Christmas arrived at the Bergmann home with a fury. The weather had turned chill and snow flurries covered the red clay hills like powdered sugar. It was a beautiful site, but Ann stared out the windows as she secretly wished her unborn child would have fields of green to run through and tall trees to climb. Dropping the curtain as she felt Dirk’s loving embrace around her stomach, she turned to him with a kiss.
“Are you ready, love?”
“Yes.” She looked at her still bandaged hands. “But I don’t have a gift for you. I wasn’t able to knit…”
“You have given me the greatest gift of all. You.” He rubbed her slightly rounding middle. “And family, love, adventure, and hope for the future.”
As they gathered around the spindly pine that was strung with popcorn and red ribbons, Ann felt a myriad of emotions overwhelm her. How could one girl be so lucky? Again, Pa’s words mad their way through her mind about kindness and generosity. He was right. He truly was. She startled as a small flat package was placed on her lap.
Dirk hovered over her, smiling wickedly as she toyed with the wrapping paper. “Oh go ahead and open it. Don’t be so slow!”
“You are worse than a child!” She playfully admonished as she pulled free a small oil painting of a smiling young woman in breeches. “Is this me?” She squeaked as she could not fail to recognize her own features captured on canvas. “Did you paint this yourself?” The subject’s mischievous smile was reflected by her own.
“I forget your comments about our wedding portrait. I wanted our future relatives to know the true Blaze Ann I fell in love with. I hope you like it.” Dirk shuffled his feet just like an unsure little boy.
“I love it. I have never been given anything so fine.” Looking closer to the background of lush green, she had one more question. “Where am I standing in this portrait?”
“Well...” Dirk hesitated. “That is important, you see. I have one more gift for you and I hope you aren’t disappointed. “In the spring, we are moving to our new home in Cleveland, Tennessee.”
Ann looked to him in surprise.
“We will leave as soon as the weather breaks and will be there before the baby is born. I have commissioned a coach with every comfort in mind. I’m sorry for the short notice, but it is upon the urging of Mr. Raht that we must leave.”
“Is it because of the Robert’s situation?” She probed warily.
“No, much more than that. It seems there has been fallout between Raht and the Union Consolidated Mining ownership. The Union owes him more than a hundred thousand dollars and he’s taking them to the Supreme Court. In the meantime, he has opened the Cleveland National Bank and wants me to oversee it.”
Her eyes were wide with astonishment.
“I know. Dirk Bergmann, pick pocket criminal as a bank president. Raht does have a sense of humor. He also expressed concern for the dangers of mining and didn’t want our child to grow up without a father. Seems I owe him once again.”
“I am anxious to make this move, as long as you are by my side.” Ann caressed the portrait once more.
“That is where I’ll always be, love. I knew you would take the news well. You are a Copper Chameleon. You are not afraid to adapt to this ever-changing world. You are my hero.”
“Likewise, my love.” She purred. “But I do have one more question. What about Mrs. Arp?”
“I hope you don’t mind, but I have deeded this house to her with the hopes she’ll open a restaurant. That’s always been her dream.”
“She won’t come with us?” Ann could only hope.
“No. She said this is her home. I tried.”
Ann grimaced. “I guess you’ll learn what a poor cook I am now.”
He pulled her into his arms. “I could care less about your cooking skills.”
“And what are we going to live on? Love?” The spark between them ignited once again.
“Sounds good to me. You can burn it on the newfangled cast iron stove in our new house for all I care. Just think, in the future, I’m sure an inept wife will be able to destroy a meal in a matter of minutes!”
“A real cook stove? Are you kidding me?” Her voice squeaked. “I’ve only cooked over open fires!”
“Not anymore, Blaze Ann. We are moving into the future. Are you ready?”
“One day, an inept husband my have to burn his own food!” She countered. “After all, we are heading into the future.” She turned and ascended the stairs after giving him her best come hither look.
“Whatever you say, minx, whatever you say.” He couldn’t, no wouldn’t disagree.