A Carol for Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page B

mother-in-law. “I hope someday to be more like you.”
    “Like me? What do you mean?”
    She shrugged. “Peaceful. Accepting. Contented. Joy- ful.” All the things I’m so often not.
    “Oh, my. Am I all those things?” “Yes.”
    “I believe . . . No, I know such attributes come with maturity, and I hope I have them. But I’m afraid your description makes me feel older than Methuselah.”
    Carol leaned forward, smiling. “You’re not old. And I’m so glad you’re my mother-in-law.”
    “My dear, I’m thankful for that too.” Ruth patted Car- ol’s cheek. “God blessed me when Jonathan chose you for his wife.”
    Q

    There was no sign of Carol’s Buick when Jonathan pulled into the detached garage shortly after nine thirty. That surprised him. He hadn’t figured the tryout would last so long.
    Minutes later, he entered the dark apartment, turned on the nearby lamp, then shed his gloves and coat, drop- ping them onto the chair. Every little sound he made seemed amplified in the silence. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d come home from work and not been met by Carol’s welcome.
    He went into the kitchen and checked the refrigera- tor for something to eat. He’d had a sandwich at his desk around four. Now he was hungry again. But nothing he saw enticed him, so he settled for a tall glass of milk. After guzzling it down, he returned to the living room, turned on the TV, and sank onto the sofa. Another few minutes and the local evening news would be on. He would watch while he waited for Carol. He grabbed one of the small
    throw pillows and put it behind his head as he stretched out on the sofa.
    Closing his eyes, he remembered again how nervous Carol was that morning. Maybe he should have insisted he leave work early so he could go to the church with her. He’d thought about it, but then his dad wanted to go over some invoices from one of their suppliers. They discovered several discrepancies. Worse, the errors were Jonathan’s fault. By the time he straightened things out, it was closing time.
    He rubbed his fingertips against his temples. A year ago, when he and Carol were still at the university, they often stayed up late, planning their wedding and dreaming about the life they would share as a married couple. Never once did he imagine they would spend so many hours apart. Never once did he imagine he wouldn’t be able to provide for his wife better than this. If only. . .
    Exhaustion overtook him, and he was asleep before the newscast began. In the morning, he wouldn’t remem- ber Carol’s arrival home or making his way to bed at her encouragement.

    This page is intentionally left blank

    T

    he next week went by in a blur.
    Carol made her choice regarding the other female
    singers and called everyone about her decision. The benefit committee met twice, once in Ruth’s home and once at the high school where the performance would be held.
    On Monday of the second week in December, Arlen Burke decided he and his son should visit the other Burke stores in Idaho. The trip would last three days and two nights, as long as the weather cooperated and the roads stayed in good condition.
    This was the first time Carol and Jonathan had spent a night apart since their wedding. She missed him. Missed him more than words could say. The loneliness, the empti- ness of the apartment, seemed to taunt her, and she won- dered, for the first time, if this was the life she wanted.
    The thought frightened her.

    Q

    “I have a surprise for you,” Ruth said when Carol answered the telephone Thursday morning. “Two surprises, actually.”
    “Good ones?” Carol watched snowflakes falling into the window well. Were the roads getting slick? Would
    Jonathan still get home tonight as he’d promised, or would she have to spend another night alone?
    “Absolutely. First, I’ve found a guitar for you to use.” Carol straightened in her chair. “Really?”
    “Yes. Pearl Iverson’s grandson is in the army, and