by Leah Atwood
After scanning the entire room, Rosa turned back to her with an arched brow. “I’m not sure what you are talking about.”
Mrs. Cohen leaned toward Rosa, pretending to whisper, but her voice filled the room. Her pointed finger made it clear about whom she was referencing. “One of your guests is nothing more than a harlot and is expecting a child out of wedlock.”
“Bertha.” Mr. Cohen grabbed his wife’s arm, shooting her a warning glare.
It was the first time Tallie ever remembered him standing up to his wife.
The incident made her feel unsteady. Jeremiah had come to her side during the exchange between Rose and Mrs. Cohen, and he held a steady arm around her waist.
“Ah-hem.” Glenn Simpson cleared his throat. “I don’t think it’s necessary to continue this conversation right now.”
Puffing her chest, Mrs. Cohen displayed her indignation. “I’m sorry, but I will not remain at a function where someone like Tallie Duncan is allowed. She is a poor example for our children and young women.”
Jeremiah slid his arm from her waist and stepped forward, his jaw twitching. “I’ll thank you not to talk about my wife, Mrs. Tallie Scott, in such a vile manner.”
Mrs. Cohen’s eyes opened wide. “Surely, you didn’t know whom you married.”
“I know that I married a woman with a big heart who has more grace and honor than some people could ever dream of possessing.” His intonation made it clear what he thought of Mrs. Cohen.
Rosa glowered at Tallie’s former employer. “Jeremiah is a fine man, whom I’ve known since he was born. He has recently returned to us with a wife and child on the way. As far as I’m concerned, that’s all anyone needs to know.”
Leaving her spot near Mrs. Cohen, Rosa crossed the room and gave Tallie a supportive hug. “I’ve not had much opportunity to speak with you, but know that you are always welcome in my home, as long as we live in Weatherton.”
“I’m afraid we’ll have to ask you to leave,” Glenn told Mr. Cohen. “My guests will not be disrespected.”
“I apologize for my wife’s behavior.” Mr. Cohen shot his wife another glare. “We’ll come by tomorrow to finish the paperwork.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Glenn exchanged a look with his wife and she nodded. “I believe we’ve changed our minds about selling to you.”
“Why, I never,” Mrs. Cohen stammered, as her husband ushered her out the door.
Georgie looked tearfully at Tallie. “I love you, Miss Duncan.”
“I love you, too, Georgie.” Tallie watched him and Alastair leave with their parents.
Her legs were weak, her mind reeling with disbelief at everything that had happened. Jeremiah was by her side again, supporting her.
“I’m sorry.” Jeremiah dusted her cheek with a kiss. “You shouldn’t have been subjected to that.”
“I apologize also,” Rosa said. “Around here, we treat people with respect or they are not welcome. Don’t worry a thing about what happened.”
One by one, the witnesses of Mrs. Cohen’s outburst came to Tallie and personally welcomed her to Weatherton and assured her that she had a place in their town. Not a single person issued a condemning look or word.
Her fear had come true, but Jeremiah had kept his word and stood by her side. So had the entire town. A feeling of belonging swept over her.
Another contraction hit, accompanied by something wet on her legs.
She looked at Jeremiah. “The baby is coming.”
Chapter 12
Jeremiah stood outside the door of an upstairs bedroom at the Simpsons’ home. The party-goers had long since left after the debacle with the Cohens. The entire incident reminded him why he’d wanted to return to Weatherton so badly, even disregarding the ranch. It was a community that supported its own and knew how to forgive.
He wished Tallie hadn’t experienced the pain and embarrassment of Mrs. Cohens’ ill-mannered behavior, yet he was joyful that she’d seen that the town would accept her. In the overall picture, maybe Mrs. Cohen had done them a favor because now the secret wouldn’t hang over their heads like a storm cloud about to erupt.
Perhaps Tallie and he could move forward, have a real marriage.
A tiny whimper came from inside the room. Jeremiah cupped his ear to the door, listening for any information. Another weak cry, then a strong one.
The baby was here. It was everything he could do not to burst into the room. He wanted to see his wife and know that she was fine. He wanted to see the baby, to know if he had a son or daughter. Already his heart burst with love. It didn’t matter whatsoever that the baby wasn’t his by blood. In all ways that mattered the baby was unquestionably his.
Hours seemed to pass, but Jeremiah recognized it was probably only minutes. At long last, Flynn Foster, the town doctor opened the door.
A grin spread across his face. “Tallie would like to see you now.”
Flynn, his wife, and Rosa left the room, giving him some time alone with Tallie.
For as anxious as he’d been to see the baby, he hesitated now. He was responsible for that small life in there. It was a responsibility that humbled and inspired him.
He took a step into the room. Tallie held a bundle in her arms and looked up at him, almost shyly. Damp hairs clung to her face, and her face was flushed, but she glowed with joy.
Tiptoeing, though he didn’t know why, he made his way to the bed.
“Would you like to hold our daughter?”
A lump lodged in his throat, preventing any words from coming out so he nodded. Holding out his arms, he took the baby from Tallie.
He swallowed the lump in his throat. “She’s beautiful, just like you.”
“Thank you.”
“What is her name?”
Tallie stared at him, a soft smile on her face. “What do you think of Hope?”
“I think it’s the perfect name for our little girl.” Cradling Hope, he took in her vivid blue eyes that matched her ma’s and whispered to her. “I’m your Pa, and I want you to know I love you.”
“You really mean that, don’t you. You truly love her.” With tears in her eyes, Tallie looked at him.
“Yes, I do.” He sat down carefully on the edge of the bed. “I also love her Ma.”
“I love you, too. I feel so happy, Jeremiah. Happier than I’ve ever been.” Her face sobered. “I almost feel like I don’t deserve all the things happening to me now, but I don’t want to lose them.”
“Don’t feel that way, love. You’ve been forgiven, been made whiter than snow. God has given you a fresh start.”
“Thank you for that reminder.” Tallie squeezed his arm. “And thank you for believing in me.”
Epilogue
“Do you hear that?” Tallie stood at the stove, cleaning the last dishes from dinner.
Holding four-day-old Hope, Jeremiah sat at the table. He craned his head and cupped his ear. “It sounds like horses approaching and people singing.”
“I wonder what it is.” She dried her hands on her apron.
“I’ll go check.”
Tallie put some water boiling for the spiced cider they’d have this evening. It was Christmas Eve, but they weren’t going to the church service since Hope was so young.
“Come here, Tallie. You have to see this.” Jeremiah’s excited voice rang through the house.
She rushed to the door to see what the commotion was. Approaching the house was a wagon lined with hay, and twenty or so people from town sat in the back of it, singing Joy to the Word.
As they came closer, they switched to Deck the Halls.
“We have Christmas carolers.” Glee took over and Tallie felt like a young child again.
“Seems we do.” Jeremiah cradled Hope in one arm and pulled Tallie close with the other.
The wagon stopped, and Patrick Holden jumped down. He carried a stocking and handed it to her. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas.” She took the stocking from Patrick and smiled.<
br />
Patrick returned to the wagon, and the group left, waving and singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
Jeremiah started laughing. “I can’t believe they still do that. Next year, we’ll have to join them.”
“Can we?” She clapped her hands. “It looks like such fun.”
“Want to see what’s in our stocking?” He grinned and moved his arm.
Tallie took Hope from him, and Jeremiah emptied the stocking. A scarf for him and one for her, and a gown for Hope.
“This is wonderful.” Tallie looked at the gifts. “Who provides all this?”
“No one knows. Every year, a large bag shows up at the church and it’s been a tradition for as long as I can remember.” Jeremiah winked and smiled. “Some say it’s St. Nick himself.”
“Or a kind and generous soul.” She paused. “Which could be almost anyone in Weatherton.”
“Very true words. I love this place.” Peacefulness rested on Jeremiah’s face and he drew her to him.
“I can see why.” She leaned against him and sighed contentedly. “Merry Christmas, darling.”
“Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Psalms 51:7b
Dancing With Dew
The Final Brides of Weatherton Novella
Now Available Here
Since his wife's death, Joseph Scott was misery personified and only wanted to be left alone. Unable to swallow his grief, he slid further into despair, and eventually lost his job. If not for his young daughter, he would have given up completely. In a desperate attempt to break the fog of grieving, he moved to his childhood home of Weatherton, away from the memories of his late wife.
Many years ago, Cicely "Sissy" Evans fancied herself in love with Joseph Scott. Her fifteen-year-old heart had been crushed when he'd moved to Chicago seven years ago, but she'd never forgotten him. When he returned to Weatherton, she was shocked at the difference. Gone were his gentle ways and eyes filled with laughter, replaced with a coldness that saddened her.
Determined to see him smile again, she embarked on a mission to renew their friendship, but the trip didn't go as planned. Will everything they had be left in the past or will they dance on dew once more.
Letter from the Author
Dear Reader,
One of my favorite things to write about is redemption. In Whiter Than Snow, Tallie made a mistake that proved to have inescapable consequences. She faced shame but found redemption, love, and peace with her past. What a beautiful gift God offers when he wipes our slates clean and make us white as snow. What better time to remember that than when we celebrate the birth of his son, sent as a gift to save us!
If you’re like me and can’t read enough sweet Christmas romances, you might enjoy Come to Me Joyful, a companion to the Come to Me Series. An excerpt is included in the following pages.
Do you have a favorite Christmas book? Please feel free to share the title with me—some of the best books I’ve read lately have come from reader recommendations!
Merry Christmas!
Until next time,
Leah
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Other Titles from Leah Atwood
Contemporary Romance Novels
Come to Me Series
Come to Me Alive
Come to Me Free
Come to Me Again
Come to Me Joyful (Bonus NOVELLA)
Modern Conveniences
Love in a Fix
Brides of Weatherton Novellas
After the Rain
Fire and Ice
Winds of Change
Whiter than Snow
Dancing on Dew (December 2015)
Texas Wildflowers Novelette Series
Free to Love
Free to Heal
Free to Protect
Free to Serve
Free to Roam
Free to Forgive
Mail-Order Short Stories and Novelettes
The Ultimatum Bride
A Man to Be Proud Of
Their First Noelle
The Not Quite Mail-Order Bride
The Mail-Order Bride’s Quilt
Riches of the Heart
Unlikely Substitute
The Most Wonderful Bride of the Year
Come to Me Joyful Excerpt
Come to Me Joyful- Chapter 1
After the clock hands hadn’t moved in five minutes, Luke decided they must be broken. At least that’s what he told himself because if time was moving that slow for real, suffice it to say, he was in trouble.
His gaze shifted to the clock again. Victory! The hand finally moved. If he hadn’t been in a meeting surrounded by his colleagues, he would have pumped a fist in the air. All right, so he didn’t have the best attitude about this conference, but who schedules a three-day conflict resolution seminar to start the Monday after Thanksgiving? An out of town one, at that.
Didn’t the powers-that-be in corporate have families or non-work related activities? Nah, they’re married to their careers. Luke tapped his company-provided tablet and attempted to find his place in the notes. He’d tuned out somewhere between “for the next fifty minutes” and “practice resolution techniques through role-playing workplace simulations”.
He really hoped he hadn’t heard the lecturer correctly. Role-play, really? He was a thirty-year-old professional. The men and women he supervised were accountants, not high on the chart for creating conflict within the office. But no, somebody, somewhere thought because he’d been promoted to a managerial role that he should attend the conference.
“I need two volunteers.” The lady in charge—Mrs. Houser, he remembered after a brief glimpse at the outline on his tablet—peered around the room that reminded him of a college lecture hall. “You, in the blue sweater, come to the front.”
Luke cast a look around the room to see who the unlucky person was, only to realize with horror that he was the sole individual in the room of sixty people who wore a blue sweater. Forcing a smile for the benefit of setting a good example, he marched to where Mrs. Houser stood.
“You’ll be our person in charge. Sit down here.” She pointed to the oval table that was front and center. “This will be your office.”
“I think it’s an improvement over my current one.”
The people in the room laughed and Mrs. Houser smiled. To her credit, she had a sense of humor. She scanned the room again. “Who will be our disgruntled employee? Katherine, would you mind?”
Hey, why does Katherine get a choice, and I was volun-told? His mental grumbles ceased when he saw that Katherine was Kate Jergens, one of his two bright spots of this confounded conference. Her long blonde hair hung straight to the middle of her back. Not a strand was out of place—never for Kate, who always had it completely together.
When he’d first moved to Lafayette four years ago, he’d had something of a crush on her, but what man didn’t? Kate was beautiful, inside and out, the consummate girl-next-door. He’d first met her when he’d visited a friend’s church. He and Kate had recognized each other from work and it started a conversation between them. Even though he’d ultimately chosen to attend a different place of worship, that one visit to Kate’s had broken the ice between them at work.
They’d become acquaintances, and then friends. Several times he’d thought about asking her out, but the timing was never right, and lately, she seemed to keep a distance most the time. Regardless, he enjoyed being in her presence. Kate infused joy in everything around her. Even now, she smiled at him as she stood on the other side of the table.
“Katherine, you’re to be an employee approaching your supervisor regarding a problem with another employee.” Mrs. Houser tapped a finger to her chin. “Let’s say Johnny Doe turns his reports in late every Friday. In turn, this makes you late with your reports, which reflects poorly on you. You’ve already talked to Johnny, but with no change in hi
s actions—what do you say to your boss?”
Kate looked at him with sapphire blue eyes. She lifted a fist, knocked on a pretend door.
“Come in.” He could play this game. It wasn’t so bad. “What can I help you with today, Ms. Jergens?”
“There’s a problem I’d like to discuss with you regarding Mr. Doe.” Taking a chair from the front row, Kate pulled it to the table.
He crossed his hands and put on a solemn, all-business expression. “Tell me what’s going on?”
After Kate had answered, he proceeded to ask further questions to flesh out the details of Step One-Identify the Problem. Mrs. Houser nodded with approval.
Ten minutes into the exercise, she excused them to return to their seats. “Wonderful job demonstrating the steps for conflict resolution. Thank you for your participation.”
From her seat, Kate turned her head and flashed him a grin. Oh yeah, that alone was worth the trip to the head of the class. His mind wandered again, and he planned his evening. The hotel served a continental breakfast and Sinclair Industries provided a catered lunch. That left him on his own for dinner, or supper as they called it in the South.
A few of the guys asked him to join them at the brewery after today’s sessions, but he didn’t feel entirely comfortable with that idea. Last time he’d gone out with them, he’d been the designated driver and had been teased mercilessly for not drinking. The ribbing he could tolerate—he was secure in his life choices, but the truth was—he simply hadn’t enjoyed himself.
“That is all for today.” Mrs. Houser’s concluding words snapped Luke back to the seminar. “Tomorrow, we’ll discuss what to do when the resolution steps still don’t work. Until then, you are dismissed.”