After unbuttoning his coat, he took a deep breath then shoved open the kitchen door and stepped inside. A roll of his shoulders dropped the coat to the floor. “Vika, honey, what have you got to feed a hungry traveler?” He heard his kids’ yell his name and spared them a fleeting glance to assure himself they were unharmed. Then his focus shifted to Vika. He saw her shoot a scared look over her shoulder, and he did his best to convey his support through their locked gazes.
The stranger slowly stood.
But Chad didn’t stop moving until he pulled his kids away from Vika and pressed them against a cupboard. “Daddy’s here. Sit here and stay quiet.” Not pulling them into his arms tore at his heart. But he straightened and slid an arm around her waist. He pulled her close and set his mouth near her ear. “Follow my lead.” Then, partly for show but mostly for luck, he pressed a hard kiss to her rounded mouth. We’re together, and we’ll be fine.
When he broke away, he clamped her to his left side then moved into the room to face the man who balanced on the balls of his feet. “Evening, sir. I don’t believe we were introduced before in town.” He extended his right hand and forced a wide smile. “I’m Chad Rutherford, and you’re visiting my ranch.”
“Yeah, uh, name’s Roy McFie.” He shook then pulled away his hand, glancing between the adults. “I’m sure Vika here told you all about me from when we lived in Lincoln.” He gave a laugh. “Her brother and me were pals.”
“Chad, don’t believe—”
“Sweetheart…” The tension in her voice cut right through him, but he didn’t change his friendly expression. He turned enough to shoot her a look and slant his eyes toward the kitchen. “Whatever you fed your friend Roy is good enough for me. Go on now and prepare me a plate.” As soon as he saw her turn toward the doorway, he rested both hands on the top of the closest chair and scanned the table. No other places had been set, so a friendly meal had not taken place. A glass with an inch or so of amber liquid was positioned near Roy’s plate, and the bottle sat in the middle of the table. Wonder how much he’s had. Chad made a show of blowing on his cupped hands. “Night air’s cold out there. Think I’ll pour myself a whiskey. Want another, Roy?”
“I’m not in the habit of passing up a drink.” Roy reached into his shirt pocket.
“Darlin’, bring me a glass, please.” Chad shifted several inches to his left while Roy was distracted with his tobacco and papers.
Frowning, Vika inched into the room, her arm extended toward her husband, but her gaze riveted on Roy.
He wrapped his fingers around the glass and jiggled it to get her attention. But she just stared. “Vika.” Chad waited until she blinked then looked his way. “Go get my food.” He narrowed his gaze and tilted his head a tick, hoping she’d get the message to stay there. Not wanting to be obvious in his signaling, he stretched for the bottle then uncorked it and held it toward Roy. The man had to be predictable for the takedown to work.
“Hold on there, Chad. I enjoy a smoke with my liquor.” He thumbed the top of a match until it flared then lit his cigarette. Once he sucked in a long draw, he lifted his glass toward the waiting bottle.
In a flash, Chad tipped the bottle far enough past the glass to slosh over Roy’s cuff then set the bottle on the table.
“Look what you did, you clodhopper.” Roy slammed down the glass and brushed a napkin over his sleeve. “You got my shirt wet.”
With his left hand, Chad cleared leather with his revolver and trained it on Roy’s chest. “No, you look what I did.”
Roy lifted his head, and his eyes bugged.
“Raise your hands above your head.”
For several seconds, the man held his hands level with his waist, his gaze flicking between the weapon and the man holding it.
Though his heart just about hammered out of his chest, Chad took his time to move his right hand to hover over the hammer. “Do it, or the first shot goes dead center through your navel.” He lowered the barrel an inch. “I heard being gut shot is the worst kind of pain.”
“Don’t shoot. They’re up.” Roy shot his arms toward the ceiling.
“Vika, grab the rope that’s on the back porch and bring it here.” He heard her slow footsteps start across the kitchen then stop. “Everything’s all right. Just bring me the rope.”
The door opened then closed a few seconds later.
She approached and stood at his side. “I’ve got it.”
His neckline tightened from where she grasped the back of his shirt. Wishing for some way to comfort her, he could only focus on the next step. “Set it on the table right in front of me.” He waited until he saw the brown rope slide into the bottom of his vision field. “Good. Now, I can’t take my gaze off this skunk, but I need your help with the next part.”
“Aye. What should I do?”
The tension on his shirt released. He reached in her direction until he touched her forearm then ran his hand down to clasp a hand, tugging it toward him. “Take the gun and keep it aimed at your friend, Roy. I don’t know why he’s here, but an honorable man doesn’t remain in a house with a woman and kids when her husband isn’t there.” Keeping Roy in his sights, he molded her trembling hands around the weapon, making sure Roy saw him position her pointer on the trigger. “Vika, honey, I know you’re not used to guns.”
Roy sucked in a quick breath, and his eyes rounded more.
Chad kept his voice calm, figuring that’s what she needed. He reached forward to loosen the binding loops, grabbed a free end, and twisted a slipknot. “But being this close, your aim doesn’t have to be good. I’m walking around to Roy’s side of the table now, so be careful not to shoot me.” Trusting she could handle the task, he rounded the end of the table, pulled down Roy’s right arm, slipped the small loop over his wrist, and tugged.
“Hey, that’s tight.”
“Supposed to be, stupid.” Then he did the same with the left arm and wound the rope several times. “Sweetheart, you did real well. Lower the gun and lay it on the table.” Only when he’d removed Roy’s holster and tossed it in a corner did Chad draw a full breath. He glanced to where Vika stood holding the back of a chair. Strands of loosened hair straggled along both cheeks and her skirt waistband hung lower on one side than the other. None of the messy details mattered. He gazed into her gray eyes and let gratitude for her and his kids’ safety fill him.
Blinking fast, she met his gaze and lifted her chin. “Yer mistaken, a chuilein. Roy is no’ a friend of mine.” With a nod, she spun and rushed into the kitchen.
Her soothing voice assured him his kids were being well cared for. Now, to secure this skunk until the sheriff arrived. Chad hooked a boot around a chair leg and pulled it from the table. “Sit.” He pressed on Roy’s shoulder.
“I can’t sit with my arms behind me.”
“Sure you can.” Chad forced him down, yanked his wrists close to the back rungs, and lashed him to the chair. For good measure, he circled the ropes around the intruder’s ankles. A handkerchief took care of his protests and denials. Now that the danger was passed, Chad realized poor Biscuit had been barking the entire time and now barely produced a squeak. He sprinted upstairs, scooped her from the basket, and nestled her against his chest. “You would have scared him away if you’d been free. Right, girl?”
Biscuit stretched and licked his chin.
Smiling at the doggie kiss, he ruffled his fingers under her jaw on the walk back toward the kitchen.
Singing floated on the air, and he stopped in the doorway.
Vika sat with an arm around Lance and Guinie as the kids taught her “O Tannenbaum.”
Guinie looked up, and her eyes rounded. “Daddy!” She jumped up and launched herself in his direction.
Chad squatted and set Biscuit on the floor just in time to catch Guinie’s flying body. “You’re safe, my girl.”
“That bad man hurt Miss Vika.” She nestled her cheek into his neck. “He pulled her hair and made her scream.”
Anger stiffe
ned his body. That was her scream? “Mister McFie is not a very nice man.” Releasing a slow breath, he rubbed a circle on his daughter’s back then looked at his son. “You okay, Lance?”
“Yup. Miss Vika told us she wouldn’t let the bad man hurt us.” He tilted his head and smiled up at her. “She was brave like one of King Arthur’s knights.” His brow furrowed. “Can ladies be knights?”
“Lassies and lads can be whatever they wish.” Vika pulled him close and brushed a kiss on his head.
An hour later, the kids were asleep and Chad watched through the front window as Sheriff Walters and Deputy Tilman disappeared into the darkness with their prisoner riding between the law men.
Chad pulled the curtain then turned and spotted Vika standing a few feet away. He held out his right hand and waited for her to step forward and clasp it. Her grip was strong, and her hand no longer shook. Without a word, he guided her to sit at his side in the middle of the davenport. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine…now.” She tilted up her chin and smiled. “Thanks to ye.”
“Why did that man break in? What was he doing here?”
“I should have explained that day in town, but I hoped he only blustered.” She drew in a deep breath. “Roy McFie was my beau many years ago, but he deserted me to seek his fortune in the gold fields. By his actions, that venture has no’ worked so well. When he learned of Birk’s death, he figured I had an inheritance…specifically, my mother’s jewelry.”
“So he was wrong?”
“I’ll no’ be saying that.” She stood, collected the basket holding her yarn, and sat again. “Mother took only some of her jewels.” With quick moves, she unwound the smallest ball then cupped an emerald ring on her palm.
The little minx. Chad let out a laugh. “Smart and beautiful, what a great combination.” Then he sobered. “So, he really didn’t hurt you?”
“No more than a slight headache. I was terrified for the bairns, though. They were excited to share their news but forgot.”
“What news?” He leaned back and watched her expression in the dying firelight.
“Ye must swear to be surprised when they tell ye tomorrow.”
Slipping an arm around her shoulders, he nodded.
“Guinie no longer wears nappies and uses the chamber pot. I sewed the pantalettes with lace and embroidery where she could see them and used them as a wee bribe to get her cooperation.” As she talked, Vika laid her head on his shoulder. “The next step is for her to use the privy. But with the weather becoming colder, getting that agreement might be tougher. And Lance has a loose tooth.”
Closing his eyes, he savored her relating what they’d done in his absence and the sound of his wife’s lilting voice. The loneliness he’d felt for the past week dissipated. What he wanted to say had been on the tip of his tongue for so long, but he didn’t know if he’d be coherent when he spoke.
“Chad, I—”
To stop her from continuing, he pressed a finger to her lips, savoring their plumpness. “No, my turn. I have to express my deepest thanks for you keeping my kids from harm.” He slid his left hand to cup her cheek and stroked his thumb along her soft skin. “The minute I saw the house from a distance, I knew something was wrong. I don’t know how long you had to deal with McFie, but you kept calm enough for him not to become belligerent.” After another squeeze of her hand, he realized he couldn’t stop touching her. “Lance and Guinie are so precious to me.” He swallowed hard. “And I don’t know what—”
“Dinna say it. I couldna imagine it, either.” She laid fingers against his mouth. “Knowing how special they are, I held their safety as my first priority. They’re such good bairns and followed every instruction.”
He gently moved away her fingers. “I wasn’t done speaking.”
She dipped her head. “Ach, look at me gabbing away.”
“Vika.” He cupped his hands around her cheeks and eased her head upward until he looked into her shining eyes. “I don’t mind your talking, but first, let me tell you what I learned on my trip. I had lots of time to think…and to miss you.”
A breath whooshed through her lips.
For a moment, he let his gaze rove her face, taking in the features that were so dear. “I want you to be my wife. Vika Anice Carmichael Rutherford, I want to be your husband in all ways. Tonight, I make a vow to be open to the love that I want to grow between us.”
A tear trickled down her cheek. She leaned close and gave a gentle kiss. Then she backed away to flash a huge smile. “Aye. A thousand times aye.”
Chad threaded his fingers through her hair and held her in place while he lowered his lips to hers, brushing his mouth from side to side to taste every bit. He nibbled her lower lip until she sighed. Then he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and let his emotion guide his movements. Minutes later, he stroked her hair and cradled her head against his chest.
The tree in the corner held most of the familiar decorations from years past on the bottom half. On higher branches, he saw what looked like star cookies hanging from ribbons. Pine boughs draped over the fireplace mantel and the door lintel. She’d turned his house into a home.
Shoving himself to his feet, he leaned over and lifted her against his chest. Then he carried her upstairs to make her his wife…for tonight and for forever.
Epilogue
December 15, 1882
Vika snuggled her hands under the blanket and gazed around at the evergreens. Snow remaining from last week’s storm weighed a few of the lower branches. Today marked the anniversary of her first Christmas tradition.
A distance from the ranch into the foothills, Chad pulled the team to stop, and he helped everyone down from the wagon.
Whooping and hollering, Lance and Guinie ran toward the nearest grouping of trees.
As Vika bent forward, her rounded stomach provided resistance, and she moaned. Just this past week, she stopped seeing the tips of her boots past her expanding belly. “I canna do this much longer, little dog.” She set Biscuit onto the ground covered with a scant inch of snow. Bright red booties covered the dog’s paws, and she chased after the bairns. Although she really should learn to use the word children. In just four months, a real bairn would join the family. Smiling, she looked around. “Is this the spot where we came last year?”
Chad reached into the wagon bed and lifted out the axe. “Nope. I have four areas with the type of trees I like, and I rotate. Now, let me catch up to the kids and see what they’ve found.”
She widened her eyes and pressed a flattened hand to her chest. “What about my opinion, a chuilein?”
He stopped walking and turned. “You want to weigh in on the tree? Last year, you didn’t say a word.” Shrugging, he closed the distance and dropped the axe to the ground.
“Remember, last year, I dinna know a thing about Christmas.” And I knew no’ about being part of this family.
“Now, you’re an expert, sweetheart?” Eyebrow cocked, he slipped his arms around her middle.
“Nay, but I’m learning, and I want my choice heard. What do ye say about that?”
Grinning, he dipped his head and nuzzled her neck.
His cold nose worked its way beneath her warm scarf and made her shriek. But when the graze of his lips caressed a hot trail to the sensitive spot behind her ear, she melted against him.
Chad pulled away enough to look into her eyes and grin. “I’d say you are really and truly a part of the Rutherford family, my darling.”
That special grin that crinkled the skin around his eyes, the one he saved just for her, always set her heart fluttering. A lump grew in her throat, and she smiled into his loving gaze. Although she’d traveled far and fought hard, Vika found a place in the hearts of the three, soon to be four, most precious people ever and a home in a log cabin nestled in the foothills, surrounding by sheep. The love she received every day filled her with such happiness that she trusted she’d never again be lonely.
Thank you for reading A Vow for
Christmas, Book 7 in the Spinster Mail-Order Brides series
Book 1--A Marshal for Christmas by P. Creeden
Book 2--A Bride for Christmas by Cheryl Wright
Book 3--A Husband for Christmas by Margaret Tanner
Book 4--A Farmer for Christmas by Marisa Masterson
Book 5--A Family for Christmas by Cheryl Wright
Book 6--A Shadowed Groom for Christmas by Marisa Masterson
Upcoming titles
Book 8--A Sheriff for Christmas by P. Creeden
Book 9--A Groom for Christmas by Cheryl Wright
Book 10--A Niece for Christmas by Margaret Tanner
Book 11--A Cowboy for Christmas by Christine Sterling
Book 12--A Companion for Christmas by Marisa Masterson
Book 13--An Orphan for Christmas by P. Creeden
Book 14--A Fresh Start for Christmas by Kimberly Grist
Book 15--A Miracle for Christmas by Patricia PacJac Carroll
Book 16--A Mother for Christmas by Christine Sterling
Book 17--A Home for Christmas by Julia Ridgmont
Book 18--An Outlaw for Christmas by Susan Horsnell
OTHER HISTORICAL TITLES
BY LINDA CARROLL-BRADD
Set in Debra Holland’s Montana Sky world
Laced By Love - Book 1, Entertainers of the West
An Unlikely Marriage - Book 2, Entertainers of the West
Dance Toward The Light - Book 3, Entertainers of the West
Baling Wire Promises - Book 4, Entertainers of the West
Hearts in Rhythm - Book 5, Entertainers of the West
In His Corner - Book 6, Entertainers of the West
A Vow for Christmas Page 9