Jacob asked, “Where do the sleighs live during the year?”
Suzi picked up an empty punch cup. “In the storage building behind my house. Granddad figured if things were on the school grounds, inquisitive kids would discover them.”
“I’m sure that’s right. I’d have been one of the kids poking my nose where it didn’t belong.”
“I can see that. Even though my house is technically on children’s home property, the children never bother us.”
Cottage parents had helped gather part of the discarded wrapping paper before they left, but there were still bunches of crushed paper scattered everywhere. Jacob got the wide broom and swept the paper into a pile to make stuffing trash bags easier.
Suzi found him filling bags. “You can let everything else wait until after New Year’s.”
But what if he wasn’t here then? “I’d better get this done tonight. I’d worry about it otherwise.”
She bent to gather a handful of paper. “Okay, then I’ll help. I’ll take care of the paper, you tackle the punch spills.”
He retrieved the mop and bucket. “Not as much spilled as I’d have expected. This was a pretty orderly event.”
“Thanks. We’ve worked out a system. Since most of the kids were here the year before, everyone knows what to expect. The newcomers hear the details from the other kids.”
He finished the clean up. “You could use more cottages. Then there wouldn’t need to be quite so many kids in one.”
“I know, there should only be six kids to a home but we’re doing well to fund the ten cottages we have. Plenty of land is reserved for more if we ever have the money.”
Mike came up behind her. “Lucky for you that you know a rich guy, huh?”
Suzi whirled. “Oh, Mike. Truly, I didn’t know you could hear.”
“Didn’t think you did. Come on, Jacob, let’s get the sleighs to the storage shed before kids start watching out the windows.”
Jacob and Suzi pushed one and Mike and Katie the other. The casters rolled with a minimal amount of noise.
Jacob met Suzi’s gaze over the sleigh. “I hope Billy and Henry are asleep. Mike and I would be looking out the window.”
“Paddy will have closed the curtains and threatened them with no dessert tomorrow if they get out of bed. Besides, the rooms they’re in are on the other side of the house from where we’ll be.”
“Good thing. Paddy has smiled at me three times now. I consider that impressive.”
She wrinkled her nose at him. “As if you were scared of her.”
“Kind of. I mean she is your family and I want her to like me.”
“What swayed her is when you didn’t want to watch me put the money in the safe. She’d been certain you were going to steal it but you didn’t even see the room where the safe is.”
He grimaced at the housekeeper’s simple logic. “Aw, Suzi, if I’d been a crook, I would have found the safe.”
“I’m aware of that, but you still impressed her. She decided since you’d helped save the children’s home and ours, that you were as nice a man as I’d told her.”
When they’d locked the decorations in the shed, they went into the kitchen.
Paddy sat crying.
Suzi rushed to her. “What on earth’s wrong?”
Paddy wiped at her eyes and blew her nose. “I’m embarrassed to tell you.”
Suzi pulled a chair up and sat beside her housekeeper. “You have to tell me what’s upset you this much.”
The woman glanced at Jacob then down at her hands. “I know I shouldn’t have, but I couldn’t stand the suspense. I peeked into the gift Jacob gave me.”
Suzi held her shoulders. “Why would that make you cry?”
Paddy pressed her handkerchief to her eyes. “Be-be-because he gave me a round trip airplane ticket to Ireland that I can use on any date. You know how long I’ve wanted to go and now I can.”
Suzi hugged her neck. “But that’s fantastic! Why are you crying?”
“I’m humiliated. You know I didn’t trust him for the longest time and then he goes and does something this nice for me. I’m overcome with shame and at the same time happy as can be.”
Jacob hugged Paddy’s shoulders. “You’re like a mother to Suzi. I wanted to do something special after the fine way you’ve raised her.”
Suzi helped her stand. “You go on to bed. We’ll be quiet and won’t disturb you.”
Paddy hugged Jacob. “Thank you more than I can say.” Then she went to her apartment.
Suzi took out a pan. “I’m making hot chocolate and,” she looked over her shoulder at Paddy’s apartment door, “sneaking some cookies.”
“Sounds delicious.” Katie removed her coat and gloves then shivered. “I’m sure the air is colder than predicted.”
Mike removed his coat. “Seems like it to me, but maybe we’re comparing our weather to Florida.”
Jacob spotted a thermometer and checked. “Nope, Katie’s right. Hope we get snow.”
Suzi stirred the hot chocolate. “And the children can build a snowman. Wouldn’t that be fun?”
Jacob took a sip of his drink. “Yeah, they’d love that.”
They took their snack into the living room and sat watching the tree. Now that there were presents underneath, it looked even nicer. Suzi turned on the fireplace and sat beside Jacob on the couch. If she hadn’t mentioned the logs were artificial, he would never have guessed.
Careful not to spill her snacks, he took her hand. “This is the perfect way to spend a winter evening.”
Mike toasted with his mug. “I agree. Good friends, a warm fire, and a Christmas tree with lots of presents underneath.”
Katie raised her mug in a toast. “Suzi used to invite me to spend Christmas with her. And part of the summer, too. When I recall happy times, this house is what comes to mind.”
She looked around. “Not that my cottage parents were unkind or anything. In fact, they were great and I still visit them, but I longed for a real home. Suzi made sure I had one at least part of the time.”
Suzi smiled at her friend. “I used to pretend we were sisters. When you weren’t here, I’d pretend you’d gone to visit our cousin who was ill and needed your help—sort of like in The Secret Garden. We were crazy, weren’t we?”
Katie chuckled. “As far as I can tell, we still are.”
Jacob couldn’t hide his amusement. “You’re in good company. Mike and I might be a bit on the eccentric side.”
Mike raised his eyebrows. “Eccentric? You maybe, but I’m perfectly normal—well, except for those bodies in the basement.”
They sat laughing and talking. Jacob watched Suzi’s every move. How he loved her. He trailed his fingers through her hair and she rested her head on his shoulder. There was too much he wanted to tell her. But, he couldn’t when he didn’t know if he’d be here to fulfill the promises he wanted to make.
Mike must have cautioned Katie that he planned to stay past midnight because she didn’t express a wish to leave. Instead she curled her legs under her in the big wingback chair near where Mike sat.
The two women traded stories and Mike threw in a few of theirs. This was the most pleasant evening Jacob had ever spent in either of his lifetimes. Over it hung the shadow of time ticking away. Mike’s expression grew more and more somber.
Jacob watched the mantel clock. When the time approached midnight, he stood. “There’s a lot I want to say, but right now why don’t we join in a group hug to bring in Christmas Day.”
Tears on his cheeks, Mike grabbed him in a bear hug. “I love you, bro.” He held Katie with one arm and kept one around Jacob.
Jacob hugged his brother and Suzi. He couldn’t let her go.
Suzi held his face in her hands. “Jacob, what’s wrong. Why are you and Mike crying? You’re scaring me.”
“Suzi, hug me like you’ll never let me go. No matter what happens, please remember I love you.”
She hugged him. “I still don’t understa
nd, but I love you too.”
He held on to Mike and Suzi as if they could anchor him to earth. The clock struck midnight. A mighty roar shook the house. Both women gasped.
“The Almighty has pardoned you.”
The wind died and all was calm.
Still holding on to the others, he asked, “Did… did anyone else hear that voice?”
Suzi looked at him. “What voice? All I heard was a terrible roar of wind that shook the house.”
Mike nodded at him. “Congratulations, Jacob. It’s Christmas Day.”
Jacob fell to his knees. “Thank you, God.”
Suzi knelt in front of him. “Are you okay? What was that about? Talk to me. Now!”
Mike touched Suzi’s arm. “Katie and I decided to take you up on your offer to spend the night here. Hardly seems worth going home to be back here for breakfast and we don’t want to miss the kids’ opening their gifts.”
Suzi glanced up. “Katie, you can have your same room. Mike can stay in the one across the hall.”
Katie took Mike’s hand and led him up. At the landing window, she paused. “Oh, look, it’s snowing.” The two of them looked outside and then continued up the stairs.
Suzi crossed her arms. “Okay, Jacob, start explaining.”
He pulled the ring box from his pocket. “I promise to explain everything eventually. I have something to ask you first. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She pulled him to his feet. “You know I will.”
He opened the box and slid the ring on her finger. “Honey, some things are beyond explanation. Mike and I have endured a lot together. I’ve managed to get out of my prior commitment and I can stay at the children’s home.”
She beamed at him. “Then, will you be the business manager so I can resume being the full-time children’s counselor?”
“As long as I can be with you, I’ll be happy.”
She held up her hand and admired the ring sparkling in the tree lights. “Is it too soon to ask if you think we could become foster parents for the children upstairs?”
He pretended to be confused. “You mean Katie and Mike. I doubt they’d agree.”
She laughed and put her arms around his neck. “You know very well who I mean.”
“That would make me happy. I already love those three kids.”
“Oh, Jacob, I’m so relieved you’re staying and want to marry me. I didn’t want to lose you. Now that I’ve found you, I’d never be happy without you.
“You’ll never be without me, my Suzi Q. That’s one Christmas promise you can count on forever.”
Please continue reading to the end for peeks at two other Christmas stories.
Dear Reader,
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Read Caroline’s western historical titles:
Mistletoe Mistake, sweet Christmas story set in Montana
Blessing, Widows of Wildcat Ridge, set in Utah, sweet
Garnet, Widows of Wildcat Ridge, coming January 2019
Loving A Rancher Series (sweet)
Amanda’s Rancher, No. 1
The Rancher and the Shepherdess, No. 2
Murdoch’s Bride, No. 3
Bride’s Adventure, No. 4
Snare His Heart, No. 5
Capture Her Heart, No. 6
Loving A Rancher, No. 7
Patience, Bride of Washington, American Mail-Order Brides Series #42, sweet
Bride Brigade Series: sweet, set in Texas
Josephine, Bride Brigade book 1
Angeline, Bride Brigade book 2
Cassandra, Bride Brigade book 3
Ophelia, Bride Brigade book 4
Rachel, Bride Brigade book 5
Lorraine, Bride Brigade book 6
Prudence, Bride Brigade book 7
The Surprise Brides: Jamie, sensual, released simultaneously with three other of The Surprise Brides books which are: Gideon by Cynthia Woolf, Caleb by Callie Hutton, and Ethan by Sylvia McDaniel, each book is about one of the Fraser brothers of Angel Springs, Colorado
The Kincaid Series: Sensual, set in Texas
The Most Unsuitable Wife, Kincaids book one
The Most Unsuitable Husband, Kincaids book two
The Most Unsuitable Courtship, Kincaids book three
Gabe Kincaid, Kincaids book four
Stone Mountain (Texas) Series:
Brazos Bride, Men of Stone Mountain Texas book one, Free, sensual
Buy the Audiobook here
High Stakes Bride, Men of Stone Mountain Texas book two, sensual
Buy the Audiobook here
Bluebonnet Bride, Men of Stone Mountain Texas book three, sensual
Tabitha’s Journey, a Stone Mountain Texas mail-order bride novella, sweet
Stone Mountain Reunion, a Stone Mountain Texas short story, sweet
Stone Mountain Christmas, a Stone Mountain Texas Christmas novella, sweet
Winter Bride, a Stone Mountain Texas romance, sweet
McClintocks: set in Texas
The Texan’s Irish Bride, McClintocks book one, Free, sensual
O’Neill’s Texas Bride, McClintocks book two, sweet
McClintock’s Reluctant Bride, McClintocks book three
Daniel McClintock, McClintocks book four, sweet
Save Your Heart For Me, a mildly sensual romance adventure novella set in Texas
Long Way Home, a sweet-ish Civil War adventure romance set in Georgia
Caroline’s Texas Time Travels
Out Of The Blue, 1845 Irish lass comes forward to today Texas, sensual
Texas Lightning, sweet, 1896 woman rancher comes forward to today
Texas Rainbow, sweet, 1920s flapper comes forward to today
Texas Storm, sweet, WWII WASP comes forward to today
Contemporary Western Hearts Facebook Group
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Caroline’s Contemporary Titles
Angel For Christmas, sweet Christmas tale of second chances, sweet
Texas Caprock Tales:
Be My Guest, mildly sensual with mystery, sensual
Grant Me The Moon, sweet with mystery,
Snowfires, sensual, set in Texas
Home Sweet Texas Home, Texas Home book one, sweet
Caroline’s Mysteries: (Texas)
Almost Home, a Link Dixon mystery
Death In The Garden, a Heather Cameron cozy mystery
Take Advantage of Bargain Boxed Sets:
Mail-Order Tangle: Linked books: Mail-Order Promise by Caroline Clemmons and Mail-Order Ruckus by Jacquie Rogers
, set in Texas and Idaho
Under A Mulberry Moon, nine-author anthology, July 2018, available for a limited time, novellas by Zina Abbott, Patricia Pacjac Carroll, Caroline Clemmons, Carra Copelin, Keta Diablo, P. A. Estelle, Cissie Patterson, Charlene Raddon, and Jacquie Rogers.
The Kincaids, Books 1-4 in one set, sensual, Texas
Cinderella Treasure Trove, excerpts, blurbs, author bios, and recipes from authors who write books with a new take on a fairy tale. Free
Musings and Medleys, blurbs, excerpts, recipes, and author bios from the authors in Under A Mulberry Moon. Free
About Caroline Clemmons
Through a crazy twist of fate, Caroline Clemmons was not born on a Texas ranch. To make up for this tragic error, she writes about handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains in a small office her family calls her pink cave. She and her Hero live in North Central Texas cowboy country where they ride herd on their rescued cats and dogs. The books she creates there have made her an Amazon bestselling author and won several awards. Find her on her blog, website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google+, and Pinterest.
Click on her Amazon Author Page for a complete list of her books and follow her there.
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She loves to hear from readers at [email protected]
A peek at another Christmas story, Stone Mountain Christmas in print and e-book:
Chapter One
Radford Crossing, Texas, November 1874
Eduardo Montoya focused on the beautiful redhead who swept the walk in front of Sturdivant’s Mercantile across the street. He turned to speak to his friend. “She is a vision, is she not?”
Micah Stone, his cousin’s husband, asked, “Have you met her or spoken to her?”
Eduardo’s gaze returned to Celia Dubois. He refused to let anyone shatter his dreams. “See how graceful she is even when performing a menial chore? When we are wed, she will not have to be concerned with such things.”
Angel For Christmas Page 14