Page 65 of A Whiskey River Princess

“You didn’t tell me this was a candlelight service,” Gabriella whispered to Dirk, taking in the beauty of the church.

He smiled, pleased with her reaction. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”

“It truly is.”

A moment later, the service started, ending all conversation. However, Gabriella noticed that no one was leading the song. Gavin, the organist, just raised his arm and everyone sang to the familiar tune of “Angels We Have Heard on High.”

“Is there no cantor? No one to lead the people in song?” Gabriella asked, concerned.

Dirk shrugged. “No one has the courage.”

Gabriella patted his hand as she gave him a kind smile. Then she slid out of the pew and walked over to the organist. “Would you like some help?”

Gavin smiled as he nodded. “The next song is ‘O Holy Night.’”

Everyone in the church fell silent as they listened to Gabriella sing. Then she raised her arms on the second verse, and everyone sang along quietly so they could listen to her.

When the song came to an end, Gabriella sat next to the preacher’s children and Gavin in the first row, as they listenedto the story of Jesus’s birth. Then Preacher Henley gave a wonderful sermon about Jesus and how God had given the greatest gift of all to the Earth… in the form of a child.

When the sermon ended, the reverend nodded to Gavin and Gabriella. They took their places, and Gabriella started singing “Silent Night,” first in French and then in English. Everyone listened in silence as they watched. Gabriella held up her arm to signal everyone to sing, but no one did. They just watched, listening to her sing. Gabriella was alarmed at first, afraid that she had done something wrong, but then she saw everyone smiling as they listened. When the song came to an end, they launched immediately into “Joy to the World” and everyone stayed until the service was over.

After the service, everyone clapped.

Mrs. Jenkins walked over to her, wearing a nice dress and a matching hat over her silver curls. “My, my! It’s been a while since we’ve had a songbird in our midst! You have a lovely voice, my dear. Thank you for sharing it with us.”

Gabriella nodded, blushing. “That’s very kind of you to say. Thank you.”

Mrs. Jenkins gave her hand a gentle pat. “You never told me you could sing!”

Gabriella shrugged. “You didn’t ask.”

Dirk crossed the church and stood by her side, beaming with pride. “Gabriella, you have a lovely voice.”

“Thank you,” she replied, snuggling into his side.

Mrs. Jenkins looked over at Dirk with disapproval, and then back to Gabriella. “Come see me at the boardinghouse, if you change your mind and need a place to stay.”

Gabriella giggled. “Thank you, but I don’t think that will be necessary. Mr. Price has been generous enough to let me stay in his spare room. Fear not. My virtue is quite safe.”

Dirk bit his lower lip to keep from smiling.

Mrs. Jenkins gave Dirk a dirty look, and then patted Gabriella’s arm. “Well, keep it in mind, should you change your mind. All theunwedyoung ladies who come to town stay at my house.”

Gabriella nodded. “Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins. I’ll keep that in mind.” She looked up at Dirk, “Shall we?” she asked, and he nodded. “It was good to see you here, Mrs. Jenkins. Have a very Merry Christmas.” Then Dirk led her away.

“Make sure to come back,” Mrs. Jenkins called after them as they wove their way through the crowd. “We need someone to sing in church every week!”

Gabriella would want nothing more than to stay in Whiskey River to sing in the church and maybe open a small library one day, but she pushed the thought aside. She had responsibilities to her family, to her country, and to the monarchy. If her time in Whiskey River hadn’t taught her anything else, she’d learned that she couldn’t run away from her responsibilities and her duty as a princess. She saw it in the way the sheriff cared for the town, despite the fact that he had children at home. She saw it in Dirk, with his loyalty to his farm and the livery stables. She saw it in the way Mr. and Mrs. Carson cared for their store, stocking products and caring for their customers. She saw it in the way Millie waited on and cared for the people at the restaurant in town.

At that moment, Gabriella’s eyes were finally opened to what her uncle and Manfred Carlo had been trying to tell her all this time: She couldn’t shirk her responsibilities and she could no longer run away from her duties as a princess. She must put the needs of her country first before her own. Gabriella guessed that she had finally grown up. It had taken her running away to realize what responsibility and loyalty truly meant.

“Gabriella,” Dirk breathed, sounding a bit worried as they walked through the snow, leaving tracks behind them. The moonwas just bright enough for them to see clearly in the darkness. When they reached the sleigh, he gently took her arm, claiming her attention. “Please don’t let what Mrs. Jenkins said bother you. Her heart is in the right place. She means well.” He let out a deep breath. “And if you’d like to stay with her at the boardinghouse, then it’s okay with me.”

Gabriella placed her hand on his cheek as she gazed into his eyes. “I meant what I said. Besides, I feel very safe with you.” She thought for a moment, and then added, “That is, unless you’d rather I go to the boardinghouse.” It was more of a question than a statement.

He quickly shook his head. “No, I’d rather you stay with me.”

She smiled at the sincerity of his words.

---