Love Inspired Historical November 2014 (60 page)

“You mean, have the services here for a couple of weeks?”

Everyone in the room remained silent. The preacher looked to Leah. “Well, I believe I could be persuaded to stay for a few weeks, if I can stay here and enjoy that pie every day.” His gray eyes rose to meet Leah's and Jake's. “Might even be willing to do a Christmas Eve wedding.”

Joy leaped in Leah's chest. God had just answered her prayers. She smiled and felt like clapping her hands the way Molly did when she became excited.

Jake draped his arm about her shoulder. “We'd be honored if you'd say the blessing over our wedding.” Then he leaned close to Leah's ear and whispered for everyone to hear, “And you, my pretty bride, better learn how to bake pies. I have a feeling the reverend will be expecting a slice of payment every day.”

The room erupted with laughter and talking all at once. It was a joyous occasion for them all. For Leah, it was a dream come true.

Chapter Thirteen

L
eah walked into the general store holding Molly's hand. Jake followed close behind. She smiled down at the little girl and said, “We are here for you, Miss Molly. Look around and tell me and Uncle Jake what you'd like for Christmas.”

“Just remember, we aren't going to buy you anything today,” Jake reminded her with a pat on the head.

Molly looked about the store with wide eyes. She released Leah's hand and walked to the toys, her head held high and her little shoulders back.

Leah leaned over and whispered up to Jake, “What did you say to her at the house?” She continued watching the girl walk about the store in a dignified manner. It was so unusual for the child, who practically ran everywhere.

He bent down and whispered back, “That only good little girls who don't run in the store get presents on Christmas morning.”

Now, why hadn't she thought of that? Leah grinned. “Very wise counsel,” she teased.

“Be sure and get whatever you want or need,” he whispered against her ear.

A shiver ran down Leah's spine. “Thank you.” She stepped away from him, moving to the fabric. She was just giddy about the upcoming wedding, Leah told herself. Happiness enveloped her at the thought. She couldn't believe they'd be getting married in two short weeks.

Her gaze moved to her groom. Jake knelt down beside Molly. The two of them were looking into a glass case. Leah studied the two most important people in her life. Their faces were the same shape, and Molly's little nose mirrored Jake's exactly. She looked to see what they studied so intently. A beautiful porcelain doll sat in the center of the shelf.

Leah turned back to the fabric. She'd thought Agnes might like a pot holder for Christmas. It wouldn't take much fabric, Leah reasoned, as she ran her hands over brown and yellow calico fabric.

She'd never given anyone a gift before and was looking forward to doing so. In the orphanage, Christmas was just another day. Leah assumed the caretakers did the best they could for the children, but even their best wasn't much.

“I see you've found something you like,” Jake spoke behind her.

Leah jumped. How long had he been standing there watching her? She cleared her throat. “Yes, I'm thinking I'd like to get a little bit of this fabric so that I can make Agnes two pot holders.” To avoid his gaze, she looked about for Molly.

The little girl stood at the counter picking out a piece of candy. Leah took a deep breath and returned her attention to Jake.

He laid his hand on her shoulder. “That's nice. Which two colors do you want?”

Unnerved by his closeness, she pointed out the yellow and brown prints. “I think those two would be best.” She was thankful her voice came out strong instead of quivery, the way her insides felt.

Jake picked up both bolts and stood with them under his arm. “Would you mind making Molly a couple of new dresses?”

Her gaze moved to the little girl. Molly's dress looked worn at the hem and a little too short. “I would be happy to,” Leah answered. She searched the table of fabrics once more.

“I like the pink with yellow flowers,” Jake offered, reaching for the bolt.

“Me, too. And maybe the blue with green swirls?” Leah asked, also reaching toward the material.

Their hands touched and a shimmer of feelings ricocheted through Leah. She felt color fill her face and turned away. She knew her feelings for Jake were changing; Leah also knew she needed to rein in those emotions. The last thing she needed was Jake getting cold feet and leaving her right before their wedding day. “Uh, I'll get the needles and thread while you take care of the fabric.” Leah hurried to the sewing notions.

A little while later, they left the store with two boxes, one filled with fabric and sewing notions, the other with food staples for Agnes. Leah couldn't believe what all Jake had bought.

Jake had seen Leah looking at the tin of cocoa and had placed it in the pile of supplies, along with an extra pound of sugar. He'd also bought a lot more fabric than she'd expected.

All sorts of sewing ideas whipped through her mind. She would be making two dresses for Molly, a set of pot holders for Agnes and with the scraps that were left over, Leah could add them to other sewing scraps and make a nine-patch quilt.

Molly ran ahead of them. She'd asked for a spinning top, new clothes for her rag doll, a child's tea set and a box full of barnyard animals.

Leah noticed that Jake had been quiet since they'd left the store. “Did I spend too much?” she asked, praying that wasn't the reason for his silence.

“No. Why do you ask?”

She looked down at the slushy snow at their feet. “You seem thoughtful.” Thoughtful wasn't really the word she'd been seeking but it sounded nicer than quiet. Besides, a man was allowed a moment of silence, so that would have seemed odd to say.

“Oh, I'm sorry. I was just thinking about Molly and her list of Christmas wishes.” He turned his gaze on her. “And it got me to thinking, what would you like for Christmas, Leah?”

No one had ever asked her what she wanted. The question took Leah by surprise and she stared at him blankly. In the orphanage everyone got a bag of hard candy and an orange for Christmas. Nothing more.

If he thought her behavior strange, Jake didn't let on. “Maybe something for the house? Or a piece of jewelry? A book?” he hinted.

“I haven't given any thought to receiving a gift,” Leah admitted.

Jake laughed. “Well, think about it and let me know if you come up with something.”

Something white sped toward Jake. It hit his coat with a splat. His wide eyes revealed that the snowball had taken him completely by surprise.

Childish laughter filled the chilly air. “I got you! I got you!” Molly squealed.

Jake set the box he was carrying down and bent to scoop up some snow. “Now it's my turn!” he called back to his niece.

Molly took off running. Jake followed. Leah shook her head. Then it dawned on her she should join the fun. She sat her box on top of Jake's and scooped up the moist snow.

The little girl came running at her. “Save me, Leah! Uncle Jake's gonna hit me with a snowball!”

Leah hid her snowball behind her back and as soon as Molly and Jake sped past her, she let it fly. The cold wet snow hit him right between the shoulder blades.

He spun around and growled like a cranky old bear. “Oh, an ambush. Two against one.”

Molly had already armed herself and let fly her snowball. It flew past Jake and hit Leah in the chest.

“Oops.” Molly bent down and began forming another ball.

Leah ran from Jake. She heard him catching up with her and squealed as she made a mad dart to the side.

“You better run! This snowball has your name written all over it!” Jake called.

Molly chased after him and tossed her snow as hard as she could. It hit Jake in the shoulder.

Watching Jake and his niece playing made Leah aware that soon she would have a husband and child of her own. They would have many years of playing. She'd never dreamed of having a real family. One that played and loved deeply. Thank you, Father, for bringing Molly and Jake into my life.

* * *

Jake pretended to roar like a wild animal and whirled around to chase his niece. The snowball he carried was turning into a puddle in his hand. He watched Molly's stocking hat fly off her head. Silky stands of blond hair flew out behind her. She squealed in delight at his pursuit.

Another wet glob hit him in the back of the head. Jake turned and tossed his snowball at Leah, making sure to miss her. She laughed and ran away again. Jake chased her. He loved the way her laughter flowed behind her and into his ears.

She jumped over something but he was too close to jump, too.

Jake felt his feet start to go out from under him as he hit the icy patch. In an attempt to keep from falling backward, he lunged forward.

Leah chose that moment to bend over for more snow ammo.

He couldn't stop. Jake knew they were going to collide. With all the thought he could muster, he grabbed Leah around the waist, twisted her around and then flipped just before the cold, hard ground collided with his back.

Leah landed on his stomach and chest with a loud whoosh. Her hat flew off her head and her hair fell forward, creating a curtain about their faces.

Without thought, Jake kissed her.

The sensation of their lips meeting knocked all the air from his body. His eyes flew open and he looked into her face.

Molly's laughing face was mere inches from theirs. The little girl had landed on top of Leah. Leah was sandwiched between uncle and niece like ham on rye.

Leah looked down at him with laughing sky-blue eyes. The joy of snowball fighting had taken all the seriousness from her face. She appeared younger, more carefree than he'd ever seen her.

“Uncle Jake? Are you all right?” Seriousness filled his young niece's voice.

He groaned as if in great pain. Both Leah and Molly leaned forward to look at him. Jake wrapped his arms around them both and quickly rolled. He kept his weight from crushing them as they squealed in surprise.

Jake pushed himself up and then reached down to grasp Leah's hand. She gave it to him with a grin. Was she thinking about the kiss? Or was she simply acting as if it hadn't happened?

Molly whimpered. “Uncle Jake, you got me all wet from the snow.”

Leah turned and helped the little girl up. “I think all this fun has put me in the mood for hot chocolate. Does anyone else want a cup?”

The little girl immediately began hopping up and down. “I do! I do!” She raced ahead once more, unaware that she'd lost her hat.

Jake found both Molly's and Leah's hats. He handed Leah hers. Expecting her to place it on her head, Jake was surprised when she set it in the bag full of fabric.

Together they walked on to the house. Leah carried the fabrics and sewing notions. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold air. It had been fun seeing the carefree side of her. She'd lost some of the caution that always seemed to shroud her.

He held the door open for her and once she was inside he glanced at the clock. Time had passed faster than he'd realized. Jake set the food by the door. “I'll be right back. We have a rider coming in about twenty minutes. I need to prepare his horse.”

Leah offered him a sweet smile. “Do you want hot cocoa or hot apple cider?”

“The cocoa will be fine.” Jake closed the door behind them, shutting out the cold air. Molly stuck her head out the kitchen door. “Hurry, Leah. Agnes already has the milk heating for our cocoa.” She darted back around the door.

Jake shook his head. “That child is demanding, now that she can talk.” He turned to leave, feeling foolish for hanging around after he'd plainly stated he had work needing to be done.

Leah's soft laughter followed him back out the door. What was he thinking, playing out in the snow when he had a job to do? Jake's thoughts turned to the fun they'd had and he smiled.

He entered the barn and headed straight for Lightning's stall. The mustang would be raring to go. It was funny how the horses sensed when it was their time to take the trail with a rider.

Cole stood in the stall with Lightning. “Hope you don't mind, but I thought I'd go ahead and get him ready.” He grinned at Jake.

The teasing grin on Cole's face put Jake on his guard. “Now, why would you go and do a thing like that?” Jake leaned against the door to the stall.

“To help out a friend?” Cole tightened the cinch on the saddle.

“Well, in that case I don't mind at all.” Jake pushed away from the door. “Want a cup of hot chocolate before you ride out?” he asked, giving the young man a slap on the back.

“Hot chocolate? Really?” Joy leaped in Cole's eyes.

Jake noted it and mentally decided a small tin of hot chocolate would be Cole's Christmas gift from him. He grinned at the young man. “Come on, and if we hurry you can have a cup before the next rider arrives.”

Cole led the way back inside. “Ya know, I'll be happy to stay here, play snowball fights and drink hot chocolate with Miss Hollister and Molly. Want to trade places?”

Jake laughed. “Not on your life.” There was a time he would have gladly become a pony express rider, if he hadn't been too large for the job, but not now. For the first time in his life, he had a family and something to stick around for. Being a pony express rider was just too dangerous for a family man.

He stopped suddenly and turned in a slow circle. When had he started thinking of himself as a family man? Was it when he'd learned Molly was his niece? Or the day Leah had said she'd marry him?

* * *

Leah stood at the washbasin pretending to ignore the little girl beside her. Over the past couple of days, she had allowed Molly to play alone outside in the afternoons beside the house. Leah kept a close eye on the little girl and wanted to make sure she was always safe. Today she was having fun, playing with the child even though she felt more tired than she had since her arrival at the home station.

Molly pulled on Leah's skirt to get her attention. “Leah? Please, I want to go play in the snow,” she begged.

“I suppose so, but only for a little while. Stay close to the house and the snowman. As soon as I get these dishes done I'll come get you for your nap.” Leah realized she was talking to empty air because Molly had already grabbed her coat and mittens and headed out the back door.

She should have put her hat on, too, but seeing as she wouldn't be out there that long, Leah decided to let her go and returned to scrubbing the last pot. She found her mind wandering to the upcoming wedding.

Both excited and a little nervous, Leah had taken her dress out and hung it beside the mirror in her room. She hoped that the wrinkles would fall out on their own and she wouldn't have to iron it. The dress seemed to shimmer in the morning light when the sun came through the window.