No one had seen them for a week. The little old cabin they had lived in for a short time was vacant yet again, with no trace or clue as to where they’d gone. I can only assume Roger found out about the letter or heard of some poker game or something and pulled up stakes before I could arrive.” Gabriel stared dreamily into the fire. “I really would have liked to have seen my grandchildren.” The room was quiet. “Missy is my only child. I became a widower years ago. She and the children are all I have left.”
The Jenkins family continued to listen with interest.
“I’ve offered to let them live with me, but Missy and Roger refuse. I know my grandchildren would be willing, but they don’t have much say in things. I pray for them all every day.” He was quiet again.
“We can add them to our prayers as well,” Chad offered.
“I appreciate that, son,” the older man replied. Helen smiled at him, her eyes filled with compassion. “So I was on my way back to Denver when the storm hit. I got off course and lost my way. And now, I’m here, thanks to the Lord.”
“May God bless you and protect your daughter and her family, wherever they are,” Helen told him with compassion.
“Thank you,” he answered, appreciation in his smile.
Naomi got off her stool and stood next to Gabriel. “We can be your grandchildren for now if you want us to. We don’t have no grandparents,” she told him with a pure and earnest heart.
Gabriel was choked up. He reached out to hug her. “Thank you, young one. I’d like that.”
“Me, too!” Michael called from his seat.
“Me, too!” little Johnathan added, not wanting to be left out from things.
“I am truly blessed,” Gabriel told them all.
Helen was crying from her chair. Her children’s thoughtfulness was touching. This Christmas it was all they had, but they gave it freely. It reminded her of Jesus’ love, true agape love. Helen smiled with pride.
“Thank you, Father, for this Christmas. Thank you for my children, my husband and my life. Amen.” she silently prayed.
Chad gave her a knowing grin. He was proud of his children, too.
“Well, you young ‘uns better get on back to bed now that your bellies are full,” Gabriel said. “Get lots of sleep ‘cause tomorrow’s going to be an exciting day.”
Chad and Helen wondered what he meant by that, but said nothing. They helped tuck the children back under their quilt. With a hug and a kiss from their parents, the children settled in.
“I want to thank you, Mister Davidson, for that fine meal,” Chad told him. “We’ve had a year of trials and our resources are low.”
“The food was my pleasure to share,” Gabriel answered. “And tomorrow, you can tell me about your trials. But right now, with your permission, this old man needs rest.”
“Certainly, sir, my apologies.”
“None necessary, son. I thank you for your hospitality. Ma’am,” he said, nodding toward Helen.
She nodded in return, “Goodnight, Mister Davidson.”
Gabriel laid out his coat before the fire. Removing his boots, he knelt down to pray. Helen and Chad readied themselves for bed as well so they would not stare at him and intrude on his time with God. Helen went to the privy which was located behind a curtain in the far corner of the room. It made a small triangular space that gave a body privacy in their close winter quarters – embarrassing, but necessary. How she longed for the privacy of their outhouse with a guest in the home.
A short time later, all the adults were settled in. Stomachs full and bodies warm from the fire, sleep came quickly.
When Helen awoke the next morning, all was quiet. She looked over to the children who still slept soundly. A dull light shone in through the two small windows. Chad was asleep beside her. Then she remembered their guest. Helen raised her head a bit so she could look at him. There was no man, or bear coat on the floor. Helen sat up in bed. Had she dreamed it all? She rubbed her eyes and looked around. The plate for the biscuits was sitting empty on the table. Mister Davidson’s satchel was gone. Helen frowned. Surely it had been real.
Rising from the bed, still fully clothed in her brown wool dress, Helen walked over to a window. Peering out, she spotted footprints in the deep snow leading out to the barn. Had he already gone? She turned back to Chad wondering whether or not to wake him. She noticed the fire was nothing but simmering embers. She would put more wood on, then wake him.
Passing the table, she looked down at the blue metal plate. Yes, there were biscuit crumbs on it. It had not been a dream. Helen pushed her long, loose brown hair behind her shoulders. She did not want it to catch fire. Carefully, she placed two logs into the stone structure. Soon, she would set a pot of water to boiling for the oats.
Just as she was backing away from the fire, the front door opened. Helen jumped with fright, making a noise as her hand flew to calm her beating heart. She recognized Gabriel’s enormous warm coat entering. His arms were burdened with sacks, jugs and jars. She leapt quickly to offer help.
“Good morning,” he greeted quietly as she took several items.
Helen gave him a warm smile.
“Good morning.” She set her items on the table, as did he. “What is all this?”
He grinned. “Breakfast, dinner, and supper.”
Helen’s mouth dropped open. She was speechless. Was he serious? Her hands began to tremble.
“I’ve brought buttermilk, tea, spiced apples, potatoes, ham, canned vegetables, sugar, flour, salt, beef, and jam for Naomi.”
Helen’s knees gave way and she slid to the floor. “Oh, thank you, Lord!” she cried out loud.
“Wha...?” Chad said, waking from sleep. He saw Helen on her knees and Gabriel stepping toward her. Chad was out of bed in an instant. “Helen?”
“Oh, my dear. This man is an angel of God! Surely he must be,” she told him. “Look at all this food he has brought to us.”
Gabriel kept quiet his intent to give them all he had – at least three months worth still out in his crates and barrels in the barn. It would keep them through most of the winter.
“Is this true?” Chad asked him.
“Yes, my Christmas gift to you. I know for certain the Lord sent this storm so I would lose my way. He must be taking care of my family, because He re-routed me to you. I feel it is His wish for you to have this food, all of it, including what is still outside,” Gabriel answered sincerely.
Helen was crying. Chad was overwhelmed. He would have to swallow his pride on this one and accept Mister Davidson’s charity. If he did not, his family would surely die this winter. Besides, who was he to deny God’s plan? “Sir, we are in your debt. Thank you,” the younger man said.
“Don’t thank me. Thank God. He has provided.”
“We do, sir. We certainly do,” Helen concluded.
The three Jenkins children awoke to smells of frying ham and flapjacks. Helen quickly whipped up the batter. This morning they would have their largest meal in six months. Buttermilk and spiced apples completed the feast. Naomi was absolutely delighted. She insisted on sitting next to Mister Davidson while they ate. Michael then begged to sit on the man’s other side. Johnathan was still content to sit on his mother’s lap. Everyone laughed and talked as though they had known each other for years.
“I would like to ask if I could stay through Christmas Day,” Gabriel asked Chad and Helen. “I’d love to not have to be alone for another holiday.”
“You know you are welcome,” Chad answered. Christmas was tomorrow, and this man had saved all their lives.
“We’d