The Gallant South- Part One

Chapter XVIII- December 24-25, 1912

       "They really want us to drive all the way down there in the dark? It's snowing!" Masterson cried. It was Christmas Eve, and they were getting ready to go to the service at the church. Cora had even heard that someone was going to bring a camera to take a photograph of everyone. She was wearing a thick red coat with a red velvet cape and hood with a white fur trim. It looked a bit old-fashioned, and she'd already been called Santa Clause by everyone in the house, but she didn't care. It was Christmas.
        "Yes!" It's not snowing that heavily!" Cora protested. Masterson sighed. "Alright, but anyone that can ride is riding."
        "So me and Eveline," Cora replied. Masterson nodded.

        The little church was beautiful at night, especially surrounded by snow. It plastered the corners of the windows, which were lit with candles, the warm light spilling out onto the snow around the building. People were getting off of their horses and wagons and flocking inside to dodge the snowfall.
        "Don't worry, I brought blankets for Artemis and Rosie," Cora called as they dismounted.

        Inside, the air smelled like earth and cinnamon, and a giant nativity scene had been crafted near the pulpit. The church was still decorated with garland, but now there were paper Moravian stars hanging from the ceiling. Father Ryan was walking around talking to people while wearing a Santa hat. Violet was following him.
        "Well, let's celebrate!" Mama Elsie was saying. "This is my seventy-fourth Christmas!" she cried, and a few people clapped.
        "An' I just know you gonna make it to yer seventy-fifth!" someone shouted back.
        "Yer darn right I will!" she cried.
        "Alright folks, alright! It's Christmas Eve, so we gotta start now. If y'all don't get home soon, Santa won't be able to come! You hear that, kids?" Father Ryan asked. All the kids in the church looked excited. Cora smiled at them.
        "Now let's say we get this sermon outta the way and then move on to the hymns and photograph!" Father Ryan called.
        It was the same Christmas Eve sermon that every church gave, with the additions of a typical Father Ryan sermon. Cora sat and inhaled the cinnamon with every breath as she listened to Father Ryan's words and thought about how wonderful the Christmas season was- and how it was over already. At least she'd gotten her shopping done in-time, and she'd invited everyone to come over after lunch, Mama Elsie included.

        When the sermon was over and the hymns began, Cora discovered that it wasn't hymns they'd be singing- it was Christmas carols. When Father Ryan announced "We Three Kings," everyone stood up and sang so merrily that Cora had to sing as well, even though she usually just moved her mouth, since she didn't know a majority of the hymns they sang. Sometimes at a service, they made up their own hymns and songs as they went, clapping to make a rhythm.
        After "We Three Kings," Father Ryan turned to the children and asked what Christmas song they wanted to sing. There was a bit of shouting among the kids as they shouted out different carols.
        "Jingle Bells! Sing Jingle Bells!" a child in the audience shouted. Father Ryan nodded to the woman at the piano. "Jingle Bells it is," he said with a laugh.

        When the service was over, Cora lingered for a moment to look around and admire the scene. The little church surrounded by snow and filled with candles looked to be right out of a postcard. It was beautiful. She was glad for the decisions she'd made to lead her here.
        "Cora!" Emery called. She was hurrying towards Cora, and Caroline was following behind her and trying to keep up.
        "Emery!" Cora exclaimed. "What can I do for you?"
        Emery was out of breath. "I heard you were having a Christmas party tomorra' afternoon. Care if we come?" she asked with a nod to her and Caroline. Cora smiled. "Please do! The more the merrier, s'pecially on Christmas! Hell, tell your friends!"
        "Noted," Caroline joked with a nod around the room. Cora grinned.
        Just after the two of them left, Kit came up to Cora. "And we're sure no...unwanted guests will show up, even if by accident?" she asked. Cora nodded. "I've told Magalee I'm sick abed, and Colby won't mess with us on Christmas Day."
        "Have you ever heard of the Salem Gunpowder Raid?" Kit asked. Cora shook her head.
         "Well, Kit explained, "In 1775, the British army led a raid to take the cannons and ammunitions that the people of Salem had been amassing. The Salemites thought that they were safe, that the British wouldn't attack on the Sabbath- but they did."
        "Who won?" Cora asked, wondering if she should do something about Colby.
        "It was a standoff. The Salemites were alerted last-minute, so they closed the bridge and sank their boats. The British retreated after they couldn't find the ammunitions."
        "So what you're saying is that even if Colby shows up, we'll prevail?" Cora asked with a grin. Kit shook her head warningly. "Don't get cocky. You aren't Millie or Bettirose. Remember what happened last time you had a run-in with Colby?" Kit asked.
        "Why does everyone keep wanting to remind me? I get it, I get it," Cora groaned. "But I've also had run-ins with him since. Clearly no one told you about what happened when I went to his house," she said with a laugh, remembering. Kit smiled. "I heard. But that was once."
        "Still," Cora argued.
         When they got home, Mary Ellen immediately put the children to bed, and then all the adults sat around the fireplace in the living room.
        "Presents all wrapped?" Masterson asked, coming in from the carriage house. Cora nodded. "Wrapped and ready. What about everyone else's?" she asked.
        "I've got all mine ready," Eveline spoke up.
        "You're still here?" Jim asked with a grin. Eveline nodded. "I don't want to take chances. Understandably. Cora's the only one in this room that knows what happens if Colby gets you alone."
        "For the love of God!" Cora cried. "Will everyone stop bringing it up?" Everyone looked at her. She sat back down and shrugged. "It's in the past. It was months ago. I've forgotten it, why can't all of you?" she demanded.
        "I said this earlier," Masterson said slowly. "You keep giving us reasons to bring it up."
        "Well just stop. It was a one-time thing. It won't happen again. Now let's talk about Christmas, shall we?" Cora asked.
        "Yes, I suppose we should," Eveline said. "Speaking of, how many people are coming over tomorrow?"
        "I got no clue. We invited the usual, but then word got out, and...you know," Maddie replied.
        "So how many people am I cooking for?" Jim asked in astonishment. Cora laughed. "I told people it was a potluck, so make whatever you want." And the conversations continued long into the night, Christmas carols spinning on the phonograph, snow falling lightly outside, fire crackling in the hearth. It was the perfect Christmas Eve.