by Cat Cahill
“I understand that,” Elizabeth said. “There’s nothing shameful about wanting to have your own land.”
It hurt to see that kindness in her eyes. He wondered if she’d look at him the same way once he finished telling her what he’d planned. “I’ve saved my wages for years. Other men would spend everything they earned after a drive, but I put my money away. It’s not enough though, and it won’t be for years to come.”
Her other hand caressed the back of one of his. It was such a sweet, simple gesture, meant to comfort. He’d reached the hardest part of his story, and pressing on seemed to be the equivalent of going outside right now and riding back to Cañon City.
“There are some men I know, that I worked with on ranches and drives throughout the years. One of them had the idea to spend the winter . . .” He forced himself to look her in the eyes. “To spend the winter rustling the cattle from the ranches where we’d worked.”
Her mouth opened just a little before she clamped it shut.
“That’s why I went to Cañon City, to meet up with them. It would’ve been good money, more than I’ve ever made. But Elizabeth, I couldn’t do it.”
Her face softened, and just seeing that gave him hope.
“I’d wrestled with it for days. I stopped here as an excuse, and then I couldn’t seem to leave, even though I spent more money on a room here than I should have.” He laughed dryly. “At first I stayed because I had doubts about the job, but later it became more about . . . you.”
She watched him, saying nothing. But her hand moved against his again, and just that one small touch brought a smile to his face. All around them, people talked and laughed, but here, next to the tree, it was as if they were entirely alone.
“I didn’t want to leave you. But I had nothing to offer you. I’d nearly made up my mind to take the job and never tell you what I’d done. I wanted to ask you if you’d wait for me. But then I heard what you said while I was sick.”
Elizabeth shut her eyes briefly and sighed. “I thought you didn’t want me,” she said.
Her words pierced his heart. “I’m so sorry, Elizabeth. All I can say is that once I got to town, I realized I couldn’t go through with it. I couldn’t leave you without telling you how I felt. And if you accepted me, I couldn’t lie to you for the rest of our lives. I love you, Elizabeth.”
Her lip trembled and her hand stilled.
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
“You’ve asked me that before.” She bit her lip before continuing. “The answer hasn’t changed.”
“Then believe me when I tell you that will never change. I won’t change. Whether that’s good or not is up to you to decide,” he said, hoping she could see the humor in his words.
He got a tiny smile in return, and so he pressed forward. “I will always treat you well. Because I love you, and I would never want to hurt you.” Landon raised a hand and ran his fingers down the side of her face, not caring who might see.
Elizabeth closed her eyes at his touch, but she said nothing.
“Please, tell me what’s on your mind,” he said when he could stand it no longer.
“I’m scared,” she said, her eyes wide open now. “I love you, and I’m terrified.”
“I understand, but you need not be.” He let himself go to one knee on the floor in front of her, ignoring the lightheaded feeling that came with such a quick movement, her hand still clasped in his. “I want to love you for the rest of my life. I want to take care of you, and keep you from ever being afraid again. And I promise to be nothing but honest with you. I don’t have much now, but if you can wait, someday we’ll have land and a home of our own. Elizabeth, will you marry me?”
She closed her eyes again briefly, and he feared she was about to reject him. But then they opened, and she smiled. “I do trust you. And I love you, Landon. So yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
All exhaustion forgotten, Landon leapt to his feet. He placed a hand on either side of her face and held her there for a moment. He was so lucky that this perfect, wonderful woman had come into his life.
Her eyes searched his face, and a smile played on her lips. “Are you going to kiss me yet?”
He laughed. “As much as I can, angel.” And with that, he met her lips. She wrapped her arms around him, and he moved his hands to pull her closer. She melted into him, a real-life angel in the glow of the candles from the tree.
Landon finally forced himself to pull away. He ran his fingers across her forehead, pushing back errant locks of her hair. “Come,” he said. “I have an idea.”
Her hand in his, he led her across the room to where the minister was speaking with a small group of people.
“Reverend,” he said the moment they were close enough for the man to hear him. “I don’t suppose you’d perform a third wedding today?”
Chapter Twenty-nine
The wedding lunch was a lovely meal, with everyone in high spirits. Elizabeth tried to enjoy the food and the company, but she found she spent most of the meal with her hand in Landon’s, sneaking glances at him and wishing it were evening already so they could be married. As soon as the lunch ended, the girls retreated to the lobby to exchange gifts.
Monroe led Landon away—much to Elizabeth’s dismay—to the men’s parlor along with Mr. Gilbert and Sheriff Young.
“I didn’t think he’d ever let you go,” Penny said teasingly as they sat before the tree.
“Oh, please! You and the sheriff haven’t let go of each other since the wedding,” Emma said.
“Yes, we did! I had to cut my meat, and I needed both hands for that,” Penny replied.
Elizabeth laughed along with her friends. Adelaide, impatient to get to the gifts, began handing them out. The girls opened them one at a time, marveling over each gift in an effort to make it last longer. As Dora opened the pretty hair comb Elizabeth had gotten for her—the one Caroline had explained was all the rage back in New York—Elizabeth wrapped her arms around herself and thought about how perfect this Christmas was.
Here she was, in a beautiful hotel with girls who had quickly become her friends, in front of a warm fireplace and a tree she’d helped decorate, waiting on the return of a man she knew would always come back. Last Christmas, she’d sat alone in a tiny one-room house that was no better than a shack, chilled because they’d run out of wood to burn, and wondering if her husband would be home for the meager Christmas meal she’d made. Looking at the happy faces of her friends, and knowing she’d never be lonely again on Christmas or any other day, Elizabeth could hardly believe the difference a year had made. She sent up a quick prayer of thanks before Emma drew her attention back to her surroundings.
“I must tell you all something,” she said. “I didn’t want to draw attention away from your weddings, but now that we have another wedding this evening . . .” She paused and smiled at Elizabeth.
“Well, what is it?” Penny said, scooting closer to Emma.
“I—that is, we—Monroe and I—are expecting a child.”
Elizabeth leapt up and knelt in front of Emma, flinging her arms around her newfound sister in a hug. “I am so happy for you!”
“Oh, I was hoping you would be!” Emma held Elizabeth’s hands in her own. “I only hope you and Mr. Cooper will be here to meet the baby.”
Elizabeth smiled at her. “I do too, but that isn’t something we’ve discussed yet.”
The other girls congratulated Emma, who beamed as brightly as the candles on the tree. Elizabeth sat back and marveled at how happy everyone seemed to be. This truly was the perfect Christmas.
“Now I believe we have another wedding to prepare for,” Penny announced, taking Elizabeth by the arm and tugging her gently until she stood.
Penny led Elizabeth to the stairs. An entire crowd of girls followed them, and Elizabeth laughed as at least ten of them found their way into her and Sarah’s room. Soon enough, she found herself dressed and her hair fixed in a loose chignon with a sparkling comb Sarah lent her.
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Adelaide bent down to pinch some color into Elizabeth’s cheeks, and Elizabeth had to swat her away.
“I think Landon will still marry me even if my face is the same color as the snow outside,” she said.
“You needed a little color,” Adelaide protested.
“Oh! I almost forgot.” Caroline slid through the group of girls crowded around Elizabeth and held out her hand. “Earbobs!”
Elizabeth peered into her palm at the most beautiful pair of shining pearl earbobs. “Caroline! Those must have cost a fortune!”
“I have another pair. Please, take them. Consider them a gift.”
“I couldn’t—” But Elizabeth’s protest was already lost as Penny reached for one of the pearls. Before Elizabeth knew it, they were affixed to her earlobes.
Penny stepped back, and Elizabeth glanced down at herself. She wore a dark green skirt and bodice that had come from Millie, a necklace from Edie, the earbobs from Caroline, and the comb from Sarah. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, but Elizabeth refused to cry from happiness, of all things, on her wedding day.
“Thank you all so much,” she said, her fingers resting on Edie’s necklace.
“You look lovely,” Dora said, taking her hand. “And now we must get you downstairs, else your intended will wonder what we’ve done with you.”
The girls escorted Elizabeth to the stairs. As she descended, she couldn’t keep the smile from her face. The lobby was especially beautiful in the glow of the evening lamps, crackling fires, and the candles on the tree. People had gathered again, forming an aisle just as they had for Dora and Penny’s weddings, but angled toward the tree this time. The minister stood in front of the tree, with Landon at his side.
Elizabeth nearly stopped on the stairs. Landon wore a suit! She hardly thought he’d wear his worn work clothing and scuffed boots to their wedding, but she hadn’t expected a suit. She didn’t know where it had come from, but it looked as if it had been made to fit him. He smiled at her as she reached the bottom step, and all she wanted to do was to run to him, grab hold of him, and never let him go again.
The girls filtered past her to join the other guests, wishing her luck and hugging her as they passed. Monroe appeared next to her and offered her his arm.
“Congratulations,” Elizabeth whispered to him.
He looked puzzled for a moment before grinning at her. “Emma told you?”
“She might have told all of us,” Elizabeth said.
“I’m not surprised. She’s been wanting to share our secret for a while now.” Monroe leaned closer as everyone turned and waited for them to walk down the aisle. “Are you happy, Lizzie?”
Elizabeth bit her lip to keep her own smile from overtaking her entire face. “So very much. I never thought it was possible to be so happy.”
“You deserve it,” he said, and Elizabeth thought her heart would burst from her chest. All those years of guilt she’d built up over what she’d done to him had melted in an instant.
“Thank you, Monroe. For everything.”
“I’ve already informed your husband-to-be that if he ever says an unkind word to you, he’ll be dealing with me.” He glanced down the aisle toward where Landon waited, shifting impatiently next to the minister.
The words warmed Elizabeth to her core, even though she knew they were unnecessary. “I appreciate your brotherly concern.”
“You’re stuck with me now. No more disappearing.”
She laughed. “Never again. I promise.”
Monroe gave her that crooked smile she remembered from their youth, the one that had always gotten him out of trouble. “Now let’s get you married before your groom comes marching down the aisle for you.”
So many familiar faces beamed at Elizabeth as Monroe guided her toward Landon and the minister. She couldn’t help comparing this wedding to the rushed one she’d had with Colin at the home of a justice of the peace seven years ago.
As Landon took her arm from Monroe, who kissed her cheek before going to join Emma, Elizabeth wondered if maybe her past hadn’t happened for a reason. After all, if she hadn’t left and endured what she had in California, she never would’ve needed to seek her brother out here, in this snowy valley, miles and miles from the nearest real town. And she would never have met Landon.
A sense of peace settled over her as she and Landon stood before the minister. They said their vows in front of the tree he’d cut down and she’d decorated with her friends. She couldn’t help but think of it as a symbol of their new lives, of the life and the home they’d build together.
The minister pronounced them man and wife, and Landon gently placed his hand on Elizabeth’s cheek to draw her in for a kiss. She wanted to drown in it, to never come up for air again, but he finally pulled back and laughed. “I promise you there will be more of that,” he whispered.
“I’ll hold you to that promise,” she replied.
Landon wrapped her hand in his, and they turned to walk back down the aisle.
As she faced her new friends and the hotel guests, Landon’s hand warm and protective around her own, all Elizabeth could think was how magical this Christmas was. It had brought her friendship, family, and love. And as she glanced up at her new husband, she knew she would treasure these memories for always.
Epilogue
Christmas dinner was a merry, loud, and filling affair. As soon as Elizabeth took her last bite of Christmas pudding, Landon leaned over to whisper in her ear.
“Come with me.” He gave her a devilish grin before taking her hand and leading her around the table and through the dining-room doors into the empty lobby. Everyone was gathered for the Christmas dinner, and not even a desk clerk was posted in his usual place.
“Where are we going?” she asked as they walked quickly past the twinkling tree toward the stairs.
“Run and get your coat,” he answered.
“Outside?”
All he did was smile and pull her up the stairs. They parted ways on the second-floor landing. Bewildered, Elizabeth retrieved her coat, hood, and gloves as quickly as possible and raced back to meet Landon downstairs.
It didn’t take him long. He moved quickly down the stairs, and she paused for a moment to admire her new husband. Husband. If she weren’t wearing layers of clothing, Elizabeth would have pinched herself. After everything that had happened, it was almost impossible to believe it was true.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“I half expected you to lie down and finally sleep,” she replied. “You still aren’t well.” How he’d continued through the day was beyond her, considering how exhausted he’d been when he returned.
“A beautiful woman agreed to marry me, and that’s keeping me wide awake.” He grabbed hold of the doorknob and opened the door to the dark night.
But it wasn’t so dark at all, Elizabeth realized as she let Landon lead her outside. Someone had shoveled all the snow that had fallen in the carriage path that led down to the depot, and the moon above illuminated the brightness of the snow all around them. The stars winked in the sky, like an array of tiny candles that stretched as far as she could see. And in the window, just to their right, the actual candles on the tree beckoned any traveler to come inside to warmth and merriment.
The cold air burned the inside of Elizabeth’s nose, but she was warm in Landon’s arms. He wrapped them around her and pulled her back close against him.
“Merry Christmas,” he whispered in her ear, as if he were afraid to disturb the silence of Christmas night.
Elizabeth turned her head slightly, just enough to see the outline of his jaw. “Merry Christmas. I believe this may be my favorite Christmas.”
“You believe?” he said in a joking voice.
Elizabeth smiled. He was so lighthearted now that he’d unburdened himself from the work he’d thought he needed to do this winter. “I suppose I know.”
“You suppose? Angel, you offend me.”
She laughed, and the sound disappe
ared into the stillness of the night. “It’s so lovely out here. I wish I could see this valley in the spring. I can only imagine how beautiful it is with wildflowers and green leaves on the aspens.”
“You may have that opportunity,” Landon said.
Puzzled, Elizabeth turned in his arms to face him. “What do you mean?” They hadn’t had much opportunity to discuss where they’d go once they left the hotel.
He moved his hands so they settled on her lower back. “Mrs. McFarland found me earlier. She seemed to know I was in need of better work.” He paused a moment, as if waiting for her to admit she’d shared this information with Mrs. McFarland.
But Elizabeth shook her head. “I’ve said nothing to her—or anyone—about that.”
“Hmm.” Landon looked over her shoulder into the chilly night before returning his gaze to Elizabeth. “She told me her brother owns a ranch not too far north of here. One of his neighbors is getting older and has no children to inherit his land. He’s looking for a partner to run the place with him and take it over when he’s gone.”
Elizabeth gazed up at him. Hope blazed in his eyes as he watched her reaction. She clasped her arms tighter around him. “How did Mrs. McFarland know the perfect man for that opportunity?”
He grinned at her. “I honestly don’t know. So should I ask her to send the man a letter? Would you be happy living on a ranch, even if it wasn’t fully ours yet?”
“Landon Cooper, this is your greatest dream. If you don’t ask Mrs. McFarland to send a letter, I’ll saddle up a horse and ride there myself tonight.”
Landon threw back his head and laughed. “All we need is you getting sick too.” He quieted and brought a hand to her face. “Thank you.”
She pressed her cheek into his touch. Light flurries of snow began to fall, and she blinked them away from her eyelashes. “I’m happy anywhere with you, but a ranch that will someday be ours? It sounds perfect.” She paused. “Perhaps all of this was meant to be. Perhaps this happened because you chose to leave Cañon City.”