Mail-Order Christmas Brides Boxed Set (36 page)

“How did you know where to find me?”

“When the boardinghouse lady said you’d left, I knew where you’d gone. There’s no place warmer than a stable with animals in it, when you’ve got no place to go.” Toby opened the stall gate, so little, so sad. “It’s all my fault. I broke your arm.”

“No, you didn’t. How could you say such a thing? I fell, and it didn’t even happen here in town.” Then her gaze fell on something he pulled out of his old coat pocket—a faded red knit cap. She could barely see it in the ambient light from the distant lantern. She recognized that hat. Not that she’d gotten a look at the boy who’d slammed into her on the train platform that day, but he’d been about Toby’s height. He’d worn a dark coat. “It was you. You stole my reticule.”

“Yep, I did and I wished I hadn’t.” He bowed his head in shame. “I never meant to hurt you. I wished I hadn’t done it as soon as I did.”

“I see.” She took a breath, letting the realization sink in. It should feel like betrayal. She should be furious or hurt. But those feelings weren’t the ones building within her. “You must have been desperate to do such a thing and pretty disappointed to discover there wasn’t even a penny inside.”

“Nope, you were broke.” Toby sniffled. “I tossed your reticule out when the train was moving, so I can’t give it back.”

“Oh.” He hadn’t kept it. The treasures within were gone, the remembrances of her loved ones.

“Can you f-forgive me?” The light found him, illuminating the earnest need for absolution. Honest green eyes pleaded. “I wouldn’t blame ya if you couldn’t.”

“Of course I can.” She knelt in the straw and held out her arms. Toby rushed into them, and she hugged him, savoring his little boy sweetness. She ached for a happy family of her own, a wish that felt out of reach.

Wasn’t that life? Some dreams you lost, some dreams you reached. Only God was in charge.

She let Toby go. “You don’t have to steal anymore, Toby. The marshal is going to take care of you.”

“That’s what he told me and I believe him.” Toby rubbed at his eyes. “I don’t know what I done to get so lucky. But I prayed real hard for a long time, before I gave up. Just the way my ma taught me.”

“Then it’s not luck that Elijah came into your life.” She brushed a lock of hair out of his eyes.

“Not luck at all.” Boots thudded close and light spilled far down the aisle, the lantern held in a man’s strong hand. The shadow behind it took on shape. First she saw a hint of wide shoulders and the crown of a Stetson. Everything around her vanished in comparison.

Elijah strode forcefully into the aisle—carved granite face, high cheekbones, iron jaw. “Guess Toby was right. He knew how to find you.”

“I—” The man stole her breath. He scrambled her thoughts. He made the wishes within her whisper, longing to come true. “Why are you here? I thought we’d said our goodbyes.”

“Not even close.” His dark blue gaze gentled, softening with affection. Affection for her? She could only stare, taking it all in, the breathtaking combination of steely man and loving heart. He leaned closer. “You and I are not finished yet.”

“We aren’t?” Hope took wing inside her. Why couldn’t she breathe properly? His closeness stole every speck of air in the stable as she wished. How she wished.

“Miss Christina? I got somethin’ for you. It was here a minute ago.” Toby dug deep into his pocket. The bump of his hand followed the garment’s lining; perhaps there was a hole in the pocket seam. The lantern light fell on what Toby pulled from his pocket. Gold glinted like a sign from above.

“My adoptive mother’s brooch.” She couldn’t believe it. Happiness rolled through her at the sight of the treasures. “My sisters’ locket. You kept them.”

“I had to. After I got kicked by the horse and you helped me, too, I kept ’em.” Toby swallowed hard, holding the jewelry out to her. “I couldn’t pawn ’em.”

“This is the best Christmas gift I’ve ever received. Thank you.” The beloved brooch felt familiar in her hands. She traced the gold filigree edging and the soft ivory cameo. With it came the legacy of her adoptive mother’s love, the woman who’d raised her with care and gentleness. “You have no notion what this means to me.”

The gold locket opened with a small click and she took out the image, her gaze drinking in the sight of her two sisters, their image lost no more. Realization washed over her. “I’m not sure how much I can get for this jewelry and it will be hard to pawn them, but, Toby, you may have just given me my freedom from Tom. Oh, you dear boy.”

“No need to sell your treasures,” Elijah answered, hanging the lantern on a post nail. “I stopped by Tom’s place on my way here. That’s why we tracked you down.”

“You talked with Tom?” Her pulse skidded to a stop. “Why would you do that?”

“Because I care what happens to you.” The light in his deep blue gaze made her hope. His granite features gentled. “I paid your debt to him.”

“What? Oh, Elijah, no. It was so much money. I—” Words failed her. Why had he done that for her? Tears burned behind her eyes as her hopes began to build.

“You were worth it, Christina. Whether you marry Tom or not is now entirely up to you.” Elijah towered over her, so close he scrambled her senses, drowning out all things but him. Only him. His warm hands gathered hers, engulfing them with his strength, with what felt like tenderness.

“It’s a lot of money, Elijah,” she choked out. “How can I let a debt stand between us?”

“Because it was no debt. I did it—” He paused. Emotion lit him up, where shadows had lingered before. “Well, I did it out of love. That kind of act can’t be reimbursed. It’s not a debt to be owed. You just have to accept it.”

“Out of love?” She studied him—mountain-tough, rugged and strong. The kind of man who kept his promises, who stood for what was right, who had captured her unwilling heart with his every kindness. From the very first moment she’d met him, she’d prayed for a husband like him, for a man with his true heart to love her forever. That prayer wasn’t about to be answered, was it?

“I love you, Christina.” Abiding affection warmed the low notes of his voice. Honesty shone in his adoring gaze. “From the moment I first set eyes on you, you changed my heart. You brought me back to life. You made me see what my future could be. I don’t know how you feel about me, but I have to ask. Do you think you can come to love me, too?”

His words were a gift, as precious as a blessing from above. His question stymied her. He had no notion that he’d touched her heart the same way.

“No,” she said gently. “I don’t think there’s a way I can come to love you. Because I already do.”

“You do?” He winced, thankfulness carving into his face. He looked as if he couldn’t believe it, as if he’d just received the best gift of all.

“I do. I love you, Elijah.” The words felt freeing. Joyous.

“Then I have a question to ask you.” He went down on one knee. “You traveled a long way to find a husband, and I’m hoping it’s me. Will you do me the honor of being my wife? Will you marry me?”

“Marry you? I would love nothing more.” She laid her hand against the slant of his jaw, tenderness lifting her up with a power she’d never known before. “Elijah Gable, you are the best Christmas gift I could ever have.”

“Now that’s where you’re wrong.” He rose, towering over her and wrapped her into his arms. “You are the best gift, the very best. I’ll spend the rest of my life showing you just how much I love you. I promise you that.”

It was a vow she believed. Enduring love filled her soul. His arms closed around her, holding her close.
Prayers do come true,
she thought,
and sometimes in the way you never imagined.

Maybe those were the best-answered prayers of all. She snuggled against Elijah’s strong chest, listening to the beat of his heart. She’d traveled to Montana Territory looking for a home, but she’d found more.

She’d found true love.

Epilogue

One year later, Christmas Eve

“G
o lay down in your bed, Paddy,” she told the bright-eyed dog and pointed toward the gray stone hearth. The banked fire radiated enough heat to keep the mutt warm through the night. Paddy turned and ambled toward his bed, nails clicking on the hardwood. He circled three times and eased onto his blanket. He closed his eyes with a sigh.

Christina spun in place, checking the parlor one more time, making sure everything was in place. The stockings were hung and filled. The tree in front of the window stood guard over the presents piled beneath its boughs. Tomorrow, it would be alive with candlelight watching over their festivities. A turkey would be roasting in the oven, pies would be set out to cool and later she would tap out Christmas carols on the piano in the corner.

“He went out like a light.” Elijah lowered his voice, his boots padding lightly on the stairs. “He was sound asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.”

“It was a busy day for him.” She was thankful that Toby was thriving. The boy excelled at school; he’d been a wonderful son and was now a happy boy. She still marveled how the three of them found one another, three strangers brought to Angel Falls on the same train. Love had made them a family. Deeply grateful, she turned toward her husband, toward the man she loved. Her heart filled with bliss when he opened his arms to draw her against his strong chest.

“It was a big day for all of us.” His lips brushed the top of her head. “Last-minute shopping, caroling, candlelight service.”

“Yes, today was the second-best Christmas Eve of my life.” She leaned back in his arms, gazing up at his handsome face. At the granite cheekbones, midnight eyes and iron jaw. She could never get enough of him. He was her heart, her soul, her everything.

“It was my second-best Christmas Eve, too,” he agreed. “Hard to top last year.”

“When we were married.” Bells had tolled joyfully when the ceremony was through. The moment they had emerged from the church, hand in hand and heart to heart, sunshine had broken through the storm to greet them like a blessing from above. The last year had been like a dream spent as Elijah’s wife and as Toby’s adoptive mother, the best days of her life.

More were still to come. She placed her hand on the rounded bowl of her stomach. Their baby would be here by June. In the meantime there were wee clothes to sew, booties and blankets to knit, and flawless days to share with the ones she loved. She caught sight of the beautiful doily her friend Annabelle had sent for a Christmas gift. She hoped Annabelle liked the table runner she’d crocheted just for her. Their friendship remained strong, two former mail-order brides who’d found the adventures of their lives traveling to Montana Territory.

“I hope you don’t have any regrets in choosing me,” Elijah asked.

“Only one.” She pressed her cheek into his touch. Humor burnished her, made her radiant, made her luminous. “We have only this lifetime to spend together. It doesn’t seem long enough.”

“Then we’d better make every moment count.” It was a promise he vowed to keep every day of their lives, with all his might, until his last breath. She was his life, his everything. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her. She made his life whole.

Brimming over with love for his treasured wife, he kissed her tenderly. Love was all about timing, he thought, and gave thanks that it was their time for happiness.

* * * * *

Dear Reader,

Welcome back to my second novella with fellow author and good friend Janet Tronstad. We had so much fun writing our previous
Mail-Order Christmas Brides
, how could we not band together for a sequel? So, band together we did. Once again our heroines meet on the train west and become great friends while riding the rails, wondering about their lives to come as mail-order brides. My heroine, Christina, is robbed at a train stop when she gets out to stretch her legs and who should come to her aid but handsome Marshal Elijah Gable? Elijah is everything she prays that her fiancé will be...a dream, a blessing and a forever home for her heart. It turns out Tom Rutger is nothing of the same, but her hand is already promised to him. How can her story end happily? I hope you enjoy this Christmas tale where love triumphs, everyone finds a home and God’s grace shines so brightly.

Thank you for reading
Home for Christmas
.

Wishing you peace, joy and love this holiday season,

Jillian Hart

Questions for Discussion

1. What was your first impression of Elijah? How would you describe him? What do you like most about his character?
   
2. How would you describe Christina and Elijah’s first meeting? What did you learn about her character? What did you learn about Elijah? What makes you care for him?
   
3. What do you feel for Toby? What motivates him to run away? What shows you the kind of boy he truly is?
   
4. When Tom and Christina first meet, how do you know Tom isn’t the right man for her? What clues do you see? What others do you see as the story progresses? What sort of man do you think Tom really is?
   
5. What is the story’s predominant imagery? How does it contribute to the meaning of the story? Of the romance?
   
6. Do you see God at work in this story? What meaning do you find there?
   
7. How would you describe Elijah’s faith? How would you describe Christina’s faith?
   
8. What do you think Elijah and Christina have each learned about love?
   

Snowflakes for Dry Creek

Janet Tronstad

With love to my niece, Sara Enger.

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing,
and obtaineth favor from the Lord.

—Proverbs
18:22

Chapter One

Montana Territory, December 1885

G
ray clouds hung low in the sky as a distant rumble sounded in Gabe Stone’s ears. Tiny bits of hail hit the brim of his Stetson and bounced off to fall on the two children standing beside him on the railroad platform in Miles City, an old military town halfway between Fort Keogh and Dry Creek in the Montana Territory. The day was bitter cold, but that wasn’t what bothered Gabe. He looked at the passenger train rolling steadily down the tracks toward them and frowned. Annabelle Hester, his brother’s mail-order bride, was coming on that train and Gabe would have to say
something
to her. He just didn’t know what yet.