Page 2 of My True Love Gave to Me

Mama immediately got up and fetched him a plate from the warming oven. "Grandpa Joe overheard your conversation with Anna, and we've been discussing ideas about how to help."

Simeon looked to the head of the table where Grandpa Joe sat with a book open in front of him. "You listened in on my private conversation?"

Grandpa Joe didn't look the slightest bit repentant. "I know what it looks like when trouble comes callin', and when that sweet gal of yours showed up outta the blue with tears in her voice and desperation in her eyes, I knew a storm was a-brewin'. It ain't in my nature to sit around waitin' for an engraved invitation when one of my own is in trouble, so I did what had to be done. Now, you gonna be mad at me, or do you wanna listen to what we've come up with so far?"

Simeon slid into his chair and nodded his thanks to his mother when she set his plate in front of him then looked over to his grandpa. The old codger was an interfering busybody, but his devotion to family was absolute. And truth be told, Simeon could use all the help he could get. Grandpa Joe had lived and loved a long time, having been married to Grandma Angelina for nearly forty-seven years before she passed on. A little wisdom, and a talent for conniving, might be just what Simeon needed right now.

"I'm all ears," he said as he picked up his fork and knife and cut into his ham steak.

Grandpa Joe grinned and nodded to Simeon's little brother. "Gabe's the one who got us started."

Simeon looked to Gabriel as he dragged a bite of ham through his taters before shoving it in his mouth. The kid was only twelve, but he was sharp. Had a head for book learnin' that put Simeon's mediocre school marks to shame.

Gabe's eyes shone as he leaned on the table, eager to impress his big brother. "I got the idea when Grandpa Joe told us about Anna calling you her true love."

Simeon's heart squeezed at the memory. She was his true love, too. His one and only.

"Remember that folk song we would sing sometimes around Christmas? The one about all the crazy gifts?" Gabe looked at him expectantly.

Simeon nodded, a vague recollection coming to mind. Something about partridges and turtledoves.

"Well, all them gifts were given by the lady's true love. See? You can prove you're Anna's true love instead of this Herald fella by following the song."

Simeon swallowed his half-chewed bite, his shoulders slumping. "It's a nice idea, Gabe, but I can't compete in gift-giving. Her other suitor has already given her hothouse flowers and expensive chocolates. I'd lose all my savings if I tried to outdo that."

"Money ain't what matters, boy," Grandpa Joe said. "Any fella can give flowers and sweets to a girl. They're easy. Takes no imagination. Gifts of true love come from the heart, not the pocketbook."

Simeon's sister Mary sat to his left and laid her hand on his arm. "We've been discussing ideas. You can't give pear trees and colly birds to Anna, but if we work together, I bet we can come up with gift ideas that sound similar and convey just how much you love her. You can sign the notes, From Your True Love."

At eighteen, Mary tended to see romance in everything, but if she thought this gift idea was romantic, maybe Anna would too. But would such a campaign change her father's mind?

He looked across the table to his own dad, silently seeking advice from the most down-to-earth, practical man he knew.

Papa held his gaze. "Way I see it," he said, "you got twelve days until Christmas Eve. Twelve days for twelve gifts. Mighty convenient the way them numbers line up. Almost as if it were meant to be."

Simeon sat up a little straighter as hope burgeoned in his chest.

His mother touched his shoulder as she set a cup of steaming coffee next to his plate. "We all know that you are Anna's true love, Simeon. Not this Fielder person. Anna's father will come to see that too, in time. How can he not?"

Could she be right? Could this scheme actually work?

Simeon pointed his fork at the book in front of his grandpa. "I'm guessing the poem for the song is in there?"

A broad smile broke out on his grandpa's bearded face. "It surely is." He turned the book around and scooted it over to Simeon.

"Looks like I got me some studyin' to do tonight."

"We'll help!" Gabe bounced in his chair.

Mary slid a sheet of paper riddled with pencil markings toward him. "We've already started a list of possible ideas."

Simeon glanced around the table, his throat thickening with emotion. Where would he be without family? This is what Anna needed, too. This connection. This support. This unwavering loyalty. She'd have it as a Shepherd once they married. But he wanted her to have it with her own family as well. And, God willing, when this was over, she would.

"It's just a walk, Anna, not a betrothal march," her mother scolded gently as she continued brushing Anna's hair at the dressing table in her room. "I didn't raise you to be inhospitable. You must treat Mr. Fielder with the same kindness and respect as you would treat any other visitor." She gathered Anna's long gold tresses, twisted them into a becoming knot, and reached for a hair pin. "Your father's already angry enough with you for running out on our guest last night. You won't win him over with continued rudeness."

"Is there a chance of winning Daddy over?" Anna met her mother's eyes in the mirror, desperately searching for a reason to hope. Her mother knew how much she cared for Simeon. If she were to talk to Daddy, he might listen to her. Might relent.

Mama slid the last pin into her hair, then placed her hands atop Anna's shoulders. "Your father wants what's best for you. He truly does. The Shepherds are good people, but after the drought last year, they're facing hard times. Herald Fielder is a well-established businessman who treats his employees well and his customers fairly. He attends church regularly and has an honorable reputation in his community. Your father didn't select him just for his money, you know. He examined his character to ensure the man would treat you well, should you wed him."