“I didn’t get to talk to you all night,” she pouted. “You danced with everyone else except me.”
“Lucy, you had so many men vying for your attention, I’m sure you didn’t miss me.” He grinned.
“Yes I did,” she stomped her foot. “You danced with every ugly girl at the party.”
Nate’s smile faltered. “That remark was uncalled for, Lucy.”
“I’m sorry. I think my father’s surprise announcement has unsettled me.” She moved closer and ran her tongue around her lips. “Goodnight, Nate, thanks for coming.” Rising on tiptoes, she kissed him soundly on the mouth, attempting to coax his mouth open with her tongue.
Nate pulled back and pried her arms from around his neck. “Good night.”
He climbed into the buggy, and slapping the reins, they left.
“Nate, something needs to be done about that young woman.” Angel huddled in the corner, shivering from the cold damp air.
Glancing sideways, he pulled her over and wrapped his arm around her. “I know. And even more disturbs me.”
She snuggled into his warmth. “What?”
“I distinctly smelled liquor on her breath. And I’m not speaking of the champagne at the party, but strong spirits.”
“Oh, my. I’m afraid Sylvia’s going to have her hands full with that one.”
“So it seems.” He hugged her closer and steered the buggy toward home.
Before the sun had eased over the horizon, Luke and John crawled into their parents’ bed.
“Papa,” John whispered in Nate’s ear.
He kept his eyes closed. “What?”
“It’s Christmas.” Luke whispered in his other ear.
“I know.” Nate opened one eye.
“Can we go look in our stockings?” John still whispered.
“If you’re whispering to keep from waking me up, it’s too late, gentlemen.” Angel sat up and grabbed a pillow from under Nate’s head. With a grin and a mighty swing, she swatted Luke on the back.
“Pillow fight!” John yelled, grabbing Angel’s pillow.
The peaceful morning air rang with giggles, tickles and pillow slinging. Soon Matt and Mark joined the fray. Nate and Angel scooted out of the bed and left the boys to battle it out. Angel lifted Julia-Rose who cried to join her brothers.
Angel put on coffee and heated milk for potted chocolate. Not long after, the boys joined them in the kitchen.
“Can we look in our stockings now?” Mark asked.
“Angel and I will be right in, just wait for a minute. Matt, go change Julia-Rose please, and Mark, set out cups for coffee and chocolate.”
Angel breathed in the cool air as Nate started a fire. She glanced around in amazement. Her family. What a huge difference from last Christmas, with her and Sylvia trying to cheer each other, so soon after Papa’s death. The table had been filled with all kinds of Christmas dishes, served by starched servants. She and Sylvia nibbled a bit and then excused themselves from the table and went their own way.
She’d attended a Christmas party much like the one last night, but instead of dancing all night in the strong arms of her husband, she’d bantered and flirted with a number of men. No one made her feel a tiny bit the way she did when she looked at Nate.
His hair falling over his forehead, he shoved it back and continued helping her get the coffee and chocolate ready for Christmas morning. The boys danced around with impatience, and from her place on the floor, Julia-Rose raised chubby arms to be picked up.
Soon, the family gathered in the parlor, and the boys dug into their stockings which contained fruit, a candy stick, and a few toys. Nate had elected not to have candles on the tree for safety reasons, so the house sat in shadows until the sun came up. By then Angel had served her family breakfast, and they all chattered about going to Eli Benson’s house for Christmas dinner.
“Angel, can you finish reading A Christmas Carol to us before we go?” Matt asked.