The Sheriff's Christmas Miracle

by Maddie Walker

  She glanced at William in time to see him roll his eyes. “Enough with the idle chitchat. If we could get this ceremony going, it’d be much appreciated.”

  “Of course, of course,” Minister Jackson said turning to grab his bible from where it rested on the altar. When he was facing them again, he instructed, “Step forward, please, and William, take Rita’s hand in yours.”

  William reached out and took her hand; the heat of his palm startled her. It’d been some time since she’d held anyone’s hand, let alone a man’s. She tried to appear unaffected as she gave her attention to the Minister, who was beginning the ceremony.

  It was a short, barebones affair. Essentially just enough to make sure they were legally man and wife as well as spiritually unified. Their vows were simple and straightforward. They would honor and cherish each other. Support and care for each other. There was no mention of love, which Rita was perfectly fine with. She didn’t see the use of starting their marriage by making promises neither of them intended to keep.

  The ceremony was soon over, and they sealed their union with a chaste peck on the lips. Minister Jackson pronounced them man and wife, and that was that.

  Rita was married. Again.

  “Alright, now that that’s taken care of, let’s get you home and settled, yes?” William asked. She nodded and he escorted her back out of the chapel and to the wagon.

  As he was helping her up into the seat, a humiliating realization dawned on her.

  “Oh! I didn’t thank our witnesses,” she gasped and began moving to try and step disembark from the wagon again.

  William put a firm hand on her knee to stop her and shook his head.

  “There’s no need. They understand. We’ll have them for dinner sometime soon, and you can thank them properly then.”

  “Oh,” Rita murmured, caught off guard by his hand. “If you’re certain?”

  “I am,” he replied before removing his hand and jogging around the wagon to climb up beside her. He took the reins once more and flicked the horses into motion.

  They didn’t speak again as they made their way back through town. Rita took the opportunity to gaze around the little town and take it in now that they’d moved past the first major hurdle of the day. Starry Creek appeared a quaint enough place, though there wasn’t much to it. A general store, a dress shop, two saloons, a blacksmith’s, a hotel, and the jailhouse and sheriff’s office were about all that could be found along the main street. There were houses beyond those establishments that she could see, and a building she thought might be a schoolhouse.

  Everything was small, simple, and unassuming. Quite the opposite of Baltimore.

  Perhaps this place will be exactly what I need after all.

  She shyly peeked toward her new husband, which was itself a strange concept for her to grasp. He kept his eyes locked on the road ahead of them as they seemed to be exiting the town completely. As she subtly studied him, she thought he appeared a serious sort of man. His jaw was pronounced and tense, and there were few wrinkles around his eyes or mouth. She assumed, then, that he didn’t often laugh.

  Still, he had acted like a gentleman since her arrival. He hadn’t spoken an improper word to her or raised his voice. She took all that as good signs that he was a decent man, even if he didn’t give himself over to humor very often.

  That is not such a huge loss. I have felt little urge to laugh as of late anyway.

  She wanted to say something to him, but she wasn’t sure what would be appropriate in their situation. Despite having been married before, she felt quite out of her depth when it came to this man and their arrangement. They remained virtual strangers, despite their correspondence with each other, and she had no idea what things might interest him.

  At length, she decided to just try and see how he responded to a simple question, but he beat her to the punch.

  “There it is, just up ahead now.”

  Frowning, she looked in the direction he was pointing and her eyes landed on a small house with a front porch, nestled on a little plot of lush green lawn. She twisted around to peer over her shoulder back at the town. They were still within walking distance, she determined, though they were just far enough out on the outskirts that they wouldn’t easily be disturbed by anyone.

  That was somewhat of a relief.

  Rita turned her attention back to the house and studied every detail she could. It was one level and was built of thick brown logs that gave it a rugged, yet charming façade. The porch stretched across the entire front of the house, and there were two decent sized windows with glass panes. The roof was shingled, and a short chimney popped out of the end on her right.

  There wasn’t much else on the plot save for a small shed separate from the house and a half-paddock for the horses.

  When William brought the wagon to a stop in front of the steps leading to the porch, he looked her way at last.

  “Well? What do you think?” he asked.

  She couldn’t tell if he was nervous to hear her answer or not, but he was holding her gaze expectantly.

  “It’s really quite charming,” she replied in all honesty. “Very neat and well-maintained, as far as I can tell.”

  So long as the interior is the same way.

  Was a bachelor even capable of cleaning up after himself? How badly would this house look on the inside?

  William seemed pleased by her remarks about the façade of the house, however. What she thought might be the shadow of a smile danced on his lips as he gazed at her for a moment before nodding and dropping down to the ground. He came around to her side and helped her down from the wagon.

  “I’ll show you around inside,” he said, and before she could respond, he was leading her up the steps to the porch and then through the front door.

  She paused on the threshold and stared at the space in shock.

  It was immaculate.

  There weren’t many decorations, and only the bare minimum of furnishings, but the house appeared spotless and everything meticulously organized and clean. She turned her gaze to him and was certain her shock was clear on her face.

  He frowned. “What’s the matter? Is something not to your liking?”

  “Oh, no, that’s not it at all,” she assured him quickly. “I was just not expecting it to be so …so clean.”

  He scratched at the back of his head, looking almost bashful.

  “It’s a bit of a quirk of mine. I have this need for everything to be neat and tidy and just so. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make yourself at home, however. Feel free to do what you like with the place. As you can tell, I’ve been living rather simply, and it might be nice to have a woman’s touch around here.”

  She couldn’t help her smile. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  He cleared his throat, looking momentarily uncomfortable, which she thought was a bit odd.

  “There are two rooms,” he hastily explained. “You and the baby will be able to have your own space.”

  She’d wondered if he meant for them to sleep together or separate and was somewhat relieved to find it was the latter.

  “That sounds perfectly fine to me,” she said with a firm nod.

  “You aren’t upset to have your own room?” he asked, a curious gleam in his eye.

  She shook her head. “Such an arrangement suits me just fine.”

  He appeared relieved. “Well, that’s good then.”

  Indeed, theirs was to be a marriage of pure convenience, and that was perfectly acceptable to her. Rita had never intended to marry again after Robert, especially so soon, but her circumstances and desire to protect her child had propelled her into this choice. It was a relief that she wouldn’t be expected to be a true ‘wife’ to William, as she simply hadn’t the emotional capacity for such a thing.

  There was still far too much pain in her heart to even think about letting someone else in.

  She would live with her baby and this new husband of hers, and they would go about their live
s as they each wished to. She would, at last, have space and time to properly grieve Robert away from the hustle of the city and the constant reminders of him.

  Here, she could mourn, live her life, and perhaps, if she were very lucky, someday she might feel like her old self once more.

  Chapter 5

  There was a nip in the air that sent a shiver coursing down Rita’s back. She lowered her knitting so she could pull her shawl tighter around herself, then picked her yarn and needles back up to resume her pastime. She’d taken to knitting quite a bit in the short time since she’d arrived in Starry Creek. In truth, there wasn’t much else for her to do. It wasn’t that she was bored, necessarily, but she didn’t like going through her days without some sort of purpose.

  On the little plot of land their house stood on, there was a flower garden in the front and a vegetable patch in the back. However, they were at the tail end of the harvest and so there wasn’t much to do in either the front of the back gardens. In the spring, she had plans to grow all her favorite flowers and vegetables, and she would spend her days caring for and cultivating them.

  Then someday, I will teach my child to appreciate the beauties of nature. It will be so much easier to do here than it would’ve been back in the city.

  More and more each day, she was growing thankful that she had chosen to come to Idaho. There was such peace and quiet, and it was refreshing that no one else knew her yet, or the details of her tragedy. She hadn’t met too many people so far, choosing to keep to herself for the most part as she adjusted to her new life. Although, those people she had encountered —mainly the general store manager and the seamstress at the dress shop — had been very pleasant and warm to her.

  She couldn’t say the same for her husband. Not truly, anyway.

  He was polite and respectful. He never spoke an untoward word to her, and always made sure she had everything she might need.

  However, that was only when he was around, which was infrequent at best. He spent the majority of his time at work. It wasn’t that she was pining for his presence. She’d known there would be no love in their arrangement, and so she didn’t expect him to adjust his life and priorities to accommodate her.

  It was just that somedays she did get a little…lonely.

  She missed Millie terribly and didn’t know how to go about making new friends in Starry Creek. Rita knew it would be easier if William were around to introduce her to people, but she wasn’t going to ask him to do so. It would be embarrassing to admit that she felt entirely alone and desperately needed the company of others.

  Instead, she tried to keep herself busy. Even though he worked long hours and they rarely spent time alone together, she made the effort to make him breakfast every morning and dinner every evening. She thought it was the least she could do, considering he was supporting her now and would also be supporting her baby when it was born. He seemed to appreciate the meals, as he thanked her whenever he made it home in time to eat them. However, their conversations rarely moved past anything other than the customary ‘how was your day’ or ‘the weather is on the turn’; and once he’d finished his meal, he’d be gone again.

  Rita sighed, trying her best to push him from her mind and focus on her knitting. She just wished she had someone to talk to. Someone who could somewhat understand and sympathize with what was going on in her life.

  “Good afternoon!”

  Rita blinked and looked up from her knitting, surprised to find the woman who’d acted as a witness to her wedding standing just at the edge of their lot, smiling and waving.

  “Oh…good afternoon,” she replied, baffled by the woman’s sudden appearance.

  It’s as if I summoned her with my pitiful thoughts.

  “I don’t know if you remember me, but I was at your wedding,” the woman said. “Virginia Herring.”

  “Yes, of course,” Rita nodded with a small grin. “I recall William saying that you’re our neighbor?”

  Virginia nodded. “Indeed I am. May I?” She swept her hand toward the porch, indicating she’d like to come closer.

  “Yes, please,” Rita eagerly replied.

  Virginia made her way up the short dirt walk and then the steps to join Rita on the porch. She settled into the second rocking chair. When Rita had first arrived, there’d only been one, but the morning after their wedding, a second had appeared to join the first.

  “This is nice,” Virginia sighed, settling deeper into the chair as she gently rocked back and forth. “Is this how you spend your days?”

  Rita nodded, choosing her words carefully so she didn’t sound ungrateful to William.

  “I do. William is so busy with work, though he’s made sure I’m provided with every comfort.”

  Virginia studied her for a moment and Rita felt her cheeks heat under the woman’s scrutiny.

  “Oh, my poor dear, you’re bored out of your mind, aren’t you?” At Rita’s wide-eyed look, Virginia laughed. “Don’t fret. It’s to be expected, especially considering that you came from a large city. And with William so busy at work, you must be absolutely starving for companionship.”

  Rita appreciated how Virginia didn’t question William’s extensive work schedule. She didn’t really feel like explaining why her new husband hadn’t taken any time off for a honeymoon with her, or why he seemed to be working more now than before their wedding. That’s what she’d gathered from him at least, during their brief encounters. He didn’t say much to her when they were together, and the majority of what he did tell her was related to his work. He was close to getting that promotion he’d needed her to win, and so his workload had nearly doubled in preparation for it.

  She was happy for him. She really was. It was nice to know his plans were working out the way he’d hoped. In time, she knew, hers would as well. Once the baby came and she was able to take care of it without fear of eviction, starvation, or any other similarly terrible fate, she would be far more at ease with her new lifestyle.

  Yes, that was just what she needed to keep telling herself. She would be content and not feeling so lonely once the baby arrived. Then, she wouldn’t care that William barely seemed to notice her at all.

  She forced a smile for Virginia, not wishing the perceptive woman to see just how forlorn for companionship she truly was.

  “I just need time to adjust,” she said with a shrug. “Starry Creek seems a very fine town, and I don’t mind the quiet and slower way of life. The city often felt overwhelming for me, anyway.”

  Virginia’s expression was kind and sympathetic, and Rita was certain she could see right through her.

  “I’m very certain you will adjust in time,” the woman said with a firm nod. “However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have some friends around here. It’ll be especially beneficial when your baby arrives, believe me.”

  Rita cocked her head and regarded the woman closely. “Do you have children?”

  Virginia’s eyes lit up. “Yes, three. They are darlings, but motherhood is no easy thing. I would be happy to help you prepare and give you what advice I can if you’d like?”

  Rita felt such a swell of gratefulness at the offer that she nearly burst into tears right there on the spot. “I would like that very much.”

  Virginia reached over and took her hand, giving her a warm smile.

  “Then consider me your first official friend here in Starry Creek,” she declared.

  Overwhelmed with relief and happiness, Rita couldn’t find words to respond. So, she squeezed Virginia’s hand and hoped the gesture conveyed just how precious her offer of friendship truly was.

  Over the next couple of weeks, Virginia became Rita’s near-constant companion. She would stop by to visit her every day, oftentimes bringing baby clothes her own children had used and what advice she could. Rita was appreciative of every single gift the woman gave her, but her companionship was what she cherished most. It made it easier for her to adjust to life in Starry Creek, especially given how absent William was fro
m her days.

  Rita grew occupied visiting with Virginia and was soon spending nearly as much time at her friend’s house as her own. She met her three children, as well as her husband, Louis. They were such a tight-knit family, that Rita grew excited for her child to be born, though she began to wonder if she, William, and the baby would ever be as close.

  More and more, she was starting to think that William wouldn’t be the father for her child that she’d hoped for. He just didn’t seem at all interested. He never asked about her condition, nor mentioned any future plans for the baby.

  Rita wondered if she should mention anything about it to him, but she was nervous to bring it up and come off as a burden. She didn’t want to annoy him and make him think she’d been a mistake. Still, she needed to figure out where they stood…at least in regard to their parental roles.

  One night, as he was sitting at the kitchen table eating the late-night shepherd’s pie she’d made for him earlier that day, she sat in a rocking chair by the fireplace, her knitting needles in hand. She was making little progress on her work, however, as she debated whether or not to say anything to him about the baby.

  Perhaps if I approach it as a means of seeking insight into questions I have, rather than as a demand to know his intentions, we might have a smoother go of it?

  Deciding it was better than sitting in the perpetual unknown, she daintily cleared her throat to get his attention.

  He glanced up at her with an arched brow.

  “Something the matter?” he asked in his gruff voice.

  She quickly shook her head. “Oh, no, not at all. I was just thinking of what all I’ll need for the baby. Virginia has given plenty of clothes, but there are a few bigger items I’ll need to secure.”

  “Such as?”

  She took a moment to appear thoughtful as if she hadn’t plotted out this conversation from start to finish already.

  “Well, a bed, for one. A crib or a cradle, depending on space.”

  He furrowed his brow. “Well…I suppose you’d need to go see the town’s carpenter for something like that. I doubt the general store has anything pre-built for sale.”