Kiss of The Christmas Wind by Janelle Taylor Read Free Book Online Page B

but that could be wishful thinking. Maybe it was best to do it herself tonight, to have it look beautiful when he first glimpsed it. But that would ruin the tradition she wanted to begin of decorating together, as her family had done each Christmas Eve.
    Carrie Sue went to a window and stared outside. Snow was still falling, getting thicker on the ground by the hour. She heard wind howling through the valley and in the trees near the house. The conditions allowed very little moonlight to brighten the outdoors, so she couldn’t see far.
    She felt lonely, beckoning, and miserable—like the naked tree. Perhaps working on it would lift her spirits. It would certainly occupy her time, hands, and mind. She fetched the decorations.
    The redhead took great caution as she mounted the wooden stool to tie the white star to the top branch. She lit a large candle. She dripped pools of soft wax onto forks of the largest branches, then placed one of the tiny candles she’d made there and blew on the area until it set and held. She hung the handmade ornaments with yarn loops, giving prominence to those with their names and dates. She smiled with delight as she suspended the one marked, BABY, 1876. She could hardly wait to point it out to her husband. She draped the colorful lengths of ribbon around the tree. She filled in empty spots with the small red and white pine cones.
    Carrie Sue Jamison stepped back to admire her handiwork. She envisioned it with the tiny candles aglow, with only the fire giving other light in the room. She fetched a length of red material and concealed the base and stand. She placed Thad’s gift underneath, and took another look.
    “Beautiful,” she murmured. “It’s been so long since I’ve enjoyed a Christmas tree and this holiday. Hurry home, T.J., I don’t want to miss sharing another moment of this special time with you.”
    It was nearing midnight, and she was exhausted from all her work and worry today. It was obvious her husband couldn’t make it home tonight; traveling this late and under the harsh conditions outside was hazardous. Thad was too smart to take such risks even to reach her side. All she could do was go to bed, and pray again for him to arrive tomorrow.
    Christmas Day was gradually ending. It was almost five and dark, but no Thad. The outside and inside chores were done. The food was waiting to be warmed and devoured. The tree candles were ready to be lit. Cheery fires glowed in every room for heat and beauty. She was clad in her prettiest dress. Her fiery locks were brushed and hanging free as Thad preferred. Everything was ready to be enjoyed together, but she was alone.
    The snow and wind had ceased, but it was cold beyond the house. She knew travel would be difficult, if not almost impossible. It was late. Surely Thad couldn’t make it home tonight, or risk trying. If he was alive and uninjured, that would more than make up for their first Christmas being spoiled. She would wait up until midnight. If he didn’t arrive, she’d put everything away, then hope to celebrate with him tomorrow.
    Carrie Sue was dozing in a chair before the fire when a loud knock at the door awakened her. She glanced at the mantel clock, temporarily sitting on a side table: Twenty minutes to eleven. She went to the door and—without unlocking it—asked, “Who’s there?”
    A voice replied, “Mrs. Jamison, I have news about your husband.”

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    Carrie Sue unlocked the door with quivering fingers and flung it open. Cold air blasted her in the face, but she didn’t mind. She gaped at the man standing there, grinning, snow on his clothes, and his cheeks red.
    He laughed merrily as he said, “Part of the good news is that your husband’s home before Christmas is over. Just barely.”
    She went into his arms as she squealed, “T.J., thank God!”
    Thad hugged her tightly and joyfully. He eagerly responded to the heady kiss she placed on his chapped lips. All else was forgotten for a time. When