Changing Traditions, A Christmas Novella Read Online Free PDF Page A

excess, but that is because
Carolyn can be ever so picky about her pine branches.”
    “ Picky? Is that what you
would call it?”
    “ Is excessively
opinionated better?”
    “ Much,” Jeremy pulled a
branch out and added it to the pile. “And as I mentioned, let’s
call it quits. I’m not sure we will even be able to bring these all
back in one trip.”
    Bethany regarded the pile
as well, “You may be right. I should have thought to bring Jesse’s
cart.”
    “ You know I’m always
right, especially about you. But indeed, this cart sounds
marvelous. Is it at Jesse’s place?”
    “ No, it’s at mine. We only
call it Jesse’s because he had it made when he was courting
Heather. It’s a small little cart and we always called it that
because he would use it and sneak out so we never knew where he was
going.”
    Jeremy came over and
pulled Bethany’s shawl around her shoulder, “I suppose I’ll have to
try out this cart with my girl since it seems like a Woodsmall
novelty item.”
    “ Indeed it is, though you
may want to wait and take your girl in the spring or you might get
her stuck in the snow drifts.”
    “ So we should have brought
the sleigh out today, not the cart.”
    Laughter bubbled from
Bethany, “Right again! For sleigh rides and wreath making are just
two Woodsmall traditions!” Even as she said it, she began to feel a
pang of sadness knowing that Laura didn’t seem to want any of these
traditions now.
    Deciding to carry what
they could, Jeremy and Bethany made their way back to Carolyn’s
place where Carolyn and Heather were all ready to begin assembling
the wreaths together.
    Carolyn rushed to greet
them at the door, “There you two are! I was beginning to wonder
what kept you. Jesse and Scott were in here just minutes ago but
they were antsy.”
    Bethany deposited her load
by the fire place, “There are still more branches left, but even
with piling Jeremy’s arms full we couldn’t carry them
back.”
    Heather’s eyes grew wide,
“There’s more?”
    Carolyn shooed Heather’s
remark away, “Why of course, you never know if a branch will have a
flaw. Best to have lots to choose from.”
    Bethany raised her eyes at
Jeremy as if to say ‘I told you so’ and Jeremy seemed to be doing
his best at keeping the laughter inside. Jeremy squeezed Bethany’s
arm, “You stay here, Beth. I’ll go grab Scott and see if he’ll get
the rest of them with me.”
     
    Bethany nodded her consent
as Carolyn exclaimed, “Oh! Do send Jesse in when you see him. I
need him to begin smoothing the branches.”
    Jeremy chanced a glance at
Bethany before looking back at Carolyn, “Smoothing?”
    “ Why of course. Pine
branches can be quite rough in some areas and must be smoothed
down. Wouldn’t you agree?”
    Jeremy smiled, “If you say
so, I’ll agree.” Then he hurried out before Carolyn grabbed him for
any other tasks.
     
    <> <> <>
<>
     
    Bethany loved the cozy
atmosphere that wreath making and Christmas decorations brought.
Here she was with her brother, sister, and her guy drinking spiced
cider, sitting by the fire. Jesse, Scott, and Jeremy seemed to get
along so well which confirmed in Bethany’s mind that she had made
the right decision. The jokes those guys made brought laughter to
the group throughout the afternoon. Momma was watching Adam so he
wouldn’t be in all the branches while they were busy.
    The door flew open and
Laura was there, bringing a blast of chilly wind in that threatened
their fire. “So I see you just decided to go behind my back for
your traditions. I should have known you wouldn’t talk them over
with me.”
    Bethany wasn’t sure what
to say to that remark and her first instinct was to go and wrap her
arms around her sister. Only she knew what was really going on with
Laura. Jesse chimed in first though, “Laura, do come in and shut
the door. Of course you are welcome, but you were in
town.”
    Not budging, Laura crossed
her arms, “Well I couldn’t do much