Once Upon a Christmas. Pamela Tracy

kid reply. “I don’t know.”

      Maggie bit her lower lip. She knew how busy Jared was. She also believed Beth’s words about Jared and responsibility. Her husband had been like that, putting duty first. Could be Jared had lost all track of time and didn’t realize how cold it was. If Jared and Caleb were outside, then maybe now was the perfect time to start interfering.

      Helping.

      She wasn’t interfering.

      “Watch Cassidy for just a moment, will you?”

      In response, Beth set Cassidy to putting plastic dining ware into separate containers.

      Stepping outside the kitchen and once again into the fellowship hall, Maggie quickly looked around. No Jared. She headed for the foyer, still full of people in varying stages of taking off coats, putting them back on. Most laughing. No Jared.

      She really hadn’t been expecting to find him in either place.

      Then, exiting the church, she rounded the corner and found both Jared and Caleb leaning against the building, both of them looking half-frozen.

      “We’ll go in when you calm down,” Jared was saying.

      “Noooooooo.”

      Maggie had to give Jared credit, he didn’t lose his temper at Caleb’s belligerent whine nor did he give in. His voice, however, was sharp when he said, “I’m sure getting cold.”

      “Nooooooo.” If anything, the whine got louder. Jared winced and stood his ground.

      “I’ll bet you’re getting hungry, too,” Maggie announced as she rounded the corner, hoping she was doing the right thing, slightly nervous at intervening.

      Helping, she was helping.

      She wished someone had been around when she was first going through this.

      “Cassidy’s been looking for you, Caleb.” Maggie looked at Jared, trying to gauge whether he wanted her help or wanted her to back off. His expression was unfathomable. But, judging by the way he gritted his teeth, he did need help—whether he wanted it or not.

      “Seems your Uncle Joel has promised a hayride with a couple of kids sitting up front,” Maggie continued. “She thought you’d like to go with her.”

      Happiness for a moment, back to anger and then doubt all flickered across Caleb’s face.

      “That would be fine with me,” Jared encouraged. His hands were shoved deep in the pockets of his tan coat. A black knit cap was pulled over his head, low enough so Maggie couldn’t see his eyes, but not so low that it did a good job of protecting his face.

      Caleb pushed himself away from the church, a little clumsily since he had on a heavy coat—just like his father’s but definitely a size too big—and boots that were also a little too big for his feet. It looked like hand-me-downs were alive and well at the McCreedy house. Without a backward glance, Caleb trotted toward the horse and wagon.

      Maggie turned. She needed to get Cassidy pronto.

      “Wait!” Jared said.

      “Just let me get Cassidy out there to meet him. It’s important that I keep my word.” She hurried inside, fetched Cassidy, and rushed toward the horse and wagon.

      A moment later, she promised Joel that she’d have the children’s tickets after he made the round. Caleb, used to both the wagon and Joel, hopped right up on the front seat. Cassidy scrambled alongside him. Both children shouted Giddy up!

      Maggie headed to the side of the church, albeit hesitantly. Thanks to his winter hat, she’d not been able to read his expression and wasn’t one hundred percent sure he’d appreciated her interference.

      Her help.

      But Jared—sensible man—had already gone inside and was taking his place carrying hot dog buns to the serving area. No way did Maggie want to talk to him amid all these people.

      There was a short line at the table where two women sold tickets. A jar with money inside had a photo of a family and in black marker were the words: all proceeds to go to needy families.

      Nostalgia, unwelcomed and unwanted, hit Maggie like a surprise kick to the back of the knees. Three years ago, she’d been the church woman sitting at the table collecting the money. Sixteen years ago, she’d been a member of the “needy family” club.

      Maggie took a deep breath. Tonight she was close to being the needy family again and as far away from the church woman as she could possibly be.

      It’s not a church service. It’s just a party. We’ll be singing Christmas songs.

      But Maggie could never forget, no matter how she tried to place her memories of Christmas on a back burner for Cassidy’s sake.

      Christmas was not the best time to venture inside a church, and not because they collected for needy families and not because Maggie no longer prayed.

      It was because it had been a December day that she’d received word that her husband had been killed in the line of duty. It had also been a December day that Maggie’s mother had walked out on her daughter and husband.

      I’m strong. I can do this. I will do this.

      Maggie managed to buy the tickets with minimal words and—her legs still feeling weak—backed away from the table and just stood in the middle of the crowd looking at the walls.

      I’m strong. I can do this. I will do this.

      The walls behind the ticket sellers were awash with Christmas drawings made by the kids. Santas of varying sizes, some even skinny, tumbled across the walls. Snowmen chased them. Snowflakes, some resembling pumpkins, came in amazing colors.

      Cassidy didn’t have an offering on the wall as Maggie didn’t let her attend church.

      Maggie left the fellowship hall. She needed something to chase away the memories of the past. She needed away from all the “Merry Christmases.” It was somewhat calmer in the hallway. The Bible classroom doors were shut, but the area teemed with people and, yes, their minds were on Christmas.

      Tables were set up, and a craft business seemed to be thriving. Joel could wait a little longer for the tickets. And, she knew if she wasn’t there when he finished the round, he’d just take the kids again.

      Low on funds, Maggie bypassed the spiral-bound cookbooks that were for sale next to a display of beaded jewelry and went straight to some knitters and crocheters who might consider selling their goods on consignment in her shop. What she really wanted was crocheted soda can hats, but she’d make the request after seeing which of the crafters wanted to work with her.

      While the ticket takers on the inside were collecting money for needy families, the crafters were all about collecting money for the church camp. They were thrilled at having another avenue to make money.

      There was also a husband and wife team selling photo identification badges for kids. He was flanked by an artist and a clockmaker. If she’d had some spare cash, she’d buy a few presents.

      Maybe next year they’d let her set up an area and sell vintage clothes. She could do a great business in the kids department.

      That did it. Just a few thoughts about work and next year. Some of Maggie’s anxiety ebbed. Enough so that when Cassidy came barreling around the corner shouting, “I couldn’t find you!” Maggie was able to pick up her daughter and swing her saying, “I’ll never wander far. You’ll always be able to find me.”

      Cassidy didn’t know how true those words were. She also wasn’t willing to slow down to look at such grown-up temptations as jewelry and identification tags.

      “How did you get away from Joel?” Maggie asked.

      “We went around three times and then Joel said for Caleb’s big brother to bring me to you,” Cassidy explained. “There were lots of kids in line. We weren’t being fair.”