Page 16 of Beyond the Desert Sands

“Did you say something, Miss Isabella?” Lupe asked.

Isabella shook her head. “Nothing that mattered.”

That evening Daniel Garcia lit the candles on the Christmas tree and thought of all the years he had celebrated Christmas. There had been happy gatherings when he was a child—entire tables full of goodies and sweets, stacks of gifts wrapped in plain paper but decorated in beautiful ribbons. His parents had been generous with the only two of their ten children who survived. Josephina was three years his junior, but they were as close as any siblings could be. How he missed her. He was so happy she planned to join them next week. He hadn’t seen her in such a long while.

“The tree looks lovely,” Helena said, coming into the room. “And wasn’t the celebration perfect?”

He straightened and blew out his candle. “It was. I was just reflecting on that and other things.” She came to him, and Daniel wrapped her in his arms. “This Christmas shall be the best yet. Even without Josephina here.”

“But she’ll be here in a few days. We could delay our celebration,” his wife suggested, as she had on more than one occasion.

Daniel shook his head. “No, it is just as well to celebrate now. I’ll be able to rest a little before she arrives.”

Helena frowned. “Do you think Isabella has noticed your growing weakness?”

“I don’t think so. She hardly notices anything much other than her clothes. She still seems so immature. How can I possibly hope she’ll be able to learn about the family business? That is why it’s imperative I convince Aaron to give up the Santa Fe and take over as my manager. Then I shall know for sure that you’ll be cared for once I’m gone.”

She smiled and touched his cheek. “We know God will care for me no matter what. I just wish you could remain with me.”

Her eyes dampened, and Daniel touched his finger to her tear as it slipped down her cheek. “We agreed no tears. You’ll have plenty of time to grieve once I’m gone.” He wiped away the wetness. “We’ve had a good life, my love. Moving to this dry climate bought us extra time together. It’s been perfect.”

“Except for Isabella,” Helena replied. Her voice was barely a whisper.

“It was our choice not to tell her about my health,” Daniel countered. “Now the time has come that there is no choice.”

“I hope she’ll understand why we kept it from her.”

“Even if she doesn’t, we will get through this as we have everything else. We must.”

She met his gaze and nodded. “I love you so much. I am so grateful for the extra time we’ve had, and just look at the town you’ve created. These people had nothing and came from far away to find Silver Veil because of your generosity.”

He smiled. “Their hard work has made for the good life here. They will continue to work hard for their town even after I am gone, but I must put someone in place who will love them as we have.”

“Aaron Bailey will,” she assured him. “I know he will agreeto take on the job. I’ve prayed and prayed. I believe God will touch his heart.”

Daniel nodded. “I will speak to him again after Christmas. The doctor seems confident that I have a few months yet. I will count on that and God’s mercy. For now, however, I want to focus on Christmas and my dear family.”

She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. Daniel held her tight for several long moments. He had never loved anyone or anything as much as he loved this woman.

“So how was your trip to fetch the princess and bring her back to Silver Veil?” Aaron’s best friend, Jim Jensen, asked.

They had agreed to meet at Jim’s for a casual Christmas dinner, and Aaron was glad for the time away from work and the Garcia family.

“It went just about how I figured it would. She was as beautiful and spoiled as I remembered. She wasn’t happy to be traveling back to Silver Veil, and she wasn’t at all glad to see me.”

“And you being so handsome and dapper.” Jim chuckled and placed a roasted chicken on the table.

Aaron laughed. “I don’t know about that, but if looks could kill, I would be dead about twenty times over.”

Jim retrieved a couple of other bowls. One held boiled potatoes and the other what looked to be gravy. “I bought the chicken and the gravy from the Harvey House yesterday. I just warmed them up, so don’t be thinking me some master cook.”

Aaron nodded. “I figured as much. Hey, if it’s edible, it’s fine by me. Merry Christmas.”

“And to you,” Jim said, returning to his little kitchen. Heappeared once again, this time with sliced bread and a pie. “Got these there too. Now we have a feast.”

“More than what I would have had at my place.”

“But probably much less than if you’d remained with the Garcias. I’m surprised they didn’t invite you to stay for Christmas.”

---