The girls clattered through the door and grabbed the buckets. Eleanor noticed the package and skidded to a halt. She didn’t voice her question, but her eyes sought his and asked it.
Libby wasn’t as constrained. “What’s that?”
“Lib,” her mother scolded. “I don’t believe it’s any of your concern.”
“Oh.” She hung her head, and Eleanor’s shoulders slumped.
“This time it is,” Blue said. He grinned as the two little girls stared at him, their eyes filled with interest. “It’s something for the both of you. Why don’t you see what it is?”
Their mouths went round with surprise.
Libby was the first to regain her power of speech. “Is it a Christmas present?”
It proved the perfect occasion. “An early one.”
Libby turned to Eleanor as if seeking her approval.
How strange. Libby normally rushed into things without any forethought.
Eleanor’s gaze darted from Libby to Blue and back. She looked puzzled for a moment; then her expression cleared. “It’s not Christmas yet.” The words were meant for Libby. “So there’s still time.”
“Time for what?” Clara asked, but the girls clamped their lips tight and shook their heads.
Whatever their secret, they weren’t about to share it. But Blue began to think his little surprise was going to fall flat. “Don’t either of you want to see what’s in the parcel?”
“I do!” Libby hurried to the pew with Eleanor right beside her. They lifted the package, wonder and curiosity in their faces. Then they carefully untied the string and folded back the paper to reveal a doll with a porcelain head and muslin body. The green satin dress looked like something a special girl would wear.
“Oh!” That was all Eleanor said.
Libby squealed. “A dolly.” She turned to Blue. “You bought us a dolly?”
He nodded.
Libby ran to him and hugged him about his waist. “Thank you.”
A lump lodged in the back of his throat.
Eleanor simply stood at the pew staring at the doll. “She’s beautiful,” she whispered. “Thank you.”
The lump swelled to impossible size. He’d had plenty of special times with Nancy and Beau. The good memories tangled with the pain of loss. Then an overwhelming volume of sweet, happy thoughts filled him until he thought he’d burst.
He took Libby’s hand and drew her back to Eleanor’s side. He sat on the pew and pulled a girl onto each knee. “I want to tell you something.”
* * *
Clara fought a mixture of emotions. Why had he bought the girls such an expensive gift? She could never afford to pay him back. But how could she deny her daughters this pleasure, especially when she had nothing else to offer them? It would have to serve as their Christmas present even though it was obvious the pair had something else in mind.
Her insides twisted with regret that she would likely fail in providing whatever it was.
Still, it was just too extravagant. She couldn’t allow it. Just as she was about to open her mouth and refuse the gift, Blue pulled the girls to his knees and started to talk.
“I once had two children who would be much your age.”
Every protest died on Clara’s lips, and she held her breath, waiting for him to continue. Was this an answer to her prayer that he would leave the desert and move forward?
“You did?” Libby sounded surprised and a little curious.
“Yes, a girl named Nancy and a boy named Beau.”
“What happened to them?” Eleanor asked, her voice cautious as if fearing it was something bad.
Clara knew it was and wondered how Blue would explain it.
“There was a fire.” His voice broke, and he couldn’t go on.
Eleanor wrapped one arm about his neck and pressed her head to his. “And they died?”
He nodded.
From where she stood, rooted to the floor, Clara saw his mouth twist. Her heart went out to him. Oh, the pain of such a loss. It was unimaginable.
Libby’s eyes grew wide. “Did Nancy have a doll like ours?”
Blue smiled. “She had a very nice doll her mama made her. She loved it so much she almost wore it out.”
Libby looked pleased. “I guess she was happy.”