Ivy screamed as both men laid on the frozen ground, the white snow changing color beneath their bodies.
Seb opened his arms and Ivy immediately went into his embrace. He rubbed her back and kissed her forehead. “It’s over. You’re safe,” he said soothingly into her hair. “Nothing is going to happen to you.”
She didn’t remember how long they stayed there, but at that moment, she knew that she didn’t want to leave the comfort of his arms.
Chapter 10
Well, it was done, Ivy thought. By this time tomorrow she would be out of Belle. The next train would leave Fort Bridger on Christmas Eve. She just had to wait the few days.
She hated the thought of spending Christmas on the train. Mrs. Winslow, the owner of the boarding house tried to talk her into staying for the ceremony, but she couldn’t fathom being there without Seb.
As soon as they got dressed, Seb went looking for Clyde’s horses, thinking that he would tie them to a nearby tree. He brought the horses back, placing the bodies of Clyde and Jackson on one and hoisting Ivy to ride the other to town. Seb led the way on Joker. They went down an alternate path, so they could avoid the fallen trees. The snow had started to melt in the sunshine, so it was easier to head down the mountain.
Seb hadn’t said too much to her on the ride down, only to check if she was warm or needed water. The ride to town, which should have taken about an hour, took three.
They arrived just after noon. Seb took her immediately to the boarding house and after he explained the situation, Mrs. Winslow immediately took her in. His parting words were “Have a safe trip home,” before he clicked to Joker, taking the other two horses with him.
The next train wouldn’t be coming for another five days so she spent three of them in her room crying. She didn’t come out except to use the privy and to retrieve her suitcase that the deputy dropped off. One of the engineers sent it back on the train from Fort Bridger in the mail drop.
Mrs. Winslow couldn’t console her and the cups of tea she left at the door didn’t help either.
She hoped that Seb would return to the boarding house and confess that he loved her as much as she loved him. But it was a childish dream. You simply did not fall in love with someone doing something as mundane as being caught in a snowstorm.
But she did. She loved him. And now he was gone, and she was headed back home.
Ivy finally got the courage to head to the telegraph office. There was a message from her father saying he wired some money to her at the bank and he wanted her to get on the first train back to New York immediately.
Ivy thanked the telegraph operator and headed to the bank. She went to the bank to retrieve the funds her father sent her. She had no intention of returning to New York. She would see if she could trade the ticket for a one-way trip back to San Francisco.
She was on her way back to the boarding house when she was stopped by a handsome man. He took off his hat and gave her a nod. “Ma’am, my name is Jason Shepherd. I am the mayor of the town and I just wanted to make sure that you were recovering alright from your ordeal.”
“You must be Sebastian’s cousin. He mentioned you when we… ahhh. Have you seen him? Is he alright?”
Jason raised an eyebrow at her. He looked so much like his cousin, the same deep eyes, square cut jaw and dark brown hair. “No. I’ve not seen him since he came into town to drop you off. He met with the deputy and then headed back up into the hills.”
“Oh,” Ivy said, hoping the disappointment wasn’t audible in her voice. “Well, if you see him, please tell him…”
Jason waited. “Tell him what?”
“Tell him I appreciate everything he did to keep me safe.”
“Uh-huh,” Jason responded. “What are your plans now?”
“I heard there was a train leaving Fort Bridger tomorrow afternoon. I’ll see if I can secure a ride from the livery and then I’ll be headed back to San Francisco.”
“Not New York?”
“No. I am headed home.” Her voice choked on the word home. She cleared her throat and looked at Jason once more. “Thank you, Mayor Shepherd, for checking on me. I appreciate the kindness your town has shown me.”
Jason nodded as she walked towards the livery to secure a ride. If she was lucky, she’d be home in time for New Years.
☐☐☐
“You are the biggest fool I think I’ve ever known.”
“Would you care to tell me something I don’t know?” Seb asked his cousin, Jason, who rode all the way out to the cabin to find him.
Jason was sitting in front of the fire drinking coffee and Seb just refilled his own cup.
“Did you find the bells?” Seb asked.
“Not yet. It would be a Christmas miracle if they show up.”
“What are you going to do?”
“What do you mean?”
“If the bells don’t show up?”
“We’ll go on. That is the principle the town was founded on. The people of Belle go on,” Jason responded.
Seb drained his cup. “Are you headed to the celebration?”
“Yes. And you would be a fool not to come.”
“Why’s that?”
“Magic happens Christmas Eve.” Jason stood and finished his coffee. He put the cup on the table and went to the door to get his hat and coat. “You are up here alone moping in the cabin when there is a beautiful woman who most certainly loves you, down there in town. She is leaving tomorrow morning.”
“She hasn’t left yet?” Seb was surprised.
“No, the train won’t be back through until tomorrow. Paps is taking her to Fort Bridger tomorrow morning. He’ll be home in time for the celebration. I know Ma would love to have you there tomorrow night.” Jason shrugged into his coat and headed out towards the barn to get his horse.
Seb closed the door and he felt a weight so heavy he couldn’t describe it. When he thought about Ivy the weight lifted. Could it be love? If not, it was certainly the beginning of something beautiful. Perhaps even magical, as Jason described.
He quickly grabbed his coat and headed towards the barn. “Hey, Jason. Wait for me!”
☐☐☐
Ivy handed the old man her bag and he placed it in the back of the carriage. “Thank you, Paps,” she said, calling the man the same name as Jason.
Paps helped her into the buggy and then took the seat next to her. “Doesn’t seem fitting,” the old man said as they started down the road.
“What doesn’t?”
“A pretty little thing like you being on a train for Christmas. There has been a whole influx of women these past few weeks. I know some of them are getting married in the ceremony tonight. You should be among them.”
“I guess it just isn’t my time. Perhaps when I get back to San Francisco I may find someone.”
Paps gave her a knowing look.
“What?” Ivy asked.
“They say Christmas Eve is one of the most magical days of the year. Keep the faith, missy. You never know what might happen.” He tsked to the horse and the beast began to pick up speed.
They had just reached the outskirts of town when they heard the sound of thundering hooves behind them.
“Woah,” Paps said, pulling the reins for the horse to slow down.
Ivy peeked around the carriage enclosure and saw two horses rushing up the street. She recognized Jason on one of the horses. And Seb was on the other! Her heart became tight as she saw Seb overtake his cousin to reach the carriage.
“Pull over, Paps,” Seb called, slowing down Joker to keep pace with the carriage horse. Paps pulled the horse to a stop.
Seb quickly dismounted Joker and handed the reins to Paps before racing around to the other side of the carriage.
Ivy scrambled off the seat and onto the ground just as he scooped her up in his arms.
“Don’t go,” he said, crushing her to him. “I couldn’t bear it if you go.”
Ivy squeeze him back and then put her hands on his shoulders
leaning him back, so she could look at his face. “I have to go. I am needed back at the school right after the first of the year.”
“Ivy,” he began. He looked so unsure. His hair was hanging in front of his eyes, so Ivy reached out to brush it aside. He grasped her hand and pressed a kiss in the palm before placing it on his chest. “You have started my heart again. I didn’t think I could ever find love after Lacey, but you have shown me what is possible. I love you, Ivy. Please stay here.”
“Oh, Seb,” Ivy cried, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I love you too. I want to stay but I don’t know what I would do here in Belle. I’d need to wrap up some things in San Francisco.”
“Stay as my wife, Ivy.”
“You are asking me to marry you, Sebastian?”
“Yes. Will you marry me, Ivy Noelle Holiday? Will you live with me on the mountain? Will you give me sons and daughters that are as beautiful and smart as their Momma? I don’t want to be without you.”
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Ivy cried, peppering his face with kisses.
“We can get married tonight at the celebration and then I’ll go back with you to San Francisco, so you can finish your obligations and we can bring your belongings back home.”
“Home. I like the sound of that. Wait? Tonight?”
“Yes tonight. There is going to be several couples getting married. There is something magical about a Christmas Eve wedding, don’t you think?”
“Something magical indeed,” she said as she leaned up to meet his lips.
“Come on, old man,” Jason said. “Let’s head back to the livery and they can collect her bags once they are done with all this.
Paps laughed. “Yes, I’m happy that little missy is a Wynter bride.”
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Available in the Belles of Wyoming
Holiday Season
Wynter’s Bride – Christine Sterling
Holly’s Christmas Wish – Marianne Spitzer
A Tin Star for Christmas – Cyndi Raye
A Pony for Christmas - P Creeden
Natalie's Surprise Engagement - Julia Ridgmont
Plus, look for the Belles of Wyoming Season of Renewal books releasing in April 2019!
About Christine Sterling
Christine Sterling lives in a pre-civil war Farm House with her husband, three dogs – Morgan, Brandi and Samson, and about a dozen rescued barn cats. She has been writing since she was eight years old when her grandparents gave her a Sears & Roebuck typewriter with a hard-plastic cover for Christmas in 1977.
She spent her teen years crafting stories to include all her friends and then she discovered her true love -- romance when her beloved grandmother, Gigi, brought home a free promotional book from the Second Chance at Love Collection.
She was hooked and began to write and read every single romance book she could get her hands on. She has since authored and published many short stories, magazine articles, and the occasional novella. She has also ghost-authored and collaborated as a writing coach on many books.
She is passionate about writing, cooking, gardening, and teaching others to write and publish their first book. She straddles the line between fiction and non-fiction, not only writing historical and contemporary romances, but also personal development books as well.
One of her big goals is to grow a 150lb pumpkin and feature it in the county fair.
She loves hearing from her fans and will answer every email personally. You can write her at [email protected].
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