A Christmas Promise (Kansas Crossroads Book 16) Read online

  “Now, in addition, Pastor Osbourne has asked us if we’ll make meat pies for the church’s Christmas baskets this year. He was going to have Mrs. Dempsey do it so we wouldn’t be overburdened, but her joints have been bothering her since the snow fell, and she had to turn him down.” Sarah glanced around the table. “Ruth and I can make up the crust and the filling, but we’ll need help putting them together—it’s hard to throw that in the middle of regular meal services, but we can’t leave the baskets empty.”

  “I love making meat pies,” Millie said. She was the youngest of the waitresses, but she had twice the energy of any of them.

  “Excellent. I know if we all pull together, we’ll make some magic happen,” Sarah replied.

  “What about the New Year’s Eve dance?” Bridget asked. “If we’re doing a special meal here, does that mean we can’t go?”

  Elizabeth spoke from the doorway, where she’d been rocking Rose in her arms. “Adam doesn’t want you to miss out on any of the festivities, so we’ll hold that meal at five o’clock so you’ll have plenty of time to change.”

  “Oh, good,” Carrie replied.

  “Were you hoping to meet up with someone there?” Adele asked with a teasing note in her voice.

  “Maybe, but maybe not,” Carrie replied. Miranda thought she saw her friend’s cheeks go a little pink. That was interesting.

  “All right, let’s talk about our work schedules,” Giselle said. “I know this seems like a logistical nightmare, but it’s not—at least, I hope it’s not. It makes sense on paper.”

  In a matter of minutes, every needed task had been outlined and assigned, and each waitress knew what her responsibilities were going to be. Giselle was always right on top of things, even though she seemed a little unsure as to how these unexpected events would play out. Once everything had been discussed, the girls were excused to attend to their regular duties, and Miranda grabbed the broom again to chase down any sneaky pine needles that might have fallen during her absence.

  The next meal service was even smaller than the previous one, and that didn’t hurt Miranda’s feelings any. Some days, they were so busy, she wished she could grow another pair of feet and two more sets of hands. It was nice not to feel so rushed—and maybe it allowed for just a tiny bit of daydreaming as she delivered the food. Maybe daydreaming about a certain New Year’s Eve dance and maybe dancing with someone in particular. Not that she wanted to daydream. That would keep her from doing her job. Oh, she was such a mess, and it was all Richard Norton’s fault.

  Chapter Two

  Miranda had just grabbed the mop to clean up the tracked-in snow by the front door when Olivia Osbourne came in, a bundled-up baby Celeste in her arms. “Oh, I’m sorry, Miranda. I’m just adding to your work.”

  “That’s all right. You can’t really help it.” Miranda dabbed up the new snowy footprints Olivia had left. “How’s that sweet girl today?”

  “If I can find her under all these blankets, I’ll let you know.” Olivia peeled back the first layer, then another. “Oh, there she is.”

  The child looked up from her cozy cocoon with sleepy eyes, and Miranda smiled. If ever a baby had been adored, it was this one. Nora, one of the other waitresses, had come to the hotel expecting after an assault, and Pastor Osbourne and his wife, Olivia, had adopted the baby. Only a few people knew the child was Nora’s.

  “I understand that the pastor has a new helper,” Miranda said, trying to sound casual. “I pointed him in your direction. Did he find his way?”

  “He did, and he’s holed up with my husband in the study for who knows how long. I decided I’d better come for a visit if I wanted any adult interaction today.” Olivia chuckled. “I do have a matter of church business to discuss with you, though.”

  “You do? What does the church need me for?” That didn’t come out quite as Miranda had intended. “I’m happy to help, of course. I’m just surprised that I can be useful.”

  Olivia tilted Celeste up a bit so she could look around the room. “We have a few dozen Christmas baskets to put together, and I can’t seem to drum up enough volunteers. Three of our most faithful are down with horrible coughs, two left town to visit family for the holidays, and some . . . well, I’m still working hard to gain their trust. I’d hoped that by now, they would have accepted me as the pastor’s wife, but they can’t seem to forgive me for being from New York.”

  “That seems like an odd thing to hold against you,” Miranda replied.

  “It’s a different world, that’s for sure. What do you think? Could you and the other girls spare a little time to help with the Christmas baskets?”

  Elizabeth had entered the lobby while they were talking, and Miranda looked at her before answering. “I’m more than willing. We just figured out our work schedules over the holidays, and there are enough of us now that we aren’t so pressed for time. What would you like me to do?” She held her breath slightly, hoping Olivia wouldn’t say that she wanted her to start that afternoon. She already had plans with Richard, thank you very much.

  “We’re trying to get the baskets trimmed and all lined up so that when the pies are ready, we can just slip them in and be on our way. We’ll have candy, ribbons, apples, oranges, and some carved wooden toys—Mr. Walker spent all year whittling them. It’s been a hard season for many families—we were even approached by Reverend Bing to see if we could lend a hand with his congregation.”

  “I didn’t realize,” Elizabeth said. “Is there anything we can do? We’re donating the meat pies we’re making, of course.”

  “Are you sure? We do have a little budget money for that,” Olivia replied.

  “Of course we’re sure. Use that money for something else.”

  “Thank you—there are so many things we can do with it. Now, what do we think about schedules? If Miranda and maybe one or two other girls could come over the day after tomorrow, in the morning, that would be wonderful.”

  “That shouldn’t be a problem at all. I’m working the afternoon shift, and my morning will be free,” Miranda said.

  She continued to clean up the lobby as Olivia took Celeste around to visit the other waitresses, especially Nora. She didn’t mind helping with the Christmas baskets—she knew she was doing a good thing. It would be especially nice if she got to see Richard while she was there, but she still wished the whole Christmas season could wrap itself up and disappear altogether—she could do without it in her life.

  ***

  Richard Norton took the last of his clean shirts from the bottom of his bag and hung it up. It had only taken a few minutes to unpack in the Osbournes’ guest room—he really hadn’t brought much with him. Once he was settled, he’d likely get another suit because in his profession, suits were always needed, but for now, he liked living as frugally and simply as possible. It left his mind clear to deal with other things.

  Things such as, how to win over the hearts of a new congregation when just a short time before, he was still a student at the seminary, trying to memorize where to find certain passages and misquoting them more often than he got them right. And things like, how to prove to his uncle that he’d made the right choice, and that he had no regrets for following this path.

  Pastor Osbourne seemed like he’d be a very good mentor, and Richard looked forward to learning everything he could from the man. Mrs. Osbourne was a beautiful dark-haired lady who seemed very much her own woman, and yet she still supported and respected her husband. Their baby was sweet and mellow, and Richard felt sure he’d be content here until arrangements could be made for him more permanently.

  That is, if this was to be a permanent assignment.

  The population of Topeka had grown quite a bit, from what Pastor Osbourne had been telling him, and the congregation had doubled in size. It was pleasing to hear that so many people were seeking God on a regular basis, and it gave Richard a place to spread his wings. But if he failed, if he couldn’t be the kind of leader these people needed, he wouldn’t be he
lping Pastor Osbourne at all. It would be horrible to make a mess of his very first assignment, and it would only prove his uncle right, that he didn’t have what it took.

  Those were the worries that had occupied his mind during the entire journey to Topeka. In fact, he’d almost turned back a time or two, pushing forward only because of his stubbornness. Seeing Miranda Monroe again seemed like a delightful reward for his tenacity.

  He chuckled. Little Miranda Monroe . . . well, she certainly wasn’t little anymore. She’d grown up into a beautiful young woman. He remembered how badly she’d wanted to be part of the older set, the way she’d take her two braids and tuck them up, trying to make them look like buns. She nearly drove Parker to distraction, the way she’d followed him around.

  Parker. Richard realized he hadn’t asked much about his friend. What was that Miranda had said—something about him being a deputy now? He should drop by the station and pay a surprise visit. He had time before he was supposed to be back at the hotel.

  He opened the door to his room and nearly plowed right into an older woman in the hallway who was carrying a pitcher of water.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry!” He caught her elbow and set her to rights. “I didn’t mean to knock you down.”

  “Well, at least you had the decency to catch me.” She shook her head. “I’m Mrs. Little, the housekeeper. I understand you’re staying with us for a bit.”

  “Yes, that’s right. I hope I won’t make too much extra work for you.”

  “I suppose that remains to be seen. I’ve brought you some water for washing up, and I’m also sent to tell you that the pastor was called away for a moment. You’re invited to browse through his library or entertain yourself however you like until he gets back.”

  “I actually think I’ll go out for a little while. I discovered I have some friends in town, and I’d like to pay them a call.”

  She nodded. “Do you think you’ll be back in time for supper?”

  “I . . . I don’t know.” It would be nice to eat with Parker and Miranda, but he had no idea if that was a possibility.

  “Well, I’ll make sure to save you a plate just in case.” She pushed the water pitcher into his hands. “There you go.”

  He smiled to himself as she bustled away. She might have a salty exterior, but he guessed that she was as soft as they came underneath.

  He took the water into his room and washed his face and hands, then combed his hair once more. After pulling on his coat again, he left the parsonage and walked toward the main street, believing that’s where he’d be most likely to find the marshal’s office. He didn’t spot it right off, but he asked a passerby, and within a few minutes, he was climbing the steps of the clapboard building. Parker probably wouldn’t be in and he’d have to leave a message, but that would be all right.

  However, Parker was there, sitting at a desk in the large front room, and he looked up as Richard entered.

  “Well, what do we have here?” Richard said, pulling the door closed behind him. “I never took you for the desk job sort, Monroe.”

  “Richard?” Parker came to his feet and rounded the corner of his desk, his hand outstretched. “Richard Norton! Of all the places—what brings you here?”

  “I’ve come to assist Pastor Osbourne with his congregation for a few months. I was ordained not long ago.”

  Parker shook his head. “I can’t believe it. It’s been . . . what, eight years? Come here—sit down. Tell me everything.”

  Richard took off his coat and hat, then sat in the chair that was offered him. “Yes, eight years. I ran into Miranda over at the hotel—that’s how I knew where to find you—and she’s certainly changed. I remember her as being a gangly little thing.”

  “A gangly little nuisance, you mean. But you never did seem to mind her.”

  “She wasn’t that bothersome—probably because she wasn’t my sister. I’d probably feel differently if I were you.” Richard chuckled. “I’m headed over there in a bit, actually—I told her I’d come back around so we could catch up.”

  Parker glanced at the clock. “Well, how about this—let’s stop by my place and pick up my wife, and we’ll go to the hotel together. They serve coffee and pie all afternoon, and this way, we can hear each other’s stories all at once.”

  “You’re married?”

  “Yes, I married a beautiful girl named Posy a few months ago. We have a small house not far from here, and Miranda lives at the hotel with the other waitresses.” Parker stood up. “It’s about time for me to be finished here—let’s go.”

  Parker was right when he said his house was small—it didn’t look like it could possibly fit one person, let alone two, but when they stepped inside, Richard could see that it was arranged comfortably.

  “Posy?” Parker called out. “Posy, I brought home a surprise.”

  A beautiful young woman with black hair and olive skin stepped from a back room, wiping her hands on a towel. “Oh, hello,” she said. “Welcome to our home.”

  “Posy, this is Richard Norton. We were friends as children, and he’s just moved to Topeka. We’re heading over to the hotel so we can catch up with Miranda. Come with us, and we’ll have coffee. Maybe dinner.”

  “Dinner at the hotel? I won’t argue with that—I’m not sure the soup I’ve started is going to turn out anyway. Let me set things to rights in the kitchen and then I’ll be ready.”

  Within moments, they were on their way back to the hotel. Richard hadn’t done so much walking in quite a while, but he didn’t imagine it made sense to bring a horse and buggy out only to stand in the cold for so long.

  “A lot has changed since we saw each other last,” Parker said as they crunched their way across the snowy ground. “I always knew you were more diligent and thoughtful than I was, but I didn’t imagine that you’d end up going to seminary.”

  “The decision came as a surprise to me too,” Richard said with a chuckle. “I was going to be a train engineer.”

  “I remember that.” Parker opened the gate in the hotel’s fence and closed it again after they’d all filed through. “Did your aunt ever forgive you for building that miniature set of train tracks through her dining room?”

  “I don’t know if she ever forgave me, but she did stop bringing it up after a few years.”

  A rush of warmth hit Richard’s cheeks as he stepped into the hotel, and he glanced over to see a cheery fire roaring on the hearth in the parlor. “That’s exactly what I need,” he said. “I’ve been chilled all day—the train wasn’t warm by any means.”

  “Why don’t you two save us some chairs by the fire, and I’ll go find Miranda?” Posy suggested. “I’ll be right back.”

  Parker watched his wife leave the room with a smile on his face, and Richard laughed. “A little smitten, aren’t you?”

  “Oh, yes,” Parker said. He took off his coat and draped it over the back of a chair, then sat down. “She’s an amazing woman, and she’s taught me more about myself in the last few months than I ever dreamed I would know. That’s what love will do for you—it opens your eyes.”

  “I thought love was supposed to be blind.”

  “That’s something else entirely.” Parker chuckled. “I know I’ll never be the kind of man she deserves, but I’m twice the man I was before I met her. What about you? Is there a special lady in your life?”

  “No. I put all that on hold so I could concentrate on my studies.”

  “Well then, I can’t wait until it happens for you.”

  Parker turned to the fire and put on another log from the nearby stack, and Richard contemplated his friend’s words. He’d always planned on getting married someday, but someday was such a vague thing. He didn’t want to wake up one morning, discover that he was now fifty, and realize that he’d never gotten around to it. Maybe he should start thinking about it more seriously.

  Especially if he’d end up being as happy as his friend, but there were no guarantees. That was the worrisome part.


  ***

  Miranda heard footsteps on the staircase that led to the waitresses’ attic dormitory, and she turned from the mirror to greet Posy. “Did you get bored at home and decide to come for a visit?”

  “I came over with Parker and his friend. They’re waiting down in the parlor.” Posy smiled. “Is that why you’re up here primping? Because you knew Pastor Norton would be coming back?”

  “Maybe.” Miranda smoothed down the front of her burgundy dress. It was silly to change out of her work clothes when she’d just have to put them right back on, but she wanted to look a little nicer than usual for an hour. Was there anything wrong with that? Especially when her work dress smelled like gravy, and that was hardly impressive?

  “Well, I don’t blame you. He’s quite handsome.”

  Posy’s comment was spoken casually and was very true, but Miranda still felt her cheeks heat up. Yes, she did still feel twelve years old when it came to Richard—she felt young and embarrassed and awkward. She knew she wasn’t that clumsy child anymore, but she was certainly having a hard time chasing those memories from her mind.

  “Come on,” Posy said, wrapping her arm around Miranda’s shoulders. “They’re waiting, and you look beautiful. You always look beautiful.”

  Miranda followed her sister-in-law down both flights of stairs, her footsteps only slowing as they drew near the parlor. She’d already survived that first unexpected reunion—surely she could survive this as well, since she’d known he was coming and wouldn’t be caught off guard this time. And she wasn’t twelve anymore, regardless of what she might feel like.

  Richard and Parker both came to their feet when the women entered the room, and Miranda had to look away so she wouldn’t blush all over again under Richard’s scrutinizing gaze.

  “I found her,” Posy said unnecessarily. She took a seat next to Parker, and Richard held out his arm to usher Miranda into the chair next to his. She sat down, thinking they all looked like couples. That wasn’t a bad thing, but she didn’t want to get caught up in dreams of what could be. She was more interested in reality now. It was safer that way.