Page 50 of A Joyful Ring
The fire crackled pleasantly in the fireplace in the sitting room as Lars set the tray on the low table in front of the couch. The candles emitted a bright fragrance that mingled pleasantly with the scent of the Christmas tree.
Risa took a seat, reveling in the welcoming and cheerful atmosphere, so unlike anything she’d ever known. Although there were many things she wanted to say, she held her tongue and waited for Gloria to begin the dialogue they’d rehearsed all afternoon.
“Here’s your tea, Lars dear,” Gloria said, handing him a cup of the steaming tea, redolent with spices and a hint of orange.
“Thank you, Gloria. This tea tastes like Christmas,” he said, taking a sip. He chose a cookie from the plate Gloria held out to him, then leaned back against the soft cushions of the couch as Gloria settled next to him. Risa sat in the side chair where she could best see Gloria, because they needed to be able to silently convey messages to each other if they were going to succeed in their mission.
“Tell me what my two favorite ladies did today,” Lars said, taking a bite of the cookie in his hand.
“We made a batch of that candy you liked sowell when I made it before Thanksgiving. We’ll have some after supper,” Gloria said, smiling sweetly at Lars. “We were just thinking that it’s too bad poor Gunder is left without so many things he needs, and stuck in that tent. It’s just a tragedy, don’t you think?”
Lars nodded. “It was a terrible thing the Dutton girl did, but she’s been eating humble pie all week since her mother arranged for her to work for Silas at the livery. I feel sorry for him, but hopefully that girl will learn a lesson she never forgets, and it changes her for the better.”
“Speaking of changing things for the better, do you think it’s possible for you to do that, Lars?” Gloria asked, leaning closer to him.
Risa almost giggled as her father’s eyes widened and his teacup rattled on the saucer he held in his hand. He shoved the rest of his cookie in his mouth, set the saucer on the table, and scooted back slightly, as though Gloria suddenly made him nervous.
“What are you saying, Gloria?”
“Just that when two people care so deeply for each other, when they respect and love each other, the next logical step is to do everything possible to prolong the happiness they’ve found. Don’t you agree?”
“Well, yes, I suppose so,” Lars said, sitting up slightly. “Everyone deserves to be happy.”
“Everyone?” Risa asked innocently.
“Of course. I think the Creator gave us joy for a reason.” He picked up his teacup and took a long drink before returning it to the saucer.
“I’m so elated to hear you say that, Lars,” Gloria said, edging a little closer to him.
Risa saw her father give the woman a curious look, but he didn’t move.
“Then you agree that you deserve to be happy, Papa?” Risa asked.
“Well, I … yes, I suppose so,” he said, giving her a wary glance before turning back to Gloria. “What trickery are you two up to?”
“Trickery?” Gloria leaned back, looking wounded. To add to her performance, she whipped out a perfumed handkerchief and daintily waved it until the alluring scent engulfed Lars while she pretended to dab at nonexistent tears.
“Papa! You made Gloria cry. All we wanted was for you to see how much we want you to be happy. That your happiness is important to all of us. It just seems as though you don’t want to be happy, and therefore you take away a portion of our happiness.”
“Well, I … that isn’t … I wouldn’t ever …” he stammered, looking from Risa to Gloria, who sniffled with perfect timing and appeared to wilt. “Now, Glory, don’t cry. You know I want you to be happy, and I want Risa to be happy. I’d give anything to do that for both of you.”
“You would?” Gloria asked, positioning her handkerchief so she could look over it with wide eyes.
“Of course I would. I don’t have much to give, but I’d give what I do have if it would bring you both joy.”
“Oh, Lars, that’s wonderful to hear.” Gloriacontinued her slow and steady progress of moving closer to him, an inch at a time. “What if the thing that would make your daughter the happiest is your house in Lovely. Would you give it to her?”
Risa felt her father staring at her for several long moments, then turned back to Gloria. “And you, Glory? What’s the one thing that you want most for Christmas? That would make you the happiest?”
Gloria shifted so close, there wasn’t any space left between her and Lars. She lifted her hands and bracketed his cheeks, then smiled so tenderly, her eyes so full of love, it made Risa’s heart ache just to see it.
“What I want more than anything for Christmas, and for the rest of my life, is you, Lars Hoffman. Only you.”
“Well, how about that,” he whispered, then wrapped his arms around Gloria and kissed her.
When he let her go, Gloria’s face was as red as the ribbons decorating the Christmas tree.
Lars kissed her temple and kept an arm around her as he turned to face Risa. “Might I assume you two have been plotting against me? Hmm? If I marry Glory and move here, then the house in Lovely would be available for Risa and Gunder. Is that the idea?”
