An Unexpected Christmas Gift

off to Isaac. “You shouldn’t have.”
“Not bring gifts?” Linda glanced to the ceiling. “I hope I didn’t forget anything.”
My gaze tracked to the corner of the room, where bookshelves housed dozens of stacks of neatly folded fabric and a rack containing a plethora of thread. Next to them stood an old treadle sewing machine.
“Aenti Linda provides quilts for the shop,” Nancy said, noticing my stare. “Hers are the absolute best.”
“Now, now, you mustn’t exaggerate.” Linda’s eyes met mine for the first time.
“And she sews clothes for Anna and me.” Nancy wrapped an arm around Linda’s shoulder. “Don’t tell Mamm, but she makes the best clothes.”
“Naomi is busy, and I’m glad to fill in for her, my only sister.” A moment of silence filled the air, and I wondered if Linda would refuse to go with us after all. But she finally consented.
Five minutes later, Isaac and Troy helped her down her front steps and into the back seat of Troy’s Suburban between Isaac and Nancy. I carried the dog, as no one else offered. I wondered how Naomi would feel about having this scruffy pooch in her house, especially if Silas didn’t allow dogs.
“Here you go.” I set Saucy on Linda’s lap, and her arms encircled her. Still no thank-you or even a smile in my direction. I reminded myself not everyone was going to like me. I was a complete stranger and this woman was standoffish, to say the least.
Troy opened the back hatch and tossed in the shovels and Linda’s suitcase. He didn’t seem to be disappointed that she hadn’t acknowledged his kindness, so I decided to act the same way. Never mind that it was Christmas Eve. I was not in the holiday mood. I had little to rejoice about.
Troy fishtailed as he turned the Suburban around and progressed down the road. Every bump made Linda start, but Nancy attached Linda’s seat belt and leaned into her to give her comfort. On the main road, the Suburban seemed to glide along on its own several times, but Troy maneuvered it like a pro. We passed two horse and buggies. In spite of the cold, I hoped to get a ride in one before I left.
When we arrived at the Millers’, I was once again struck by the size of the sign of the quilt shop at the end of the lane, like a beacon calling me. My car still lay buried in the ditch. I was thankful to have Troy and Isaac’s promise to help me later, as a tow truck would be expensive.
Troy drove us into the Millers’ barnyard and stopped at the bottom of the stairs to the back porch. I held Saucy again as he and Isaac helped Linda climb the ice-covered steps. The door burst open, and Naomi greeted her with a hug.
“Ach, I was so worried for all of you. But especially you, dear Schweschder.” Then her eyes took in the little dog I was carrying, and she let out a sigh.
Linda’s demeanor stiffened. “If you force my little Saucy to sleep in the barn, I’ll turn around and go home.”
“And how are you going to get there?” Silas stepped around Naomi.
Linda coughed. “I knew this was a bad idea.”
“Hold on.” Naomi looked up to Silas. “May the dog sleep in the utility room?”
He lowered his brows. “What’s the use of having rules if they’re broken?”
Anna squealed as she wriggled between Silas and Naomi. “Let me give Saucy a bath, Dat. I can tell she needs one.”
He sniffed the air, flared his nostrils. “She needs a dose of good manners more than anything.” Silas’s voice was firm, yet I could see his demeanor relaxing.
“Please, please, Dat.” Anna tugged at his elbow.
“The last time that little mongrel was over here it bit me.”
“She won’t do it again, will she, Aenti Linda? We can make her a leash.”
“I’ll find a piece of rope,” Naomi said.
Troy and Isaac lugged Linda’s suitcase and bags of Christmas gifts up the stairs behind us.
“Are you moving in permanently?” Silas’s voice was laced with humor. I had the feeling they’d had this conversation before.
“I’ll be out of your hair before you know it.” Linda stepped into the kitchen. “Ach, it’s so nice and warm in here.”
Naomi draped an arm around Linda. “You look pale as a ghost.”
“Her house was like an icebox,” Nancy said.
“What happened to all the wood we brought you?” Silas asked.
“Buried under the snow.” Linda didn’t remove her coat. “I should have brought more in before the snowfall. No one to blame but myself.”
Silas showed a look of remorse. “We should have thought to do that ourselves. I got so busy . . .”
“Of course you did.” Linda’s cheeks still hadn’t filled with a blush of color. “You already do too much for me.”
“We’re glad to help.” Naomi took Linda’s coat and replaced it with a woolen shawl. “And we’re delighted to have you here on Christmas Eve. Maria and I are going to make use of our culinary skills, so you can just sit and watch.”
No answer. Was this woman intentionally snubbing me because I wasn’t Amish?
“Linda? Is there a problem?” Naomi felt her forehead. “Ach, you’re burning up.” She helped Linda take a seat at the table and insisted she drink a glass of water. “Did you have breakfast today? Can I get you some coffee?”
“I have no appetite. You know, Christmas Eve is the day my Jonathan died.”
“Sorry, I forgot.” Naomi turned to me. “Linda’s husband passed away only three years after they were married. No children.”
“Why would you tell a stranger such a thing?” Linda said sharply.
Ignoring her sister, Naomi continued talking. “He was a fine young man. A buggy accident on the highway took his life too early.”
The pieces of the puzzle were beginning to assemble themselves. Linda was a widow and had no children. She’d never married again. And she’d lost her husband on Christmas Eve. No wonder this day was so sad for her. I admonished myself for judging her without having