The Christmas Bride - A Western Romance Novella (Book 4, Burnett Brides Series)

by Sylvia McDaniel

  “Why not?” Wyatt asked, curious.

  “I would hate for the baby’s birthday to be a holiday. But whenever it decides to arrive is okay with me. I’m ready.”

  “Babies do come in their own time,” Wyatt said, remembering the birth of his daughter and how much he’d wanted more children. Beatrice’s health had kept them from having more babies.

  Horses and wagons passed them by, the clop, clop, clop of hooves resounding on the hard mud of the street while they stood on the wooden sidewalk in front of her office, chatting like two old friends.

  “We were all so glad to have you out to dinner the other night,” Sarah said, smiling at him.

  “Thank you. I enjoyed myself. Your family seems very close.” He had enjoyed the family and Eugenia’s company. He could see himself fitting into that group.

  “Yes, we’re a tight bunch, but there’s always room for more. We all enjoyed getting to know you better. And Eugenia came in all flushed from the cold after your stroll.”

  That flush was caused by her response to his kiss, not the cold. What if they thought he was being too bold? “Eugenia’s quite a woman. But I’ve got a small problem. If you have a moment, could I ask you a question?”

  “I’m in no hurry. What’s your question?”

  Maybe Sarah would tell him the reason Eugenia refused to consider marriage again. Maybe she knew.

  “Do you know of any reason Eugenia wouldn’t want to marry again? I knew that Thomas was a hard man, but I always thought they had a good marriage.”

  Sarah smiled. “Tucker says his father was as hardheaded as they come and that he pretty much ruled the house. But Eugenia and he were happy. She was heartbroken after he died.”

  “Mrs. Eugenia is adamant about not wanting to marry again. I wondered if there was a reason.”

  Wyatt watched her face carefully to see if he could learn anything new about Eugenia.

  “I’m unaware of one. Eugenia wanted her boys happily married. If she didn’t believe in marriage, I don’t think she would have pushed them the way she did. I’d say just give it some time,” Dr. Burnett said, her face open and honest.

  “Thank you, Dr. Burnett. I appreciate your time. I’ll not give up on her, though I may get fat from all the women and their casserole dishes she’s sending my way.”

  “Another one?”

  “Yes ma’am. I brought her back the dish today.”

  How many more times would he have to experience bringing back a casserole dish because Eugenia wasn’t ready to concede there was passion between them?

  Sarah laughed. “You’re a good man, Mr. Jones.”

  “Thank you,” he said, wondering if he was good or just stubborn.

  “You know the church pageant meeting is later this afternoon. Eugenia’s always in charge of the children’s program. I know she plans to volunteer again, but old Mr. Carter, the previous pageant director, passed away last month. They need a new director. Eugenia works closely with the director.”

  Wyatt smiled at her and shook his head. “This cowboy a pageant director? I don’t think so, ma’am.”

  He considered what Sarah was saying. He could see Eugenia three times a week whether she wanted him there or not. Of course, she could also quit, but he didn’t think so. She was too stubborn to let him win.

  “Rehearsals twice a week for the next three weeks. All you have to do is be in charge, make certain they don’t go over budget, and help with the auditions. There would be lots of time spent at the church with Eugenia.”

  “And twenty small children.”

  Sarah smiled. “There would be that.”

  “When’s the meeting?”

  “This afternoon at three.”

  She’d be mad. Hell, she’d be furious. She’d think he was interfering. It could be a real test to see if they should marry.

  “I’ll consider it.”

  The Christmas pageant. He hadn’t been involved since his daughter was eight. Now she was grown with a family of her own in Austin, Texas. Little kids, animals, a manger, Christmas, and Eugenia—a showstopping combination.

  “In the meantime, if you have any other questions about Eugenia, come see me.”

  Wyatt tipped his hat to Sarah. “Take care of yourself and that baby, Dr. Burnett.”

  She waved and walked on down the sidewalk.

  He’d never considered becoming the pageant director, but he would to be near Eugenia. A smile played across his lips. She wouldn’t be happy at his nearness. But maybe by the end, she’d want to be by his side.

  #

  “Thank you for coming,” Pastor Brown said to the people gathered in the meeting room of the local Presbyterian church.

  The usual parishioners had gathered to volunteer for the Christmas pageant, something Eugenia had led for the last five years. When her husband had passed, she’d needed something to keep her mind off missing him, and she’d gotten involved with the Christmas pageant.

  “Mrs. Barnett has agreed to lead the Christmas pageant again this year. Do we have any volunteers to help her?” Pastor Brown asked the few women seated around the table.

  Eugenia enjoyed having little kids around, which kept her young, though she wasn’t certain how many more years she would lead the pageant. Every year she swore it was her last, and then when the time came around again, she volunteered.

  The same women agreed to help her. One for music, one for costumes, and another one that would keep the children focused on where they needed to be at the right time. Eugenia couldn’t do it all, and without their help, there would have been mad chaos on stage.

  “Who’s going to be in charge of the project overall?” Myrtle asked.

  About that time the door opened, and Wyatt strolled into the hall, sending her heartbeat into a slow gallop.

  What did he want now? Surely he didn’t intend to ask her to dinner again. Surely he wasn’t here to…

  “Sorry I’m late, pastor.”

  “No problem, Wyatt. I’m just glad you could attend.”

  Oh no! Oh no! The Christmas carols she’d been considering died in her throat.

  Pastor Brown smiled and gazed at the ladies. “Wyatt has offered to be the pageant director this year. He’s going to take care of the animals, the funds, and anything else that Eugenia needs help with. Eugenia and Wyatt will work closely to put on our annual Christmas pageant.”

  The hell they would.

  “No,” Eugenia said. The word slipped out of her mouth like a bad taste as she cringed inwardly at her gaffe.

  “Excuse me, is there a problem Sister Eugenia?” the pastor asked.

  How did she get out of this? “I’m sorry. I was thinking out loud and wondering who could play Joseph this year. Our children are all growing up so quickly, and I need someone around the age of ten. Does anyone have any suggestions?”

  Wyatt grinned at her, seeming to know exactly what she’d meant when she said no. He touched the tip of his finger to his nose in a silent salute while around them, names were considered for who would play Joseph. Eugenia didn’t hear a word they said, her focus entirely on the big man she couldn’t seem to escape.

  Fifteen minutes later, as they walked out of the church to their separate buggies, Wyatt approached Eugenia.

  “Could I escort you home?” he asked, his voice both rough and tender.

  How could this man’s voice make her insides get all quivery like mush and her lips suddenly dryer than the desert? Why this man?

  “Nope,” she said, turning her back on him.

  “Are you mad?”

  “Mad? Whatever would I be upset with you about?” she asked sarcastically, wondering if he’d catch her intonation.

  “The fact that I got involved in your pageant?”

  She turned and faced him, her hands on her hips. “It’s not my pageant. It’s the children’s pageant. We’re supposed to be teaching them about the meaning of Christmas and Christianity. So your being involved is not going to stop me from doing my duty
.” She walked up to within inches of him. “Don’t get in my way, Wyatt. I’m not a woman to be trifled with.”

  He laughed.

  She frowned, realizing that Wyatt laughed a lot, especially around her. She wondered if he’d laugh as much if she quit fighting him and accepted his attentions. He’d always been fun, but she’d never realized how easy he was to be around.

  “I’m not going to get in your way. I’m here to help.”

  “The hell you are. You’re here to-to try to court me.”

  Could no one else around her see what was going on? He was doing everything he could to be in her life, and she wanted him to stop.

  He smiled. “I’m just here doing the Lord’s work.”

  “Oh, please. If I hadn’t been the pageant coordinator, would you have volunteered for this job?”

  He shrugged. “Maybe. I have many interests. When something piques my interest, I’m like a dog chasing a rabbit.”

  Her brows rose, and she gave him her best I’m-not-believing-you gaze. “Your devious little scheme is not going to work.”

  “What scheme is that?”

  “The scheme to convince me that I should marry you.”

  “Marriage?” He looked around and shrugged his shoulders. “Who mentioned marriage? I’m here to oversee the Christmas pageant.” He tipped his hat. “It’s going to be a pleasure working with you, Eugenia.”

  A part of her wanted to scream at him, throw an absolute fit, but then she knew that would do her no good. And it probably would not make him go away and leave her alone.

  She scowled at him. “We’ll see about that.”

  She turned and walked away. She was going to make his life hell as much as she could.

  “When is our first rehearsal?” he asked.

  “When hell freezes over,” she called.

  Chapter Four

  Chaos reigned in the church auditorium, the hall echoing from the chatter of excited children. Today was audition day with mothers and even a few fathers bringing their children to try for a part in the annual Christmas program.

  Since Eugenia had taken on the leadership five years ago, many of the children had grown too old to perform. Now a new set of little ones were involved in the Christmas production. In two years, her grandchildren would be old enough to audition, and she could hardly wait.

  “Let’s get started,” one of her volunteers called out, quieting the crowd.

  Eugenia stood before the group, delighted to start the new production. “As you know there are three speaking parts, Mary, Joseph, and a wise man, plus two silent angels and our children’s choir. So please line up for tryouts.”

  She watched her volunteers line everyone up in the right places, and then she sank onto a chair to prepare to listen to twenty auditions.

  The door to the auditorium creaked open, and she turned to see Wyatt. Her breathing quickened, and a tingle zipped along her spine as he made his way toward her. The man didn’t walk, but rather sauntered. There was a sway about his hips that promised he meant business, and right now his business was her.

  He sank down onto the chair beside her and smiled, his lips turned up in a grin that went straight to her heart. Why did his smile warm her better than an overcoat?

  “Morning, Eugenia. That color of blue looks very becoming on you.” He leaned forward, close to her ear. “It makes your eyes shine bluer than a Texas bluebonnet.”

  A blush started at her hairline and burned its way across her face. “Stop it, Wyatt. We’re in church.”

  Though she’d meant her voice to sound mean, it came out breathy, as if she’d just run a race trying to escape his flirtation.

  She ignored the warm flush his nearness provoked. She ignored the way he smelled of leather and a nice long walk in the woods. She ignored the way her mouth ached to taste his again.

  “Why, Eugenia, God loves a man who gives a woman a compliment.”

  She wanted to roll her eyes at him but refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing how his sweet-talking sassiness left her hotter than the Texas sun.

  “Here’s a sheet of paper for you to write down thoughts about each kid. When we’ve heard all of the auditions, we’ll compare notes and make a decision.” She glanced away from his honey-brown gaze that seemed to start a prairie fire everywhere it touched her.

  “Sure, but this is your area of expertise. I’m just here to help.”

  She frowned. Why was he being so agreeable? Most men wanted to be in charge-taking over, telling her how she wasn’t doing it the correct way, and generally treating her like she had rocks for brains. She needed to be very careful. He was luring her in, and then like a cat, he’d pounce and take charge. After all, most men thought they knew best.

  “Are you ready to begin?” she asked him.

  “Let’s get started,” he said, his smile melting the ice around her heart. “Maybe afterwards you’ll let me buy you a cup of coffee?”

  Raising her brows, she stared into his warm-as-Texas golden-brown eyes. “Afterwards I’m having dinner with my son and daughter-in-law.”

  “Oh. Maybe…”

  “We’re joining Tucker’s friend, Marshal McCoy.”

  Wyatt shrugged. “Another time.”

  For a moment she felt a keen sense of disappointment. Ridiculous. She didn’t want him to go to dinner with them.

  “Another time,” she answered, trying to refocus on the children waiting on them.

  They would be spending too much time together in the next few weeks. No need to worry. They’d hate one another at the end of the performance. They’d soon be fighting each other for control. He’d soon learn that she was no simpleton and since her first marriage, was now a reformed pushover.

  An hour later they both sat there as the last performer auditioned for the day. When he finished, Wyatt turned to her.

  “Okay, what’s next?”

  She stood and gazed at everyone. “If you’ll all wait outside, Mr. Jones and I will make our decision and announce this year’s lead roles.”

  After everyone had left the room, Eugenia turned to Wyatt. “Did you have any favorites?”

  She just needed to confirm her notes, but she was almost certain of which child she wanted to choose.

  “I’ve already made my choices for Mary, Joseph, the wise men and the angels.”

  “That was quick. Don’t tell me while I make my decision.” A few moments later she turned to face him. “Write down your choices on paper, and then we’ll turn them over at the same time.”

  “Okay,” he said in that low-voiced drawl that rippled along her spine like tongues of fire dancing across her skin. Now she would see him exercise his control. Now he would tell her which child they should choose. Now she would tell him to go straight to hell, in church.

  He wrote his names down.

  She looked at him. “Let’s flip them over at the same time to see how far apart we are.”

  “If our names match exactly, then I think I deserve a kiss,” he responded, his gaze burning into her.

  “You’re going to take every opportunity to get a kiss, so listen buckaroo, you’re getting nothing.”

  Though her lips were saying she didn’t want a kiss, her mind was remembering, picturing the last time she’d felt his mouth on hers.

  “When a man wants a woman, he pursues her, and that’s what I’m doing,” he said, leaning toward her, his eyes twinkling with laughter.

  A warm flush invaded her body like the Calvary coming to the rescue. “You think I should let you kiss me if we match?”

  “Why not? Sounds like a good excuse to me.”

  “We’re in church.” What if someone walked in and caught them? What if she enjoyed this kiss more than the last one? What if this one pushed her over the edge and right into his arms?

  “No place better to smooch than in the house of God.”

  Eugenia shook her head at him. “This is just an excuse for you.”

  “Honey, I don’t need an excuse to ki
ss you. I just look for opportunities,” he said, his voice low and throaty, sending delicious ripples like miniature waves through her body.

  “There’s no way we’re going to match.”

  “Then there’ll be no reason to kiss you,” he said. “Other than I like kissing you.”

  For some reason his admission warmed her all the way to her toes, and she smiled, feeling like she was sixteen, not almost fifty. “Oh, all right, let’s just do this because we’re not going to match.”

  They flipped their papers over, and they both had chosen Timothy for Joseph, Bethany for Mary, Frank for the wise man with the speaking part, Johnny and Junior the other wise men and Ellen and Carolyn for the angels.

  Eugenia sat there, stunned, and then she gasped as realization dawned. They’d matched. He would expect a kiss.

  “You cheated. There’s no way we could have chosen the same people on the first draw. That just doesn’t happen.”

  Speechless she stared at this cowboy and wondered how he had figured out which children she’d chosen?

  “Well, it did, and because you accused me of cheating, I’ll take two kisses.”

  She sat back and shook her head, staring at his grin. “That’s not possible. Why did you choose those kids?”

  “Because I thought they were the most talented and the right age,” he said. “Why did you choose these children?”

  “They auditioned better, they’re the right age, and I’ve worked with them in the past. I know they’ll do a great job.”

  They’d agreed. Her chest tightened, leaving her a little astounded.

  He smiled. “We’re in agreement. I think it’s the first thing we’ve ever agreed on except casseroles.”

  “We’re not in agreement on casseroles,” she said, still in shock that they had chosen the same children. He’d used the same logic she had and come to the same conclusion.

  “No, we’re not. You keep sending them. My men are eating them,” he said, his brown eyes clearly showing his frustration.

  “Glad someone’s enjoying the dishes.” Eugenia wanted to laugh but didn’t. She stood, her feet wanting to move as quickly as possible to the door to avoid what she knew was coming. “I guess we better go announce the winners.”