Western Christmas Brides

by Lauri Robinson

  “Yes.” Abigail held up one of the children’s drawings. “And the Gazette is the best newspaper in all of Kansas.”

  That was exactly what the piece of paper she held said, with a couple of misspelled words and backward letters. Teddy had to take a second look at his sister. He hadn’t seen her smile so big in a long time. The giggle beside him had him shifting his gaze.

  The shine in Hannah’s eyes was the brightest he’d ever seen, and was enough to make his heart hammer harder than his printing press when cranking out newspapers.

  “That was one of my favorites,” she said.

  “I look forward to reading them all,” he said, opening the door and gesturing for her to cross the threshold first.

  “You’ll enjoy them,” she said.

  “I’m sure I will. Thank you for delivering them. And thank you for the etchings. They are remarkable, Hannah.”

  “Thank you, Teddy.”

  It sounded as if she’d said his name as a test, or an afterthought, which was how he’d said her name. A sort of test to see if she’d protest.

  “I enjoyed making them, and the children were thrilled with the idea of being in the newspaper. The thank-you notes were Miss Burnett’s idea.”

  The wind tugged at her bonnet as they walked and he took her elbow to direct her closer to the buildings for a bit of protection. “I’m sorry for the way I left the other day.”

  “That’s why I brought you some pie. I knew you’d been looking forward to it.”

  “Thank you for that as well, and I will eat it as soon as I get home, but I meant for how I left you. You were upset. I should have—”

  “No, you shouldn’t have, Teddy. I needed to be alone.”

  “Well, I shouldn’t have said what I did about Jules Carmichael and Jess Radar. They are good men and once married, I’m sure they would secure different living quarters.”

  “Probably, and I’m sure they are good men. Don Carlson, too.” She glanced up at him.

  “Yes,” he admitted, with a hint of chagrin. “Don, too. The others on your list are as well, and—”

  “I burned it.”

  Taken aback by her interruption, he asked, “Burned what?”

  “The list. Right after you gave it back to me.” She wasn’t looking at him, but straight ahead, toward the corner they would soon turn down and head east toward Brett’s house.

  “Hannah, I—”

  “It wasn’t because of anything you said or did. It was me.” She glanced his way. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure.”

  “Were you in love with the woman who didn’t marry you?”

  He paused before answering. “I thought I was at the time.” He wasn’t so sure now. Becky had been young and alone, not so different from Hannah, except that Hannah had Brett and Fiona. Becky hadn’t had anyone and that had worried him.

  “You thought?”

  Becky had been in his thoughts lately, as well as what his life might have been like if she had married him, and he questioned the absence of any ache, of any sense of loss. “I was worried about her and wanted to help her.”

  “Why? Was something wrong?”

  He couldn’t stop his eyes from darting to her waist. Lifting his gaze, he shook his head. “Not necessarily wrong.” Becky had left him for a man she loved. Hannah still loved Eric, and he had to wonder if that would be worse. She might always love Eric, and where would that leave him? Needing to change the subject, and curious, he asked, “How are you feeling?”

  “Fine.” Her smile increased. “I loved etching all of the children. I’d never drawn people before, and wasn’t sure if I could.”

  “Well, those etchings are amazing. Your grandfather must have been an excellent teacher.”

  “Oh, he was. He and Gram are the best.”

  “You miss them.”

  She nodded and put one hand on her stomach. “I do. Very much.” Her sigh caught on the breeze as they turned the corner to walk toward the blacksmith shop. “I was never scared or worried while at their house.”

  “But you were at your own home?”

  She nodded.

  “I’ve already told you my father wanted a boy instead of me. It was worse that Eric’s family continued to have children. Boys to carry on the family name, and our side of the family didn’t.”

  Anger rolled inside Teddy. He couldn’t imagine a father—any man—blaming a child for something that was so out of their control. It was ludicrous. “Being born a girl was not your fault, Hannah. You had nothing to do with it.”

  She shook her head solemnly. “It went beyond that. I couldn’t do anything right in his eyes. Including my etchings.”

  “Well, I believe your etchings are remarkable. And I’m not the only one. Every time someone inquires about an advertisement, they ask if you’d be able to create a picture to accompany it.”

  “They do?”

  The shine in her eyes made his heart skip a beat. “Yes, they do. You’ve been very good for our business.” He added a wink, hoping that she understood it was the truth, but he was also teasing her a bit.

  She giggled. “I’m glad. It feels good to know I’m helping someone and I do enjoy it very much.”

  “Good, because we’d lose customers if you stopped.”

  She playfully slapped his arm. “You would not. You’re just teasing.”

  He patted the hand she still had on his arm as his mind came full circle back to the list she’d created. If she did marry one of those men, she might become too busy to etch any more pictures. “I’m not teasing,” he admitted. “I’m proud of you, Hannah. Proud of your etchings.”

  Her expression grew serious, yet content. “Thank you, Teddy. Thank you very much.”

  Rhett and Wyatt shot from around the blacksmith shop and ran toward them. “Are you going to print the picture, Teddy? Are you?” Rhett asked.

  Hannah laughed and leaned a bit closer to say, “I warned them you might not be able to, but if you did, they were to keep it a secret.”

  He knelt down as the boys arrived and put on a serious expression as he whispered, “I can’t tell you if you’re going to run around shouting about it.”

  “We won’t,” Wyatt assured, casting a glare toward his younger brother.

  “I was only shouting ’cause it was you,” Rhett said. “I won’t tell anyone else. I promise.”

  “Cross-your-heart promise?” Teddy asked.

  Both boys nodded and used a fingertip to draw an X over their chests.

  “Then, yes, I’m going to print it, and I’ll make sure you each get your very own copy.”

  The giggle from Hannah, and the way she squeezed his arm as he stood up, filled him with more happiness than he might ever have known before.

  Fiona and Brett walked around the building just then.

  An unusual wave of disappointment washed over him as Hannah let go of his arm.

  “Thank you for walking me home,” she said. “I hope you enjoy the pie.”

  “I will,” Teddy answered, having totally forgotten about the pie. He graced Fiona with a smile before nodding at Brett.

  When the women were several steps away Brett said, “I don’t know what she was etching, but she worked all day on it yesterday.”

  Still watching her walk away, and knowing the boys were within hearing distance, Teddy replied, “It’s a secret. That’s all I can tell you.”

  The boys giggled before they ran off, and a thought shot across Teddy’s mind. He wondered what Brett would say if he said he wanted to marry Hannah. It wasn’t the first time he’d had that thought, but he was still unsure if that was what his heart truly wanted, or if he was just worried about her like he had been about Becky.

  “I wasn’t happy about letting H
annah do all this work for your paper in the beginning, but Fiona insisted it would be good for her,” Brett said. “I guess she was right.”

  “She enjoys it,” Teddy replied. “And she is also very good at it.”

  “Yes, she is,” Brett replied. “She’ll make some man a wonderful wife.”

  Teddy buckled a bit inside. He’d thought he’d kept his thoughts buried too deep for anyone to see. Before he could say anything, Brett slapped his shoulder.

  “I got a wagon wheel calling my name,” Brett said. “See you later.”

  Teddy nodded, yet his eyes were once again on Hannah as she and Fiona disappeared into the house across the field. “See you later,” he said, after swallowing the lump that had formed in his throat at the idea of Hannah making someone a wonderful wife. And that someone not being him.

  Chapter Eight

  Hannah wasn’t exactly sure what had happened. She couldn’t give all the credit to how much Abigail had liked the etchings, or to the fact that Teddy was proud of her. The only person who’d ever said that they were proud of her was Pappy. A true sense of peace filled her as she and Fiona hung their bonnets and coats on the hooks in the kitchen.

  “I’m assuming that went well,” Fiona said.

  “Very well.” Smiling, Hannah said, “Looking at things in a different perspective isn’t as hard as I’d imagined. Thank you.”

  Fiona frowned. “Why are you thanking me? What do you mean?”

  Her contentment was so profound, Hannah sighed at how wonderful she felt. “The day before Thanksgiving you said were looking at life with a new perspective.” She grinned. “I decided I should do that, too.”

  “So that’s why you made that etching for the newspaper.”

  “Yes,” Hannah said. “And it was the right decision.” For the first time in months, her stomach growled. “Are there any biscuits left over? I’m hungry.” The craving for food increased. “And honey. I’d love some honey.”

  “You haven’t been hungry since I met you,” Fiona said. “We’ve had to force you to eat.”

  “I know.” Hannah rubbed her stomach. “Maybe I’m ready to make up for all those missed meals.” She was ready for other things, too. Rather than mulling over lists, she was going to focus on what she wanted, which was for Abigail to like her, because once that happened, maybe someday she’d feel comfortable enough to ask Teddy how he’d feel about becoming a father. She wouldn’t get her hopes up that it would happen by Christmas, nor would she dwell on it. Although a father for her baby would be the most wonderful Christmas miracle ever.

  Actually, Teddy would be the most wonderful Christmas miracle. Not just because she wanted her baby to have a father, but because she wanted Teddy to be her husband. It seemed strange to admit that, but it was true. He was so caring and kind. Very unlike the men she’d known all her life. She couldn’t imagine him treating anyone in rude or hurtful ways. He was too full of goodness and grace, and that was what she wanted. A life like Gram and Pappy had. A life like Fiona and Brett had.

  “Would you like tea with your biscuits and honey?” Fiona asked.

  “Actually, I think I’ll have a glass of milk,” Hannah said. “A big one.”

  Her appetite remained with her all day, as did the contentment. It seemed to have taken root inside her and that night she slept better than she had in a very long time. She was dressed and ready for church along with everyone else, but remained behind. Angus O’Leary, who was a dear old soul, had made it a habit to walk her to church on Sundays from the time she’d arrived in Oak Grove.

  When the knock sounded on the back door, she slipped on her coat while walking across the room. Her heart skipped a beat at the same time the baby moved, which was also the same moment she opened the door and saw Teddy standing there.

  Although happy to see him, she was also concerned. “Where’s Angus?”

  “Nothing to worry about,” Teddy said. “Angus asked me to come escort you to church because his knee is acting up a bit.”

  She let out a sigh of relief. “I hope it’s not too bad.”

  “He’s escorting Abigail, so you’ll still see him.” He gestured toward the steps. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes, yes I am, and thank you for escorting me, but I could have walked with Brett and Fiona and the boys.”

  “You could have,” he said, pulling the door closed behind them. “But I’m extremely glad you didn’t.”

  She was, too, but stopped herself from saying that. “You seem very happy today.”

  “I am,” he said. “It’s a beautiful day, and I’m escorting a beautiful woman to church, and that gives me much to be happy about.” Leaning closer he said, “And all three hundred copies of the Gazette are printed and folded.”

  “Three hundred copies?”

  “Yes. Abigail thought people might like to buy extras to mail to family members.”

  “Oh, they might, for sure.”

  “Want to know a secret?” he asked.

  The teasing glimmer in his eyes had her biting her lip to keep her smile from growing too large. “What?”

  “The children will receive their copies at church this morning.”

  She clapped her hands at the excitement that instilled. “Oh, they will love that! Rhett and Wyatt have been counting the hours until Monday.”

  “I can’t take the credit,” he said. “Abigail decided we should distribute them a day early and was up half the night folding the papers. I’ve never seen her so excited about something.”

  “I’m so happy she liked the etching and that you were able to use it. I can’t wait to see the paper myself.”

  “I thought so.” With an extra-large grin, he pulled a copy of the Gazette out of the inside of his coat.

  “Oh, thank you!” They’d crossed the open field and were near the blacksmith shop. As she took the paper, she increased her speed and hurried around the side wall so the wind wouldn’t rip the paper as she folded it open. The picture, with all the children’s names printed below it, took up most of the top half of the first page. She’d seen several of her etchings in the paper, but had never experienced the amount of delight that filled her right now.

  “As I said before, it’s amazing,” Teddy said quietly.

  Tears of happiness stung her eyes as she looked up at him.

  “And I’m so proud of you,” he whispered.

  Then he did something that made her heart and the baby do a somersault. He leaned down and placed a soft, warm kiss on her cheek.

  * * *

  Teddy held his breath. The kiss had been an impulse, one he hadn’t even had time to consider. Until now. He was proud of her, and he was fond of her. Growing fonder every day.

  The air was still locked in his lungs when Hannah opened her eyes. The smile that settled on her lips was gentle and so serene the air seeped out of his lungs. Her eyes were so blue, her features so perfect, he could spend hours just looking at her.

  “We better go,” she said. “We don’t want to be late.”

  Thankful she didn’t question his impulsive kiss, he gestured toward the paper. “Would you like me to carry that for you? I have a large pocket inside my coat.”

  “Please.”

  After tucking the paper in his pocket, he held out his arm. She folded her hand around the crook of his elbow as they started to walk around the blacksmith shop. They conversed about the weather and a few other things, including how he’d eaten the pie she’d delivered. He had thought of her with every bite he’d taken of that pie, and about being married and having a family. The idea was growing on him. This time it definitely wasn’t because he felt sorry for someone. This went much deeper and was much stronger. Far deeper than pride. He was proud of her, but it was more than that. He truly admired her. Unlike Becky, who had cried on his shoulder
because of her situation, Hannah not only thought of others, she forged ahead.

  Arriving at the church, he led her up the aisle to where Brett, Fiona and the boys sat on one side. Abigail usually sat in the front, but today she was sitting with Angus across the aisle from Brett’s family.

  Abigail patted the bench space beside her. “We saved places for you.”

  Teddy remained silent, letting Hannah choose where she wanted to sit.

  Her smile never faltered as she stepped between the pews. “Thank you,” she said to Abigail before glancing around her to ask Angus, “How is your knee?”

  “Fine. ’Tis fine. It was just being testy this morning, lass. I hope you don’t mind that I asked the lad Teddy to escort you on this fine morning.”

  “Not at all,” she said, “but I do expect you to have Dr. Graham examine your leg if it’s not completely better by tomorrow.”

  Teddy took the seat beside her and nodded toward Angus as Abigail leaned closer to Hannah.

  “Did you see it?” Abigail asked.

  “Yes,” Hannah replied in a whisper. “Thank you. The children will be so happy.”

  “Thank you,” Abigail replied. “I believe it’s the best edition we’ve ever printed.”

  A mixture of satisfaction and pride filled Teddy. It might be too much to ask for these two women to become friends—Abigail didn’t acquire those very easily—but that was another thing about Hannah. She had the ability to look beyond the surface and touch the core of people. It would be good for his future wife and his sister to be close.

  His future wife. What was he thinking? He hadn’t decided that, had he? Hannah may not want that. She’d said she’d burned her list. Did that mean she didn’t want to get married at all now? What would that mean for her baby? Surely she didn’t plan on raising him or her all by herself? She made some money etching, but not enough to live on, and she couldn’t plan on living with Brett and Fiona her entire life.

  Teddy shifted slightly in his seat, just to take a quick sideways glance at Hannah. He hadn’t thought much about the mail-order bride idea when Josiah had first mentioned it. Wouldn’t have donated to the Betterment Committee if Abigail hadn’t insisted upon it. She’d said it was expected of him. As time went on and he found himself amongst men who’d truly wanted a wife—especially Brett—the idea of getting married still hadn’t appealed to him, although he’d pretended it did. He wasn’t lonely like the other men, not with Abigail living with him. And he had her to consider. She’d been so young when their parents had died, he knew he would continue to provide for her as long as necessary. Actually, having another woman around, one who could teach her the things he’d never been able to, might be a good idea. Hannah could teach her a lot. Especially when it came to being nice to others.