34. Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Four
After dinner, one of the older girls, Mabel, came to fetch Jane, saying, “The phone in Mrs. Irving’s office is ringing!”
Jane hurried down the corridor, hoping and praying that the caller was David bringing the good news that his sister was home and safe. She wasn’t sure if she could enjoy Christmas otherwise. She picked up the receiver and pressed it to her ear. “Sheridan Girls’ Home, Jane speaking. How may I help you?”
“Jane!” A man’s voice came through the earpiece. “Just the person I wanted to talk to. This is David Sheridan.”
“Hello, Mr. Sheridan. You have good news, I hope?”
“I do indeed. My sister, Jacquelyn, is home and none the worse for all of her adventures.”
Jane sank down into Mrs. Irving’s chair. “Oh, I’m so glad!”
“She’s already had a bath and a hot meal and regaled us with stories of her exceptional bravery.” He chuckled. “No need to fear. Christmas is saved!”
Christmas is saved . It was as if he’d read her mind. “Thank the Lord,” she said.
“I don’t think she’ll be switching lives with anyone ever again. It didn’t quite turn out as she envisioned.”
Jane understood. “The important thing is that she’s safe and home.”
As if the matter had been put to rest, he switched topics. “Did the girls enjoy the chocolates?”
“Mary and I decided to give them out after dinner, with the hot chocolate and story time. They don’t know about the presents yet. I can only imagine the joy that will fill this building tomorrow morning at noon after we get back from church. Thank you again for paying for all of it. It was very kind of you.”
“You’re very welcome. Glad to help. We haven’t shared the news about our shopping expedition with Jacquelyn just yet.” She could imagine his smile as he spoke. “So she has no idea of her generosity. I think she’s going to be very surprised.”
She took in a breath. “I hope I didn’t cause a problem for you.”
“No, you didn’t. I’m going to tell her that getting presents for the girls was my idea. Frankly, I’ve wanted to do it for years. And now that we’ve done it, it will continue. ”
Hand to her heart, Jane hoped it was true, or it would be a very sad Christmas next year. “Well, thank you again. You’ve made it a very Merry Christmas for all of us.”
“Merry Christmas to you, Jane. Give my regards to Mary and the girls.”
“I will.”
After saying goodbye and hanging up, she remained in Mrs. Irving’s chair reflecting on the day. How could so much have happened in so little time? Her life was back to the way it had been, and yet something was different. She was different. What a revelation to find out there was more out there than she’d ever imagined.
“Miss Shaw?” Mabel stood in the doorway. “Miss Howard said to tell you that she’s ready to serve the hot chocolate.”
“Thank you, Mabel. I’ll be there in a minute.”
When she got to the dining room, Jane saw that Mary and the girls had rearranged the tables to create a large space in the middle. The Christmas tree, still adorned with handmade ornaments, had been dragged into the room, taking a place of honor on one end. Mary had a large kettle of hot chocolate on a trivet on one table and was ladling it into mugs for the girls. “Be careful, it’s hot!” she said repeatedly, as each one took her mug.
Once they were seated with their drinks in front of the tree, Jane retrieved the boxes of chocolates and brought them into the room. “Miss Howard and I have a surprise for you,” she said, unwrapping the brown paper from the first box. “The Sheridans have kindly given us chocolates for our Christmas Eve celebration. ”
A murmur of excitement came over the group.
“Chocolate?” Frances cried out. “I love chocolate!”
“You’ve never even had chocolate,” Ruth said, scoffing.
“Have so.” Frances was indignant. “I’ve had chocolate lots of times.”
“Hush, girls,” Mary said. “Listen to Miss Shaw.”
Jane explained that there was enough for each of them to have two pieces, and then she and Mary went around and let them select. For some, it was a lengthy, painstaking decision. “It’s all delicious,” Jane assured them. “You’ll love whatever you pick.”
When the girls were settled with their treats, Jane pulled out a chair in front. “Is everyone ready to hear the Christmas story?” she asked with a smile. Seeing all the nods, she began. “Long ago, in a town called Bethlehem, a baby boy was born . . .”