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tapped her on the nose. “I think God gave us exactly what He thought we most needed.”
    “And that includes coffee,” Donovan said, holding up a packet of Arbuckles’ Ariosa Coffee. When no one else shared his enthusiasm, he shrugged.
    “It’s either vegetables or nothing,” Maddie said. “Take your pick.”
    When no one moved, Donovan started pulling cans off the shelf. “I don’t know about you,” he said, heading for the ladder, “but I’m hungry enough to eat a bear.”

Chapter 5
    Miss Parker’s Class
    Jesus had twelve opossums, which went out into the world to preach.
The opossum in our backyard just hangs from a tree.
Casey, age 7
    M addie insisted everyone wash their hands with soap and water before eating.
    “Do we have to?” Jimmy groaned.
    “Yes, you have to,” Maddie replied. She was dressed again, though the hem of her skirt was still slightly damp. It had just been too difficult to prepare the meal wearing Donovan’s oversize duster, the scent of him too distracting.
    Hands washed and dried, everyone scrambled to sit on the floor around the pew. They searched the cellar for cutlery and plates with no success, but Brandon found a rusty old can opener that worked just fine.
    “Let’s say grace,” she said. “We have so much to be grateful for.”
    Ignoring the children’s glum faces, she took Brandon’s hand, and he took Sophie’s. Sophie hesitated before finally offering her hand to Jimmy. He looked about to protest, but Donovan shook his head. Jimmy grabbed hold of the tip of Sophie’s pinkie finger.
    Donovan took Jimmy’s other hand before reaching for Maddie’s. Her hand seemed to melt in his, and her heart gave a mad thump.
    “Would you like to do the honors, Sheriff?” she asked, looking at him through lowered lashes.
    Donovan hesitated as if he was about to decline, but he nonetheless lowered his head. “Our dear heavenly Father,” he said, “thank You for bringing us together and for sending us a Christmas miracle. Amen.”
    Donovan squeezed her fingers, and Maddie quickly pulled away.
    “It doesn’t look like a miracle.” Arms crossed in front, Sophie thrust out her lower lip.
    “What? Roast beef and gravy isn’t a miracle?” Donovan reached for a can of string beans. “Ah, mashed potatoes—my favorite.”
    Sophie continued to pout, but Jimmy soon joined in the fun. “Lemon drops!” He reached across the table to grab a handful of corn.
    Sophie’s mouth dropped open. “I can’t eat without a fork or knife.” She looked close to tears.
    “We don’t need forks or knives,” Donovan replied. “We have this.” He picked up a piece of tack bread and demonstrated how to scoop up food without utensils.
    Watching Sophie try to maintain proper table manners under such difficult circumstances, Maddie almost felt sorry for her. In contrast, Jimmy had no qualms about eating with his fingers, much to Sophie’s disgust.
    Maddie scooped some kernels of corn on tack bread and handed it to Brandon. He ate hungrily, though he refused to eat peas. Soon color returned to his cheeks.
    Without silverware or china, it was the crudest meal Maddie had ever encountered, but never had she appreciated one more.
    Donovan held up a cracker topped with beets. “I think we should all make a toast to Jimmy.”
    “What’s a toast?” Sophie asked.
    “Don’t you know anything?” Jimmy said. “It’s something you eat in the morning and drink at night.”
    Maddie cleared her throat. “In this case,” she explained, “a toast is our way of thanking Jimmy for helping to bring about a Christmas Eve miracle. God truly worked through him. You see? God does love and take care of His people.”
    “Amen,” Donovan said, his mouth curving upward.
    Following Donovan’s lead, Maddie held up a piece of hardtack, and Sophie followed suit.
    “To Jimmy,” Donovan said.
    “To Jimmy!” they all echoed, even Sophie.
    Jimmy grinned from ear to ear, and Maddie felt her heart swell with