Colorado Christmas

By Pat Rogers

My name is Pat Rogers.  I'm eighty-one years old but have always had a passion for books.  I wake up, in the night, with a new book, or poem or song running through my head. I don't know how to write the music but I know how the songs sound.  I have so many

• Language: English
• Publisher: Authors' Tranquility Press
• Release date: Apr 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9781958179352

Book preview

From the end of earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I

Psalms 61:2

Chapter One

Josh was exhausted. With three days of driving, his only chance to relax was to pull into a rest stop, go to the bathroom and then, return to his seat and sit back for a nap.

At the first break of dawn, he woke. He tended to necessities and headed out again. He didn’t know where he was going. He didn’t care where he was going. He didn’t know he was driving west, toward Colorado, where he and his wife, Kay, had spent a vacation and loved it so much, they were thinking of buying some property and having a cabin built. He was just trying to escape the grief that had haunted him for months. Sometimes he felt like driving over a bluff and ending it all but the memory of the death of his wife and unborn son, kept him going.

He was also hungry. The restaurants and drive-ins he passed just didn’t seem to appeal to him. The only thing he ate was jerky, a couple of candy bars and a bottle of water, he bought when he stopped to put gas in his car.

The road he traveled was a country road with curves and hills. Tall trees grew on each side, all turning into the beauty of red and gold, that fall brought about. It seemed peaceful but sorrow still filled him.

He was paying little attention to the beauty around him. Then, he saw a sign ahead that read Aunt Maudie’s Bed and breakfast. Good Food, Clean Rooms. Come on in.

It seemed to call to him. He pulled into the parking lot and found a handicapped parking space. He stepped out of the car and looked around. The house was large and the epitome of a country home. A porch wrapped around it and a swing hung from the porch. Pillowed chairs invited people to relax. There was even a ramp for those who had trouble walking up the steps.

Josh got his cane and limped heavily up the ramp. He had just reached the door when a lovely young woman opened it. Welcome, come on in. she said. You here for a meal or a room?

Both. He said.

"Great. Aunt Maudie loves having new people visit. I have the perfect table for you, right by the window. You can see the trees and watch the birds and Aunt Maudie loves her flower gardens. My name’s Meg.

There seems to be quite a few people here. Josh said, as he looked around.

"Well, its Independence Day and Aunt Maudie has a free dinner for Easter, Independence Day, Easter and Christmas so almost everyone in town comes and we have volunteers who take food for the home bound who can’t come. The only ones not here are the ones who have family they’re going to visit.

We’re a small town but we have a donation box, by the door, and I don’t think anyone fails to put something in it. Even if it’s just a dollar and they don’t have much in their pocket. She loves the holidays, especially Easter and Christmas. She says they are the Lord’s days and, all the others are just for fun everyone loves Aunt Maudie and, if she needs a little help with something, there’s always someone willing to do what they can. What would you like to drink? We have coffee, hot or iced tea or soft drinks."

I think I’ll have coffee, with cream and sugar. Josh answered.

Be right back and, using that cane might make it hard for you to handle a plate so I’ll bring you a little of everything. What kind of dessert would you like? We have cherry pie, peach pie, pecan pie, gooseberry pie and chocolate chip cheesecake.

He gave her a small smile and said, They all sound good, but I think I’d like the cheesecake.

Gotcha, back in a jiffy.

Josh looked around at the crowds of people, laughing and telling jokes. As some left, they greeted him and wished him well. He felt a sense of peace he hadn’t felt, in a long time and, when Meg brought his food, he took a deep smell of the deliciousness and bowed his head to give thanks for the bounty, before him.

Meg was standing by the kitchen door, watching Josh, when Sandy came up beside her. "Whatcha lookin’ at?

The guy at the window seat.

I don’t blame ya, he’s a hunk.

He sure is but I think he’s been sick. His skin is pale, he walks with a cane and I’ve never seen so much sadness in anyone’s eyes. I feel sorry for him.

Well, he’ll probably eat his lunch and then take off for somewhere.

Molly took a deep breath and said, No, he’s planning to stay for the night, at least. He looks so tired. I’m going to give him room two. Then he can rest or look out the window, at the trees or the ducks on the stream. Or he can go out on the back porch and relax in a chair or on the porch swing.

Chapter Two

Chelsea Katherine Barnes had her dander up; a frame of mind that did not bode well for the person it was directed at. Her emerald eyes smoldered and the flame-colored curls, tumbling in gorgeous disarray, about her shapely shoulders, seemed to spark with the intensity of her emotions.

Lazy jerk! she muttered, as she glared at the Lincoln Town Car parked in a handicapped space at Aunt Maudie’s Bed and Breakfast. Wait until I find out who you are! I’ll tell you a thing or three!

Years of seeing her college roommate, and best friend Marybeth Adams, struggle to find spaces where she could she park her lift equipped van, had left Chelsea with a seething anger against people who used the specially marked spaces because they were only going to be a minute or they had their hands full or some other parking space was too far away and they didn’t feel like walking so far".

Full, pink lips clenched in a tight, angry line as she marched across the parking lot toward the offending vehicle; a petite pixie ready to take on the world.

She paused, when she reached the car, and ran one hand along its sleek silver flank; it was a beauty but being expensive and beautiful didn’t mean it had the right to be parked there.

She went on and, glancing back, came to a screeching half, her anger draining away like sand through a sieve. Hanging from the rear-view mirror, of that gorgeous beast, was a placard with the familiar wheelchair symbol.

Feeling immensely relieved, and embarrassed, she went inside and planted her shapely rump on a stool.

Hey, Meg, how about a cup of coffee. She said.

Sure thing. And how about a piece of fresh made chocolate chip cheesecake to go with it.

Chelsea groaned and said, Meggie, old pal, old chum, you are the ruination of my diet! You’ll have me looking like a beach ball!

Meg handed her the coffee and cheesecake and propped her elbows on the countertop

Chelsea she said. The way you keep on the go, a piece of cheesecake doesn’t stand a chance. By the way, what had you so riled up? You looked like you were ready to chew nails and spit out tacks!

Chelsea grinned, sheepishly. That Silver Town Car. I didn’t see any handicapped plate and, as usual, I jumped to a conclusion. I’m going to break a leg doing that, one of these days.

Their laughter rang out; Chelsea’s sweet and musical, Meg’s warm and throaty; a perfect blend of sounds.

Do you know who it belongs to? Chelsea mumbled around a heavenly bite of the rich, creamy treat.

Probably that guy, in the window seat. I didn’t see him get out, but he walks with a cane. She leaned close to Chelsea and said, in a low tone. That is one gorgeous hunk of a man.

Chelsea sneaked a peek, over her shoulder, but all she could see was collar length hair the color of bittersweet chocolate, a sliver of profile and shoulders slumped as if he was unbearably weary.

She was trying to get a better look at the man when the door banged open and a tiny, copper hair girl, squealing with laughter, ran across the floor and flung herself into Chelsea’s arms.

Hi, ya, punkin. Chelsea said, giving the three-year-old a hug. Where’s Momma and Daddy?

Momma bringin’ more pies so nobody be hungwy on Forf of July. I wike Forf of July because there are pwetty firewooks den and wots of noise. We doing go to the pawade. They fwo candy and you can have as much as you can get. I got wots, last year. Den, we went to the pwace where they have the wides and I dot to wide a merry-go-wound and the big wheel that goes up in the air. And some oter wides. It was fun but scary, too. And I woned a teddy bear. He’s pwetty and he snuggles under the covers wif me.

Where’s your Daddy

He sayed he had to do something, Fust. He had to take some peoples to their family’s homes because they don’t have a car and he had to put gas in our car so he won’t wun out. Daddy tumin’ but he pwetty slow.

A stocky man with sandy hair and sea green eyes came through the door and scowled ferociously at the tot. Slow, am I? He growled and the little girl giggled with delight. He stalked closer and she hugged Chelsea tighter.

Just for that, he said, giving the child a little tickle, I’m gonna have to eat all your ice cream.

Oh, Daddy, she said, with a grin. You siwwy.

Hi, runt. He said, draping his arm around Chelsea’s shoulders. She gave him an elbow, in the ribs and then carried Bethann to a booth by a window and put her in a booster seat.

So, mommy made lots of pies, did she?

Uh huh. And den they tumed and dot pwates for people who couldn’t tum. I helped, too. Didn’t I Momma? You bet. Her mother said, as she rumpled the little girl’s hair. "You’re my very best helper. Did you know Bobby Joe and Mr. Morales and Mrs. Carstairs all asked for you especially?

Bethanne beamed, with delight. I wike dem. She said. "Bobby Joe pushes me on the swing and Mr. Morales fixed my vewy best doll. I wike Mrs. Carstairs because she smells wike woses and she tells the neatest stowies. Aunt Telse, how tum all dose people don’t have Forf of July wif us?

Well, honey, Chelsea said. Some of them, like Mr. Morales and Mrs. Carstairs, are very old and they don’t have a family to have holidays with and some, like Bobby Joe didn’t have a home and it’s hard for him to walk. Then he went to live with Mrs. Carstairs. He keeps the house clean and mows the yard and takes really loving care of her. That’s why we take plates to the people who aren’t able to come, that way, they can have a nice meal, too

Bethann thought very hard about aging and homelessness and decided she didn’t like it a bit When I gwow up, she said, I gonna make it all betta. Momma says, if I want to hard enough, I can do anyfing, so I will!!

Chelsea chuckled, gave Bethanne a kiss on the cheek and went to get her a dish of strawberry ice cream, with a drizzle of chocolate syrup on top. Here you are, Punkin. Your favorite flavor.

Bethanne dived in. This is weely good. I’m gwad you know my favowite fwavor. It wasn’t long before she had ice cream all over her face and trickling down her chin. Who’s dat, Aunt Telsy? she asked, when she had finished licking ice cream off her fingers.

I don’t know who you mean. Chelsea answered.

Dat man over by da window. I saw you twying to wook at him.

Chelsea turned around, to see the man and felt her heart give a flutter. Meg was right, he was gorgeous. He was shorter and lighter than any of her brothers. In fact, he was somewhat on the thin side and pale, as if he had been suffering from an illness for a long time. His hair, like rich dark chocolate, hung in shining waves to his collar and long, sooty lashes shadowed incredible grey eyes. She sighed and wondered why men always seem to get the lashes women spent fortunes trying to achieve.

He’s awful pwetty. Bethann said. Does he have a booboo?

Chelsea wiped Bethanne’s face and then said, Yeah, I think maybe he has a really bad booboo.

Dat’s ok Bethanne said, looking Chelsea right in the eye. When you see him again, you can kiss it and make it all betta, huh!

Steve roared with laughter as his sister’s cheeks turned almost as red as her hair; he figured it wasn’t the gorgeous young man’s ‘booboo’ she would think about kissing.

Daddy, can I go see him? Bethanne asked. Steve chucked