A Home For Christmas. Linda Ford

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СКАЧАТЬ It’s fun to sit at the children’s table.”

      “Daisy is very good at minding the younger ones,” Linette assured Wade. “She’s Cassie and Roper’s oldest. With two brothers and a sister, she gets a lot of practice.”

      The little boy named Grady signaled to Joey. “You wanna sit with me?”

      And as easy as that, the two clinging children left Wade.

      He wanted to call them back, but Linette waved everyone to chairs.

      Somehow Wade ended up beside Missy. A glance around the table revealed they were the only single adults present, so he supposed it made sense to his hostess.

      He forced himself to sit calmly as Eddie said grace, even though having Missy so close made his nerves tingle. He tried to cover it up by squirming about in an attempt to see or at least hear the children.

      “Relax,” Missy said. “If Linette says it’s okay it’s okay.”

      He nodded, though he wasn’t sure he agreed.

      Linette spoke from the end of the table. “You couldn’t know it, but Daisy and her brothers and sister were orphans. Roper and Cassie adopted them. In fact—” she glanced about the table “—all these people have children who lost at least one parent.” She guided the passing of the food as she spoke.

      Louise sat on the other side of Missy and leaned around her to speak to Wade. “Even little Chloe. Her father never had a chance to meet her. Now Nate is her father.”

      The couples around the table smiled lovingly at each other, obviously content with their new relationships.

      Wade filled his plate with turkey and stuffing, ham and green tomato chutney, mashed potatoes and gravy, carrots and turnips. He realized all eyes were on him. Had he taken too much food? But a glance about the table revealed every plate held a generous amount.

      “Did I miss something?” he asked, silently acknowledging he had been interested only in the food.

      Everyone slid their gaze to Missy and back to him.

      “It seems like marriage would be the perfect solution for you, as well,” Linette said. “Both of you.”

      He shook his head. “Oh, no. Marriage isn’t for me.”

      Missy held up her hands. “Nor me.”

      “Why not?” Louise demanded of her sister-in-law. “What’s wrong with marriage?”

      “I didn’t say there was anything wrong with it. It’s fine if that’s what you want. I have other plans.” She dug into the pocket of her blue satin gown and pulled out a piece of paper. She unfolded it and showed it to Louise, who read it aloud, then stared at her.

      “A secretary?”

      “Using a typewriter.” Missy made it sound as if that made a world of difference.

      “Where will you get the money to take this class?”

      “I’ll earn it.” Her voice rang with determination.

      “But—”

      Before Louise could finish, Missy returned the paper to her pocket. “That’s what I’m going to do.”

      Wade released pent-up air. Thankfully, there’d be no more matchmaking.

      Every pair of eyes returned to him.

      “I’m sure there are other prospects,” Linette began. “I heard a family moved in this fall with an almost grown daughter. I haven’t met her yet but by all accounts she is pleasant and hardworking.”

      This must be the family Lane had gone to visit. Wade rolled his head back and forth. Even if he had any interest in marriage, the last thing he needed was a young woman barely old enough to leave her parents. Besides, Lane had his sights set on the young lady and Wade had no intention of being competition. “Marriage isn’t for everyone. And to provide for a family, a man needs a home. I have none. I’m a cowboy.”

      “Look around the table,” Eddie said. “These fellows were homeless cowboys, too, until they found a reason to settle down.”

      The conversation was thankfully dropped as people turned their attention to the bountiful food. Wade savored every mouthful even though the meal carried sorrowful memories of similar occasions spent with Susan and her family. But as Missy had said to Annie, his sister would want him to enjoy the day.

      Beneath the rumble of a discussion about the new church, Missy murmured, “One would think two orphaned children would be enough reason to settle down.”

      So much for thinking the topic had been abandoned.

      Wade’s enjoyment of the meal turned sour.

      Linette lowered her fork to the table. “Tell me, Wade, what are your plans for the children?”

      He, too, lowered his fork, knowing his answer would bring more criticism from Missy. Not that it was any of her business. “Ma’am, I’ve been in contact with a Mr. and Mrs. Bauer from Fort Macleod regarding adoption.”

      A collective gasp came from others at the table.

      “I had hoped to hear from them by now because I have to leave almost immediately. I’ve agreed to look after a friend’s ranch while he takes a trip.”

      A beat of silence passed before anyone responded.

      It was Missy who spoke. “I guess you’ll have to take the children with you.” Obviously she knew that wasn’t his plan, but she meant to force him to reconsider.

      “That’s not possible. I can’t take care of them and the ranch, too.” Before Missy could voice any more disapproval, before any of them could, he spoke again. “I need someplace safe to leave them until the couple comes. I hope...hoped they could stay here.”

      Linette and Eddie looked at each other for a moment. Eddie answered Wade’s request. “We’ll discuss it later.”

      With those words, he had to be content, though he could not relax with Missy’s heavy disapproval coming off her like a wave.

      The main part of the meal ended, the dishes were cleared away and mincemeat pie served. Wade hoped the children were enjoying the dessert more than he was. Every mouthful was full of regret from his own heart and silent accusations from Missy.

      Finally the meal was over.

      “Everyone return to the sitting room. There are gifts for all the children,” Linette said.

      Wade had begun to rise, but at that he sank back in his chair. He must find a way to draw Joey and Annie away so they wouldn’t be disappointed when they received no gifts.

      Linette waved a hand to indicate he should join them. “There’s something for Annie and Joey, too.”

      Missy waited at her chair as if to make certain he didn’t skip out.

      He СКАЧАТЬ