“I made them. Originally they were for Papa and JT,” she explained. “Fishermen rely on their sweaters, and the women here have their own patterns for each family. This is the Womack pattern.”

“I’m honored.” Luke held up the sweater and marveled at the work. “This is so heavy. I’m sure it’s very warm.”

“They are,” JT told him. “Nothing warmer. But they smell because you don’t wash them. The wool has special oils on it from the sheep, and that makes them waterproof. So you don’t wash them. You wear one of these sweaters and your coat, and you’ll never even feel the wind. Except for your face. That gets cold.”

Luke chuckled. “I’m sure.”

The rounds of gift-giving continued. It was casual and lovely, and Gloriana found herself wishing the morning would never end.

“We have a present for you, Luke,” JT said, bringing the wooden box from Gloriana’s room.

“I apologize for a lack of wrapping, but the cost seemed frivolous,” she said, looking at the waste of boxes and paper in her front room. At least some of the paper could be saved, and the boxes would be useful for storage.

JT handed the gift to Luke. “I hope you like it. It was my idea.”

Luke opened the lid. “A compass. How beautiful.”

“And useful,” JT declared.

Gloriana could see Luke was pleased. “Some people around here say that a man only needs a Bible and a compass to always go the right direction,” she said.

Luke smiled. “Sounds quite right.”

“We thought the bigger compass could be something to place in your office as a reminder,” she continued. She glanced toward Sally, who had fallen asleep without any concern about her gifts. Gloriana turned back to JT. “I have one more thing for you.”

She slipped off to her room and reached under the bed for a small wooden box. She hoped JT would be happy with what was inside.

“Here you are,” she said, rejoining the men.

JT looked at the box. It was about twelve inches across and maybe six inches deep. He opened the hinged lid and looked inside. “What’s this?”

“A memory box,” Gloriana said, smiling. “See, here is a letter Mama wrote to Papa once when he had to be far away. And this is a little hair comb Papa carved for Mama long ago. There are other bits and pieces from our family that will always remind you of them. You can add to it over the years whenever something special happens.” She held up a small blue stone that had been tied to a leather thong. “Papa could never afford jewels for Mama, but he made this for her the day you were born.”

JT took it from her and looked it over. “It’s sea glass. See how frosted it is?”