“You’re wrong, Chase. God’s done more for you than you realize.”
“Like what?” He clamped his jaw and narrowed his eyes.
“He’s kept you alive and given you a chance to have a home and a family. I’d say those are pretty big favors for a man who’s been running away from God and breaking most every commandment in the Good Book.”
His brother’s face hardened. “Don’t preach at me, Daniel. I don’t want to hear it.”
“Maybe not, but someone’s got to tell you the truth. You need to surrender to God and drop that load of grief and bitterness you’re carrying, or it’s going to destroy you and hurt all the people who love you.”
Chase snorted. “Not many people on that list.”
Daniel clamped his hand on Chase’s shoulder. “I’m on it, right up there with Mariah.”
Chase dropped his head and shuddered. “I don’t deserve it, Dan, not after everything I’ve done.”
“Chase!” His father strode across the yard toward them, his stern glare slicing a path ahead of him.
Chase turned and nodded to his father. “Pa.”
“So, you finally decided to come home.”
Daniel winced. Why couldn’t his father treat Chase with a little dignity or at least understanding?
“You didn’t give me much choice, did you?” Chase and his father locked gazes for several seconds.
“Let me make your choices clear. You’ve got one month to court Annika and convince me you’re serious about this, or I’ll send you packing myself.” His father spun away and marched off toward the house.
Daniel studied his brother’s mottled face. If glares could shoot bullets, his father would be a dead man.
Annika pushed aside the curtain of the upstairs bedroom window and bit her lip. Her gaze bounced from Daniel and Chase, standing together by the barn doorway, to Mr. Simms, striding back toward the house. Even from a distance, she could read the tension between the men in their rigid postures and drawn faces.
What had Mr. Simms said to them? Had Chase really been off drinking all this time? Was that what Daniel meant when he hustled him off to the barn and said he needed to sober up? She didn’t have much experience with men who had been drinking, but Chase’s voice had certainly been loud, and his actions bordered on obnoxious.
How could he be drunk in the middle of the day? That didn’t sound like the man who had written to her. This must just be a lapse in his behavior, a way he dealt with his grief over losing his wife.
Grief could make people act in unusual ways. She’d been through that herself when her parents died. But being a woman, she’d had the freedom to cry and pour out her troubles to her sister and friends. It must be harder for a man like Chase, especially when his father was such a stern, strong man. Maybe Chase never had been given the freedom to grieve for his wife so he could move on and put his sorrow behind him.
Annika clasped her hands. She was no expert at helping people sort out the deeper issues of the heart, but she could pray that God would help her be a good wife to Chase so he might not need to run off or turn to a bottle for comfort or companionship. Surely the warmth of family and the love of a new wife would be enough to keep him on the right path. But could she learn to love and trust a man like Chase? The bedroom door squeaked opened, and Mariah walked in. “Song Li is all done in the kitchen. How about we bake a cake for Papa?”
Annika let the curtain fall back into place and forced a smile. “That sounds like a nice way to welcome him home.”
Perhaps it might also make up for the way she’d acted when he surprised her out by the clothesline. She certainly hadn’t made a very good impression, gawking at him without a word of welcome. The next time she saw Chase, she’d greet him with a warm smile and a freshly baked apple cake.
Chapter 5
After supper the men settled in the sitting room by the fire with their coffee.
Annika carried in a warm, cinnamon-scented apple cake. She’d dusted the top with sugar and placed it on a pretty white plate with a scalloped edge, hoping Chase would be pleased with her efforts.
“Something sure smells good.” Daniel smiled at her and then winked at Mariah as she brought in the bowl of whipped cream.
“Me and Annika made apple cake, ‘specially for Papa.”
Daniel chuckled. “You gonna let your grampa and me have some?”
Mariah’s grin spread wider. “Of course you get some, too.”
Annika placed the tray on the low table by the settee. Mr. Simms sat in the large upholstered chair to the left of the fireplace. Daniel shared the wooden bench on the right with Song Li. Mariah’s small rocker was pulled up close to the settee, where Chase sat on one side, leaving the only empty seat next to him.
She exchanged a brief glance with Chase, and a shiver traveled up her back. He’d changed clothes, washed his face, and slicked back his curly auburn hair, but rough whiskers still covered the lower half of his face. His gray-green eyes held no warmth or invitation. In fact, he had avoided looking at her altogether during supper.
Annika swallowed and focused on cutting the cake. “Who would like some dessert?” The forced lightness in her voice didn’t fool anyone.
“Cut me a big slice.” Chase sniffed and wiped his nose on his sleeve.
“You want whipped cream, Papa?”
“Sure do.”
Mariah added a dollop and passed him the plate. “I helped chop all the apples and mix up the batter.”
He nodded to Mariah. “That’s nice.” Then he glanced at Annika, and his forehead wrinkled for a second. “Thank you, Annie.”
Daniel grimaced and looked as though he would correct his brother for calling her by the wrong name, but Annika gave her head a slight shake. Daniel sighed and sat back.
“You’re welcome, Chase. Would you like more coffee?”
Chase took a big bite, grunted, and shook his head.
Annika passed plates to the others, and they ate in silence. Annika’s spirits wilted like a flower picked and left out on the porch steps in the sun. Even though the fire crackled, spreading its warmth in the room, the temperature seemed to have dropped several degrees. Without Daniel’s usual stories and laughter, the atmosphere seemed gloomy and tiresome.
Daniel finally broke the silence. “You girls sure did a fine job with this cake.”
Annika looked up, meeting his gaze. Empathy filled his dark eyes, and she forced a smile. “Thank you, Daniel.”
Mr. Simms cleared his throat and glared at Chase.
Chase shoveled in the last bite, then glanced at his father and sat up straighter. “Yes, it’s real good.” But he sounded a bit like a puppet, mouthing words his father wanted to hear. He grabbed his cup and gulped down the last of his coffee. “Well, I think I’ll go out and check on the horses.”
Daniel blinked and frowned at his brother.
“But, Papa, I was gonna show you how I’ve been learning to read.” Mariah hopped up and took her primer from the basket by the hearth.
“Not now. Maybe later.” Chase walked out of the room. A few seconds later, the back door banged shut.
A heavy silence hung over the room. Annika stared down at her half-eaten slice of cake and wished she could dissolve into the floor. Chase obviously didn’t enjoy her company.
Song Li got up and bowed slightly to Annika, his expression grim. “You make good cake. I go write to family.” He bowed again and fled the room.
Mariah put her primer back in the basket. “I don’t feel much like reading.”
“That’s all right, sweetie,” Daniel said. “Why don’t you go on up and get ready for bed. I’ll come tuck you in after a bit.”
Mariah nodded and trudged off toward the stairs.
Annika’s heart sank as she watched her go. Poor girl. Couldn’t Chase see how Mariah longed to spend time with him?
“That was mighty fine dessert. Thank you, Annika.” Mr. Simms got up. “Oh, I almost forgot, I picked up these letters for you when
I was in town.” He pulled two envelopes from his jacket pocket and held them out to her.
Annika gasped and reached for them with a trembling hand. “Thank you.” One glance at the handwriting confirmed they were from Sophia. She clutched them to her chest as though they were gold.
Worry lines fanned out around his old blue eyes. “Hope they bring good news.”
“Any news from my sister will be a blessing.” She started to open the first envelope then looked up. “I have several letters I’d like to mail to her. Will we be going into town soon?”
Mr. Simms frowned and rubbed his chin. “I think we could go in for church on Sunday if the weather’s not too bad.”
Daniel glanced toward the window. “I think we’re in for some snow soon, Pa.”
Mr. Simms nodded. “Long as it’s not too deep, we could take the sleigh.”
Daniel turned to Annika. “The post office is closed on Sunday. But we could give your letters to someone to mail on Monday.”
“Thank you.” Annika bit her lip, her face warming. “I was wondering if … Well, I don’t have any money for postage—”
“I’ll take care of it,” Daniel said. “And anything else you need, just let me know.” Kindness shone from his eyes.
“Thank you, Daniel.”
How could two brothers be so different?
Early the next morning, Annika peeked out the kitchen window. Snowflakes fell at a steady pace, covering every rock and dusty patch of dried grass with a powdery white blanket.
Daniel trudged through the snow and tied a thick rope from the barn and outhouse to the back porch so no one would lose their way in the blowing snow. Then he and Mariah went to check on the chickens.
Song Li muttered under his breath while he flipped hotcakes then scooped a heap of scrambled eggs into a bowl.
Annika looked up as Chase entered the kitchen. “Good morning, Chase.” She handed him a hot cup of coffee.
“Morning,” he grumbled and sat down at the breakfast table.
She tried to engage him in conversation while he ate, but he gave her one-word answers and focused on shoveling in his food.
Finally, he pushed away his plate and rose from the table. “I’ve got to go outside.”
Annika’s heart sank. Gripping her coffee cup, she watched him stomp off and slam the back door. Why did he spend almost all his time out in the bunkhouse or barn?
Friday morning, the temperature rose a bit, and the sky finally cleared. Mr. Simms pushed his breakfast plate aside. “Looks like it would be a good day to go into town. Let’s head out as soon as we finish our chores.”
Annika’s heart leaped. Finally she could mail her letters to Sophia and see if any more had arrived.
Mariah hopped up from her chair and ran to put on her coat. “I’ll hurry up and feed the chickens!”
Annika laughed and helped her with her buttons. “Don’t forget your mittens. Hold on to the rope and stay out of the drifts so you don’t get too wet.”
“All right.” Mariah pulled her mittens from her pockets and dashed out the door.
Daniel smiled as he watched her go then turned to Annika. “We may not get into town again before Christmas. Is there anything you need from the store?”
Song Li faced them. “I already make list.”
Daniel and Annika exchanged a glance. “We’ll get whatever you need, Song Li, but Annika might like to make something special for Christmas.”
Song Li scowled, but he didn’t argue. “I check list.” He marched off to the pantry with a scrap of paper in one hand and a stubby pencil in the other.
Annika leaned toward Daniel. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“There are a few recipes I’d like to make, and maybe we could get some fabric and yarn. Mariah and I want to make some Christmas gifts.”
Daniel nodded, looking pleased. “It’s nice what you’ve been doing with Mariah. She seems real happy.”
Working with Song Li, they cleared the table, washed the dishes, and banked the fire in the stove. Then they dressed in their warmest clothes and climbed into the sleigh.
Annika sat in the back seat with Chase, although Mariah sat between them. Song Li placed hot bricks wrapped in cloth at their feet, and Daniel tucked heavy blankets around them before he climbed up front with his father and Song Li. Mariah chatted away, exclaiming over everything she saw as the sleigh flew along the snow-covered road.
Chase barely spoke the entire trip, but Annika was determined to enjoy the beautiful day, no matter how somber and distracted he seemed.
By the time they reached Laramie, the bricks had cooled, and Annika’s teeth began to chatter. Her nose felt frozen, and the tips of her fingers were stiff from the cold.
As they pulled into town, they passed the hotel, café, post office, and bank. The one-and two-story brick and stone buildings were smaller than those in Chicago, but most looked relatively new and well kept. Several horses were tied to hitching posts, waiting for their owners to finish their business in town. But only three other sleighs passed as they glided down Second Street.
“Whoa, now.” Mr. Simms guided the horses to a stop in front of Iverson’s General Store. Mr. Simms jumped down and saw to the horses while Daniel helped Annika and Mariah.
Chase climbed out of the sleigh and tugged up the collar of his coat. He cast a longing glance across the street toward the Silver Nugget Saloon.
Annika’s stomach tightened. “Shall we go into the store?” She smiled up at him and took his arm. He nodded, then walked up the steps and opened the door for her.
A small brass bell jingled overhead as they stepped inside. The delightful scents of nutmeg and fresh-cut wood greeted her. Her eyes widened as she looked around. Shelves filled with every kind of food and household item she could imagine covered the walls. Glass jars holding lemon drops and peppermint sticks stood next to the cash register. Baskets of apples, walnuts, potatoes, and onions sat on the floor in front of the sales counter. Bolts of cloth and baskets of thread and notions covered the far wall.
Mr. Simms introduced Annika to Ed and Jane Iverson and their daughter, Mary. Then he joined three other men seated near the potbellied stove, who were discussing the price of livestock and the effects a hard winter might have on their herds.
Daniel spoke to Mr. Iverson about a rifle he hoped to order.
Song Li read his list to Mrs. Iverson. The shopkeeper quickly packed the items into a wooden crate.
“Come on, Mariah, let’s see if we can find the fabric and ribbon we need for your dress.” She took the girl’s hand, led her to the back of the store, and looked at the material on display. As Mary measured and cut three yards of white fabric for them, Annika glanced over her shoulder.
Chase stood by the front window gazing outside, hands in his pockets, shoulders sagging. Suddenly, he straightened and stepped closer to the window. Two seconds later, he hurried over and spoke to Daniel in a low voice, and then without a word to anyone else, he slipped out the door.
Annika clutched the folds of her skirt. Where was he going?
Mariah tugged on her hand. “How much red ribbon do we need?”
Annika swallowed and turned to Mary. “Two yards should be plenty. Thank you.”
“Are you making something for Christmas?” the young woman asked as she unrolled the ribbon.
Mariah’s eyes danced. “We’re making a special dress for me for St. Lucia Day, but don’t tell my papa. We’re gonna surprise him.”
Mary smiled. “Your secret’s safe with me. I’ve heard about that holiday from some other folks.” She measured and clipped the ribbon. “I remember they made some special buns and needed saffron. I think we still have some if you’d like it.”
“Thank you.” Annika followed her to the front of the store. While Mary checked through the spice jars, Annika glanced out the front window, searching for Chase.
She didn’t have to look far. Across the street between the saloon and the café,
a pretty young woman with long dark hair and a tattered brown cloak stood with Chase. The woman was obviously upset about something. Chase placed his hand on her arm and leaned toward her, his posture tense.
Annika’s stomach dropped like a bucket tossed in a well. Who was she? What was Chase saying to her?
Chase shook his head, then turned away and strode back toward the store, his mouth set in a jagged line. The woman called to him, but he didn’t look back. Her face crumpled, and she turned and fled down the street, disappearing into the small opening between the saloon and the café.
Annika gulped and glanced around the store. Had anyone else seen Chase and the woman? What should she do—ask him about her or pretend she hadn’t seen them?
Before she could decide, Mary held up a spice jar. “Here it is! How much do you need?”
Annika blinked. “Oh, just two teaspoons or so.”
Mary nodded and spooned a small amount into a little paper envelope.
Daniel turned and looked at her. A frown creased his forehead. He crossed to meet her. “Are you all right?” he asked in a low voice. “You look almost as white as that material.” He nodded to the folded fabric on the counter.
“I’m fine.” But her voice trembled.
Chapter 6
Daniel grabbed the pitchfork, scooped up a pile of dirty straw, and tossed it in the wheelbarrow. Mucking out stalls wasn’t his favorite way to spend the afternoon, but it sure beat being cooped up inside all day. Too much time sitting by the fire with Annika and Mariah had left him feeling fractious and out of sorts.
Strange, he usually enjoyed the slower pace of winter with more time to read, relax, and repair things that had broken since last winter. But everything seemed different now that Annika had arrived.
It wouldn’t be so bad if she and Chase were growing closer and making plans for their wedding, but his brother continued to treat her like a distant cousin, never taking her hand and rarely sitting next to her in the evening. More than six weeks had passed since their father had given Chase the ultimatum, but he still hadn’t pressed Chase to follow through on the marriage plans or even confronted him about his standoffish attitude. Even when they’d all taken the day off to celebrate Thanksgiving, Chase had not seemed to enjoy their celebration or his time with Annika.
Mountain Christmas Brides Page 4