Almost imperceptibly, a slow flush rose to color Win’s cheeks, and his eyes glistened as he fastened his gaze on Ellie’s face. “I’ve never been so touched during a delivery as with baby Grace,” he said. “She seemed to fit in my arms as if she’d been formed perfectly for such an embrace.”
Mathilda scanned him with a look of surprise. “Well, I think you won’t have a problem with accepting the child, Winston. And certainly, every infant born deserves a set of parents who have its best interests at heart.” She glanced at the cradle in the corner of the kitchen, and Ellie noted a softening in her gaze.
“Our child deserves grandparents capable of loving her, too,” Win said. “It doesn’t look like Ellie’s father will be as accepting as you, Mother. And you’ll be the only real grandmother Grace will ever have.”
A sound of disbelief from Mathilda’s lips stunned Ellie as the woman rose from the table. “She’ll be surrounded by the women in this town, who seem to be totally besotted with her already.”
“They’re not true family, though,” Ellie told her quietly, aware that her voice held an unmistakable plea.
Mathilda folded her hands before her and hesitated. “I will say that you seem capable of making a home for Winston, Eleanor. Perhaps in time, you will be able to persuade him to shake the dust of this town and return to his beginnings. And if you do, the child will be welcomed into our home.”
Win moved quickly, ignoring Ellie’s uplifted hand. Striding to his mother’s side, he grasped her shoulders, turning her to face him. “Mother, you need to understand something. I thought I’d made it clear that Whitehorn is my home. Ellie and I will travel to Saint Louis to visit you and the family if we are welcome, but this will always be our home.”
He released Mathilda and one long arm reached for Ellie, drawing her to his side. Together, they presented an oddly formed triangle, but the greater distance was drawn between the older woman and her son. “Ellie is my wife, and I love her,” Win said, emotion softening his voice. “I love the child we delivered last week, and the two of them are my family.”
He cleared his throat and his words were slow. “There’s room for you and father inside our family circle, but not unless you are willing to accept my choices.”
Mathilda’s eyes wavered from Win’s gaze and she cast a glance again at the cradle, where Grace was making soft sounds of awakening. “I suppose,” she said, a tinge of pain softening her words, “what cannot be changed must be accepted.”
Her back stiffened as she stepped back from Win and tilted her chin with a habitual mannerism Ellie recognized from the past few days. “I’ll go upstairs and pack now, so that there won’t be a rush tomorrow before the stage arrives.”
Her footsteps were firm and measured as she crossed the floor to the doorway and onto the flight of stairs that rose from the wide central hall. “She’ll come around, Ellie,” Win whispered, turning her into his embrace. “One day, she’ll understand.”
And Ellie could only hope he was right.
“Everett gave me a telegram from my mother yesterday,” Win said, watching Ellie as she traveled from stove to table, her hands filled with a pan of biscuits. “She arrived home safe and sound late last week and wanted us to know that her trip was long and miserable.”
Ellie glanced down at him. “She said that? Long and miserable?”
“Words to that effect,” he said with a grin. “Wished us both a happy Christmas, with her best regards. My mother doesn’t believe in making it short and sweet, that’s for sure. Everett said it was the longest wire he’d ever delivered to anyone in town.” He reached for a biscuit and watched as Ellie spooned scrambled eggs from the skillet onto his plate. “I forgot to tell you about it after I got caught up with patients.”
Ellie settled herself in her chair and watched as Win buttered his biscuit. “Do you miss being home for Christmas?” she asked quietly.
He shook his head, and delivered a smile that made Ellie’s heart race. So easily he could make her feel loved, with just a glance, a crooked grin or a touch of his hand on her shoulder. “I’ve got all I want right here,” he said, his gaze taking in the cradle in the corner, then resting on his wife’s face.
“Will we have a Christmas tree?” she asked, flustered by his words, and Win’s eyes narrowed as if he considered the thought.
“I suspect that can be arranged,” he said, a touch of mystery adding to her delight. They left the table in a few minutes, and Win headed for the hallway. Ellie listened to the impact of his booted feet on the stairs, then the movement overhead that told her he was shifting things around upstairs. Before she had cleaned the kitchen, he called her from the parlor and, wiping her hands on a dish towel, she answered his summons.
Win stood near the wide front windows that looked out upon the street, and at his feet lay several boxes, apparently the result of his foray to the second floor of the house. “Birdie Watkins’s grandson brought me a tree last year,” he told Ellie. “And I suspect he’ll do the same this Christmas. He’s got an enormous grove of pines on his place, and Birdie picked one out specially for me.”
“She loves you,” Ellie said simply, barely able to snatch her gaze from the boxes she suspected held unknown treasures. “I could see it in her face when she came by the other day to see the baby.”
“She’s a dear,” Win said agreeably. “And if she behaves herself, she’ll be around for a while yet. She told me she’d be at church on Christmas Sunday to see Grace baptized.”
“Did she?” Ellie felt a thrill of delight at the words. It seemed that the whole town, with a few minor exceptions, planned to turn out for the event, if the parade of visitors were to be believed. “Should we have a reception afterward, do you think?”
“If you’re up to it, I’d like that,” Win said. His eyes were tender as he held her gaze. “Do you know how much I love you, Mrs. Gray?”
Ellie felt the familiar melting deep within her inner being. The man had a knack of reducing her to a puddle of emotion, his tone soft and musing as he voiced the query she delighted to hear. “I think I’m the luckiest woman in the world,” she said simply. Her arms lifted to circle his neck, and Ellie pressed a quick kiss against his mouth. “We’ll have a wonderful Christmas. The best I’ve ever had, at least of those I remember. I think my mother probably made Christmas special when she was alive, but my pa wasn’t interested in fixing up the house or having a tree to decorate.”
Win’s brow lifted and he looked down at her with surprise. “You’ve never had a Christmas tree?”
“Not that I remember,” she allowed quietly. “I saw the one in church a couple of years when Pa let me go to the service, and I remember once going home after dark a couple of days after Christmas, and I could see through the windows into houses and there were trees all lit with candles.”
“You’ll have one of your own this year,” Win promised. He nodded at the boxes he’d hauled from one of the rooms upstairs. “Sort through that stuff and see if you want anything else from the mercantile. Tess and John have a pretty good assortment of decorations.”
“We used to make chains out of colored paper when I was in school, but Pa burned mine in the stove when I brought them home,” she remembered. “Maybe I could do that for our tree.”
Win thought of the magnificent specimens that had filled the bay window of the parlor back in Saint Louis and his heart ached for the girl he’d married. Not for her the memory of crystal ornaments glistening and tinsel garlands catching the glow of hundreds of candles that reflected in the windows. Only a childhood of neglect, and a father who wallowed in his own misery, to make up the images in her mind. That she could be so happy with so little saddened him, yet uplifted his spirits.
It seemed that no matter what he did for her, she was delighted beyond measure. From simple dresses to the blown-glass ornaments at her feet, his gifts had gladdened her heart, and she returned tenfold the pleasure he brought to her life. He slipped his hand into his waistcoat pock
et and withdrew a small, tissue-wrapped package. He’d thought to wait until Christmas morning, that day when the shipment containing his gift had arrived, but now seemed a better time to present Ellie with this part of her Christmas present.
“Let me see your hand,” he said, frowning as if he’d caught sight of a blemish on the flawless skin. Ellie glanced up at him quickly, then her gaze flew to her hands and she held them both up for his inspection.
He grasped the left one carefully and slid the signet ring from her finger. “I think it’s time to replace this, young lady.” She watched through tear-drenched eyes as he presented the simple diamond-studded band for her inspection. “Do you like it, sweetheart?”
She could only nod, biting her lip as he slid it into place, then dipped his head to kiss it, as if to seal it there, where it belonged for all time. “Merry Christmas, Ellie. I know I’m a few days early, but I wanted you to have it now.”
Her hands touched his face, even as the tears she shed touched his heart, and then she was in his embrace and he clasped her against himself, his mouth seeking hers in a kiss that spoke more eloquently than words, of his love for her. And then he laughed, a joyous sound that brought an answering smile to her face.
“It’s wonderful, Win. I love it, even though I’ll fear losing such a costly ring. But I promise I’ll take good care of it.”
“And I promise I’ll take good care of you, Ellie Gray.” He cleared his throat and motioned to the boxes at their feet. “Now why don’t you take a look at what I’ve carried down from upstairs.”
Turning from him, she knelt, opening the lids carefully, as if she feared damaging their contents. “It’s all wrapped in tissue,” he told her. “I had Ethel put things away for me last year when I took the tree down.” His mouth twitched as he recalled the moment. “She thought I wouldn’t take the proper care of my things, and she chased me on my way while she organized the whole assortment for this year.”
“Did you have a party?” Ellie asked, and he thought her voice was wistful.
“Didn’t plan on it,” he recalled with a grin, “but Kate and James came by, and pretty soon a bunch from church stood on the porch singing carols; and before you know it I had a houseful. Kate ran home and brought back cookies, and Ethel happened to recall that she had a couple of gallons of punch all made up.”
“They planned it, didn’t they?” Ellie’s eyes danced as she looked up from her task. “They knew you were alone, away from family, and they didn’t want you to be lonesome.” She settled back on her heels and her fingers splayed wide on her thighs. “Folks just take to you, Win. Everyone in town likes you.”
Not a trace of envy marred her smile as she spoke the words, and Win was struck by the urge to drag her to her feet and carry her off to the wide bed they’d only recently risen from. If only she were healed from childbirth, he thought. And then brushed the errant thought from his mind. It would be another couple of weeks before Ellie was fit for what he had in mind, and he’d best skedaddle from the house before he gave in to his masculine urges. Perhaps by Christmas….
His hands were tender as he bent to her, his mouth less than urgent as he kissed her, there amid the tissue and open boxes of ornaments and tinsel. And she responded with the eagerness he’d come to expect from her, her hands clasping his forearms, her mouth returning the caress he offered. “Be careful today,” she urged him, and then looked out the window where snow drifted in a lazy fashion past the frosted panes.
“Are you going to use the new sleigh?” she asked, and he thought she looked expectant as her eyes took in the wintry look of things outdoors.
“I had Lionel uncover it last week,” Win said. “I knew we’d need it for going to church come Sunday.” He drew on his coat and buttoned it, then searched in the pockets for his heavy gloves. “Are you sure you’re going to feel up to it?”
Her head swiveled in his direction. “Of course, I’ll be up to it. I’ve been planning this for weeks. Since before your mother left, in fact.”
He fingered the brim of his hat, reluctant to leave her. “You’ll be all right?” he asked.
“I’ll be fine, once I have a tree to put this stuff on,” she said, lifting a length of tinsel and admiring it in the light from the window.
“Today,” he promised. “I’ll stop by Birdie’s place and leave a message.”
The dining room table was laden with pies and cakes, the kitchen filled with the scent of roasting turkey and the pungent smell of dressing. Ellie took a last glance around and lifted the precious bundle from the cradle. “I think I’m ready,” she said, her tone absentminded, as if her thoughts were scattered.
“You didn’t have to make enough food to feed the whole town,” Win said with a grin. “If I didn’t know Ethel and the ladies from church had helped I’d be downright upset with you, Ellie. You’ve worked too hard at this.” Kettles on the stove were pushed to the back, their contents simmering, and several loaves of bread waited on the buffet, wrapped in clean dish towels.
“It just kinda grew,” she admitted, her cheeks flushed with pleasure as she eyed the preparations for the party. “I’m so excited, Win. And Grace looks so pretty in her dress.”
“So does her mama,” he said quietly, lifting his hand to brush a stray wave from Ellie’s forehead. “Now, let’s be on our way.”
He loaded her into the sleigh, tucking the lap robe around her legs and over the baby she cradled in her arms. The heavy cashmere cape he’d ordered from Tess had arrived only yesterday, and he admired the velvet trim again, noting the glow of Ellie’s skin against the dark-blue fabric. On her feet she wore new boots, their patent leather toes shining almost as nicely as the buttons marching up the side of each boot. She was altogether stunning, he decided, climbing into the sleigh beside her.
Bells jingled in the crisp air as a passing sleigh, pulled by a prancing team of horses, caught his eye. His hand lifted in an automatic salute, as voices called greetings.
“Was that Caleb and Ruth?” Ellie asked, peering after the vehicle.
“Yup. Must be they’re going to church, too.” As well he knew, he thought with a sense of satisfaction. Half the town would be dropping by to help in the celebration today, bringing gifts to honor the baby’s baptism. Having Ruth there would make Ellie’s day complete.
From the enormous Christmas tree at the front of the small church to the carols that rang from the rafters, it was a Sunday such as Ellie had never known. Grace endured the sprinkling of water on her tiny forehead with only a fluttering of eyelids to denote her surprise. The church was filled to bursting with excited children, who offered verses and poems from beside the tall pulpit, even as their admiring parents watched from the simple pews. And then the congregation listened as the kindly pastor told the familiar story for the benefit of his parishioners.
“There were in the same country, shepherds…” The resonant voice spoke the words with reverence, tinged with joy. Ellie felt Win’s hand creep across her lap to grasp her fingers and she looked up at him, aware again of the rare beauty of the man she’d married. He was dressed as a gentleman, yet beneath the formal attire lay the strength and stature of a man fit for the frontier life he’d chosen.
And he belonged to her, to Ellie Gray. Her heart could barely hold the pure joy of this moment, and tears slid from her eyes to fall on the soft blanket she’d wrapped around the baby she held in her left arm.
Win’s head tilted toward her, his lips brushing her ear. “Happy Christmas, sweetheart.”
The house was filled with friends and neighbors, most of them holding plates of food from the bountiful supply in the dining room, all of them bearing gifts for the new baby. Ellie was given a seat of honor in the parlor, Grace ensconced in the cradle beside her, Ethel having taken over the kitchen. It was no use protesting, she’d found, for several others volunteered to help, and she was only to open packages and admire the assortment of tiny dresses and shawls, sweaters and small booties that filled the tissue-wrap
ped presents.
The sun had set before the last person departed, and she watched from the front parlor windows as they made their way down the snowy path to the gate. Heading in different directions, they waved, calling back greetings into the steadily falling snow. Win closed the front door for the last time and entered the wide parlor doors, pausing in the entrance as Ellie turned to him.
“I’ll never forget this day,” she said quietly. “It was perfect, wasn’t it?”
“Almost,” he said, and walked slowly to where she stood, his gaze admiring the newly slender form of his wife.
“What would make it better?” she asked, her gaze lifting to meet his.
“Holding you in my arms.” Simply spoken, the words touched her heart as had no other gift on this day of bountiful giving. He drew her close and his breath was warm against her face. “Do you know that I have all I’ve ever wanted in life?”
“Have you?” she asked, tilting her head to one side, the better to see him. “I’m thinking one day we’ll have another baby, Win,” she promised. “A son for you.”
His words were steady. “It won’t be any more precious than the daughter I already have, Ellie.”
“It will truly be your own child, next time,” she said softly.
“Grace is truly mine.” His words were a tender reproof, and his smile muted their impact. “I could not love her more if I’d been there when she was conceived, Ellie. Mine was the joy of watching her born. It will be the pleasure of seeing her grow, the satisfaction of being called her father. No other child could remove her from the place she’s claimed in my heart.”
She felt her throat close with emotion, yet the words begged to be spoken once again and she could not deny them utterance. “I love you, Winston Gray.”
“And I love you, Eleanor Gray.”
“I’m just Ellie,” she said simply. “Just the woman who loves you.”
“You’re my whole world,” he said, denying her words. His voice hitched as if his breathing were restricted and she sensed the tears he would not shed. When he spoke again, his words were softer, coaxing and seductive. “And now, if I’m very careful, I think we can celebrate in a special way.”
A Convenient Wife Page 27