Christmas on the Prairie

by Frances Devine

  He opened the door of the general store and they stepped outside to a cloudy sky that promised another snow. “My secret is I saw you through the window and couldn’t help but come inside and say hello.”

  Ansley gasped. He had seen her through the window? Reading a dime novel? How many other townsfolk had walked by and seen her doing the same?

  Humiliated, all she wanted was to climb on her horse and ride to her cabin. “Well, you’ve said hello. And I thank you for the book, but I must be going.”

  His eyes clouded over, becoming as gray as the sky. “I had hoped to persuade you to join me for an early supper at Mrs. Boatwright’s.”

  The truth of the matter was that she and the girls would be eating supper at Mrs. Boatwright’s anyway. And what was wrong with a young lady enjoying a nice supper with a polite, handsome gentleman? “Since my nieces and I were already planning supper at Mrs. Boatwright’s, you may join us, Mr. Lane.”

  His eyebrows rose and a wide smile lit up his face. “I’m delighted.”

  “And surprised, I’d venture to say.”

  He chuckled. “A little. So far you haven’t seemed too receptive to my attentions.”

  “Mr. Lane. I’m happy to have you join us for supper, but please do not mistake my invitation for anything other than a token of friendship. As I’ve said before, I will be leaving Kansas right after Christmas.”

  Mr. Lane patted the hand tucked in the bend of his elbow. “Then I will enjoy the company of a lovely, gracious young woman as often as she’ll allow until she goes back to Boston.” He smiled at her. “If, that is, she has no objection.”

  Well, he’d certainly accepted her rebuff quickly enough. “I’ve no objection whatsoever.”

  The boardinghouse was in an uproar when they arrived.

  “Oh, I’m so glad you’re here,” Mrs. Boatwright said, ushering her toward the stairs.

  Fear seized Ansley. “Are the girls all right?”

  “What?” Mrs. Boatwright gave a wave. “Yes, yes. They’re playing in the library with the Anderson children.”

  “Then what...?”

  “Alice is having her baby.”

  Ansley gasped. “But I just spoke with her an hour ago and she gave no indication.”

  “Well, she’s not a new mother. And fourth babies come so quickly.”

  “Oh, goodness. Is the doctor with her?”

  Mrs. Boatwright frowned. “The closest doctor is in Martin’s Creek and there was no time to go after him just for a baby. But Franny Blake is with her. She’s delivered just about every baby in this town over the past twenty years. As a matter of fact, she delivered your own sister’s children. Now, go. Franny could use an extra pair of hands, and I have customers to attend.”

  “But Mrs. Boatwright, I am here with my nieces.”

  “So? They’re fine. Besides, it’s good the Anderson children have other children to occupy them at a time like this.”

  “But I have never been present during childbirth. I couldn’t possibly...”

  Mr. Lane cleared his throat. “Excuse me. We’ve come for an early supper.” He sounded annoyed.

  Mrs. Boatwright and Ansley turned. “Oh! Mr. Lane. I’m so sorry. I’m afraid our supper will have to wait for another day.” She sighed and set her chin. “My friend needs me, I’m afraid.”

  He released a breath and nodded. “I’ll hold you to that.”

  Mrs. Boatwright scowled. “Yes, yes. There’s no time for this.” She waved toward the restaurant. “Feel free to go eat your supper alone, Mr. Lane.” Then she shoved Ansley up the steps. “Go!”

  Ansley gathered her skirt and hurried up the stairs. She paused for an instant outside of Alice’s room, but a cry from within sent her scurrying inside. The woman was writhing in pain, and as she turned and saw Ansley she reached for her. Ansley rushed forward and took her hand. “It’s all right. Squeeze all you need to.”

  When the contraction ended, Alice gathered a breath and sank back onto her pillow, spent.

  “Oh, Ansley. I wish Peter were here. This is the first baby I’ve had without him just outside my door.”

  “Shh.” Ansley dipped a cloth in the basin of water on the table next to the bed. She wrung it out and wiped it gently over Alice’s forehead. “As soon as the baby arrives, I’ll send him a telegram.”

  “Thank you.” Her face twisted in pain as another contraction seized her.

  “Won’t be long now,” the midwife announced. “Give us a good push.”

  Alice bore down until Franny instructed her to stop. Then she sank back again, breathless.

  In minutes, a pretty baby girl came into the world with lusty cries, a little pink body and a tuft of silky red hair.

  The midwife loosely wrapped the baby and handed her to Ansley.

  Stupefied, Ansley took the baby, but she couldn’t move. “What do I do?”

  The midwife rolled her eyes. “Clean her up and give her to her mother, obviously.”

  “Let me get a peek at her first,” Alice said.

  Ansley carried the baby to Alice’s bedside so she could peek at her new daughter.

  Alice gave a weary smile and tears misted her eyes. “She looks like Fiona.”

  “I’ll have her back to you in no time.”

  “Thank you.” She closed her eyes and drifted to sleep while the midwife finished her ministrations and Ansley bathed the baby.

  An hour later, Ansley gathered up the soiled sheets and left Alice cooing to her new little girl.

  She carried the sheets downstairs and tossed them inside the closet where Viola collected all the soiled sheets for washday. She went to the dining room to share the good news with the children.

  To her surprise, Mr. Lane was still sitting in the dining room, finishing a meal. He sat with the Anderson children and her nieces, who had also eaten. Had he stayed so long just to see her again? The very idea seemed ludicrous and caused her cheeks to flush.

  The little group looked up as Ansley approached. She smiled at Fiona. “You have a new little sister.”

  Charley moaned. “A girl?”

  “I told you it would be a girl.” Fiona’s smug grin brought a laugh to Ansley’s lips.

  “May we see Mama?” Fiona asked.

  Ansley touched the girl’s shoulder. “She and the baby are resting right now. But you can see her later.”

  Mr. Lane stood and pulled out the only empty chair at the table. “May I order you something to eat?”

  “That’s kind, but I truly couldn’t eat a thing.”

  Mitch Lane didn’t sit down and join her. Instead he pulled some coins from his pocket and set them on the table, presumably for his own meal. “I’m afraid I must be going. I will be seeing you again soon, Miss Potter.”

  Ansley watched him walk away. When he reached the doorway between the restaurant and boardinghouse, an idea hit her. She rose quickly and caught up to him just as he was about to leave through the front door. “Mr. Lane. Please wait.”

  He turned. “Is something wrong?”

  She shook her head. “No. Everything is fine. But I wonder if I may impose on you for one favor?”

  His face brightened and the corners of his lips moved upward into a smile. “It would be my pleasure.”

  “Will you get a message to Teddy Dobson for me?”

  His eyes narrowed and the smile left his face. “Teddy?”

  “Seth’s sister. Seth’s been out of town, but if you see him first, you can certainly give the message to him.” Ansley knew full well the two men didn’t care for each other. Still she had little choice but to send word with Mr. Lane. “I’m supposed to be bringing the girls back to the Dobsons’ place after supper, but as you can see, Alice needs me to stay and help care for her older children. If you can ask Teddy
or Seth to come and get the girls I’d be grateful.”

  She drew in her lower lip between her teeth. “I suppose I can ask them to take care of Harry myself when he comes to get the girls.”

  “Harry?”

  “He’s a dog that came to me during the snowstorm. I haven’t found his owners yet, so I’m beginning to think he’s mine. He’s quite protective, which gives me comfort when I’m alone at night.”

  “I see. You’re the type of woman who takes in strays.” He offered a wry grin. “Would you believe me if I told you I’m a stray?”

  “Mr. Lane...”

  He held up his hand. “I’m sorry. That was too forward of me.”

  “Yes, it was,” Ansley said firmly. But inwardly she was beginning to soften toward this man. Of course she’d be gone in a few weeks, but then, a lot could happen in a short time when the right person came along. She wondered if Sarah Wayne would agree, and she had to force herself not to smile.

  He took hold of her hand and pressed his lips to her knuckles. “Rest assured, I will deliver your message.”

  Thanking him, Ansley closed the door behind him and returned to the dining room. She found Mrs. Boatwright talking to the children. She turned to Ansley. “She’s a beautiful little girl. First baby we’ve ever had born under this roof. I feel almost like a grandmother.” She winked at the children.

  Ansley couldn’t help but smile at the elderly woman. So much for not allowing children in her boardinghouse. It seemed the Andersons had rolled into town and turned this woman’s world upside down. Still, she wasn’t young, and running after a two-year-old like Willie was out of the question.

  “I’m making arrangements to stay for a few days to help Alice with the children.”

  Relief washed over Mrs. Boatwright’s lined face. “I’m sure Alice would appreciate it.” She stood. “I’ll go get your room ready and bring the children’s bedding from Alice’s room.”

  Ansley watched her go, glad she was available to help, but at the same time, aware she only had a few more weeks with her own nieces and nephew. She wanted to make every second count. But now wasn’t the time for selfishness. Alice needed her. And she knew if Rose had been in this situation, she would have wanted someone there to offer assistance. Relaxing, she resigned herself to giving of herself the next few days. She turned to Alice’s children. “Finish up your supper, and I will take you to see your ma and the baby.”

  Chapter 14

  Seth stabbed at the hay in the trough and pitched it into the horse stall. Sweat trickled down his face and all he could think about was Mitch Lane’s smirk the day before when he’d passed along Ansley’s message. Teddy had driven the wagon over to the cabin this morning to gather up some clothing for Ansley, but so far she hadn’t returned.

  The night before, Seth had retrieved Harry. The big, furry animal had been following him around ever since. Even now, he was sitting in the corner, watching every move Seth made.

  Was Seth the only person who could see through Mitch’s facade? Ansley probably believed the lying thief was sincere in his attentions toward her. But Seth knew better. Not that Ansley wasn’t pretty and smart and kind—all the things a man looked for in a wife. But despite those attributes, one thing was certain...Mitch Lane was after her wealth. Seth knew firsthand the man wasn’t above stealing, but apparently he had decided to try to steal her heart rather than simply her possessions. But how did he tell a proud woman like Ansley that she was being taken for a fool?

  Seth turned to Harry. “How are we going to convince her, boy?”

  Harry stood, tail wagging. Seth felt silly confiding in a dog, but who else could he share his concern with? Teddy would make more of it than it was. She had already hinted there was romance in the air between Ansley and Seth. Which was ridiculous. Teddy would see his worry about Mitch as nothing more than jealousy.

  He hung the pitchfork between two nails he’d pounded into the wall and scuffed Harry’s head. Harry followed him out of the barn as the wagon came rattling into the yard.

  Teddy had barely pulled the wagon to a stop before she jumped down. Seth’s heart sped up when he saw the worry on her face. He hurried across the yard and met her. “What happened?”

  “Someone...” She gulped in a breath, leaving Seth to imagine the worst.

  “Tell me what happened. Did someone hurt you?”

  She shook her head, placing her hands flat on his chest as he gripped her arms. “It’s the cabin. Someone has ransacked it.”

  “What do you mean?” His mind conjured up the image of Mitch Lane rummaging through Ansley’s trunks that day on the road.

  “The cabin. Someone was in there. Do you think they were trying to steal from Ansley?”

  “I’d say that’s a safe bet.”

  “Then we have to go to the sheriff!”

  “We will, but I want to go see the cabin first.”

  Seth saddled Brewster and rode the three miles to the cabin with Harry trotting along after him. He opened the door and was instantly filled with anger. Ansley’s things had been tossed around the rooms. Clothes and shoes and books were strewn from one end to the other. Even pots and pans and dishes were lying on the floor, some broken. The wooden box Ansley had admired had been tossed aside and lay open. Seth knew exactly who had done this.

  He mounted Brewster, planning to ride into town, inform Ansley of the intruder and escort her to the sheriff’s office. But still seething at Mitch Lane’s audacity, he turned Brewster toward Carson’s house instead. Harry followed along after him as he made his way onto Carson’s property and to his door.

  Luke Carson greeted him. The simple man grinned and offered his hand after Seth dismounted. “Good to see you, Seth. Everything okay?”

  “I came to see Mitch Lane. You seen him around?”

  A frown creased Luke’s brow. “Not since yesterday. Pa’s up in arms about it. Said Mitch didn’t show up today, and he had a job for him over at the Rainers’.”

  Seth could imagine what sort of job. It was common knowledge that with Seth’s property out of the question, Mr. Carson had turned his attention to the property on the other side of his. The Rainers had fallen on hard times, and Carson clearly planned to take full advantage of their bad luck.

  If Mitch had hightailed it out of the area, he must’ve gotten his hands on whatever he’d been looking for at Ansley’s. The thought sent waves of anger through Seth. “Any idea if he’s gone, or maybe sick?”

  Luke shook his head. “I went and checked his room. Seems all his things are missing. There ain’t no sign he was ever here.” Luke shielded his eyes from the bright sun. “You got business with Mitch?”

  “No. Just wanted to ask him a couple of questions.”

  “Well, if you find him, tell him Pa’s looking for him.”

  Seth promised to do so and climbed into Brewster’s saddle. Snow was beginning to fall by the time he reached town. Large, wet flakes covered his hat and Brewster’s mane.

  When he walked into the boardinghouse, he saw Ansley coming down the stairs, holding on to little Willie’s chubby hand as she kept his toddler legs stable. She smiled when she saw Seth and his heart picked up. As much as he’d love to make this a social call, he had to tell Ansley she had been the victim of a robbery, and he had an idea who might be to blame.

  * * *

  Ansley stared in horror at the sight that greeted her when she walked into the cabin behind the sheriff and Seth Dobson. Her trunks were broken up and strung around the room.

  “Who on earth would have done such a thing?” She angled her gaze at Seth. “And don’t accuse Mitch again. I simply cannot believe he is a common thief.” Wouldn’t she have seen something suspicious in all of her time with Mitch if his motives were sinister? She had known plenty of men who were after her money. And Aunt Maude had been warning
her about such men for years.

  But Seth clearly had no intention of giving up his suspicions about Mitch. Bending, he picked up two pieces of her broken trunk. He glanced at the sheriff. “Sheriff, I have more than my own suspicions to go on about Mitch Lane.”

  Ansley listened along with the sheriff as Seth relayed the details of meeting Mitch on the road between Martin’s Creek and Prairie Chicken on the day Seth had retrieved her trunks.

  “Well, doesn’t the fact that he wanted to pick up my trunks for me prove he only has my best interests at heart?” She looked to the sheriff for confirmation, but his eyes were narrowed. He clearly agreed with Seth on the matter.

  “Miss Potter, I think it’s pretty clear Mitch Lane isn’t who he claims to be. And the fact that not even the Carsons have seen him since your cabin was broken into does lead me to believe he could be guilty.”

  Clearly outnumbered by the men, Ansley turned her frustration on Seth. “Why didn’t you come to me about this?” Ansley asked. “You said the wagon hit a hole in the road and my trunk knocked against the side of the wagon. You lied?”

  “I told you the same story Lane told me when I caught him.”

  “You should have told me, Seth.” Humiliation burned inside of her. How could she have been fooled by this man when she had seen right through the sweet-talking tactics of several men in Boston? “If I had known your suspicion of Mitch had any merit, I wouldn’t have...”

  Ansley closed her mouth. She was going to say she wouldn’t have allowed herself to be taken in by his handsome face, gentlemanly manners and charming way of speaking to her. But doing so would have been to admit she had started to believe a man might be interested in her. With the truth discounting that, it would have been far too humiliating. Instead, she thought about what the thief, whoever he might be, had most likely been looking for.

  Rising from the kitchen chair, she walked across the room and pulled the plank on the wall near the fireplace until it gave way.

  Seth walked over beside her and inspected the hiding place. “I’ve never seen that before. Did you make it, or was it already here?”