But we expect to deliver the cattle within a couple weeks and then I’ll be riding like the wind to get back to you, my sweet Josie. Back in time for our wedding. I love you and miss you so much. I hope you know how much. I’m sorry I put such an extra burden on you with me being gone and all. I hope you realize I was only thinking of what’s best for us. Just think, in a few short weeks, we’ll be Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Ramsey, homeowners.
He signed his name at the bottom of the page then folded it up and stuck it in his saddle bag with the rest of the letters he’d written to her. One nearly every night.
He stretched out on his bedroll, stared up at the sky, and counted the stars until he fell asleep, thinking of his sweet Josie.
Chapter 7
One Month Until Christmas
The strains of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” floated from the piano in the sanctuary as Josie and Millie hurried into the church and closed the door tightly behind them to keep out the cold.
“Brrr,” Millie said as the cousins made their way to the meeting room. “I bet attendance will be low now that the weather is getting cold. Just one more thing to hate about winter, if you ask me. At least we live in town and won’t end up snowed in and going stir crazy like the families farther out of town, but that also means fewer people for us to socialize with.”
“Yes,” Josie said, glancing out the window as the bitter wind blew fat snowflakes in a swirl. At least she was warm and inside. She hated thinking about Clinton, out in the cold. Not only was he out in the cold. He was late. She’d been looking for him to arrive any day now, and she’d been doing that for two weeks. She’d caught herself jumping each time the bell over the door to the general store rang to announce a new customer. That bell used to be a happy sound, indicating new business. But now, Josie was sure it was mocking her.
“Is that all you have to say?” Millie asked as they hung up their coats. She paused to take a good look at Josie. Then sighed. “I know this is hard for you, waiting for Clinton. And I’ve heard the whispers around town, too.” Millie kept her voice low. “But you need to remember Clinton loves you, and his word is as good as gold. He’ll be here. There’s still plenty of time before Christmas.”
Josie gave her cousin a wan smile. “Thank you. I know all you say is true, but I just miss him so much.” Josie’s voice cracked, and she rubbed away a tear with her palm.
“Come on now,” Millie said. “Listen to the music. It’s Christmas. Your favorite time of the year.”
Millie started to hum along with the song being played on the piano, and Josie couldn’t help but join in, her spirits lifting with the powerful words.
Josie picked up her basket with fabric scraps, and they joined the rest of the group. As predicted, the gathering was smaller than during the warm, sunny months of the summer. But she was glad to see Lydia and a few of the other girls from town, as well as Miss Ryan, grumpy as ever.
“I had hoped the cold weather would have kept her away,” Millie whispered, and Josie stifled a giggle. “Maybe she likes it. I hear she’s got ice water in her veins.”
“Millie!” she scolded under her breath. “Stop that right now.”
Fortunately, the piano hit a flourishing crescendo that covered their unladylike chatter as they took their places around the big quilt. Before she sat down, Josie added the contents of her scrap basket to the pile of materials to be added to the quilt.
“I brought some of the scraps from your engagement dress,” she said to Lydia as she took her seat next to her. “I thought that would be a nice addition to this quilt, since it’s going to be yours, after all.”
Lydia blushed. “Josie! How thoughtful of you. You were right about that dress. Every time I wear it, Rafe has a hard time keeping his eyes off me.”
“I’ll make an even prettier one for your wedding. Have you set a date yet?”
“How many dresses does a girl need these days?” Miss Ryan said with a scowl. Josie was miffed that the old sourpuss had butted in but didn’t want to cause more tensions with the group, especially on a day when so few were able to attend.
“Rafe’s wedding gift for Lydia is a new dress. You wouldn’t begrudge a man the chance to buy a gift for his wife, would you?” Josie said, as sweetly as she could muster.
“Harumph. Man could spend his money better on other things instead of a bit of frippery.”
Despite Josie’s efforts to be cordial, tension hung in the air.
“Lydia,” Millie tried to change the conversation. “I didn’t hear your answer to Josie’s question about a wedding date.”
“We haven’t set one yet,” Lydia said looking a bit sad, which no doubt pleased grumpy Miss Ryan. “Rafe says he won’t set a date until he’s got a decent home to take me to and there are just no houses available.” She sighed. “I guess we’ll have to wait until the spring. By then we’ll have enough saved up for a little piece of property and will build a house.”
“How exciting.” Mrs. Campbell joined the conversation from her corner of the quilt. “You’ll be able to build something together and that will make it special.”
“Why don’t you buy Mr. Kent’s house on Main Street?” Miss Ryan said with a smirk.
“What are you talking about?” Millie replied, her voice rising. “Josie and Clinton are going to take that house. It’s already been arranged. You know that.”
“Of course, as long as Clinton gets back in time. My understanding is that he’s only paid the option to Mr. Kent until Christmas, so he’ll need to get home before then. If he gets home at all.” This time, Miss Ryan looked straight at Josie when she uttered those hateful words. “Besides, I’ve heard the weather to the south has turned for the worse. The pass will be snowed in and closed soon, if it isn’t already. You might not see Clinton until the thaw. Who knows what might happen by then.”
“Why, you spiteful old biddy!’ Millie jumped into the fray before Josie could open her mouth to defend herself. “Just because your fiancé dumped you and ran far far away doesn’t mean Clinton will do the same thing. As sour as you are, I’m surprised he even wanted to marry you at all. But Clinton’s not like that man and Josie sure isn’t like you, mean and bitter. All you want to do is hurt people’s feelings. Is that your hobby or something? “
Josie’s eyes went wide, and she wanted to stop Millie from continuing, but her cousin had risen from her seat and gone to stand directly in front of Miss Ryan. “You’re nothing but a mean old crank, and you can’t sew worth beans either.”
The piano had been playing steadily since they’d arrived, but, inexplicably, it stopped just as Millie began to speak and, when she finished, a deathly silence hung over the room. Josie licked her lips and tried to think of what to say, since this spat related to her.
Miss Ryan was faster. Jabbing her needle into the quilt, she stood up and faced Millie. “Well, now you’ve hurt my feelings. I’m leaving, and I won’t be back. Please don’t bother including me in any more of your social”—she said the last word with venom in her voice—“events.”
Miss Ryan donned her coat and hat and headed for the door. She turned back to the rest of the room. “I never liked spending time with you people anyway. I just did it because you’re all such a bunch of hayseeds, I thought I might be able to add a bit of class to the gatherings.” And then she was gone.
The door to the church closed with a sharp click and then it seemed all of the ladies gathered for the quilting society meeting let out the breath they’d been holding and burst into raucous laughter.
“We really shouldn’t be laughing about this,” Mrs. Campbell said. She was the oldest member in attendance and seemed to feel obligated to bring a bit of maturity to the gathering. She would have been more believable if she wasn’t snorting with laughter.
Josie couldn’t control her giggles. How long had it been since she’d laughed so hard? She’d forgotten how good she felt after a good laugh. With each guffaw, some of the anxiety that had overtaken her in recent weeks fell away.
<
br /> Why did she let that bitter woman get under her skin? Clinton was a man of his word. If he said he’d be home in time for Christmas, then he’d be there. She finally composed herself, picked up her needle, and started stitching.
She leaned toward Millie. “Thank you for sticking up for me.”
Millie gave her arm a bump with her elbow. “That’s what family is for. Besides, she had it coming. She’s been itching for someone to tell her off for as long as I can remember.”
“Still,” Josie said, glancing around, “I’m glad your mama wasn’t able to attend today. She wouldn’t be very happy with either of us.”
Millie nodded then shrugged. “I know, but what are the odds she won’t know about it before we even get home?”
Josie had to agree. “There aren’t too many secrets here in Juniper Junction. It wouldn’t surprise me if that old biddy went and told on us, like we were a couple of schoolgirls.”
“Well, nothing we can do about it now, so let’s enjoy the rest of our get-together,” Millie said.
A couple more brave souls arrived, bringing news of bad weather on the horizon. Josie and Millie had a short walk back to the general store, so it wasn’t so much of a concern for them, but Josie’s heart sank thinking about Clinton out in the nasty weather. Touching the star pendant around her neck, she said a silent prayer for her beloved cowboy.
The ladies of the Juniper Junction Quilting Society were a hardy crew, and though they kept an eye to the sky, no one wanted to allow the weather to dampen their spirits. There was much conversation about the coming Christmas holiday. The piano began playing again, and all was festive in the church meeting room.
Try though they might, however, they could not ignore the continuing howl of the wind, and a decision was made to cut the meeting. Just as they were putting their things away, Pastor Ellis came into the room and motioned for Josie. Curious, she approached the man of the cloth.
“Yes, Pastor?”
“I wonder if we might talk for a minute in private, Josie.” He stepped into the hallway, and she followed, brow furrowed. Had he heard the commotion earlier? She hoped she wasn’t about to get a lecture.
They stopped just inside the sanctuary, and the pastor gazed down at her, kindness in his eyes. “This Sunday is the first reading of the banns for your marriage to Clinton,” he said, and Josie’s heart fluttered. The time would be here soon.
“And, well.” Pastor Ellis looked a bit uncomfortable but then continued, “I wondered if you have, well, if you have heard from Clinton recently.”
“Um, no, I haven’t heard from him since the others returned and sent word with them of his plans.” Josie had a funny feeling, like she was on the witness stand at a trial where she was accused of something she hadn’t done, and it got her hackles up. “Is there a problem?” She stared at the pastor, daring him to say what she had a feeling he wanted to say.
He dared. “I just wondered, my child, if it might be better to put off the reading of the banns until Clinton has returned. It ought not to delay things that much, and no point in getting ahead of ourselves, don’t you agree?”
Josie bit her lip and glared. It was wrong to get angry at a pastor and even worse to do it while standing in the sanctuary of the church. But that didn’t stop her. Not one bit.
“If anyone is getting ahead of themselves, Pastor, it is you. Clinton has promised to be here by Christmas and I intend to plan accordingly. If you do not wish to perform the ceremony, then I am sure I can make other arrangements.” She looked up at the cross hanging above the altar then back at the nervous pastor. “Where’s your faith, Preacher? Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Or do you not remember that verse of the Bible?”
Pastor Ellis’ face went pale. “Of course, my child, I have faith, but I was just—”
“There’s no but in faith, Pastor Ellis.” Josie’s eyes flashed. “Now, are you going to read those banns this Sunday or not?”
Pastor Ellis swallowed hard and regarded his parishioner. “Yes, Josie. I will. And I will include prayers for Clinton’s safe return in my nightly devotions.”
Josie turned to leave and pulled up short. Travis and Millie stood in the doorway, and it was apparent they had overheard at least the last part of her discussion with Pastor Ellis. Regardless, Josie played it off as a regular occurrence.
“Travis.” She smiled up at him. “What a nice surprise. What brings you here?”
Travis nodded to the pastor and then tipped his head down to look at Josie. “Weather’s getting bad. I came to make sure you and Millie get home safe.”
“That’s mighty kind of you, Travis,” Josie said, observing Travis’ firm grip on Millie’s upper arm.
“I promised Clinton I’d keep an eye on you.” He assisted the two of them with their coats and escorted them outside.
“Thank you, Travis.” Josie noted Millie had been unusually quiet as they exited the church. “But you probably ought to get back to Windy River Ranch. Millie and I can see ourselves home just fine.” Any other time, Josie would never suggest cutting short the time Travis and Millie spent together, but something told her Millie would be glad to put some distance between herself and Travis. At least until that stern glint wasn’t in his eye anymore.
“Don’t you worry none about me, Josie.” Travis gripped on her upper arm, too, and she could feel the tension in his touch. “From what I have heard and seen, you two need a bit more watching than you’ve been getting lately. For that, I am to blame. But I mean to remedy that.
Chapter 8
A small squeal escaped Millie’s lips. Though they were walking into a strong winter wind, the sound carried to Josie, and she glanced at her cousin. Millie’s mouth was drawn into a firm line and, when her eyes met Josie’s, she could see worry there.
She thought about what Clinton would do to her behind if he’d heard the way she’d talked to Pastor Ellis. But shouldn’t he be proud of her for standing up for Clinton’s character? Yes, but you could have done it without getting huffy with the pastor of all people.
“I understand you had some words with Miss Ryan today, Millie,” Travis said, his voice ominous.
“Y-yes, bu-but, she insulted Josie.”
They were within sight of the general store when Travis halted their progress. “You go on ahead, Josie.” He nodded toward the store. “We’ll wait here to make sure you get inside safe.”
“Bu-but what about Millie?” she asked, though she had a pretty good idea. The town livery stable was down a side street. Clinton had tanned her hide in there more than once when they needed a bit of privacy for a discussion of her attitude. Her heart went out to Millie.
“I’ll bring her home shortly. We need to have a discussion in private.”
Yep, Millie’s backside was going to feel it. Josie thought about stalling or objecting, but Millie spoke up finally. “You go on, Josie. Better to get this done sooner rather than later.”
With an encouraging glance over her shoulder, Josie rushed to the store and let herself in. Much as she didn’t envy Millie the spanking she had coming, Josie knew she’d give about anything to have Clinton by her side, even if he was busting her rump.
Aunt Joyce responded to the bell over the door and smiled when she saw Josie. “I’m glad you made it home safely,” she said. “The weather is turning bad.” She glanced out the window.
“Where’s Millie?” she asked. “It’s not like you two girls to not come home together, especially with the weather like it is.”
Josie flushed but strove to keep her voice even. “Travis came by the church to walk us home,” she said. “He and Millie wanted to talk in private for a few minutes. You know how engaged people can be.”
The corner of Aunt Joyce’s mouth turned up in a smirk. “I’m sure Travis has a few ‘words’ to share with Millie.”
Josie’s eyes went wide, and her mouth fell open.
Aunt Joyce cocked her head to the side. “You gi
rls think you’re so clever. What makes you think Shirley Ryan wouldn’t march herself over here as fast as she could to tell me what a pair of heathens I’ve raised.”
“Oh, that old grouch. She started it, saying that Clinton might not come back, and Millie stood up for me.”
“I didn’t say I believed her,” Aunt Joyce said, “but”—she got serious—“you need to remember that your uncle and I run a business here in town, and getting someone like Miss Ryan mad and talking bad about you girls reflects on the store and your uncle and me.”
Josie deflated. What a horrible ingrate she was. After all they had done for her. “Oh, Aunt Joyce,” she said, rushing to give her aunt a hug. “I am so sorry. I never want to do anything to hurt your reputation.”
“I know, sweetheart.” Aunt Joyce returned her hug and patted her hair. “You’re under an awful strain these days. I don’t know what got into Clinton thinking he ought to go on another drive. Men, they sure do some crazy things.”
“Oh, Aunt Joyce, what if something’s happened to him? What will I do?”
“Now, now, you’ll soldier on no matter what happens. What other choice do you have?”
Josie pulled away from her aunt with a sniffle. “D-do you think I am a fool to believe he’s coming back?”
Aunt Joyce’s visage softened. “No, Josie. True love waits. True love believes.”
“Tha-thank you,” Josie said, her voice tight.
“I’m sorry Millie and I got Miss Ryan mad. I hope it won’t be a problem for the store. Or for you and Uncle Carl.”
Aunt Joyce gave her a hard look. “From what Miss Ryan said, it was just Millie behaving badly. Is there more I don’t know about?”
The scene in the sanctuary reverberated in Josie’s brain. “Well...maybe…”
After a stern lecture from Aunt Joyce, Josie dragged her sorry self up the stairs to the room she and Millie shared. The wind rattled the single window, and she peered out at the snow coming down. She shivered and closed the drapes to keep out the cold.
Newlywed Christmas (Brides of Juniper Junction Book 4) Page 15