ll meet you inside.” Shelley took her cell phone out of her pocket and let the driver know he could leave. Within minutes, a plume of dense black smoke erupted from the funnel and the train’s wheels chugged into motion.
In thirty minutes, the train would arrive at the turntable in Bigfork. After turning the engine around, it would make the return journey to the barn then, later tonight, take everyone back to Sapphire Bay.
“That must be our cue to follow everyone else,” John said as he wrapped his arm around Shelley’s waist. “You look cute in your elf hat.”
Shelley laughed. “It must be my red nose. I didn’t realize how cold it would be out here. I should have…oh, my goodness. Look at the stars.”
John lifted his chin to the sky. For the last week, the stars were hidden behind layers of cloud. But tonight, the cloud had disappeared and a kaleidoscope of stars shone down on them. “It’s amazing, isn’t it? If you stand high in the mountains on a night like this, you feel as though you could reach out and touch the stars.”
Shelley stretched her arm above her head. “I feel as though I could do that now.” She sighed as she dropped her hand. “I can see why people live here. When I was in Boston, I was lucky to see any stars.”
John’s heart felt heavy as he remembered other nights, long ago, when the stars were his only connection to the world. “When I was in Afghanistan, the sky was so black that the stars looked like spotlights shining down on us. While I was there, Dad sent me a telescope. I used to spend hours looking at the sky, wondering if he was doing the same thing.”
“It sounds as though you were lonely.”
He blinked away his tears. “Only at night.”
Shelley pulled his elf hat over his ears and hugged him close. “You don’t have to be lonely anymore. You have family and friends who love you. I love you.”
John pushed the bleak memories aside and kissed the end of Shelley’s cold nose. “And I love you. But if we don’t go inside soon, we’ll never make it home without frostbite.”
Hand-in-hand, they hurried toward the barn. As Shelley stomped her boots on the doormat, she smiled. “Whoever suggested that Santa ride a snowmobile out to the train was a genius.”
“It must have been Santa’s idea. I didn’t even know there was a snowmobile on the property.”
Shelley frowned. “Mr. Jessop must have asked a friend if he could borrow theirs. He definitely doesn’t have one in town.”
John cleared his throat. He hadn’t told Shelley that Gordon Jessop was sitting in bed with the flu. “There’s something I should probably tell you…”
An hour later, John’s gaze drifted across the children sitting on the floor in front of Santa. Andy and Charlie were leaning against each other, watching what was going on around them. Charlie was wearing his mom’s hat and Andy had her scarf wrapped around his neck.
Shelley must have seen where he was looking. “Do you think they’ll ever feel comfortable in groups of people?”
“I don’t know,” John said softly. “They’ve been through a lot.”
“Are they enjoying living with Mr. Jessop?”
John knew it was better than the alternative. “They like Gordon, but they’d prefer to live with their mom.”
“I don’t blame them. Andrea has been the only constant thing in their lives for a long time.”
From what Andrea had said, Charlie and Andy hadn’t lived a normal life since the day they were born. Learning to adapt to a life without violence would be difficult, but not impossible.
“Look at Mr. Coleman,” Shelley whispered. “I didn’t think he liked children?”
“Neither did I until he told me about his grandchildren. He isn’t as grumpy as he lets everyone believe.” When John told Jebediah they didn’t have a Santa Claus for tonight, he’d offered to help them. John hadn’t been sure it was a good idea, but Jebediah had told him about his grandchildren and how they enjoyed listening to his stories.
With one of the elves making sure he knew what to do throughout the night, no one would have guessed that Jebediah was a last-minute addition.
John smiled when Santa ended the first story with a rousing ho-ho-ho. “The snowmobile that Jebediah arrived on is his. He wanted to make an entrance.”
Shelley chuckled. “He definitely did that.”
As Santa’s second story started, John’s cell phone beeped. He checked the message and smiled. “I need to meet someone at the front of the barn. I’ll be back soon.”
Shelley nodded. “If I’m not here, I’ll be in the kitchen helping Mabel.”
As quietly as he could, John moved across the barn. The adults who’d come on the train were sitting in a semi-circle behind their children. He didn’t know whether it was Santa or the incredible tree that was holding their attention.
When they’d turned on the lights even John was amazed at how spectacular the tree looked. It filled the room with Christmas spirit and made the cavernous space feel like home. Or, in this case, Santa’s Secret Cave.
By the time he made it to the main doors, Zac was helping a woman take off her jacket.
When Zac saw him, he smiled. “Sorry we’re late. It took a lot longer to drive back to Sapphire Bay than I thought it would.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m glad you made it.”
Andrea held out her hand. “Hi, Pastor John. Thank you for making this possible.”
“You’re welcome, but I only asked if your doctor would consider it. You’re the one who made it a reality.” Andrea had been working really hard with her counselors and doctor. They were happy for her to spend the next two nights in Sapphire Bay before heading back to Polson. If this weekend went well, she’d be home for Christmas and then continue her treatment as an outpatient.
“Do the boys know I’m here?”
John shook his head. “They’re listening to a story at the moment. When Santa’s finished, I’ll bring them across to see you.”
Andrea nodded and waited nervously beside Zac.
“It won’t be too much longer.” John walked back to where he was standing before Zac and Andrea arrived.
“Is that who I think it is?” Shelley asked.
“It is. Andrea’s staying in Sapphire Bay for the weekend. The boys don’t know she’s here.”
“They’ll be so excited.”
John knew they would be, but he was more concerned about what would happen on Monday morning when their mom left.
Shelley looked down at her phone. “It’s my time to leave. The food’s ready to be placed on the tables. Good luck with Andrea and the boys.”
John took a deep breath. He didn’t want Charlie and Andy to feel overwhelmed when they saw their mom. He just hoped they were doing the right thing.
A few minutes later, Santa closed the last storybook and invited everyone to join him at the activity tables.
As more Christmas carols filled the barn, John made his way toward Andy and Charlie. “Did you enjoy the stories?” he asked.
Charlie nodded. “The cat in the book reminded me of Mr. Whiskers.” He leaned closer to John. “Is that the real Santa Claus?”
He wasn’t sure how to answer Charlie’s question without breaking his heart. So he thought of the next best thing and hoped it worked. “Santa can’t be everywhere in the world at once. Tonight, we have one of his special helpers.”
Charlie sent his brother a knowing glance. “That’s why he doesn’t look like the Santa we saw last year.”
Andy nodded and held his brother’s hand. “Do you want to make some Christmas crafts with us, Pastor John?”
Charlie looked at the tables filled with colorful decorations, bottles of glue, and paint. “We could make mom a present.”
“Before you do that,” John said quickly. “There’s someone who’d like to say hello to you.”
Andy frowned. “Is it Mr. Jessop? Is he feeling better?”
John sent them a reassuring smile. “It’s not Mr. Jessop, but it’s a good surprise. Come with me.”
The boys followed him across the barn. Andrea was sitting on a chair beside Zac, looking nervously around the barn. When she saw Charlie and Andy, her eyes filled with tears.
John didn’t get the chance to see the boys’ reaction. As soon as they saw their mom, they raced across the barn and launched themselves into her arms.
A lump formed in John’s throat. It didn’t matter how old you were, being separated from your mom was hard.
Even though he adored his foster parents, he would have given anything to have his birth mother hug him as tightly as Andrea was hugging her boys. He wouldn’t even have minded if she was drunk, just knowing she cared about him would have made a difference.
Zac wrapped his arm around John’s shoulders. “It makes you believe in the power of love.”
“And forgiveness.” John took a steadying breath. “Thanks for picking up Andrea.”
“It was no problem. The roads were icy, but we got here in the end.” Zac moved out of the way as Andy and Charlie pulled their mom to the craft table. “I saw Gordon this afternoon. He has a bad case of the flu, so I suggested I take Andrea and the boys home with me for the weekend. Willow’s happy to have the company.”
“That would be great. If it makes your life easier, I’ll take Charlie and Andy to school on Monday morning.”
“Don’t worry. I’m driving Andrea back to Polson, anyway. We can take the boys to school before we leave.”
“Do they need any clothes?”
Zac shook his head. “Mabel grabbed a few things when she picked them up for the train ride.”
John watched Andrea laugh at something Charlie said. “Do you think they’ll be okay?”
“They’ll be fine. I’m more worried about you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Willow told me you’re dating Shelley. When did that happen?”
“A few days ago.” John’s cell phone beeped and he read the text. “I have to go. Shelley needs my help in the kitchen.”
“Come for dinner next week. Bring Shelley. I’ll tell her all your secrets.”
John smiled. “As long as they’re good ones, we’ll be there. See you soon.” And before Zac could ask any more questions about his relationship with Shelley, John hurried toward the kitchen.
Two hours later, Shelley poured eggnog into another glass and handed it to a Christmas elf. After saying goodbye to the last family who’d joined them on The Santa Express, everyone who’d helped with the event had driven to the church to celebrate what they’d achieved.
“This was such a great night,” Bailey said excitedly to Shelley. “We should have another Santa Express next year.”
“Let me enjoy tonight before you start planning next year’s event. It was a lot of work.”
“But look at how much money we raised. By next December, the church won’t need any more tiny homes, but there’ll be other projects that need funding.”
John stood behind Shelley and wrapped his hands around her waist. “Before we start anything else, we need to make sure the budgeting, health, and employment services we’re providing are working. Then we can look at other projects.”
“What about the fundraiser we were going to do with the flowers?” Bailey said with a pleading look in her eyes. “It’s such a wonderful idea and would give us a lot more money for the Christmas wish program.”
“It’s a little late for Christmas.”
“We could do it for Valentine’s Day,” Bailey said quickly.
John sighed. “Because it was already planned, I guess it’s okay. But we need to regroup before we add anything else to our fundraising plan.”
Shelley turned around. She was shocked by John’s caution. “Are you the same pastor who gave the committee a list of ideas you thought would make great fundraising events?”
John raised his eyebrows. “I was.”
“And did that list include hosting the Miss Universe pageant in Sapphire Bay?”
Bailey chuckled.
“Maybe. But in my defense, I was thinking of events that would bring a lot of people into town.”
“The national candy making conference would have done that,” Shelley replied dryly.
“But it wouldn’t have had the same appeal.”
Shelley smiled sweetly. “Of course not.”
Emma stood beside them and sighed. “What an evening. I’ve never been covered in so much glitter in my life.”
“But it was worth it,” Bailey said with a smile. “The picture frames the children made are adorable.”
“And the photos look amazing inside the frames,” Shelley added. Their friend Willow had taken each child’s photo in front of the Christmas tree. With some IT help from Caleb, they’d printed each photo at the barn.
Just thinking about the tree sent goose bumps along Shelley’s skin. At night, with the lights twinkling and the decorations glowing, the tree was beyond anything she’d expected. Next year, she was determined to have a tree just as beautiful in her new home.
Emma picked up a cup of eggnog. “I can’t wait to see what the tree will look like at the end of Main Street. I wonder if the Business Association is organizing a tree-lighting ceremony?”
Shelley held her hands over Bailey’s ears. “Don’t mention another event in front of my sister. She’ll suggest it to the Business Association, then end up organizing it.”
“I can’t help it if I love everything Christmassy.”
“Talking about loving everything Christmassy,” John said. “I’d like to make a toast.” He picked up a spoon and tapped the side of his glass. When everyone had stopped talking, he cleared his throat. “I’d like to thank everyone for volunteering for tonight’s event as well as any of the other fundraising events. Without your help, the tiny home village would have been no more than an idea. So far, sixty-five people have a safe, warm home because of the time you’ve given to the community. Tonight, thanks to ticket sales, donations, and the raffles that Mabel organized, we’ve raised another nine thousand dollars towards a tiny home.”
Everyone in the room clapped and cheered.
John smiled. “I’d particularly like to thank Shelley for organizing tonight’s event. Her eternal optimism and hard work made everything happen.”
A blush crept across Shelley’s face as everyone clapped and cheered again.
“And last but not least, I’d like to thank Jebediah Coleman. If he hadn’t stepped in as Santa, we would have had a lot of disappointed children in the barn.” John looked around the crowded room. “So Jebediah, wherever you are, thank you.”
From the far side of the room, Jebediah stood up and waved at everyone. Another round of claps and shrill whistles made Shelley smile.
“And from me personally,” John said. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you do to make Sapphire Bay a special town. God bless and safe travels home.”
When John sat down, Shelley held his hand. “That was lovely.”
“I meant what I said. This wouldn’t have happened without you.”
“It was a team effort.” As soon as she’d said the words, Shelley scrunched up her nose. “Oh, no. I’m sounding more like you every day.”
John brushed a lock of hair off her face. “I don’t mind.”
Bailey sat beside them. “Mr. Coleman has become a local celebrity. I’ve never seen him smile so much.”
Shelley looked across the room. She didn’t blame Bailey for being surprised. Jebediah had been ambushed by the Christmas elves. Everyone wanted their photo taken with the merry man in red, and he was more than happy to oblige.
Bailey sighed. “I wish there was a way of collecting all the happiness in the room. We could put it into little bottles and sell it to people to make them feel better.”
Shelley looked at her sister. “That’s a great idea. We could create fancy labels for the outside of the bottles. It would make a great fundraiser.”
“Write it down,” Bailey whispered. “John listens to you. You might be able to convince him to add it to next year’s program.”
“I heard that,” John said. “And just so everyone knows, I’m totally open to bribery and corruption, especially when it comes from Shelley.”
Bailey groaned. “You should just get married and save us all from another year of lovey-dovey talk.”
Shelley’s cheeks flamed hotter than Santa’s red suit. “Ignore my sister,” she told John. “She’s got romance on her brain.”
John’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “There’s nothing wrong with that.”
Shelley sighed. She couldn’t agree more.