Amelia C. Adams [Adams - A Christmas Promise (Kansas Crossroads Book 16)

A Christmas Promise

Kansas Crossroads Book Sixteen

by Amelia C. Adams

With thanks to my beta readersAmy, Cheryl, Erin, Mary, Renee, and Shelby.

Cover design by Steven Novak of Novak Illustration .

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Table of Contents:

Chapter One

Topeka, Kansas

1876

Miranda Monroe added another log to the fire in the parlor, then crouched down and held her hands toward the flames. It had definitely been colder over the last several days, and all the waitresses had been kept busy carrying firewood to the different guest rooms. Tom White, the handyman, would have done it, but hed been the one chopping the wood in the first place.

With Christmas just days away, the hotel had been busy. People were traveling here and there to visit family for the holidays, and the trains were little warmer than icebergs. The passengers stumbled into the hotel anxious for hot coffee and hot food, and Miranda felt sorry for them. It seemed to her that they could travel at a time when the weather was more forgiving, but noit was Christmas, and people did all sorts of strange things in the name of Christmas, including freezing off their fingers and toes and noses.

The front door to the hotel opened, and Tom stumbled in, his arms full of boughs. She came to her feet, aghast at all the pine needles he was dropping on the floor. What on earth?

Sorry about the mess. Elizabeth asked me to head out this morning and find some greenery for decorations. He set the boughs on the floor in front of the registration desk. Ive got a bunch more outside, and a tree.

A tree? Miranda couldnt stop staring at the mess. Shed just swept the lobby floor a few moments ago, and now it would have to be done all over again before the next train.

Oh, Tom! Youre back! Elizabeth Brody bustled into the lobby, a pleased look on her face. These are beautiful. And did you say you got a tree?

I sure did. I just need to nail a stand to the bottom of it and then Ill bring it in.

I cant wait. Adam brought my Christmas boxes out of storage for me this morning, and I confess, Ive been a little giddy just thinking about it.

Tom grinned. Ill be right back.

Elizabeth clasped her hands under her chin, for a moment looking like a small girl instead of a grown woman and the manager of a busy hotel. First all the fresh snow, and now a treeI cant wait for Christmas this year. I think Rose might be old enough now to understand that its a special daydont you, Miranda?

I really cant say, Miranda replied as she grabbed the broom from the closet behind the desk. How was she to know what a toddler would or wouldnt understand? Elizabeth looked so enamored with the idea, though, that Miranda couldnt bring herself to say anything that would disappoint her.

Ill get some of the other girls out here to help us, Elizabeth said, moving off to the dining room, and Miranda froze. Help us ? Did Elizabeth expect Miranda to help decorate? Oh, please, no. Shed much rather try to keep the floor clean than to participate in its utter ruination.

Nora, Carrie, and Emma came back with Elizabeth, their hands full of ribbons and lace and other supposedly cheer-inducing froufrou. Miranda wished she could slip into the kitchen and help finish getting the next meal ready, but if the new girls had it under control, she could hardly make an excuse to escape.

Stop sweeping, Miranda, Nora said, speaking over her shoulder while she tied a bow. Were just going to keep adding to the pile. Come help us, then sweep up everything when were done.

But one would have to be feeling festive in order to want to decorate, and Miranda was not feeling festive. Nora made sense, though, so Miranda leaned the broom against the wall. How can I help?

Take the end of this garland were making, and well carry it over to the banister.

Miranda held the greenery in place while Nora fastened it, then did the same all along the length until the staircase looked completely transformed. Even in her decidedly un-festive mood, she had to admit that it looked quite pretty.

When the door opened again, she wasnt quite as aghast at the number of pine needles that fell to the floor when Tom came in carrying a Christmas tree.

Where should I put this? he asked. Elizabeth wanted it somewhere everyone could enjoy it.

What about here? Carrie motioned toward the corner between the base of the staircase and the entry to the parlor.

Oh, yes. That would look nice, Emma chimed in.

Tom carried the tree over and placed it on the floor, then stood back. All right. Ill leave it to you ladies to finish it up.

Thanks, Tom, Carrie called out as he left, and he gave a nod.

The fragrant smell of fresh pine was becoming almost overpowering. Miranda didnt usually mind the scent, but so much all at once was making her nose start to drip. Be right back, she said, turning and heading up the stairs to the attic dormitory she shared with the other girls. She told herself that she wanted to grab a fresh handkerchief, but in truth, she really wanted a moment to separate herself from all the yuletide ridiculousness going on downstairs.

She called it ridiculousness in her mind, but in actuality, it was painpain she didnt want to face.

Shed loved Christmas as a little girl. She remembered waking up early on Christmas morning and running to her bedroom window to see if any fresh snow had fallen. Then shed dress as quickly as she could because her bedroom was cold, and to dally over the task would only make her colder. Then it was time to finish helping her mother with breakfast. Parker would always try to sneak a peek into his stocking before they ate, but the rule in their house was breakfast first.

Their mother always served a delicious cinnamon cake with their bacon and eggs, and their father would eat too quickly and get crumbs in his beard. Hed pretend to be ignorant of them until someone pointed them out, and then hed say, I was just saving a snack for later.

Miranda laughed at the memory, but then gave in to sobs. She sat on the edge of her bed and cried, wishing that such a happy memory didnt make the ache so much worse.

She heard footsteps on the stairs, and she tried to wipe the tears away, but she knew it was no use. Adele and Regina, two of the newer waitresses, came into the room and sat down on either side of her, neither one speaking, but just being there.

Im sorry, Miranda said when she could finally find her voice. I know Im being a goosewho cries at Christmas?

Lots of people, Adele replied. And when Nora said you hadnt come back down, we thought wed better check on youwe dont have long until the next train.

Youre right, and the floor has to be swept again. I have better things to do than sitting up here and feeling sorry for myself. Miranda gave each of her friends a quick smile. Ill be all right. Some days are just harder than others.

We all have days like that, Regina replied. We understand.

Miranda wiped her eyes again, put her handkerchief in her pocket, and stood up. Lets go, ladies. That trains not going to wait around for us.

***

Decorating the tree would have to waitcleaning up the pine needles from every square inch of the lobby took up the last few minutes before the train arrived. The whistle sounded, and Miranda put the broom away and joined the other waitresses as they lined up to greet their guests. Miranda looked around. Wheres Kate? she asked.

Shes leading the kitchen service for the first time today, Giselle replied. As the dining room manager, Giselle assigned the girls to their different posts and decided when they needed to be rotated.

I wish her luck, Emma replied. Thats not an easy task.

She has Ruth to help her, and Sarah for another couple of weeks, Giselle replied. Im sure everything will be fine.