Free Everlasting Light - A Civil War Romance Novella by Andrea Boeshaar Page B

baked and teasing his brother Kirk about gifts, and yet the holiday’s true meaning wasn’t lost on him. Braeden had always kept his focus on the Savior’s birth and why it was so significant to mankind.
    But if Braeden came home for Christmas this year, what would he find? A faithless wife who’d been self-absorbed in sorrow and bitterness? A wife who betrayed him … with his best friend?
    No! Alaina wouldn’t allow anything of the kind to happen. Perhaps she’d had a right to her sadness and discouragement, but she’d given those feelings free rein for far too long.
    “Zeke, tomorrow’s Christmas Eve.”
    “Yes, ma’am, it is.”
    Forgive. Believe . “I haven’t begun to prepare.”
    “So I noticed.”
    “We haven’t even cut down a tree, supposing there’s an evergreen somewhere to be felled.”
    “I could look down by the swamp.”
    “Would you?” A wee bit of hope sparked within her.
    Zeke gave a nod.
    “And we should find something to take to the neighbors. They’re in dire straits just like us. Perhaps there’s some venison left, and Mama McKenna and I could cook it up into little meals to pass out.”
    “Fine idea.”
    “And then, of course, there’s our own Christmas dinner to think about.” She quickened her step. “I’ve got so much to do before tomorrow.”
    Zeke chuckled. “You sure do.”
    Alaina made her way up to the house. If the soldiers who’d stopped by Michael’s had been at the McKenna’s home too, they’d come and gone. Help me forgive, Father . Oddly, the mere prayer seemed to uplift her heart. Help me believe .
    “Mama McKenna, I just realized tomorrow’s Christmas Eve, and I haven’t done a single thing to prepare for the occasion.”
    “Oh, hush, child.” The older woman looked none too pleased by the declaration. “Christmas won’t visit our home this year.”
    “But—”
    “How can you even think of celebrating? My sister and her husband are dead. Jennifer Marie is gone, Kirk died in battle, and Braeden … Braeden is gone too. The Yankees disposed of our cows and chickens. Our land has been depreciated by fire. These are dark times, Alaina, and all we can do is survive one day to the next as God sees fit, doing our best to accomplish what we can. But celebrate Christmas? That’s out of the question!”
    “You told me to count my blessings, Mama McKenna.” Alaina cast a curious glance at her father-in-law, who sat at the dining room table with his balding head in his hands. “At least we’ve got our home.”
    “Not for long.” Papa McKenna’s eyes held a vacant, defeated look. “We can’t pay our taxes.”
    “No one can.”
    “Is that supposed to be consolation?” Mama McKenna’s eyes flashed with
    incredulity. “We’ll all be homeless. So what?”
    Without depression clouding her perspective, Alaina saw just what had become of her in-laws. Once a kind gentlewoman, her mother-in-law had gotten calloused. Her father-in-law, always capable and cheerfully robust, had turned forlorn, brokenhearted.
    Hadn’t they all? But it was high time to change. God help me!
    “Couldn’t we forget our suffering for the next two days? It’s Christmas, a time to celebrate the Savior’s birth. There’ll be plenty of time to fret over the tax bill after the holiday.”
    The older couple glanced at each other, considering the request.
    “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to be cheerful for a couple of days.” Her mother-in-law rolled a shoulder.
    Papa McKenna agreed, although grudgingly. “Grief isn’t all that easy to let go of, but I’ll try.”
    “And I promise to be more hopeful.” A sense of purpose replaced the emptiness inside of her. She’d bring Christmas into the hearts of others this year, and perhaps the joy of the season would stay with them and see them through future trials.
    Maybe that same joy would bring power to their prayers and guide Braeden safely home!
    ******
    “Miz Ellie! Miz Laina! Look here what I found!”
    Alaina stopped