Love Inspired Historical November 2015

by Linda Ford

  She smiled against his shirtfront. These were exactly the words she wanted to hear. She stayed in the shelter of his arms for the space of two heartbeats, then pushed back enough to look into his face. “Nate, for too long I’ve tried to hold on to the past when what I really wanted all the time was to share a future with you. I love you. I don’t want to end our marriage. We’ll work out something. All that matters is we are together.”

  “Louise, my wife and joy.” He bent his head and claimed her lips and the love she freely gave.

  She clung to him, unwilling to end the kiss. Only Chloe’s demanding cries gave her the strength to draw back.

  “Let’s go find that demanding child of ours,” he said. “I think it will take both of us to raise her.”

  They joined the others in the living room and Louise took her baby from Missy and sat in the rocking chair. Nate pulled a chair close to them and draped his arm about her shoulders.

  *

  Nate watched Louise and Chloe, feeling as if he’d finally reached home, even though he had nothing to offer them but his love. For now it was enough that Louise loved him. Together, they would face the future. He’d be happy to live in a hovel so long as they could be together, but despite what she’d always said, Louise deserved so much more. She’d told him stories of how she and her father had lived in tents, in tar-paper shacks, and she hadn’t cared so long as she could stay with her pa. Still, he wanted to give her a proper home.

  “Does anyone know what day it is?” Eddie asked.

  Linette smiled sweetly. “Christmas Eve Day.”

  Grady, who played with an assortment of carved animals, jumped up and stared at Linette, his eyes wide with expectation. “It is. Does that mean that tomorrow is Christmas Day?”

  Linette nodded.

  “Then where’s the tree?”

  Eddie feigned surprise. “Why, I almost forgot about a tree. I guess we better remedy that right now. Who would like to help me find one?”

  “Me. Me.” Grady jumped up and down.

  “Get your warm clothes on.”

  The two of them departed.

  “I have a few things to take care of for tomorrow,” Linette said. Missy followed her to the kitchen.

  Nate turned to Louise. “I’m afraid I have nothing for you for Christmas.”

  “But you do.” She stroked his cheek, turning his insides all warm.

  “What?”

  “You’ve given me the best present I could ever want. Your love. I need nothing else.” She smiled. “Though I certainly appreciate the Bible you gave me.” She lowered her eyes. “I’m afraid I have nothing for you.”

  He chuckled. “You’ve given me a double present.” He tucked his finger under her chin. “You’ve given me a wife and a child. That’s most generous of you.” A sudden horrible thought scalded his mind. “Or am I being presumptuous? This is Gordie’s baby. Do you want her raised to think of me as something other than her pa?”

  She placed the baby in Nate’s arms. “Chloe, meet your pa. I know he will love and protect you all the days of your life. You will always be safe with him.” She lifted her gaze to him. “Nate, this is your daughter. I give her to you.”

  He didn’t consider himself a man given to tears, but lo and behold, if two didn’t trail toward his chin.

  Louise wiped them away. “I love you both so much.” She leaned toward him so he could kiss her without crushing the baby.

  An hour later, Grady and Eddie dragged a pine tree through the door. Eddie brought a bucket of dirt and they set the tree up in the corner next to Linette’s chair. They all sat back and enjoyed watching Eddie and Grady decorate the tree. They even popped corn and strung it.

  By the time they were done, it was time for bed. Nate thought of returning to the bunkhouse, but he couldn’t bear the thought of being so far from Louise.

  Eddie grinned at him. “I’m sure no one would object if you want to spend the night with your wife. Linette, could you give them more bedding?”

  “I already put more in Louise’s room.” The two women smiled at each other as if they shared a secret.

  “Then I suggest we turn in.” Eddie waited for the guests to depart before he lowered the lamps.

  In their room, Nate looked at Louise. “I only intend to stay with you and Chloe like we’ve been doing.”

  She came to him and wrapped her arms about him, pressing her face to his neck. “I have loved you a long time.”

  “Sure wish you’d told me,” he groused good-naturedly.

  “Me, too. But maybe I had to go through all those things to be ready to love and be loved.”

  “And I suppose I needed to grow up a bit.”

  They laughed together softly at the pretend regret in his voice.

  He spread his bedroll next to the narrow bed and fell asleep with her hand in his.

  It was still dark the next morning when Grady called at the top of his lungs, “Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Get up, everybody. It’s Christmas.”

  Nate opened his eyes and met Louise’s gaze. He smiled, his heart full of joy. “My wife, it is Christmas Day.”

  “Merry Christmas, my husband.” They dressed quickly, and he carried Chloe out to join the others as they watched Grady open presents.

  The morning passed in a pleasant glow. One after another, the others on the ranch joined them. Cookie and her husband, Bertie. Cassie and Roper and their four children. Jayne and Seth. Sybil and Brand. From the nearby ranches came Abel and Mercy and the twins, Allie and Ladd. Grace and Ward joined them along with her sister, Belle, and his mother and brother. The newlyweds, Blue and Clara, and her two girls came from town to join the celebration.

  They were all in the sitting room, a crowd of noisy children and talkative adults, when a knock came on the door.

  “Who could that be?” Linette asked. “Everyone is here.”

  Eddie pushed to his feet. “Only one way to find out.” He pulled open the door. “Howdy, stranger, what can I do for you?”

  “I hear you help people.”

  “We do if we can.”

  Every eye had turned to the doorway, where a man stood bundled in winter clothes.

  “Then perhaps you’d let us spend Christmas with you. Me and these two children.” He drew forward a boy and girl. The boy looked to be about Grady’s age, the girl somewhat younger, with eyes so big and solemn it made Nate want to rush over and console her.

  Linette joined her husband at the door. “You’re most welcome to stay here as long as you need. It’s Christmas. Please join us.”

  He introduced himself as Wade Snyder and the children as his niece and nephew. “Annie and Joey.”

  Linette took their coats and scarves. The children clung to their uncle’s side for some time before they edged over to join Grady and the group of children who played in one corner of the room.

  Linette, Louise and the other women hurried to the kitchen to take care of the meal. Soon the adults crowded around the table in the dining room while the children sat at the kitchen table.

  Louise smiled and ducked her head as if she didn’t want anyone to see her joy-filled expression. Nate hoped she was comforted by the evidence she and Missy weren’t the only ones seeking refuge at the Eden Valley Ranch. He didn’t mind a bit that he was forced to sit so close to Louise that they continually bumped elbows.

  Again a knock sounded.

  Linette chuckled. “More company.”

  Eddie opened the door. “Hi, Rufus. Come on in and join the fun.”

  “Thanks, but I got to get back. Petey and Prudence are home alone and my sister annoys Petey something fierce. I got a message for Slim. Is he here?”

  Nate heard his nickname and went to the door. “Howdy.”

  “Thought you’d come round to see me when you got to town.”

  Nate didn’t see any reason to point out there was no use once he’d heard Mountain Mike had gone.

  Rufus went on without Nate’s reply. “Mike said to say he
was sorry he couldn’t wait for you. That man gets real nervous if the thinks it might snow and keep him from getting back to his precious cabin.”

  “Uh-huh.” Did the man come all the way out here on Christmas Day to tell everyone that?

  “I told him why you wanted to see him. He said he could take care of it without waiting for you.” Rufus pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket. “This here is the deed to the ranch. All signed legal-like. Mike says he’ll be back in the spring and you can pay him then. All of it or part. Whatever you can.” He handed the papers to Nate, bid goodbye to one and all, and left.

  Nate stared at the paper. With unsteady hands he unfolded it and saw the land description and Mike’s signature. All it needed was Nate’s signature, and he’d add that and get Eddie to witness it.

  Eddie clapped him on the back. “Now, that’s a Christmas present to remember.”

  Nate’s shock wore off and he laughed, waving the paper over his head. “I just got me a ranch.” He stood in front of Louise. “I just got us a home.” He pulled her to her feet. “Mrs. Hawkins, you and I have a home of our own.” And before she could protest, he kissed her in front of the whole crowd.

  As they clapped, the adults gathered around to congratulate him and shake his hand, to wish them both all the best.

  He held Louise at his side. He had all the best with or without the ranch. He had Louise and Chloe.

  As they returned to the table, Nate could not remember a better Christmas.

  Epilogue

  “Wait here,” Nate said as they stood before the cabin that was to be their first home. He carried Chloe and her cradle inside and put them down, then came back and scooped Louise into his arms.

  “What are you doing?” She wrapped her arms about his neck. He could take her anywhere, do anything he wanted, she was that happy to be with him, facing a shared future.

  “We’ve done everything else backward, but I want to do this right.” He crossed the threshold and lowered her to her feet but kept his arms around her.

  “I have something for you.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a ring and slipped the golden band on her finger. “With this ring I thee wed.” His eyes brimmed with love. “Welcome home, Mrs. Hawkins.” He kissed her, a kiss full of promise and possibility.

  She kissed him back, silently pledging him her love and care for as long as she lived.

  Then she turned around in his arms to look at their new home. “It’s perfect.”

  “It sure looks a lot better than it did a few weeks ago.”

  “We couldn’t have done it without help.” Eddie had sent some of the cowboys over. The couples had come and washed and scrubbed and repaired until the place was like new.

  Missy had helped make new curtains for the windows. She’d announced she wished to stay at Eden Valley Ranch and help Linette, and Louise couldn’t find it in her heart to object. At least she’d be safe at the ranch. If only they would receive word that Vic had been captured. The Mounties’ assurance the man would be found provided her with a modicum of relief.

  Louise had insisted she alone would make the quilt for their bed in the little bedroom. She’d sewn each stitch with love and prayers that God would grant them many happy years and many children.

  Nate had made the table where they would share their meals and good conversation at night. She’d discovered he liked reading aloud and she had spent many pleasant hours knitting things for Chloe while he read her books from Eddie’s vast library. She looked forward to many more pleasant evenings around this table in the weeks left before spring came and he got busy with cattle.

  The sun shone through the sparkling windows, filling the room with rays of light.

  One of the rays crossed Chloe’s face and she gurgled at it.

  Nate went and scooped up the baby, who favored him with a toothless smile.

  “She’s the prettiest little girl ever.” He pulled Louise into his arms. “Looks like her mama.”

  “What do you mean? I have all my teeth.”

  They laughed together. Over the past few weeks they had found many things to laugh about.

  Most of all, though, they found their love went deep, and each day Louise enjoyed dipping a little deeper into that love.

  She lifted her face for a kiss. “I love you, Nate Hawkins,” she whispered before his lips claimed hers.

  For now and for always.

  *

  Dear Reader,

  How precious is the birth of a baby. Even in the midst of storms and turmoil, the cry of a newborn evokes tenderness and hope. And what better Christmas gift than a baby? I have a daughter born on Boxing Day. She doesn’t think it’s a good time to have a birthday, but think about it. Don’t all the things we wish for at Christmas—joy and love and peace—promise to come true in the birth of a child?

  In this story, I wanted the birth of little Chloe to change the hero and heroine, making them see what mattered in their lives.

  This is a work of fiction, but I have used bits and pieces of real life discovered in my research. For instance, Kamoose Taylor, his hotel and his rules are real.

  I love to hear from my readers. You can contact me at www.lindaford.org where you’ll find my email address and where you can find out more about me and my books.

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Historical title.

  You find illumination in days gone by. Love Inspired Historical stories lift the spirit as heroines tackle the challenges of life in another era with hope, faith and a focus on family.

  Enjoy four new stories from Love Inspired Historical every month!

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  ISBN-13: 9781460388976

  A Baby for Christmas

  Copyright © 2015 by Linda Ford

  All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

  ® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and in other countries.

  www.Harlequin.com

  Mother for His Children

  Single father Shane McCoy has his hands full trying to run a ranch while raising two-year-old twins. His children clearly need a mother’s guiding hand. An encounter with a lovely stranger on a train platform offers an unconventional answer to his predicament when she suggests a marriage of convenience.

  Tessa Spencer needs a fresh start far from her con man father’s schemes. His latest scrape has made her the target of a vengeful outlaw. Shane’s isolated ranch provides refuge, and his children easily win Tessa’s affections. But as her checkered past resurfaces, only honesty and trust will make this family Christmas the first of many…

  “Why don’t we get married?” Tessa declared.

  They’d be here all afternoon if she waited on Shane to decipher her hints. “We already know each other. Sort of.
And you said it yourself before. We each have something the other needs.” Before he could speak, she rushed ahead. “No one could take the place of your first wife, I’m sure.”

  Something flashed across his face, an emotion she couldn’t read. “I wouldn’t expect anyone to.”

  “It’s what you said,” Tessa went on, relieved they were finally speaking on the same topic. “Things are different out West. Marriages are arranged for practical reasons. We’re simply being practical.”

  “I just want to get this straight,” he said, not appearing at all eager. “You’re saying we ought to get married? You and me?”

  Her enthusiasm deflated, and she pressed two fingers against her temple. This had seemed much more logical back in the marshal’s office. Sitting here before Shane, trying to think of a good way to convince him that she was the perfect choice for a bride, nothing seemed clear.

  Covering her unease, she snapped, “Of course you and me!”

  Now that the words were out, her courage fled.

  Sherri Shackelford is an award-winning author of inspirational books featuring ordinary people discovering extraordinary love. A reformed pessimist, Sherri has a passion for storytelling. Her books are fast-paced and heartfelt with a generous dose of humor. She loves to hear from readers at sherri@sherrishackelford.com. Visit her website at sherrishackelford.com.

  Books by Sherri Shackelford

  Love Inspired Historical

  Winning the Widow’s Heart

  The Marshal’s Ready-Made Family

  The Cattleman Meets His Match

  The Engagement Bargain

  The Rancher’s Christmas Proposal

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com.

  SHERRI

  SHACKELFORD

  The Rancher’s

  Christmas Proposal

  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

  —Philippians 1:6

  To my editor, Tina James, because she can work miracles with even the most disjointed manuscripts. Even though I’m convinced that each book I turn in will end my career, she always manages to dig out a little magic. And sometimes she has to dig really, really deep.