The Christmas Secret Read Online Free Page B

years.”
    “Before children come, I hope. That cabin’s too small to raise a family in.”
    “You did it, sir. You raised Elizabeth there, and from what I understand, your first wife’s parents raised two daughters there as well.”
    Charles nodded. “We managed, but it was crowded, so I hope you and Elizabeth are settled into a roomy home in town before any children come along.”
    “I understood your concern,” David said, “but I promise to take good care of your daughter; of that you can be certain.”

W hen Elizabeth opened the cabin door and stepped inside, a lump rose in her throat. She’d been looking forward to setting up house in this special little cabin where her only memories of her mother remained. This would never be her home now. She’d been eagerly waiting to become David’s wife, but that was obviously not meant to be.
    Elizabeth sank into the wooden chair in front of the desk and buried her face in the palms of her hands. She needed to write David a farewell note and get away from here as quickly as possible, but telling him she was leaving was ever so hard.
    She opened the desk drawer and took out a piece of paper. Then, struggling not to cry lest she soil the page, she began writing:
    Dear David,
    As hard as it is for me to tell you this, I know I must say what’s on my heart, and I hope you’ll understand. I’ve come to realize that we’re not meant to be together, so I won’t be marrying you on Christmas Eve. I’m going away. Please don’t try to find me, because I won’t change my mind. It’s over between us. I pray that God will bring someone else into your life and that you’ll find the happiness you deserve.
    Fondly,
    Elizabeth
    Elizabeth folded the note, slipped it into an envelope, and wrote David’s name on the outside. Then she placed it on the fireplace mantel next to the set of wooden candlesticks her father had given her mother on their last Christmas together.
    Tears blurred Elizabeth’s vision as she stared at the envelope. With an ache in her heart she feared would always remain, she slipped quietly out the door. She had one more stop to make before heading to the train station.

    “My mother’s better now, and it’s good to see that you’re finally out of bed, too. How are you feeling?” Helen asked when Elizabeth entered the stately house Helen shared with her parents.
    “I’m fine physically, but in here, I’ll never be the same.” Elizabeth touched her chest and drew in a shuddering breath.
    Helen led the way to the kitchen. Then she pulled out a chair at the kitchen table and motioned for Elizabeth to sit down. “You look like you’ve been crying. What’s wrong?”
    Elizabeth removed her shawl and draped it over the back of the chair. As she sat, she drew in a couple of deep breaths to help steady her nerves. She had to tell someone the truth about why she was leaving. The secret that lay beneath the pages of her aunt’s journal was too much to carry alone. “This is so difficult for me to talk about,” she said in a whisper. “Are we alone?”
    Helen nodded as she took a seat beside Elizabeth. “Mother’s visiting my grandparents today, and Father’s attending a deacon’s meeting at the church.”
    With a sense of urgency, Elizabeth leaned forward and clasped her friend’s hand. “What I’m about to tell you is a secret, and it must remain so—do you understand?”
    Helen nodded. “You’ve told me secrets before, and I’ve never betrayed your confidence.”
    “This secret is different than the ones we shared during our growing-up years. If this secret ever got out, it could ruin several people’s lives. It’s already ruined mine.”
    Helen’s eyebrows drew together. “What are you talking about?”
    “It’s a horrible secret that could hurt my father, David’s mother, and most of all, David.” Tears welled in Elizabeth’s eyes as she swallowed against the constriction in her throat. “David can never find out. Do you