Changing Traditions, A Christmas Novella by Rachel Rittenhouse Read Free Book Online

some
ideas on decorating, but so far she has made no mention. I pray
that she will come tomorrow night and we will all have an open mind
and be willing to accept whatever Laura’s ideas are. In all us
Woodsmalls, someone is sure to have an idea on how to create some
new-fangled traditions.
     
    A horse’s whinny came from
outside bringing Bethany from her diary writing. Poppa, Momma, and
Rosie had gone to Aunt Maria’s and said they wouldn’t be back till
late. Jake and Laura were supposedly in town visiting the post
office and going on other errands for Momma, so Bethany had no idea
who to expect.
    Something strange
resounded in her and Bethany hoped that it might be Jeremy. Though
they had mended their relationship, it was still not quite the same
and Bethany knew that it had to do with her. She should really stop
comparing Jeremy to Albert. It’s not as though she tried. Sometimes
it’s just her way of processing everything. Just yesterday, Jeremy
had suggested ice-skating. Bethany claimed she couldn’t go,
especially this close to Christmas, because that was what she first
did when she began courting Albert.
    “ So I can’t do anything
that you may have done with Albert? Bethany, you are being entirely
unreasonable!” Jeremy left in a huff and maybe he was right though.
She was being slightly unreasonable. If only her mind could move
past him like her heart has.
    A knock sounded on the
door. So it must not be family or Jeremy. They all walked in
without knocking. Bethany opened the door slowly and discovered a
tall young man with his back to the door. His wavy brown hair made
her heart stop and when he turned around, the hazel eyes that were
so familiar— “Albert.” She didn’t quite know what to say and didn’t
even know what to do.
    Albert stood there,
silently watching her. His eyes seemed to be attempting to answer
all her questions. In the next instant, he pulled her into a
crushing hug. “Oh Bethy, I’ve missed you so.”
    It seemed as if all
Bethany could do was to remain in his embrace. What could she
possibly think of doing otherwise? She had waited months to see
him, smell him, and touch his wavy hair. In his embrace, all seemed
as it should. Albert was back. Her heart began sending off warning
signals though and she pulled back. “Albert, I hardly expected to
see you here. What brings you back from the city?” Now that she had
a chance to regard him, she noticed his fine clothes and the way he
held himself. Without having to hear it from him, Bethany knew that
he was doing well in Washington.
    Albert reached up to touch
her cheek. “Can we talk, Bethany? I have a lot to tell
you.”
    “ I should think so. I mean
the war did end eight months ago.” Over her shock, the hurt began
to settle in. Bethany hoped her heart would not let Albert in so
soon.
    Sorrow flashed through
Albert’s eyes. “I can’t possibly begin to say how sorry I am,
Bethy, and I pray you will give me a chance to explain it all to
you. Come for a ride, please?”
    Looking into his eyes,
Bethany knew that deep down, she needed this as much as he did.
“Very well,” she grabbed her shawl and followed him outside.
Albert’s sleigh was waiting for them, and as she climbed in old
memories began to surface, but Bethany quickly stuffed them away.
Reminiscing would do her no good right now. It had already caused
her enough trouble with Jeremy.
    Jeremy. Whatever would he
think of her now that Albert was back? She could only pray that he
would let her explain herself before he saw Albert.
    The ride began with
silence, much like it had with Jeremy. Oh, she must stop comparing
the two all the time!
    “ So how have you been
doing, Bethany?”
    So he wanted to begin with
pleasantries. “As well as one might expect. A lot has happened,
Albert.”
    “ I’m sure. Your family
doing well?”
    “ Please, Albert, tell me
what you are doing here and why you didn’t come home to me
earlier?” She wanted to remain strong, but the