Mountain Christmas Brides

by Mildred Colvin

  “I really wanted to buy a few special things. Some tea bags for Mrs. Barclay. You remember our housekeeper. She has really taken a liking to them. Some Hershey bars. I like the plain ones, and Daddy likes the newer ones with almonds in them.”

  “Let’s go to the emporium.” Thomas turned the corner and headed another direction. “They’ll have those things and much more.”

  Rose loved going to the emporium when she came to Denver, so she laughed and agreed. They walked up and down the aisles looking for the tea and candy. Rose bought several Hershey bars while Thomas looked at other confections. He had another clerk measuring out some bulk candy for him while she paid for her purchases.

  When she turned away from the counter, Thomas stood beside her. “I have something else I want you to try.”

  “Okay.” Rose waited expectantly.

  He took out a small piece and slowly unwrapped it, never taking his gaze from hers. “Open your mouth.”

  She complied, and he dropped in a lump of chocolate that immediately started melting. Her lips tingled where his fingers had brushed them. She savored the sweetness until the confection had completely dissolved. “What was that?”

  “A kiss, Rose.” Thomas paused a moment. “A Hershey’s Kiss.”

  Rose loved the chocolate, but his words caused a riot in her emotions, and her lips still felt his touch. A kiss indeed!

  Chapter 6

  Rose sat beside the dressing table and brushed her hair, arranging it into her favorite chignon at the nape of her neck. The past week since the storm ended had been full of activity. Besides the times she spent with Thalia and her aunt, she enjoyed Thomas coming in the evenings. The knowledge that he was a thoroughly nice man grew with every visit.

  When she allowed her thoughts to dwell on the man, she had to admit he was more than nice. Such an insipid word, falling far short of describing Thomas. Thoughtful … handsome … intelligent. She could compile a long list of adjectives if she had time.

  She heard a knock on the front door, and soon a timid tap on the door to Rose’s room. “Miss Fletcher, that nice Dr. Stanton is here to see you.”

  Thomas was here? But it’s morning. “Thank you, Eliza. I’ll be right down.”

  Rose slipped the last hairpin into her coiffure and studied her reflection in the pier glass. She pinched her cheeks and rubbed her lips together several times to bring more color into her face. Then she went downstairs.

  Thomas waited at the foot of the steps with his hat in one hand. “Good morning, Rose. How lovely you look.”

  She held out her hand for him to shake, but as he had done at the party, he lifted it and pressed his warm lips to the back of her fingers. She held her breath for a moment and felt a blush stain her cheeks. Why had she pinched them? Now they were probably too red.

  “Thank you, Thomas. What brings you here this morning?” Her gaze traveled up his broad chest to the twinkle in his gray eyes.

  “Isn’t it enough that I wanted to see you?” His deep chuckle rumbled around her.

  She extracted her fingers from his clasp and nervously brushed both hands across the front of her skirt. “Yes … Did you just want to see me?” She liked this teasing exchange.

  “Actually, I came to get you and take you to the train station.”

  “The tracks are clear?” Rose almost shrieked. However, her training came to the fore, and she was able to maintain decorum. “After all the trouble with the railroad this year, I was afraid they’d use this storm as an excuse to shut down service to Breckenridge. Of course, I could at least get to Frisco and take a horse from there.”

  He brushed the brim of his hat with his other hand. “One of the workers brought his sick wife to the clinic late last night. He told me service is restored all the way to Breckenridge.”

  “I wonder if I can make the morning train.” Excitement at the possibility of seeing her father today warred with disappointment that she wouldn’t continue to see Thomas every day.

  “That’s why I’m here, Rose. Hurry and pack your things. I’ll accompany you home.”

  Relief flooded through her along with a sense of panic. How would they ever get to the station in time? “Won’t Dr. Wetherby need you?”

  Thomas shook his head. “I’ve run the clinic the last week. He said he could take over now, and I could go with you.”

  Rose turned and almost ran up the stairs. She’d quickly pack then tell her hostesses good-bye.

  Thomas drove the horse-drawn sleigh as fast as he felt was safe, but they barely made it before the train was scheduled to pull out from the station. The livery would send someone to retrieve the conveyance. The conductor agreed to hold the train while Thomas ran in and purchased two tickets. Thomas boarded and found Rose seated halfway down the car. By the time he dropped into the seat beside her, the wheels were already turning and the engine building up steam.

  The conductor, who had continued down the car, returned and took the tickets from Thomas.

  “Why is the train so short?” Rose smiled up at the man.

  “With all the bad weather, miss, not too many people even know that the tracks are cleared. They decided to just pull two passenger cars besides the caboose. I think they only brought the second one in case more people wanted to take the return trip to Denver.” He tipped the bill of his cap and continued on.

  Even though the passenger car was heated, the extreme cold seeped in. Thomas took a blanket from his bag and offered it to Rose. “I brought this for you to use. I know how cold it can get on the trip over the mountains.”

  “How thoughtful of you, Thomas.” She spread the cover around herself and clutched it tight.

  When she gazed at him, his heartbeat accelerated, and he felt as if he could lose himself in the depths of her eyes. Today they took on a dark blue hue to match her traveling coat and hat, and golden flecks sparkled in their depths. Since their shopping trip in Denver, Thomas had enjoyed the change in Rose. He’d begun to hope that soon she would have the strong feelings for him that he experienced every time he looked at her. Actually, he didn’t even have to be in her presence to feel the depth of his emotions and longing for her. Could this be love?

  If love was more intense than what he felt now, he wasn’t sure he could handle the emotion. Love! This was the first time he’d actually allowed himself to dwell on that word. In his mind, love led to marriage, and that was what he wanted. To marry Rose. Even though he had dismissed the crazy idea he had earlier about him not being worthy of her because of his father working for hers, he wanted to proceed with caution. He had to be sure she felt the same way.

  “Miss Dorcas gave me a package of food.” Rose tipped her face toward Thomas. “She said we’d need to eat before we arrived in Breckenridge.”

  Thomas didn’t want to think about food. He wanted to lean his head toward hers until their lips met. The day he’d fed her the chocolate kiss often lingered in his mind. The velvet touch of her lips on his fingers made him want to experience their touch on his own lips. He jerked his attention away from the temptation.

  “The mountains look beautiful, don’t they?” That should be a safe topic of conversation.

  Rose glanced at the glass window veiled with moisture that clung to the inside. How could Thomas see a thing through them? “I’ve always loved the textures of the trees against the thick blanket of snow. Each trunk and limb outlined by the stark white. Of course, the evergreens add a welcome touch of dark green.” Why was she babbling?

  When she looked up at Thomas a moment ago, she felt a strong connection. Although she wanted to feel only tenderhearted toward him until he came to know the Lord, controlling her emotions was hard in the close confines of the railroad car. And as the train went around curves, their shoulders often touched. Each time, tingles went all the way through her. Maybe his ploy of conversation would keep her mind off her emotions.

  The farther they went, the more questions Thomas asked, and Rose told him more about herself than she had ever
told anyone else. How she worried about her father now that her mother was gone. How much she enjoyed living at the boarding school back East. How much she missed seeing friends on a more regular basis. Even how she wondered about her future, how out of place she sometimes felt. He kept her talking about herself, but she had a hard time turning the conversation toward him and his desires. He was closemouthed on that subject.

  Rose leaned toward the window and rubbed the glass, clearing away the mist. “Look at that, Thomas.”

  She could hardly believe what she saw. Where the Keystone water tank should have been, she saw a wondrous frozen waterfall cascading to the ground and down the incline away from the tracks. She noticed the conductor making his way through the car.

  She leaned around Thomas and waved toward the other man. “Sir, what happened here?”

  “The blizzard was a real doozy, miss. The workers were able to keep most of the water tanks from bursting, but they didn’t make it to this one soon enough.”

  “Many of them leak.” Thomas stood beside the man. “We’ve seen the large icicles hanging from all the others.”

  Rose once again glanced out the window. “I know that’s a problem, but the icy sculpture is beautiful.”

  The man ducked his head and squinted against the vast whiteness. “I guess you could say that. Most people would only see the damage though.”

  He continued on down the car, and Thomas returned to his seat. “Since this is Keystone, we’re not too far from Breckenridge.”

  She grasped his hand. “Oh, Thomas, I will be so glad to see my father. I hope he hasn’t been too worried about me. And I’m sure he’ll be glad to see you.”

  When they arrived at the station in Breckenridge, Thomas shoved one of Rose’s traveling bags under his arm then picked up the other one as well as his suitcase.

  “Thomas, I can carry my own bags.”

  “There’s no need. I already have them.”

  He led the way down the car to the landing where they could exit the train. After his feet touched the platform, he set down the baggage and offered her a hand for the last long step. He’d like to do things like this for her for the rest of their lives. He cleared his throat and turned back to pick up the luggage.

  “I’ll get you settled in the station, Rose. Then I’ll go to the livery and get a sleigh to take you home.”

  Thomas watched Rose stare around at Breckenridge as if she hadn’t seen it for years before heading toward the station door. “Okay, the sooner I get home the better.”

  He left her and hurried down the street. He didn’t want to be out in the bitter cold longer than he had to. Right before he reached the livery, he encountered one of the ranch hands who’d worked for Mr. Fletcher when Thomas’s father had been foreman.

  “Petey, do you remember me? I’m Thomas Stanton.” He held out his hand for the man to shake.

  The old-timer looked him up and down before he gave him a crooked smile. “Wal, I wouldn’ta known you if you hadn’ta said somethin’. Yur all growed up.”

  Thomas laughed. “That I am.”

  “What ur you doin’ here in Breckenridge since yur Pa’s gone?” Petey pulled his hat off and placed it over his heart. “God rest his soul.”

  “I’ve accompanied Rose Fletcher home from Denver. I’m heading to the livery for a sleigh. She’s real anxious to see her dad.” Thomas hoped the other man understood his need to hurry away.

  “Wait a minit there, son. The boss’s out t’ the ranch.” Petey scratched his bearded cheek.

  “Thanks. I’ll get horses instead, so we can ride out there.”

  When Thomas arrived back at the station with two horses in tow, Rose stared at him. “How are we going to carry these bags on horses? I’m not dressed to ride.”

  Thomas explained about meeting Petey.

  “This suit has a full skirt. I could ride in it.” Rose glanced down toward the bags. “What will we do with these?”

  “I have enough rope to tie them on the horse.” Thomas squatted and started tying her two bags together. “These will balance my bag, so I’ll tie them on behind me. We only have a few miles to ride.”

  Even though the ride wasn’t long, Rose felt like that frozen waterfall back in Keystone by the time they reached the ranch house. Thomas dismounted and helped her down, bringing the blanket he’d insisted she wrap around her as protection from the icy breeze. Her stiff legs almost gave out, and she slumped. He pulled her against him and slipped his arms around her back.

  “Can you walk, or should I carry you into the house?” His breath against her hair infused her with warmth.

  She leaned back so she could see his face. “I can walk now. I was just a little stiff.”

  He released her, and she hurried up the walkway to the front porch, clasping the blanket around her like armor. Her heart needed protection.

  Before she reached the door, it flew open, and Mrs. Barclay gave a shout. “Land’s sakes, come in here, child. It’s freezing out there.”

  Rose fell into her waiting arms and returned her bear hug. “I’m so glad to be home.” When the older woman pushed the door closed, Rose shook her head. “You’ll need to see if Thomas could use any help with the bags.”

  Mrs. Barclay pulled the door wider. “Is that Farley’s Thomas?” The smile she turned on the man should have blinded him it was so bright.

  Thomas came in and set down the bags he carried. “Is that your famous stew I smell, Mrs. B.? I hope so, because I’m starving.”

  The housekeeper led the way to the kitchen and poured them each a cup of steaming coffee before she reached for the bowls to serve the stew.

  Rose had always loved this homey kitchen, but one thing was missing. “Where’s Daddy, Mrs. Barclay? I expected him to meet us at the door, or at least join us in here.”

  “Oh, Miss Rose, it’s so sad. Your dear father has been sick in bed for several days. It’s all I can do to get him to drink a little broth.” She tsked and shook her head.

  Rose’s heart dropped to her stomach. She had a hard time remembering the last time her father was sick, and she knew he didn’t stay in bed more than one day. Please, Lord, don’t let anything happen to him.

  Chapter 7

  Rose slammed her steaming cup down, sloshing coffee on the table and rushed out the door of the kitchen. “He has to be all right.”

  Thomas went to his suitcase and extracted his medical bag, then followed her. “I’m sure he will be. I’ll check him out.”

  She stopped and whirled around. “I’m so glad you came with me.” She grabbed him and gave him a big hug before continuing up the stairs and down the hall.

  When she reached the closed door of her father’s bedroom, she gave a gentle knock.

  “Come in, Mrs. Barclay.” The thready voice didn’t even sound like her father’s. “I’m not asleep.”

  Rose pushed the door open and gasped. Her father looked old and frail. She’d never seen him like this.

  “Is that you, Rose?” This time his voice carried a little more strength.

  Before Rose could step into the room, Thomas stopped her. “I don’t want you in there if this is what I think it is.”

  “Thomas?” Her father tried to raise his head but quickly dropped back on his rumpled pillow. “Is that … really … you?” He had a hard time getting the words out.

  She wanted to go to him, but she knew Thomas wouldn’t have prevented her from doing it if it hadn’t been important. She put her hand on Thomas’s arm. “Please take care of him.”

  Thomas put his arm around her and gave her a comforting squeeze. “Wait out here. I’ll let you know what I find.”

  Thomas closed the door behind him, thankful he’d left Rose in the hall when a paroxysm of coughing came from the older man. After hurrying to the bedside, Thomas pulled up a chair and sat beside his patient.

  When the coughing spell ceased, Thomas placed his hand on Mr. Fletcher’s forehead. The man definitely had a fever. “Mr. Fletcher, how lo
ng have you been feeling bad?”

  The older man swallowed then croaked, “About … a week…. Is Rose … okay?”

  “She’s fine. I just want to take care of you before she comes in here. When you got sick, you didn’t stop working right away, did you?” Thomas studied the sick man’s flushed face and watery eyes.

  Mr. Fletcher shook his head a little but quickly stopped and closed his eyes as a tear trickled down one pale cheek.

  “Does it hurt to move your head?”

  His eyes slowly opened. “Yes.”

  “I heard your cough. Does your chest hurt?”

  The older man placed a trembling hand on his chest. “Yes.” The word came out on a whisper.

  Thomas took out his thermometer and shook the mercury down before placing it under the patient’s tongue. He didn’t like what he saw. The Spanish flu. Every year many people contracted the disease. He had treated a number of them, and some of them didn’t survive. Without a doubt, Mr. Fletcher was suffering from influenza. No matter how much Thomas learned about different ailments, he often felt helpless against them. But he would use everything he knew to save this man who’d had such a profound influence on him.

  He took the instrument from the man’s mouth and frowned at the high number that registered. First he’d have to get the temperature down, if he could, but he also needed to use steam to break up the congestion in his chest. The dilemma all physicians faced. What was the best way to treat this patient? And such an important one, at that.

  After sterilizing the thermometer with alcohol, he returned it to his bag. Thomas would need to get help, but he didn’t want Rose in the room with her father. He wanted to protect her from the disease. Although he and Rose had slowly drawn closer, he hoped they would develop a deep and abiding love. He knew he already had.

  Trying to picture what could be going on in her father’s bedroom, Rose paced the hallway and prayed. Lord, please don’t let Daddy die. I need him. He’s all the family I have left. As if God didn’t know that.

  Memories of the way Thomas cared for Maximilian flitted through her mind. Thomas was the best thing that could happen for her father. Give him wisdom, Lord, even if he doesn’t know You.