A Family for Christmas: The Gift of Family / Child in a Manger. Dana Corbit

prepared low-fat bacon on the grill and scrambled several eggs. When Wendy tasted the biscuits spread with blackberry jelly, she couldn’t believe the difference between those biscuits and the ones she’d eaten in restaurants. When she commented on the jelly, Hilda said, “Blackberries grow wild on the farm. I made the jelly last summer.”

      When they entered the kitchen, Hilda had already had breakfast. She sat at the table and sipped some coffee.

      “Wendy and I have been talking about her clothes,” she said to Evan.

      “I should have told her about the different climate, but I’ve been so worried about Daddy, I forgot it. I’m sure you don’t even own heavy clothes,” he said to Wendy.

      “That’s true. I’ve never been in a really cold climate before. I knew it would be colder up here, so it’s no big problem. I’ll only be here two weeks.”

      “Yes, but there’s no reason for you to be cold while you’re here,” Hilda said. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before. My niece moved to Arizona last year, and she left her winter clothes for my girls. But she’s taller than Olivia and Marcy, and although Olivia may grow into them, she can’t wear them now. The clothes are clean and hanging in the closet in garment bags. You’re about Annie’s size, and you’re welcome to use the clothes.”