The Christmas Bargain

by Shanna Hatfield

  “Well, I’ve never,” she said, jumping up from the table and slapping him across the face. “Who is it? What kind of woman would steal someone else’s beau? You’re mine, Luke Granger. Mine! I’m not giving up this easily. What’s her name?”

  “You don’t need to know her name,” Luke said, feeling oddly protective of Philamena. Standing up, he decided if he was going to get slapped again, he’d make it a little harder for Melanie to reach his face, since she was barely five feet tall. “All you need to know is that I’m getting married. I apologize for any distress this has caused you.”

  “Distress? I’m not distressed. I’m mad, Luke. You tell me her name and the only wedding that will be taking place is the one between me and you!”

  “Melanie, I’m sorry, but you need to understand that regardless of my relationship status, I wouldn’t be marrying you. Not now, not ever.”

  “Oh, you…” Since Melanie couldn’t reach his face for another slap, she instead kicked him in the shin. “Don’t plan on eating here again, Mr. Granger. You are no longer welcome.”

  Running into the kitchen, she set the swinging door between the dining room and kitchen flapping back and forth so rapidly Luke thought it might fly right off its hinges.

  Leaving money on the table to more than cover his breakfast, Luke put on his hat, nodded to the old gents at their checkerboard and left. Walking down the sidewalk to the bank, Luke felt bad for hurting Melanie’s feelings, but he hadn’t known what else to do.

  As much as he’d enjoyed courting and kissing Melanie, not once had thoughts of marriage entered his head when he was with her. Luke never intended to settle down and now that he was, it was more like a business arrangement than a real marriage. A bargain made to pay a debt. Nothing less, nothing more.

  Sucking in the cold air, Luke decided things didn’t go as badly as they possibly could have, but he somehow doubted this would be the end of his problems with Melanie. It appeared she wasn’t quite the sweet and demure female she wanted him to believe she could be. Instead, he envisioned her with long, lethal claws, lashing out at Philamena, who would obviously not stand a chance.

  Unlocking the bank door, Luke vowed to keep his future wife as sheltered and protected as possible. She appeared to have endured enough hurt and pain for many lifetimes.

  <><><>

  Philamena couldn’t believe she needed all the things Abby had insisted were necessities. Between several gowns, a warm shawl, a new coat, corsets and underpinnings, Philamena couldn’t imagine needing anything else for a good long time to come.

  Abby insisted she needed hats, gloves, shoes and boots, a reticule, stockings, nightgowns, a warm robe, scented soap and all manner of items Philamena would never think of as necessities, but luxuries.

  Keeping a few things back for Philamena to use before Saturday, Abby had the rest of the items sent to Granger House.

  She and Abby were spending the afternoon at the dress shop, finishing the final touches on her wedding gown.

  Abby used her Singer sewing machine to create one of the most beautiful gowns Philamena had ever seen, not that she’d seen many. The gown Abby fashioned was something a princess would be proud to wear with smooth white satin and thick lace.

  Tomorrow, Philamena would stand in the church and vow her life to a man who was practically a stranger. When she voiced her concern that Luke was taking his end of the bargain to an extreme, Abby just smiled and said everything would work out for the best.

  Luke had been noticeably absent since he came for breakfast Tuesday. Philamena got the distinct feeling he was staying away from the parsonage and her for some unknown reason. Catching her reflection in the window, she let out a sigh.

  Although she was wearing a serviceable white blouse with a navy wool skirt, her hair was pulled tightly against her head and she felt plain and homely beside the vibrant and lovely Abby.

  Abby glanced over at her and grinned. Philamena had made a lot of progress in the past few days. She was now able to look Chauncy in the eye, she ate her fill at each meal and was learning to laugh, smile and express her emotions. Today, she had even made a few witty comments that made Abby laugh until her sides hurt and the baby kick repeatedly.

  Seeing the potential in Philamena, Abby wasn’t about to let the opportunity pass by to help her blossom.

  The next morning, Abby chased Chauncy out the door after breakfast, insisting Philamena take a bath with one of the bars of scented soap they’d purchased at the mercantile. Philamena, at first hesitant, soon sank into the tub and inhaled of the rose scent. It made her feel pampered and womanly.

  Finished with her bath and washing her hair, Philamena was just tugging her robe into place when Abby hurried into the room, declaring she was doing something with her hair.

  Snipping a bit here and trimming a little there, Abby cut some wisps that layered around Philamena’s face, turning the angles into curves, while the rest of her thick, curly hair fell to her waist.

  “Philamena, you’ve been holding out on us. Your hair is absolutely divine. I’d love to have hair that thick and curly and altogether lovely. Let’s see if we can come up with a new hairstyle for you.”

  As Abby began to twist her hair up into a loose jumble of curls on top of her head, Philamena turned and caught her friend’s hand warmly in her own. “But you have such lovely hair and lovely everything Abby. You’re beautiful from the inside out. No wonder Pastor Chauncy loves you so.”

  Abby smiled and squeezed Philamena’s hand. “Thank you, honey. But I don’t think you realize what a beauty you are in your own right. You are going to knock Luke senseless when he sees you.”

  At the mention of her groom, Philamena wanted to run into the guest room and lock the door. Although she had grown accustomed to being around Abby and Chauncy, it certainly didn’t mean she was ready to wed a handsome stranger and move into his home.

  Laughing, it appeared Abby could read her thoughts. “Don’t worry, honey, everything will work out just fine with Luke. Chauncy says the Lord’s hand is in this, which means your marriage will be blessed. You just focus on looking like a beautiful bride today and enjoy the party.”

  “What party?” Philamena asked, her eyes wide in surprise and fear. It had been years since she’d been around a group of people and had no idea how to interact with everyone.

  “Just a small reception after the ceremony at the church,” Abby said, studying Philamena critically and nodding her head in approval at what she saw. “A few of the church ladies wanted to have a little luncheon and offer their congratulations, so Chauncy told them it would be fine. Luke agreed.”

  “Oh,” Philamena said quietly. She wasn’t ready to face a large number of people at one time. Even a small gathering seemed like a big crowd to her after being so accustomed to the solitude of the farm.

  “You’ll be fine. Remember Chauncy and I will be there the whole time,” Abby said reassuringly. “Besides, there will only be a few good friends and church folk at the ceremony who will stay for the reception. It will be good for you to meet some people from the congregation. You’ve already met George and Aleta Bruner from the mercantile and their son Percy and daughter Alice. You made Mrs. Dawber’s acquaintance when she came to pick up her dress and you met a few of the ladies at the quilting circle Wednesday. So they aren’t strangers, after all.”

  Philamena mustered a small smile while trying to tamp down her growing sense of panic. She would get through this wedding because it meant so much to Chauncy and Abby not to mention the fact that she was grateful and beholden to Luke.

  The only alternative to this wedding was going back to the farm and her pa, and that was an option Philamena was not willing to consider.

  Two hours later, when Abby fastened the last button on the back of her gown, Philamena closed her eyes and waited for the moment of truth. The moment she would gaze into the big mirror in Abby’s bedroom and see what the new Philamena looked like. She was afraid she would be sorely disappointed and
kept her eyes tightly closed.

  Abby nudged her gently and giggled. “Go on, take a peek.”

  Philamena let out a deep breath, or as deep a breath as she could in her new corset, and opened her eyes. Turning to look in the mirror she stood speechless at the lovely woman staring back at her.

  Her green eyes grew even bigger as she admired the wonderful transformation Abby had wrought.

  “Oh, my,” she finally whispered. “Is that really me?”

  “Well, who else would it be, you goose,” Abby teased, adjusting a bit of lace and straightening a pleat. “You look about as lovely as any bride has a right to look, and then some.”

  Hearing the clomp of boots through the house, they both turned toward the bedroom door.

  “Everyone decent?” Chauncy asked from the hallway.

  “Yes, come on in,” Abby said, sending Philamena a wink.

  “You ladies ready to go over to the church? Everyone is waiting and the groom is more than ready to get things under way. Say, I thought Philamena was getting married. Who is this lovely creature?” Chauncy teased as he gave her an approving nod and a warm smile.

  Philamena blushed and the color added a beautiful pink hue to her cheeks. “Thank you,” she managed to say.

  “You look stunning, Philamena,” Chauncy said as they walked to the door. He helped Abby into her coat then held a warm shawl for Philamena. Abby didn’t want her dress to get crushed by a coat on the few steps it took to reach the church. As they exited the house and started down the walk, Chauncy couldn’t stop his chuckles.

  “Mind sharing what you find so funny, husband of mine?” Abby asked with a jaunty grin, her hands wrapped around Chauncy’s arm.

  “Luke,” Chauncy said, continuing on toward the church laughing.

  “What about Luke?” Abby questioned as they neared the door.

  “His eyes are going to pop right out of his head,” Chauncy said, escorting the women into the foyer where he helped them remove their outerwear.

  Chauncy agreed to walk Philamena down the aisle and then stand as Luke’s best man. The Presbyterian minister, who was a friend to both Luke and Chauncy, agreed to perform the ceremony. While Chauncy wanted to do the honors of the ceremony, he was even more pleased to give away the bride and stand with the groom.

  Abby adjusted Philamena’s skirts then handed her a bouquet of fresh flowers. When Philamena looked at her in surprise, Abby smiled and whispered, “Luke ordered them. They came in on the stage last night.”

  Looking down at the bouquet in her hand, warmth spread through Philamena at Luke’s thoughtfulness. Resigning herself to do her best for his sake, she nodded to Abby then placed her hand on Chauncy’s arm.

  Abby stepped into the back of the church and started down the aisle since she was to be the matron of honor.

  When she neared Luke, she raised one eyebrow and nodded her head toward the back of the sanctuary as one of the church ladies began to play the wedding march on the upright piano.

  Luke stood waiting to catch a glimpse of his bride. Chauncy kept him updated on her progress during the week. Hoping his friend was not exaggerating, Luke felt it best to give Philamena plenty of space to adjust to being off the farm.

  From what Abby and Chauncy said, she was able to relax around them both and that had happened in just a matter of days. With enough time and encouragement, he hoped they could eventually become friends. If they were stuck living under the same roof for goodness only knew how long, it would be nice if they could get along.

  Watching the back of the church, Luke saw Chauncy step into the aisle followed by a vision in white satin. Luke caught his breath. The regal woman walking toward him could not possibly be Philamena Booth, his intended.

  A tall, shapely figure was covered in a beautiful satin and lace gown that accented her tiny waist and defined womanly curves. A short train and long veil glided behind her while she clutched the bouquet he ordered in a death grip as she walked down the aisle.

  Transfixed, all Luke could do was gape at her in wide-eyed bewilderment.

  When the minister asked who gave Philamena in marriage, Chauncy said he and Abby did, placing her hand on Luke’s arm. Noticing Luke’s fuddled state, Chauncy stepped beside him and nudged him gently in the ribs. Luke continued to stare at his bride, unable to speak.

  The minister cleared his throat and smiled. “Shall we begin?” he asked, turning toward Luke as Philamena took a hesitant step forward. Luke finally appeared to come out of his trance and stood beside her, a look of confusion on his face.

  This enchanting woman couldn’t be the plain, frightened girl he rescued not even a week ago. Inhaling a soft rose scent that floated around her, Luke decided being married might not be such a hardship after all.

  As though she sensed his gaze on her, Philamena turned her head just enough to watch Luke out of the corner of her eye. From the moment she and Chauncy entered the back of the church and started down the aisle, she was in awe of Luke. Determined not to duck her head or act ashamed, she held her head high, just like she and Abby had practiced numerous times, and walked with Chauncy toward her groom and future.

  She hadn’t counted on Luke looking so completely and devastatingly handsome in his finely tailored black wool suit, wing-tipped white shirt, brocade green vest and black silk ascot tie. His rich golden hair was combed into short waves above his tanned face, with a wayward lock falling across his forehead. When he fastened that mesmerizing gaze on hers, it was all she could do to keep putting one foot in front of the other and continue her walk down the aisle.

  Even now, she felt the heat of his stare resting on her and wondered what he was thinking. She hoped he wasn’t embarrassed by her. She would do everything in her power to make him a good wife, even if the thought of it made her knees weak and her throat parched.

  Gracious, how had she gone from living in poverty to marrying the richest man in town in just a matter of days? God certainly did work in mysterious ways, as Chauncy had read the night before during their evening devotions.

  Turning her attention back to the minister, Philamena realized it was time to exchange their vows. She repeated hers flawlessly, although in a quiet and subdued tone. Luke said his vows in a strong, commanding voice, looking her in the eye when he said “I do” and slipping a simple gold band through the slit in her glove on her left ring finger.

  When the pastor said Luke could kiss the bride, Philamena thought she would quite possibly expire on the spot. It would be unbearable if he pecked her cheek in a brotherly fashion, even though that brief contact was sure to make her knees wobble.

  Fully aware that their marriage was one of convenience and completely unconventional, Philamena still thought every bride should be kissed well on her wedding day.

  She needn’t have worried.

  Luke took great pleasure in lifting Philamena’s veil and discovering her eyes glowing like twin emeralds. Her creamy skin was highlighted with a faint blush on each cheek and a smattering of freckles danced across her pert nose. Pink lips begged for his kiss.

  Expecting his timid bride to drop her head and step back, she instead stood perfectly still, looking full into his face with those gorgeous green eyes.

  Carefully grasping her arms, Luke gently pulled her closer, memorizing his first real look at her loveliness. Lowering his head toward hers, Philamena heard Luke whisper, “my wife,” as his lips touched hers softly, tenderly, reverently.

  When she didn’t pull back from him, his lips became more firm and demanding, sending all manner of strange new feelings skittering through Philamena. She wanted more than anything to know how to respond since she had never before been kissed. Driven by instinct, her hands clasped Luke’s muscular arms as she clung to him, dizzy with emotions and sensations.

  At Chauncy’s chuckle and a clearing of the pastor’s throat, Luke raised his head with a rakish grin. Philamena felt her lips curling into a smile of their own volition.

  “You look lovely,” Luk
e whispered in her ear as they turned to face those gathered in the congregation. Although Abby had said just a few people would be there, the church was packed.

  Philamena blushed and cast her eyes downward, completely unsettled from that wonderful kiss.

  Luke took her elbow and escorted her down the aisle to the back of the room where they stood for the next half an hour greeting everyone while the church ladies set up a nice luncheon including a layered, frosted wedding cake.

  Although the food was delicious and plentiful, Philamena picked at her meal, unable to eat more than a few bites. She could blame it on the corset, which she was unaccustomed to wearing, but in all honesty it was due to the fact that her husband made her so nervous. She knew from spending the last week with Chauncy and Abby that not all men were like her father, but just being around members of the male species made her feel skittish. Luke, in particular, caused her palms to grow damp and her heart to beat rapidly.

  A few hours later, Philamena was exhausted. Sensing her need to get away from all the guests, Luke spoke a few words to Abby and Chauncy, placed Philamena’s wrap around her shoulders and escorted her outside to his waiting buggy. The guests still remaining followed them outside to laugh, wave, and wish them well.

  Philamena worked up a smile and waved back, focusing on Abby’s face as they drove toward the edge of town and Granger House.

  Walking past the house many times in her school days, Philamena hadn’t been near the home in a decade. The exterior was as every bit as magnificent as she remembered. Her curiosity was piqued to see what it looked like inside.

  As Luke pulled in the circle drive and stopped at the end of the front walk, Philamena studied the house with interest. The three story home, complete with gables, turrets and a walk-around porch on the main floor, was painted a warm shade of yellow with white, dark green and pale green trim. The porch posts and balustrades were painted white and the front door boasted a rich shade of hunter green. Lights shone in many of the windows, creating a warm welcome in the afternoon’s waning light.