by Regina Scott
Levi nodded, giving her shoulder a squeeze. “I promised to take care of you all, and I will.”
“Even though you let Scout down?” Sutter asked.
The uncertainty in her brother’s voice hurt. How much more would it hurt Levi? He looked from one frown to the other.
“Did you ever do something and later realize it was the wrong thing?” he asked them.
“No,” Frisco said.
Sutter nudged him. “Yes.”
Frisco sighed. “Oh, all right. Yes.”
“Then you say you’re sorry,” Sutter told Levi. “Try to make amends.”
Callie wanted to hug them close. She knew where they’d learned that lesson.
So did Levi, for he stood taller, as if a burden had been lifted. “That’s right. That’s the rule of this house. Are you willing to live by it?”
Her brothers exchanged glances. This time Sutter spoke first. “Yes, sir. But Pa and Adam promised Callie a big house and pretty dresses.”
“You going to keep those promises, too, Uncle Levi?” Frisco challenged.
Callie spread her hands. “He already did. This house is plenty big enough for us. And I have two pretty dresses now. Nora and Beth and the others made them for me for Christmas.” She gave in to her feelings and put an arm about each brother. “I have almost everything I could ever want, right here.”
Her brothers wiggled under her hold.
“Almost everything,” Levi murmured as she straightened. “What’s missing, Callie? What do you want?”
From the beginning, he’d asked her that question. She never could think of an answer that satisfied, until now. She glanced at him, heart starting to pound. She knew ladies weren’t supposed to ask this question, but Nora had done it. Why not her?
“If I tell you, do you promise to get it for me?” she asked him.
He nodded, taking a step closer. “Anything, Callie. I love you.”
Her heart overflowed. With Frisco, Sutter and even Mica watching, she drew herself up. “In that case, Levi Wallin, I want you to marry me.”
* * *
Levi stared at her, joy nearly lifting him off his feet. “I will. As soon as you want.”
She stuck out her hand. “Partners, then, for the rest of our lives.”
“Partners,” Levi promised, taking her hand. “In everything.” He drew her close and kissed her. For the first time in a long time, the world felt right, his dreams possible.
Thank You, Father.
From a distance, he heard Mica clapping and Sutter and Frisco making gagging noises.
“Does this mean you’ll be our pa?” Sutter asked as Levi raised his head, keeping Callie in his embrace.
“No, silly, he’s our brother,” Frisco said.
“Brother-in-law,” Callie corrected him. “He’ll be my husband.”
She looked so pleased by the fact that Levi wanted to tip back his head and crow.
“Too confusing,” Sutter said, slipping off the bench. “I’m going to keep calling you uncle.”
“Good idea,” Frisco said, following him.
Levi was content to let them go, Callie warm in his arms, but she called after her brothers.
“Not so fast, you two. We still have to decide your punishment.”
“How you’re going to make things right,” Levi amended.
Callie nodded, hair tickling his chin.
“Spending a day with those two prospectors was punishment enough,” Frisco said.
“Talk, talk, talk,” Sutter agreed, putting his hands over his ears. “Nearly gave me a headache.”
Levi kept his face stern. “Still, you made quite a mess of the pantry. You’ll clean the hall from top to bottom, until it passes Beth’s inspection.” He thought he saw them swallow.
“And there will be no sledding for a week,” Callie added.
Their faces melted. “But, Callie,” they chorused.
“But, Callie,” Levi wheedled, giving her a hug. “The snow might not last that long.”
Frisco and Sutter scurried back to their sides. “What if we cleaned the loft, too?” Frisco asked.
“Cleared a path to the woodpile,” Sutter suggested.
“That’s enough,” Frisco said out of the side of his mouth. “Don’t give them ideas.”
Callie glanced over her shoulder at Levi. “I told you—you can’t coddle them.”
“We didn’t,” Levi said with a smile. “Besides, you could have been a lot harder on me, and you forgave instead.”
She turned to eye her brothers. “Clean the hall for Miss Beth and the loft to my satisfaction, no grumbling, no complaining. You can start with the loft. Now.”
Her brothers ran for the stairs.
Callie rested her head back on Levi’s chest. “You’re taking on a lot, you know.”
“I know,” he murmured against the silk of her hair. “I can’t wait.”
* * *
As it turned out, he had to wait a good six weeks. Beth needed that amount of time to arrange for the dress, minister, food and music. Callie could have told her none of that really mattered. Levi had met and fallen in love with her when she’d had nothing more than a buckskin coat and her mother’s dress. He didn’t need to see her gowned in silk any more than she did.
As it was, she had to argue Beth and Nora out of a white wedding dress. What use would she have for a white dress? Mica or the boys would only spill on it. She convinced them to make her an inset for the bodice of the ball gown instead. With a higher neck, she could wear the dress for church later when she played the piano.
In the meantime, Deputy McCormick came out to take charge of Zachariah and Willard, who would be spending time in the Seattle jail while they awaited trial for their crimes. Levi and Callie debated what to do with Adam’s map. In the end, they filed it away with the rest of his things to be given to Mica when she was older.
“Someone else will likely find the spot before then,” Levi pointed out as Callie folded the paper.
“And I wish him the best,” Callie replied. “But my family is done with hunting for gold.”
Saturday, February thirteenth, the day before Valentine’s Day, Callie stood up with her sweetheart in the Wallin Landing chapel, before all their friends and family and the Reverend Daniel Bagley from the Brown Church in town. Beth was Callie’s attendant, Sutter was Levi’s and Frisco in long navy pants that matched his brother’s walked her down the aisle.
“You take good care of my sister, Uncle Levi,” he murmured as he surrendered her hand.
“I will,” Levi promised, gaze on Callie.
The older minister led them through the vows, but Callie knew the words by heart. Because Levi had taught her her letters, she’d read the marriage ceremony beforehand in the church manual. Still, nothing could prepare her for the emotions that surged through her when Levi vowed to love, honor and cherish her all the days of his life.
At last, they turned, hand in hand, husband and wife, to receive the applause of the congregation. From the front row, Mica waved from Beth’s arms.
Callie felt Levi stiffen. “It can’t be,” he murmured.
She wasn’t sure what concerned him, but his steps grew faster as they started down the aisle, until she had to lift her skirts to keep up.
He jerked to a halt beside the last pew, where a man about his age was standing, hat in hand. He wasn’t as tall as Levi, and his frame was more slender. His dark hair was slicked back from a peaked face. His nose was just the slightest crooked, as if it had been broken long ago, and a scar ran down one cheek, the rakish line at odds with the soft look in his brown eyes.
“Congratulations, Levi,” he said, then he turned a shy smile on Callie. “Ma’am.”
“What are you doing here?” Levi asked, vo
ice rough.
Callie glanced from one to the other. Tension strung like a wire between them, vibrating. Only one man she could think of might affect Levi this way. Could it be?
The other man spread his hands. “I came home.”
Levi released Callie, face tight. “I’m so glad. I think of you every day. What I did was unconscionable. I should never have let you take the blame, even for a moment. I hope you can forgive me someday, Scout.”
Callie sucked in a breath.
Levi’s old friend held out his free hand. “No day like today. I’ve missed you.”
Levi took his hand and pulled him in for a hug.
Callie bit her lip to keep from speaking, tears gathering in her eyes. Others were clustering around them, calling their welcome to Scout, their congratulations to her and Levi. Though Levi had confessed his past to his family in the last month, only she and Levi knew what this moment truly meant.
Levi’s cheeks were wet when he pulled back. “Anything you need, tell me. I know your father lost your claim, but you can sleep in the loft at the parsonage. I’m sure Drew can find you work.”
Levi’s family chimed in their support.
Scout held up a hand. “Thank you, but there’s no need. In some ways, Levi, you did me a favor by making me strike out on my own. I learned a lot about myself, what’s important to me. And I found gold.”
Frisco and Sutter pushed their way through the crowd.
“Where?” Frisco demanded. “Are you going back for more?”
“Can we come, too?” Sutter added.
“No,” Callie said. “We’ve been through this. No more panning.”
“No more panning,” Scout agreed with a smile. “In fact, I sold my claim before heading south. I can pay my own way. You don’t have to take care of me, Levi. I might even be able to help you for once.”
“You already have,” Levi assured him. He clapped Scout on the shoulder. “Come dance at my wedding.”
Scout grinned. “First, you should probably introduce me to your bride.”
“California Murphy,” Callie said, sticking out her hand. When Beth coughed, she realized her mistake. “That is, Callie Wallin.”
Scout shook her hand, his grip sure and firm. “Thomas Rankin, ma’am. My friends call me Scout. You have no call to remember, but I met you and your brothers once at Vital Creek. How’d you all come to be in Seattle?”
“I’ll tell you all about it,” Callie promised.
“But first,” Levi put in, “I intend to dance with my wife.” He took her hand and led her toward the hall.
It was a while before they could be alone. There were friends and family to greet, time to spend with Scout. Then they had to settle Frisco and Sutter with James and Rina for the next few weeks, to their chagrin.
“She’s the teacher,” Frisco complained. “She’ll make us learn.”
“I have work for you,” James said with a grin to Callie and Levi. “The horses need exercising, and the candy bins at the store seem to be overflowing.”
Frisco and Sutter exchanged glances. “I think we can help you there,” Frisco said, while Sutter nodded, eyes shining.
Nora took Mica, the little girl going eagerly into her arms. Then it was time for Callie to throw her bouquet.
Beth held out her hand with a sigh. “You might as well give it to me. There aren’t any other unmarried ladies present.”
Little Mary, who was standing nearby, tugged on Beth’s skirts. “I’m not married, Aunt Beth.”
Victoria came up as well, nose in the air. “I have yet to be spoken for.”
Callie grinned at Beth. “Looks like you have competition.”
Beth rubbed her hands together, glancing at her nieces. “I welcome it. Come on, girls.”
Beth stepped back with Mary and Victoria on either side. As the others separated to give them room, Callie turned her back and tossed the bouquet over her shoulder. Then she whirled to see who had caught it.
As Beth eyed the ceiling innocently, Mary clutched the flowers, gaze dreamy.
Catherine came to take her daughter’s hand. “You’ll need to wait a decade or two before you earn the right to carry one of those yourself.”
“Yes, Mother,” she said with a sigh.
Finally, Callie was sitting in the wagon with Levi. Lance and Percy stood in the traces, ready to take them to Seattle, where Callie and Levi would catch a ship to San Francisco for a honeymoon. It seemed fitting. That was where she’d started—in a gold rush camp outside San Francisco. Now she was returning as a bride with a much brighter future.
She linked her arm with Levi’s as he called to the horses, and everyone cheered them on their way.
“I never dreamed when you walked onto our claim that I’d find myself a partner for life,” she told him as they drove down the road, trees on either side.
“And I never dreamed I’d find myself a wife and a family,” he told her.
She smiled. “Your Christmas family.”
“Our family,” Levi said. “From this day forward, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. Forever, Callie.”
“Forever.” Callie snuggled closer under the woolen lap robe. “I like the sound of that.”
* * * * *
Don’t miss these other
FRONTIER BACHELORS stories
from Regina Scott:
THE BRIDE SHIP
WOULD-BE WILDERNESS WIFE
FRONTIER ENGAGEMENT
INSTANT FRONTIER FAMILY
A CONVENIENT CHRISTMAS WEDDING
MAIL-ORDER MARRIAGE PROMISE
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Dear Reader,
Thank you for choosing Levi and Callie’s story. The youngest Wallin brother has finally come into his own. I’m glad he found the right lady to stand by his side. If you missed the other stories about the Wallin brothers, look for Would-Be Wilderness Wife (Drew and Catherine), Frontier Engagement (James and Rina), A Convenient Christmas Wedding (Simon and Nora) and Mail-Order Marriage Promise (John and Dottie).
I smiled when I wrote about Callie throwing her bouquet. It is very like the scene at my own wedding. Most of my friends wanted to remain single at the time, so, when I tossed the bouquet, they punted it into the arms of my flower girl! She is happily married now with two boys of her own, but she did have to wait a decade and more.
I love to connect with readers. Please visit me at my website at www.reginascott.com, where you can also sign up to be alerted when the next book is out.
Blessings!
Regina Scott
Keep reading for an excerpt from ONCE UPON A TEXAS CHRISTMAS by Winnie Griggs.
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Once Upon a Texas Christmas
by Winnie Griggs
Chapter One
Philadelphia
October 1899
“Check and mate.” Seth Reynolds leaned back in his seat, a satisfied grin on his face. It wasn’t often he could defeat his employer and friend.
Judge Arthur Madison raised a brow. “So it is. I must say, after I captured your queen I thought I had you.”
Seth began setting the pieces back on the board. “That was the plan. I’m prepared to sacrifice anything, even my queen, if it ensures a win.”
As the older gentleman helped reset the board, Seth surreptitiously massaged the damaged muscle in his left thigh, a constant reminder of all he lacked in the eyes of the world.
“Speaking of winning,” the judge said without looking up, “how’s the Michelson deal coming along?”
Seth knew the prying question was well-meant, so he didn’t get his back up. “I’ve received an extension on the balance owed until year’s end.”
The judge looked up. “I’d be glad to loan you the money.”
If anyone else had offered, Seth would have rebuffed him soundly. But Arthur Madison wasn’t just anyone else. “I appreciate that, sir, but this is something I must do myself.” Achieving the goal he’d been working toward for over a decade wouldn’t mean anything if he didn’t do it on his own.
The judge’s expression shifted. “You’re only in this bind because you took in your nephew last year. That proves all anyone needs to know about your measure as a man.”
Seth brushed aside the words. Taking Jamie in after the death of his sister was simply something family did. No matter how estranged he and his sister were. Besides, his being a man of honor wasn’t what he needed to prove. “Don’t worry, I have the matter well in hand.”