The Gift: An Applewood Hill Short Story

The Christmas Blog Party continues!

Today, I’m sharing a between-the-books short story that I previously shared exclusively with my newsletter subscribers. The Gift takes place shortly after the events in Where Hope Starts, book 1 of the Applewood Hill series. Karen and Barry are the main characters in Where Hope Starts. Enjoy! 

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The Gift by Angela D. MeyerThe Gift

 

 

Karen wiped the frost from the window pane and looked out at the falling snow. It was getting deeper by the minute. The weatherman got it right this time. Tomorrow morning would reveal a very white Christmas.  Rubbing her oversized belly she turned from her vigil. “Don’t worry, baby. Daddy will get back from the store soon.” She glanced at her watch. He should be back by now. She imagined him stuck in some ditch then chided herself for worrying. Barry, you better be okay.

Seven months ago she had been ready to walk away from their marriage, but by the grace of God, she forgave Barry. Karen sighed. I wish the healing didn’t take so long. There were still moments when he would irritate her and all his old offenses would flood her memories. She had to fight the anger and choose to forgive all over again.

They saw a counselor together once a week and he was part of a men’s group from church. Once they were approved for a loan and took ownership of the bed and breakfast, she began to really believe they would make it.

Karen looked forward to spending Christmas with Barry. When the weather drove away their guests, they sent the staff home and James, the on-site manager, opted to spend the time with family in Kansas City. It would be a quiet, just-the-two-of-them Christmas. A chance for God to heal her heart towards Barry even more.

She envisioned resting in front of the fireplace, snuggled next to Barry with no one demanding anything from her. Walking through the upstairs of the bed and breakfast, she checked that everything was shut up tight, turned off a forgotten light and then headed towards the stairs. As soon as Barry returned, they would lock up and head to their house in back of the bed and breakfast to begin their Christmas retreat.  

Glancing out the window at the end of the hall, she groaned. The snow was blowing in gusts and drifting deep against the house.  She should have gone over before Barry left. Like he insisted. But she had been adamant that everything had to be finished up just so. She sighed. When will I learn to listen?

“Honey?”

Karen quickened her steps at the sound of Barry’s voice and made her way downstairs. “See baby, Daddy’s safe and sound.” She stepped off the last stair, rounded the corner and came to a stop. She stared at the couple standing beside her husband.

A slightly overweight, balding man who looked to be in his late 40’s stood a few inches shorter than the woman next to him. Is that his wife? She seemed a bit young, a Marilyn Monroe wannabe. What are they doing here?

“Honey, these folks were stuck down by the end of the drive.”

“I’m Jared, this here’s my wife Dotty. Pleased to meet you. We slid off the road into the ditch. Good thing your husband came by.” The man’s southern drawl pulled her into its warmth.

The woman plopped one hand on her hip and rolled her eyes. “I told you we should have left earlier. Why you wanted to go that party way out here in the country in the first place on a night like this is beyond me. But, no, you never listen to me. I’m never right. How could I be right? It’s not like I listened to the weather forecast or anything.” She flashed a conspirator smile at Karen. “Men. Right?”

Karen grimaced inwardly at the woman’s whiny complaint, but gave a slight smile. “The weatherman did nail it this time.” She didn’t like the direction this was taking.

Barry moved next to Karen and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “They need a place to stay till this blows over.”

Karen looked at the couple.  “Well, I don’t know…” She stopped when someone banged on the front door. She met Barry’s eye and shook her head. What now?

Trust me.

Karen nibbled on her lip. But God, can’t you send them somewhere else?  

Barry opened the front door and the wind caught it, blowing it back against the wall. Snow flew in as two couples stepped over the threshold. Barry urged them inside and secured the door before turning to the newcomers.

Brushing snow off her coat, a young woman with jet black hair stepped forward. Her eyes were intense, meeting Karen’s gaze through a pair of dark red eyeglasses. She appeared austere, but the serene notes of her voice offered a different version. “I’m July. We’re hoping you have some rooms available. Our client gave us directions for a short cut to the airport, but I’m afraid we’ve gotten lost. And now with the snow…. you are open aren’t you?”

Karen gritted her teeth, then offered a slight smile. “Technically, no…”

Would you turn them out into the cold?

Karen stopped. We’ve sent the staff home. It’s just Barry and me. She clenched her fist. This isn’t fair.

“You have to let us stay here.” One of the men in July’s group raised his voice. His clipped tones demanded obedience.

Karen stiffened her back and glared at the man. His long overcoat and dress shirt and tie peeking out between the lapels lent him the air of someone who belonged in a boardroom. A CEO leading the meeting. He held his gloves in one hand, slapping them into his other. His arrogance wore on her nerves.

“We don’t have to do—”

“There’s nowhere else to go.” Dotty stepped into the battle for a place to stay.

Karen glanced at Barry and sighed. She rubbed her belly. Her feet were aching and she wanted a hot bath. But these people needed a place to stay.

He smiled and leaned closer. “Don’t fret. Are all the rooms clean?”

Karen wrinkled her brow and nodded.

“Then leave it to me.” He stepped up on the bottom stair and cleared his throat. “We’re not going to kick anyone out into the snow, so settle down.” He chuckled. “But my wife is right. We are closed.” He held up his hand. “Just hear me out. All our staff is gone. No maid. No chef. Just us. And as you can see, my wife is very pregnant. I’m not going to have her attempting to take care of all of you. Wouldn’t want her going into labor early.” He smiled. “So, here’s the plan. For Christmas Eve, you will be guests in our home. There will be no charge.” He looked over and winked at Karen. “Tomorrow, we’ll deal with tomorrow night. And if you haven’t caught our names yet, this is Karen and I am Barry. Welcome to the Marino home.”

Brilliant. She smiled back.

“What’s the catch?” One of the other women in July’s group elbowed her way closer to Barry. She wore her blond hair in a pixie cut and sported a green jacket. Her voice was light and perky. Karen stifled a laugh when an image of one of Santa’s elves at the mall came to mind. Perhaps this wouldn’t be too bad.

Barry grinned. “You get to clean up after yourself. Food will be whatever we pull together. Leftovers, cold cuts, and such. Nothing fancy. We ask you to be considerate of each other and please, don’t abuse our hospitality. I’ll give you a short tour and take you to your rooms. My wife and I will be staying in an apartment just off the kitchen if you need anything.”

Karen breathed easier. At least James’ apartment had a fireplace.

Barry sent everyone out to get any luggage they needed. After a few minutes, Dotty ran back inside. “Someone just spun out on the road. I think they hit a light pole.”                      

 Click HERE to read the rest of the short story.

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Thank you for stopping by!

Angela D. Meyer

 

My giveaway is live until midnight tonight! I’m giving away a set-signed  copies of Where Hope Starts and Where Healing Starts. Click HERE to enter.

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After you read The Gift, stop by HERE to find the other blog party posts and discover which giveaways are still live.

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Merry Christmas!

About Angela D. Meyer

Angela D. Meyer writes fiction that showcases God’s ability to redeem and restore the brokenness in our lives. She is the author of This Side of Yesterday, The Jukebox Cafe (a part of Hope is Born: A Mosaic Christmas Anthology) and the Applewood Hill series. Angela is a member of American Christian Fiction Authors and has served on the leadership team of her local writers’ group, Wordsowers. Angela currently lives in NE with her husband. They have two children, both of whom they homeschooled and graduated. Lucy, a green eyed, orange tabby, who loves popcorn rounds out their family. Angela enjoys sunrises and sunsets, the ocean when she gets a chance to visit, and hopes to ride in a hot air balloon someday.

2 comments on “The Gift: An Applewood Hill Short Story

  1. Angela,
    I love your Christmas story. It drew me in & I was hardly aware I was reading. I know you’re busy but I would love to visit & catch up with one another. If you have time, give me a call after Christmas. Blessings, Karen

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