Western Christmas Brides: A Bride and Baby for Christmas / Miss Christina's Christmas Wish / A Kiss from the Cowboy. Lauri Robinson

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      “I can’t take the credit,” he said. “Abigail decided we should distribute them a day early and was up half the night folding the papers. I’ve never seen her so excited about something.”

      “I’m so happy she liked the etching and that you were able to use it. I can’t wait to see the paper myself.”

      “I thought so.” With an extra-large grin, he pulled a copy of the Gazette out of the inside of his coat.

      “Oh, thank you!” They’d crossed the open field and were near the blacksmith shop. As she took the paper, she increased her speed and hurried around the side wall so the wind wouldn’t rip the paper as she folded it open. The picture, with all the children’s names printed below it, took up most of the top half of the first page. She’d seen several of her etchings in the paper, but had never experienced the amount of delight that filled her right now.

      “As I said before, it’s amazing,” Teddy said quietly.

      Tears of happiness stung her eyes as she looked up at him.

      “And I’m so proud of you,” he whispered.

      Then he did something that made her heart and the baby do a somersault. He leaned down and placed a soft, warm kiss on her cheek.

      * * *

      Teddy held his breath. The kiss had been an impulse, one he hadn’t even had time to consider. Until now. He was proud of her, and he was fond of her. Growing fonder every day.

      The air was still locked in his lungs when Hannah opened her eyes. The smile that settled on her lips was gentle and so serene the air seeped out of his lungs. Her eyes were so blue, her features so perfect, he could spend hours just looking at her.

      “We better go,” she said. “We don’t want to be late.”

      Thankful she didn’t question his impulsive kiss, he gestured toward the paper. “Would you like me to carry that for you? I have a large pocket inside my coat.”

      “Please.”

      After tucking the paper in his pocket, he held out his arm. She folded her hand around the crook of his elbow as they started to walk around the blacksmith shop. They conversed about the weather and a few other things, including how he’d eaten the pie she’d delivered. He had thought of her with every bite he’d taken of that pie, and about being married and having a family. The idea was growing on him. This time it definitely wasn’t because he felt sorry for someone. This went much deeper and was much stronger. Far deeper than pride. He was proud of her, but it was more than that. He truly admired her. Unlike Becky, who had cried on his shoulder because of her situation, Hannah not only thought of others, she forged ahead.

      Arriving at the church, he led her up the aisle to where Brett, Fiona and the boys sat on one side. Abigail usually sat in the front, but today she was sitting with Angus across the aisle from Brett’s family.

      Abigail patted the bench space beside her. “We saved places for you.”

      Teddy remained silent, letting Hannah choose where she wanted to sit.

      Her smile never faltered as she stepped between the pews. “Thank you,” she said to Abigail before glancing around her to ask Angus, “How is your knee?”

      “Fine. ’Tis fine. It was just being testy this morning, lass. I hope you don’t mind that I asked the lad Teddy to escort you on this fine morning.”

      “Not at all,” she said, “but I do expect you to have Dr. Graham examine your leg if it’s not completely better by tomorrow.”

      Teddy took the seat beside her and nodded toward Angus as Abigail leaned closer to Hannah.

      “Did you see it?” Abigail asked.

      “Yes,” Hannah replied in a whisper. “Thank you. The children will be so happy.”

      “Thank you,” Abigail replied. “I believe it’s the best edition we’ve ever printed.”

      A mixture of satisfaction and pride filled Teddy. It might be too much to ask for these two women to become friends—Abigail didn’t acquire those very easily—but that was another thing about Hannah. She had the ability to look beyond the surface and touch the core of people. It would be good for his future wife and his sister to be close.

      His future wife. What was he thinking? He hadn’t decided that, had he? Hannah may not want that. She’d said she’d burned her list. Did that mean she didn’t want to get married at all now? What would that mean for her baby? Surely she didn’t plan on raising him or her all by herself? She made some money etching, but not enough to live on, and she couldn’t plan on living with Brett and Fiona her entire life.

      Teddy shifted slightly in his seat, just to take a quick sideways glance at Hannah. He hadn’t thought much about the mail-order bride idea when Josiah had first mentioned it. Wouldn’t have donated to the Betterment Committee if Abigail hadn’t insisted upon it. She’d said it was expected of him. As time went on and he found himself amongst men who’d truly wanted a wife—especially Brett—the idea of getting married still hadn’t appealed to him, although he’d pretended it did. He wasn’t lonely like the other men, not with Abigail living with him. And he had her to consider. She’d been so young when their parents had died, he knew he would continue to provide for her as long as necessary. Actually, having another woman around, one who could teach her the things he’d never been able to, might be a good idea. Hannah could teach her a lot. Especially when it came to being nice to others.

      He’d never considered that before. Truth be known, his thoughts were more selfish. The desires Hannah evoked in him were like no others, and not just physically.

      Daydreams had formed lately and had continued to grow every day involving her. He dreamed about her at night, too, dreams that left him aching in the morning. He’d tried not to admit that he was thinking of her along those lines, but he was, and those desires grew each and every time he saw her.

      A gentle tap on his arm had him glancing toward her. Smiling, she gestured for him to stand along with her, and join in the singing of the hymn.

      He did so, and then settled in to listen to Reverend Flaherty, hoping a solid lesson on righteousness would do him good. The reverend’s sermon was about love and kindness and forgiveness, all of which had him reaching over and taking hold of Hannah’s hand.

      * * *

      Hannah couldn’t remember if she’d ever enjoyed a sermon so much. The reverend’s message was full of hope as they embarked upon the Christmas season. In some ways, the holiday season had always seemed miraculous because when her family had descended upon her grandparents’ home for the holidays there had been nothing but kindness and love shared. Pappy had insisted it be that way. That the holidays were a time to rejoice in all the blessings that had been bestowed upon her family, and even her father had obeyed that rule. Thanksgiving and Christmas were the only two days she’d felt as if he’d loved her.

      She may not be with them this year, but she could still honor her grandparents’ traditions. They would like that. Closing her eyes, she said a silent prayer of thanks, and rejoiced in how Teddy squeezed her hand. She’d been cherishing the warmth of his hand since he’d taken hold of hers earlier.

      When СКАЧАТЬ