Wild West Christmas: A Family for the Rancher / Dance with a Cowboy / Christmas in Smoke River. Kathryn Albright

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      “You seem so confident with them.”

      “The children?” She laughed. “I remember when my first was born. Lord have mercy. I was so scared I’d do something wrong. And I did, of course. Live and learn. But she came out all right. Isn’t that right, Lizzy?”

      Behind them came the clatter of silverware as a young woman set the table in the adjacent dining room. She stepped into the doorway and introductions were made.

      Mrs. Pellet smiled proudly. “Could run the place herself. Her husband will be a lucky man. This one doesn’t want to sit in church with me anymore. Not when she can sit with her intended.”

      Lizzy flushed and then returned to her work.

      “So, Mrs. Truett, any word from Mr. Harvey?” asked Mrs. Pellet.

      Alice took a moment to recover from her shock. She had no idea how Mrs. Pellet knew this, but was impressed, as she had only sent the wire last evening.

      “Ah, it’s Miss Truett,” she corrected. “And no, I’m afraid the offices are closed today.”

      “Oh, but I have a special connection.” She turned to Lizzy. “Isn’t that right, my girl?” Louise Pellet beamed at Alice. “Tommy is one of the operators. That’s Lizzy’s beau.”

      And that explained that.

      “Yes, well, I’ll be seeing to the boys’ care in the short term.”

      “So you’ll stay through the winter?” asked Mrs. Pellet.

      “No, unfortunately, I’ll be returning to my family for the holidays.”

      “Oh, that’s a shame. I’m sure the boys will miss you. When will you be back?”

      “Well, I’m not certain,” said Alice. “My responsibility was only to bring the boys to their uncle.”

      “You’ve gone a sight farther than that. Offering to see them situated. But have you thought what will happen after you make those three a home and then disappear?”

      Alice felt her breathing catch. “I have no claim on them, nor has Mr. Roach asked for my assistance past the holidays.”

      “Is that so? So you two never...” She let her words trail off. Mrs. Pellet was a very perceptive woman.

      Alice felt her face heat. “Well, we did see each other, but that was some time ago.”

      “And his sister sent you out here, to him.”

      “To bring her boys to him, yes.”

      Mrs. Pellet’s smile was knowing. “Might be mistaken. Would explain why he works so hard, though.”

      Alice shook her head in bafflement. “I don’t follow.”

      “Uncle Bill told me that Dillen seemed real focused on earning money. Won’t say why. He thought Dillen owed a debt, but now I’m thinking that reason is you. Wouldn’t be the first time a man was intimidated by a gal’s fortune.”

      “I wouldn’t intimidate anyone.” But his words ricocheted in her mind. You don’t understand me at all.

      Mrs. Pellet snorted. “Dillen is a working man. You wear a diamond brooch.” She pointed to the cameo at Alice’s collar. “You’ve got fine clothes, a fine vocabulary and a sort of carriage that might make you a little difficult for some men to approach.”

      “Difficult? In what way?”

      Mrs. Pellet ignored her question. “Still, you surely love those boys. That’s plain. Plus, you brung them all the way out here. That’s gotta count for something.”

      Alice continued to stare at the spotless carpet, thinking of what he’d said before leaving her behind. It would not work between us. No future. Those words collided with the ones he had spoken to her only days ago. Alice twisted the lace that protruded beyond her fawn-colored cashmere bodice.

      “He kissed me at the ranch,” she said, touching her fingers to her bottom lip.

      Mrs. Pellet’s brow lifted. “That so? Suppose he wants you but just can’t figure how to make that happen. Maybe you can think of something. Those little boys sure need a mother. And likely he can’t picture you keeping house.”

      “He already alluded to that. Laughed, actually.”

      A smile flickered on the landlady’s lips, but she tamed it and met Alice’s earnest stare. “No, Miss Truett, you sure are not cut from broadcloth. Satin and lace, real French lace, maybe.”

      “And why should my attire be of concern?”

      “Roach is an ordinary man. A good man, and that’s rare enough, but he’s ordinary in his roots.” Mrs. Pellet lifted one eyebrow at her in speculation. “If you want him to see you as ordinary, you got to act ordinary.”

      “How?”

      “Start with that hairstyle and your fancy clothes. Stop using words like alluded and attire.”

      “I see.”

      “You want him to forget you’re a lady? See you as a wife? Then you’ve got to show him you can tend those boys. And that underneath all those petticoats you’re a flesh-and-blood woman.”

      * * *

      Dillen looked surprised to see Alice seated at Mrs. Pellet’s table. Would he have come to see her and the boys if they were not invited to share Sunday supper?

      She felt a new tension between them as they took their places at the table. Dillen seemed distracted. Had he also lost sleep over his decision to ask his employer if she and the boys could stay on his property?

      She straightened as something occurred to her. Could Mr. Harvey dismiss Dillen over such a thing?

      Mrs. Pellet had seated Alice beside Dillen, something that would never have occurred at her mother’s table. Cody also sat next to Dillen, who helped him carve up his ham. Did Dillen realize he had the same easy confidence with the boys as Mrs. Pellet had with hers? Colin sat to Alice’s right and only spilled his milk once and was not the only child to do so, much to her relief.

      The table was so crowded and the exchanges so lively that Alice had trouble following the discussions. She’d never seen such a raucous, happy family. The quiet conversation of her own family’s dinners quite paled by comparison. Alice thought of returning to their table and of all the years and years of sitting in that quiet room. It frightened her more than any challenge she might face at the ranch. She could do this, because the alternative was returning to her parents’ home permanently.

      She had to remind herself that Dillen had only agreed to let her stay for the boys’ sake, not for his.

      In all the commotion, no one noticed when Dillen’s leg lolled against hers. She straightened, and then remembered Mrs. Pellet’s words. Make him see her as an ordinary woman. But how did she do that? She glanced across СКАЧАТЬ