Gifts of the Season

Standing outside the stables, Ben watched as Liana came riding toward him on her palomino mare, Ginger. He was proud of how fast she was catching on to riding, almost as though she'd been born to it. And she listened carefully to everything he told her. The most important thing, he'd told her, was to remember that the horse knew a lot more than she did.

As she came toward him with a huge smile on her face, he was remembering Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The first Christmas he'd actually celebrated since he was a child.

He'd never seen anyone cook so much for just two people. She'd spent most of the day Christmas Eve baking a cake, a pie and cookies. And then making preparations for some of the dinner the following day. Liana had banished him from the kitchen, telling him that she needed to concentrate and she couldn't do it with him there. But he'd stood in the doorway watching her anyway, enjoying the look of his woman in her kitchen cooking for him.

Then, there'd been the Christmas Eve service at the church. She'd told him about meeting Pastor Alistair Harris during her walk around the Glen. She'd wanted them to attend the service.

There were a lot of things that Ben Wade hadn't done since he was a child, and being inside a church was one of them. It wasn't that he didn't believe in God. Ben believed in God all right. And he hated him with a passion.

The God in whom Ben believed was the righteous, vengeful God of the Old Testament. A God who demanded pain and sacrifice. Not the kinder, gentler God of the New Testament that most preachers exhorted these days. No, the God Ben had always known levied his pound of flesh no matter what. Tithing, he'd reflected more than once in his life, was just God's way of robbing you.

But out of the desire to please Liana which he found himself feeling more and more often, he'd agreed to go. And Alistair Harris' sermon had actually touched him. Not in any religious sense, but when he'd talked of Mary and of Joseph's providing for her in the best way that he could. Of the bed of straw he'd made for her and how he'd remained with her through the birth.

Those words had reached something deep inside Ben Wade and he'd turned his head slightly to gaze at Liana sitting quietly beside him. He'd never thought of it that way before, but by marrying her he'd taken on the responsibility of protecting her. Of caring for her in the best way he knew how.

Later, at home, they had sat on the sofa in front of the fireplace. Not talking, but quietly watching the flames. Had gone up to bed at midnight with Liana telling him "Merry Christmas" as they drifted off to sleep in each other's arms. And Ben had whispered, "You too, darlin'," to the top of her head.

He hadn't been really sure what the next morning would bring. Hadn't exchanged gifts with anyone since- Well, again, since he was a child. He'd shopped for her. In fact, he'd spent two days driving back and forth to Coff's Harbour, when she'd thought he was going to look at more horses.

When they were downstairs with their coffee, Ben had grinned at Liana as she passed packages to him like a child. A child. All of a sudden, he could picture a child--maybe more than one--sitting next to that Christmas tree like she was doing.

When the packages had been divided between them, she had come to sit beside him. "Well. Go ahead," she'd told him impatiently. And he had smiled again and started tearing the paper off a square, medium-sized gift.

That particular one was a book. A well-researched biography of Billy The Kid that he'd been wanting to read. With a slight smile as he turned it over in his hands, he'd told her, "Thank you, darlin'. You do know me, don't you?"

Then, she'd picked up a larger one and torn the paper off, frowning a little at the box inside. But when she had the box open, she'd squealed excitedly. It was a custom-made pair of new riding boots. Smooth, brown leather. "Thank you so much, Ben!" She'd leaned over to hug him. "I can't wait to get started riding."

After those first two, they had both dived in. Ben had more books--books about horses, guns and history. She'd given him a good start on filling the shelves in his new office upstairs. There was a bottle of fine whiskey that was very difficult to get your hands on these days. And a hand-stitched saddle that he could hardly wait to use.

Liana's packages had also included books of all kinds. Some history, which she was growing to like more and more. And some first editions of children's books, which she loved collecting. There were several pieces of lingerie, which she eyed somewhat suspiciously. "Are these for me or for you?" she'd asked him teasingly.

"Well-" The grin on his face at that moment was somewhat devilish. "-maybe we'll both enjoy 'em, honey."

There was a new laptop computer, which she was delighted with, having been using the same one for her last three years of school. And some jewelry, including a pearl-and-diamond necklace, which was one of the most beautiful things she'd ever seen.

When they were down to one package each, Ben finally decided he'd go first. The box was rather heavy, and when she told him he needed to be very careful with it, he was intrigued. When it was open, he could hardly believe what it contained.