"How do you not name things?" Emeline laughed as she looked over at him. She did know that he didn't have a name for his own horse, although she referred to it as 'Ace', just because. Maybe, she pondered, it was a 'man' thing not to specifically name creatures...or maybe she was just silly giving a title to every critter she came across, including the squirrels and raccoons that loitered around her yard.

"I suppose the livery will have to do." She sighed dramatically. "I'll just have to walk down to visit her, but it will be worth it!" She'd find time in the evening to get to the livery, at least until the snow melt, when she could enjoy an evening ride. Even just this little bit made her feel relaxed and free, and the thought that she could ride whenever she had the time was exhilarating.

"Thank you again, Barnabas." Still beaming brightly, she looked over at him. "You know this is my first Christmas present since I lost Andrew." There had been no one to give her presents, and she had spent the holidays 'working', although on Christmas, the meals she'd made had been free to those who needed it, and she always had enough grateful patrons who were away from home and happy for a taste of the familiar, and who paid her to make up for any losses.

This year it would just be the two of them, but that was fine, it was the sign of her moving to more personal time, and not hiding her life in her business.

“I dunno, Em. Jest never put a name to an animal. Never give it much thought.” It sounded good to him, hopefully she would accept that rather than the truth about having to eat it. “We kin walk down ta the livery so long as it ain’t deeper’n we are tall, ‘er blowin’ sideways.”

He stood there watching the snow fall put a dusting of glistening white in her dark hair as she thanked him for the horse, there were probably some things he needed to tell her that were really not that monumental, nor were they dark. He had touch of fear inside that there was the chance he could lose her as he had Julia Dey, this was now happening at the same time of the year as it had before.

“Don’t you give it a second thought Em, I’m jest pleased as punch she gives you joy. He said honestly.” He looked to the sky as the snow began to fall more consistently. “Best we get these animals back, I believe we’re in fer it tonight.”

"Fresh snow for Christmas, that would be beautiful." While it would come with its own problems, so long as there wasn't a blizzard, hving everything covered in a pristine blanket of snow would make for a perfect morning. "She gives me a great deal of joy, and now I can't wait for Spring all the more!"

Gardening, warm breezes, colorful flowers, and now a beautiful mare to ride. She'd find reasons to go afar now and again, and there woudl be trips to a homestead if that worked out.

They arrived at the livery and she frowned, wishing the ride could go on, but it was getting late and she still had things to do to get ready for Christmas. Reluctantly, she slipped to the ground, then patted Noel's neck. She'd help unsaddle the horse and get her in her stall. After all, she was hers now!

“Ain’t been the longest ride a body could take, but with the dark, no moon, and the snow it’ll have to do.” Pike stated. “An’, I gotta get you ta home in this. Been pickin’ up steady, so thet blanket of white you was talkin’ about, reckon we’ll see that in the next hour.”

They pulled the leather off the animals and gave them a quick rub down before the ventured out into the falling snow. For Pronto it had been a great Christmas so far, even as they moved as quickly as they could up the boardwalk to avoid the frozen flakes holding steady for the time being.

That she had been surprised, and that she was happy, that made his day. Trudging in the cold, laden with heavy clothing, arm in arm, Pronto Pike could not imagine a better evening, be it Christmas or not. The lights in the various windows along the way seemed to highlight the evening stroll. Quiet, peaceful, only the sound of their footsteps to be heard.

Linking her arm into his, Emeline was happy and content to just be at Barnabas' side, absorbing the stillness of the evening.  She had always enjoyed Christmas Eve, there was a magic to it, the anticipation of the coming day, and with the snowfall, it was all the more still.  And with her companion, it was all the more magical.

"I have some mulled wine on, if you've a mind to stay for a while," she finally commented as they started up the walk to the cafe, "and some sugar cookies, too, if you've a mind."

She surely would enjoy the company, although she needed to get to bed early so she could get supper for Christmas started in the morning.  Still, she had a bit of time.

When Barnabas opened the door for them, they were greeted by the wonderful aroma of cookies, clove, cinnamon and pine, Christmas, as far as Emeline was concerned.  She breathed in deeply then sighed. 

"This is just the way our house smelled on Christmas Eve," she mused dreamily, "Papa would be playing carols on the concertina and we'd all sing.  There were candy and cookies, oranges and cider.  Mama and I would festoon the walls with pine boughs that we decorated with ribbons, popped corn and whatever else we could find."

The cafe was 'festooned', and upstairs in her living quarters she had a small tree waiting to be decorated, this was the most effort for herself that she had put into Christmas since she'd been widowed, and although it was simple, it gave her some nostalgic happiness.

"We can sit in the kitchen," she commented, slipping out of her coat, "it's warmer there."  Because she had closed early, she had shut off the main cafe dining area that didn't need the warmth, so that the kitchen would be nice and toasty, and they could relax at the small table in the corner there.

"So, would you like sugar cookies or snicker-doodles with your wine?"  It was a bit of a sweet combination, but it was Christmas Eve, they were supposed to indulge!

"One of each it is."  Emeline laughed as she set several of each cookie on a plate that she put on the table, then she grabbed mugs and the pot.  "Although you were good today, so you can have more than one each if you'd like...it's a holiday, so we are obliged to indulge." 

Grinning, she poured the mulled wine, a filter in the pot keeping out the spices that gave extra flavor to the warm drink.  "I don't think we'll be called on to sing, so there is one thing we don't need to worry about...and if I burst into song, I won't expect you to join in...in fact, I won't expect you to stay in the same room!"

With a laugh, she raised her mug.  "To good friends on this sacred night."

"One of each it is."  Emeline laughed as she set several of each cookie on a plate that she put on the table, then she grabbed mugs and the pot.  "Although you were good today, so you can have more than one each if you'd like...it's a holiday, so we are obliged to indulge."

“Good ta know I was bein’ good whilst lollygaggin’ about like I had good sense.” He replied in jest.

Grinning, she poured the mulled wine, a filter in the pot keeping out the spices that gave extra flavor to the warm drink.  "I don't think we'll be called on to sing, so there is one thing we don't need to worry about...and if I burst into song, I won't expect you to join in...in fact, I won't expect you to stay in the same room!"

“Hallelujah! Though I been known ta raise my voice in praise of the Lord. Time was my mother thought I had quite the voice, ‘course, she was a mite prejudice on the matter.”   He then added, "You do what yer a mind to Em, I'll weather it, should that be required, or enjoy it, as I would expect."

With a laugh, she raised her mug.  "To good friends on this sacred night."

“Yeah, good friends.” He raised his glass to hers thinking of those lost. “To us, as we move forward in this life.”