A Contest for Christmas

by Patricia Pacjac Carroll

  “Not so much in money as I am in land and cattle. Shall we go.” He held the door open for them.

  Inside, despite the temperature outside, the house was cool. Windows lit up the interior, and it was light and airy with the windows open and a pleasant breeze traveling through the room.

  “I had the house built on the hill to catch the wind. The tall ceilings help cool the room in the summer. Do you want to see it all?”

  Adelaide took his hand. “Yes, I do.”

  Jennifer shook her head. “I’ll just sit out on the porch if you don’t mind.”

  Angus looked at her and nodded. “Let me show you the main room.” He led Addy to a large room with a table of polished wood on one side. Cowhide chairs and lots of horns decorated the room. What caught her attention was a massive rock fireplace in the center of one wall.

  “What do you think?”

  “It’s beautiful. Of course, I might want to make some changes.” She looked at him. “Just so people knew there was a woman around.”

  Angus laughed. “Sure. If you want to marry me, I’ll let you do anything you want.”

  Making sure they were away from Jennifer, Adelaide took Angus’s hand. “You have to ask first.”

  Angus led her out the back where there was a porch that went out, and the land dropped away, giving them a grand view of the valley below. He pointed. “That’s McDonald Creek going through my land. It never goes dry.”

  He turned to face her and knelt. “I don’t need any more time. I know what my heart is telling me. Will you marry me, Adelaide Stewart?”

  Her breath caught. She looked at the vast scenery, the beautiful house, and then she looked into the dark blue eyes of the man she loved. “Yes, I will, Angus McDonald.”

  He rose and picked her up and twirled her around. Then he looked deep into her eyes. “I love you, Addy. I don’t know how it happened so fast, but it did. I don’t want to live another minute apart.”

  Breathless, she nodded.

  Then he kissed her. Gently on her lips, he tenderly gave her his love. Adelaide felt her knees go weak, and her heart open. He set her down. “That’s a down payment. I want to kiss you like that every day a hundred times a day.”

  Still breathless, she held onto her hat to keep it from slipping off. “I want you to. Oh, Angus. I have never felt this way before. I never knew love felt so good.”

  “Aye, Addy. I’m the same. I thought we would court one another, but I want to marry you as soon as you say it is proper.”

  Adelaide wondered what could be more proper than wanting to spend the rest of her life with this man. “Diane is getting married tomorrow.”

  “Aye. She is.”

  “I know this sounds crazy, but what if we could get married too? I mean, after Diane and Jeff. I’ll ask her if she would mind. But I’m like you. I don’t wait another minute. I have waited all my life for you[PPC1].”

  “I have waited for you, too. I am overjoyed.”

  “When we get back, I’ll ask Diane if she would mind.”

  Angus nodded. “I’ll speak to the pastor.” He looked at her. “I keep thinking we should wait, but for the life of me, I can’t figure out why.”

  Adelaide squeezed his hand. “I feel the same.” She felt as if she were floating while he showed her the rest of the house. The kitchen was large, and the cook a sweet older gentleman from New Orleans.

  The bedrooms were roomy and on the second floor. Then he showed her his bedroom. It was three times the size of the other ones. And had a balcony facing the creek and the valley.

  Angus came up behind her and rubbed her arms. “I can watch the sunset. The stars come out, and the moon blesses the earth with silver light. But none of it will match the wonder and joy of being married to you.”

  She turned to face him and leaned against his chest. “All my lonely days and nights are worth it to have waited for you. Thank you, Angus.”

  This time she kissed him. Just a light kiss to his lips, but the meaning was deep and the love forever. “I love you, Angus.”

  Chapter 15

  Diane had just finished packing her bag and was smoothing out her wedding dress when Claire knocked and entered her room. Diane had left the door open and was just about to decorate the church.

  “Claire, is there something you need?” She could tell by the look on the woman’s face that something wasn’t right.

  “Dear, Jeff is downstairs and needs to talk with you.”

  “Oh, good.” Diane rushed down the stairs and saw him sitting on the divan. He was sitting on the edge with his hat in his hands.

  “Jeff, I’m surprised to see you.”

  He jumped to his feet. “Diane, we need to talk. Outside.”

  “All right.” She followed him and sat on the swing. “What’s wrong?”

  “My family.” His usually warm brown eyes were troubled. “My pa and brother are back and want to stay at the ranch. I don’t know how to say this, but I’m afraid to have you around them.”

  “Jeff, what are you saying?”

  “I think we need to postpone the wedding. Just until I can convince them to leave or get jobs and move out.”

  “But they’re your family. We could get along.”

  He shook his head. “No, they aren’t decent. I would never trust them around you. But I can’t kick them out. They have nothing and nowhere to go.”

  “But what about me? Folks already laugh at me and look at me as if I am nothing. If you stand me up at the altar, I’ll be laughed at by everyone.”

  “It’s just for a little while, I promise. I didn’t know they were coming back. Once I told them that I was marrying you, they agreed to leave, and they did. Then last night, they showed up on my doorstep begging to be taken in.”

  “I’d say you were the one taken in.” She turned her head from him and looked at the main street. People were busy walking about the town while riders rode down the street. Tears burned her eyes. How could this be happening?

  Jeff took her by the shoulders and turned her to face him. “Diane, I love you. Nothing is going to change that. But I owe my pa and brother.”

  “How could you owe them a thing? They’re takers. That’s all they ever do. They’ll ruin our lives if you can’t get rid of them now.”

  Jeff shook his head. “I think I can convince them to go in a couple of weeks.”

  “And then what? We’ll be married until they show up again.”

  “No, I just can’t turn them away.”

  “Jeff, are they wanted by the law?”

  He turned from her.

  “Jeff?”

  “They might be. I’m not sure, and I’m afraid to ask them. They showed me a lot of money, but they won’t tell me how they got it.” Jeff rubbed his forehead. “I don’t know what to do. I just don’t want you to get hurt, and I don’t trust them.”

  Diane wiped the tears from her eyes and then took his hand. “Jeff, we’ll work this out together. If we have to wait, I don’t mind. It’s just that I’ve waited so long. And I lost you once before.”

  “It’s something I need to do before we are married. If I don’t do it now, it will bother us all our lives. I wish more than anything that I didn’t have to hurt you this way, but you have to trust me that it’s for the best. Please.”

  She nodded. “I will. But you need to finish this business. I won’t wait around for you. If you can’t settle the problem with your family, don’t come back to me.” She held her head high. She was worth more than to be set aside anytime he had a problem.

  Jeff stood. “Walk with me to the sheriff’s.”

  “All right. But we need to stop by the church first. I have to tell them we won’t be getting married tomorrow.”

  Jeff nodded and walked with her. “Actually, I should tell the pastor. Maybe he can give me some wisdom.”

  Diane looked at him and saw the burden Jeff carried. She was disappointed and hurt, but she’d stand by him. At least for now.

  Walking i
nside the church brought new tears to her.

  Jeff found the pastor and his wife Alice. “The wedding is off.”

  Alice turned and took Diane in her arms. “What happened? Is there anything I can do?”

  Diane shook her head.

  Pastor Cannon went to Jeff. “What’s the problem?”

  “My brother and father showed up late last night. They need to stay at my place, and I don’t trust them not to hurt Diane. I have to deal with them once and for all. Let them know I don’t want them around unless they can change.”

  The pastor gestured for them to sit in the pews.

  Jeff stared at his hands. “My family has been running wild and breaking the law for years. They dragged me into it until I left them. If it hadn’t been for the sheriff’s help, I’d still be with them.”

  Pastor Cannon nodded. “Do you need men to go home with you and help you make them leave?”

  “I feel like I have to do this myself, or they will always come back. I can’t let them ruin Diane’s life. And I am afraid they’d hurt her. They wouldn’t respect our marriage.”

  Alice held Diane’s hand. “They sound dangerous. I think you should take the sheriff with you. Family or not, when men turn a certain corner in their lives and have given themselves over to the evil one, they are dangerous and can’t be trusted.”

  “I’m going to talk to them tonight. After that, if they’re still there, I’ll have the sheriff run them off. Somehow, I have to get rid of them. What I won’t do is let them hurt the woman I love.”

  Alice looked at him. “But you are letting them hurt her. By not getting married, you are giving in to them. Yet, I understand you need some time to make it safe.”

  Diane nodded. “I understand, and I’ll stand by you. But not forever. I’ve already waited too long.”

  The clock in the back ticked ominously. Jeff took Diane’s hand. “Stay here with Alice. And finish decorating the church. Maybe I can convince them to leave.”

  Hope filled Diane, and she smiled at him. “Yes, I’ll be praying.”

  He took her hands in his and kissed them. “I’ll try.”

  ***

  Jeff left Diane with the pastor and his wife, hoping they could comfort her until he returned. And then he just hoped he could go back to her. He pushed the horse to a gallop, eager to get this over with.

  Just leaving them in his house alone for a few hours was bad enough. He tried to come up with what he was going to say. He needed to have them together where he could face them. He’d saddle them a couple of horses and give them money for supplies. Then tell them to be on their way and never come back. Yet, in his gut, he knew they’d always come back. Jeff was sure he’d see them again. This was his moment to cut them loose.

  As the youngest, he’d always followed along. Stolen little things at their insistence until his moral compass was damaged. Then that day, when Sheriff Taylor had found them out and given him money for supplies and a message to get the doctor to come out and care for his brother, something had changed in Jeff.

  He’d longed to be free from his father and brother and the wrongdoing they wallowed in, and that had given him the power. But like unholy leaches, they clung to him, trying to lure him back into the hard life of wickedness.

  Now, Jeff had reason to stay away from them. He’d been going to church with Diane. She was his anchor to live a good life. But Jeff knew that if he didn’t settle with his family, they would always come around and try to drag him down. If circumstances were bad enough, they’d win. He couldn’t let that happen with Diane.

  He stopped at the house and tied his horse. “Pa, Abel. We need to talk.” Jeff rushed in the house and saw evidence that they’d helped themselves to his food. The kitchen was a mess with flour strewn about the table and dirty pots on the stove.

  Worse was the whiskey bottles littered about the house.

  By the number of bottles, Jeff had a pretty good idea where he’d find them. He walked into his bedroom and found his pa on the bed and Abel on the floor.

  Angry, Jeff kicked Abel’s foot. “Get up.” Then he tugged on his father’s shoulder, knocked the bottle of whiskey over and winced as it flowed over his bed. “Get up, Pa.”

  Finally, the two of them sat up in their drunken stupor. “What do you want, boy?” Pa grinned, not even caring he was sitting in whiskey-soaked sheets.

  “We need to talk.”

  “Go ahead. Talk, boy. Abel and I were waiting for you to come back.” Pa laughed and punched Abel in the shoulder. “Get me another whiskey.”

  Abel struggled to get to his feet.

  Jeff pushed him down. “You’ve had enough.” Facing the two of them, Jeff shook his head. “I want you gone from here today. I’m getting married, and I won’t bring my wife home as long as you two are here.”

  Pa stood. “That’s no way to speak to your relations, boy. Congratulations on finding a wife. We won’t mind her being around, will we Abel?”

  Abel got to his feet. “No, sir. I saw her. Not the prettiest, but she is female.” He laughed in a wicked way.

  Jeff slapped him, knocking his brother down. “Don’t you ever laugh or even think about the woman I intend to marry in that way. If you ever touch her, I’ll shoot you. Mark my words.”

  Pa slugged him. “Don’t you talk to your brother that way. What’s yours is ours and vice versa.”

  “No, it isn’t. I want you out of here and out of Texas. I’ll give you enough money to get on a train and go.”

  Pa glared at him. “I taught you better, boy. We’re staying. We got money. And we know where to get more if we need it. You just better get used to it. It’s the family way. And go ahead and bring that gal here. She can cook and clean for us.”

  “Where’d you get that money?”

  “Not for you to know, boy. If I need to tell you, I will. That is unless you want to join us. Then we’ll cut you in.” Pa grinned at him.

  Never had Jeff noticed the evil in their eyes. Wickedness had taken them over, and he didn’t know how to fight them. Somehow, he needed to find where they’d stolen that money from.

  Jeff noticed the guns on the dresser. He started toward them when Pa yanked him back. “Get the guns, Abel. I don’t trust you, Jeff. For now, you’re going to tell me where you’re going. And when you want to go somewhere, I’ll send Abel with you.”

  “This is my land. I bought it with the money that I earned. Get out.”

  Pa slapped him. “I’m the boss here. You remember that.”

  Jeff thought of Diane and was thankful he’d not brought her into this mess. Somehow, he was going to get away. For now, he could pray. But that was about it. Abel had the guns in the house and had gone to put up Jeff’s horse.

  “Why don’t you clean up the kitchen. We made a bit of a mess. And then you can make us dinner.” His pa laughed a wicked mocking laugh.

  Chapter 16

  Adelaide let Angus lift her from the carriage and set her on the ground. “I better go see how Diane is doing.”

  Angus nodded. “I’m going to talk to the pastor right now. You’ve made me the happiest man in Texas, Addy.” He reluctantly let her hand go. “I’ll come right back if he says we can get married. Are you sure you want to?”

  “Yes. I’ll be praying. I’m going to run in and see what I can do to help Diane.” She took two steps and then ran back to Angus and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I love you.”

  Angus touched his cheek and grinned. “I love you too, Addy. I’ll be back as soon as I know.”

  She ran past Jennifer and up the stairs of the porch and flung open the door. “Diane, Claire, I’m getting married. Can you believe it? Old Spinster Adelaide is getting married.” Adelaide stopped in her tracks.

  Diane was sitting on the divan next to Claire, who was comforting her.

  “What’s wrong?” Adelaide went to Diane and sat on the other side of her. “Something bad didn’t happen—”

  “He’s not marrying me. Not tomorrow anyway
.” Diane looked at her through red, tearful eyes. “I’ll probably never get married. This is the second time he has left me.”

  Adelaide put an arm around Diane and looked at Claire.

  Claire nodded. “Jeff’s family moved in, and he doesn’t want her around them. He wants time to deal with his brother and father before he gets married.”

  “Oh, no. My poor Diane. Do you want me to go there and give them a piece of my mind along with my fist?”

  Diane gave a slight laugh. “Thanks for the picture. If I thought it would help, I’d go with you and beat on his brother and father. Jeff said he fears they have stolen money from somewhere. He’s afraid they will hurt me.”

  “Well, it’s a good thing that he’s looking out for you.” Adelaide patted her back.

  “But the church is all decorated, and there won’t be a wedding.” Diane sniffled into her hanky.

  Adelaide cleared her throat. “Well, Angus and I want to get married. We could use the church and the decorations if you don’t mind, that is.”

  Diane looked at her. “You and Angus? Getting married.” She hugged Adelaide’s neck. “I’m so happy for you. Yes, by all means, use the church and the decorations.”

  “I don’t want to make you sad, though.” Addy held Diane’s hand.

  “No, don’t worry about me. I believe that we will get married, but we have to wait until his family leaves. Jeff is sweet and doesn’t want to put me in danger.” Diane wiped her eyes and forced a smile.

  “Here I was thinking we’d have our wedding the same day. Angus and I don’t want to waste any more time alone. I really love him. And I can see it in his eyes that he loves me.”

  Diane looked at Jennifer, who had walked in and was sitting on the chair by the fireplace. “Did you enjoy getting out, Jennifer?”

  The woman nodded. “Yes, it was a lovely day. I can see that Adelaide and Angus are a perfect match.” Jennifer folded her arms and gave a soft smile.

  Adelaide looked at her. Jennifer had spoken in a normal voice. Not the sultry one she’d kept up most of the time they were in Angus’s house. Perhaps, she’d changed. Adelaide hoped so anyway.