A Bride for Wyatt

by Barbara Goss

  Thea, Vera, Wyatt, Sam, and Jack filled the stockings, dropping in candy, and small heart-shaped cakes. Wyatt and Jack threw a penny into each stocking. Sam put a candy cane in each stocking, letting the tops hang out to garner excitement.

  Thea stood back and viewed the scene. She sighed. “Merry Christmas, everyone.”

  Vera and Wyatt shared the bed again. Though she was exhausted, Vera felt enlivened sleeping beside Wyatt. She hoped she’d find his arm around her again in the morning.

  Wyatt yawned. “Today was fun, wasn’t it?”

  “This has been the best Christmas ever.”

  “It isn’t over yet, my dear.”

  “No. Tomorrow will be exciting. I can’t wait to see my gifts opened. I love giving gifts, don’t you?”

  “Yes. I’ve always preferred being on the giving side. To see the look of pleasure your gift brings someone is priceless.”

  “I know.”

  She felt Wyatt turn toward her. “Vera, do you know what I’d like for Christmas from you?”

  “I have somethin—”

  Wyatt’s hand touched her mouth. “I want this marriage to be real,” he whispered.

  Vera knew what he’d meant, but she was too shocked to reply.

  He removed his hand. “I’ve been patient, but I want us married for real. I want the closeness of a true marriage between us, something we share with no one but ourselves. I love you, Vera, and I want to complete our marriage contract.”

  “I ... I want that, too, but I’d hoped we could do it at home in the master bedroom. It doesn’t feel right here.”

  Wyatt was silent for so long she feared he was angry with her. “I suppose you’re right,” he said, finally. “Love has to be on both sides, otherwise things will never have a happy ending.”

  “Oh! I love you, too, I’m just—”

  Wyatt reached over to stroke her face. How he’d found it in the dark she’d never know.

  “Darling, I won’t rush you. If you want to wait until we get home, I’m all right with that. I’m just thankful that our love is mutual. There are so many things I love about you. I never thought I’d ever come to love you so much at first, but I do.”

  “I feel the same. God has blessed us, indeed.”

  “Do you know how remarkable it is that we’re in love and have never kissed?”

  Vera stiffened.

  “I’ve been hoping you’d stop beneath that mistletoe all day, but you tactfully avoided it. I can’t wait to kiss you.”

  Wyatt ran his hand up and down her arm as he spoke. Goose bumps formed beneath her flannel gown. She wanted him to kiss her so badly, but she’d never kissed anyone romantically before. What if she did it wrong? Was a romantic kiss different from the kisses she gave her siblings?

  “Don’t be afraid, sweetheart. I won’t do anything without permission. I just feel the need to touch you so I feel closer to you.”

  Vera wanted that, too. How good it would feel to hug him and kiss him. If only she were more experienced. How did one kiss romantically anyway?

  “The only reason I’m afraid is because I don’t know how to ... to kiss. I’ve never done it before,” she confessed.

  “You don’t have to do anything. Just let me kiss you,” he whispered, still running his fingers up and down her flannel-clad arm. “I’ll teach you.”

  “A-all right.” Vera’s heart beat so fast she worried he’d hear it.

  Wyatt leaned over and softly touched her lips with his. “There. Was that so scary?”

  Vera shook her head, but then she realized he wouldn’t have seen it in the dark.

  “It was rather nice,” she whispered back. “Could you spare another?”

  Wyatt kissed her lips again, this time a bit longer, but still softly. “I love you, Vera, with all my heart.”

  Suddenly emboldened, she grabbed the blanket separating them and threw it to the bottom of the bed. She threw her arms around Wyatt’s neck and pressed herself against him in a hug. “Oh, Wyatt, I love you. I want this as much as you do, I’m just so afraid of doing something wrong.”

  Wyatt put his arms around her waist and hugged her tightly. “When you’re married and in love, there are no mistakes.”

  “I’m ready,” she whispered.

  Afterward, Wyatt held Vera tightly. “This is how we’ll sleep every night for the rest of our lives.”

  “Hmm,” Vera said. “I never thought love could feel this wonderful.”

  Wyatt kissed her forehead. “Did we get lucky, or did God have His hand in this?”

  “I didn’t know God was in the romance business, but I think He had something to do with it.”

  “Merry Christmas, sweetheart,” Wyatt said. “This is the best Christmas I’ve ever had in my life and the best present ever.”

  Vera laughed softly. “Same here.”

  ~~~~***~~~~

  Thea couldn’t sleep. She was worried. Had she put the butter out? Had she soaked the raisins for the stuffing? Had she put the broth in the root cellar? Tomorrow had to be perfect. She climbed out of bed, threw on her robe, and tiptoed downstairs. On her way to the kitchen, she saw the sitting room lamp was on. Why was Sam up so late? She peeked in and squealed in surprise.

  “Oh, I thought you were Sam!” Thea drew her robe tighter around her neck.

  “I’m sorry,” Jack said, setting his book down on his lap. “I traded places with Sam so I could read a little before turning in. I didn’t want to keep a lamp on in the boys’ room. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “No, no ... it’s perfectly fine. I like to read at night, too. I’ve spent many a night on the settee for the same reason.” She walked closer. “What are you reading?”

  Jack held the book up so she could see the title. “It’s the mystery you gave me. It’s so good I can’t put it down.”

  “Do you have many books to read at home?”

  Jack shook his head. “Sadly, I don’t. I borrow them whenever I can. I’ve had no home life the last few years.”

  Interested, Thea took a seat on the chair across from him. “No home?”

  Jack closed the book and set it aside. He sat up. “I’m an orphan, and since I turned sixteen, I’ve made my way from Oklahoma to Texas by working on farms and ranches.”

  “I’m sorry,” Thea offered. “And here I was, feeling embarrassed because we’re so poor. At least I’ve always had a home.”

  “How do you get by with no job and all? The farm is too small to support a family of this size.”

  “Charity from the church saw us through some bad years, but now that Sam is working and Georgia sews for people, we’re doing all right.”

  “Seems to me you’re doing more than all right. This is such a delightful home, full of warmth and love.”

  His voice sounded wistful.

  “God’s always provided, and I guess we’re a pretty close family. I’m so glad that you could come and spend the holidays with us. Vera said that you were a friend in need. What did she mean?”

  Thea could see he was reluctant to tell her because he shrugged and grimaced.

  “It’s all right. You need not explain. I’m just glad you’re here.”

  “I killed a man in El Paso,” Jack mumbled.

  “What?” Thea gasped. What could her sister have been thinking to invite a killer into their home? She tried to hide her shock, but knew she wasn’t successful.

  “It was self-defense, and God has forgiven me. He’s wiped my slate clean as if it never happened. He has lifted my burden.”

  Thea let out the breath she’d been holding and asked nervously. “Well, then, what was the need?”

  “The brother of the man I killed is spending the holiday in Hays, and the sheriff suggested I leave town to avoid trouble.”

  “The sheriff in Hays knows it was self-defense?”

  “Yes, but, you see, the dead man was the sheriff of El Paso’s son, and his friends took his gun and placed it back into his holster. They were about to lynch me, so I
fled. I ended up in Hays, where Wyatt and Vera gave me work.”

  “That must have been scary.”

  “The emotion I felt was more guilt than fright. I’ve carried that guilt for a long time. I saw him reach for his gun, and so I pulled mine out, not realizing his gun stuck in his holster for a second, and he was slow to the draw. Too slow.”

  “If you had waited, you’d have been the dead one,” Thea said.

  “I wished that had been the case at the time.” Jack looked down at the floor. “I wonder about that man’s life today, had I not shot him. Would he have married? Would he have children? But because I was faster on the draw, he won’t experience any of it. I ended a life, and that isn’t easy to deal with.”

  “Not for a sensitive person,” was all Thea could think to say. “It wouldn’t bother some.”

  “Wyatt and Vera took me to their minister, and he helped me see things differently.”

  Thea smiled. “Then you need not have told me about it. It never happened.”

  “You’ve been good to me, letting me share in your holiday. I want to be honest with you: this is the only Christmas celebration I’ve ever had. It means the world to me.”

  Thea’s heart went out to him. He was a good man and a Christian. It felt so good to give someone something as simple as a warm and loving holiday. It was something she’d always taken for granted.

  “Thank you for being honest. I should let you get some sleep. Tomorrow, the real fun begins. I hope you enjoy it, Jack.” She stood. “I just need to check on a few things in the kitchen. Good night.”

  “Good night and thank you,” he said.

  Chapter Ten

  Awakening in Wyatt’s arms was a delightful way to start Christmas. This would be one Christmas she’d never forget. Her head rested on his strong chest. She looked up and saw him looking down at her.

  “Good morning, Mrs. Stone.”

  “Good morning, Mr. Stone.”

  “Merry Christmas,” he said and kissed her on the forehead.

  Vera laughed. “Is that the best you can do on Christmas?”

  Wyatt smiled. “Come up here, then.”

  She edged up, and he kissed her lips. “Merry Christmas to you, dear husband.”

  “I’d give you a better kiss, but we’re expected downstairs for church soon,” he said as he moved her gently from the embrace so he could get up.

  Still shy of married life, she turned so she wouldn’t see him dress.

  “Is your church one where everyone dresses to the hilt? I didn’t bring a suit.”

  “Goodness, no. It’s a farming community. Some men wear overalls.”

  “I’ll wear nice pants and a pressed white shirt. Will that do?”

  “Perfectly.”

  Vera waited until he’d left the room before she got out of bed and dressed. She chose a festive red and gold checkered dress.

  Vera entered the crowded kitchen to discover she was the last to arrive for breakfast.

  “How did you sleep?” Thea asked her.

  “I had the best night I’ve ever had,” she said, smiling at Wyatt. He winked back at her.

  Thea announced, “We’ll have a huge breakfast and not another morsel until dinner at four, so eat heartily. I’ve spread everything out on the counter in the kitchen, so fill your plates.”

  The older children helped the younger ones before the adults took their turn filling their plates. The choices were bacon or ham, scrambled eggs, warm homemade bread, cornbread, and canned peaches.

  After they’d eaten, everyone prepared for the walk to church through the five inches of snow they’d received overnight. The men took shovels from the barn and shoveled ahead of the others all the way into town, which was a half mile away.

  The service was beautiful, and when the minister thanked God in prayer for sending us a Savior to die so we might be forgiven for our sins, Jack whispered, “Thank you, Lord,” and Wyatt rubbed his back. Jack looked up at Wyatt and said, "I’m so thankful for what Jesus did on the cross for people like me.”

  Wyatt continued to rub Jack’s back compassionately, “Not just for people like you ... for all of us.”

  Vera squeezed Wyatt’s hand.

  The children ran most of the way home, eager for the gifting. Wyatt carried a shovel in one hand and held his wife around the waist with his other.

  Vera now knew what a real marriage felt like. It was bursts of love emanating from her chest and moving up to her lips to make her smile. She felt happier than she ever had in her life. No matter how cold it was outdoors, her love kept her flushed and warm.

  Thea kept the kids calm until everyone had come into the house and they had hung their overcoats up. Sam put another log on the fireplace, and when they were all seated, Thea allowed the children to reach into their stockings. The younger ones squealed in delight, popped candies into their eager mouths, and cherished their shiny pennies. The children opened their presents, gratefully valued each homemade gift, hugged, and sometimes modeled them.

  Thea picked up the first package for the adults. “This one is for Jack, from ... goodness, the whole family.”

  Jack’s eyes widened, and his mouth opened in shock. “But I didn’t buy—”

  “Oh, no!” Thea said, shaking her index finger at him. “We don’t allow that here. Christmas is for giving, not receiving.” She handed him the square package wrapped in brown paper.

  Jack took the package and laid it carefully on his lap. He stroked it a few times, smiled up at Thea, and then at the family who were all watching. “Thank you.”

  “Open it,” Thea said with a chuckle.

  “Oh, yes,” he muttered. Vera could tell he wasn’t used to receiving gifts, and her heart went out to the dear man.

  Jack swallowed hard and opened the package, slowly and carefully, he pulled out four books. He stroked each one. “This is amazing.”

  “They aren’t new,” Thea said. “I’ve read them already, and I think Vera has, too. They’re mysteries.”

  Obviously choked up, Jack seemed to struggle for words. “I ... I don’t know what to say. I’ll treasure them and probably read each book several times. Thank you.”

  Thea picked up another package. “This one is for Vera and it’s from ... Wyatt.”

  Wyatt stood and took the small package from Thea. “I’ll deliver this one.”

  The small box, wrapped with the same brown paper, hinted to Vera that Thea had helped him wrap it.

  Wyatt surprised her by bending down on one knee before holding out the gift. “Vera, will you agree to be my partner for the rest of our lives?”

  Surprised and slightly embarrassed, Vera nodded. “But I have already.”

  He didn’t hand her the gift but opened it himself and drew out a gold band. He took her left hand and said, “I promise to be your partner through whatever the years bring us. With you at my side and with God’s blessing, I’m a happy man. I love you, dear wife.” He slipped the ring on her finger.

  Everyone said, “ooh” and “ahh.” Vera held up her hand and viewed the ring. The gold was shiny, and across the top were four tiny diamonds. “Oh, Wyatt. It’s lovely.”

  “There’s more,” he said. “With Thea’s help, we’ve arranged for a proper wedding, later today. We’ll do it right and have our vows blessed by God at the church altar.”

  Wyatt pulled her to her feet, wiped the tears of joy from her eyes, and hugged her—In front of everyone! She blushed as she’d never been hugged publicly, but from the smiles around the room, she knew it was proper and well-received.

  “Oh, dear,” Vera sniffed into her handkerchief. “This will make my gift to you seem so trivial.”

  “Don’t be silly,” he said, and he helped her back to her seat and sat beside her.

  Thea held up a cloth-wrapped, gaily decorated gift. “This is to Wyatt from ... Vera.”

  Vera felt herself blush. Why hadn’t she bought him a proper gift?

  Wyatt pulled on the yarn that tied the package
to open it. He gasped. “This is beautiful. Did you make this?” He held up a dark blue knit cap with a matching scarf.

  “I didn’t know what—”

  “Have you seen how thread-worn my scarf is? This is so needed. And what makes it so special is that every stitch of yarn was knitted with your hands. Nothing can beat a homemade gift. It must have taken you hours and hours of hard work. Thank you, Vera.” He kissed her cheek.

  Everyone seemed happy with their gifts. Perry beamed when Wyatt reacted with delight over his handmade bookmark.

  Vera had knitted warm vests for the girls, and the boys received knitted hats which they had to try on right away. Thea loved the crocheted shawl Vera had given her.

  After the children cleaned up the mess of wrappings, Thea invited everyone into the kitchen where they sat down to a wonderful meal.

  The family sat, stuffed and satisfied, but Thea didn’t bring out the usual tea. “Now, we’re going back to the church. We have a wedding to attend. Then, we’ll have our tea and dessert.”

  It was almost dark by the time they’d reached the church. Their minister, Reverend Clarkson, was waiting for them there. Candles were lit on the altar, and Wyatt led Vera to stand beside him in front of the minister while the rest stood behind them. Reverend Clarkson read the vows from the Bible and blessed their marriage. “You may kiss your bride,” the minister said.

  Knowing how shy Vera was about public displays of affection, Wyatt merely touched his lips to hers lips, but he whispered in her ear, “I owe you a better kiss when we’re in private.”

  His words made her smile. God had blessed her with a husband like Wyatt, and she silently thanked Him.

  After hot tea, delightful apple pie, and rice pudding, everyone groaned and yawned.

  “We can sing some carols in the sitting room after the girls do the dishes,” Thea said.

  Vera couldn’t believe what a wonderful Christmas it had turned out to be. She’d known it would be wonderful, but Wyatt had made it the most special day of her life.

  They sat in the sitting room, singing and laughing until Vera couldn’t stop her yawns.