Carousel Horse Christmas Page 8

  Even here at the farm with her aunts, she’d handled dozens of calls from James or one of her other coworkers. She’d lost count of the number of calls she’d had from clients checking that everything was on schedule.

  Tonight, however, was Christmas Eve, and she’d switched her cell phone off in preparations for the big Christmas Eve service at the church she’d attended for years.

  Touching up her red lipstick, she smacked her lips and smiled checking that she hadn’t smudged her teeth.

  “Audrey hurry up!” Aunt Lydia called from the bottom of the stairs. “We’re almost ready to go, and we have hot food in the van.”

  Kicking her feet into her high heeled boots Audrey dashed down the stairs meeting Lisa halfway down holding onto the railing as she wobbled in her new shoes.

  “I should have stuck with the low heels,” Lisa moaned as she clunked along.

  “Take my arm,” Audrey said with a grin and together they made their way to even ground.

  “Don’t let me fall on my face tonight,” Lisa pleaded as she tottered out to the kitchen and grabbed her heavy coat.

  “You’ll adjust,” Audrey assured slipping into her long winter-white coat.

  “Stop dawdling girls,” Aunt Lou chided opening the door and hurrying them toward the van.

  Stepping out of the warm van a half an hour later Audrey gazed up at the little church with the high white steeple.

  Lights poured from the stained glass windows splashing the newly fallen snow with a multicolored glow.

  Garland and white lights sparkled on the wrought iron railing leading up to the door, and little handmade lanterns illuminated the side walk.

  Snugging her new red mittens over her hands, Audrey blew a breath on them with a smile.

  “Audrey, don’t just stand there, help us get this stuff into the fellowship hall,” Linda snapped then smiled. “Lisa do you have the cookies?”

  “Yes,” Lisa said gingerly climbing from the van. “I hope they’ll break my fall when I trip.”

  The L’s chuckled each grabbing an array of goodies and heading to the building next to the church.

  Moving to the back of the van Audrey lifted heavy crock pot from a crate and followed the procession to the hall.

  The first strains of Oh Come All Ye Faithful had just started as Audrey, Lisa and her aunts slipped into the warmth of the small chapel where bright candles glowed in sparkling sconces and fresh pine boughs graced the side of every pew.

  Audrey breathed in the smell of pine, bees wax and old wood as she lifted her heart and voice in song.

  As the singing came to an end Lisa elbowed Audrey in the ribs nodding with glee at the children filing onto the platform at the front.

  “Remember when you were Mary and I was a donkey?” she whispered.

  “Yes, and you fell over a hay bale and landed on the baby Jesus breaking the manger.” Audrey’s eyes sparkled with delight at the memory.

  “I thought Mrs. Wells was going to have a fit but she just laughed along with everyone else.”

  “Shhh!” the aunts hissed as the children started to sing.

  Together Audrey and her extended family watched as the children sang Away in a Manger while Mary, Joseph and the angels made their way onto the stage.

  Narrated by the rich tones of pastor Bob, whose voice was only rivaled by that of Sam Elliott, the nativity scene seemed to come to life, transporting each onlooker to a time when the world was changed forever.

  Beside her Lisa sniffed and Audrey gave her a squeeze.

  As the Christmas story came to an end Pastor Bob called for the congregation to join in the singing of Joy to the World and the chapel rang with the joyous noise.

  Standing with the others Audrey chocked her head catching the sound of bells in the distance.

  The piano played the final chords of the beloved carol, and Audrey turned to retrieve her coat just as the doors burst open and a well padded Santa strode down the aisle a heavy sack on his back.

  “Ho, ho, ho!” Santa called his blue eyes twinkling above a snow white beard.

  “Holden!” Audrey gasped seeing a smile beneath the false beard.

  “So where are all the good little girls and boys?” Santa asked continuing on to the front of the church as the congregation settled in to watch the delight of the children.

  Audrey was mesmerized as she watched Holden-Santa offer a gift to each and every child. She wasn’t sure how this had happened, but it was heartwarming to see the cowboy treating every child as if they were the most special person in the world.

  “Now you boys and girls be good, mind you parents and say your prayers,” Holden said as he hefted the nearly empty sack. “I have to go or I’ll be late to deliver everyone’s gifts tonight,” he finished turning and striding back up the aisle, his polished black cowboy boots clicking on the hard wood floor.

  As he passed Audrey, his blue eyes sparkled, and he offered her a nod disappearing out the door with an icy blast.

  Grabbing her coat Audrey pulled it on and dashed out the door after Holden, catching him standing by his sleigh where he was stripping out of the Santa suit and shoving it into his sack before donning his coat.

  “Holden?” Audrey grinned, stepping up and pulling on his false beard.

  “Oh, I almost forgot,” Holden said his eyes laughing as he ripped of the beard shoving it into the sack with everything else.

  “What are you doing here?” Audrey asked pulling her mittens from her pocket and slipping them on.

  “I got a message saying you needed a sleigh and a Santa,” Holden said looking at her in bewilderment.

  “I didn’t message you,” Audrey said then smiled. “but I’m glad you’re here.”

  Something seemed to zing between them and for the first time Audrey let go of all of the excuses as she gazed into Holden’s eyes.

  Reaching out Holden took her mittened hand in his just as the congregation began pouring out of the church. “Come on,” he said pulling her toward the sleigh and helping her in before jumping onto the driver’s seat and giving the reins a shake. “On Dasher,” he called laughing as they raced away.

  Audrey laughed caught up in the moment as Holden took a sharp turn to the right making her slide next to him on the padded seat.

  “Whoa there now,” Holden called to his horse who eased down into a trot even as the driver wrapped an arm around their guest.

  Audrey smiled and snuggled in close. She seemed to belong right here next to this man, and it didn’t matter what the rest of the world said. Maybe she’d only known him a little while, but her heart seemed to believe they’d known each other for eternity and that was good enough for her.

  “So if you didn’t hire me and my fancy sleigh who did?” Holden asked, still not releasing his grip on her shoulders.

  “If I had to guess, probably my aunts.”

  “Are you sorry they did?” Holden asked his voice soft and full of doubt.

  “No,” Audrey said turning to look at him. “As a matter of fact I’m glad you’re here.”

  Dasher slowed from a trot to a walk as they meandered along a country lane. “I’m glad I’m here too,” Holden said leaning down and kissing Audrey with conviction.

  Dasher had come to a complete stop by the time Holden broke the kiss and Audrey giggled as the big horse stood nibbling someone’s garden hedge.

  “I’ve been thinking of doing that since I left Mr. Hollywood’s place,” Holden admitted.

  “I’ve been thinking of you too,” Audrey said. “I don’t know if I can explain it, but it’s as if…”

  “As if I’ve known you for years even though we just met.” Holden finished for her.

  “Yes!” Audrey enthused, “does that make me crazy?”

  “If it does, I’m right there with you,” Holden confessed. “Audrey, I know we barely know each other, but somehow you seem to have worked your way into my heart.”

  Holden gently ran a gloved hand along her cheek. “You’re sm
art, you’re funny, and your smile hits me right here every time,” he finished tapping the place above his heart.

  Audrey smiled, bright and radiant, in all of her years, she’d never met anyone who affected her the way Holden did. Yes, he was attractive in a strong, earthy way, but it was more than that. She felt at home when she was with him, comfortable in a way she hadn’t felt in years.

  “Holden,” she swallowed knowing the words in her heart would seem crazy spoken out loud, “If I didn’t know better I’d believe I was falling in love with you.”

  A bright smile spread across Holden’s handsome faced turning his eyes to a molten blue as he placed a finger under her chin. “Sounds perfectly sane to me,” he whispered leaning in and placing a kiss as gentle as a falling flake of snow on her lips.

  Dazzling warmth flooded Audrey at the merest whisper of a kiss from Holden, and she sighed contentedly, snuggling next to him and gazing up at the stars watching as an airplane blinked its red light across the sky.

  “We’d better get back before everyone wonders what happened to us,” Holden spoke, his voice tickling her ear.

  “As long as you don’t go running off on me again,” Audrey agreed.

  Holden swung his arm away from Audrey’s shoulders taking the reins in both hands and turning Dasher back toward the church.

  “If I have my way, I’m never leaving you again,” he said chirruping to his horse and gliding back to the little chapel.

  Chapter 23

  “Mom,” Holden spoke into the phone a half an hour later, “how soon can you and Handley be here? I’m getting married.” He grinned down at Audrey who was trying not to laugh.

  Holden clicked off the phone pinning the coordinates to his mother’s phone and pulled Audrey into his arms.

  He was crazy, he was sure of it but he didn’t’ care. His heart was full of joy and love and everything else could be sorted out tomorrow. Tonight, he was going to marry the only woman in the world who was made just for him.

  “You know we’re crazy right?” Audrey said pulling back from his embrace.

  “Yep, but I can live with that,” Holden said. “All these years I’ve been waiting for the right girl to come along, and here she is. I’m not turning back now.”

  Audrey pushed up onto her toes kissing him softly as her heart embraced him completely.

  Rocking back down onto her heels she gazed into his eyes. “How can it be possible that I already love you?”

  “Maybe we were just meant to be together,” Holden sighed.

  Smiling Audrey grabbed his hand. “Should we see what the L’s are up to,” she laughed racing toward the fellowship hall where her aunts were in full sail.

  “Yes, yes, Margery you heard me bring that dress and get it here in ten minutes. No I’m not explaining again. Just do it.” Aunt Lou closed the call and turned toward her sisters.

  “It doesn’t matter what the cake looks like call everyone you know and make sure we have one pronto,” she yelled along the hall.

  Audrey tried not to laugh at the chaos she’d created when Holden had announced to the preacher that he and Audrey wanted to get hitched right away.

  Lou and the other three L’s jumped into action as if this were the moment they’d all been waiting for. Apparently Audrey’s wedding had been in the works for years without her input, and since she was getting what she wanted she really didn’t care.

  “Have you two discussed your vows?” Pastor Bob asked as he watched the Alberton sisters take over his church and fellowship hall.

  His parishioners seemed to think that an impromptu Christmas wedding was the best present yet and had all hurried to pitch in with whatever Linda, Lydia, Lois, and Louisa needed.

  “No,” Audrey admitted, “but since everything else fell into place we’ll wing it.”

  Holden laughed squeezing her hand. “All that matters is that from this day forward we’ll belong together.”

  Pastor Bob shook his head but didn’t argue. Young people were so impetuous.

  ***

  “You look beautiful,” Lisa gushed a mere forty minutes later as Audrey examined herself in the elegant eggshell white scoop neck lace sleeve wedding dress her aunts had presented her.

  It was a little dated having been made in the early fifties when Aunt Lou had planned her own wedding to a man Audrey had never heard a word about. Even now, she didn’t understand the whole story but gazing at herself now she loved the gown. The fitted bodice wrapped around her middle perfectly, and the way the satin ran just under her arms, but the lace covered shoulders and collarbones made her look like a model.

  “And you’re dressed perfectly to be my maid of honor,” Audrey gushed hugging Lisa tight.

  “I just hope I won’t fall on my face walking down the aisle,” her friend grinned glancing down at her heels.

  “You’ll do great,” Audrey assured, leaning back and touching her hair. Aunt Linda had piled it up into intricate loops and swirls and she couldn’t believe how nicely it complemented the dress and the old fashioned cameo earrings Lydia had given her.

  “Oh, I almost forgot!” Lisa squealed turning and grabbing a small bouquet of white roses, “Holden’s mom brought these.”

  Audrey took the bouquet and squeezed her friends arm. “I guess I’m ready.”

  A soft knock on her door made her turn, lifting her lace covered skirt in her hands.

  “Yes?” she asked a nervous quiver in her voice.

  “We’re ready,” A familiar voice called.

  “James!” Audrey cried flinging the door open and hugging her friend. “How in the world…”

  “Your aunts called and here I am. I have the privilege of walking you down the aisle?

  “You think I’ve totally lost it don’t you?” Audrey asked studying his face.

  “Honey, all I know is you look happier than I’ve ever seen you. Everything else will come out in the wash.” He grinned, a wicked glint in his eye. “Besides, you’ve been so distracted by that cowboy that I’ve had to work overtime just to keep things going.”

  Audrey slapped at his shoulder then hugged him again. “Shall we?” she asked.

  “With pleasure,” her old friend said.

  ***

  Holden’s heart lurched in his chest as Audrey stepped into the church and the only thing he could think was where have you been all of my life?

  He knew it was cliché, but he didn’t care. The magic of Christmas had stolen his heart and given it to the beautiful woman walking toward him wearing a glorious smile.

  James offered Holden Audrey’s hand, kissed her on the cheek and slipped into a pew next to her aunts.

  “Dearly beloved,” Pastor Bob’s deep, dulcet tones rolled through the church, “we are gathered together this blessed Christmas Eve to join in holy matrimony Holden Bays and our own sweet Audrey Alberton.”

  Sighs and sniffs echoed through the tiny chapel and Audrey’s eyes sparkled with tears.

  “I believe the couple has prepared their own vows,” Pastor Bob said turning to look at Holden.

  “Audrey,” the lean cowboy began, “I haven’t known you long, but my heart seems to have known you for an eternity. As long as I live, I promise to love, cherish and care for you through all that life throws our way. Somewhere this season love found me, and I’ll do my best to keep the magic of this moment alive for as long as we both live.”

  A tear spilled down Audrey’s cheek and Holden brushed it away tenderly still holding her hand in his.

  “Holden, you entered my life so unexpectedly that you took my breath away from the moment I laid eyes on you. I didn’t know who you were, or why our paths had crossed, but from that first moment when I slammed the door in your face,” she paused as the congregation chuckled, “I’ve felt that I’ve always known you, and that I always will. Tonight on this Christmas Eve, I promise to love, honor, and cherish you forever and ever.”

  Holden leaned forward placing a gentle kiss on Audrey’s lips, feeling a connect
ion that ran deeper than time.

  “Son, you were supposed to wait till I said the word,” Pastor Bob chided, a bright smile on his lips.

  “Well folks, I guess that seals it,” the preacher continued. “I give you Mr. and Mrs. Holden Bays. Merry Christmas!” he added chuckling as Holden grabbed Audrey’s hand and dashed up the aisle.

  ***

  Linda, Lydia, Lois, and Lou collapsed into the folding chairs of the church fellowship hall with a sigh.

  The party had lasted till midnight when the newly-weds bid all fare-well and were whisked off to a nearby bed and breakfast for the night.

  Christmas morning had arrived cold, crisp, and full of cheer.

  “Well that went better than expected,” Lou said resting her head against the back of her chair.

  “It happened faster than I expected,” Linda agreed, “but at least our girl is happily wed.”

  “There’s just something magical about this time of year,” Lydia mused sitting up and dashing at her eyes.

  “As if miracles can happen at any moment,” Lois spoke, her voice soft and full of wonder.

  A clatter of dishes in the hall’s kitchen made all four women jump, and they turned to see Lisa stumble through the swinging doors narrowly catching herself on the doorjamb.

  “Sorry,” she called still holding tight to the doorway.

  “Are you alright?” Linda asked eyeing the shoes Lisa held in her left hand.

  “Yes, you know me. I trip over my own feet.” She gave a little jiggle to her shiny red shoes as if to emphasize the point.

  Lou chuckled, Lisa was the most accident prone woman she’d ever known, and over the years, she’d bandaged many a banged knee or stubbed toe.

  “Uhm,” Lisa began looking at the four older women, “do I still get to stay for Christmas?” she asked blushing softly. “I mean with Audrey running off with her cowboy do you still want me?”

  The four L’s rose to their feet and engulfed Lisa in a mass group hug.

  “Of course you get to stay for Christmas,” Lydia spoke I just hope Santa found your stocking.”

  Lisa smiled surrounded by her best friend’s family and wondered what the new day would bring.