His Frontier Christmas Family

by Regina Scott

  She wasn’t sure of the time when Levi suggested they go to bed, but no one argued. He’d had the boys set up space for themselves on the rug in the main room, the one dry spot left besides her bed and Mica’s cradle. She left them all to settle before retiring herself, putting the pillow over her head to hide the sounds of the storm.

  But the storm still raged inside her. Levi had told her once that the important thing was to learn from a mistake and move on. That was what he had been trying to do. Could she forgive him from keeping the truth from her? Of course. He’d become a better man, just as he’d vowed. Did she believe he would help her and her family? Certainly. He was still trying to atone. But she couldn’t believe that he’d be willing to risk his heart in loving her. It was as if he’d walled off a part of himself that day at Vital Creek. The bigger question was, was she willing to risk being in love with him?

  Prayer came easier this time.

  Almighty God, I may not always understand what You want from me. But You put a lot of stock in love, that’s clear enough. We’re supposed to love even our enemies. That must mean we’re called to love even if the other person feels differently.

  She sighed under the covers, wiggling to stay warm. It didn’t matter if Levi never returned her love. She loved him. Though she’d threatened to leave as soon as the storm ended, she couldn’t go through with it. She had agreed to be his partner. She’d keep that promise and work hard to make it grow into more, for both their sakes. Peace stole over her, more warming than the covers, as she finally fell asleep.

  She woke, sensing something wrong. Removing the pillow from her ear, she sat up, listening. There was a hush to the house, the only sound the soft murmur of Mica sleeping.

  Was it over?

  Callie climbed from the bed, mindful of the fresh pile of melting snow beside her window. White covered the glass. She couldn’t catch so much as a peek of the outside world. And everything was so quiet.

  She drew the quilt off the bed and bundled herself in it before opening the door. Frisco, Sutter and Levi were three lumps under the quilts on the floor. She tiptoed into the room, then stopped, arrested by the sight. Levi’s golden lashes fanned his cheeks. His curls tumbled about his face. That was the man she loved. She couldn’t seem to move to wake him.

  As if he felt her watching, he opened his eyes, the deep blue pulling her in.

  “Callie?” he asked.

  She put her finger to her lips, then tipped her head toward the window. Rising and wrapping the quilt around himself, he moved to her side.

  “I think it’s over,” she whispered. “Can you see?”

  Frisco and Sutter opened sleepy eyes as Levi followed Callie to the window.

  This window was more sheltered. The snow was higher than her head, but she caught a glimpse of blue at the top. Was that the sky?

  Levi had to stand on tiptoe to peer out. “It’s stopped snowing,” he reported as Frisco and Sutter came up to them, yawning and rubbing their eyes. “The trees are still, so the wind’s died down. We made it through.”

  She wrapped her arms around his waist, laid her head against his chest. “Thank God.”

  “Thank the good Lord,” Levi echoed. Slowly, as if he feared rejection, his arms wrapped around her.

  She allowed herself to be held, warm through and through.

  “Can I see?” Frisco begged, tugging on Levi’s arm.

  Callie almost sighed as Levi released her. He lifted first Frisco and then Sutter to look out. A gurgle from the bedroom told her Mica was awake. When she went to dress and returned with the baby, Frisco and Sutter were at the table while Levi began heating breakfast.

  “Can we go sledding?” Frisco wanted to know.

  “First we have to dig out,” Callie reminded him as she joined them.

  “And soon,” Levi said with a look her way. “It’s Sunday.”

  She stared at him. “You don’t think anyone will come through this.”

  They came.

  Drew arrived first, Catherine in his arms, rope across his broad chest tied to a sled behind carrying their three children. Harry, Tom and Dickie followed on snowshoes. James came by sleigh, bringing his family and Beth. He made a second run to fetch John, Dottie and Peter. Simon and Nora were the last to arrive, Simon breaking a trail with his long legs and the others following like ducklings. Nora carried his violin while Fleet pulled a sled with the youngest children bundled on it. Once freed of his duties, the dog seemed delighted to run about the area while they went into the church.

  Callie was almost afraid to see the inside after the snow that had driven itself into the parsonage, but the Wallins had built the church snug and sure. Snow had pushed under the front door, leaving a puddle that Nora immediately began wiping up. The others pitched in to help, talking of huddling in the dark, waiting out the storm, while the children planned the sledding and snow forts and snowball fights to come. Callie even asked John about the mysterious word Danube and learned it was a river on the Continent. In the meantime, neighbors began trickling in, including Old Joe. They came on skis, snowshoes and sleighs, until the church was nearly as full as on Christmas.

  Callie had never felt more thankful than when she played the opening hymn in her mother’s dress, a song Ma had taught her to sing. The others must have felt the same, for voices rang against the rafters, filling the church with joy. Levi echoed her feelings when he stepped up to the pulpit.

  “I cannot tell you how thankful I am to see you all here,” he said, gaze moving about the room. “That was some storm.”

  A murmur rippled through the church as couples exchanged glances and children nodded agreement.

  “I don’t know about you,” he continued, “but there were a few moments when I thought I just might meet my Maker. And as I lay on the floor last night beside Frisco and Sutter...”

  Her brothers perked up on either side of her. So did Mica.

  “...I was reminded of a psalm. Let me read part of it to you.” He opened his Bible.

  “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies.”

  He looked up at the congregation. “He certainly did that last night. We have all been saved from destruction. But I sometimes forget there’s more to this psalm. Listen.” He bent to the Bible again.

  “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.”

  Callie wasn’t sure where his sermon was headed, but she couldn’t look away as he raised his head and turned toward her.

  “Frisco,” he said, and her brother sat bolt upright.

  “Yes, sir,” he said.

  “What happens if you just keep traveling north, all the way to the pole and down?”

  Frisco frowned a minute, then brightened. “Why, you start heading south.”

  Levi nodded. “Very good. Sutter?”

  Sutter was fairly wiggling to be given a chance. “Yes, Uncle Levi?”

  Callie caught smiles from those closest to her at her brother’s enthusiasm.

  “What happens when you go east as far as you can, all the way to our nation’s capital in Washington, DC, and across the Atlantic?”

  Sutter snapped a nod. “You just keep going east. East is always east of you.”

  “That’s right.” Levi looked out over the congregation again. “The psalmist could have said north from south, which is a long way. But, as Frisco just pointed out, north and south eventually meet. East and west nev
er do. That means that when God forgives our transgressions, we’ll never meet them again. It’s over. Done. We are new creations.”

  His gaze speared Callie. “Yet so many times, we cling to our past. We know it helped shape who we are.”

  That was true enough. She wouldn’t be so determined if Pa hadn’t died and left her and her brothers orphaned. Levi might not be the man she loved if he hadn’t lived through the events at Vital Creek.

  “We forget God offers us a chance,” he continued. “Our sins are forgiven. They no longer shackle us. We need to remember that, and behave accordingly. I know I have some work to do in that area. If you’re in the same situation, I’ll be praying for you.” He nodded to Harry, who came up to lead the final prayer.

  Callie knew she should bow her head, but her gaze seemed permanently fixed on Levi. His head was bent, his lips moving silently. Could he apply that lesson to himself? Was he willing to let the past go?

  Could they truly have a future, together?

  She shifted on her feet as the service ended, eager and afraid to ask. But Levi went to the back of the church, talked with each member of his congregation as they were leaving. Frisco and Sutter made a beeline for Davy, no doubt confirming plans on where and when to sled. Callie sighed as Beth bustled up to her.

  “We’re all going to meet at the main house for dinner,” she said. “I don’t care how much it snows. It’s Sunday.” She winked at Callie. “And I don’t care how much Drew and Simon talk about digging out barns and sheds or cleaning the hall. From what I hear, all the animals are safe and fed. Today, we play in the snow.” She rubbed her hands together as if she couldn’t wait.

  Neither could Frisco and Sutter. The next time Callie looked for them, they’d disappeared.

  “They must have gone back to the parsonage,” she told Levi as they left the church together at last, Mica on her hip. “You mark my words—that sled will be gone from the breezeway.”

  He slid his hand over hers, cradling her fingers as they walked. “I can’t blame them. They’ve been cooped up for the last day.”

  Mindful of the demands that her brothers could make as soon as she and Levi reached the parsonage, Callie slowed, tugging on his hand to get him to stop beside her. He raised his brows in inquiry.

  “Your sermon,” she said, searching his face. “You said God forgives our mistakes and we should too. Does that mean you’re ready to let go of what happened at Vital Creek?”

  He glanced out at the snow piled up against the buildings. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget what happened. I slept little last night, it was so much on my mind.”

  Callie dropped her gaze, weight settling over her even as Mica rested her head against her shoulder. “I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the past—Pa’s promises, Adam’s failures. I’ve come to see it doesn’t do me any good. I can’t change their choices. I have to move on, live my own life.”

  “There’s a difference,” he murmured, fingers tightening on hers. “You suffered for their mistakes. You can offer forgiveness. Scout suffered for mine.”

  Callie raised her gaze. His cheeks looked hollowed, as if they reflected what he felt inside. “You suffered for it, too. You have to forgive yourself. Can you do that?”

  He drew in a breath, and she held hers, waiting. On her hip, Mica heaved a sigh.

  Levi’s lips curved up. “Yes, I can. Because of you.” He bent and caressed her mouth with his. Love and devotion flowed from his kiss. Even though her eyes were closed, she thought she could see forever.

  Mica laughed, pushing against his chest and Callie’s.

  Callie laughed too as he pulled away with a grin. “Come on. Beth says we’re going to have some fun in the snow.”

  “The twins won’t want to miss that,” he predicted. “We’d better locate them and the sled.”

  But when they reached the parsonage, the sled was still propped against the inside wall of the breezeway.

  “Should I open the door?” Levi teased. “Who knows what they’ve been up to.”

  “Only one way to find out,” Callie said, pulling her hand from his to open the door.

  The parsonage was quiet as they stepped inside. She felt as if snow trickled down her back.

  Levi must have felt the same sense of foreboding, for he started for the stairs. “I’ll check the loft.”

  Callie’s gaze lit on a piece of paper propped against the lamp on the table. “Don’t bother. Looks like they left a note.”

  As Levi crossed to her side, she set Mica in her chair, then picked up the letter. Her brothers had never informed her of their intentions before, but maybe they were just showing off their new writing skills. Her gaze ran over the words, and her stomach dropped.

  “Callie?” Levi’s voice seemed to come from miles away. “What is it?”

  Callie almost wished she’d never learned to read so she wouldn’t have seen the brash words on the note. “Frisco and Sutter,” she told him, shiver running through her, “they’ve been kidnapped. If we don’t tell the kidnappers by noon tomorrow where Adam struck it rich, we’ll never see my brothers again.”

  * * *

  A hole seemed to yawn beneath him. Levi put a hand on the table to steady himself.

  “Who’d be fool enough to think Adam had found gold?” Callie demanded. Her head jerked up, and she met his gaze, blanching. “What will the kidnappers do when they figure out we have nothing to give them?”

  Levi took the note from her tight fingers and scanned the wording. They demanded a note be left on the big stump near the road leading to Seattle by noon tomorrow. The letters were printed large, in pencil and marked out and smeared in places as if the writer had been unsure of the spelling.

  “Could this be a joke?” he asked. “Could Frisco or Sutter have written this to tease us?”

  Callie shook her head. “I saw their letters when they were practicing for school. They didn’t write this.”

  She was shaking, in fear or anger, he wasn’t sure. He gathered her close nonetheless, held her sheltered in his arms. “It will be all right, Callie. We’ll get them back. I promise.”

  She shifted in his arms, and he waited for her to denounce him. Who was he to make such a promise? Instead, she snuggled closer. “I believe you, Levi.”

  His heart nearly flew from his chest. She and the boys were his to protect. He would never let them down.

  Drawing in a breath, she pulled back from him. “What do we do? We can’t tell the kidnappers where Adam found gold. He didn’t strike it rich. We would have heard.”

  “Maybe.” Thoughts swirled through his mind, sliding neatly into place like gears locking on a shaft. “Or maybe someone didn’t want us to know.”

  Callie frowned. “Who do you mean?”

  “I don’t think the prospectors who brought me Adam’s things knew,” Levi said, thinking back. “They told me someone else had handed them everything. I thought it was because the men who had buried Adam didn’t want to come this far south before returning to the gold fields.”

  Callie nodded. “Makes sense. They would have wanted to keep panning as long as possible.”

  “But what if they did come this far?” Levi pressed. “Remember the two riders we saw the day we left for Wallin Landing, the destruction Deputy McCormick found in your cabin? Someone was looking for something.”

  “The mess in the church when we first arrived,” she said, eyes lighting.

  “And Beth said someone had pawed through the Christmas presents.”

  Callie shook her head. “Frisco and Sutter were innocent after all. Someone came down from the gold fields to search for word of Adam’s strike.”

  As if she agreed, Mica struck the table with her palm and grinned at the noise.

  “And I think I know who.” Levi met Callie’s gaze. �
�Zachariah and Willard asked all kinds of questions about Adam. They were at the Christmas dance.”

  Callie shivered again. “We were going to help them, and then the blizzard struck and we had no chance. But if they were camping out, they’d be in trouble. No one could have survived that blizzard in a tent.”

  “Maybe they aren’t staying in a tent. There are plenty of sheds and barns in the area. If they kept out of sight, the owner might not have realized they were there.”

  Callie rubbed her arm as if the chill just wouldn’t leave her. He knew the feeling.

  “Then that’s where they’re holding Frisco and Sutter,” she said. “In some shack near Wallin Landing.”

  “Very likely,” Levi agreed. “Only with this snow, it won’t be easy to get out and locate it.”

  “The snow!” Callie ran to the window. Already the sun was melting the cold, dropping the level against the glass. Levi could see the way between the house, church and hall, well trampled now by foot and hoof.

  She whirled to face him. “Wherever they went, they left tracks. We might not be able to see them close to the house, but the farther away we go...”

  “...the more obvious they’ll be,” Levi finished. He strode for the door. “I’ll fetch my brothers and Harry and the crew. We can spread out in all directions.”

  Callie dashed to his side. “Wait! I’m coming with you.”

  He would have liked nothing better than to have her at his side, but Mica was waving at him from her chair as if just as determined to go with them. “You can’t, Callie. Someone has to protect Mica. She could be in danger, too. She’s Adam’s daughter.”

  Callie hesitated, glancing at the little girl, who waved at her as well, smiling as happily as always.