Convenient Christmas Bride (9781460389034)

by Gibson, Rhonda

  “Watching children learn new things and the excitement on their faces when they realize they’ve figured out a math problem, or understand a new word they just read, gives me a thrill that I can’t explain.” Anna Mae looked up to see Josiah studying her face.

  “What made you want to become a farmer?” she asked, feeling a little self-conscious.

  He laughed. “I never wanted to be a farmer. William bought this place, and while I’m happy for the home, I never figured to be a farmer.” He shook his head as if to shake away funny memories.

  “So was your dream to become a sheriff?”

  Josiah set the rocker into motion again with his foot. “I’m not sure I’d call it a dream. When I was a boy, I was accused of stealing my neighbor’s puppy.” He chuckled. “I didn’t take the pup, but since it was the doctor’s dog and his son was pitching a fit, the sheriff came to ‘talk’ to me about it. Well, I tried to convince him I hadn’t taken the puppy, but he didn’t believe me. So after he left our house, I set out to find out where the little dog had gone.” He closed his eyes and rocked.

  When it became apparent he wasn’t going to continue, Anna Mae leaned forward and asked, “Did you find the puppy?”

  His eyes flittered open. “Sure did. It was at the meat market, trapped under the boardwalk with a bone too big to get out.” Josiah chuckled. “I enjoyed looking for that pup and proving to the sheriff that I hadn’t stolen it. It was then that I decided I wanted to be a lawman when I grew up.” He glanced at the girls, who continued to crawl about the corral like playful puppies.

  “I imagine it’s an exciting job.” Anna Mae sat back against the cushions.

  “It can be, but it’s also dangerous and stressful when you have a family to consider.”

  Her gaze moved to the girls once more and narrowed speculatively. “Have you ever considered a different line of work?”

  “Yes and no.” He sighed. “Right after Mary died, while I searched for the bank robbers who shot her, I thought a lot about quitting. But what can a seasoned lawman do besides upkeep the law?”

  Anna Mae grinned at him. “Farm?”

  He chuckled. “I know little to nothing about farming.”

  She tucked the thin quilt closer around her legs. Even covered as she was, she felt the chill in the air. “So I take it you grew up in town?”

  Again he nodded. “Yep, I was known as a street rat. My mother had died when I was a baby and my father...he hadn’t taken her death well. So to my way of thinking, when the doctor’s kid accused me of stealing his puppy, he did me a great favor.”

  “Gave you a direction to follow?”

  “You could say that. I went to Sheriff Grady and told him I wanted to work for him. He took a twelve-year-old boy under his wing and helped me grow to manhood.” For a moment Josiah seemed to travel back in time.

  Anna Mae could barely stifle a yawn. “I’m glad. We were both fortunate to have someone mentor us.” She covered her mouth to conceal another yawn.

  “You look like a woman who needs more rest. Why don’t you go on back to bed for a little while? I will call you for dinner.”

  She shook her head. “No, it’s time I started sleeping out here and let you have your room back.”

  “Now, Annie. You aren’t fully well yet and I can’t allow you to do that.” He stood and pulled the rifle down from over the fireplace.

  “I appreciate all the help you’ve given me, Sheriff Miller, but I am well enough now to take care of myself.” It was a weak protest that came from a still scratchy throat.

  He grinned at her and said. “Sheriff Grady used to say, ‘Young man, as long as you live under my roof, you’ll abide by my rules.’ I think I’ll use those words on you. So no more protesting, go get some rest.” Josiah set the gun down and reached for her hand.

  Anna Mae wanted to argue but didn’t have the strength. She took his hand and allowed him to pull her up. “All right, but as soon as I’m feeling better, I will be moving to the couch.”

  He laughed at her weak words. “We’ll see.”

  Anna Mae went into the bedroom and shut the door. If truth were told, she liked him being in charge. But Anna Mae refused to allow herself the luxury of depending on a man. The last man she’d depended on to keep his word had failed miserably. No, she wasn’t going to get close enough to Josiah or his girls to depend on them for happiness or anything else.

  * * *

  A few days later, Josiah inhaled the hearty fragrance of fresh, hot bread mingled with a pork stew cooking on the stove. His gaze moved to the woman who sat reading with his girls.

  She was amazing.

  Over the past few days, she’d managed to clean the house and at the same time keep the girls happy. He’d helped her with a lot of the cleaning, but still she seemed to be able to spot just what needed to be done. She’d also allowed the girls more freedom from the corral. They’d wobbled about the house and seemed happy just to explore and play.

  Unfortunately, the storm had picked up once more, and as the snow fell, Anna Mae became quieter and quieter. Josiah assumed she worried over what the school board would say once she did make it back to town. He noticed little Rose releasing a mighty big yawn.

  “Looks like these two are ready for a nap,” Josiah said, taking Rose from Anna Mae’s lap.

  “Yes, it is that time,” she answered, swinging her legs off the couch.

  “You stay put. I’ll come back for Ruby,” he instructed as he carried the little girl into the bedroom he shared with the two children. He glanced over his shoulder.

  “No nap,” Ruby muttered, tucking her head under Anna Mae’s chin. Her chubby little thumb found her mouth and her eyes began to close.

  Josiah slipped Rose into her crib and then returned for Ruby.

  Anna Mae yawned, too, as she met him halfway to the bedroom. She offered him a gentle smile as he took Ruby from her arms.

  “Go lie down. You could use some rest, too, after all you’ve done this morning.” He turned to the bedroom before she could protest.

  Ruby was already asleep as he tucked her little blanket about her small shoulders. His gaze moved to her twin, who also breathed in a steady, slow manner. His girls were freshly bathed, wore clean dresses and smelled of talc powder. If only they had a mother to keep them smelling and looking like sweet little girls.

  Josiah walked back to the sitting room. Anna Mae rested on the couch with the quilt over her. Her steady breathing told him that she, too, had settled in for a nap. Had she overdone it? He’d noticed she grew tired after each task, but would take a short break and then start back to cleaning or doing something with the girls. Maybe he should have made her relax more.

  She’d been at the cabin now well over a week. It was time she had her own bedroom. When he and the girls had first moved into the house, he’d started using the extra two rooms as storage rooms. Now his guest needed one of them.

  As he cleaned and straightened it up, his thoughts turned to Anna Mae’s future. Would the school board fire her for being at his place for so long? Josiah sighed. Even he knew that they weren’t going to approve of her extended stay.

  Maybe Levi Westland would be able to help her. Levi was the reason Anna Mae was in Granite in the first place. He’d invited her to their small town as a mail-order bride. Then when he’d chosen to marry Millie Hamilton, Levi had made sure that Anna Mae got the teacher’s position when it became available.

  But if Levi couldn’t persuade the school board, what in the world was Josiah going to do about her? He had no idea what would become of Anna Mae should she lose her job. Would he be able to help her? And if so, how?

  Chapter Three

  Three days later, the sun came out and melted most of the snow and ice, making it possible for Anna Mae to return to town. Mud squished under Josiah’s bo
ots as he hitched his horse to the wagon. He’d decided to leave the mule in the barn. It would be hard enough driving the wagon through the mud without trying to pull a cankerous mule behind it. Josiah had assured Anna Mae he’d bring it back to town as soon as the ground hardened up a bit.

  Anna Mae remained inside, preparing the kids for the trip. Her illness had taken its toll on her body and she appeared much slimmer than she’d been when she’d arrived two weeks earlier. He wasn’t sure if the weight loss was due to her being sick or from worrying about her job. She’d lost her appetite but had kept up her good nature.

  He watched as Anna Mae stepped out onto the porch, holding a child in each arm. What he could see of her dress looked clean and pressed. She also wore her green cloak and gloves. She’d drawn her hair into a tight knot at the nape of her neck, giving her pale face a pinched look.

  Josiah guided the horse up to the porch and reached for Rose.

  “Thank you, Sheriff Miller.” She passed the child to him and waited as he placed Rose upon the seat and then handed the child a small rope attached to the bench for her to hold on to. Next, he took Ruby from Anna Mae’s arms and did the same. The twins looked at each other and grinned happily as they clung to the rope. The word go was about the only recognizable thing they said to each other. The rest of the sounds they made were not real words, but the twins seemed to have no problem understanding each other as they nodded and smiled.

  Anna Mae turned back to the open door and retrieved a picnic basket. “I packed a lunch for you and the girls’ return trip.” She offered him the hamper.

  “That was very nice of you, Annie.” He took the basket and placed it in the bed of the wagon. He checked that the girls were comfortable and covered with a thick blanket before turning to assist Anna Mae.

  “Please, Sheriff Miller, don’t call me Annie while we are in town.” Anna Mae twisted her hands in the folds of her dress.

  He gave her a gentle smile. “I’ll be on my best behavior.”

  Anna Mae gave him a doubtful look, then took his hand while she pulled herself up onto the seat beside the girls. “See that you are.”

  “I promise.” Josiah planned on being the perfect gentleman once they entered town. He had to admit, though, that he felt a sense of loss already with her leaving. He shook his head regretfully. He sure was going to miss Anna Mae.

  When he seated himself on the other side of the twins, she asked, “Is it very far to the Bradshaws’ place?”

  “No, just across the pasture.” Widow Bradshaw lived a little too close for his comfort. True, she supplied him with fresh bread each week, but her constant hinting that she’d make a good mother for the girls was becoming a nuisance.

  “Good. I know you think I’m being silly, but I want to make sure that Bart is doing all right,” Anna Mae said, smoothing the wrinkles from her skirts.

  Josiah raised the reins and was about to gently slap them over the horse’s back when he heard another wagon pulling onto his property. He looked behind him and saw Mrs. Bradshaw and Bart. “It looks like Bart made it home,” he said matter-of-factly.

  Anna Mae nodded. “Yes, it would appear so.”

  The widow called out as their wagon drew closer. “Yoo-hoo! Sheriff Miller! I see you are able to get out today, too. I’ve been so worried about you and the girls.”

  Josiah put a smile on his face, praying that it looked sincere. “Yes, ma’am, we were just heading to town.”

  The wagon stopped beside them and Mrs. Bradshaw’s smile faded away. “Why, Miss Leland, what are you doing out here?”

  “Uh...”

  The widow’s face slowly began to turn red. Whether she was angry or embarrassed, Josiah wasn’t sure. “We were just headed to your house, Mrs. Bradshaw. It seems that Bart thought it funny to strand Miss Leland out in the snowstorm last week.”

  She looked to her son. “Bart, darling, what is he talking about?”

  The boy glanced down at his feet. “It was just a joke.”

  “A joke that could have cost your teacher her life,” Josiah answered in a firm voice.

  “What was just a joke?” Bart’s mother demanded.

  Bart sank deeper onto the wagon seat and refused to answer. His brown hair was tousled. And his deep brown eyes focused on his feet.

  Mrs. Bradshaw turned her attention back to Josiah. “I don’t understand.”

  He nodded toward the boy. “Bart told his teacher that one of the younger boys was hurt, and led her into the woods right before the storm. Then he disappeared, leaving her lost. When the freezing rain and snow hit, Miss Leland almost froze to death before she arrived here at my farm.”

  The boy looked up as if shocked by his words. Had Bart not realized the danger he’d put his teacher in? Probably not. Josiah held Bart’s gaze with his own.

  The widow looked to Anna Mae. “Are you saying she’s been here for over two weeks?” When no one answered, she crossed her arms and huffed. “She doesn’t look injured to me.”

  Josiah cleared his throat and then said with quiet emphasis, “Regardless of how she looks now, Miss Leland has been very sick due to your son’s deceitfulness. The facts are, he lured her into the woods, then left her in the middle of a fierce storm.” Josiah so badly wanted to add that all of the above were offenses against the law.

  “I don’t believe it.” Mrs. Bradshaw glared at Anna Mae.

  Still sounding a little hoarse, Anna Mae answered, “I’m afraid it’s true, Mrs. Bradshaw. Isn’t it, Bart?” Her gaze moved to the little boy.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he answered, before ducking his head once more. “I didn’t think about you getting caught in the storm,” Bart admitted.

  “I believe you owe your teacher an apology. She’s been very worried about you and whether or not you made it home safely,” Josiah told him.

  Bart looked up. “I’m sorry, Miss Leland.” His young voice sounded hopeful as he asked, “Were you really worried about me?”

  A tender smile touched Anna Mae’s lips. “Of course I was.”

  His young cheeks turned a bright pink and once more he looked away.

  Mrs. Bradshaw’s voice sounded colder than the icicles that had been hanging from the roof a few days ago. “Well, it’s done and over and the boy has apologized. Since you’ve had a woman to cook and bake for you, I don’t suppose you need fresh bread.”

  “No, we don’t, but thank you for offering,” Josiah answered, still looking at the boy. Bart had been doing lots of mischievous things over the last few weeks. Josiah wondered if the boy simply craved attention. “Now, back to Bart.” He let his words hang between the two wagons.

  “What about him?” his mother demanded.

  “I think the boy needs to be punished for leaving his teacher out in the woods to freeze. Don’t you?” Josiah asked, fearing what she’d say.

  “No, I don’t.” She sputtered. “I think you are—”

  Bart’s young voice interrupted her. “He’s right, Ma.” The boy turned to look at him. “I could chop your wood for you, Sheriff, if you think that would be a good punishment,” he offered.

  “What do you think, Miss Leland?” Josiah asked.

  Anna Mae nodded. “I think that would be good for the boy. Plus, he could cut some for the school, as well.”

  Mrs. Bradshaw sat on the wagon bench with her mouth hanging open. “You are seriously going to punish my boy for a childish trick?” She shook her head.

  Bart looked to his mother. “I shouldn’t have deceived her and then left her in the woods, Ma.” He turned his attention back to Josiah and lifted his chin. “I’ll cut the wood.”

  Mrs. Bradshaw slapped the reins over her horse’s back. “Good day to the both of you,” she said, turning the horse back in the direction of town. Josiah watched her leave, utterly mystified.

 
* * *

  Anna Mae leaned back and sighed. Her fears had been realized, and they hadn’t even left the Miller property. Mrs. Bradshaw would be knocking on the door of every school board member as soon as she got to town. It was as plain as the nose on her face that the other woman was interested in the sheriff and that she’d assumed the worst when she’d learned that Anna Mae had been staying with him.

  She turned to look at the little girls, who up to this point had sat quietly listening to the adults talk. Rose pulled at her left ear and puckered her little face into a frown. Was she coming down with an ear infection? Anna Mae reached across and touched her forehead.

  “Something wrong?” Josiah asked.

  “I’m not sure. You might have Doc look at the girls’ ears when we get to town. Rose acts as if hers might be hurting.” Anna Mae turned back around on the hard seat.

  Josiah nodded. “I’ll do that as soon as I drop you off at the boardinghouse.” He snapped the reins over the horse’s back and the wheels made a sucking noise as they pulled free of the mud.

  Anna Mae wanted to bring up Mrs. Bradshaw, but didn’t know how to go about it. She couldn’t come right out and say that the other woman hadn’t been happy to see her with Josiah. Did he realize that the widow was sweet on him?

  That didn’t matter. What did concern Anna Mae was that the widow would tell the whole town that she’d been out at the Miller farm for over two weeks. She feared the other women in town would think ill of her. Anna Mae chewed the inside of her cheek as she worried about what would be waiting for her in Granite.

  Would the school board demand her resignation? Or simply fire her on the spot? Would the women avoid her? Would she ever be able to look anyone in the eyes again?

  She’d gone through this before, but at least when her fiancé had left her at the altar, the women knew that she’d done no wrong. He simply hadn’t loved her enough to keep his word or take her with him when he left town. This would be different. The women would talk. Everyone would talk. She was sure to be fired from her job and looked upon as a wayward woman.