The Brides of Chance Collection Part 98

"You think this'll fit her?" Bryce held up a green-striped wool dress.

"I dunno." Logan eyed him thoughtfully. "Put it up against yourself so I can see if it'll be too long or not. Daisy's a lot shorter'n you are."

Bryce gave a resigned sigh and held the ruffled collar under his chin. The end of the dress barely brushed his knees. "What's the verdict?"

Logan couldn't keep a straight face. "Makes you look almost dainty!" He let loose a few hearty guffaws.

Bryce rolled his eyes and handed the dress to the shopkeeper, along with Hattie's measurements of Daisy. "Will this fit?"

The man took out a measuring tape and busily checked the length and other dimensions. "Like a glove."

"Wrap it up," Bryce ordered. "Wait a minute. Do you have gloves?" He ignored Logan's loud groan as he surveyed a selection of ladies' hand wear, picking out a daytime pair of blinding white cotton before a heavy winter pair of black wool.

He laid the gloves in his palm, remembering the feel of Daisy's hand in his, so tiny and delicate. "These'll do." He pa.s.sed them to the clerk.

"Is there something else you're looking for, sir?"

"What would you suggest in the way of robes?" Bryce had thought long and hard before figuring out what to get for Hattie and Miz Willow.

"A robe?" Logan echoed. "Don't you think you're going a little far, Bryce?"

"Nope. I'm getting one each for Hattie, Miz Willow, and Daisy. Folks come knocking on their door at all hours of the night, so they need dressing gowns. If I get one for each of them, no one will be affronted."

"That's a good idea," Logan murmured enviously. He started prowling around the shop, looking with renewed interest at the wares lining the shelves.

"These velvet dressing gowns are popular." The young clerk led him over to a display. "Any color in particular?"

"Purple for Miz Willow, pink for Hattie," Bryce decided. He fingered a deep forest green robe with white flowers embroidered on the edges. "This one for Daisy."

"These, too." Bryce pointed to a set of tortoisesh.e.l.l hair combs lying in a case. Their gleaming brown color would make Daisy's honey curls s.h.i.+ne even brighter. I'll give these to her as soon as we get back to Salt Lick Holler. The other things can wait a few days for Christmas.

"Very good, sir." The clerk's smile grew broader with each item he rang up.

Bryce eyed the growing pile, not yet satisfied. There must be something else I can think of to get her. I have to prove that I've got the wherewithal to care for her and her son. Too much is riding on this to let it be, but what am I forgetting?

"If I might be so bold," the clerk suggested, "we have a lovely selection of shawls to your left."

Bryce inched closer, picking out a cream-colored shawl whose delicate color and weave put him in mind of Daisy's lace. "I'll take this, too."

"An excellent choice." The clerk carefully folded the shawl and laid it atop Bryce's large pile of items.

Almost. Is there anything she'd really like? Something special that wouldn't do for any woman but just for Daisy?

"Do you carry things for women's toilettes?" Bryce knew he'd misp.r.o.nounced the last word, but the shopkeeper nodded and showed him to the far corner. Bryce looked over the vanity sets, recalling how strongly Daisy felt that a woman should have a looking gla.s.s in her home. When he flipped over one of the handheld mirrors, he found a single daisy etched into the silver plating on the back. Perfect.

"It belongs to a set, sir." The clerk industriously laid out a matching brush, comb, and some other strange implement.

"What's this?" Bryce picked the thing up to scrutinize it.

"A nail buffer. I'm certain your wife would like it." The clerk lifted the silver buffer from its tray as he explained.

"She's not my wife," Bryce corrected. "Yet."

Daisy slid another batch of cinnamon rolls into the oven before tending to her hair. She slipped the tresses from their nightly braid and combed through the entire ma.s.s before pinning back half of her hair and letting the rest fall free. For the finis.h.i.+ng touch, she slid the beautiful tortoisesh.e.l.l hair combs in place.

"Jist right." Miz Willow nodded her approval at Bryce's homecoming gift.

He'd taken her aside right after he and Logan got back to push a small bundle in her hands. "I missed you," he'd whispered in a husky voice that made her heart sing.

"I missed you, too." Daisy had kissed him on the cheek before opening the bundle and finding the dainty hair combs. "You didn't need to do this!"

He'd laid her head on his shoulder, holding her close to his heart. "I wanted to."

So on Christmas morning, three days later, she wore them for the first time. Mistletoe and holly decorated the cabin in celebration of the Savior's birth. Boughs crackled in the stove, sending the woodsy scent of pine to mingle with the cinnamon and yeast of the rolls. The cabin smelled of cherished memories and surprises yet to come.

After a hearty breakfast, they got ready to leave for church.

"Here, Daisy." Bryce held out her cloak for her. "Beautiful." He reached out to touch one of the combs, running his fingers through her hair.

"They are." Daisy smiled.

"I didn't mean the combs." Bryce's compliment made her heart thump faster as they made their way to the Christmas service.

Chapter 22.

Heart full to bursting, Daisy sang the familiar Christmas hymns fervently. "Oh, come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant...."

I feel joyful and triumphant. Today, long ago, Christ came into the world to save us all. Here and now, I'm surrounded by the people I love. What more could I want?

They transitioned into her favorite carol. "Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright...."

Everything is calm, soothed by love that makes the world s.h.i.+ne bright. I've done it. Jamie and me got through the fire and hard times, and now I cain make sh.o.r.e he's taken care of. I've got it all under control.

The circuit preacher cleared his throat from the makes.h.i.+ft pulpit.

"Today, on the birthday of our Savior, I'm planning to deviate from the normal Christmas service. Instead of reading the Gospel's account of Christ's birth, it's on my heart to focus on what Jesus meant to accomplish by the mortal life He took on."

What? Well, I s'pose it's all right. We cain read it together at home. I wonder what he's drivin' at?

"We're coming to the end of the year of our Lord 1874, and as another year has pa.s.sed, I want each of you to think back on how you've spent your days. I'll give you a moment to think on it."

Losing a house, working hard to care for Jamie, and finding a home and mayhap even true love. Daisy couldn't help but be satisfied with her answer.

"If you're honest, you'll realize you thought of a lot of things you're proud of, and maybe a few you aren't so proud of." The preacher paused to let his words sink in. "Now don't raise your hands. This isn't between anybody but you and the Lord. How many of you thought of works you'd done?"

Of course I did. Daisy s.h.i.+fted restlessly. Jamie and me's been through a lot this year, and it's taken a lot of work and determination to get through it.

"How many of you thought about how you'd grown in your faith?" The preacher pressed on. "How you've been blessed in your walk with the Lord?"

No. I reckon I've been a mite busy of late.

"Have you been relying on yourselves and the things you do to get by, or have you put your faith in the providing hand of the Lord?"

I've been working. Iff 'n it were jist me, I'd have the luxury of doin' thangs different.

"Well, today, on Christmas morn, I want to remind each and every person here why Christ came to earth. To save you and me and everyone who loves Him. No matter how busy we are, how much we do with the time we're given on this earth, we can't save ourselves."

A pang shot through Daisy's chest.

"We are saved through faith alone." The preacher's voice grew stronger. "Second Timothy 1:9 reminds us that Christ is He *who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace.' " The preacher laid down his Bible and faced them.

"We cannot take with us the things we work for here. We are saved through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the one and only way, truth, and life. Remember that as you go today. Put the Lord first and give Him your all. He already did as much for each of us."

Conviction surged in Daisy's breast. I ain't been leaning on the Lord as much as I should, but I'll remember to do better in the future. I ain't even prayed about my feelings for Bryce! I've been trying to control my life when it ain't my own. I gave it to Jesus long ago, and I need to do a better job of trusting Him with it.

Lord, I'm sorry for turning away from You. I been caught up in works and pride instead of love and faith. Thank You for all the blessings You give me-Jamie and Bryce foremost among them. Lord, I've fallen for Bryce Chance. Iff 'n it be Yore will that he take me to wife, I'd be a happy woman. I leave it in Yore hands, and wait in faith for Yore will to be done. Amen.

"Good sermon," Bryce commented as they made their way back home for Christmas dinner.

"Yes." Daisy's tone made him look at her. Consternation warred with relief as she spoke again. "Made me realize I been tryin' too hard to control everything in me and Jamie's lives instead of leanin' on my Lord. Somethin' that weren't pleasant to see, but I needed to face it."

"Good." Bryce smiled at her. "G.o.d made you a strong woman, Daisy, but He didn't make you to go through life alone. He's at your side every step of the way, even when you don't let Him carry some of your burden for you."

"I know." Her eyes shone with joy. "He sent you."

Bryce kissed her on the cheek. As his lips grazed her soft skin, he whispered a prayer of thanks.

Lord, that's the closest she's come to admitting she returns my feelings. Please let today show her I'm an able provider and put her fears to rest. Thank You for working in her heart so she knows she doesn't have to be strong alone.

As they gathered around the table, Bryce read Luke 2, telling of the Savior's birth: " *And, lo, the angel of the Lord...said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' "

The words washed over him, comforting and familiar while filling him with awe. G.o.d gave up all His power to come to earth as a mortal child. He lived, loved, and taught the people around Him before allowing Himself to be sacrificed for us. Jesus Christ, Son of G.o.d, gave Himself to save us from our sins.

"Lord," Logan prayed when Bryce finished the pa.s.sage, "we thank You this day for coming to earth long ago as a child, living as a man, and dying for our sins. Your birth was a miracle; Your sacrifice amazes us. Having taken our sins upon Yourself, You rose again to create a place for us beside You in heaven. We thank You for all You've done for us. Amen."

As they ate the meal, Bryce drank in the love surrounding him. They came together to celebrate the Lord, and in doing so celebrated the life He'd given them. When the last dish was cleared away, they brought out the gifts, sharing with one another all Christ had given them.

Bryce watched in antic.i.p.ation as everyone opened their packages.

"This is wonderful, Hattie! Thank you!" Miz Willow held up a box of fancy paper stationery. "I'll use it when we write to Lovejoy and our family at Chance Ranch."

Bryce didn't miss the sly look the old woman sent him. Yes, Miz Willow. If I have my way, you'll be writing to Daisy and Jamie, too.

"Look at this!" Hattie pulled on her pink dressing gown as Miz Willow opened hers. "Thankee, Bryce!"

"Thought they could come in handy," he explained.

"They should, what with folks droppin' by at all hours for the healer." Miz Willow patted the purple velvet with satisfaction. "Nice and cozy, too."

"Oh!" Daisy drew out her green dressing gown, touching the little white flowers embroidered on the collar. "How pretty!"

"Those flowers put me in mind o' daisies," Hattie praised. "What a clever gift!"

"Thankee, Bryce." Daisy's happy smile made him feel about ten feet tall.

"You're welcome, Daisy." He took the package she pa.s.sed him.

"This is from me and Jamie."

"A coat!" Bryce put it on immediately. "I've been needing one of these. Now I'm glad I didn't pick one up. This is the finest coat I ever put on!" He rubbed his hand on his wool sleeve. "Nice and warm."

"I made it myself." Daisy beamed at his appreciation.

" 'Ook!" Jamie lifted the pair of long underwear Daisy'd sewn him. "For sno'!"

"That's right." Daisy rumpled her son's hair affectionately. "So you have some after you play in the snow."

"Here, buddy." Bryce handed Jamie two packages, one after another.

Jamie attacked the paper, ripping it haphazardly until he uncovered a spinning top. "What is't?" He held up the toy and gave it a curious glance.

"A top." Bryce reached for it and set it on the ground. "This is how you use it." He gave the top a spin, and the brightly painted toy whirled around the floor. Nosey followed the whirling thing until it tipped over, then nudged it back to Jamie.

"Wow!" Jamie picked it up. "T'anks!"

"Go on and open the other one," Bryce urged. He grinned at Daisy as Jamie unearthed a miniature cowboy hat just like the ones he and Logan wore.

Jamie plunked it on his head. "See?" He craned his neck toward Daisy, who smiled.

"You look jist like a cowboy, Jamie."

Bryce nodded at her words. That was the whole idea. Every boy who lived on a ranch needed a cowboy hat.

"Oh, Bryce." Daisy stared at the vanity set nestled in tissue paper. How did he know I always wanted a vanity set? This one's so pretty, too. Brush, comb, mirror. She gasped as she picked up the mirror and spotted the etching on the back. She traced the shape of a daisy with her fingertips. "It's perfect." She looked at Bryce. "Where did you ever find this?"

"Sometimes it's worth the search to find something special."

He thinks I'm special and I deserve special things. Bryce's words put a lump in her throat. Lord, he's already given me so much.

"This is beautiful, Daisy!" Hattie held up the long, thin piece of lace Daisy'd woven to serve as a bookmark.