Читать книгу Prayer Trilogy - Kimberly Gordon - Страница 4

December 23, 1875

Eastern Colorado Territory

“Dear Lord, we need a miracle now,” Helen Jenkins cried out in prayer. With head bowed and hands clasped together, she knelt before the fire in their one room cabin. “Only you can save us, God. Please, hear my prayer, have mercy on these children.” The words came from her mouth as tears slid from her eyes. Helen thought of her three young ones, now asleep together in one bed. They had gone to sleep with only half-full stomachs. The food was nearly all gone, maybe one or two more meals worth left. The snow had them isolated, trapped. Even if they could have gone for help, only her husband would have been able to go. The children did not have warm coats to protect them from the cold. “Lord, I do thank you for our warm cabin. And I thank you that we are all together.”

Helen heard a horse whinny out in the barn. Chad was out there now, checking on their two horses. Tomorrow, he would probably have to kill one for food.

“God, thank you for the horses that we have left. But, you know we are almost out of oats, too.” New tears streamed down. Helen was overwhelmed with thoughts of doom for them all. Never in their nine years on the frontier had she and Chad been through anything so difficult. This entire year had been one disaster after another.

“God, don’t forsake us out here. You said you wouldn’t in Joshua, chapter one, but this year...” Helen sniffed and wiped her nose. “This year has been so awful.”

Helen remembered the stillborn child she had delivered last March. That was their first heartbreak. The second was the awful storm this past summer which brought with it an enormous funnel cloud. It had destroyed most of their crops. Lastly, was the barn fire this fall. Over half their animals were lost. Helen sobbed, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Oh, God, please hear me!”

After minutes of quiet crying, Helen finished her prayer. “Amen.” There was nothing more she could find to say. Helen sat quietly, staring into the fire. Chad was taking an awfully long time in the barn. She knew that he, too, must be privately dealing with their current situation. He was probably praying as well.

Helen wiped her eyes again. She heard the barn door slam closed in the wind. It was beginning to blow again, stirring up the powdered snow. She looked out the small window. The white flakes were coming down again, rather thick.

Helen reached for her only wool shawl and went to the door. Chad should come back inside before the snow blinded his way. She stepped into the doorway and called his name. He was already bracing the barn door shut. He held up the lantern and swung it back and forth gently to light his way.

“Halloo,” a strange voice called out from the darkness. Chad and Helen both turned toward the sound. A lantern glowed dimly through the snow.

Chad held his lantern higher. “Halloo,” the voice called again. The light came closer. Helen heard the sound of sleigh bells.

“Hello there,” Chad called out. He wondered who would be out in this snow storm. Their nearest neighbor was ten miles away.

The light came closer as a minute passed. Finally, coming out of the darkness was an elderly man in his heavily laden sleigh pulled by two enormous horses, the biggest Helen had ever seen. Six pack mules, all burdened down with cargo, were tied behind the sleigh.

“Greetings, friends,” the man said to them, all smiles. He was wrapped in a warm bear fur-lined coat. Thick gloves covered his hands and a gray beard sheltered his face. Snow rested lightly on his warm hat.

“Hello, sir,” Chad answered. Helen was silent, wondering who he was.

“Might I take shelter with you kind folks tonight?” he asked. “I'm a God-fearin' man. No harm will come to you for it, rest assured.”

Chad motioned for him to come down from the sleigh. “Of course, you are welcome, sir. We have a warm fire inside. I can help with your animals.”

“Praise the Lord for you both.” The man climbed down and shook Chad's hand. “The name's Gabriel, Gabriel Davidson.”

“Chad Jenkins. Pleased to meet you. This is my wife, Helen.”

She nodded, as did the man when he touched his hat brim.

“Helen, go back into the house. It's too cold out here for you,” Chad told her. “We'll be in shortly.”

As Helen walked back through the doorway, she heard the man begin to speak. “You folks sure are an answer to prayer. Never thought I would see the light of day again. Wasn't expecting to be traveling back in this storm.”

The men led all the animals into the rough hewn barn. The cracks between the timbers were filled with dried mud to keep out the wind. It was a warm enough shelter for the animals. Small beds of straw were on the floor for each horse.

Gabriel continued to speak. “Although, I should have known God had a plan for me. I wanted to turn around and go back, but the Lord kept telling me to keep going. He told the horses to keep goin' too, I guess. Glad I listened to Him though, or I'd no doubt still be out there somewhere freezin'.”

“Where you headed?” Chad asked.

“Just been over Fort Morgan way to find my daughter and her family. I was takin' her some supplies. It's a long story. But she wasn't there, nor her husband and my grandchildren. So I turned 'round and headed back to home. Denver, that is,” he explained.

“That would explain all this cargo,” Chad commented.

Gabriel unwrapped two bales of hay he had taken off one donkey. He placed them where all his animals could eat freely. He also noticed the Jenkins' thin horses. “I'd like to offer your animals some as well. I have oats, too, they can eat tomorrow.”

Chad was thankful for his generosity. “They’d be pleased to have it, thank you, sir.”

Once the animals were fed and all Mister Davidson’s crates and barrels were safely situated inside the barn, he grabbed one large satchel before heading to the house with his host. Chad carried his lantern high, as the snow still fell diagonally on the wind.

Helen was inside the house as the stranger and her husband put the animals away for the night. She wondered who he was and why he would be out here in the middle of the plains during this wintry season. And traveling at night, too – he must surely be crazy. Crazy or not though, she wished she had something hot to offer him to drink. She doubted he had eaten either, and they had so little as it was. Still, the Lord said in Matthew twenty-five, verse forty, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Helen knew she must offer him their food.

The men entered, bringing a cold wind and swirls of snow into the room. Gabriel Davidson noticed the three little bodies nestled together on one of the two beds. One quilt covered them, but the room was warm from the large fire. He spotted the woman, too, standing nervously near the hearth. “Ma’am,” he greeted her, removing his hat.

“Helen, this is Mister Davidson. The Lord led him to us tonight.”

Helen nodded her head. Chad turned to their guest.

“Please, come in and warm yourself.”

Gabriel set his large satchel and hat on the table and walked to the fire. He removed his gloves. “It feels good,” he said, holding out his hands for warmth. After a moment, he shed his coat as well. “I want to thank you both for your kindness tonight. I pray the Lord will bless you for it.”

“Thank you, sir,” Chad responded. “Anyone would do no less for a Christian brother caught in a storm.”

“I would like to think so,” Gabriel answered.

“Can we offer you some boiled oats, sir?” Helen asked. “Or some water?”

“Thank you kindly, but I’ve food in my satchel. May I offer to share some with you though?”

Helen’s eyes bulged. She wondered what kind of food he had.

Gabriel opened the flap. He pulled out a sack. “Coffee, ma’am.” Chad and Helen both smiled. They’d not had coffee in months. He pulled out a second bag. “Beef jerky,” he told them. “There are some biscuits in here somewhere, too, but I’m afraid they’re frozen right now.”

“I can put them near the fire for you. I’ll start water for the coffee, too,” Helen offered. This man was heaven sent for certain. The children would all get a good meal in the morning. What a wonderful Christmas gift from above. God had heard her prayer!

“I’d be most obliged, ma’am.”

“We only have the two beds, Mister Davidson, but we can make you a nice pallet on the floor by the fire,” Chad told their guest.

“If it’s all the same to you, I can just put my coat on the floor in front of it. It’ll make a decent bed for me. I’ll be warm as a bear,” he said with a smile.

Chad and Helen both grinned. The bear fur coat surely must be warm. Helen thought of her own meager wool shawl.

“Mama, Papa?” a tiny voice called out.

Chad walked over to the bed. Little eight-year-old Naomi wiped her eyes. She looked about the room and stared at the stranger.

“Don’t fret, Naomi,” her father called out. “We’ve a guest tonight. Mister Davidson. He was caught in the storm and God led him here so we could give him shelter in our warm house.”

The little girl gave Gabriel a tiny smile. Then she looked at her mother. “I’m hungry, Mama.”

Helen bit her lip. She looked at the biscuits now sitting in a frying pan warming over embers. There were a dozen.

“Mister Davidson has brought us some jerked beef and some biscuits. How does that sound?” Chad asked.

Naomi nodded and crawled out of bed. Gabriel noticed the tattered state of her gown. It looked a size too small. His heart tugged inside his chest. This girl was close in age to his own granddaughter. “How old are you, young one?” he asked.

“Eight, sir.”

“I have a granddaughter who is nine. Her name is Betsy. I have two grandsons, too. They are fourteen and six,” he told her.

“I have two little brothers,” Naomi responded. “Michael is five, Johnathan is three.”

Gabriel smiled at her. “Those are very good names.”

Naomi looked hungrily at the biscuits, then at their guest. “Those sure do look good. We haven’t had biscuits in so long. We’ll have to eat ‘em plain though. We don’t have no jam or honey to put on them.”

Gabriel’s brows furrowed. He looked at the parents. Chad’s face was grim. Helen turned hers in shame. Gabriel began to wonder if God’s real reason for sending him here was not to save him from the storm, but to save this poor family from starvation. Psalm seventy-two came to his mind, verse twelve and thirteen, “For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.”

“Well, you know what? I like my biscuits plain just fine. But tomorrow, when there’s light and it’s safe to go out to the barn, I’ll see if I have any jam or honey out there for you.”

Naomi’s face lit up.

“Whatcha doin’?” another little voice called from the bed. Michael and Johnathan were both sitting up.

“Want a biscuit?” Naomi asked them with a smile.

Both boys crawled out of bed. Their father introduced their guest again.

“Hello, boys,” Gabriel said to them.

Little Johnathan clung to his mother’s skirt as she prepared the coffee. “Are you Santa Claus?” Michael wondered out loud.

The adults chuckled. “No, son, but I know I look like him,” Gabriel answered, stroking his short gray beard. “And I do have a sleigh full of goods. But no, I’m not Santa Claus. I was sent by God.”

The boys’ eyes widened in awe. “Can I see the sleigh?” Michael asked.

“Yes, in the morning,” their guest answered.

Both boys grinned with excitement.

“But first young men, we must say grace, because I think the biscuits are ready,” Chad broke in. They all lowered their heads. “Blessed Lord, we thank you for leading Mister Davidson to our home. We thank you that we could shelter him and we thank you for his kindness in sharing his food. We ask for your blessings on this meal, Amen.”

“Amen,” the group echoed.

The beef jerky was passed out to everyone. Helen served water to the children, black coffee to the adults. The newly warmed biscuits were placed on the table for all to enjoy.

“We can have two each,” Naomi announced, proud of her math skills.

“We sure can,” Gabriel encouraged. “How did you get to be so smart?”

Naomi beamed. “Mama and Papa teach me when they have time.”

Gabriel looked to the parents, then back at Naomi. “You must be very pleased to have such a smart mama and papa.” The little girl nodded. “Tell me, do you ever go to school?”

Naomi shook her head. “No school to go to.”

“No school to go to, sir,” her father corrected.

“Sir,” she added.

“Our nearest neighbor is ten miles away by Hoyt along the Bijou Creek,” Chad explained. “The nearest school is even farther.”

“Well then, I see your problem. Coming from a busy city, it’s hard for me to imagine being so isolated,” their guest commented.

“Where is it you’re from?” Helen asked, her first biscuit already gone.

“Denver, Misses Jenkins. I own a store there.”

“My, what brings you out so far in winter?” she inquired.

Gabriel grimaced. “It’s a long story, but I guess we have all night.”

Chad rose to put more wood on the fire while their guest began his story.

“ ‘Bout ten days ago I received a letter from my grandson, Luke. He’s the fourteen-year-old. The letter was dated December first. He asked me to come for a visit this Christmastime. He told me how cold and hungry they all were and that his mother, who’s my daughter, was too ashamed to write to me for help. You see, she married without my consent to an unbeliever. She’s been vexed ever since with his drinking, swearing and occasional gambling. He can’t seem to settle in one spot and stay there long enough to make ends meet. The children have suffered so, it breaks a grandfather’s heart. I’ve done what I could over the years, when I knew where they were. Any way, I left the store in the hands of a friend and packed my sleigh with things for my daughter and her family. I journeyed four days, but when I got to the town where the letter had been sent from, they were already gone. No one had seen them for a week. The little old cabin they had lived in for a short time was vacant yet again, with no trace or clue as to where they’d gone. I can only assume Roger found out about the letter or heard of some poker game or something and pulled up stakes before I could arrive.” Gabriel stared dreamily into the fire. “I really would have liked to have seen my grandchildren.” The room was quiet. “Missy is my only child. I became a widower years ago. She and the children are all I have left.”

The Jenkins family continued to listen with interest.

“I’ve offered to let them live with me, but Missy and Roger refuse. I know my grandchildren would be willing, but they don’t have much say in things. I pray for them all every day.” He was quiet again.

“We can add them to our prayers as well,” Chad offered.

“I appreciate that, son,” the older man replied. Helen smiled at him, her eyes filled with compassion. “So I was on my way back to Denver when the storm hit. I got off course and lost my way. And now, I’m here, thanks to the Lord.”

“May God bless you and protect your daughter and her family, wherever they are,” Helen told him with compassion.

“Thank you,” he answered, appreciation in his smile.

Naomi got off her stool and stood next to Gabriel. “We can be your grandchildren for now if you want us to. We don’t have no grandparents,” she told him with a pure and earnest heart.

Gabriel was choked up. He reached out to hug her. “Thank you, young one. I’d like that.”

“Me, too!” Michael called from his seat.

“Me, too!” little Johnathan added, not wanting to be left out from things.

“I am truly blessed,” Gabriel told them all.

Helen was crying from her chair. Her children’s thoughtfulness was touching. This Christmas it was all they had, but they gave it freely. It reminded her of Jesus’ love, true agape love. Helen smiled with pride.

“Thank you, Father, for this Christmas. Thank you for my children, my husband and my life. Amen.” she silently prayed.

Chad gave her a knowing grin. He was proud of his children, too.

“Well, you young ‘uns better get on back to bed now that your bellies are full,” Gabriel said. “Get lots of sleep ‘cause tomorrow’s going to be an exciting day.”

Chad and Helen wondered what he meant by that, but said nothing. They helped tuck the children back under their quilt. With a hug and a kiss from their parents, the children settled in.

“I want to thank you, Mister Davidson, for that fine meal,” Chad told him. “We’ve had a year of trials and our resources are low.”

“The food was my pleasure to share,” Gabriel answered. “And tomorrow, you can tell me about your trials. But right now, with your permission, this old man needs rest.”

“Certainly, sir, my apologies.”

“None necessary, son. I thank you for your hospitality. Ma’am,” he said, nodding toward Helen.

She nodded in return, “Goodnight, Mister Davidson.”

Gabriel laid out his coat before the fire. Removing his boots, he knelt down to pray. Helen and Chad readied themselves for bed as well so they would not stare at him and intrude on his time with God. Helen went to the privy which was located behind a curtain in the far corner of the room. It made a small triangular space that gave a body privacy in their close winter quarters – embarrassing, but necessary. How she longed for the privacy of their outhouse with a guest in the home.

A short time later, all the adults were settled in. Stomachs full and bodies warm from the fire, sleep came quickly.

When Helen awoke the next morning, all was quiet. She looked over to the children who still slept soundly. A dull light shone in through the two small windows. Chad was asleep beside her. Then she remembered their guest. Helen raised her head a bit so she could look at him. There was no man, or bear coat on the floor. Helen sat up in bed. Had she dreamed it all? She rubbed her eyes and looked around. The plate for the biscuits was sitting empty on the table. Mister Davidson’s satchel was gone. Helen frowned. Surely it had been real.

Rising from the bed, still fully clothed in her brown wool dress, Helen walked over to a window. Peering out, she spotted footprints in the deep snow leading out to the barn. Had he already gone? She turned back to Chad wondering whether or not to wake him. She noticed the fire was nothing but simmering embers. She would put more wood on, then wake him.

Passing the table, she looked down at the blue metal plate. Yes, there were biscuit crumbs on it. It had not been a dream. Helen pushed her long, loose brown hair behind her shoulders. She did not want it to catch fire. Carefully, she placed two logs into the stone structure. Soon, she would set a pot of water to boiling for the oats.

Just as she was backing away from the fire, the front door opened. Helen jumped with fright, making a noise as her hand flew to calm her beating heart. She recognized Gabriel’s enormous warm coat entering. His arms were burdened with sacks, jugs and jars. She leapt quickly to offer help.

“Good morning,” he greeted quietly as she took several items.

Helen gave him a warm smile.

“Good morning.” She set her items on the table, as did he. “What is all this?”

He grinned. “Breakfast, dinner, and supper.”

Helen’s mouth dropped open. She was speechless. Was he serious? Her hands began to tremble.

“I’ve brought buttermilk, tea, spiced apples, potatoes, ham, canned vegetables, sugar, flour, salt, beef, and jam for Naomi.”

Helen’s knees gave way and she slid to the floor. “Oh, thank you, Lord!” she cried out loud.

“Wha...?” Chad said, waking from sleep. He saw Helen on her knees and Gabriel stepping toward her. Chad was out of bed in an instant. “Helen?”

“Oh, my dear. This man is an angel of God! Surely he must be,” she told him. “Look at all this food he has brought to us.”

Gabriel kept quiet his intent to give them all he had – at least three months worth still out in his crates and barrels in the barn. It would keep them through most of the winter.

“Is this true?” Chad asked him.

“Yes, my Christmas gift to you. I know for certain the Lord sent this storm so I would lose my way. He must be taking care of my family, because He re-routed me to you. I feel it is His wish for you to have this food, all of it, including what is still outside,” Gabriel answered sincerely.

Helen was crying. Chad was overwhelmed. He would have to swallow his pride on this one and accept Mister Davidson’s charity. If he did not, his family would surely die this winter. Besides, who was he to deny God’s plan? “Sir, we are in your debt. Thank you,” the younger man said.

“Don’t thank me. Thank God. He has provided.”

“We do, sir. We certainly do,” Helen concluded.

The three Jenkins children awoke to smells of frying ham and flapjacks. Helen quickly whipped up the batter. This morning they would have their largest meal in six months. Buttermilk and spiced apples completed the feast. Naomi was absolutely delighted. She insisted on sitting next to Mister Davidson while they ate. Michael then begged to sit on the man’s other side. Johnathan was still content to sit on his mother’s lap. Everyone laughed and talked as though they had known each other for years.

“I would like to ask if I could stay through Christmas Day,” Gabriel asked Chad and Helen. “I’d love to not have to be alone for another holiday.”

“You know you are welcome,” Chad answered. Christmas was tomorrow, and this man had saved all their lives.

“We’d be honored if you would,” Helen then added.

“Besides, it’s not every Christmas we get a new grandpa,” Naomi put in to the adult conversation.

“Or me three new grandchildren,” Gabriel added. “Besides, I have a good feeling Santa Claus may stop by tonight. I sure wouldn’t want to miss that.”

Chad frowned. What was he saying? He and Helen had nothing to give them. He wished Gabriel would stop getting their hopes up. He looked up to see Gabriel giving him and Helen a wink and a nod. Chad still frowned.

After breakfast, Helen and Naomi made bread dough. It filled the one room cabin with the smell of yeast. The loaves sat rising on the hearth while the females prepared stew. A large pot was filled with the beef, potatoes, vegetables, water, salt and flour. The males entertained themselves with an old game of checkers. It had belonged to Helen’s father years ago.

“Thanks for feeding my horses this morning,” Chad commented to Gabriel.

“It was no trouble. I wanted to see to mine and my mules. All was well and I didn’t want to wake you. I’m a very early riser,” he explained.

“I am, too, in the summer time,” Chad grinned sheepishly. “I take advantage of my warm bed during cold winter days and sleep as long as I can.”

Helen felt a little blush fill her cheeks. She wished Chad had not said that.

“Say, Mister Davidson, can I have a ride in your sleigh?” Matthew asked.

Johnathan stopped playing with his stuffed dog made from scraps of old material. He wanted to know the answer to that question, too.

“Certainly, Matthew. We can all go if you like.”

The children’s faces lit up.

“The children don’t have warm coats, Mister Davidson. I’d fear for their health if they went,” Helen told him with motherly concern.

“Not to fear. I have five extra buffalo hides in the sleigh. You can each wrap one around you,” he told her.

“Hooray!” Matthew shouted.

“Oh, boy!” Naomi gushed.

“Sleigh ride, sleigh ride,” Johnathan chanted, making his play puppy dance around.

Chad and Gabriel went to the barn. They would have to empty the sleigh of all its supplies and hook up the team.

“I’ve never seen horses this big,” Chad told him as harnesses were being adjusted.

“Clydesdales,” Gabriel answered.

The team was ready. Gabriel led them into the snow-filled yard while Chad carried the heavy buffalo furs to the house. “Wrap up everyone,” he told them.

Helen wore an old bonnet over her head. The material was faded to a dull gray-green. The children’s heads and hands were wrapped with clothing to keep them warm. Each took a buffalo hide to drape around their shoulders. The oldest two stepped out into the snow. Old rabbit furs were tied to their feet for shoes. Chad carried Johnathan to the sleigh and put him in the back with Helen and the other two children. Chad sat himself in the front with Gabriel.

“Ready?” the man called to them.

“Ready!” the two eldest shouted. Helen nodded her head.

Gabriel popped a whip over the horses heads. The loud snap sent them shuffling through the snow. The sleigh skimmed over the ice. Every passenger had a smile on their face. Gabriel led them across the winter landscape to a tree far in the distance. He circled wide and turned the sleigh back towards the house.

“Don’t go back home yet,” Michael begged.

Gabriel answered, “We won’t.”

The horses took them past the house. Gabriel had all the children giggling when he asked them to wave at the donkeys in the barn. Helen admitted to herself that this was the most fun their family had had in over a year. Gabriel circled wide again. More giggling and waving to the donkeys as they made their way back to the tree. They circled the house in this manner three times before coming to a stop in the yard. All cheeks were pink from cold.

“Papa, can we go see the donkeys?” Naomi asked.

“I don’t see why not.”

Helen led the children into the barn while the men unhitched the team.

“Mama, are these like the donkey Mary rode on to Bethlehem?” Naomi asked.

Helen smiled. Tonight they would read the story again from their family Bible as they had every Christmas Eve in the past. “Yes, honey, they are. Just like Mary’s donkey.”

Naomi and Michael stroked the animals. “I think it’s wonderful we will have donkeys in our barn tonight, of all nights!” the little girl gushed.

Helen agreed, “Yes, that is special. God has given us a Christmas we will never forget.”

Michael grabbed a handful of hay and began to put it near the donkey’s mouth.

“I wouldn’t do that, Michael,” Gabriel said quickly. “That one is ornery; he might take a finger off.” Michael quickly dropped the hay and stepped back.

The empty sleigh was now in the center of the barn. All the children climbed into it, imagining all sorts of adventures.

“I’d better go check on the bread,” Helen told them. “Chad, you’ll bring the children in?”

He agreed. Helen entered the cabin, savoring her few minutes of privacy before they all returned. The men and children remained in the barn for an hour. Helen had time to put the bread in the oven, do a little cleaning, set the table, pray, mend two socks and read a little from the Bible. It was quiet time she treasured.

When they all returned, Johnathan was very fussy. Chad immediately put him to bed for a nap. “Children, time for your reading lessons,” he told the other two. It was the only way they would remain quiet long enough for Johnathan to fall asleep. Gabriel sat with Naomi, reading along from her book of poetry. Chad read quietly with Matthew, letting him sound out words from the Bible. These were the only two books in the house.

Gabriel fell asleep in his chair. Naomi had to keep her giggles quiet. She continued to read silently as the smell of baking bread filled the room.

Late in the afternoon, a meal of bread and stew was enjoyed by all. Gabriel shared with the family stories of Denver. They explained to him all their trials and troubles the year had wrought.

Losing a baby, a twister and a fire, no wonder they were destitute, Gabriel thought to himself.

After the meal, Chad read from Luke. Naomi listened carefully to the Christmas story. She smiled when her father mentioned the donkey. All the adults shared fond Christmas memories afterward.

“I have to say, I thought this was going to be our worst Christmas ever,” Helen confessed. “But God turned it around for good, and it shall be our best, thanks to Mister Davidson.” Chad nodded agreement.

“May Matthew and I sing a song for you, Mister Davidson?” Naomi asked.

“Certainly.”

Naomi and Matthew huddled together to decide on the song. They broke out in unharmonic chords of “Silent Night.” The adults smiled, hearing the tune. Chad and Helen both knew their children had little musical talent. Gabriel was a good sport though. He pretended to enjoy it.

“Fit for angels! That was great!” he boasted when the song ended. “What other songs do you know?”

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come . . .” Naomi quickly bellowed. Matthew caught up quickly. Johnathan covered his ears.

When they finished, Gabriel told them, “That was just marvelous!”

Chad wondered if the old man was part deaf. “Say, why don’t we all sing some now,” he suggested.

Gabriel had a deep baritone voice. Helen sang soprano. Chad was somewhere in between. It was an enjoyable hour spent in song and worship. It was nearly eight o’clock when Helen finally put the children to bed. They could barely settle down from all the singing and fun. Thoughts of Santa Claus filled their minds as well. Helen watched as Gabriel took Chad aside. They spoke in deep hushed tones. After half a minute, Chad cleared his throat.

“Helen, dear, Mister Davidson and I are going out to the barn for a while.”

“Fine. I have mending to do and some things to prepare for tomorrow’s meal.” Helen began work on her sons’ pants. Both had holes in the knees. She had a little more scrap material from one of her old skirts to patch them with. Helen smiled as she sewed. God was sure looking after them. “How great He is!” she said under her breath. With Mister Davidson’s gift of the food stuffs, they would survive until spring. Then they could start over somehow – plant a new crop, acquire new animals. Somehow, in time, maybe they could repay him for all he had done. “Lord we are so grateful for all you’ve done in the last day. Thank you. Please bless Mister Davidson for all the good he’s doing for us. Bring his family back to him, God. Thank you for saving us through the winter. Help us to begin anew in the spring. Please keep bein’ with us, Lord, like you said. Amen.”

Helen continued her mending. She made a mental note to ask Chad to sharpen her scissors. The children were sound asleep, finally, by the time the patches were on. It had taken thirty minutes and Chad and Mister Davidson were still in the barn. Helen snacked on a piece of bread. Maybe, she thought, the men were sorting through the food stuffs. Gabriel was probably showing Chad what they could keep. What a great man Gabriel was, an angel really. Helen was pondering this thought when the door opened. When she looked up, Chad was smiling ear to ear. There was a gleam in his eyes like she’d never seen. He held a large bundle.

“You’ll not believe what this is,” he told her quietly.

She shrugged.

“It’s a turkey!”

“A turkey?” her eyes were wide as walnuts.

Chad nodded. “Yes, for Christmas dinner. And there’s four more in the barn.”

“Oh, Chad!” Helen exclaimed as her hand came to her mouth.

“And he’s giving us a dozen chickens, a side of beef, six hams, bacon, sausage...” his voice trailed off.

Helen sat down in a chair. She had not realized how much food was in that sleigh.

“And there’s more. Potatoes, beans, rice, canned vegetables, a barrel of flour, one of oats, sugar, all sorts of everything. More food than I’ve ever seen. There’s also buttermilk and apple cider.”

Helen was speechless, stunned. They would never be able to repay him for all this. As if Chad could read her thoughts, he added, “And he refuses my ‘I owe you’. I told him we could provide future crops for him to sell in his store, but he adamantly opposes the idea. He insists this is a gift from God, not from him.”

“He’s an angel of God, Chad. That’s what I think,” she answered.

“You could be right, dear. He does have the right name for it,” he smiled.

Gabriel came back to the cabin a short time later with a second bag of food for Christmas day. Chad and Helen had placed the turkey near the fire to thaw. Helen gave their guest an appreciative hug. “Thank you, sir, for everything.”

Gabriel patted her on the back. “Let it be a blessing from God.”

A short time later, the adults settled into bed. It had been a fun, busy day, and tomorrow would be just the same. The children especially would be so excited about the turkey. Helen said her goodnight prayers, kissed Chad, and fell asleep.

Helen awoke early the next morning with an urgent need to use the privy. Quietly she tip-toed past the curtain in the corner. When she came out, the dim light from the simmering embers and the dull gray coming in from the window allowed her to see the shadowy objects on the dining table. She went closer for a better look.

Helen gasped. Covering their table were gifts of all sorts. Something for everyone, it seemed. And even the buffalo furs were draped over all the chairs and benches. Her heart beat rapidly. She looked at Gabriel, who slept soundly on his pallet near the fire. Helen reached out to touch some of the items. A warm ladies bonnet, trimmed in ribbon. A porcelain doll for Naomi. Books, at least seven of them. And shoes for the children!

“Oh joy!” Helen shouted, waking the household. “Children, come and see!” she called to them, rushing to their bedside. They sat up dreamily, wiping their eyes. As soon as they saw the table, they scrambled from bed.

“Mama, a doll. Just look at her!” Naomi cried out with delight. She grabbed the curly haired baby and gave her a squeeze.

Chad sat on the bed grinning now, having already known the secret Gabriel had set about doing during the night. Gabriel too, now sat grinning near the hearth.

“Look what Santa brought!” Matthew shouted, grabbing the toy train carved from wood and painted red, yellow and black.

The children looked over the table for more toys. Besides the books, there were slates and chalk, a bag of marbles, three pairs of red mittens, a bag of candy sticks, a harmonica, two brown caps for the boys and a quilted bonnet for Naomi. Helen knew what a sacrifice this had all been for Gabriel to give them instead of giving it to his daughter and her family.

Naomi pulled on the warm bonnet, turning her head to show it off. “Look at me, Papa.”

Little Johnathan began to scribble on the writing slate.

“Let's put some more wood on the fire so we can see all these wonderful gifts,” Chad said, walking toward the hearth.

Helen looked over the table again. Beside the navy blue ladies bonnet rested two new dresses, simple but warm. One was dark blue cotton duck, the second a black wool. She held one up. It was a bit large, but she could take it in. Next to the dresses were ten balls of yarn for knitting. “Oh, we will all have scarves and new socks,” she told them. “Maybe even a new shawl for me and Naomi.” The little girl smiled. Next to the yarn were two men's shirts, a pair of trousers, and some clothing for the oldest two children. Two new dresses for Naomi – a green plaid and a blue striped, both from heavy cotton. For Michael, there were two new cotton duck shirts, a white and a blue, and two new pairs of pants, one in denim, the other brown wool. Near the clothes was a stack of material, red flannel for new long johns, white flannel for new underskirts and drawers, a medium-weight, plum-colored cotton and a heavy gray cotton. She knew the gray cotton could be used to make Johnathan a new set of clothes. Helen fingered the spools of thread sitting next to the material. What fun it would be sewing this winter.

“Did you look in this box?” Chad asked.

Helen peered inside the open container. There were six bars of soap, matches, a kitchen towel, candles, lamp oil, writing paper and a pencil. It was so much. She smiled, but was speechless. She felt as though she were at the mercantile in town, looking over the wonderful merchandise. It was hard to believe this was all for them.

“Mister Davidson, you are an angel of God for sure. May He show you mercy and bless your life abundantly for what you have done. I thank you and praise Him. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas,” Gabriel returned simply with a nod.

Chad and the children joined in, “Merry Christmas!”

June 1876, six months later

“Hey, Papa, someone’s comin’,” Naomi called out. She could easily see the wagon traveling across the prairie from her position in the barn loft. She had been up there for half an hour playing with her pretty porcelain doll which she had lovingly named Elizabeth. They were having an imaginary tea party since Naomi had just turned nine and was wearing her new plum-colored summer dress.

“Can you see who it is?” Chad asked from below. He was trying to fix the handle on his hoe. He had some weeding to do in the vegetable garden. Thankfully, Mister Smart at the trading post in Hoyt had let him trade two buffalo hides, some canning jars, seven fruit pies and six newly captured rabbits for some spring planting seeds. They had a good crop underway and would soon be able to trade for a cow. The rest of the animals would have to come later.

“No, sir. I can’t tell who it is.”

Chad dropped his tools and wiped his hands. “Better go tell your mother we got company.” He walked outside the barn and spotted the wagon coming from the northwest. He did not recognize the driver.

Helen and the boys came out of the house. Helen rubbed the aching muscles in the sides of her swollen abdomen. Four more months and there would be a new person in the family. She and Chad had already agreed on the name. Gabriel if it was a boy and Gabrielle if it was a girl. They had not heard from Mister Davidson since he left the day after Christmas. She hoped all was well and prayed for him every day. “Who is it, Chad?” she asked.

“Not sure, honey. Don’t recognize him.”

The man driving the wagon removed his hat and began to wave it back and forth. Chad saw that it was an older boy, maybe fifteen or so. The Jenkins family watched the wagon come closer and pull into the yard.

“Afternoon to you,” Chad greeted.

The young man nodded. “Good afternoon, sir, ma’am,” he greeted in return. “Might you be the Jenkins family?”

“Yes, we are,” Chad answered for them. “How can we help you?”

He reached down to shake Chad’s hand. “Luke Carter’s the name, sir. I’m Gabriel Davidson’s grandson.”

“Oh, welcome, young man. It’s good to meet you. Glad to hear you are well and safe after the winter,” Chad told him.

“Yes, sir, thank you. I’m working for my grandfather now.”

“That’s wonderful. How is he?” Chad questioned.

“He’s fine, sir. He sends you all his best regards.”

“And your brother and sister and parents, how are they?” Helen wondered.

“My brother and sister and I are all living with grandfather now. My parents are still in Dodge City,” he answered.

“I’m sure your grandfather is pleased to have you staying with him,” Helen spoke.

“Yes, ma’am. Purely pleased. So are we. We get to go to church and school now. We couldn’t do that before. And I get to work for grandfather in the summer time. And that’s why I’m here,” the lad explained.

“Well, come down and come inside,” Chad urged him.

“First things first, sir. Grandfather asked me to deliver these goods to you. He knew he could trust me to find my way,” he said with a little pride. Luke locked the brake on the wagon wheel and jumped down. He quickly untied a canvas covering and pulled it down. Underneath was a crate of four laying hens, a rooster, and a crate with two newly weaned piglets. Beside these was a sack of seed corn and hay seed. “That small box there is for you, ma’am,” Luke said to Helen. “Grandfather says it’s flower seeds to plant your own Eden right here on the plain.”

Helen giggled with delight like a young girl. She took the box from Luke. “Tell him I said ‘thank you’.” Naomi walked over to get a look at the seed packets.

“Look at ‘em!” Johnathan squealed at the sight of the piglets.

“Can we name them?” Matthew asked.

“Young Master Carter, I think there’s no end to your grandfather’s goodness,” Chad told him, truly amazed. “He’s given us so much already.”

“Yes, sir. He told me what happened last winter. But he says, without you giving him shelter, he would have died in the cold.”

“And we would all have perished without his food and warm

clothing. We are even. I do appreciate all this, but . . .” Chad began.

Luke butted in, “Sir, if I may interrupt. Grandfather told me to tell you that all these things he gave you at Christmas was from God. Grandfather said he’s been paid back sevenfold already for it. Now this here stuff is from Grandfather.”

Helen started to speak but Chad stopped her with a gentle touch on the arm. “Luke, we humbly accept this gift. Thank you. And I’m sure we will want to write your grandfather a letter to thank him as well. You will stay for a day or two, won’t you?” Chad asked.

Two days later, the young man left the Jenkins farm. A new friendship had been struck between them. It was agreed that their families would visit again in the future. Naomi ran up to the loft of the barn with a sheet of paper and a pencil. In secret she wrote out her thoughts.

Dear Diary. I met a wonderful boy two days ago, Luke Carter. He is so nice and Godly, handsome in the face, too. He is Mister Davidson’s grandson and lives in Denver. That’s not too far away. Papa promised we would go and visit there one day. I hope so. I want to see Luke again. I like him very much and I hope that he likes me, too. We are only six years apart – that is not too much. He would make a fine husband when I am older. I hope and pray that he will not find someone else before I am old enough. Wouldn’t that be fine? Me, living in Denver, helping him manage his grandfather’s store. What a good life that would be. God, I pray for it. Help me to grow up and be worthy of him, for your sake, Lord. We would make a fine pair. Thank you, Jesus, for hearing my prayer. Amen.