by Lori Wick
Grandma Em was snuggled for warmth between Luke and Christine, and Christine was able to lean over the side and watch the sleigh runners race along the snowcovered ground. Her attention was brought back to the road when the horse snorted loudly and picked up his pace; home was in sight.
Christine’s first close-up look of the Cameron ranch house was a sight she would never forget.
The rectangular snowcovered roof sported two chimneys, both billowing smoke. The front door, off-center and to the left, was preceded by a wide, multipillared porch.
Luke pulled up in front of the porch and surprised Christine when he took her by the waist and swung her all the
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way onto it. Grandma Em was shortly beside her and Silas was out to bustle them into the house.
Grandma Em went directly to the fire burning in the stove. Christine stood admiring the immense room. It was a combination front room, kitchen, and dining room. She took in the beautiful oak furnishings, from the piano to the kitchen table.
Everything was orderly, though not without its bachelor touches: a stack of papers spread across a table by the sofa, a pair of boots standing in the corner with socks dangling from the top. The atmosphere was welcoming and this made Christine smile.
“I hope that smile means you approve.” Luke was standing beside her, intently watching her face.
“I think your home is wonderful!” Christine replied in all seriousness.
“Why don’t I show you the stables before you take off your coat?”
Christine readily agreed. She and Luke walked down to the stables, Luke leading the horse and cutter.
Christine stepped in when Luke threw the door open wide to admit the sleigh. She breathed deeply of the familiar aromas of hay, horses, and leather. Rows of windows allowed the November sun to stream in and take some of the chill from the air.
Christine walked along the stalls, admiring the beautiful coats and healthy looks of the Cameron’s quarter horses.
Luke went to park the cutter and rub down his horse. Christine had continued her tour until she came to a stall that housed the most magnificent black stallion she had ever seen.
She stepped close to speak softly with him. “Hello there, fella. What’s your name? Oh, you are a beauty! You remind me of Raven.”
“Who’s Raven?” Luke spoke from his place at Christine’s side. She was growing accustomed to the way he could move so silently.
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“Raven is my horse in Spooner.”
“Is she as black as her name?”
“Yes. I helped our coachman with her birth, and when he saw her he said, ‘She’s as black as a raven’s wing.’ The next day my grandfather reminded me she had been born after midnight and on my sixteenth birthday. He gave her to me and I named her Raven.” Christine stopped abruptly, feeling as though she were babbling, but Luke was fascinated.
“When is your birthday?”
“Next month.”
“What day?”
“The 24th.”
“The 24th! You’re a Christmas Eve baby! Christine for Christmas Eve.” Luke sounded delighted, but Christine was a bit embarrassed. She wished sometimes that he wouldn’t watch her so intently. It was most unsettling.
“Does anyone call you Christie?” In his mind she had been Christie for some time.
“My grandfather used to. And his housekeeper, Mrs. Hall, still does.”
Christine moved down the stalls then to escape those blue eyes that were able to frustrate and confuse her so. Luke followed along, giving a short history of any horse that Christine showed an interest in She was delighted with several foals, and Luke returned to the subject of Raven’s birth. They discussed it further and he was impressed with how knowledgeable she was.
They were about halfway through when Luke asked, “Are you warm enough?”
“Oh, yes, this coat is very warm.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever told you, but it looks wonderful on you.”
Christine hated herself for it, but she was embarrassed by the compliment, so she changed the subject.
“Luke, I’ve been meaning to ask you. How did you get to Grandma Em’s ahead of me on the day my coat arrived?”
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“It’s no great trick, Christine, I assure you,” Luke answered with a smile. “You were so angry that you didn’t even see me ride directly past you.”
“Oh,” was all Christine could think to say before moving along and looking into the next stall. She stood for a few minutes watching the very pregnant mare within before turning to ask Luke about the animal.
To Christine’s surprise Luke had stepped directly behind her, so that when she turned she found herself face-to-face with him as he bent slightly over her.
Christine couldn’t move, so trapped was she by the love she saw written in his eyes.
“Christie,” Luke spoke as his hands came up to frame her face, his lips brushing her forehead and then her cheek.
“I’m in love with you, Christie.” The words came out in a breathless whisper just before his lips met hers.
Christine’s hands came up to cling to Luke’s arms in an attempt to steady herself as Luke tenderly kissed her. It was brief and sweet, and when Luke raised his head, Christine felt her hat being tugged off. Luke touched the thick tresses that fell from beneath the hat and marveled at the softness.
“I’ve wanted to touch your hair for so long, to see if it’s as soft as it looks.”
“I’ve been tempted to cut it many times.” Christine’s voice was little more than a whisper.
“If you ever cut it, I’ll paddle you.” Luke spoke before once again lowering his head. It was the most natural thing in the world when Luke broke the kiss for Christine to share what was in her heart.
“I love you, Luke.”
“Oh, Christie, Christie, I had begun to think I would never hear you say those words. I could see it in your eyes, but I was afraid you would be too shy to say them. When, Christie, when did you first know?”
“The Sunday morning I spilled coffee on your pants and you tried so hard not to show your irritation. When was it for you?
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“Well, I must admit I was attracted to you immediately, but with you not knowing Christ, I took special care to keep the attraction in check. For me it was the night of the fire. I knew when I carried you away from the barn that I wouldn’t be feeling the way I did about almost losing you if I didn’t love you.”
Christine beamed as she heard the words again.
“Do you know how close you come to getting kissed every time I see that smile?”
“I think so. It makes me a little bit afraid of you.”
“Really, I hadn’t noticed!”
Christine shook her head at him. “Calvin is right. You are a terrible tease!” They had begun to walk toward the door, but Luke stopped abruptly.
“Christie, did I make you cry the Sunday I teased you at Mark and Sue’s?”
“No, it wasn’t your teasing.” She tried to keep walking, but Luke pulled her to him.
“Please tell me, Christie.”
Christine hesitated and then sighed. “I had finally begun to admit to myself that I was in love with you, and when I saw you and Caroline on the couch together with Elizabeth, I thought it was hopeless.” Christine’s words came out with heavy reluctance, and she didn’t look at Luke. “Caroline is so dainty and fair. I felt as big as Mac and as dark as a thundercloud.”
“Christie!” Two fingers beneath Christine’s chin tipped her head back until she was looking Luke in the eye. The tenderness she saw there, combined with the loving way he said her nickname, had a way of breaking down all her defenses.
“Caroline Chambers is a sweet, rather spoiled girl, and I do mean girl. I am in love with a woman-a tall, beautiful woman whose green eyes and chestnut-colored hair drive me to distraction.”
He pulled her into his arms then and once again kissed her thoroughly.
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Christine couldn’t remember the walk back to the house. She was once again on the front porch with Luke, and he was telling her he loved her. He didn’t kiss her this time, but held her close before opening the door to the warmth within.
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“I think it’s snowing too hard for Grandma Em and Christine to go home.”
Silas looked at the miniscule flakes barely falling out of the sky. The men were walking to the stables, and Silas’ laughter echoed in the cold air.
“Are you afraid Christine is going to get away from you if you let her out of your sight?”
Luke was disgusted at Silas’ lack of sympathy. “You just wait, little brother”-a ridiculous statement, since Silas was only an inch shorter than the twins and a year younger. “When you fall in love, it will be my turn to give you a hard time.”
Silas was undaunted. “Oh, so you’ve finally figured out you’re in love?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Well, I’ve known for some time.”
“Is that a fact?”
“Sure, a blind man could see it. Christine blushed to the roots of her hair every time you got within ten feet of her, and you spent most of your time trying not to look at her.”
Luke stopped dead in his tracks, so accurate was the description of his and Christine’s relationship a few weeks back. Silas just thumped him on the chest and walked into the barn, still laughing. He was most pleased with himself.
“Do you think it will snow too hard for us to get home?” Christine asked Grandma Em, trying not to sound too excited.
“I take it you’d rather like spending time with Luke?” Grandma Em asked kindly, wanting very much to laugh.
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“Does it bother you that I’m… interested in Luke? Would you rather we didn’t care for each other?” Grandma Em did laugh then. Christine was such a delightful combination of confidence and insecurity. Luke would certainly never be bored with this woman.
“Christine, I would love nothing more than to see you and Luke in love, married and filling these bedrooms with babies.”
Christine was surprised speechless. Marriage? She had not thought that far. It caused an incredible flood of apprehension and worries to flow through her head. Was Luke thinking of marriage? What about all the unsolved trouble in Spooner? Maybe Luke didn’t really know everything, and if he did, would he still want to marry her?
“Christine, your face tells me I just opened a Pandora’s box,” Grandma Em said as she poured two cups of coffee.
Not until after Christine was seated and sipping her coffee did Grandma Em speak again. “It was not my intention to interfere, Christine. What you and Luke do is between the two of you. I’m sorry if I upset you.”
“You haven’t upset me-it’s just that I hadn’t thought as far ahead as marriage. It’s not that the idea is unappealing; it’s just new to me and takes a bit of getting used to.”
Grandma Em reached for and patted Christine’s hand. “Believe it or not, Christine, I know what you’re feeling. Joseph asked me to marry him four weeks after we met. He scared me to death.”
“What did you do?”
“I ran.”
“You ran away?” Christine was incredulous. Emily Cameron was not a woman who ran from anything.
Grandma Em nodded slowly. “I told my mother I wanted to go visit my aunt, who lived about 30 miles away. I was there for nearly two weeks before Joseph showed up. He was furious.
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“The three of us-Joseph, my aunt, and I-sat in the parlor and talked for a bit. Aunt Eleanor was thrilled that a young man had come to see me. She was sure that at 20 years of age I was destined to be an old maid. So when Joseph asked if we could go for a stroll she was delighted, and I had no time to protest as he nearly dragged me out of the house. I remember we walked and walked. He was so angry that he didn’t even speak. When we finally did stop, he turned to me with such pain-filled eyes that it nearly broke my heart.
“We talked for hours. I told him of my fears and he listened patiently. I was afraid of leaving home and going to live with a man I barely knew. Joseph’s practice was still unsettled. I was used to having anything my heart desired. What a materialistic young woman I was!”
Christine refilled the coffee cups and Grandma Em went on. “After I told Joseph of my fears, he just stood and looked at me for some minutes. When he spoke, Christine, his voice was quiet and deep, his heart in his eyes. ‘I don’t know what tomorrow holds, Emily, or if I’ll be able to give you all the things your parents have. But I promise you, there won’t be a day that goes by that you won’t know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I love you with all my heart.”
With this Grandma Em had both her and Christine in tears. “Don’t, Christine, don’t be afraid to talk with Luke. He is very understanding, and if you ever want to share your doubts, I promise he will listen.”
Christine thanked Grandma Em for her words and the women continued to talk. By the time Silas and Luke returned, Christine was at ease again.
Within the hour Luke drove the women back to Grandma Em’s. He stayed for a spell to get warmed up before heading back home.
Christine and Luke had a few minutes alone before he left.
“Thank you, Luke. It was a wonderful day.”
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“It was, wasn’t it? The only thing missing was a good snowstorm that would have stranded you at the ranch a bit longer.”
“Will I see you tomorrow?”
“I doubt it. Knowing that makes Sunday feel a week away.” They stood in silence for a few minutes.
“I love you, Luke,” Christine said, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
“Christie, why are you crying?”
Christine didn’t know and could only give a small shrug. Luke was understanding and didn’t push for an explanation. He simply drew her against him and held her, his cheek resting atop her head.
Much too soon he stepped back. “I have to go.”
Christine tried to smile. “I’ll see you Sunday.”
“You’d think the way we’re acting, it was going to be a year.”
This did bring a smile to Christine’s face, and in an instant Luke’s lips were on her own. With his lips still touching hers he said, “Good night, Christie,” and was gone.
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“Good morning, Mrs. Hall. I hope I’m not calling too early.”
“No, Sheriff, please come in.”
“Is there someplace where we can talk?”
Mrs. Hall led the way into Joshua Bennett’s study. She offered the sheriff some refreshment, but he declined.
“We found Carl Maxwell’s body. He drowned.”
Mrs. Hall’s hand flew to her mouth and she gasped in horror.
“From the condition of the body, my guess is it was some time ago. There’s no way for us to tell if it was an accident or deliberate.”
“You mean suicide?” Mrs. Hall asked unbelievingly.
“No. I mean murder.” Mrs. Hall sat heavily into a chair. The sheriff stood over her. He hated to upset her, but she was his link to the Bennett family and he needed her.
“Are you all right?”
Mrs. Hall fanned herself with her handkerchief. “Yes, Sheriff, I’m okay. I just wasn’t expecting any news of this sort.”
“I can assure you, Mrs. Hall, if there were any other way to handle this, I would.”
“Of course, Sheriff.” Mrs. Hall breathed deeply to compose herself. “What can I do to help?”
“Have you found anything in your search here in the study?”
“No, I’ve been through hundreds of papers but nothing that appears to be of utmost importance. I wish Christine were here.” Mrs. Hall shot up out of the chair. “Christine! If Carl Maxwell was possibly murdered, they might be after Christine!”
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“That’s the next thing I needed to discuss with you.” The sheriff summarized what the sheriff from Baxter had written.
By the time he got to the burned man at the hotel, he was sure Mrs. Hall was going to faint.
But to his surprise she was made of tougher stuff than that. She composed herself after some minutes.
“I must admit to you, Sheriff, I have been most ignorant of how serious all this has become.”
“And I’m sorry to upset you, but you can see why I need your help. I’ve been to see Vince Jeffers twice, and he nearly slams the door in my face over a few simple questions.”
“Mr. Jeffers is not an easy man. There is something about him I can’t quite place.” Mrs. Hall shrugged.
“Will you write Miss Bennett about Carl Maxwell?”
“I hate to, but I really must. She needs to be on her guard. Her letters are very cheerful and I hate to put a damper on her happiness, but she must know.”
“Please tell her to be careful and that I’m continuing my investigation here.”
Mrs. Hall went then to prepare a light tea and handed the sheriff a few papers she had put aside. There was nothing pertinent, and as he left he encouraged her to keep searching.
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“Oh no!”
“Bad news?”
“Yes, it’s from Paul. He’s not coming home for Christmas.”
“Does he say why?”
“Oh, let me see.” Grandma Em looked back at the letter in her hand. “It says here he’ll be helping in a small church whose pastor was suddenly taken ill. He says As much as I want to be with you right now, these people need a pastor at Christmastime.’ ” Grandma Em stopped and blew her nose. “It just won’t be the same without him.”
Christine didn’t know what to say. She knew the entire family would be sorely disappointed, since it was already December 12 and Christmas was less than two weeks away. It was too late to send Paul’s gifts along to him.
“On Christmas morning we’ll set aside all of Paul’s gifts to box up and send to the school. They’ll be waiting for him when he returns.”
“That’s a good idea! Thank you, Christine.” Grandma Em was beginning to look happier.
Christine sensed that Grandma Em wanted to be alone, so she bundled up for a trip back downtown.
“But you just went,” Grandma Em said in surprise.
“Yes, but there are a few things I forgot.” Christine smiled and went out the door.