Snowflake Bride

by Jillian Hart

  “Who would give that away instead of fixing it?” Kate breathed incredulously.

  “I don’t know, but it’s about your size.” Scarlet held up the stunning dress, eyeing Ruby. “It just needs a little taking in.”

  “And that collar needs to be reset.” Lila examined the garment with her expert eye. “I could do it on Monday at the shop. I have the right needles and thread there to do it justice. Ruby, stand up straight.”

  “Me?” Shock silenced her as Lila held the dress up to her shoulders. The silk rustled luxuriously and was the finest fabric she had ever felt. The gown fell in a flowing, elegant cascade to the floor. Whoever wore this dress would feel like a princess.

  “Wow,” Kate breathed.

  “That color on you—” Scarlet didn’t finish her sentence because her jaw had dropped.

  “You’re beautiful, Ruby,” Earlee chimed in.

  “Not me.” She blushed. Honestly, what was wrong with her friends? Perhaps their normally good judgment was derailed from so much exertion in the bitter cold, which had somehow frozen their brains. She wasn’t sure how likely that was, but it was the only explanation she could come up with. She shrugged. “I’m just plain old me.”

  “You are not plain, Ruby,” Meredith argued. “I suspect a certain man doesn’t think you are either.”

  Of course her mind turned straight to Lorenzo. She prayed the soreness in her heart did not show on her face.

  “It’s settled, then.” Lila stepped back to fold up the garment. “The dress is yours.”

  “But I don’t need it. Where would I wear it?” She was a farm girl. It was who she was. Not a young woman who had the need for such finery.

  “You never know what God has in store.” Kate’s words radiated comfort and love and hope. “You have a secret admirer, Ruby. I know you are worried about losing your home, but the Lord’s timing is always perfect. Love can happen anytime. Don’t give up hope that your life can change for the better. I haven’t.”

  Tears bunched in her throat, making it impossible to speak.

  She understood how Kate felt about Lorenzo. She felt the same way.

  “Take the dress,” Earlee urged. “It will be perfect to wear to the Davis’s Christmas ball.”

  “Yes, there’s no telling whose eye you will catch,” Scarlet urged. “The new doctor seems taken with you.”

  It wasn’t the doctor she thought of.

  “Of course, Lorenzo will be there.” Kate sighed.

  “Yes, Lorenzo.” Scarlet filled up with so much longing, it spilled out, impossible to miss.

  You have no right to wish, Ruby Ann Ballard. Seeing the ardent hope in Scarlet’s eyes and knowing it was Lorenzo she loved made Ruby bow her head. She was a terrible friend, undeserving of their unconditional love. Miserable, she turned away, pretending to warm her fingers at the stove. Inside, she was ashamed. It felt as if she had betrayed Scarlet.

  The memory of her first day at the town school rushed back to her. Of the wobbly feel of her knees when she’d walked through the door, of the echoing sound of conversations and general disarray bouncing off the walls as she peered into the classroom. Her stomach had tied into knots with terror. She had never been around so many people. Where she’d lived before had always been terribly remote, so she hadn’t been prepared for such a crowd.

  By lunchtime she had friends. Real friends. Scarlet, Lila, Kate, Earlee, Meredith and Fiona had welcomed her with open arms and unconditional kindness, accepting her as she was. She loved them all dearly.

  Do the right thing, Ruby. No more wishing for Lorenzo. Not ever again.

  “I found them! A pair of good shoes.” Lila’s triumph echoed in the room. “Ruby, come see.”

  Chapter Eleven

  In three-part harmony, the last note of “O Come All Ye Faithful” ended, and Reverend Hadly congratulated them. “Well done, everyone. Have a safe journey home. We will see you all next time.”

  Finally. Lorenzo closed his song book, squared his shoulders and searched the crowd. He heard her before he saw her.

  “I can’t wait to get home.” Her dulcet voice somehow lifted quietly to him above all the din in the room. So dear to him, he couldn’t think of a more beautiful sound. The tussle of the crowd at the front pew, where the carolers deposited their books, faded into silence as he watched her sweep down the aisle, encircled by her friends.

  Did she like the gift he’d left for her? It hadn’t been easy to slip it into her coat pocket unnoticed. She had to know that it was from him, but she hadn’t glanced at him through the last half of practice. She didn’t turn to offer him a smile now.

  “I’m worried about Pa,” Ruby said. “I hope he warmed up the supper I left for him. When he’s troubled, he tends to forget to eat.”

  Dazzled, he watched the fall of lamplight as it swept over her, danced in her light hair and worshiped the ivory splendor of her face. He had it bad for her. No use denying it. But at least he knew what stood in his way. Ruby’s duty to her family came first. He understood and admired it. His heart tugged him along, taking him forward, toward her. It was as if he had no say.

  Not that he minded.

  “Lorenzo?” His name came from a far-off distance. He blinked, shook his head, only to see James walking beside him, looking puzzled. “Is everything all right?”

  “Sure. Sorry. My mind was somewhere else.”

  “I can tell.”

  Ruby might always be at the center of his thoughts, so he would have to learn how to live with it. “What were you saying?”

  “Listening to Narcissa talk, you two are going to the ball together. True or not true? I thought you weren’t interested in her like that.” James grinned, full of trouble. “Hey, don’t scowl. I came to warn you.”

  “Me, too.” Luken caught up to them grinning. “I heard it from Narcissa myself.”

  “I’m not bowing to family pressure this year.” It took all his effort to keep from searching for Ruby in the dispersing crowd. Ruby, who’d stolen his heart. “I’m not taking Narcissa. End of story.”

  “That’s what I thought, but it’s good to hear.” Luken blew out the breath he’d been holding. “I don’t want to go after someone you’re interested in—”

  “I’ve never been interested in Narcissa.”

  “Well, I am.” Luken grinned again.

  “Who are you kidding? You’re never going to beau her.” James shook his head. “She is out of your reach.”

  “Still, it wouldn’t hurt to try to win her. You never know.” Luken squared his shoulders, maybe hiding the pain of unrequited love.

  Lorenzo knew exactly how that felt. Needing to see her, he snatched his coat off the wall peg and shrugged into it, heading toward the door. Exceptionally icy air met him as he shouldered outside, buttoning as he went. The instant his gaze found her at one of the hitching posts, the tension coiling within him calmed. Contentment wrapped around his soul like grace.

  Love was too weak of a word. He was no longer simply in love with Ruby. He was committed to her. Devoted. Captured one hundred percent.

  Departing carolers plowed through the snow on the streets while others untied their horses at the hitching posts. Lanterns flared to life, swinging alongside the dashes of sleighs. But above it all, the music of her presence sang to him. As he trudged along, he noticed every dear thing she did. The brush of her mittened fingertips along her horse’s nose, the knot she made worse when she tried to untie the reins with one hand and the crinkle of frustration that furrowed into her forehead.

  Cute. He intended to march right over there and help her out, but someone cut in front of him. Another man appeared out of the shadows.

  “Here, Miss Ruby, let me.” Walt Hathaway took the knotted reins before the young lady could accept or protest. She gazed up at him in shy surprise while her friends, busy boarding sleighs and untying horses, exchanged knowing looks.

  The new doc was interested in Ruby? Lorenzo’s feet froze to the ground. He stared in sh
ock as Walt untangled the knot and presented Ruby with the reins, talking with her warmly.

  Unbearable pain hammered into him, radiating heartbreak through his rib cage like a mortal blow. His knees buckled, and he blindly reached out. His fingers wrapped around something solid and icy, a hitching post, fighting just to breathe. He watched as Ruby smiled up at Hathaway, her sweetness beaming.

  Something tugged at his hat brim. Poncho nibbled with his whiskery lips and gave a nicker of comfort. Chocolate-brown eyes met his, and the horse’s caring was unmistakable. He rubbed the gelding’s cheek, thankful for the friendliness.

  “See you later,” Luken called out as he headed off down the street.

  “Bye.” He waved to James, too, who had mounted up on his fine buckskin. The wind gusted hard, driving an arctic chill straight into his bones. It was a brutal night. Although the snow had stopped, dark clouds blanketed the sky blotting out all sign of heavenly light. He forced his attention on loosening the knot that held Poncho to the post, hands shaking. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched as Hathaway chuckled, and Ruby’s soft laughter joined his.

  What if she left with Walt? He swallowed hard, trying to tamp down the pain that rose in his throat. He stumbled into his sleigh, plopping on the seat. What if Ruby let the doctor see her home?

  I could lose her. He shook out the driving robes, but they were as frigid as the night and offered no relief. His soul felt cold, and he glanced over his shoulder, dreading what he would see. Not that he’d ever really had Ruby. He held no claim on her heart.

  It was Ruby’s choice, after all, whom she would love. If she would love at all. The thought of losing her, of not having the hope of her in his future, crushed him.

  “Good night.” Ruby’s soft farewell drew his attention. As she fit her shoe into Solomon’s stirrup, he wanted to be the one who held her elbow to support her into the saddle. He wished to be the one who handed her the reins, to be the recipient of her bashful smile. “I will take better care of my splint. No more snowball fights.”

  “Not until your wrist is healed.” Walt was the fortunate man who waved her off, watching as the horse plodded down the icy street with the clink, chink of steel shoes.

  Loving Ruby was a perilous thing. He didn’t know what dangers lay ahead for his heart. She rode away, a willowy slip of a thing huddled in the saddle. He wasn’t the only man who didn’t notice the cold, who could not tear his gaze from the woman on her horse. The fringe of her scarf caught on the rising wind, flickering behind her.

  Whether or not he eventually won her hand or Walt did, or she decided she wouldn’t part from her family, one thing was sure. He would always want her happiness, always fight for it, always pray for it. He would do anything he could to improve her life.

  Take what You will from me, Lord, if You can give it to her. His prayer came from the most honest of places in his soul. He thought he felt heaven’s hand on his shoulder as he snapped the reins. As Poncho leaped into action, he knew what he had to do.

  The night prairie gleamed darkly, as luminous as a black pearl. Rich tones of ebony, onyx and charcoal glossed the miles of snow all around her. Ruby clenched her jaw tight to keep her teeth from chattering. She tipped her head to peer up at the purple-black shadows of the Rocky Mountains standing guard at the edge of the high Montana plains. Darkly velvet clouds tumbled across the sky like unrolled bolts of quilt batting.

  So beautiful. She savored the wonder, cherishing the hush of the sleeping landscape, the lonely rush of the wind and the faint scent of wood smoke from some distant chimney. Concentrating on God’s handiwork kept her mind off the fact that she was practically frozen solid as Solomon plodded along. The shivery ride home was worth the fun evening. The joy from being with her friends sustained her like a fire on a hearth and she didn’t feel the cruel winds overly much as her mind went back over the treasured evening.

  Singing alongside Kate and Scarlet, the snowball battle, her friend’s cheerful help sorting through the donation barrel. Something that had always hurt her sensibilities had become bearable because of her friends. She was grateful for the nearly new shoes tucked into Solomon’s saddlebags along with the winter coat she’d found for Pa—a perfect Christmas gift. Love for her friends burned like a candle in the dark, chasing away all her sorrows.

  Thank You, Father, for this time with them. It would not last much longer, she feared. She fought the rending in her heart at the thought of being separated from her dear friends. And from Lorenzo, she realized, gasping at the anguish slicing through her like the frigid wind.

  Even if she could no longer wish for him, her heart still wanted him.

  Solomon stumbled in the thick snow, jerking her out of her thoughts. She gasped, fearful for him, but he kept going, laboring along like a trouper. What a good horse.

  “I’m sorry, my friend. I hadn’t thought how hard this late evening trip would be on you.” She leaned forward in the saddle and wrapped her arms as far around his neck as she could. He was breathing so hard. He managed a small whicker of reassurance, as if to say he didn’t mind. She did. What a good old friend he was.

  Somewhere behind her, a soft chime rose above the prairie’s quiet and became the ring of steeled horse hooves. Alone and in the dark, she twisted in the saddle to glance along the long, lonely stretch of road. There was nothing but a faint blur of movement, as shadowed as the landscape, nothing more substantial than a dream. Slowly the dream took on shape and substance as it loomed closer.

  A big, dark horse broke out of the night. Poncho neighed a cheerful greeting as he picked up his pace. Chink, chink! went his hooves as he pranced closer. Nervousness kicked through her veins. Where Poncho went, his master followed.

  “Hey, Ruby.” Lorenzo pulled up alongside Solomon, his words rising in great clouds of fog in the frigid air. Tucked in the vehicle behind several layers of warm robes, he was nearly lost in the darkness.

  “What are you doing here?” She stared at him, not quite believing. “You live in the opposite direction.”

  “Yes, I reined Poncho toward home, but he ignored me completely, took charge of the bit and brought me here. He tends to have a mind of his own.”

  “He ran away with you?” As if she believed that. “If he was a runaway, he is going awfully slow. I would expect a madcap dash at the very least.”

  “It’s the weather. The ice slows him down.” He shifted on the seat so she could see the hook of a grin at the corners of his mouth.

  “Yes, I can see the danger you’ve been in.” She eyed the gelding plodding along, a few paces ahead of Solomon, ears swiveling as if to take in every word being said. “I’m relieved you’ve been able to seize control again.”

  “Me, too. It was a near thing. I may have to punish him. Maybe a whipping.”

  Poncho blew out his breath, rattling his lips scornfully.

  “Yes, I’m sure that will happen.” She suspected there wasn’t a more pampered horse in the entire territory.

  “It’s pretty cold to be on the back of a saddle, isn’t it?”

  “It is a bit chilly. I don’t mind.”

  “Your teeth are chattering.”

  “Only because I have to unclench them to talk with you.” She drew Solomon to a stop. “What are you doing here?”

  “I told you. It was Poncho’s idea. He must be concerned about you and Solomon and wants to offer you a ride.”

  “Poncho does?” She knew the truth, thinking of the gift she’d also tucked in a saddlebag. She couldn’t help the sweet longing lifting through her. Lorenzo had come to see her safely home. She knew what it was like to sit on that cushioned seat snug beneath those warm blankets with the steel of Lorenzo’s arm pressed to hers. Scarlet’s face flashed before her eyes, she imagined her father alone and homeless, and those images stopped her.

  She’d given up on those dreams. She straightened her spine, determined to keep things light. It would be easier to send him on his way, easier on her heart. “So, Poncho came all
this way in the harsh weather simply because of concern for me?”

  “He’s stubborn like that. Once you are Poncho’s friend, you’re a friend for life. He watches out for you.”

  “I suppose he doesn’t like taking no for an answer.”

  “This terror? I try never to say no to him. There’s no telling what he would do.”

  “Yes, I would live in fear.” She laughed; she couldn’t help it. Poncho arched his neck proudly, as if enjoying his reputation.

  “It must be hard for Solomon to break a path through this new accumulation. Or maybe it’s the cold.” Lorenzo climbed out and tucked the robes back into place to hold in the heat. “He looks pretty winded.”

  “I know. I’m worried about him. He’s not as young as he used to be.” Solomon quivered in the bitter wind. Poor fella. She patted his neck, wishing she could do more. “I didn’t realize it would get so cold tonight. I better keep moving. I don’t want him to get chilled.”

  “He’s shaking harder.” He placed his hand on the gelding’s flank. “Easy, fella. Hop down, Ruby, and let me take a look at him.”

  Her hand caught his and peace descended on him like grace. He helped her from the saddle, her weight light and sweet in his arms for one too-brief moment before gravity intervened. Her shoes sank in the deep snow, and he had to let her go.

  Did he see a plea in her eyes? It was hard to read her in the inky darkness where secrets were easy to keep. The wind gusted meanly, growing colder by the second. Ruby’s teeth chattered, and she spun out of his hold to rub Solomon’s graying face.

  “My sweet boy.” Her expression crinkled with concern. “I should have gone straight home tonight instead of heading to town.”

  “No one expected the temperature to fall like this. You couldn’t know.” He worked fast, untying Solomon’s heavy winter blanket rolled behind the saddle, removed the saddle before covering the gelding snugly. Solomon shivered harder. Not a good sign.

  “We’d best keep him moving.” He stowed the saddle in back of the sleigh. “It will be easier going for him in the broken trail behind us.”