It's almost Thanksgiving in 1918 Sioux City Iowa, and Maria Schmitt, a bank clerk, is busy decorating the bank; while doing so she falls off a ladder straight into the arms of a stranger. Although he wears an eye patch, he's very good-looking; Maria presumes it must be a war injury. After recovering form her mishap, Maria exchanges a few heated words with the mystery man regarding her unusual position at the bank; she's the only female clerk, but the most popular employee with the clients.
Shortly thereafter, it turns out the handsome man is Dale Emerson, the bank owner's nephew, and he will replace his ailing uncle as the manager. Dale is not thrilled: it was never what he envisaged doing after he came back from the front. He has also just broken his engagement because he didn't feel worthy anymore.
A CHRISTMAS HOPE is the story of Maria, whom we had first encountered in Hope at Dawn, book one of the Love and War series. I think it was a brilliant idea because I liked the character and I speculated as to what could have happened to her; still A CHRISTMAS HOPE can easily be read as a standalone. A CHRISTMAS HOPE features exceptionally well-rounded characters, even the secondary ones, and there's lovely Maria, who had her dreams crushed when her fiancรฉ left her for someone else and then left her small town for the big city. Maria is determined, confident; she's a truly modern woman of the early twentieth Century. Maria is an engaging character with a sunny personality; she is cautious about giving her heart away again but she doesn't dwell on the past.
On the other hand, Dale is still in a dark place but Maria, one little gesture at a time, manages to bring light and happiness to Dale's life. I appreciated that the characters talk to each other; they don't hide their feelings; they become allies then friends through respect and communication, and eventually acknowledge that they are in love.
A CHRISTMAS HOPE reminded me just how much I enjoy Ms. Henrie's writing! Her writing style is breezy, effortless, elegant yet uncluttered and perfectly in tune with the era; pages fly by. The dialogues are superb, the banter between Maria and Dale so genuine and fun; the interactions between all the characters are just wonderful.
Ms. Henrie infuses her narrative with colourful depictions, adding small details that make the story come to life: the settings, the clothes, the mannerisms are historically accurate and add so much to the reading experience, even little things such as candies and Dale's ugly ties. I felt as if I were right there whether in the bank or in those characters' homes. I was reading with a smile on my face most of the time because Maria is simply irresistible! A few tears were shed at the end of this most lovely story; going back in time with Stacy Henrie is a very special treat!
In this special holiday novella, Stacy Henrie returns
to
the World War I setting of her Of Love and War series for
a
heartwarming read that's perfect for the Christmas
season.TIS THE SEASON FOR SECOND CHANCES
Having experienced the heartache of unrequited love,
Maria
Schmitt desperately seeks a new life. Landing a position
as
a clerk in a Sioux City bank is just what she needs to
get
started on her journey toward healing. But a dashing
stranger soon puts her job-and her heart-in jeopardy.
Saving lives was all Dale Emerson ever wanted to do . . .
until a fateful day in France shattered his career as a
surgeon. He lost everything that mattered, and the last
thing he wants to do is resign himself to a life without
medicine working at his uncle's bank. Then he meets
Maria, a
compassionate woman who can see past his scars to the man
he
once was-and the man he could be again. With Christmas
right
around the corner, these two wounded hearts may find that
hope and a little holiday cheer are just the ticket to
letting go of regrets-and embracing a future full of love
and possibility.
EXCERPT
Sheโd do well to remember Dale wasnโt just a friend; he was also her boss. No
matter how much she was beginning to enjoy his company, both in and out of the
bank. The sting of Friedrickโs rejection had dulled, but it had also made her
cautious. She would not lay her heart at the feet of another man unless she was
absolutely certain that man returned her affections completely.
โThe reason you need more than new ties, Dale, is that the whole outfit makes the
man.โ She latched on to his arm again. โNow come on.โ
He released a low growl of disapproval, but he allowed her to lead him into the
building. Inside, Maria steered him in the direction of the menโs department. A
middle-aged woman approached, smiling. โMay I help you?โ
โMy boss is in need of several full suits. Jacket, vest, trousers, tie,
everything.โ
โOh.โ The woman glanced at Dale, clearly seeking confirmation.
He glowered at Maria, then pushed out a long breath. โShe is correct.โ
โDo you know your measurements?โ the store clerk asked.
Dale gave a curt nod.
โVery well.โ The kind smile appeared once more. โWeโll get started then. If youโll
follow me, sir.โ
As he trailed the woman toward a screened partition, he tossed another pointed
glare at Maria. She smiled sweetly in return and settled into a nearby chair to
await his transformation from slovenly to stylish.
After more than a few minutes of drumming her fingernails against the chair arm, a
movement near the partition caught her eye and she stood. Dale slipped from behind
the screen, dressed in a light brown suit with a matching vest and a chocolate-
colored tie.
He held his hands out as if in surrender. โWell?โ
Maria came up behind him as he went to stand in front of the nearby mirror. โMuch
better.โ
โBut not dashing?โ He watched her through the mirror, his expression riddled with
amusement.
Good grief, her earlier compliments had gone straight to his head. She certainly
wasnโt about to admit he looked even more dashing today than he had at his uncleโs
party. โWhat do you think?โ she countered.
He flexed his arms, then straightened the jacket and tie. โItโs not bad. Maybe
wearing a full suit to work wonโt be so uncomfortable.โ
Maria suppressed a grin. It was a victory, however small. Still, she wanted him to
appreciate himself in a new suit, not merely go along with her idea because sheโd
pushed him. โYou should buy it, but I think you need one moreโฆโ She spun around and
eyed the other suits on display. While the light brown one worked well with his
dark hair, another color might produce the striking combination she hoped to
achieve.
โTry this one.โ She selected a dark blue suit and handed it to him. โAnd for a
tieโฆโ A nearby table held rows of neatly folded ties.
The saleswoman selected one and held it up for Mariaโs approval. โMight I suggest
the navy and white stripe for the gentleman?โ
โYes, perfect.โ She passed the tie to Dale as well.
He examined the articles of clothing with a skeptical look.
โBoth are very popular choices,โ the saleswoman added. Maria couldnโt help
wondering what she thought of her and Daleโs rather casual manner as employer and
employee.
With a roll of his eyes, he ducked back behind the screen, the new items in hand.
Maria returned to her seat. Would he like this suit better? Would it convince him
she was right about how a bank manager ought to dress?
At last, Dale rounded the screen, his gaze on her. โIs this one better?โ
The moisture fled Mariaโs mouth, forcing her to swallow, as she gawked at him.
Thank goodness she was seated. Otherwise her knees would have bowed under the shock
of what she was seeing. The man before her looked like Dale, but in the new suit,
he appeared decidedly more confident, even handsomer. She couldnโt wait for the
bank patrons to see him dressed like this.
Once her initial astonishment had worn off, she hopped to her feet and swiped up a
dark blue hat. Dale was still waiting for her answer. โYou need one more thing.โ
She placed the hat at an angle on his head, then taking him by the shoulders, she
turned him toward the mirror. โNowโฆyou look dashing.โ
Dale studied his reflection, his countenance revealing nothing of what he thought.
He tipped his hat a little lower and turned from one side to the other. Maria
remained behind him, one hand still holding his arm.
At last he muttered, โYou win.โ
Victory surged through Maria as she caught his eye in the mirror. She bent forward,
one hand cupping her ear. โIโm sorry. What was that?โ
He twisted to face her, an amused glint in his gaze that set her heart skipping
chaotically. It was the same feeling of anticipation, of breathlessness, sheโd
experienced when heโd caught her on his first day at the bank, or placed his hand
on her waist in his office, or peeled away her sock when sheโd hurt herself
skating.
โI said you win. Iโll buy them. The suits. The ties.โ
โI knew it.โ She laughed and started to pull away from him, but Dale captured her
hand in his.
โYou did not,โ he argued, his smile almost mischievous. He brushed a curl from her
face, his fingers lingering a moment longer than necessary before he lowered his
hand.
Any clever remarks fled Mariaโs head at his gentle touch. All she could think about
was the sudden need to lay her hand against his strong-looking jaw. Something about
Dale compelled her to be near him. To bask in the refreshment of his smile, the
strength of his presence, the ease of his friendship. She took a step toward him,
her feet bumping his.
โI figured youโd see things my way,โ she half whispered, โeventually.โ His smile
deepened, then he glanced at her mouth. She hadnโt been kissed in ages and never by
someone she thought might like her as much as she did him.
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