The Christmas Quandary: Sweet Historical Holiday Romance (Hardman Holidays Book 5)

by Shanna Hatfield

  “Of course, darling. We’ll skate with you. Are your mother and brother in the house with Aunt Ginny?”

  “Yep!” Maura squirmed to get down so Dora set her on her feet.

  The older woman handed the child a few cushions. “You may help me put these on the benches, Maura.”

  “Okay, Grandma.” Maura flopped cushions on two benches then waved to Erin Dodd and ran to greet her as she arrived with her father.

  Lila watched Tom as he helped lift the benches, enthralled with the hint of muscle that played beneath the wool coat he wore. Although he could only use his left hand, he hurried to keep up with the other two men.

  “Like what you see?” Alex Guthry teased as she and Arlan stepped beside her.

  Lila blushed. “I was merely observing the placement of the benches.”

  Alex laughed. “If you say so. I thought perhaps you were observing the placer of the benches.”

  Lila glowered at the woman then pointed to the trumpet case Arlan carried. “Is the band really going to play?”

  Arlan nodded. “We are, at least for a little while. Once my lips get cold, I’m quitting. I don’t want them freezing to the trumpet.”

  Alex nudged him with her elbow. “I’d be happy to help keep them warm.”

  Arlan bent down and whispered something in her ear that made her smile while pink suffused her cheeks.

  “Ladies,” he said, tipping his hat to them both before he wandered over to the wooden platform where the band would perform.

  “Have you been to the house?” Lila asked as she and Alex meandered to the refreshment table.

  “No. We came straight out here. I thought I might be of some help in setting up the refreshments.” Alex glanced around. “Where are Filly and Ginny?”

  “In the house. Ginny’s feet are terribly swollen. Blake forbade her to come outside, so she’s pouting. Filly’s making a few last minute contributions to the food.” Lila waved to a group of new arrivals.

  “I’ll go check on them,” Alex said, hurrying toward the house. Lila turned around and found her nose nearly pressed against the front of Tom’s coat. His hands settled on her arms to steady her.

  “Sorry, Lila. I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”

  She took a step back and smiled. “It’s fine, Tom. How are you?”

  “I’m good, but I’ll be even better if you’ll put on your skates and be my skating partner today.” The imploring look on his face combined with his boyish smile left her incapable of refusing.

  “I’d love to,” she said, walking over to where Luke had left all their skates. She sat down on a bench and fastened her skates on her boots while Tom buckled on his. When they finished, he stood and held out a hand to her. “Shall we?”

  “We shall,” she said, placing her hand in his. Even through their gloves, a jolt traveled up her arm and spread down to her toes.

  They made their way to the edge of the ice that Luke, Chauncy, and Blake had diligently cleared of snow earlier in the week. A few other couples and several children skated by, laughing and smiling.

  “Come on, Lila Lilac.” Tom grinned and led her onto the ice.

  At first, they struggled to get in harmony with each other. Before they made it halfway around the pond, they found their rhythm and skated together as though they’d done it hundreds of times.

  “This is nice,” Lila commented as Tom settled his right hand on her waist and held her left hand in his.

  “Very nice,” he agreed.

  She felt his gaze lingering on her but dared not look up at him. If she did, she’d end up tripping or something equally embarrassing.

  The warmth of his breath caressed her neck and his voice rumbled in her ear. “You look beautiful, Lila. Like a lovely spring blossom dropped in the snow.”

  Pleased he found her attractive, she smiled. “Thank you, Tom. You look nice, too.”

  In fact, she couldn’t imagine how he could be more appealing. Either he’d regained the ability to shave or had visited the barber, but his scruffy cheeks were clean shaven. The smooth, taut skin taunted her along with the slightly woodsy scent of his shaving soap. The blue scarf looped around his neck perfectly matched the blue of his eyes, making them stand out.

  Recalling the fervent kisses they’d shared the day they went sledding, she wished he’d kiss her again. She’d never experienced anything like the sensations created when Tom held her close and pressed his lips to hers.

  Lost in her thoughts of how badly she wanted to feel them moving on hers, she missed a step and they both went down on the ice in a tumble.

  “Are you okay?” Tom asked, hurrying to disentangle himself from her skirts.

  “I’m fine,” she said, sitting upright and glancing at Tom in concern. He held his right arm against his chest, as though it hurt. “Did you hurt your arm when we fell?”

  Ignoring her question, he got to his feet and held his hand out to her. She took it and stood, placing her free hand on his arm. “Tom, I’m so sorry. I didn’t even think about the possibility of injuring your arm. Should we go back by the fire?”

  “No. It’ll take more than a little spill to keep me from skating with the prettiest girl here today.” He smiled and returned his hand to her waist.

  Lila caught his cringe of pain, but refrained from commenting on it. She would have been content sitting next to him on a bench watching the others. Instinctively, she knew Tom would chafe at the idea.

  As they circled the pond, they skated past Dora and Greg. Maura clung to their hands, giggling as she slid her feet across the ice. A few of Tom’s students waved and zoomed past them as they chased each other across the pond.

  When the band began to play, Tom and Lila joined other couples waltzing across the ice, skates swoosh-swooshing in time to the music. Luke and Filly skated beside them. Lila scowled at her cousin when he waggled his eyebrows and tipped his head toward Tom.

  “Something wrong?” Tom asked, noticing her frown as she watched Luke skate off with his wife.

  “No. My dear cousin thinks he’s far too clever for his own good, though.”

  Tom chuckled. “Luke is a clever fellow. After all, he did marry the best cook in the county before anyone else even knew who she was.”

  She grinned. “I concede he does have moments of brilliance, his marriage to Filly being one of the few.”

  The song ended and Tom guided Lila over to where his parents visited with some of their close friends.

  “Oh, gracious, Lila, you look so beautiful,” Junie gushed, giving her a warm hug. “That deep shade of amethyst suits you.”

  Lila smiled, pleased by Junie’s kind words. “Thank you, Mrs. Grove. It’s one of my favorite colors.”

  Junie slipped her arm around Lila’s tiny waist and gave it a squeeze. “You must call me Junie, honey. Now, did Tom get you something to drink? Ginny and Filly made the best hot cider. Would you like a cup?”

  “I would. Although the sun is shining, it’s still unbelievably cold out today,” Lila said, following Junie to the refreshment table. Tom accompanied them and handed both women a cup of cider before he took one for himself.

  “Thank you, sweetheart,” Junie said, patting her son’s cheek. “The band makes the event even more festive, don’t you think?”

  “Oh, I agree,” Lila said, sipping the hot beverage. “I love music of all types.”

  Junie gave Tom a sly look. “Did you hear that, son? She loves music.”

  “I heard, Mama.” Tom wondered why his mother was acting so strangely. Perhaps her delicate condition was affecting her mind. “Lila hasn’t made a secret of her joy in music. In fact, she hums and sings quite often, and she plays the piano with notable skill.”

  “You do?” Junie asked, turning to Lila. “Are you providing the music for the Christmas program?”

  “For now, although Dora has promised to play the night of the program so I’ll be able to better help direct the children,” Lila said, unable to keep her toe from tapping as the
band played a lively tune.

  Junie took the cup from her hand then grabbed the one from Tom and motioned toward the ice. “Go on, you two. Don’t waste your time standing here with me when you could be out there having fun.”

  Indulgently, Tom bowed then held out his arm to Lila. “Shall we?”

  “We shall, kind sir,” she said, executing a perfect curtsy. She took his arm and allowed him to lead her back to the pond.

  They joined the other skaters circling around in time to the upbeat music. When the song ended and segued into one of a slower pace, Tom moved a little closer to Lila.

  “This is nice,” he said in a husky tone. His lips lingered close to her ear, making an involuntary shiver slide through her at the delightful warmth of his presence.

  “Yes, it is,” she whispered, afraid to turn her head lest her lips connect with his. If they did, the heat generated by their kiss would surely blast a hole through the ice.

  Amused by her wild imagination, she grinned.

  “What made you smile?” he asked, leaning closer to her again.

  “You,” she admitted, placing her hand on his as it rested on her waist. His fingers tightened slightly. She turned to catch a look of wanting in his expressive eyes.

  “Lila Lilac, what in the world am I going to do with you?” he asked, his gaze locked to hers.

  “What would you like to do?” she asked innocently.

  Tom groaned and slowly guided her away from the skaters. They worked their way to the far end of the pond then followed the stream around a little bend that hid them from the view of others.

  Assured of their privacy, Tom turned Lila around and wrapped her in his arms. “Do you really want an answer to your question, Lila?”

  She looked up at him, studying his face. It wasn’t a face as dazzling as Emerson’s, but it was handsome, earnest, and full of sincere emotion.

  Her conversation with Luke floated through her thoughts. Was she missing something truly special with Tom because of her obligation to Emerson? Would she regret it for a lifetime if she didn’t allow herself the opportunity to investigate her feelings before making a decision?

  Convinced she should explore what simmered between her and Tom, she reached up and bracketed his cheeks with her gloved hands. “I don’t need a response to my question, Tom. I can see it in your eyes and I’d like to kiss you, too.”

  A rakish grin settled on his face and his eyes glowed with heat as he pulled her closer. “In that case, what are you waiting for?”

  Their lips connected in a fiery burst of sparks that made her wonder if the ice and snow beneath them would immediately melt. Never had she imagined such wondrous, exhilarating, entirely unsettling feelings could exist.

  She ignored the pounding beat of her heart, the wobble in her knees, and the unfamiliar heat filling her midsection. Instead, her sole thought was to remain locked in Tom’s embrace as long as possible.

  Overwhelmed with foreign, exciting sensations, she allowed him to plunder her mouth again and again, returning his kisses with equal ardor. Finally, when they both were breathless, Tom rested his forehead against hers and playfully kissed the tip of her nose.

  “Lila,” he said in a gravelly voice that made her toes threaten to curl inside her fur-lined boots.

  Boldly, she reached up and pulled his head down, kissing him with all the passion he’d stirred in her.

  “Tommy,” she whispered, nuzzling his neck. He lifted her off her feet, holding her close and pressing kisses into the softness of her hair. The weight of his cast bumped against her back, but she didn’t mind. Not when every dream she’d ever have of love suddenly blossomed within her.

  After a particularly ardent exchange, Lila sucked air into her deprived lungs and realized her hat had sailed off, resting on a pile of snow.

  “Lila, you have to know by now how much I…”

  “Tom! Lila!” Luke’s voice carried to them in the nippy December air. “Where in thunderation are you two?”

  Tom sighed and released her, setting her back on her feet. She snatched up the hat and pinned it on her hair, hoping she didn’t look like she’d been involved in a wanton exchange with the guilty-looking man beside her.

  “We’re over here, Luke,” Tom called, placing his hand on her waist and guiding her back toward the pond. When he winked at her, she found encouragement in the teasing action.

  Together, they rounded the bend as Luke skated toward them. He came to an abrupt stop in front of them, sending a spray of shaved ice into the air from the sharp blades strapped to his feet.

  At the look on his face, Lila placed a hand on his arm in concern. “What’s wrong, Luke? Is it one of the children? Did something happen to Filly? Abby hasn’t gone into labor, has she?”

  “No, nothing that drastic,” Luke said, offering Tom a sympathetic look before glancing at Lila. “It’s um…” His hand raked through his hair, leaving it in a disheveled state. “It’s… well, you have a visitor, Lila.”

  Baffled, she stared at him. “A visitor? Who on earth would visit me clear out here? Other than the household staff, the only person who knows I’m here is…” Her countenance fell as her eyes widened in comprehension. “He’s here?”

  “Who’s here?” Tom asked, thoroughly confused.

  Lila took his hand in hers and gently squeezed it. “My fiancé. Emerson is here, is that right, Luke?”

  Luke nodded his head. “He arrived a few moments ago, quite excited to see you.”

  “I suppose I better go, then. I’m so sorry, Tom.” Lila wanted to tell Tom not to worry, that everything was fine. She’d enjoyed their kisses more than anything she’d ever experienced in her life. Unfortunately, with her fiancé waiting to see her, she couldn’t. She gave him one long parting look then skated back to the gathering with Luke.

  “Are you well, Lila?” Luke asked quietly as they neared the bank of the pond where people gathered around the newcomer.

  “Not exactly,” she whispered, glancing over her shoulder expecting to see Tom right behind her, but he was nowhere in sight. “Would you grant me a huge favor, Luke, and check on Tom? I fear I’ve bungled things with him quite badly.”

  “I’ll do it, Lila. Do you need me to…?”

  Before he could finish his question, Emerson caught sight of Lila and waved, rushing forward to sweep her into an exuberant hug.

  “Lila, darling, oh, it’s so good to see you,” he said, kissing her cheek then holding her an arm’s length away to gaze into her face. “You are even prettier than the image I carried these last long months in my heart.”

  “Emerson! This is such a surprise. What are you doing in Hardman? I thought you were spending the holidays with Blake’s parents then returning to New York in January.”

  “I finished my classes early and couldn’t wait to return to you, my love,” Emerson gushed, hesitant to let Lila move beyond his reach. “I spent one night in New York with my parents then boarded the train to reach you as quickly as possible. I arrived in Heppner last evening and stayed at the hotel. This morning, I rented a horse and sleigh, and here I am! Oh, but it is so wonderful to see you again, Lila, dear.”

  Lila studied Emerson from the top of his golden head and bright blue eyes to the tips of his expensive boots. He wore a finely-cut woolen coat over a tailored suit that fit him to perfection. Handsome and charming, kind and witty, Emerson Lylan was everything a woman could possibly hope for in a husband.

  Only Lila wasn’t convinced she still wanted to marry him. Not after sharing such fervent kisses with Tom.

  Emerson stared at her, as though he waited for her to say something, to express her joy in seeing him again.

  Resigned to doing what was expected, she kissed his cheek and smiled. “It’s nice to see you, Emerson. Have you met everyone? May I introduce…”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “You can’t enter.”

  “I can, too!”

  “I’ll tell Ma if you do.” Alice Bruner glared at her brothe
r as they approached the school. Tom just happened to be walking over from the teacher’s house and overhead their conversation.

  “What are you not entering, Percy?” he asked, clapping a hand on the boy’s shoulder.

  “A contest at the store. Ma and Pop are giving away a camera as a prize. Everyone who spends a dollar at the store is entered in the drawing. I really want a camera, so I don’t see why I can’t enter.” Percy frowned at his younger sister.

  The little girl fisted her hands on her hips and got a look on her face that put Tom in mind of the child’s mother. “You can’t enter the contest, you big dummy, because it’s our store! Maybe if you weren’t so ornery, Saint Nicholas would bring you one for Christmas.”

  Percy smirked. “If I have to wait for Saint Nicholas to deliver what I want, I’ll never get anything, little miss bossy britches.”

  Alice huffed. “Call me all the names you want, but you still can’t enter the contest. Ma and Pop both said so.”

  Percy looked to Tom. “What do you think, teacher?”

  “I think you should listen to your parents, Percy. It wouldn’t be right for you to win one of their drawings. Have you expressed your interest in photography to them?”

  “Nah.” The boy scuffed his toe in the snow. “I figured they’d think it was silly.”

  “I don’t think it’s silly in the least,” Tom said. “In fact, some very famous people are photographers like Matthew Brady and Edward S. Curtis. There’s even a man in New York who started a service of sharing photographs with newspapers to accompany news articles.”

  Percy’s eyes widened. “So you don’t think it’s stupid to like photographs?”

  Tom shook his head and started up the school steps. “Not at all, Percy. In fact, I think it is quite an interesting career. If you’d like to know more about it, I could make a few contacts for you.”

  The boy grinned. “Thanks, Tom, er… I mean, Mr. Grove. That’s swell.”

  Tom smiled. “Just behave yourself.”