Free Sara in Montana - A Christmas Wish by Morris Fenris Page B

fun.”
     
    Trent shook his head. Half the town was wondering the same thing. “We’re not really sure what prompted their opposition this year, but there’s a town meeting tomorrow night to discuss it and find someone else to head up the event. Old man Mercer and his family have always been the most involved in the pageant plans, but this year he has adamantly refused to participate and wants the entire list of holiday celebrations canceled.”

 
    Sara thought about that and then asked, “Has anyone asked him why he wants the celebrations canceled?”
     
    Trent looked at her and thought for a moment about her question. Had anyone asked Mr. Mercer why he wanted the pageant canceled? “I can’t think of a single person who bothered to ask that question. Everyone was so upset at the idea of canceling it, I don’t think anyone bothered to find out the reason behind his opposition. Maybe I’ll ask that question first thing tomorrow.” Glancing over at Sara, he once again was struck by her beauty.
     
    Directing his attention back to his driving, he let his thoughts drift to Mr. Mercer and his wife. Since Miriam had become so sick, Bill Mercer had stopped living life. Now, it appeared he wanted to town to stop living as well. Trent’s secretary had shared with him her conversation with Bill’s daughter and son-in-law. Bill was grasping at anything he could to help give Miriam just one more day. If canceling Christmas would keep her here for another day, he was willing to do that. Somehow, he needed to convince Bill that celebrating Christmas, or not, wasn’t going to make any difference to the time that Miriam had left.  Maybe she could find some enjoyment in the different holiday celebrations and forget for a moment about the terrible disease ravaging her body.
     
    Trent had been tasked with discovering what could be driving Mr. Mercer’s desire to cancel Christmas this year. Unfortunately, he was also in charge of making sure things went along as normal. Since receiving the information from Becky, he had been trying to come up with a logical explanation to present to Bill Mercer that would have him backing off from his desire to cancel Christmas in Castle Peaks. None of the options he came up with seemed to fit and he decided that one way or another, tomorrow night he would be getting some answers and hopefully, helping Mr. Mercer cope with the impending death of his wife.
     
    Pulling off the road, he carefully navigated the narrow lane leading back to the safe house. Parking as close to the front porch as possible, he turned to Sara, “Stay there and I’ll come around and help you out.”
     
    Sara nodded and unhooked her seatbelt. She looked at the picturesque little house with its wraparound porch and stone chimney. It looked so peaceful and serene. Opening her door, she was struck by how quiet it was. She closed her eyes, took a slow breath, and allowed the calm to fill her weary soul. Opening her eyes again, she found Trent standing in the open door, watching her with a quizzical look on his face.
     
    “Everything okay?”
     
    Sara nodded and smiled. “Everything’s good. It’s so quiet and peaceful here. It’s never quiet like this San Francisco, not even in the middle of the night.”
     
    Trent smiled back and took her arm to help her exit the jeep. “This is one of the things I like most about living here. It really is peaceful and you can hear yourself think.”
     
    Sara just nodded and let him lead her up the front steps and into the small house. Glancing around, she took in the natural wood furniture, the stone fireplace in the great room, and the comfortable overstuffed couches and chairs. This place had been decorated with comfort in mind.
     
    Trent ushered her into the great room. “Let me turn some more lights on and then we can head back to the communications room and you can make that call to your sister.”
     
    “I’m so excited to talk with her. She’s probably worried