Charmed by her Christmas Carol (Preview)

Chapter One

The wind howled outside the window, shaking Melinda from her reverie. She shook her head and glanced at the clock, realizing with alarm she had been lost in her thoughts for almost half an hour. She looked outside to see snow swirling in circles with the wind. It had snowed every day this week, which had made her daydream even more than was common. Christmas used to be her favorite time of year, but after she lost her husband, the holiday had begun to feel bittersweet. 

“Melinda?” Courtney, Melinda’s aunt, appeared in the doorway. “There you are honey, I got worried when you didn’t come downstairs to help with lunch.”

“I’m sorry, Aunt Courtney,” said Melinda with a sigh. “It’s this weather. I love the snow, but it reminds me how close we are to Christmas, and I can’t help thinking of Steven. Christmas was so special to us, and I miss him something fierce this time of year.”

“Of course, you do, my dear. I can’t take away any of the pain of losing the man you loved, but you must know how proud he would be at what a remarkable woman you have become. The children are so lucky to have you.”

“Oh, my goodness, the children! How are they feeling? They must be so nervous. I can’t imagine what is going on inside their hearts.” Melinda didn’t mention that her own heart felt rather nervous at the prospect of taking six young orphans to a town in another state almost 100 miles away. 

“They’re very excited, the dear things. I can’t thank you enough for volunteering to take them out to Easton. I have very high hopes you’ll be successful at finding homes for them through the local parish.”

“They are such good children,” gushed Melinda, “any family would be lucky to have them. You’ve set such a good example for them, Aunt Courtney, they have been so fortunate to be in your care. Now let me go downstairs so I can help with tidying up.” Melinda squeezed her aunt’s hand before rushing through the door and down the narrow stairs leading to the cozy kitchen beloved by everyone who walked through the orphanage doors. 

Courtney smiled after Melinda. She’d grown incredibly fond of her niece over these past six months. She wished, as she frequently did, that she had taken more time to get to know her own sister better, but she thanked God for the opportunity to develop such a close relationship with Melinda. She wished it hadn’t had to come at such a cost. 

“The child loses her father, her mother, and her husband, and yet is still as sweet as cherry pie. There’s something special about that girl,” her aunt mused aloud before following Melinda down the stairs and into the warmth of the kitchen. 

The kitchen smelled of chocolate and apple pie as the six children sat around the large oak table enjoying steaming mugs of cocoa. Melinda and Courtney cleared away the breakfast plates, and then Melinda surprised the children by allowing them a special mug of hot chocolate, a luxurious treat at the orphanage that often struggled for funds. Courtney opened the orphanage ten years ago after several generous donations from Chicagoans. She loved what she did, but it was not without its trials and tribulations. 

“Do not get it into your heads that you will be receiving hot chocolate every day now, even if you are lucky enough to find homes out in Easton,” admonished Aunt Courtney. 

“Yes, Miss Courtney!” the children cried out in chorus. 

“Oh, but this is a special event, Aunt Courtney,” cried Melinda, “the next few days are going to be such a grand adventure, and I can’t imagine anything better than some cocoa to put them in the proper spirits.” 

“I suppose that’s why I also smell apple pie?”

Melinda shared mischievous looks with the children, who quickly directed their faces into their mugs of cocoa. “Nothing better than cocoa … and apple pie, don’t you agree?”

Courtney took in Melinda’s sweet and earnest face. Her cheeks were rosy with excitement, and her big blue eyes shone brightly in her face. “She is so much like her mother,” thought Courtney, “such a kind heart.”

“Well, I suppose a sweet send-off won’t hurt,” relented Aunt Courtney, “but the pie needs to wait until after supper!”

“Of course, Aunt Courtney,” Melinda said with a hug, “you’re the very best.” Melinda lifted the cloth off a bowl of resting pie dough and started to roll it, sending flour clouds into the air. The children looked up at her in awe. 

***

Before anyone could believe it, the end of the day had arrived, and everyone was packed and ready to go. The big house was full of noise and excitement as Courtney and Melinda walked from room to room to make sure no book, handkerchief, or doll had been left behind. Most of the children came to the orphanage with very little, but the few items they did have were highly prized, and it would be more than just a minor inconvenience if anything was left behind. 

“Thomas, I just found a very handsome toy soldier. Shall I pack it in my belongings?” Melinda’s teasing voice rang through the hallway as she dangled a small wooden soldier from her hands. 

“That’s mine, miss; I swear that’s mine!” Tommy, a handsome little boy with round, rosy cheeks ran out of the boys’ bedroom waving his stout arms to get Melinda’s attention. 

“Are you sure?” joked Melinda. “For I found him underneath the piano downstairs, and it didn’t seem like he belonged to anybody at all. 

“I was playing with him and forgot about him when I was called to eat. Please believe me, miss!” pleaded Tommy. 

“All right then, I believe you,” said Melinda gently, brushing Tommy’s blond hair out of his red and flustered little face. “But be sure to be more mindful of your belongings, Tommy; you don’t want to forget anything –” 

“Because we’re not going to be coming back!” a small voice, belonging to a slight little girl with brown hair and green eyes, chimed in, finishing Melinda’s sentence. 

“That’s right, Darla,” said Melinda, smiling in the girl’s direction. “My Aunt Courtney and I very much hope that you will all find wonderful homes in Easton, so you all must take everything of importance to you because it’s very likely that you won’t be coming back to Chicago, at least not until you’re old and grown!”

“You mean we’ll never see you and Miss Courtney again?” asked Darla, her eyes welling up with tears. She moved towards Melinda slowly. One of Darla’s legs was slightly shorter than the other, so she moved with a limp. 

Suddenly the other four children, overhearing the conversation, flocked to the doorways of the two rooms that housed the little girls and boys, and Melinda was faced with all six pairs of sad little eyes upon her. Normally, Aunt Courtney had more children in her care, but the recent weeks had been filled with blessings, and four orphan children had recently found loving homes.

Melinda looked around at the expectant and fearful faces of the children gazing up at her. She kneeled and gathered them close. 

“You know I love everyone with all my heart, but you need real families to care for you. Parents who can give you the proper life you deserve. Don’t you want a mother and father to wake you up on Christmas morning? A father who will take you sledging before your mother makes you a delicious Christmas dinner with lots of turkey and mashed potatoes?”

The faces slowly nodded one by one. Then their heads whipped around as the floor creaked, and Aunt Courtney approached. 

“We can’t promise that all of you will find homes. Only God can promise that. But I do believe you all are such special, wonderful children, and while it breaks my heart to say goodbye, I feel certain that tomorrow will be the last time I see any of you for a very long time.”

“But can we come back to visit you?” piped up the youngest child, a sweet redhead named Elizabeth. 

“Any time you want,” responded Aunt Courtney lovingly, “each one of you will always have a place in my home and heart.” 

The children rushed over to hug Aunt Courtney, and they quickly pulled Melinda into the hug as well. Aunt Courtney and Melinda shared a look over the tops of the children’s heads. They didn’t need to say out loud how deeply they cared for the children and how desperately they wanted them all to find homes. 

***

The next morning passed by in a blur. The house was busy with last-minute slurps of porridge, missing hair bows, and a terrifying five-minute episode where Elizabeth misplaced her beloved teddy bear. Thankfully, at 7 AM sharp, Melinda and her six young charges were lined up at the door to await the carriage that had generously been offered to them by their next-door neighbor, Mr. Lampton. Aunt Courtney handed Melinda a basket filled with small packages wrapped up in brown parchment and an envelope.

“There should be enough food in there to last the lot of you through your journey. And there’s a note there for you in case you get into any kind of trouble.” 

“Thank you, Aunt Courtney, but please put your heart at ease. You’ve given very thorough instructions, and the minister and his wife in Easton seem well- equipped to welcome us for the duration of our stay.” 

“Be that as it may,” muttered Aunt Courtney, “I couldn’t forgive myself if anything went wrong for you or the children.”

Snow and cold air swept into the hallway as Tommy pushed open the front door and triumphantly called out, “Mr. Lampton is here! Mr. Lampton is here!”

Suddenly there was no more time for goodbyes. Mr. Lampton piled the small trunks into the carriage and helped each child up and over the step until they were squished together inside. Finally, there was no one left except Melinda. She hugged her aunt and then grasped her aunt’s hands in hers. 

“Say a prayer tonight that all these sweet children find homes in Easton. I’ll take good care of them all, and I will see you in just a few days.” Melinda kissed her aunt’s cheek, “I’ll be back in time for Christmas.” 

Aunt Courtney held Melinda’s gaze. “Maybe this trip will help you find the holiday spirit. I’d love to see you happy again, Melinda. You’re always such a sweet girl and such a joy to be around, but I know your light has been dimmed since Steven died, and I’d love to see you smile the way I remember you smiling on your wedding day.” 

Melinda looked at her aunt with sadness. She didn’t want to tell her she wasn’t sure she would ever find love like she’d had with Steven again. She couldn’t imagine ever finding a love that filled her heart with warmth and excited her to wake up every day just to see his smile. She couldn’t imagine ever looking forward to a simple Christmas morning with anyone else.  But she couldn’t tell her aunt that. And she couldn’t tell her aunt that she and Steven had never been able to have children, so these orphans were the closest Melinda might ever get to knowing what it was like to have a child. No, Melinda couldn’t put any of these worries into her aunt’s head, who had only treated her with kindness, and who she knew just wanted the best for her. Instead, she said:

“Thank you, Aunt Courtney. I’m sure this trip will do me a world of good.”

With that, Melinda took Mr. Lampton’s hand and let him guide her into the back of the carriage, where she settled across from the eager orphans. 

Mr. Lampton took his seat at the front of the carriage and flicked the reins. The beautiful sleek grey horses took off at a steady trot. The children talked excitedly among themselves as Melinda watched her aunt’s figure disappear into a swirl of early-morning Chicago snow. 

Chapter Two

Nine hundred and sixty-six miles away, Curtis Hart woke up with a start. His hands groped the air around him, desperately searching for something he couldn’t find. His eyes slowly focused, and he realized he was staring at his own ceiling. He was safe at home, in bed. His hands dropped to his chest and felt dampness. He had sweat clean through his nightshirt. His whole body shivered, and he sat up searching for his blanket, finally locating it on the floor. He had flung it off during his nightmare. Curtis sat up and pulled the blanket around his shoulders. The sun was coming up, which meant Curtis was already up too late. His ranch hands would have already been up for several hours by this point, and he didn’t want to appear lazy. 

He went to the washstand next to his bed and splashed water across his face. The cold was bracing, and the temperature immediately sent Curtis back into his dream. He closed his eyes and winced. He was underwater, and it was dark. He was turning everywhere he could, desperately clawing at the space around him. His sister, Alice’s, voice rang in his ears. Curtis opened his eyes again and let the water drip down onto his already damp shirt. Of course, when his sister drowned, it had been daytime, and after she fell through the ice, the only sound had been his desperate thrashing through the shards of ice while he tried to find her. Eventually, the only sound left was his voice calling her name and the voices of the nearby man and women who had pulled him out of the water after it became clear Alice was gone. 

Curtis pressed his face into a towel and held it until the desire to cry had passed. The nightmares always got worse around Christmas. Alice had died on Christmas Eve. He knew he just needed to get through the next few weeks, and then they would subside. He looked outside and saw it had begun to snow. 

“I hate Christmas,” he said with feeling as he flung his towel to the floor. 

***

After a breakfast of eggs and toast, Curtis felt more like his normal self. He put on his jacket and placed a long scarf around his neck when he was interrupted by a loud banging on his front door. With an exasperated sigh, he opened the door.

On the other side was a cheerful-looking young man with curly brown hair and sparkling brown eyes. Somehow his skin was tanned, and his nose covered in freckles, despite the city’s limited daylight at this time of year. This was Jacob Garrett, Curtis’s long-time friend, despite the many times Curtis has tried to push him away. 

“Good morning; it is sure a beautiful day out there!” Jacob shouted from behind a scarf that was already heaped high with snow. 

“Thought you would go for an early-morning stroll, did you?” asked Curtis with a bemused smile. 

“Yes, just thought I’d stop by,” said Jacob, “thought perhaps you might want some company or some help feeding the cattle?”

Curtis knew that Jacob’s offer was sincere, but there was also a knowing look in his friend’s eyes. Ever since Alice died seven years ago, Jacob had been a rock for Curtis, showing up at just the right times to offer a helping hand around the ranch or simply sit and talk. Jacob never pushed Curtis to talk about Alice when he didn’t want to, but he always looked out for Curtis, and Curtis, while resistant at first, had come to appreciate it. He’d never forgiven himself for Alice’s death, but Jacob never acted like it was his fault and had only ever been a good and caring friend. Today was no exception. 

“You know what, I think my ranch hands have everything handled this morning, but a walk would do me good.”

Jacob gave him a surprised look. “Sounds splendid; it’s pretty magical out there.”

Minutes later, the two men trudged through the fresh snowfall. The snow had already left an impressive mark on the ground. The hills surrounding Curtis’s property were glistening in the sunshine, and if Curtis didn’t hate the season, he would have thought it looked like a fairy-tale. He knew Alice would have loved it. 

Jacob took a deep breath of crisp winter air as though he had read his mind and smiled. “This was the kind of day Alice loved.” 

“Yes,” replied Curtis gruffly, his voice catching in his throat. He turned his head and saw a glint of ice on the side of a hill just beyond the end of his property. The ice belonged to the river where Alice had drowned. It was his favorite spot when his family had first moved to Easton, but he hadn’t been able to go there since the accident. Jacob followed his gaze with a sad smile. 

“She’d want you to be happy, Curtis. She wouldn’t want you to torture yourself forever – especially not at Christmas.”

Before Curtis could respond, they were interrupted by a shriek of delight from behind them. Turning around, the two men saw Savannah Winter, a beautiful young woman of twenty, the daughter of one of Curtis’s ranch hands, Owen Winter. Savannah, whose mother had died in childbirth, kept house for her father, helped out with house duties for Curtis, and was often found wandering the grounds and making friends with the animals on the ranch. She had been outside for some time, as the bottom of her skirt was already covered in snow. 

“Fresh snow!” Savannah squealed, grabbing a handful of the light, fluffy crystals and throwing them into the air. Some of the snowflakes landed in the dark curls that poked out from underneath her winter hat. Savannah, while a very kind and thoughtful girl, has never been one for propriety and often let her hair fall loose in flowing waves and curls, with just a hastily tied ribbon thrown in to hold her hair in place. 

“Well, you know what the best use for fresh snow is, don’t you?” teased Jacob as he reached down to pick up a handful and carefully crafted it into a ball. 

“You wouldn’t dare, Jacob Garrett!” Savannah screamed, laughing as she ran to dodge Jacob’s throw. 

“I think I just did!” responded Jacob with a wide grin. “Now show me what you’ve got!”

Curtis watched in amusement as Jacob and Savannah clumsily attempted to land snowballs on each other’s faces. Neither of them had a particularly good aim, but perhaps that was intentional. Curtis liked to see Jacob having a good time with Savannah. He always suspected Jacob had feelings for his sister but was waiting until she was older to begin courting her. Of course, Jacob had never said this explicitly to Curtis, but he had also never courted anyone in all the years since Alice died, which Curtis took as Jacob’s personal way of mourning. Observing the two of them teasing each other, Curtis wondered if it was a possibility that Jacob had feelings for Savannah and wondered what it would be like if the two of them got married. Would Jacob stop being his friend? Was he only friends with him because he had once cared for Alice? Would that change if he caught feelings for another woman? 

“We’re all going to go to service tomorrow; are you coming?” Curtis shook himself out of his thoughts and realized Jacob was directing his question at him. Jacob and Savannah were both covered in snow and talking about going to the town’s church service the following afternoon. 

“I’ve never seen you at church, Mr. Hart; it would be so lovely to have you join us,” Savannah said breathlessly. 

Curtis looked at Jacob, who was now preoccupied with brushing snow off his clothes. Of course, his friend had invited him to church service every week for the past seven years, but he had always turned down the offer. Church had been a special time between him and Alice. They would always go together and enjoy the hymns, pray, and even sneakily roll their eyes at each other when they felt like the minister’s sermons had been going on for too long. After Alice had died, Curtis didn’t feel like he deserved church. He didn’t feel like he deserved happiness. But maybe Jacob was right – Alice wouldn’t want him to torment himself; she would want him to find joy in life. Maybe he’d go to church, just this once. It didn’t have to mean that he was suddenly a fan of Christmas because he knew that would never happen.

“Yes, I’ll be there,” said Curtis, making his mind up on the spot. 

Jacob looked up in surprise, studied Curtis, and then his eyes crinkled up in a smile. “Well, I’m delighted! You’re finally ready to become a godly man once more!”

Curtis smiled and retorted, “Just because I haven’t been to church doesn’t mean I haven’t been leading a godly life!” Yes, this would be good for him. Maybe church would help him feel closer to his sister, especially so close to the anniversary of her death. Maybe it wasn’t wrong to feel a little joy in life after all … he looked down at the snow and considered how it would feel to join in the fun of a snowball fight. His fingers itched to pick up some snow, but he resisted. He couldn’t have that much fun; that wouldn’t be right.

“Oh heavens, what is the time?” cried Savannah, with dismay in her voice. 

“Why it’s only just past nine o’clock,” responded Jacob, looking at his pocket watch. “Do you have an engagement?”

“Oh dear,” said Savannah fretfully, “I promised my father I would check in with him every hour on the hour on account that he was worried it would start to storm, and he didn’t want me to wander off on my own.”

“Well, then let’s not keep him waiting a moment longer,” said Jacob, extending his arm to Savannah, “shall we, Curtis?”

“Yes, he should be in the main cow house,” responded Curtis.

The three made their way across the frozen ground. The snow continued to fall, although it was now falling so lightly that it looked like tiny diamonds falling from the sky. As they approached the main barn, they could hear the cows’ contented moos and rustling sounds. While Curtis had kept himself tormented for the last seven years, he had always made sure his staff and his animals were well cared for. He was proud to produce some of the finest meat and dairy in the area, and it helped him to feel like he was being a productive member of society and giving back in some way. Of course, he could not take all the credit. He knew he would be lost without Owen, Savannah’s father, who seemed to have a magic hand with bovines. Curtis had never seen cows as healthy or happy as when they were overseen by Owen Winter. 

As soon as Curtis, Jacob, and Savannah stepped inside, they were hit by warm air and the smell of fresh hay. A group of cows stood huddled together around a large heap of hay, all munching away to their hearts’ content. 

“You’re late, Savannah,” came a voice from somewhere behind the huddle of cows. 

“I know, Daddy. I’m so sorry!” gasped Savannah. “The snow was so beautiful I felt like a winter princess, and then I ran into Mr. Garrett and Mr. Hart, and I completed lost track of time, for they did rather ambush me with a flurry of snowballs, you see.”

“Mr. Hart ambushed you with snowballs?” Owen Winter’s head popped up from behind a cow in the corner of the barn where he’d been brushing her. “I don’t believe that for a second, young lady. Mr. Garrett on the other hand …”

Curtis looked at Savannah disbelievingly. “I will not stand for such slander, Miss Winter! My good sir, I beg you–”

Owen brushed Curtis’s words away. “Oh, I know, I know, son, don’t you worry. I know what mischief these two can get up to.” He looked at Jacob and Savannah appraisingly. 

“I’ll admit, I did engage in a snowy tussle with your daughter,” said Jacob, “but on my honor, my good friend Mr. Hart here played no part in it. He would not dare engage in such a delightful activity.” 

“Don’t we all know it.” Savannah laughed. 

Curtis wondered if that was really what they all thought of him. Perhaps he had become so caught up in his own grief for Alice that he had become a joyless person. He looked at the three of them laughing as Owen showed Jacob how to brush dirt out of the coat of one of his cows. If Alice were here right now, she’d be laughing right along with them, and so would he. He used to have so much fun, his life had been filled with laughter, but now he could barely remember how to enjoy anything. He looked at Owen, who had lost his wife, Savannah’s mother, in childbirth. Owen was full of joy and was a constant source of love for Savannah. If he could find passion for life after losing the woman he loved, maybe Curtis could too. Maybe there was space in him to hold Alice in his heart but still find joy in life. Maybe going to church tomorrow could be a fresh start. 

“Oy, Owen, don’t let Jacob near my cows, for he’s sure to cast a spell on them and sour their milk!” Savannah and her father laughed at Curtis’s jest, and he felt some warmth spread in his chest. Yes, perhaps there was some joy to be found in life after all. 

Chapter Three

The train ride had been long but thankfully uneventful. The children had behaved beautifully and even managed to charm several passengers on their journey into Easton. Melinda had had half a mind to suggest to her aunt that the next time they hoped to find adoptive families, they could simply try taking the children on the train and having them talk to the different men and women who came aboard. However, that was an idea for another day, and right now, Melinda was focused on getting the children to the minister’s house, getting food in their bellies, and making sure they all got a nice long sleep before the big day at the church service the next day. 

When the train pulled into North Easton Station, the entire car waved goodbye to the six orphans and helped them unload their little trunks, precious bags, and items. 

“Good luck, children, may you have the merriest Christmas!”

“Any family would be lucky to have you! May God bless you and bring you good fortune in life.”

Melinda thanked the well-wishers and herded the children off the train, looking around to ensure they hadn’t left anything behind. Darla struggled with stepping down off the train because of her limp, and Melinda took her arm to ensure she landed safely on the ground. Once all the children had left the carriage, Melinda stepped onto the platform and took a deep breath. 

“Keep close to me now; don’t any of you go wandering!” said Melinda. She sat her bags down and looked around. They were standing underneath a small roof painted a cheerful red. Looking around, she saw fields and rolling hills extending in every direction, and everything was covered in a fresh layer of snow. It reminded her of the picture books her mother used to read to her as a child.

Melinda looked at the wide eyes of the children around her. “Well, I guess it’s time for us to shake this town up and find some homes for all of you!” she said excitedly. “Everyone join hands now. It’s starting to get dark, and we don’t want to get separated. The minister said he would meet us after our train arrived, so he should be here at any moment.”

Just then, a pleasant-looking man with snow-white hair and a minister’s collar peeking out from under his thick wool jacket came around the corner of the modest station wall. 

“Miss Dalton? I’m Reverend John. I do apologize for not being here to greet you when your train arrived. This must be the children your aunt spoke of in her letter?”

“Oh, Father, you’re not late at all,” said Melinda warmly, “for we just stepped off the train and were admiring the fresh snowfall.”

“Yes, I do feel incredibly fortunate to live in such a picturesque part of the country. Hopefully, your young wards will also enjoy that same privilege after their introduction to our town at tomorrow’s service.” The reverend looked down at the children kindly. “Are you good little boys and girls ready to meet your new families tomorrow?”

“Yes, Father!” chorused the children back up at him.

“Good, good,” he responded. “Well, let’s get you all back to my wife, who has prepared a lovely supper for you all. I’m sure your bellies must need some good nourishment after such a long journey from Chicago.” 

“Oh, you’re too kind,” said Melinda. “Lunch does feel like it was an awfully long time ago. We so appreciate your hospitality.” 

***

The reverend’s wife, whom they referred to as Lady John, had prepared a beautiful supper of roast beef, potatoes, and peas. The children ate like they had never been fed before, and Melinda had to calmly remind them that they were in the company of strangers and there would still be plenty of food left even if they didn’t eat it in mere seconds. 

Lady John laughed. “Oh, let them eat how they like. I simply cannot get over how darling you all are,” she said, pinching Tommy’s plump cheeks. “I’m sure you’ll all get scooped up the very minute you arrive at the chapel.” 

“I hope so,” said Melinda warningly, “but we must remember that not everyone has the time and space to take on a child. They might not all find homes tomorrow, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t all deserving of love and a family.”

“Of course,” said Lady John in hushed tones. “If I could take all these children in myself, I would. But I have faith in our town. We’re good people here, and I know many families are desperate to have children to love.” 

“Do you think I’ll find a mommy and daddy tomorrow?” asked Darla eagerly, looking up from her mouthful of mashed potatoes and gravy.

“You might if you remember to chew with your mouth closed,” responded Melinda with a chuckle. “Manners are important, especially when you are eating thanks to the generosity of our hosts, Reverend and Lady John.”

“Thank you ever so much for this delicious meat and these buttery potatoes,” piped up Tommy, “I haven’t had meat this good in such an age.”

“Me neither!”

“It’s so good!” 

“Delicious!” piped up the other children.

Lady John smiled at them. “Why, it’s beef from the Hart ranch, the best beef supplier for miles, to be sure.”

“They must eat like kings every day up there,” said Darla wistfully.

“That they might,” said Melinda, “but we’re eating like kings right now, so we must remember to be thankful for whatever God has provided for us at the moment, mustn’t we, Darla?

“Yes, Miss Melinda.”

After dinner, Lady John showed Melinda and the children to the room they would be spending the night in. It was small but comfortable, with three mats on the floor – one for Melinda, one for the boys, and one for the girls. Outside the window, a majestic Colorado Spruce stood completely adorned with snow. The moon was bright in the sky, and Melinda could see that gentle snow had once again begun to fall. It felt like the whole world couldn’t stop reminding her of Christmas, and therefore, Steven. 

“Snap out of it,” she told herself sternly, “you are here for the children. Be present.”

Melinda helped the four girls and two boys get into their nightgowns and sleep caps and made sure they were cozy with long wool socks. She tucked them tight into their blankets before she took the oil lamp off the bedside table and wrapped herself in a cozy shawl. 

She was just about to step out of the room when a tiny voice stopped her. 

“Miss Melinda, do you really think we’ll all find homes tomorrow?” It was Darla. Her voice was shaky, betraying her real fear, now that all the other children were asleep. 

Melinda looked at Darla with sympathy. She could understand Darla’s fear. A young couple had seemed ready to adopt Darla just a few weeks ago, but they had backed out at the last minute for unexplained reasons. Now for the young girl to come all this way to possibly face another disappointment? It seemed too cruel to bear. 

“Darla, you know you are smart, special, and beautiful. Any mother and father would be lucky to have you. But God works in mysterious ways, and we can’t ever be sure what he is planning. Sometimes he gives us a lot of pain because he knows we can handle it, but he never gives us more than we can carry.”

“Is that really true?” Darla’s eyes looked bewildered in the flickering light of the lamp. 

Melinda crouched down, cupping Darla’s face in her hands, “I promise you it is.” Melinda didn’t share with Darla exactly how she knew this, but as she spoke, she carried Steven, her mother, and her father in her heart. “If you aren’t chosen tomorrow, then we’ll go to another town, and another and another, until we find the family of your dreams. If tomorrow doesn’t happen, then that just means the perfect family isn’t ready for you quite yet, but I promise that somewhere out there, a mother and father are yearning just for you.” 

Tears poured down Darla’s cheeks, and Melinda kissed her head before gathering her shawl and quietly closing the bedroom door. Before she moved down the hallway, she paused. She had never been untruthful to any of the children before, but somehow, she had trouble following her own advice. If she were so certain that Darla could find another family in this lifetime, then why was she so uncertain about it for herself? After all, was it so unimaginable that she could find love again? That she could one day bear children and make a loving home with special Christmas traditions? 

Melinda wiped her tears off her face before going down the hallway to say goodnight to Reverend and Lady John. 

***

“Thank you again for your hospitality,” Melinda said as she poked her head into the living room where the reverend sat reading, and his wife worked on embroidering a dainty floral pillow. 

“Why, it’s our pleasure, my dear,” said Lady John, looking up from her needlework.

“Did you sew all that yourself? It’s simply gorgeous!” exclaimed Melinda. 

“Why, yes, I did. Do you enjoy sewing?”

“I adore it. It was something my mother and I did before she died,” said Melinda simply, “now it’s a way I can remember and feel connected to her.”

“You poor dear,” said Lady John. “Your aunt mentioned in her letter that you were an orphan yourself. Your father died before you were born, and your mother just a few years ago, isn’t that right?”

“When I was seventeen,” responded Melinda, “and my father died while my mother was carrying me, yes. But she always kept his memory alive. She talked about him constantly and would tell me all the ways I reminded her of him, so I’ve always felt him in my heart. You know, I never thought of myself as an orphan until right at this very moment.”

“She sounds like a good woman,” said the reverend softly. 

“Yes, she was. The very best. I’m sad when I think of her, but also so happy that I got a chance to know her. That the world got a chance to know her. She inspires me in every moment of my life.”

“Life has given you many hardships, as I understand it,” said the reverend, “you also lost your husband?”

Melinda faltered; she had hoped she wouldn’t have to think of Steven again tonight. 

“Yes, six months ago now.”

“This time of year must be very difficult for you after so much loss,” said Lady John with a sympathetic smile. 

“Yes, it is hard,” said Melinda, “but that’s why I try to dedicate my life to other things. My Aunt Courtney was kind enough to take me in after the loss of my husband, and working with the children there has been so rewarding. I love teaching them how to read, and I mend and sew a lot of their clothing. I even sing them to sleep sometimes! Nothing can take my mind off grief like the busyness of caring for others.”

The reverend looked at Melinda with something like pride. “You do the memory of your parents and your husband proud, my dear. And goodness, but you never mentioned you can sing! You must sing at service tomorrow!”

“Oh heavens, no,” protested Melinda, “only because I’m dreadfully frightened singing in front of strangers.”

“You won’t be singing in front of strangers; you’ll be singing in front of all of God’s children,” insisted the reverend. “Please, it’s been so long since we had anyone sing for us. I dearly love my congregation, but we can’t hold a tune to save our lives.”

“My dear!” admonished Lady John.

“Well, it’s true, my dear; please, help me convince our guest.”

“Do, won’t you sing something for us tomorrow?” pleaded Lady John. “It can be any song you’d like.”

Melinda hesitated. She loved to sing but hadn’t sung in public since she was a child. The only person who had heard her sing recently apart from the children was Steven, who had always dearly loved her voice. In fact, singing was a large part of the Christmases they had spent together as man and wife, and what better way for her to honor his memory … “All right, I’ll do it,” said Melinda with trepidation, “but please don’t expect anything grand!”

The reverend and his wife both clapped in joy and expectation.

“Oh wonderful, my dear,” said the reverend, “it will be so good to have music in the church again. We’ll have you sing before you introduce the children.”

“All right,” said Melinda. “Well, now that I have a song to prepare, I should best be getting myself to bed. Thank you for such a lovely dinner and for welcoming us into your home.”

“Of course.”

Melinda gave a gentle curtsey, then returned to the room where the children were now fast asleep. Just as she was opening the door, Lady John ran up and gently tapped her on her shoulder.

“Miss Dalton, my apologies for sneaking up on you just as you were making your way to bed, only I just remembered that you left this out in the front entrance when you arrived here.” Lady John held out a plain envelope with Melinda’s name written upon it – the envelope her Aunt Courtney had pressed into her hand this morning. 

“Thank you so much, Lady John,” said Melinda fervently, “my aunt gave this to me just this morning. I would have felt dreadful if I lost it.”

Lady John patted Melinda on the shoulder and puttered her way back down the hallway. Melinda slowly opened the door to find six sleeping children, their eyelids fluttering as they passed through their dreams. 

“The darlings,” Melinda murmured as she placed the lamp gently back against the nightstand, turning the dial, so only a faint light glimmered across the room. Shadows from the grand spruce outside danced on the walls as Melinda sat down on her sleep mat and carefully unfolded the letter her aunt had given her.

My Dear Melinda,

I pray the journey to Easton goes smoothly and that all my sweet children find loving homes in town. As we discussed, if your mission is not immediately successful, you are to continue to the next stop on the railway line, where I have sent letters to the reverend and his wife in advance. I have accommodations arranged for you in the next three towns, which leaves me feeling confident that all our dear children will find homes in one of the towns, if not in Easton itself. 

As you know, should God look kindly on us tomorrow, then all your charges will be taken in by good families, and you will remain in Easton for three days to ensure that the new families are getting along well before you return to me in Chicago. While I trust everything will go smoothly, I wanted to give you advice on who to turn to in case of any unexpected circumstances. The Hart family in Easton is a very well-connected family with ties to Chicago. I’ve known Mr. and Mrs. Hart for many years, and while it’s been quite some time since I’ve seen them, they were always encouraging of my business and told me to stop by should I ever need anything while stopping by Easton. I know the reverend and his wife are happy to help you, but it never hurts to know another name in town. 

You will be in my prayers tonight and every night, my dear niece. I can’t wait to spend Christmas with you.

All my love,

Aunt Courtney

Melinda put the letter down with a smile. Her aunt worried too much, but she appreciated the gesture. She couldn’t imagine needing help in such a quaint, quiet little town. She tucked the letter into her bag with a soft chuckle, imagining how uncomfortable it would be to call on some strangers for help. “Although with a name like ‘Hart,’ hopefully, they’ve got good ones,” Melinda thought. Wait … Hart …hadn’t something been said about the Hart family at dinner?

As she racked her brain in search of the connection, Melinda realized how terribly tired she was. She had traveled a great distance today, after all. Abandoning her thoughts, Melinda wrapped herself in the warm blanket Lady John had provided and let the dancing spruce shadows and the sound of the wind lull her to sleep. 

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“Charmed by her Christmas Carol” is an Amazon Best-Selling novel, check it out here!

Even though Melinda Dalton is no stranger to tragedy, she has remained a vivacious and caring young woman, who refuses to do one thing: give up. Trying to help her aunt run a small orphanage, she accompanies six children on a train journey west, hoping to find them homes before Christmas. What she did not expect was a fierce snowstorm to trap her along with one of the orphans in a small town in the hills of Colorado. With nowhere else to turn, Melinda ends up at the Hart Ranch, run by the reclusive Curtis Hart…

Can this lone wolf heal her old wounds?

Curtis Hart is still grieving the untimely death of his younger sister and has vowed to never ever celebrate Christmas again. The unexpected arrival of a charming young lady and an orphan at his ranch disrupts his otherwise solitary holiday season. Distant and reluctant at first, he comes to enjoy both their companionship and the spark they brought to his life. However, he can’t allow himself to feel happy or love anyone – the risk of being irreparably hurt is too high to take.

Can her radiant spirit lead him out of his darkness?

Tensions rise and sentiments grow as Melinda and Curtis spend more and more time in each other’s company. Will family secrets, past traumas, and the town scoundrel keep them from sharing their true feelings or can their love melt the snow and make the bells jingle merrily?

“Charmed by her Christmas Carol” is a historical western romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

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