by Annie Boone
Christina and Mitchell
Colorado Matchmaker Series Book 6
Annie Boone
Contents
Copyright
1. Susannah
2. Christina
3. Mitchell
4. Christina
5. Mitchell
6. Christina
7. Susannah
8. Christina
9. Mitchell
10. Susannah
11. Christina
12. Susannah
13. Mitchell
14. Christina
15. Susannah
16. Mitchell
17. Christina
Epilogue
It’s not quite the end!
Mary
Cade
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Copyright
Copyright 2018, Annie Boone and Sweet River Publishing
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, electronic or mechanical, without written approval by the author, except for short excerpts used in a book review.
All characters, places, events, businesses, or references to historical facts are fictitious and products of the author’s imagination. Any references to actual people, places, or events are purely incidental.
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1
Susannah
Christmas afternoon was as pretty as a painting. There was fluffy white snow in the mountains, across the fields, and on the window sills. Susannah Jessup leaned on the window frame and took another deep breath. It was simply refreshing. There was so much good to celebrate, and her heart was overflowing. Glancing up at the sky, she wondered if more snow would fall. Biting her lip, she tried to imagine anything more perfect.
“Silent night, holy night. This smells good, and all is light.” She smiled as Lucas wrapped his arms around her from behind. “Merry Christmas, Susie darling. I didn’t miss anything, did I?”
She rolled her eyes as he turned her around and kissed her forehead. This Christmas they’d prepared and planned to take goods to struggling families in Rocky Ridge. Though Susannah was supposed to go with him, she was recovering from a sprained ankle. Lucas had won the argument about her staying home to rest and prepare for their lunch party. Susannah let go of her disappointment as he bent down and picked her up.
Squealing in surprise, she grabbed his shirt and then laughed at his proud expression. His faded scar stretched beside his charming dimples and Susannah couldn’t help with a kiss as she wound her arms around his neck. “Did everything work out all right?” She asked him as he carried her across the room.
He sat her down and checked on her ankle. The swelling was down, but he treated it as carefully in his lap as he treated the baby chicks they’d had just the other month. “Of course, dear. The deliveries went perfectly and I rode straight home.”
Listening, she made a face when he poked her foot. “Ow! You can stop that, Lucas. And good. Thank you for doing that,” she grabbed his hand with a grin. “I only wish I could have seen their faces. Everyone deserves a happy Christmas.”
Chuckling, he leaned forward and gave her a kiss that made her blush. After all these years, he still knew how to make her heart skip a beat. Susannah curled up closer and sighed. He wrapped an arm around her as she suddenly yawned. “If you’re too tired,” he offered, “we don’t need to have a party.”
“What? No!” She straightened up. “No, I’m fine.” He raised an eyebrow at her and so Susannah clambered up to her feet. “See?” And then she tried not to wince.
He only rolled his eyes. “You’re too stubborn.”
Susannah was about to say something when there was a knock at the door. “They’re here! Lucas! Come, come!” She hobbled down the hall. He followed right behind her, and his long arm reached the doorknob first as the other wound around her hip. “Eleanor! Susie! Matthew! Come in, come in.”
“It’s good to see you, too,” Eleanor chuckled in the tight hug Susannah gave her. “But if you don’t mind, it’s chilly outside.” The ladies laughed as everyone piled into the house. After the hugs, Lucas wrapped a firm grip around Susannah’s waist again to work as a crutch. They shared a quiet look and she nudged him sweetly.
The Connors had just settled down when there was another knock where they found the Jensens there. Jeb was helping Rowena off with her jacket. “Merry Christmas!” She cried out and accepted a big hug from Susannah. Rowena’s large round belly was in the way, but no one minded.
“It’s been too long. But I’m certainly glad you could make it,” Susannah chuckled, ushering the couple in. “Jeb, I certainly hope you’ve been taking excellent care of these two?”
Jeb chuckled sheepishly, pulling off his hat as he hung up his wife’s cloak. “I wouldn’t dream of disappointing you. Or her,” he added with a wink to Rowena. “Which is why she should probably sit down now,” Jeb continued, and helped his wife to a comfortable seat.
The scent of cider and cinnamon wafted through the house as Susannah served her guests the delicious warm drinks. Eleanor and Matthew were retelling a silly story from their first Christmas as there was another knock at the door. Lucas stood to go, but Susannah set the platter down with a shake of her head. She was too excited to let the hobbling slow her down. The door opened to reveal the Jameses and the Thomases.
“Merry Christmas!” They all cried out together as if they’d planned the greeting.
Simon was holding the new baby, Joseph, and Susannah took him in her arms the moment she was done providing hugs. Olivia beamed at her husband and wandered inside as Wyatt stood over his wife protectively and helped her off with her jacket. “It’s good to see you, Susannah,” Selina murmured breathlessly. “My, it’s chilly today.”
“Chilly? It’s freezing,” Wyatt corrected her with a chuckle. “You’re wearing all three of your coats.” Only once they were taken off did the two women hug with baby Joseph between them.
Susannah stepped back and sized up the couple. They had only been wed a few weeks and their newlywed closeness was touching. “Oh, you two are just swell,” she murmured with a happy sigh. “Come in. We’re all here and I’ll bring out the food.”
Selina hurried after her once the babe was handed over to Lucas. “Let me help,” she offered. “I still know my way around the kitchen. What can I do tfo help?” And she was already grabbing an apron.
Twirling around in surprise, Susannah shook her head. “No, you don’t need to. Please, Selina, it’s time you enjoyed yourself. You should be out there with our friends. And the children,” she added brightly.
But the woman shrugged. “That’s all right,” Selina managed a tight smile. “Here, let me grab that. Besides, Wyatt and I… I mean, we do want a family. He wants children, I’m sure. But… I mean, I can wait, so that’s all right. I can help you.”
The words caught Susannah’s attention, or more the way the other woman was saying them. Frowning, she clutched the bowl of potatoes and studied her. “What’s going on?” She frowned. She set the food on the table and fixed two of the glasses before turning to Selina. “Is something the matter? You don’t sound as excited as, well, I thought a young woman would sound speaking about her future.”
Setting down napkins, the young woman pulled her braid back and sighed. “I will be, I’m sure. With time. Is it normal? Are all married women thrilled at the prospect of children
? That is, I would love to have one, especially with Wyatt. I only… well, I’ve never spent time with children.” As she talked, Selina began to pace, and Susannah realized it was a serious concern.
Yet it didn’t need to be. “Stop,” Susannah grabbed the woman by the arms carefully. Though the younger woman was much taller, her shy gaze made her appear small. Helping her into a seat, the blonde sighed. “A family is a beautiful and wonderful thing, whether it’s just the two of you or more. Even if you haven’t had much experience with children, that will come. And you have friends in the other room more than willing to teach you. A family should be taken seriously, but goodness Selina, you’re too young to worry about this.”
The young woman avoided her gaze. “Wyatt said the same thing. I just thought he was… well, Wyatt tends to be a little more hopeful than I am.”
Trying to imagine that, Susannah laughed. Wyatt was a serious man, used to a hard and dangerous life. In fact, they both were. But Rocky Ridge had become their home and they had found each other. “You two are silly, but you have a bright future ahead of you. And I doubt that children always come into our lives at the perfect moment. Keep that in mind.”
The girl hesitated and squeezed Susannah’s hand. “Can I ask you something? You and Lucas have never had any children, but you do so well with them. How do you know how to hold a baby and swaddle them? And the feeding. Oh my, how do you learn these things?”
It was the holidays and her heart was full. Susannah couldn’t resist wrapping the young woman in a tight hug. Selina hesitantly returned it. “You don’t,” Susannah told her finally. “You can’t know anything until you try.” She pulled away and grabbed the woman’s hands. “And for what it’s worth, I think you’d be a wonderful mother. Selina, you’re a sweet woman who is sensitive and strong. You just need to have faith in yourself. Now, go out there and meet Joseph. He has the softest hair, it’ll make you want to cry,” Susannah beamed and ushered the woman back out there.
She was nearly finished setting the table when Lucas strolled in. He walked with purpose, but paused to watch her walk. Susannah could feel his gaze on hers as she went limping back and forth. Usually he said something right away, but he didn’t do a thing. Finally, she stopped and crossed her arms. “You’re distracting me, Lucas,” she told him. “Are you going to help me or remain a hindrance?”
Running a hand through his dark hair, he finally blinked and refocused his gaze. “It’s a good Christmas, isn’t it?”
Susannah walked over and touched his cheek. “It’s a very good Christmas, Lucas. One of the best.” Standing on the tips of her toes, she kissed his cheek where her right hand had just been, hoping that might help. “You’re worried about the babies, aren’t you?”
His hesitation was enough and she sighed. It had made her nervous earlier that morning as well. Her husband looked wearier than usual and her heart went out to him as she squeezed his hands comfortingly. “Dear... It’s Christmas, and we’re surrounded by our friends. I’m happy and I know you’re happy too. What we have, Lucas, is enough. I promise,” she kissed his hands. They were rough and scarred from his years as a Ranger, and she loved every part of him.
Slowly he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. Her matchmaking venture was well underway and she was happy with her success so far. Though there had been hardships and complications, things had come together. And now, they were with good friends ready to celebrate the year and she was already looking forward to what the next year would bring.
“Good,” he murmured. “Let’s get this party started, then, shall we?”
2
Christina
It was a busy afternoon, and there probably wouldn’t be enough potatoes. Christina Bristol blew a strand of hair from her face and tied off a full sack before shifting it to her left. There, it sat on the wagon’s edge and waited for her Uncle Steven to come pick it up.
“How are you doing over here?” He arrived with a grin. “And I need three more.”
“Three?” She shook her head in disbelief and moved hurriedly to shift the boxes around to grab more. “Uncle! We’re down to five boxes. I knew we should have brought the last ten. Didn’t I say that? We could have sold them and I know they’re still green, but it would have been a profit. Why didn’t I put them on the wagon?”
Chuckling, the man stroked his beard and winked as he took the bags. “Because, dear, they wouldn’t fit in the wagon. You know, we’re finishing up but we could still use some help in the front of our stall. Why don’t you join your mother and start counting the change?”
The smile froze on her face as she was in the middle of shifting the boxes around. She could feel her jaw lock and Christina glanced around. It was a sunny day in the middle of winter at the town market. At this time of the year there wasn’t much for sale out here. But thanks to a few savvy tricks and a lot of hard work and commitment, they managed to have potatoes year around.
And though it was cold, there were still plenty of townsfolk out and about. People were talking and laughing and wandering everywhere. She recognized several faces. Now the idea of going out there made her stomach ache.
“I don’t know,” she began hesitantly. “These sacks need to be filled, and I’m not that good at counting. I’m sure Mother is doing fine without me.” She looked down at her hands. They were ungloved to better handle the potatoes and knew folks wouldn’t take kindly to them. They may not take kindly to her, either.
His gaze drifted down to her hands, too. He took both her hands and squeezed them with a grin so big it stretched from ear to ear. “Nonsense. A little fresh air will do you good. Don’t you worry about anyone. They don’t know what they’re saying most of the time anyway. Fill that sack and come help me take these to the Jeffersons, won’t you?”
The man was as friendly as he was stubborn. Christina obeyed and found herself climbing out of the wagon and into the sunlight. Snow crunched beneath her boots as she glanced around, squinting in the brightness. It was a lovely day, she acknowledged, and it would have been silly to let it pass her by untouched.
“All right,” she took a deep breath and gathered her courage. “Where is the Jefferson wagon?” She hefted her sack in her arms up, taking a deep breath as she looked around the area. After five steps out in the open, she could already feel the itch across her skin and the tingle on her spine.
Ignore it, she told herself. It doesn’t matter. Biting her tongue, Christina kept her gaze down and stared at the steps her uncle took as he stomped along. She copied, following in his steps to keep down the effort of creating a new path in the snow. Even then it was a struggle, and Christina tried her best to keep up with him.
“Here you are,” Uncle Steven proclaimed loudly. “This should last you for a while. All those kids of yours will be fed quite nicely, I think. If you need any new ideas of how to use these potatoes, my Ruby has a few good recipes she’d be happy to share with you. She’s quite inventive with potatoes, that woman!”
Mrs. Jefferson had been moving things around in their small cart, one with two wheels instead of four and it held very little. Her husband was ready to pay, and she turned to them with a big smile that faded when she noticed the younger woman.
Christina’s stomach dropped as well and immediately she ducked her head, turning it ever so slightly hoping her hair would fall down as a drape to hide her face. Holding up the sack higher than before, she used it as a barrier and peace offering. Mrs. Jefferson’s face tightened like she’d smelled something foul as she snatched the bag away from her. “Wonderful,” she scowled. “These’ll need an extra wash. Just in the cart, Mr. Ennis. That will be all.”
Christina shoved her hands into her coat pockets and turned away, moving as fast as she could without running. As Uncle Steven said farewell she returned to their stall. Heat climbed up her neck and spread across her cheeks as she kept her head low, and found herself bumping into her mother.
The tall willowy blonde grabbed her arm. “Th
ere you are, Christina. We could use your help. Do you mind picking up five pounds of pork at the butcher’s?” Jane Bristol was a beauty even though she was in her late thirties. Men still watched her in the street and she could charm her way through nearly anything. There was little, clearly, that Christina had in common with her mother.
The woman had told her she took after her father, in looks and gentle manners. It would have been nice, perhaps, if he had been around to prove this. But at the looks Christina received as she clutched the money in her hands and walked down the street, she wasn’t certain having here would be good. The two of them would never have been welcome in this town even with Jane to protect them.
Unable to deny her mother anything, Christina ducked her head again and grudgingly headed down the street. The afternoon was windy and blew her coal-black hair all about. She considered tying it into a comfortable braid, but they would still judge her whether it blew around her face or was shaved off.
“Just look at her,” she heard children murmuring by the schoolhouse. “The strange one. She’s not one of us.”
“Where did she come from? I heard she was raised by bears.”
Christina started to walk faster, further down the street. But the wind was strong and it still carried the voices her way. “You can’t trust people like her. They aren’t really people. They’re savages.”
“Mother says she isn’t allowed to play with fire, in case she burns their house down. And Father said she talks to horses. Just like the Apache. The Apache are devils, and so is she.”
