by Regina Scott
She couldn’t seem to move, but Levi caught the lawman’s arm. “Join us, Hart. There’s plenty of food and a dance tonight.”
The deputy pulled back to slip his hat on his short-cropped dark hair. “I’m on duty today so the sheriff can be home with his family. I best keep riding.”
“At least let us send you with some food,” Levi insisted. Turning, he called across the hall. “Beth! Can you bring the deputy a bag of those cookies we brought up here?”
McCormick backed toward the door. “There’s no need.”
“Nonsense.” Levi went to help his sister.
Callie eyed the deputy. He was shifting from foot to foot as if he couldn’t wait to get out into the snow. It seemed gold wasn’t the only thing that drew men.
Beth came up with a cookie and held it out stiffly to the deputy. “Here you go. Safe travels.”
Where was the generous Beth Callie had come to admire? Surely she didn’t begrudge the man a few cookies.
He hastily removed his hat again and inclined his head, though his gaze never left Beth’s face. “Thank you, ma’am, and merry Christmas.”
Beth thawed. “Merry Christmas to you, too, Deputy.”
Levi had come up behind her. Now he grinned, pointing above their heads. “And look who got caught under the kissing bough this time, Beth.”
Beth and the deputy glanced up, faces blanching. Then they scrambled away from each other. The lawman backed for the door as if he didn’t trust any of them not to draw on him if he took his eyes off them. The door slammed shut behind him.
“Time for another game!” Beth declared, dashing back to the rest of her family with just as much determination.
“Why does Beth dislike him?” Callie asked Levi.
Levi was watching his sister. “I don’t know. Beth used to think him a fine fellow, even made cow eyes at him when she was a girl. I wonder what changed.”
So did Callie, but she had no chance to ask her friend as the afternoon progressed. All the Wallins stayed together, enjoying the fellowship, until the shadows lengthened outside once more. Then one by one the families walked back to their homes to prepare for the dance that night. An older couple who were neighbors were coming to care for the children. Callie had barely reached the door of the parsonage before Beth swooped in beside her.
“Oh, no, you don’t,” she proclaimed. “All the ladies are getting ready at my cabin. You are coming with me.”
“But Mica,” Callie protested. “Frisco and Sutter.”
Levi smiled. “I’ll see to them. You go and have fun.”
She wasn’t sure how much fun it would be watching the others getting dressed. After all, she was already wearing the nicest dress she’d ever owned. But she’d seen how hard Beth had worked to make Christmas special. If she could help Levi’s sister now, she would.
Callie touched Beth’s arm. “All right, but first, come inside with me. I have something for you.”
Beth’s eyes lit, and she followed Callie into the parsonage. Callie led her to the bedroom and went to her mother’s pack. Beth smiled down at the chest at the foot of the bed.
“I remember when Drew carved this for Levi.”
Callie glanced up. “Your brother made that?”
Beth nodded. “Pa carved one for him, Simon and James when they turned twelve. He passed away when John was ten. Drew carved the chests for the rest of us. The salmon is perfect for Levi. They travel far to the sea, you know, but they always come back to where they were born.”
“I guess salmon are prodigals, too,” Callie said, fingers closing around what she was seeking.
Beth was looking at her oddly as Callie rose, and something inside her fluttered as she held out her mother’s comb.
“Merry Christmas, Beth,” she said.
Beth took it, gazed down at it. Callie could scarcely breathe.
“It’s beautiful,” Beth murmured. She flung her arms around Callie and hugged. “Thank you!”
“It was Ma’s,” Callie confessed, leaning back. “Pa got it for her the first time he found some gold. It’s from the inside of a shell.” What, was she babbling now?
Beth stroked the iridescence. “Are you sure you want to part with it?”
Suddenly, she was. “Yes. I want to wish my dearest friend a merry Christmas.”
Tears sparkled in Beth’s deep blue eyes. “Oh, Callie. I’m so glad we’re friends.” She reached out and seized Callie’s hand. “Now, come on! I have a surprise for you, too.”
Beth should have been exhausted after all her exertions. Instead, she hummed to herself as she led Callie down the hill and around the main cabin to the path through the woods to her house. It was a neat little cabin, with boxes under the windows and a wide front porch, where a lamp was burning. Beth climbed the stairs and opened the door.
All of Levi’s sisters-in-law were clustered near the hearth, their skirts so full Callie could hardly make out the table behind them. Gowned in shiny taffeta and soft velvet, they had lace draping their shoulders and hems. She could almost hear her father’s voice. Such fine clothes. All that was missing was the big house and servants.
“You’re already dressed,” Callie said with a look to Beth, who dimpled.
“Surprise,” Nora said with a smile.
“We are here to help you dress,” Catherine explained.
“Something special for your first Christmas with us,” Dottie agreed.
“There’s nothing like feeling yourself a princess,” Rina put in, “if only for a little while.”
A princess? They separated to give her a clear view of the table. On it lay a dress of lustrous blue that glowed in the lamplight. Midnight blue velvet made a diamond pattern along the hem and V-neck. Callie wandered closer, put out a hand to touch the soft fabric, then pulled back. This was for her? “I couldn’t.”
“You can,” Beth insisted. “We all pitched in to sew it for you, based on Nora’s measurements. And there’s more.”
Callie didn’t know whether to feel like a princess or a doll as they helped her out of the plaid dress and into the blue. Catherine produced slippers to match, bending to help Callie try them on. The dainty satin shoes were only the slightest bit loose. Rina tucked pearl-studded combs into Callie’s hair. Beth draped a white wool shawl over her shoulders. Seeing herself in Beth’s looking glass, Callie could hardly believe her eyes.
“I’m beautiful,” she said, staring at the reflection.
The others gathered around her, smiling their agreement.
“Yes, you are,” Beth said, dusting a stray hair off Callie’s shoulder. “But you were already. We just shined up the silver.”
Callie whirled and hugged her tight. “Thank you.”
They all murmured their delight as she embraced them in turn.
Beth hurried to change as well, then they all set out. Callie wore her boots as far as the hall, careful to keep the hem of the dress from touching the ground. Once inside, Beth directed her to the back of the room, where benches had been set up, and Callie changed into her new slippers. Her fingers were shaking again as the room grew more crowded with all the Wallins and their friends and neighbors.
Beth caught her arm. “There’s Levi. Come on.”
She was glad for Beth’s insistence, for she couldn’t seem to make her slippers move. They felt so light on her feet after the heavy boots, yet each step was like walking through wet snow. What would he think of her now?
She was only a few feet away when he spotted her. He froze, staring. Callie stopped, swallowed. Then he smiled, and she knew whatever Beth and the others had done, it had been worth the price.
For the first time in her life, she felt beautiful inside and out, and she wasn’t afraid to show it.
* * *
Levi couldn’t take h
is eyes off Callie. The dress outlined her figure, brought color to her cheeks. Her hair gleamed as brightly as the pearls holding it back. He hardly knew he had moved until he found himself standing right in front of her. She gazed up at him as if searching for something in his face. Anyone looking at him would know he was besotted.
“Ahem.”
Beth stood beside them, foot tapping under her pink skirts. She pointed over Levi’s head. He didn’t need to glance up to know he and Callie were standing under the kissing bough.
“Merry Christmas, Callie,” he murmured, bending to brush his lips against her cheek. She trembled as he pulled away, and a similar tremor shook him.
“Well?” Beth demanded, hands on hips. “What are you waiting for? Go and dance.”
Bemused, he took Callie’s arm and led her out onto the floor.
For the first time since he’d spotted her, she faltered. “I don’t know how to dance, remember?” she murmured, glancing around as if she thought the lack was spelled out on her forehead for all to notice.
“Of course you do,” Levi said, hand on her waist. “I’m sure you danced a time or two at Vital Creek.”
“That was different,” she insisted. “It was just a bunch of sourdoughs hopping around the creek bank. This is fancy.”
“Not so fancy.” He spun her around, and he thought he saw a smile threatening on her pink lips. “Most folks here never took lessons from a dance master.”
Her eyes widened until they reflected the blue of her dress. “You mean a man will come teach you how to dance?”
“More likely you learn by watching your mother and father or older brother and sister. I did. And this is just a waltz. Listen. I think you’ll recognize the tune.”
She blinked, and a smile won free. “‘The Blue Danube’!”
Levi twirled her around the floor. “Exactly. I asked Simon to play it.”
She floated along with him, light as a feather in his arms. “Thank you. This is all marvelous. I just have one question.”
“Ask it,” Levi said, willing to give her anything in that moment.
Callie gazed up at him. “What’s a Danube?”
Levi laughed. “I have no idea. We’ll ask Simon or John tomorrow.”
She spun through the music with him, and he didn’t step on her toes once. The next dance would have a caller. All he and Callie had to do was listen and do what he said. He wasn’t sure who Beth had recruited to call the dances, but he wasn’t surprised when Drew stood up beside Simon and his fiddle at the head of the room.
“Claim your sweetheart,” Drew ordered in his deep voice. “I want two lines right down the middle. Let’s have a reel.”
His family and neighbors lined up, women on one side, men on the other. Callie was sandwiched between Beth, who was partnering Tom, and Rina, who was partnering James. Levi knew the two women wouldn’t let her put her foot wrong.
Indeed, as the dance progressed, Callie became ever more sure of herself, her movements smooth, her smile wide. She picked up Drew’s calls easily, skipped about with more enthusiasm than half the women on the floor. When she had to wait, she grasped her blue skirts and swished them back and forth to the music. All Levi could do was grin.
He wasn’t the only one. Harry, Tom and even tongue-tied Dickie renewed their pursuit. Harry and Tom were doomed to disappointment, though she did favor Dickie with a dance.
“She’s the belle of the ball,” Beth said beside Levi with a happy sigh as they watched the couple. “I knew she would be.”
“No doubt,” Levi said as Dickie tripped and Callie propped him up with an encouraging look that made his round face turn even redder.
“You’re sweet on her, aren’t you?” Beth accused.
No sense denying it when his feelings must be written on his face. “Yes, but don’t get your hopes up, Beth. She may not feel the same way.”
Beth shook her head. “It’s plain as day she cares for you, Levi.” She sidled closer. “Tonight would be the perfect time to propose.”
He must have hesitated too long before answering, for she nudged him. “Come on, Levi. What do you have to lose?”
Everything.
He was just glad the dance ended then, and Harry and Tom closed around Beth, allowing Levi to make his escape.
Dickie was stammering his thanks to Callie when Levi approached.
“You did real well,” she assured the shy logger. “Try asking Beth. I think she’ll say yes.”
Dickie lowered his gaze to his boots. “Oh, I couldn’t.”
Levi grinned at him. “A minister I knew used to say that a gentleman must pick himself up to move forward.”
Callie met his gaze. “So I hear.”
What was she suggesting? It wasn’t shyness that made him think twice about revealing his feelings.
Dickie shuffled his feet. “You don’t understand, Pastor. Your sister is pretty and nice and really smart. I don’t know if she’d ever look at the likes of me.”
Callie put out her hand to him. “It’s easy to see your own faults, but everyone has them. You have to focus on your strengths. You’re kind to everyone, you’re a hard worker from what I hear and you sing real pretty in church.”
The tops of Dickie’s ears were turning red under his short-cropped hair. “Thank you, Miss Murphy. Maybe you could tell that to Miss Beth.”
“Maybe you should show her,” Callie said, withdrawing her hand. “Better yet, believe it yourself. You’re a fine fellow, Mr. Morgan. Don’t forget that.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” Dickie wandered off looking thoughtful.
Levi shook his head. “Good advice, Callie. I think he needed to hear it.”
“So did I,” Callie murmured. She started to put her hand on her shoulder and seemed to think better of it. “When you brought us here, all I could see was how different I was. Now I know there’s nothing wrong with being different, so long as you use that difference to benefit others.”
“Weighty thoughts, Miss Murphy,” he said, impressed. “Perhaps you should give the next sermon.”
“That’s your job,” she countered. “Mine’s to look out for Frisco, Sutter and Mica, and to see how else I can help at Wallin Landing. Maybe some concerts to start.”
Levi raised a brow. “Concerts?”
She nodded. “We have some real musical talent. Simon and his violin. You and your harmonica. I don’t know if you can tell up at the front of the church, but Dickie and Dottie have fine voices.”
“And you on the piano. I think it’s a great idea. One of the reasons John wanted to start a library was so folks could have access to culture.”
She glanced up and smiled. “Oh, look. Simon’s done with his break. Can we dance some more?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” Levi offered her his arm.
Around them, others were getting ready, too. James had taken Drew’s place as caller, and Levi could only hope his flamboyant older brother wouldn’t try anything funny. Rina had consented to partner Harry, and Dickie, grinning so widely his face broadened, was escorting Beth onto the floor. The way to the refreshment table stood open, giving Levi a clear view for a moment.
Perhaps that was why he spotted Zachariah and Willard filling their pockets with food.
The music started, and he went through the steps of the dance, trying to catch another glimpse of the pair. They should have headed south days ago. Why were they still in Wallin Landing? It was possible a neighbor had taken them in for the winter, offering board for work. But why would they need to steal food, then? Or had they been too proud to ask for help this time after how they’d parted from Levi?
When the music ended, he seized Callie’s hand and drew her aside. “Did you notice our prospector friends among the crowd?”
She glanced around �
��No. I figured they were long gone.”
Levi followed her gaze, but saw only friends and family. “I’m certain they were by the refreshment table when we started dancing again. I don’t like the thought of anyone out in this cold.”
She nodded. “We both know the damage it can do to a body. We’ll go out and look for them tomorrow, let them know they’re welcome to stay in the warmth.”
It was the best he could do at the moment. But he couldn’t help wondering if there was more to the story of Zachariah and Willard than misplaced pride.
Chapter Twenty
Callie floated back to the parsonage after the dance, for all she’d swapped her pretty slippers for boots. Beth had said to leave the cleanup until tomorrow. It was just as well. Callie wasn’t sure she’d be much good. She couldn’t stop thinking about the evening. She’d danced every round, mostly with Levi. Beth said that meant he had serious intentions.
She cast him a glance as he walked beside her the short distance between the hall and the door of the house. The snow had started falling again, harder this time, and already she could see it sparkling in his hair like stars. Was he truly thinking about marriage?
He opened the door, letting her go before him into the house. They’d kept the stove and hearth banked; the room felt warm after the chill of the snow.
“I’ll fetch the boys and Mica from the main house,” he promised.
Callie caught his arm before he could leave. “Thank you, Levi, for everything.” She stood on tiptoe and pressed a kiss against his cheek, feeling the beginnings of stubble. His arms stole around her, held her against him a moment, and her heart started beating faster. He was going to kiss her again. She knew it. Her lips were pursing in anticipation.
But he released her and hurried back out into the snow.
Callie sighed as she closed the door, then headed for the bedroom to change before her brothers or Mica could accidentally damage the beautiful dress. She couldn’t help giving one last twirl, the skirts belling out around her. Beth seemed so certain Levi loved Callie. Why did he wait to proclaim his love? Did he hope she’d tell him her feelings first? She had insisted she didn’t want to court. Perhaps he hesitated because he was as worried as Dickie she might not return his love. Perhaps he thought his case hopeless and was content to pine away at her side.
