CHAPTER 1
Millersburg, Ohio
Joel smiled, glancing at the box full of red- and green-wrapped packages on the passenger seat beside him. He'd bought these gifts for his sisters, their husbands, and Aunt Verna and Uncle Lester. More packages in the back of his truck waited for his nieces and nephews. He hoped his generosity in bringing Christmas presents would be well-received.
What could be more selfless than buying Christmas gifts for seventeen family members when I'm short on money? he thought. Thankfully, Joel had been able to borrow some money from his buddy Tom Hunter. But of course that meant one more obligation to pay. Joel still hadn't gotten all his subcontractors paid from jobs they'd done for him several months ago. He wondered if he'd ever be debt free.
"Should be doing more than fine if I ever get my share of Dad's will," he mumbled, turning in the direction of his sister Elsie's house, where he'd been invited for Christmas dinner. If Elsie, Arlene, Doris, and Aunt Verna thought the gifts he'd brought for everyone qualified as a selfless act, before the day was out, he might get to open the envelope Dad had left for him.
Guiding his truck onto the back country road leading to Elsie and John's place, Joel's hands began to sweat. What if Aunt Verna thinks the gifts I bought are superficial and not a selfless act? She does have the final say. And until she's convinced I've committed a selfless act, I'm not getting any of Dad's money.
When Joel had apologized to his ex-girlfriend Anna for hurting her during their breakup more than seven years ago, his aunt hadn't seen it as a heartfelt, much less selfless deed. Aunt Verna could be tough like Joel's dad — stubborn, too. When she made up her mind about something, there was no changing it. Joel needed to keep on her good side. If he said enough nice things to his aunt today and she liked the gifts he'd bought everyone, it might help his cause.
Pulling into Elsie's driveway, Joel slammed on the brakes and did a double-take. "Oh, no! What happened?"
Joel undid his seatbelt and hopped out of the truck. He almost pinched himself to see if he was in the middle of a nightmare. The smell of burned wood and ash made him cough. His sister's house was gone — burned to the ground.
Joel's heart hammered in his chest as he got back in his truck and turned it around. I need to find Elsie — see if everyone's okay. Maybe they're at Arlene's. If not, then she may know why their house caught fire and where they're staying.
* * *
Farmerstown, Ohio
After Joel pulled up to the barn by Arlene and Larry's house, he turned off the engine, hopped out, and raced up the porch steps. He'd only knocked once when the door opened and Doug stuck his head out.
"Where's your mother? I need to talk to her right away."
"She and my daed are at the hospital with Scott." Doug stared up at him with a curious expression.
Joel's mouth hung slightly open. "What's wrong with your brother?" He pushed his hands deep into his pockets.
Doug opened the door wider and stepped aside. "You look cold. You'd better come in, and we'll tell you about it."
The icy air cut through Joel's boots, so he stomped the snow off his feet and did as the boy suggested. Anxious to know why Scott and his parents were at the hospital, Joel also wanted to find out if anyone knew about the fire that had destroyed his eldest sister's house. It didn't take long for him to ask, because Elsie and John, along with Uncle Lester and Aunt Verna, were seated on the living-room sofa. The children — Martha, Mary, Hope, and Lillian — sat on the floor near the fireplace, while Glen and Blaine occupied the two recliners. The somber expressions on what should have been a joyous Christmas afternoon revealed the depth of everyone's sorrow.
Joel stood in front of the couch, looking down at them. He opened his mouth, but at first, nothing came out. He wasn't sure what to say. "I ... uh ... just came from Millersburg and was stunned when I saw what little remains of your house. What happened, Elsie? Was anyone hurt?"
"No." John's shoulders slumped. "We were here last night, having supper with the rest of the family, and soon after Scott was taken to the hospital, we headed for home." He paused, rubbing his hand down one side of his bearded face. "When we got there and saw our house engulfed in flames, I ran to the phone shack and called for help."
"Unfortunately, by the time the fire trucks came, our house was gone." Elsie's chin trembled. "We have nothing left, Joel. Only the clothes on our back." She dabbed at her tear-filled eyes with a tissue.
"And the barn," John added. "Fortunately, it's far enough from the house so it didn't catch fire from any sparks."
"Of course, we can't live in the barn." Elsie's voice sounded strained, and she sniffed, rubbing her nose with the tissue. "We don't know how long it'll be before we can afford to rebuild."
"You'd best wait till spring, when the weather is warmer," Uncle Lester interjected. "By then, maybe a benefit auction can take place to help with your expenses."
Aunt Verna nodded and clasped Elsie's hand. "We're thankful none of you were inside when the fire started. Material possessions can be replaced, but lives cannot."
Material possessions can't be replaced if you don't have money to replace them, Joel was tempted to retort. Knowing his sister and aunt wouldn't appreciate his thoughts, he kept them to himself. "I'm sorry for your loss." He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "Do you know how the fire got started?"
John shook his head. "Elsie's sure she didn't leave the stove on, and we didn't have a fire in the fireplace. I thought all the gas lamps were out before we left to come here to celebrate Christmas Eve, but I may have carelessly forgotten to turn one off."
Joel rubbed the heel of his palm against his chest as he tried to calm his nerves. His sister and brother-in-law's situation was tragic, but there was nothing he could do to help them out. Given his own financial issues, he didn't have any extra cash to give.
He sank into the rocking chair across from them, and Doug knelt on the floor beside him. "Do ya wanna hear about Scott now?" the boy asked, looking up at Joel.
"Yes, I do." Joel focused his attention on Doug.
"He complained of a bellyache last night and started throwin' up. So Dad called a driver, and they took him to the hospital."
"It sounds like the flu to me. Why would they take him to the hospital for that?"
"It wasn't the flu." Elsie's lips compressed. "Scott was in so much pain he couldn't even walk. When they got to the hospital, they found out his appendix had ruptured."
"Wow! Is he gonna be okay?" Joel rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"I spoke with Arlene on the phone after Scott came out of surgery. He seemed to be doing all right, but the doctor is worried about infection from the poison that was spread when it ruptured." Elsie sighed. "If I could be at the hospital right now, I'd know more. Sitting here, thinking about the fire and worrying about Scott is taking its toll on me." She paused to wipe the tears on her cheeks with another tissue. "This has not been a good Christmas for the kinner or us adults."
"Where's Doris? Does she know about all this?" Joel asked.
"I called and left a message on...
