Page 26 of Wish You Faith (Christmas Sweethearts #1)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

W orking at the Christmastown Tree Farm meant that Rosie had to think of Christmas all year round. However, at the Hamilton house, Christmas celebrations didn’t officially begin until Rosie and Mom put up their fake Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Even when Dad had been alive, the tree trimming duty went to the women in the family.

Dad’s job had been to smoke a turkey at Thanksgiving and brisket at Christmas.

After Dad passed, Mom didn’t want to continue the tradition because a charcoal smoker was too much work for either one of them.

Instead, they had brined a small turkey and roasted it in the oven for Thanksgiving, and purchased a store-bought ham for Christmas.

Mom had cried every time they hung old ornaments on the Christmas tree, so during Mom’s cancer treatment, Rosie had taken the opportunity to change their family tradition. When Christmastown’s pop-up Christmas tree was all the rage, Rosie bought a four-footer using her staff discount card.

The pop-up tree had made it easier when they moved from their old house to SSLR over the weekend.

All Rosie had to do was push a button, and the tree returned to its box.

After the movers had moved their furniture into the new condo, Rosie pushed another button, and the tree popped up in place.

Then she plugged it into the wall socket and voila! Blinking lights appeared.

Christmas morning began like any other morning.

Rosie and Mom were already up by seven o’clock, drinking coffee, and preparing to read the Bible together while they were still in their flannel pajamas.

While Rosie’s flannel pajamas were buffalo plaid, Mom’s were covered with flowers.

Both had long sleeves and long pants that went all the way down to their ankles.

Rosie wore white socks, but Mom had on a pair of Christmas slippers.

They sat in two armchairs by the sliding glass door so that Mom could look out at the Atlantic Ocean. It was too cold outside as the temperature had dropped to the upper forties overnight.

In the morning sun, Mom looked good now that her hair had grown back. She hadn’t regained her pre-cancer weight, but she didn’t look gaunt.

In fact, Mom looked happy and at peace.

Silently, Rosie thanked God for this oceanfront condo that had been a surprise to them. It had come only four days after Mom received the Honor Scholarship. Without this condo, Mom would still be on the waiting list for housing at SSLR.

It was obvious that Evan had something to do with it. Rosie had done some digging on the internet and found out that the previous occupant of this condo, Rusty Cavanaugh, had two grandsons whom he doted on until his dying day.

Rosie made up her mind to ask Evan to clear up the mystery the next time she saw him in person.

“Let’s take a selfie with our Bibles in hand.” Mom put down her coffee mug on the table. “You can send the photo to Evan.”

“But Mom, we’re in pajamas.”

“Sweetie, our flannel pajamas are modest. Nothing is revealed.”

“I guess…”

“Let’s take photos for ourselves. No need to send it to anyone if you don’t want to.”

“Okay.” Rosie felt a lump in her throat as she picked up her phone to take yet another photo.

She knew that showing Evan what they were doing Christmas morning wasn’t really Mom’s intention.

Lately, Mom had been asking Rosie to take photos and shoot videos of her, as though she was compiling a photographic memory for Rosie long after Mom was gone.

Rosie also knew that one of the things Mom wanted to see was Rosie in a wedding gown. Mom had talked about it since Rosie was in high school when she dreamed of seeing Dad in a suit walking Rosie down the aisle. Dad was gone now, and that wish would never be fulfilled.

But the wedding gown…

Perhaps Rosie could ask Mom to make a list of all the things she wanted to do in the new year.

Then Rosie could quietly suggest they go to a bridal shop to try on gowns.

Potentially, they could do a mock photo shoot at Amy’s studio in downtown Savannah.

Wouldn’t that be enough for Mom, rather than a real wedding?

Rosie had no idea when she’d get married—if ever.

No sooner had her relationship with Evan begun, he was called away to Seattle to deal with family business matters.

They had chatted again after the Christmas Eve service the night before, but Evan only wished her a Merry Christmas and didn’t say when he might return to Savannah.

Rosie didn’t ask because she feared that the answer would be painful for her.

However, she knew one thing. She had hit it off on day one with Evan. She wouldn’t have believed that love at first sight was possible if not for her grandparents’ experience. The story about Grandpa proposing to Grandma on their blind date was the best romance in the Hamilton family.

Nevertheless, was that repeatable in the modern era? Nowadays, people were less trusting of one another. Less likely to fall in love and marry quickly. In a way, her grandparents’ blind date had been arranged. Who arranged marriages today?

Then again, one could philosophically say that all marriages were arranged by the two parties involved. One could also spiritually say that a sovereign God allowed couples to meet and fall in love.

“Do you have one of those stick things?” Mom asked as she held her Bible in her hand. “I don’t think your arm is long enough. I want us to capture the ocean in the background.”

“Bummer. A selfie stick is one of those things I did not pack at the old house.” Rosie stretched her arm as far as possible, but still couldn’t get both of their faces and their Bibles and the ocean behind them. “How about we take a few photos?”

“That’s a good idea.” Mom got up and moved to the sofa.

Rosie followed her, sitting down close to Mom. She did her best to capture their smiles as she wrapped her free arm around Mom who was clutching a Bible to her chest.

“Why don’t we read God’s Word first, and then take some more photos outside on the balcony when the weather warms up a bit more?” Rosie asked. “That way, our coffee won’t get cold.”

“Perfect.” Mom opened her giant-print Bible on her lap. “Luke 2, here we come.”

Rosie sniffled.

Mom hugged her. “I miss your dad too.”

“Did you read my mind?” Rosie laughed as she turned the pages of her Bible to Luke 2.

When Rosie had been a baby, Dad started their family tradition of reading Luke 2 on Christmas morning before they opened the presents. That way, they were reminded of God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ before they enjoyed temporal gifts from family.

Rosie and Mom were taking turns reading the first few verses of Luke 2, when the doorbell rang.

“Who could that be?” Mom asked.

“Maybe Dottie and Marcella?” Rosie swiped her phone to check the security camera app?—

And nearly dropped her phone.

“It’s Evan. Yikes!” She looked down at her pajamas. “I need to change.”

“No need. You’re covered from neck to ankle, sweetie. Don’t worry about it. Go get the door.”

“My pajamas are old. Can you see the piling?” Rosie rubbed her sleeves.

“Evan won’t care. He’s practically family now. Get the door.” Mom shooed her.

Well, someday Evan might see her in pajamas, but today couldn’t be the day. Besides, she hadn’t put on any makeup. She had only washed her face, tied up her hair, and here she was.

What would Evan think of her looks?

The doorbell rang again. Mom shouted as loudly as she could. “Coming! Coming!”

Rosie’s phone rang. It was Evan. She answered it.

“I’m at your door,” Evan said.

“I know.”

“Sorry to interrupt.”

“No, no. I just need to change.”

“Are you naked?”

Rosie was stunned at Evan’s question. “No. Why would I be? I’m fully clothed.”

“Then what are you worried about? Please open the door, Rosie. It’s cold out here.”

Rosie sighed and unlocked the door.

“Merry Christmas!” Evan stepped inside, picked her up, and then twirled her around.

“Aiiiieeee!” Some such unintelligible sounds came out of Rosie’s mouth. She had never been spun around before and she was starting to feel a tad dizzy. “Put me down!”

Evan did. Rosie dipped her head and looked away.

“Shy?” Evan pushed back her bangs and kissed her forehead.

Rosie felt warm all over just before a gust of wind reminded her that the front door was still open. She looked outside and didn’t see any backpack or bags. Hmm. Maybe Evan had left them in his vehicle downstairs.

She closed the door just as she heard Mom say something to Evan.

“…took forever for her to get to the door because she didn’t want you to see her in her all-time favorite winter pajamas. She thinks they’re threadbare.”

“Mom!” Rosie locked the door.

Mom was still sitting in the living room, drinking coffee like she hadn’t just ratted out her own daughter.

“Let me check.” Evan slid his arms around Rosie’s waist and pulled her closer. “Your jammies feel comfortable and warm. I like it.”

He didn’t want to let go. He snuggled in her embrace.

Eventually Rosie gently pushed him back. “Want some coffee?”

“No, thanks. I had plenty.” Evan took off his jacket. He was wearing a dark blue sweater over a turtleneck shirt.

Rosie hung his jacket in the coat closet.

“More coffee for you, Mom?” Rosie picked up her own empty mug from the living room coffee table.

“Yes, please.” Mom handed Rosie her mug.

Rosie was in the open kitchen pouring coffee and thinking to herself. She was happy to see Evan, but she was surprised—maybe a bit shocked—that he picked her up, that she had probably reacted poorly. What would be a romantic reaction? She had no idea.

She was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn’t realize Evan was standing on the other side of the island counter, staring at her.

“You look lovely without any makeup,” he said. “You really do.”

“Thank you. Mom is even lovelier.” Rosie pointed to Mom in the living room.