“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”

Maya Angelou

Laura’s heart turned to stone. He couldn’t mean it. It was anger talking, and this tirade would subside. Her father had never shown such rage.

“My daughter does NOT go behind my back. I won’t stand for it.”

“Honey, calm down. I’m upset too. Do you think I’m happy about missing my little girl’s wedding?”

He slammed his pipe down and stared into the fireplace, embers popping and snapping like the tension in the room.

“We need to be reasonable.” Shirley’s voice softened. “It’s Christmas Eve. The Lord would want you to be forgiving, especially now.”

“I don’t care if it’s Judgment Day. I want her out of my house.” He snapped the newspaper, tossed it on the table next to his chair, and stalked from the room without giving Laura a glance.

“He just needs time to accept the idea. You’ve never defied him, and he doesn’t know how to handle it.” Her mother hugged her close. “We’ll give him today to figure it out.”

“Oh, Mom. I didn’t want it to happen like this either. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you before, but I didn’t want anything to get in the way.” She sat down, defeated. “I am a terrible, ungrateful daughter.”

“Nonsense. I raised you to be independent and make decisions based on your own conscience. Yes, I’m disappointed, but I would have done the same thing.” She joined Laura on the sofa. “No one would have kept me from marrying your father. He’s just so afraid for you. He doesn’t want you to go through the kind of loss he did.”

“He can’t protect me from life, Mom.”

“I know, but you can’t blame a father for trying. Why don’t you go upstairs to your room, and we’ll try again later tonight? I’ll warm up some apple cider, and put on some holiday music…”

Laura shook her head. “No. I will spend my first Christmas as a married woman with my husband. I’m packing a few things and going to the McCalls. I love you both, but I won’t waste the few days we have left fighting with Daddy.”

* * *

The room fell silent and three pairs of eyes stared her down as she walked through the door. She gave them a brave smile and set the small brown suitcase on the gray rug. Then she collapsed on the coral couch before bursting into tears. A male cocoon surrounded her; muffled murmurs of “there, there” and “shh, now” and “don’t cry or I’ll cry” slowly penetrated her sobs. When she looked up from Joe’s chest, the Christmas star on top of the tree caught her attention.

It twinkled in the soft glow of the lamp and emitted a peace that soothed her. It was Christmas. A time of great joy and celebration, yet she wasted time feeling sorry for herself. Laura looked at her new family, trying to help her while facing this season without Dixie.

She untangled herself from Joey’s arms and wiped her face with the handkerchief Max handed her. “Look at me! Thank you for letting me get that out of my system. Now”—she blew her nose into the hankie and looked apologetically at Max—“let’s get that popcorn going so we can get it strung before Santa gets here.”

“Yes, ma’am,” squealed Leroy. “I told you she’d be back, Pa. I told you she’d be here tonight.”

“Yes you did, son.” Max nodded his head toward the kitchen. “Why don’t you go on and find the popcorn for us? Get out the cast-iron skillet and oil.

Leroy skidded into the kitchen, the white scalloped curtains fluttering in his wake. He collided into the white metal cabinets, the bang reverberating into the living room.

“Careful, boy. That pan is heavy. If you drop it, it’ll bust your toe.”

Now the men turned to Laura and gave her their full attention again.

“Stop it. My father blew a gasket, that’s all. My mother’s right, he’ll get it over it soon enough. And if he doesn’t, he’ll spend Christmas alone.” She kissed both men on the cheek and gave them her brightest smile. “I’m counting my blessings tonight, and I’m up to three right now.”

There was a crash in the kitchen and Leroy yelled, “I’m not hurt, Pa.” And laughter finally filled the air, chasing away the tension.

“Let’s get this party started,” said Max, rubbing his hands. “Joe, put some music on. Something snappy. Laura, go help our chef with the popcorn. I’ll set up the Lionel train under the tree.”

Joe walked to the coffee table that held the radio. It sat between the front windows, and he pulled the print drapes shut. When he clicked the knob, Gene Autry filled the silence, singing about the red-nosed reindeer. The ping and pop of the popcorn faded, and Leroy walked slowly out, carrying the large bowl. Laura followed with a dish of cranberries and thread and needles. They sang and chatted then teased Leroy about being on the naughty list. When the red and white strings had been added to the tree, Laura melted some butter, dribbled it on the leftover corn, and sprinkled it with salt.

Leroy sat between Laura and Joe, discussing his Christmas list while he munched. Max finished assembling the train, and they held their breaths as he turned it on. The engine came to life, smoke trickling from its top, and began the winding journey under the tree. While the boy played with the train, Laura hung the stockings on a bookshelf.

“What should we leave for Santa?” she asked, watching Leroy’s eyelids droop. “It’s pajama time, I think.”

“Old Mrs. Avery brought us some sugar cookies ‘cuz we’re three men alone. Santa’s alone too. We’ll share,” he answered her with a yawn. “I hope he got my list.”

“What did you ask for?” She already knew, of course.

“A Snoopy Sniffer. Pa won’t let me have a dog, so it’s the next best thing. And I don’t have to teach it to go outside.” He gave them a sleepy smile and yawned. “I’ll get the cookies. Pa, will ya get the milk?”

“Sure, son.” He took a few steps then stopped. “What was that?”

Joey peered at the ceiling. “It sounded like little bells.”

Both men turned to Leroy, who looked both ecstatic and panic. “Hurry, up. We gotta fix his snack, and I gotta go to bed.”

* * *

It was the best Christmas morning Laura ever had. Without siblings, she had missed watching the joy on another child’s face as they opened presents. Leroy was thrilled with his toy, and pulled the little wooden dog around the house, giggling at the spring tail that bounced back and forth.

“It’s time to get dressed for church, Leroy.” She smiled at his instant pout and drooped shoulders.

“Do I gotta? It’s Christmas!”

“Exactly. That’s why you gotta,” she answered, hands on her hips as turning to Joey. “Both of you!”

A knock on the door gave Leroy his chance to pick up Snoopy and make a run for it. Joey opened the door to reveal Shirley, holding a casserole dish.

“Merry Christmas!” And she whooshed in as if she’d been invited.

“Sorry I’m running late, honey.” She gave Laura a kiss on the cheek and continued into the kitchen. “Max, come here so I can give you the directions on heating this breakfast casserole.”

Tears stung Laura’s eyes, and she realized how disappointed she would have been without her mother today. “Mom, you didn’t have to—”

“Pish-posh. Just because I’m married to a stubborn old goat, doesn’t mean I’m missing the holiday with my little girl and her new family.” She hugged Joe then Laura. “I compromised. I spent Christmas Eve with Glenn and told him if I had to spend another day looking at his sullen face, I’d commit myself. So here I am, preserving my sanity.”

“And we’re happy to have you, Shirley,” Max chimed in. “Mrs. Avery brought over some biscuits yesterday. I’ll whip up some sausage gravy to go with them while y’all are at church.”

“It’s settled then. Joe, you can carry the gifts from the car when we get back.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He put his arm around Laura and pulled her close. “And thank you. From both of us.”

* * *

That evening, Joe walked Shirley out to the car. “It meant a lot to Laura Beth that you were here today. I want you to know, I tried to convince her to tell you both about the wedding.”

“Truthfully, Joe, she did the right thing. I thought it about all last night. If she had told her father, he would have had the same reaction. Glenn would have found a way to stop her or ruined the day with his attitude.” She reached up and patted his cheek. “You know how I feel about the two of you. I am disappointed about missing the ceremony but…”

“But what?”

“If I had known and not told Glenn, he would have been devastated. We don’t keep any secrets from each other, and Laura knows that. The good lord will whisper in my husband’s ear, and this will be resolved eventually.” She balanced on her toes and gave him a peck on the cheek then a tight hug. “You enjoy every moment of this next week. And don’t either of you waste a minute of it on regret. Promise? Not a minute.”

“Yes, ma’am. I promise.”

He stood outside a long time, watching the red taillights fade into the blackness. She was made of tougher stock than he’d thought. His mama would have done something like that if Pa was being pig-headed. A melancholy settled over him, thinking of his mother who couldn’t be here, and a father who wouldn’t. Joey wasn’t quite sure which was worse.

Pa had already turned in, and Laura Beth was finishing the dishes. “She’s safely off. That was real sweet of her to buy a gift for Leroy.”

“The store manager assured her that “Let’s Play Mailman” was one of their biggest sellers.” She rinsed the last dish and wiped off the vinyl countertop. “Done.”

Joe came up behind her, pulled at the apron strings, and the flowered cotton fell to the floor. He turned her body around, pressing her against the sink. “I’ve been waiting for hours to do this.”

He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. Hungrily, greedily. Her lips were soft, her body yielding. He drew in the scent of her, the lingering lavender that was uniquely her. “God, I love you.”

She leaned up on tiptoes and claimed his mouth again. Joe lost himself in her touch. He didn’t know if Laura would patch things up with her father. He didn’t know if Pa would stay strong when it was time for him to go. He didn’t know if he would come back from the war. But he knew one thing for certain: every moment with Laura Beth was a precious gift. He would follow Mrs. Walters’ advice to the letter.