Free A Log Cabin Christmas by Wanda E. Brunstetter Page A

stone fireplace on the other side of the room. One of the local artists had painted the picture of the hotel soon after it had opened for business nearly thirty years ago.
    Mother pursed her lips. “You should have waited for our handyman to do it, Papa.”
    “Seth’s out running an errand right now.”
    “I realize that, but I’m sure he’ll be back soon, and you really should have waited.”
    Grandpa’s face turned red. “Carolyn, please stop telling me what to do. I’m perfectly capable of straightening a painting, and I shouldn’t have to call on Seth to do every little thing!”
    Mother’s chin trembled and tears sprang to her eyes. “You don’t have to raise your voice when you speak to me, Papa.”
    “Sorry,” Grandpa mumbled, “but I get tired of you fussing all the time and telling me what to do. I’m not a little boy, and you’re not my mother.”
    “No, I’m just a daughter who’s concerned about her father’s welfare. Is there a law against that?”
    “Of course not, but—”
    David cleared his throat real loud. “I’d be happy to straighten the picture for you, and then I need to get back to work.”
    “There’s no need for that,” Grandpa was quick to say. “I can climb back on the ladder and finish the job I started.” His gaze swung to Mother then back to David. “And since your mother’s so worried about me, she can hold the ladder to keep it steady.”
    Mother planted both hands on her hips and scowled at him. “I will not hold the ladder so you can go back up there! We need to wait until Seth gets here so he can do the job we’re paying him to do.”
    Grandpa opened his mouth as if to say more, but then he clamped it shut and headed for the front door.
    “Where are you going?” Mother called to his retreating form.
    “Out for a walk. I think a bit of fresh air might do me some good.” He glanced over his shoulder at David. “You may as well head back to your shop.”
    “What about the picture?”
    “I’ve changed my mind. It can wait for Seth.”
    As Grandpa hurried out the door, David turned to Mother and said, “I hope the rest of your day goes well.”
    Her forehead creased as she frowned. “I doubt that. When your grandfather returns, he’ll probably get involved with something else he shouldn’t be doing.”
    David gave her arm an easy pat and went out the door, smiling to himself. Some things never seemed to change.

    “This place is so small,” Helen told Elizabeth for the fifth time since they’d begun cleaning the cabin. “I don’t see how you’re going to live in such cramped quarters.”
    “We’ll be fine. It’s just going to be the two of us, so we don’t need muchroom. Besides, we can always add on to the cabin when children come. Even so, I’d hate to change anything that might take away from the quaintness my grandpa created.”
    Elizabeth picked up a rag and began dusting several pieces of furniture that had been left in the cabin and had belonged to her grandparents. Truthfully she looked forward to living here, away from the noise and hustle-bustle of the city, which seemed to be growing rapidly these days. Even as small as the cabin was, Elizabeth looked around and was almost giddy with excitement, knowing this was going to be her and David’s first home, where their life together would soon begin.
    “You have no indoor necessary room here, and you’ll have to heat water on the stove for washing dishes and bathing.” Helen gestured to the floor. “There aren’t even any carpets on this drab-looking puncheon floor.”
    “We’ll use the outhouse, just like my parents and grandparents did when they lived here.” Elizabeth looked down at the short, thick planks confined by wooden pins. “I can always put some braided throw rugs on the floor.”
    Helen shrugged and gave an unladylike grunt. “I’ve finished washing the windows now. What would you like me to do next?”
    Elizabeth was about to suggest that Helen go through