The Christmas Vow

by Shanna Hatfield

  Adam grinned. “Maybe I don’t have quite as many ants in my pants now that I’m all grown up.”

  “And who says you’ve finally grown up?” Tia teased. “From what I’ve seen, you’re only marginally more mature than you were at sixteen.”

  “Is that so?” Adam’s look held an appealing mixture of mischief and mirth, causing Tia to be instantly wary of him. She started to pull away, but he stopped on the boardwalk and wrapped his arms around her. Much to her surprise, he licked her cheek with his candy-coated tongue.

  Thrilled by his playfulness but unwilling to show it, she grimaced and tugged a handkerchief from her pocket, scrubbing at her sticky cheek. “My word, Adam. Must you?”

  “I must, Queenie,” he said, winking at her as he took her arm and they continued on their way.

  Toby spied Erin waving from the window of her mother’s store across the street and skipped that direction.

  Before Adam or Tia could tell him to be careful, a man darted from around the corner of the building and snatched Toby, turning to run back down the alley.

  Tia screamed while Adam took off running after him.

  Not one to stand around in hysterics, she picked up her skirts and ran to the sheriff’s office. The door banged against the wall as she rushed inside, terrified and out of breath.

  “That man,” she gasped, forcing herself to speak between gulps of air. “The one from the skating party. He took Toby.”

  The sheriff lunged to his feet and grabbed his coat, yanking it on as he hurried out the door with Tia right behind him.

  “Which way did he go?” he asked as they crossed the street.

  “Down the alley by Abby’s shop.” Tia watched as the sheriff sprinted past the store and around the corner. Abby ran out and put her arms around Tia, holding her as she cried.

  “He took my baby, Abby. He took my baby.”

  “It’ll be okay. Adam will get him back. Come inside and wait.”

  Tia tried to pull away, but Abby guided her inside the warmth of her store.

  When the sound of gunshots rattled the windows, Tia and Abby both raced outside. Abby stood by her door with Erin clinging to her skirts while Tia ran toward the sound.

  Around the corner and down several blocks she sped, heedless to her skirts trailing in the snow or the hairpins falling from her head.

  By the time she reached a crowd gathered around a prone form, her hair tumbled around her shoulders and down her back, with the hat she’d worn lost somewhere along the way.

  Fearing the worst, her heart stopped then resumed beating when Adam broke away from the group with Toby in his arms. The little boy clung tightly to his neck and Adam kept a protective hand on his back as he held him close.

  Upon seeing his frantic and fearful wife, Adam gathered her into his arms and held them both.

  “That man, he almost… he might have…” For Toby’s sake, Tia held back her sobs as she took her son from Adam and cuddled him close. “Oh, baby. Are you okay? Did he hurt you? Is…”

  Adam put a hand on her back and she glanced at him. He shook his head and frowned slightly, warning her not to add to Toby’s fright.

  Tia rained kisses across her son’s cheeks and forehead.

  He leaned back from her and sniffled. “I was scared, Mama, but I ‘membered Daddy promised he’d take care of me.” Toby reached out to Adam. The big man took the little hand in his. “And you did, Daddy. Just like you said. You didn’t let the bad man take me.”

  The three of them watched as the sheriff and Douglas from the livery hefted Beauregard Bass as the man howled in pain from a bullet to his knee and one to his thigh.

  The sheriff stopped in front of Adam. “As soon as we get him patched up at Doc’s place, he’ll spend Christmas in jail. Unlike Mr. Nivens, I’ll make sure he doesn’t disappear before he can testify against the judge.”

  Adam nodded his thanks and took Toby from Tia then draped his arm around her shoulders. The crowd dispersed about the time Arlan and Chauncy ran up the street.

  “What happened?” Chauncy panted, as though he’d run a long distance and had yet to catch his breath.

  Adam looked to the pastor then his brother. “That was the man who tried to take Toby Saturday at the skating party. He was bold enough to grab him while we watched and tried to run off. I chased after him while Tia fetched the sheriff. We caught up to him about the same time. While he had his eye on the sheriff, I grabbed Toby. He put up a bit of a fuss, but the sheriff made certain he couldn’t run off, at least for a good long while.”

  Tia noticed blood at the corner of Adam’s mouth and a bruise forming on his cheek. When she reached up to wipe away the blood, he jerked his head back. “No need to soil your gloves, Tia. I’m fine. Thank goodness, we’re all just fine.”

  Adam rested his forehead against Toby’s for a moment. “I think I’ve had enough excitement for one day. How about we head on home?”

  “If you don’t mind, I’ll come along with you,” Arlan said, falling into step beside Adam and Tia.

  Tia looked ready to drop, so Adam handed Toby to Arlan and put his arm around her waist, lending her strength and support. “We’ll be there in no time, Queenie.”

  She nodded her head, remaining silent as they made their way home. Arlan shifted Toby so he clung to his back, enjoying the ride his uncle gave him.

  At the house, Adam opened the door and ushered Tia inside while Arlan followed with Toby.

  “Thanks for the ride, Uncle Arlan. That was fun.” Toby grinned at the tall man as he backed up to the sofa and let him drop to the soft cushion.

  “You’re very welcome, Toby.” Arlan ruffled his hair. “I’m happy to give you a ride anytime.”

  “Be careful what you say or you might become Toby’s personal pack mule,” Tia said, smiling at Arlan. She helped Toby remove his coat and hat along with his mittens and boots. “Go wash your hands and face and then we’ll have a snack.”

  “Okay, Mama.”

  Toby raced out of the room with all of his usual enthusiasm, unaware of the tension and turmoil still coiled around the adults.

  “That was a close one,” Adam said, helping Tia out of her coat and motioning for Arlan to take a seat. His brother shook his head.

  “I need to get back to the bank, Adam, but I wanted to make sure you all were fine.” Arlan moved closer to the door.

  “If we aren’t, we soon will be. Thanks for checking on us, Arlan. It’s appreciated.” Adam thumped his brother on the back as he walked him to the door.

  “Why don’t you join us for dinner tonight? I’m sure Tia doesn’t feel like fixing supper and I promised to take Alex to the restaurant. You three might as well join us.” Arlan gave his brother a hopeful look.

  “That’s a fine plan, Arlan. Meet you at the restaurant?”

  “At six.” Arlan nodded his head then hurried out the door.

  Adam closed it behind him then returned to the parlor. Tia remained unmoving where he’d left her standing near the fireplace.

  Quickly stoking the fire, Adam wrapped his arms around her from behind then pulled her against his chest, rubbing his hands up and down her arms. She shivered.

  Uncertain if it was from the cold or her fears, part of him hoped it was from the pleasure of his touch.

  “It’s all over, Tia. Mr. Bass isn’t going anywhere and with the confession he’ll no doubt give the sheriff, the judge won’t bother you anymore.”

  Unexpectedly, Tia turned to face him, throwing her arms around him and burying her face against his chest. “Thank you for saving my baby. You are such a good man, Adam Guthry. Don’t ever forget it.”

  He tipped her chin up so she could see his face and offered her a roguish grin. “I guess I better keep you around to remind me from time to time.”

  She worked up something that resembled a smile, wiped away a few tears lingering on her lashes and pulled herself together as Toby raced into the room.

  “Mama, may we please have hot chocolate
and cookies?” Toby asked, tugging her toward the kitchen.

  “I think that can be arranged.” Tia tapped his nose with her finger and gave him a tender glance. “Why don’t you check on Crabby? He’d probably like to come in and warm up by the stove for a while.”

  Adam gave her a speculative glance as she poured milk into a pan and took chocolate out of the cupboard. “Are you sure that demonic ball of fur deserves to come inside?”

  “How can you talk about Crabby that way?” Tia pointed her knife at him as she cut chocolate to melt for their drinks. “He’s just keeping an eye on things.”

  Adam leaned one elbow on the counter and smirked. “Then I guess I better figure out how to make that cat a pair of blinders because sooner or later, I have every intention of having my way with you.”

  Chapter Twenty

  “Sir, there is someone here to see you.” Charles stood in the doorway of the parlor, his face an expressionless mask, perfected from years of working for the judge.

  Cedric Devereux snapped the newspaper in his hands closed and glared at the butler. “Well, show him in, man. Don’t just stand there in the doorway like a post.”

  “I believe, sir, given the nature of his, um… business, you might prefer to carry on the conversation elsewhere.” Charles tipped his head toward Catherine. The woman sat in a chair near the fire engrossed in a book.

  “Very well,” Cedric huffed, rising to his feet and following Charles back to the foyer. A man of questionable appearance and an even more questionable reputation waited. Cedric approached him with a hateful glare and motioned for him to follow him down the hall into the library.

  Angrily pushing the button on the wall to bathe the room in light from the electric lamps, Cedric marched over to his desk and took a seat. “I thought I made it perfectly clear, Mr. Smith, that you were to never come to my home, regardless of the nature of the matter.”

  Mr. Smith sneered at Cedric and leaned back in the chair. “Ya might ‘ave mentioned that a time or two, but I figured ya’d want to hear this news straight away.”

  Cedric leaned forward, resting his arms on the top of the desk. “And what news might that be?”

  “The news that Mr. Bass won’t be bringin’ back yer grandson. Seems he tried to snatch him in broad daylight and got hisself shot in the kneecap then thrown in the hoosegow for his trouble. He ain’t gonna be too happy about that. None too happy at all. And if ya think Mr. Bass is gonna be as easy to get rid of as Mr. Nivens, ya might want to reconsider that line of thinkin’.”

  Cedric stood and marched around his desk. “I’ve heard all I need to out of you this evening. In the future, send one of the messenger boys, but don’t show up here at my home again.”

  Slowly, Mr. Smith rose to his feet and gave Cedric a long, calculating glance. “I reckon if ya want to be bossin’ me, it’s gonna cost ya. Either that, or I can waltz into yer fancy parlor down the hall and tell yer purty wife how ya got to be a powerful and mighty judge, cause it sure weren’t due to yer honor or hard work.”

  Silently fuming, Cedric opened his desk drawer and withdrew a bag of coins, tossing them to Mr. Smith.

  After opening the small bag and inspecting the contents, Mr. Smith tipped his head to Cedric. “Reckon I can show myself out just fine. Merry Christmas, Judge.”

  Cedric waited until he was sure the man had departed then hurried down the hall. He found Charles in the entry foyer, mopping up the mud Mr. Smith had tracked onto the marble tiles.

  “Charles, I need a ticket on the next train heading East. Send Ed to secure it while you pack a bag for me. Unfortunately, there is a nasty piece of business I need to attend to in some backwater town.”

  “But, sir, it’s nearly Christmas.” Charles gaped at his employer.

  The man never, ever dirtied his own hands. For him to decide to leave town either meant the law was about to catch up to him or he was up to no good. Truthfully, Charles didn’t care what caused the judge to leave. The prospect of a reprieve from Cedric’s demanding presence, even for a few days, filled him with a sense of relief.

  “I don’t care. Get me that ticket and my bag!” Cedric shouted then stalked off in the direction of the parlor, inventing a story to tell his wife.

  There was no time to waste if he planned to return home by Christmas with his grandson in hand.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “Tell me again why we’re out here, freezing our feet before it’s even light out?” Adam asked as he, Arlan, Chauncy, Luke, and Blake trudged through the drifts of snow behind Luke’s house where trees grew abundantly on the surrounding hills.

  “Because we won’t have time to cut down these trees later, that’s why. Between the Christmas Carnival, Christmas Eve services, and the folks arriving today, this is the last opportunity we’ll have to cut down Christmas trees,” Luke explained as they plodded on through the cold and dark.

  Each of them carried a lantern. They’d left the horses and a wagon at the bottom of the hill. Although the rest of them had no idea where they were heading, Luke led the foray. He and Filly had walked out in the early autumn and marked a group of trees she thought would be perfect for festooning their homes for Christmas.

  “Are you sure we aren’t walking in circles?” Adam asked as Luke guided them over a ridge.

  “Positive,” Luke said, lifting his lantern higher and pointing to a dark shape in the distance.”I’m pretty sure that’s the stand of trees over there.”

  “Too bad the girls are unable to join us,” Blake mused as he followed his brother-in-law.

  “Someone would have needed to stay behind to watch the little ones and none of the girls would appreciate traipsing through this knee-deep snow before the sun has even touched the sky,” Chauncy said. He grinned at Arlan. “With the exception of Alex the Amazing, of course. No doubt, she’d enjoy it.”

  “She would. In fact, she would have come along except she’s trying to finish numerous details for the last day of school before the holiday break and get ready for the carnival tomorrow.” Arlan turned to his brother. “You’ve probably noticed Alex is more of an outdoorsy girl than most. She’s even ridden Blake’s stallion, Romeo, bareback.”

  Adam had admired the huge, spirited horse when he’d been at Blake and Ginny’s place. “Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me. How is it you managed to make her fall in love with you?”

  Arlan smiled. “I wielded all the charm I learned from watching you. And a little Christmas magic didn’t hurt, either.”

  Adam chuckled as Luke stopped near a stand of fir trees. He walked around them and tugged a blue ribbon off a head-high branch.

  “This is it. Filly marked the one she wanted, so feel free to choose whatever tree strikes your fancy,” Luke said, setting the lantern on a stump. He took a handsaw out of the pack on his back.

  “Let’s wait until the sun at least rises so we can see what we’re chopping. It should be up shortly,” Blake said, leaning on the handle of the ax he carried. “I know Filly sent along a tin of cookies, Luke, so let’s have at them.”

  “Tia made hot chocolate,” Adam said, removing a flask from his coat pocket. “Even if it is only mildly warm by now.”

  “According to my daughter, Tia makes the ‘bestest chocolate in the world,’” Chauncy said, affecting a falsetto as he spoke.

  The rest of them laughed and accepted the cookies Luke passed around. Adam took a drink from the flask then handed it to Arlan.

  As they visited and ate the cookies, the sun peeped over the horizon, waving streamers of pink and gold across the morning sky.

  “Now, that’s the way to start a day,” Adam said, breathing in the pine scented air and gazing at the sky overhead, painted by the Creator in an array of glorious colors.

  The men set to work cutting down trees for their homes and one for the church.

  After dragging them down the hill to the wagon, they rode into town.

  Adam thought Toby might bounce himself silly as he hopped from one
foot to the other, watching out the window as he and Arlan unloaded the tree and carried it to the back door. After trimming a few branches along the trunk, Arlan helped him carry it inside and set it in the parlor where Tia directed.

  “Oh, it’s so lovely, Adam, and it smells divine.” Tia clapped her hands together and sniffed the aromatic air.

  “Santa can come! We have a tree!” Toby cheered, jumping around the room with unbridled joy.

  Tia swung him into her arms before he sent something crashing to the floor in his excitement.

  “I need to get to the bank,” Arlan said, grinning at his nephew. “Toby, you keep these two out of trouble today.”

  The little boy giggled. “I will, Uncle Arlan.”

  Arlan smiled at Tia and nodded at his brother before departing. Adam went to the kitchen and removed the old coat he’d worn to keep from getting sap all over his pea coat. He was surprised the chore coat he’d left in his room at Arlan’s still fit him, although it was a little snug through the shoulders and chest.

  Even though he’d worn gloves, he still managed to get sap all over his fingers. As he stood at the kitchen sink scrubbing them with soap, they seemed to get stickier and stickier.

  The stream of water stopped as Tia turned it off and took a tall, thin bottle from a cupboard.

  “What’s that?” Adam held his hands over the sink as she poured the liquid over his fingers and into his palms.

  “Olive oil. I use it for cooking, but it might take off the sap. Just scrub it into your hands and I’ll let you know when you’re ready to wash them off.” She returned the bottle to the cupboard.

  “You’re a bossy little thing, aren’t you?” Adam winked at her as he scrubbed.

  “Don’t forget it,” she said, fighting her attraction to him with every breath she took. Bent over the sink, scrubbing his hands, she watched the muscles play along his shoulders and arms. He smelled like leather and pine with a hint of chocolate from the drink she’d made early that morning before he left on the tree-hunting expedition.