Pregnant by the Texan(83)
“I’m astounded, but oh, so thrilled. Thanks, Paige, for your part in this evening.”
“Whatever I can do, I’m glad to. After I eat, I’ll be at the table with the envelopes we’re giving out. Members of the TCC will help us and we’re doing this in shifts.”
“Great, thanks.”
Paige moved on and Aaron took Stella’s arm to walk to the dining room. Enticing smells of hot bread, turkey and ham filled the air, and the dining room had three lines of long tables laden with food. The rest of the room was filled with tables covered in red or green paper where people could sit. At the back of the room was a huge decorated Christmas tree. Presents surrounded it, spilling out in front of it, lining the wall behind it. There appeared to be hundreds of wrapped presents. Paige, Lark, Edie, Megan and four TCC members sat at two tables to hand out envelopes of money some families would be receiving.
Gil appeared again. “Stella, you’re the guest of honor—you get to go to the head of the line.”
“I feel ridiculous doing that.”
“We need you to go anyway so you can make the announcement about the gifts. Aaron, you go with her. Everyone’s waiting for you to start.”
Aaron took her arm as they followed Gil to the head of a line.
She had little appetite, but she ate some of the catered food that was there in abundance—turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and cream gravy, ham, roasts, barbecued ribs, hot biscuits, thick golden corn bread, pickled peaches, an endless variety.
When they finished, Gil excused himself and left the table. He was back in minutes to sit and lean closer to talk to Stella. “We’re ready to start matching people up with their gifts. People can pick up their things all evening long until eleven-thirty. The volunteers will change shifts at regular intervals so no one has to spend the whole evening handing out presents. If you’re ready, I’ll announce you. Aaron, go onstage. You’ll be next about the Dallas TCC.”
“Sure,” she said. “Excuse me,” she said to Nathan Battle, who sat beside her.
At the front of the room, Gil called for everyone’s attention. “As I think all of you know, some people in Royal lost everything in the storm. A good number of Royal residents have been badly hit. So many of us wanted to do something about that. This was Stella’s idea and I’ll let her tell you more about it—” He handed a mike to Stella.
“As you all know,” Stella began, “we decided to do a Christmas drive to provide presents and support for the people who need it most. All the Texas Cattleman Club’s members, along with the ladies from the Christmas-drive committee volunteered to help. Those who could do so, both from Royal and other parts of Texas have contributed generously so everyone in Royal can have a wonderful holiday.
“Each family receiving gifts tonight has been assigned a number. First, go over to the table where the volunteers are seated near the west wall and pick up the envelope that matches your number. That envelope is for you and your family. Also, there are gifts that correspond to those numbers under the Christmas tree and along the back wall. Just go see a volunteer, who will help you. You get both an envelope plus the wrapped gifts that correspond to your number.
“We want to give a huge thanks to all who contributed money, time and effort to this drive to make sure everyone has a merry Christmas. Thank you.”
People applauded and Stella started to sit, but Gil appeared and motioned her to wait. He took the mike. “I have one more important announcement—some really good news for us. Aaron Nichols and Cole Richardson are members of the Dallas, Texas, Cattleman’s Club, but they are spending so much time and money in Royal trying to help us rebuild the town that the Texas Cattleman’s Club of Royal invited them to join, which they did. Aaron Nichols and Cole will tell you about the rest. Aaron,” Gil said, and handed the mike to Aaron while everyone applauded.