The Christmas Bargain Read Online Free PDF Page A

Philamena decided to worry about that another day.
    Abby could see the doubts flitting across Philamena’s face and patted her hand. “Now, don’t you worry. Luke is a wonderful man and he’ll take good care of you. I don’t know much about your situation, Philamena, but I know you have new friends in me, Chauncy, and Luke, so don’t be fearful. As my husband would say, trust in the Lord and leave it at that.”
    Philamena nodded her head, considering what Abby said.
    Glancing at the clock, Abby gasped. “My gracious, we’ll have to hurry home for lunch. After my required afternoon nap, we’ll work on altering these gowns. Tomorrow, my new friend, we’ll really be busy.”
    In the whirlwind she was coming to think of as Abby, Philamena soon found herself back in her plain dirt-colored dress, bundled up and walking down the sidewalk to the parsonage, carrying a huge basket filled with dresses that needed altered.
    Stepping inside the Dodd’s cozy home, the delicious beefy smell of the stew greeted them. The kitchen was warm and homey and inviting. Philamena could see why Luke found it so appealing. Chauncy was setting down three place settings at the table as they came in the door.
    “Have a fun morning, girls?” he asked, helping Abby off with her shawl and kissing her cheek.
    “We certainly did,” Abby said, washing her hands. She took a pan of cornbread from the cupboard and put it in the oven to warm. “How was your morning?”
    “Fine,” Chauncy said, pouring three cups of steaming coffee. “I saw two lovely ladies outside the church window and one was good enough to wave at me.”
    Abby grinned and gave Philamena a look that said, “I told you so.”
    Philamena carried the stew pot to the table and Chauncy stuck in a ladle. “We keep things pretty simple around here. Hope you don’t mind,” he said with a smile.
    “Not at all,” Philamena said, almost daring herself to look into the pastor’s face, but not yet ready.
    They were soon seated at the table and Chauncy again gave thanks for the meal. Abby continued to encourage Philamena to eat, which she did reluctantly. Finally, Abby couldn’t hold her tongue.
    “Philamena, honey, we’ve got an abundance of food and I want you to enjoy it. If you want a second, or even a third helping of anything, you go right ahead and take it. You eat your fill. There’s no need for you to go hungry or take such small helpings.”
    Keeping her head down, Philamena slowly nodded in agreement. When Chauncy passed the plate of cornbread, she took another slice and buttered it. Then, surprising herself with her boldness, she added a large dollop of berry jam. Chauncy grinned and Abby smiled, but neither said anything. They were making progress with their guest.
    After lunch, Philamena insisted on doing the dishes while Abby took a nap. Chauncy returned to his office at the church, leaving Philamena alone in the kitchen.
    Drying the last dish and putting it away, Philamena decided to save Abby some work later and put on a roast for dinner. Abby mentioned it was what she had planned for the evening meal. Adding carrots and potatoes to the pan and placing it in the oven to bake throughout the afternoon, Philamena found a container of yeast and had bread rising on the warming shelf of the oven in no time. It felt so good to knead the bread and inhale the rich, yeasty scent. She could hardly wait to eat a piece, hot from the oven, slathered with butter.
    Taking the basket of dresses in the front room, Philamena sat by the fire Chauncy stoked before he went back to the church and threaded a needle. Warmed by the fire and full of good food, she felt herself growing drowsy, but she kept on stitching.
    Her mind could hardly grasp the notion that she was no longer imprisoned by her father and treated like a slave. In less than twenty-four hours, she found herself among kind, loving people who had made her feel welcome. They didn’t look down their nose at her shabby