ROMANCE: Holiday Romance: Her Christmas Surprise (Sweet Clean Holiday Romance) (Holiday Bride Book 1)

by Mercy Levy

  “Well, that man was certainly handsome.” Charlotte whispered once they were around the corner and heading past the city building on their way home.

  “I don’t know, I’m not sure what counts for handsome in Texas. The fashion is certainly different here than there. Cherry watched as every man on the street paraded with at least one gun on his hip. “In Philadelphia, for example, gentlemen wear jackets that cover their gun belts, if they wear guns at all. Guns are not so fashionable there as they seem to be here in Angel City. Maeve scoffed.

  “Yankees are all soft now, are they?” She teased Cherry. “I’ll bet you’ve never even seen a man get shot, have you?” Cherry agreed that indeed she had not, and furthermore, she was grateful for the fact. The Texas-born sisters chuckled at her vehemence. “Well, Miss Yankee from Philadelphia, you better get used to the idea that it might happen, because you just offered yourself in the holy order of matrimony, to a true-blue confederate soldier Texas cowboy.” Maeve reminded her.

  “One who may very well reject me and carry on his merry way.” Cherry countered as the ladies opened the front door to their little home on the edge of town. “I can’t imagine what a cowboy would think of a wild, irresponsible, gypsy like me and I do not know what I was thinking, running away from those awful people. But, it was either that, or kill them in their sleep…” Cherry’s dripped with sarcasm.

  “Well now, miss, it’s probably in your best interest that you didn’t go and kill the people you were stealing from, at least from a law standpoint.” Cherry’s face turned white and her knees gave out at the words delivered by a man with a star on his chest, standing in the middle of the living room.

  “Oh my God. Oh my God…” Cherry repeated over and over as Maeve and Charlotte helped her into a chair by the fire.

  “I think you need to just leave and we can take care of this in the morning, Paul.” Maeve chided the Deputy. There’s no need to fuss, obviously the girl is here, but I’m not going to let you lock her up in a cell after what she’s been through.” She advanced on the man, letting her voice crescendo as she stalked toward him.

  “Evening Maeve.” The deputy replied, dipping his head a little. “You look real good.” Maeve stopped in her tracks shaking with anger.

  “As I did three years ago, and six, but nothing ever comes of it, does it Paul?” She ground out through her clenched jaw to keep from yelling. “Leave now, and we will come by in the morning to make a statement.” She finished, after taking a deep breath to calm herself.

  “I don’t know if I can do that, Maeve, as she’s already proven her willingness to run, even leave the state with her ill-gotten gains.” He replied. “I don’t want to upset ya’lls’ evening, I’m just doing my job.” A strangled cry from Cherry reminded the bickering couple she was still in the room, as she rocked back and forth in her chair sobbing, unable to hold back her fear and anger and horror any longer.

  “Ill-gotten gains?” She wailed at the wide-eyed deputy. “I left with half of what they owed me in pay HALF! And they have the nerve to say I stole from them? Why does being rich mean you can hurt the poor?” She sobbed, her voice cracking. Tears streamed down her face as she sat up and tried to pull herself together. “I left because my employer demanded I let him use my body like a common woman. I took less than half of my pay, and that money was handed to me with no questions asked, and therefore, no legal expectation of where it was going.” She paused and took a deep breath. “If you’re going to take me in, you do it knowing that I will be beaten and my body used for, for that, and all because you handed me over when I committed no crime!” She sagged back in her chair, and Charlotte put a hand on her shoulder.

  “You aren’t taking anyone away, are you, Paul?” Charlotte asked gently. “It sound like we have a civil complaint here, not a criminal one, surely that can be handled once we get someone to represent Miss Flannigan?” The deputy twisted and wrung the hat in his hands. He sighed and looked at the waiting Threshers while Cherry stared down at her hands.

  “I’m certain that Paul will do the right thing.” Mr. Thresher replied to his elder daughter. He put a hand on The deputy’s shoulder and looked at the women in the room. “It was good seeing you again, Paul, it’s been too long.” The older man spoke with finality, and the deputy knew that to force the issue would start a war he wasn’t ready to fight. Silently, Maeve walked him to the door and he tipped his hat to her after he set it on his head.

  “Good evening, Maeve. It truly was a pleasure to see you.” He murmured to her before he turned to go, and almost crashed into a dark haired cowboy who was walking up the steps.

  “Begging your pardon, deputy.” Jack said with a tip of his hat. He turned to Maeve and addressed her as the deputy walked away, casting one last glance at the younger Thresher sister before he closed the garden gate behind him. Maeve looked up at the cowboy. He seemed familiar to her, and she was wary of his sudden presence at their usually visitor-less home.

  “And what can I do for you, sir?” Maeve asked peevishly. Seeing her former betrothed had done nothing for her mood, and she was aching to throw this stranger off her property. He seemed to sense her instant dislike for him and stepped back off the porch to stand on the walkway.

  “Ma’am, I’m not here to cause trouble, I’m just looking for Miss Maeve Thresher. The Newspaper told me I could find her here and that she would want to speak to me.” He took a deep breath before he continued. “I can see that you are not in a position to want to talk to me, so if I could just ask her one real quick question, I will be on my way.” Maeve had stepped outside and closed the door behind her.

  “Are you Mr. Jackson Helm?” She asked, breathless.

  “Yes, Ma’am, I am.” Jack replied, relaxing a little. “You’re Miss Maeve, then?” He offered.

  “Yes, sir I am.” She smiled at him. “And you came all this way to ask about Miss Cherry Flannigan?” She continued.

  “Yes, Ma’am, I rightfully did.” Jack grinned. I am a little parched from my ride, I’ve been to every hotel in the city looking for her, but no one had heard of her. Could I maybe have some water and an idea of how to find her?” He wheedled. Maeve laughed. After a little hesitation, Maeve nodded and opened the front door.

  “We have company.” She announced to her sister and father. Her young guest was nowhere in sight, but at her glance, Charlotte nodded toward the bedrooms at the back of the house. Maeve offered Jack a seat and Charlotte brought each of the men a pint of her home brewed beer, which Jack gratefully accepted. While he downed his first mug and Charlotte fetched a second, Maeve scurried to the back of the house, where she found Cherry washing the tears and redness from her face with fresh, cold water.

  “Cherry, dear-heart, you have company.” She told the girl gently. “If you are able, it would be good for you to come out and meet him.” Cherry’s eyes widened and she pushed past Maeve, trotting down the hall to the front room, where her mystery cowboy sat calmly drinking a pint of beer on a chair upholstered with floral printed fabric.

  “Oh my God.” She gasped as he saw her and struggled to stand without spilling his beer. “It’s you!” She stood stock still, staring as a slow smile spread across the cowboy’s face.

  “Well, I’ll be damned.” He cursed softly. “It’s you.” He teased as he set his drink down on the table. He watched her as her eyes oved over his body, pleased by the blush that raced to her cheeks when she realized what she’d been doing. “Do you find me acceptable, then?” He teased gently. Cherry glanced around the room and saw that her hosts had abandoned her to the handsome, brown-eyed stranger standing before her.

  “Why are you here?” She asked. She felt breathless and weak, but determined that he wouldn’t see it.

  “I read your letter and knew I had to find you before anyone else did. He shrugged. “I was, well, I was touched by how brave you were and wanted to keep you safe.” Her eyes dropped and she blushed prettily again.

  “Well, I’m a terrible criminal master
mind, obviously.” She groused. “There was a man here just before you, who seemed to know Miss Maeve awfully well, I might add, who was a deputy come to take me to jail for stealing.” She inhaled deeply and blew it out in a huff, crossing her arms under her breasts. Jack let his eyes wander over her appreciating her slender waist that pulled the eye up to the small beasts currently framed in by her milky white crossed arms, then up her slender white throat to her white, horror-stricken face. She started to make a sound of protest, but he cut her off with a masculine chuckle that made her stomach lurch and her knees weak.

  “Tit for tat, Darlin’.” He gloated. “Now we’re even.” With that she blushed even harder and cleared her throat. She slid into the chair in front of her and leaned back, closing her eyes.

  “Dear Sir, what is your name?” She asked when she opened them. Jack barked out a laugh.

  “Good God, of course. I am so sorry.” He walked to her and knelt at her feet as she watched him warily. “My name, Miss Cherry Flannigan, is Jackson Helm. I’m a Goliad County Regulator and a cattleman by trade, and I have decided to go into law enforcement.” He paused as she sat forward and bent over him her face close to his.

  “Are you here to arrest me then?” She murmured, so close he had to fight the need to kiss her.

  “No ma’am.” He replied in a hoarse whisper. “I’m here to make the bravest woman I ever met, my wife.” He scowled and continued. “But, I’ll be happy to take on anyone who stands in the way of that.” She gave a low laugh.

  “I wouldn’t suggest it, the people who I made angry are pretty wealthy and important where they’re from.” He snorted and took her small, callused hands in his.

  “Well, it just so happens that here, they aren’t nearly as important, and my friends are just as rich. We’ll take care of you.” He vowed. Unable to wait any longer, he gently pressed his lips to hers. She flinched, then pressed her mouth into his, her soft lips opening slightly as the pleasure of her first real kiss hit her like a velvet fist. She made a small sound of pleasure and surprise that brought him to his senses and he pulled away, smiling at the look of disappointment in her emerald eyes as he stared into them.

  “I’m sorry, Darlin’.” He apologized. “I know better, and you don’t. A kiss like yours can lead a man to do things he oughtn’t try with a lady.” She cast her gaze down and he lifted her face, his fingers under her chin. “I’m going to take you in with me tomorrow, and let’s see what we can do to solve all your troubles. After all, you have a wedding to plan, right?” He suggested, carefully watching her eyes for affirmation.

  She was still reeling from his kiss, and his casual proposal had her undone. With tears in her eyes, she nodded her assent, and threw her arms around his neck in an innocent, grateful hug. He stood, still holding her in place, and held her in his embrace until she relaxed against him, her face buried in his neck. With a chuckle, he finally released her.

  “You are a temptation, Miss Cherry.” He confessed. He grabbed his hat and headed for the door. “I’ll be seeing you soon.” He let himself out while she stood in the middle of the parlor, stunned. She was still standing when Maeve came out to check on her, having heard the front door open and close. She broke Cherry’s reverie and the girl sank to her seat and blurted the whole story to her with a dazed expression on her face. Maeve congratulated her new friend and helped her to her room for bed, though Cherry hardly got a lick of sleep for all the worrying and dreams and plans that raced through her head until the sky began to grow light again and her eyes finally closed from sheer exhaustion and relief.

  5.

  When Jack knocked on the door to the cottage the next morning, he was greeted by a much different mood than the night before. Charlotte invited him in and set a breakfast to please a king at the table in front of him. Across the table, Mr. Thresher was fighting his way through a plate of similar proportions, and Maeve sat next to him, peppering him with questions of the law and ways that they could help her friend.

  “You’ll have the wedding in our garden, of course.” Maeve commanded Jack, who merely nodded his agreement around a mouthful of eggs and grits. “I can loan Cherry a dress, I have a peach one tht would suffice, and my waistline isn’t what it once was.” She added before returning her attention to her father. Jack looked up at Charlotte in dismay and she winked and slid some rashers to the plate next to the scrambled eggs.

  By the time Jack had given up on his breakfast, Charlotte had revisited his plate three times with more eggs, rashers of bacon, and even tried to slip some fried okra onto his grits, scowling when he threw his hands up in surrender.

  “Enough woman!” Her father bellowed from the other end of the table. “Are you trying to kill him before he can even tie the knot?” He exclaimed as his jack and Maeve laughed. Charlotte giggled, blushing and instead, filled Jack’s glass with sweet tea, as he bowed and thanked her for the amazing repast.

  Cherry peaked around the corner into the dining room to a picture that nearly brought her to tears, as her rakishly handsome husband to be sat at the table with her newest, best friends and laughed freely, and joyously. It was as alien to her as it was beautiful, and she hesitated to join them, in fear that she’d make it stop if she interrupted. Happily, Maeve spotted her and dragged her to the table, to shouts from the sisters of “Congratulations!” and a hug from their father, who stood and helped her with her chair. Jack looked across the table at her and winked, making her blush, and Charlotte set a proper, ladylike plate in front of her. Feeling a little bit brave, Cherry pointed to the plate and griped about the amount of food.

  “What, Charlotte, are you trying to starve me?” She pouted, looking at Jack’s still heaping plate of food. Charlotte’s eyes flew wide and she threatened Cherry with the ladle from the grits, spilling he soft corn mash on the counter as she did it. That started a whole new round of laughter, and it was minutes before the family calmed down enough to plan Cherry’s trip to the Sheriff’s office, and after that, a quick wedding and a huge supper, already being planned by Charlotte.

  Maeve pointed out that as neither of them had many friends in town, they would simply invite the people that Cherry had met from the paper and keep it small, which both Jack and Cherry preferred.

  Jack had left his horse at the stable, so he could walk with Cherry to speak with the authorities. Cherry didn’t know what to do, and fear clenched around her throat in a tight fist of despair that she might walk in and not be able to leave. Her good mood gone, she pushed aside the breakfast she was no longer hungry for and retrieved her bonnet. She and Jack left alone, with a worried Maeve standing on the porch, watching them until they rounded a corner and she could no longer see them.

  Jack leaned down and kissed his bride to be on the cheek before walking into the sheriffs’ office, holding her hand. Paul, the deputy from the night before nodded his acknowledgement, a look of surprise on his face.

  “Good morning, deputy.” Cherry greeted him. Jack still held her hand and the deputy sized him up for possible trouble.

  “Good to see you this morning.” Paul replied, offering her a seat on a wooden chair by his desk. She sat and Jack stood behind her, his hands on her shoulders and a scowl on his face.

  “I told you I would come to clear this matter up, and I am eager to do so.” She began, finding courage in the warm strength of the hands on her shoulders. The deputy pulled out the letter that detailed her alleged crimes of larceny and a broken contract.

  “That I broke my work contract is true.” She replied easily. “I was…” She broke off and took a deep breath. “I was assaulted by my employer and felt I had no choice but to leave, as his influence bleeds into the law in Philadelphia.” She paused and Jack interjected.

  “Well, we know how they do the law up north, don’t we, deputy. When a man attacks a young girl and she has to flee for safety because the law won’t protect her, now, that’s a real travesty.” The deputy agreed and sighed.

  “So, what about the theft? Is it
as you said last evening, that it was only part of the pay you were owed?” Cherry nodded and handed him her contract, stating that the money she had taken was less than the monthly wages agreed upon, and furthermore, they had yet to pay her wages from the month before, as shown in her employment ledger, which she also handed him.

  “I knew that they would try to hurt me for leaving he way I did and embarrassing them.” She confessed. “The only real theft, is the ledger you hold in your hand, which I wasn’t supposed to ever see, let alone take.” She glanced up at Jack and he nodded for her to continue. “I am desirous to see this put behind us, and as such am happy to forego any back pay that the Winchesters owe me as a penalty for breaking my contract. If you don’t find that amenable, then I will have to file a suit against them for al damages and back pay, and charges against Mr. Winchester for, for his assault, as he is a married man, and I was his house-girl, not his wanton.”

  Deputy Paul pursed his lips and sighed. He looked over the papers she had handed him and looked at Jack for a long moment, while Cherry held her breath. Finally, he stamped the paperwork he had been reading from, and slid them into a messenger bag, along with the ledger.

  “As far as I am concerned, this matter is over. I will tell the judge and he will be in touch with you, but I’m removing the warrant for your arrest effective immediately. You have to understand, the judge has to decide this, but I’m sure he’ll see it the same way I do.” He looked at Jack again and asked, “aren’t you the fella that was in here yesterday afternoon, asking about the badge?” Taken aback, Jack could only nod yes to the deputy and the deputy smiled.