A Christmas Gift
Colleen got on the train and picked a seat near the window. She
sigh. She was finally going home after nearly a month at college. It
seemed like forever since Thanksgiving when she'd been surrounded by
family and friends. And now it was Christmas.
She had bought all her gifts in Denver. There was a new broach
and medical book for Ma, and a warm new coat for Sully. For Brian she
had a book about baseball and for Katie, a beautiful doll. She bought
a new hat for Matthew and a lovely embroidered shawl for Becky. But she
only had a new tie for Andrew. It didn't seem nearly enough for her...
what was Andrew? A friend? Or something more?
The whistle blew and the train took off. Colleen looked beside
her and saw a handsome young man reading a Boston paper.
"Are you from Boston?" she politely asked the man.
"Why yes! How did you know?" he asked, astonished.
"Your paper," said Colleen, smiling," My ma came from Boston.
It's where she grew up."
"Really?" the stranger asked.
Suddenly a conductor appeared. "Miss Cooper? Colleen Cooper?"
"Yes, that's me," said Colleen in a worried tone.
"Here's a telegram that was received just before we pulled out
of the station," he said handing her a piece of paper. With a slight
bow he was gone.
Colleen un-folded the paper. It read: Colleen, we won't be able
to pick you up at the station. Wait at clinic. Ma.
"Wait!" said the young man.
"What?" asked Colleen.
He began laughing. "This is too impossible! You're Colleen
Cooper?! Michaela Quinn's daughter?!"
Colleen relaxed a little. Many people know of her ma, the woman
doctor. "Oh, you've heard of my ma?" asked Colleen.
The man chuckled," Hear of her?! I lived down the street from
her ever since I was a little boy. Fredrick Harson is the name! Call me
Freddy!"
Colleen was laughing now too," You lived by Ma?! How
interesting that we're on the same train! What brings you to Colorado
Springs?"
"Well I'm looking for something new," Freddy said, then
quickly," Why where you in Denver?"
"Don't you know? I'm going to college to become a doctor!" said
Colleen proudly.
"Well! Michaela did write of you ever so much in her
letters! However I've never heard of your going to college! My, won't
you make a fine doctor!" exclaimed Freddy. "So, tell me about everyone,
your family and friends, in Colorado Springs!"
"Well you know about Ma and Sully but did you know they had a
baby?" asked Colleen.
"Ah, yes! Mrs.Quinn came here with a Dr...um...I
can't remember his name," Freddy trailed off.
"Cook," supplied Colleen," Dr.Andrew Cook. He works at the
hotel."
"My, how nice. So...have you any boyfriends?" asked Freddy
casually. My, thought Colleen, he was certainly getting personal. All
the same, she blushed as he stared at her with his deep green eyes.
"No, not really. I mean I hardly know any boys at home anymore
because I'm never there and I"m always studying at college..." Colleen
trailed off. Inside she was astonished at herself. Hadn't she, only
minutes before, been thinking of Andrew as more than a friend? Then
Freddy stared at her with his deep penetrating eyes, and all thoughts
of Andrew were gone. Why, she wondered, does he make me feel this way?
Andrew would never treat her this way. He treated her as an
equal, not some delicate sophisticated creature...and yet...
"Colorado Springs! Next stop!" yelled the conductor. Colleen
gathered her things. The train slowed to a stop. Freddy got off first
then quickly turned around to give Colleen his hand. She was about to
accept but then thought better of it and politely declined. She hopped
down on the platform as someone called her name. She spun around and
saw Andrew.
He rushed toward her then paused and gave her a polite hug.
Next to him, in her carriage, was Katie. "Hi Katie!" she exclaimed
bending down to kiss her baby sister.
"Yes, well Michaela had some work to tend to so she sent you
that telegram. I said it was silly for you to wait so I got Katie and
came over here and..." Freddy walked up behind Colleen.
"Colleen dear, your luggage." Colleen stood up quickly.
"Andrew this is Fredrick Harson..."
"Call me Freddy!" said Freddy with a smirk as she shook
Andrew's hand.
"Oh!" said Andrew, finally understanding. That must be
Colleen's boyfriend from college. First surprise filled him. But that
was quickly replaced by confusion. Boyfriend? Perhaps he had not made
his intentions clear enough. He never did.
"No!" said Colleed, quickly realizing what he must have been
thinking," Freddy is Ma's neighbor from Boston. We met by chance on the
train!" Relief flooded Andrew and he felt himself relaxing.
As the three walked toward the hotel buggy Andrew had brought,
Andrew found himself talking freely with Colleen until they reached the
buggy. Andrew loaded the luggage as Colleen picked up Katie.
"Here! Allow me!" said Freddy, taking Katie. When Colleen
turned around to fix the baby carriage Andrew came around to assist her
into the buggy. But just before Colleen turned around, Freddy thrust
Katie into Andrew's hands so fast that Andrew nearly dropped her.
"Katie!" exclaimed Colleen," Is she alright?" Andrew, at a loss
for words, nodded.
"May I?" asked Freddy, holding out his hand. Colleen took it
and climbed up to her seat. Freddy snatched the baby from Andrew and
held her up to Colleen. He then climbed up next to colleen.
"Uh, Freddy, would you mind sitting in the back, unless you
know how to get to Michaela's house," Andrew felt and odd feeling of
triumph come over him. Freddy's face darkened for a moment, then he was
all smiles. "Of course!" he exclaimed, and moved. Andrew got in the
wagon next to Colleen.
As they travled, Freddy asked, "So do you have oh, I don't
know, say a telegraph office in town?"
"Yes, we do," said Colleen cheerfully.
"Why do you want to know?" asked Andrew suspiciously.
Colleen blushed and gave Andrew a look. "Andrew please!He's
Ma's guest!" she hissed. "I think what Andrew ment to ask was are
you staying for Christmas?" asked Colleen, turning around.
"Do you want me to stay?" Freddy smiled. Colleen's heart sped up
and she blushed. "I mean do you you think your mother would have me?"
Freddy's smile got even bigger. Colleen's heat slowed down and she
looked at Andrew.
"Well I'm sure you're welcome. We always have Christmas dinner
with friends," Colleen explained, looking at Andrew.
"Oh!" said Freddy," So you two are "very" good friends?"
"No!" said Colleen as Andrew said," Yes!"
Freddy got an amused look on his face, as if he were watching a
circus. Colleen looked at Andrew in surprise. Andrew was red and was
looking away.
"Well," said Colleen,"...oh look! The homestead!"
"Let's go inside!" suggested Freddy. He got down from the wagon,
then gave Colleen his hand. She took it and then started for the
homestead.
"Look...um...Colleen...maybe this isn't such a good idea," Andrew
began. "Nonsense!" said Freddy, giving him a look," I've been greatly
looking forward to seeing Michaela!"
Andrew ran up behind Colleen just as she opened the door. Andrew
looked around nervously. Michaela hadn't invited anyone else...had she?
"Surprise!" Out jumped Michaela, Brian, Matthew, and Daniel.
"Ma? What's all this?" asked Colleen.
"Oh Colleen! Andrew! I'm so happy! I-who...oh my gosh! Freddy?
Freddy Harson?!" Michaela looked at Andrew in surprise. He shook his head.
"Ma? How did you know about Freddy? I mean, that's who the party
is for right?" Colleen asked. She looked around. Brian and Matthew's heads
where down and Daniel had an uneasy look on his face.
"Um...well...mother wired me!" Michaela lied. Freddy's face turned
pale. "Wh-what did she say?" he asked. "Oh nothing! Just that you were
coming," Michaela was so caught up in what was happening she didn't even
notice Freddy's thoughtful stare.
Later, as the others were finishing eating, Michaela pulled Andrew
aside. "Did you ask her?!" she asked, knowing the answer.
Andrew turned slightly red,"Well,no..."
"Why don't you? I'm sure she would say yes!" Michaela persuaded.
"Wh-you mean now?!" Andrew exclaimed.
"Well yes! We can have a sort of after dinner toast, then you'll
ask her!" Michaela's eyes glittered with excitement.
"Well," said Andrew uncertainly," I guess forgetting it would be
harder than at least asking her. Okay, sure, why not?"
Michaela grabbed dessert and walked back to the table. "Dessert...
anyone?" Michaela's face fell. Colleen was no longer at the table. Meither
was Freddy.
"It was so strange," said Brian.
"What?" asked Michaela
"He just sorta took her outside, without takin' her," Brian said
softly.
"What do you mean?" asjed Michaela.
"Well Colleen didn't wanna go but then he said somethin' 'bout a
dress from Boston he brought for you. He said he thought it would fit
Colleen better an' she just sorta left with him to go get it," Matthew
said.
"She was probably just bein' polite," said Daniel.
Michaela looked thoughtfully at the door. "I think that tomorrow
I'll wire mother. See why Freddy really came out here," Michaela muttered.
She passed out dessert and changed the subject.
No one noticed the face in the window. No one heard Colleen
calling,"Freddy? Where did you go?" But in the barn, Colleen did notice a
little blue box in Andrew's medical case in the wagon. It looked so
pretty, but Colleen quickly forgot about it as Freddy stepped into the
barn.
"Where were you?" she asked.
"I thought I had dropped something. Now what was I going to show
you?" he asked, eying his luggage.
"I don't remember," Colleen said thinking of the dress.
Although she loved Colorado Springs, she always had a weak spot in
her heart for fancy things from Boston.
"Ah yes, a dress..." Freddy reached into his bag and pulled out a
wonderful forest green gown. Colleen gasped.
"You don't like it?!" Freddy's expresion grew cloudy.
"No! I mean yes! Well I could never wear anything his fancy here!"
stuttered Colleen.
"Yes you can," said Michaela, entering the barn," There's going to
be a Christmas party, at the churh."
"Really? How fun!" Colleen said," Well I'm going to go try it on!"
Colleen went out, leaving Michaela and Freddy alonw.
Before she turned to leave, Michaela said casually," Boston's a
long way to come from, just to see me." When she left Freddy approched
the wagon. He looked in Andrew's medical bag and saw the blue box.
"Ah, now what's this?" he muttered. He opened in and laughed. "Oh,
this is too easy!" he said, putting the box in his suitcase.
Back at the homestead, Colleen came down he stairs in her new
dress.
"Now Colleen, you look like a sophistocated young lady!" Daniel
said.
"You look beautiful," sigh Michaela.
"You look great Colleen," Matthew said with a grin.
"You look real pretty Colleen!" said Brian.
Colleen beamed. They all looked at Andrew. "Well," he said,
swallowing.
"Colleen! Is that you?!" Freddy had come into the house behid
Andrew," You look like a woman of high class from Boston!" Colleen blushed
and looked down. Andrew also turned red and looked down, but for a
different reason.
How come he could never say what he felt?! He always did things
the "proper" way. But sometimes, he failed to see that the "proper" way
was often wrong. He had seen this time after time with Michaela in the
clinic.
"Will you wear it to the Christmas party?" asked Brian.
"I guess. But nobody's asked me to go yet..." Colleen trailed off,
looking at Andrew.
"My word! To have such a beautiful, and charmaing woman on my arm
would be a complement! Madame, would you acompany me to the Royal
Christmas Ball of Colorado Springs?" Freddy said bowing.
Thinking he was joking, they all chuckled. Playing along, Colleen
said," Why of course sir! As long as you pick me up on tome in a
carriage!"
"Consider it done! I can't wait!" Freddy said seriously. Everyone
stopped smiling. "What's wrong?" Freddy asked innocently," You did mean
it, didn't you?"
Colleen looked from Freddy's said face to Andrew. She
wanted to say no...and yet he was a guest. Andrew could always bring Becky
-or better yet, go alone. What was Colleen hinking? Andrew had the right
to do whatever he wanted. She had a responsibility to her guest, didn't
she? Everyone looked at Colleen, waiting for her to speak.
"Well, I guess. I mean you are a guest." Colleen added the last
part and hoped that Andrew got the message that she's rather not go with
Freddy.
Fortunately, Freddy took no notice and asked," When is this
party?"
"It's tomorrow," Michaela began.
"Perfect! Well, it's been a long day! I think I'll retire," Freddy
interrupted.
"I'll show you to your room," said Michaela, leading him upstairs.
"Yes, it is late. I think I should go home as well," Andrew
finally said.
"I'll walk you out to the barn," said Colleen, as Andrew got his
coat. They went outside and began to walk.
"My, it sure does get cooler this time of year," Colleen said,
hugging her arms.
"Here," Andrew said, taking off his coat," Have mine."
Colleen blushed as she took it. She always seemed to imply things
that she didn't mean. "Thanks," she mumbled.
Whent they reached the barn, Colleen helped Andrew hitch up his
horses.
"Colleen!" he exclaimed," Your beautiful dress!"
"Don't worry," smiled Colleen," Promise I won't get it dirty!" So,
Andrew really did think the dress was beautiful...
Andrew pulled the buggy out of the barn. Colleen held up her hand,
and he took it.
"It's...uh...good to have you hack home Colleen," Andrew said.
"See you tomorrow Andrew!" Colleen said.
Andrew squeezed her hand ever so gently and then rode off.
Colleen turned around, to go back inside. She held her hand to her
heart. Maybe...she turned around. No, Andrew wasn't looking back. Her face
fell.
Andrew sat in the wagon thinking about the days events. Perhaps...
he looked back at Colleen but she was going back into the house. Tomorrow,
he thought.
**************************************************************************
Becky got off her horse at the hotel. It was almost noon and she
hoped Andrew was at his clinic. She knocked on the door. Andrew opened it.
"Becky!" he greated her warmly.
"Hey Andrew, you busy?" Becky asked.
"No, not really...come in," he said, holding the door open.
"Colleen sent me over here to give you your coat back," Becky said
handing over the coat.
"Thanks. I thought I was a little cold coming home last night,"
Andrew chuckled," Where's Colleen?"
"Freddy took her to lunch at Grace's," Becky said quietly.
Andrew tried to hid his feelings. But what exactly was he feeling?
Anger? Sadness? Jealousy?
"I know how you feel," Becky said suddenly," There's somethin'
about him that ain't quite right. Oh, he was nice an all when Colleen
was in the room. But soon as she left, it was like I wasn't even there."
"Becky," Andrew hesitated," I'm going to tell you something I
haven'ttold anyone else. I had a blue box when I went to Colleen's house
yesterday. It was in my medical bag. After I got home last night I noticed
that it wasn't there anymore."
"And you think Freddy took it!" Becky finished for him.
"Yes, but I'm not sure so don't tell anyone. Especially Colleen.
It's like she hypnotized by Freddy and his fancy Boston things. Do you
know he's taking her to the CHristmas party?" Andrew asked.
"That's the other reason I came over. If Freddy wasn't here you'd
ask Colleen to go with you, wouldn't you?" Becky asked. Andrew hesitated
a moment, then nodded. "Well I've got an idea, and if it works, Colleen
won't be spending much time with Freddy at the dance," Becky said, her
eyes sparkling.
**************************************************************************
Colleen was looking at herself in the mirror when there was a
knock at the door. "Come in!" called Colleen. Michaela entered.
"Colleen! You look even more beautiful then yesterday!" Michaela
exclaimed. Colleen offered a feeble smile. "What's wrong?" asked Michaela,
"Are you ill?"
"No," said Collen," It's not that.
"Well then what is it?" Michaela asked.
"Well, have you ever had to go somewhere with someone and even
though you thought they were real nice, you really wanted to go with
someone else?" Colleen asked.
"Well tonight I have to go to the Christmas party without Sully,
but I don't think that's what you're talking about," Michaela replied,"
Don't worryColleen. There'll always be other Christmas parties. And this
is Christmas; anything can happen!"
Part 2 Coming Soon!
Please tell me what you think of my story!
Part 2
