Christmas Under Western Skies

by Anna Schmidt

  “Indeed it was.”

  Derek sputtered tea and grabbed for his handkerchief to wipe his eyes.

  Winnie gave him a narrow-eyed scowl. So maybe he didn’t see the romance in sitting in the snow, blurting out an offer to marry, but the way he’d held her, the way he’d tenderly wiped tears from her cheeks, and the gentle kiss, were romantic even if they weren’t meant to be.

  “Tell me,” Kathy begged.

  “I think they might want to keep the details private for now,” Uncle Mac said.

  “Aww.”

  “I can share one thing.” Derek nudged Winnie.

  Her heart tightened. Was he going to tell the truth? That their planned marriage wasn’t based on romance?

  He grinned at her, then turned back to Kathy, leaned on his elbows and got dreamy eyed. “Snow was falling, and each little flake that landed on Winnie’s skin looked like a tiny diamond from heaven.”

  Winnie stared, realized her mouth had dropped open, and closed it. The man had a poetic streak in him. What other talents was he hiding?

  Kathy let out an expansive sigh. “That’s romantic. Now you have to kiss.”

  “Kiss?” Winnie tried not to sputter. “Why?”

  “Miss Parker said that’s how you make the ’gagement ’fficial.”

  Derek edged his chair closer. “You don’t mind, do you?” he murmured in her ear.

  He was so close, she saw the ebony lights in his eyes, as well as a healthy dose of teasing. She scrubbed her lips together. A kiss? In public? That would make it official?

  Derek took her silence for agreement. He cupped her head with his steady hand and leaned forward. His kiss was firm. Solid. Full of promise.

  He eased back and grinned at her.

  She swallowed hard. Promise for what? Taking care of her? Giving her a home? She lowered her gaze, lest he see confusion and longing in her eyes.

  Derek hummed as he worked on Winnie’s gift.

  “Good to hear you so happy.” Uncle Mac had slipped up behind him unnoticed. The old man had a knack for doing that of late.

  “Course I’m happy.”

  “Thanks to Winnie.”

  “Yup.” Knowing she was staying solved a lot of his worries.

  Uncle Mac shuffled off and Derek returned to his work and his happy thoughts.

  The past three days had been pleasant beyond expectation. There was something about walking into the house, knowing Winnie would glance up and smile a welcome. Knowing he could expect the same face, the same smile in the future. Kathy had settled down, back to the cheerful child he recalled before the accident.

  He and Winnie went for walks in the early afternoon and often again after supper. So far, the weather had not grown too cold for them to venture out. They talked about their past and planned their future. He learned about the homes she’d been in and understood she tried to make herself indispensible so they would appreciate her and keep her.

  He sat up straight and faced forward. If any one of the homes had valued her, she would not be here. Seems the bad things in her life ended up a benefit for him. He rubbed his neck, trying to ease the sudden tightness, feeling selfish to be grateful for his sake, when it had cost her so deeply.

  Something she’d said echoed in his head. “We never know how God is using the events of our lives. We could make ourselves crazy trying to make sense of things like accidents and injuries. Or we can accept that God is in control, and even if we never understand the whys, or see the good in something that’s come our way, at least we can rest in His love and leave the questions with Him.”

  Tension eased from his neck. He might take a while to truly learn that lesson, but he intended to start working on it.

  The sound of an approaching wagon pulled his attention from his thoughts. Visitors? He didn’t see how news of his engagement could have reached his neighbors. With no school for a few weeks, Kathy hadn’t been able to tell anyone, and they hadn’t been off the ranch since Sunday.

  Best go see who it was. He set aside his work, threw a blanket over it to hide it from curious eyes and went outside.

  “Hello, Derek. A few days early but Merry Christmas.”

  “Hello, Sam, Jean. Merry Christmas to you, too. Come on in and visit.”

  Sam lived further up the river. He jumped down and helped to the ground the wife he had sent for last spring.

  As Jean smoothed her skirts, he saw she was in the family way.

  A baby. Marriage often resulted in one. He swallowed hard, realized he was staring, then led the way to the house.

  “We have guests,” he told Winnie, who was already pulling the kettle forward on the stove.

  He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Would she like to make a baby with him? He hadn’t thought of marriage as anything more than having a permanent housekeeper. A way to keep Winnie close.

  His cheeks burned as he thought of becoming a real family.

  A baby. But wasn’t birth risky?

  He jerked his gaze from Winnie and his thoughts from treacherous paths. He intended to avoid such risks.

  “Sam and Jean, this is Winnie Lockwood, my fiancée,” he said, with an air of possessiveness.

  “Fiancée? Well, congratulations.” Sam slapped Derek’s back and shook Winnie’s hand.

  Jean shyly offered her hand to Derek. He shook it gently, then she turned to Winnie and hesitated. With a little giggle, she hugged Winnie. “I hope you’ll be as happy as I am.”

  Winnie’s gaze met Derek’s, her eyes dark and bottomless. He couldn’t read her emotions. He only knew it felt like an accusation and drove a harsh fist into his gut.

  Then she smiled. “I’m sure we’ll be very happy.” She extricated herself from Jean’s arms. “I’m just making tea. Sit and visit.”

  Sam held a chair for his wife and eased her gently onto the seat.

  Derek didn’t move. The gentleness in his friend’s care was like watching a mare with a newborn foal—a combination of tenderness and responsibility. Seems the idea of a baby made Sam aware of the load he would carry. Though looking at the man, one would think he relished the idea.

  Uncle Mac came in and greeted the pair, then Kathy joined them.

  They visited over tea and cookies. Jean wanted to know where Winnie had come from and what brought her to the Adams’s ranch.

  He waited for her reply, wondering how much of the truth she would tell.

  She smiled at him, then turned to Jean. “You might say God led me here. I actually had other plans.” She told about her desire to work in Banff.

  He hadn’t thought of her initial goal. Was he asking too much of her, to give up her dream to marry him?

  In turn, Jean told how she and Sam had met at her father’s house a year before their marriage. “My brother had come west. He’s got a place down by Pincher Creek. Sam wanted details, as he was thinking of moving west. Mother was out, so I served them tea. You might say I liked what I saw.”

  Sam took her hand. “No more than I.”

  Kathy let out a long sigh. “It’s so…”

  He knew she was going to say “romantic”. And given half a chance, she’d be asking for details, likely to repeat every tidbit to Miss Parker, who seemed to need to get her adventures vicariously. He didn’t want to embarrass his guests. “Kathy, would you pass the cookies again, please?”

  Kathy shot him a surprised look, but she must have read the warning in his face, for she clamped her lips together and passed the plate to Jean, who took one.

  “These are delicious.”

  “Derek’s favorites,” Winnie said.

  “So you make them often.” Jean giggled, as if Winnie made the cookies specially for that reason.

  Ginger cookies. Soft and moist. They were his favorite, and come to think of it, seems there were always some to accompany his tea. Did she make them solely for him?

  But as Uncle Mac took four more, Kathy—at his warning nod—took one and the guests each took one more, he knew he wasn’t the only o
ne who liked them.

  She liked to please others. Not just him.

  Why didn’t that make him feel better?

  Sam cleared his throat. “We brought you a present. But before I give it to you, I want you to know it’s fine to say no.”

  What sort of gift would a person say no to? Unless…

  Sam went outside and returned with a small crate. From inside came excited yips.

  Unless—he finished his thought—it was a pup.

  “We rescued a pair of puppies from an old man up the river. He was going to drown them.”

  Kathy gasped.

  “Sorry, Kathy, but as he said, he had no use for three dogs. We picked one to keep, but thought you folks might like the other.” He faced Derek squarely. “If you prefer not, we’re fine with that. Just thought we’d give you first chance at refusal.”

  Kathy had bolted to her feet and rocked back and forth in front of Sam. “Can we see him?”

  “Derek?” Sam asked.

  He’d had a dog once. Remembered how much fun it had been. If this mutt was friendly with Kathy, he might consider the idea. “Let’s have a look.”

  Sam put the crate down and removed the lid. A furry brown-and-black bundle scampered out and turned circles on the floor, as if assuring himself he was free. He saw Kathy and wriggled up to her, whining.

  Kathy scooped him into her arms, where he wiggled and tried to lick her.

  It was a done deal. No way he could take that bundle of joy away from his little sister, but he needed to ask Winnie her opinion first. He turned to her. She watched Kathy, a smile of such sweetness on her face that Derek forgot his question. She truly cared for Kathy. He’d never doubted it, but seeing how it flooded her expression gave him a wonderful sense of doing the right thing by marrying her.

  She jerked toward him and her frank love went into hiding.

  He obviously did not warrant the same emotion Kathy did. “Would you mind Kathy having a pup?”

  She smiled. “Not at all.” She stroked the puppy’s head. “He’s sweet.”

  “Can I keep him? Really?” Kathy asked.

  “Let me have a look at him.” He took the pup and examined his limbs, looked in his mouth and ears, which proved a challenge, as the dog wanted to lick him and almost wriggled from his arms.

  Kathy giggled. “He says he’s healthy. No need to check.”

  Satisfied as to the general condition of the animal, he let the pup snuggle into the crook of his arm, where it snuffled once and fell to sleep.

  Sam chuckled. “He knows he’s safe.”

  “Home sweet home,” Jean said.

  Home. Safety. It’s what he wanted for himself, for Kathy and for Winnie. It was enough. Wasn’t it?

  He passed the pup back to Kathy and she sat on the floor to play with him.

  The women turned their attention to talk of Christmas plans.

  “I wish I could get a turkey,” Winnie said. “It would make a special Christmas meal.”

  “You can. Tell them, Sam.” Jean turned to her husband, her face aglow with love.

  Sam’s gaze lingered on his wife before he turned to Derek. “You remember that German family that took up a homestead over on Bear Coulee?”

  He nodded. Of course he did. He wondered how they would make it. Starting from nothing, with half a dozen kids to provide for.

  “They raised turkeys and are selling them. I can tell them to butcher one for you if you like. You just have to pick it up before noon on Christmas Eve day.”

  At the look of eagerness in Winnie’s eyes, he would have agreed to ride to Calgary to pick up the bird. “Tell them we’ll take one.”

  Winnie’s smile of appreciation made him feel he had done something special.

  He shook his head. All this confusion was only because he had agreed to more responsibility. First marriage to Winnie, and now a puppy.

  He was afraid to think about how many things could go wrong.

  Chapter Seven

  Winnie had the house to herself. Derek and Kathy had taken the pup, christened Beau, for a walk. The pup would provide Kathy with lots of company. Just what the little girl needed. After all, she’d once had a brother and sister to play with.

  Winnie appreciated meeting Sam and Jean. Nice to know there were other young couples in the neighborhood, even if their situations were different. Sam was so in love with Jean, Winnie’s eyes hurt to watch how he did his best to anticipate and meet her every need.

  And Jean had confided her love for Sam. “My heart can only work the way it should when he’s around.” She’d laughed. “I’m sure you know what I mean.”

  Winnie bent over the shirt she meant to finish for Uncle Mac for Christmas. She did know what Jean meant. Despite her fears and caution, she’d fallen in love with Derek. Her love required sacrifice from her.

  How was she to tell Derek she couldn’t marry him?

  She prayed for the right words. For the courage.

  She heard Derek and Kathy returning and slipped her sewing basket out of sight. She hoped to surprise them all with her gifts.

  The pair burst into the room. Beau raced around, checking to make sure he remembered the place.

  “I just thought of something,” Derek said. “I need to wire the Faringtons to let them know I no longer need them. Do you want to come to town with me?”

  “I need to get popcorn.” She had to tell him before they reached town.

  “Do you want to go, Kathy?”

  “Can I stay home with Beau?”

  “If Uncle Mac wants to stay.”

  Uncle Mac came from his room, his hair tousled from his nap. “Did I hear someone say my name?” Derek explained.

  “I’ll gladly remain and watch this pair of youngsters.”

  “It’s settled then.” Derek went to his room to get his purse and Winnie scurried to hers to tidy her hair. She paused to look in the mirror and forced herself to take a slow, steady breath. Lord, give me courage.

  Derek chose the sleigh again. A new snowfall made the road suitable for the conveyance.

  She climbed in beside him and let him tuck the robes around her knees. Gave a shaky smile when he paused, his face close enough to kiss.

  Only he didn’t kiss her. Instead, he flicked the reins and they glided down the road. He’d hung bells on the harness. She settled back, allowing herself to enjoy this ride. The last ride she would make as part of his family.

  Her nerves twitched as they neared town. She must speak to him before he sent the telegram. Twice she opened her mouth, but the words wouldn’t come.

  She squeezed her fists open and closed. Now. She must do it now. She reached for his hand to ask him to stop.

  He misinterpreted her gesture and turned his hand to twine his fingers through hers.

  She closed her eyes and prayed for strength to do what she knew she must do. But her heart grew stubborn and insisted she enjoy his touch, his smile and the way he shifted closer so their shoulders and arms pressed together.

  She shuddered at all she must give up.

  “Are you cold?” He reached around her to tuck the robe tighter.

  “Derek, stop.”

  He jerked back. “I’m sorry. I thought you were cold.”

  “No. Stop the sleigh.”

  He pulled on the reins and the horses stood still, steam blasting from their nostrils.

  She mustn’t take too long or the horses would get chilled. “I don’t think you should send that wire.”

  He twisted to face her. “To the Faringtons?”

  She nodded, wishing she had more courage.

  “Why not?” His eyes narrowed. “You’ve changed your mind, haven’t you?”

  “I must. You deserve to marry someone you can love.”

  He contemplated her silently.

  She lowered her gaze and studied the buttons on the front of his coat. Big. Black. Her sluggish mind could think of nothing more. “I don’t want to tie you into a marriage of convenience.”


  “Isn’t that my decision? Perhaps it’s all I want. I fully intend to send that wire today.” He turned and flicked the reins. “I expect you to keep your word. Just as I intend to keep mine.”

  Her heart lay leaden in her chest. She had succeeded only in making him angry. What was she to do?

  They arrived in town. He stopped in front of the store, jumped down and went around to assist her. She put her hand in his, felt him stiffen. “I’m sorry,” she murmured.

  His hard expression didn’t flicker. “Get the popcorn and whatever else you need. I’ll be back as soon as I send the wire.”

  She got what she came for, put it on Derek’s bill and then waited for him without even bothering to glance at anything else in the store. There was no pleasure in even looking. In two minutes he returned, helped her in and tucked the robe around her. He would always make sure she was safe, even if he was angry.

  Derek avoided the house as much as possible that evening and the next morning. He wished he didn’t have to spend time with Kathy and the pup, forcing him to be in the same room as Winnie. To feel her wish to leave. Was Banff so enticing?

  He could hardly wait until he could leave to get the turkey and rode out of the yard at a gallop. He slowed as soon as he was out of sight.

  How could he persuade her to stay?

  By telling her he loved her.

  The words blared through his brain.

  Love? He had loved his family and lost them, except for Kathy. If anything happened to her, he would break into a million little pieces.

  If he loved Winnie, he’d face the same agony.

  He couldn’t endure it.

  He reached his destination, paid the German and headed home with the turkey, refusing to think any further about love. All he had to do was convince her that a marriage of convenience was the best solution for them both.

  No risks.

  Except to hurt her by not giving her the very thing she needed. Not a permanent home. Not appreciation. Love.

  He shook his head. It was the one thing he couldn’t give.

  He arrived home and handed Winnie the turkey.

  “Thank you.” She barely let her gaze touch him before she returned inside.