“O Tannenbaum”!
The door swung open and she tumbled into Ox’s arms. Cookie raced out and across the yard to Colt.
Ox smelled of evergreen and shaving soap. “Howdy.”
Her future hanging in the balance, her nerves were on pins and needles. “Dear, dear Ox, please forgive me. I never should have called you a dumb ox or burned your unread letters.”
His eyes kind and loving, he stroked her back. “You were frightened.”
“I was a coward.”
“You are the bravest woman I know. That’s what I see.”
She hugged him, reveling in the security of his solid chest. “I see a sweet, good man.”
“Would you do me the honor of stepping into my cabin?”
A charging bull couldn’t budge her from his side. “You don’t seem surprised to see me.”
“White Wolf might have had something to do with that.” He drew her inside.
Her breath caught.
A Christmas tree twinkled with candlelight, red and green gingham bows, handmade foil and tin ornaments, and strings of popcorn. Balsam wreaths graced the windows. A holly-berry tea set and a plate of star-shaped sugar cookies adorned the plain wooden chair and table.
“Merry Christmas,” he whispered.
Was this a dream? “It’s beautiful. But…but…it’s summer.”
He dropped to one knee and clasped the hand holding the cane. “Marry me, Josephine Hopkins, and we will live each day in the spirit of Christmas. We will spend our time together celebrating love and family and faith.”
“What if I can’t have children?”
“No what ifs.” Love and tenderness glowed in his eyes.
“You might be a young widower,” she said.
“Tomorrow will take care of itself.”
“A wise man told me to trust in love.” Her eyes swam with tears. “You believe in me, in us?”
He stood and drew her hand to his heart. “With all that is in me.”
A tremble went through her. “I love you.”
“Will you marry me?”
“I will.” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.
He grinned, lifted her off her feet, and swung her in a circle. “Yeehaw!”
“Shouldn’t you say Merry Christmas?” she teased, laughing.
“That reminds me.” He set her on her feet. “Did you notice anything unusual about the tree?”
Intrigued, she moved closer and inspected the branches. Then she saw it. “The glass pickle ornament.”
“You win the extra surprise.” He dug a pretty wrapped box from under the tree.
“You shouldn’t have. I haven’t given you my present yet.” She told him about the bull and Garrett’s cleverness in safely putting the red bow on Texas. And ended by sharing how much fun it was to drive the buggy.
His smile was as wide as the Wyoming sky. “Convenient of Garrett to stay in Aurora and allow me to figure out how to get the ribbon off Texas.”
“I have confidence in you. Cowboys and ranchers are clever.”
He pointed to the box expectantly. “Go ahead and open it.”
The present weighed almost nothing. She untied the cranberry-colored bow and lifted the lid to reveal a white ceramic snowflake ornament nestled in green tissue paper. The hand-painted message in red letters brought fresh tears to her eyes.
Never Lose the Wonder or Joy.
Ox helped her hang it on the tree. She leaned back into his embrace.
The light and beauty of the Christmas tree reflected the love and contentment they shared.
Twenty-Five
In the spirit of living each day to the fullest, the wedding took place four short weeks later at Ox’s Homestead Ranch. He was pleased when Jo had insisted on marrying here. With help from family, the barn had been transformed into a rustic chapel, complete with wooden benches and flower-wreathed lanterns affixed to all the posts.
Garrett at his side as his best man, Ox waited for his bride to appear in the sunlight-flooded doorway. Given his meager start in an oxen manger and his expectation to live out his days as a bachelor, he was truly blessed.
His many brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews couldn’t look happier for him. Boone and Maggie helped Colt entertain Sugar Cookie, to prevent the dog from romping around and barking at the guests. Wolf, Juan, and Ace rode herd on the younger second-chance boys fidgeting in their seats in anticipation of the picnic and games to follow.
None of Jo’s Cincinnati family could attend, but Carl and Flora Simpson came as guests of honor. Miss Flora had made peanut butter fudge especially for Jo. And Carl proudly showed off pictures of their grandchildren.
Buck and Sally Goodman and the passel of other rancher friends filling the back benches wished him well in the new venture of running Hopkins Stables.
Jo wouldn’t hear of parting with the ranch. He planned to sell off his small herd, except for the longhorn bull. The cabin would serve as a summer retreat, and Texas would pasture there in summer and winter in one of the barns at Garrett’s ranch.
Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins smiled warmly at Ox. They already treated him like a son, and he couldn’t ask for more supportive or encouraging in-laws. By the end of the summer, Jo’s Papa and Mutter would move to a new home in Aurora currently under construction. They all agreed Uncle Will would approve of Ox and Jo living in his home and taking over the stable.
Brigetta waited beside the barn to start the phonograph when the bride arrived. She signaled them.
Ox’s pulse galloped like a herd of wild horses.
Josephine stepped into the light. In her dark green gown and with a circlet of red holly berries crowning her hair, she was a heavenly vision.
Music filled the barn—Christmas music.
He laughed, and her return smile was glorious.
Her father had offered to walk her down the aisle, but she insisted on doing it by herself.
Her cane decorated with flowers and ribbon, she took a step, then glanced heavenward. Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins leaned their heads together in a moving tribute to Jasper.
Ox made a silent promise to the beloved son and brother. I will cherish each day with Josephine.
Epilogue
On her first Christmas morning as Mrs. Josephine Haven, she awoke before dawn to discover Ox was already at work in the stable. The glimmer of the rising sun danced over the decorated tree, featuring the snowflake ornament Ox had given her.
Never Lose the Wonder or Joy.
She laughed at the green glint of the pickle ornament tucked behind the snowflake. “The Hopkins’s family grand pickle tradition continues, Jasp. I spotted the pickle first. I win.”
But no surprise could compete with the life-changing gift that came the day she’d spotted Ox carrying the longhorn calf over his shoulders.
Eager to share a Christmas kiss, she wrapped a shawl around her shoulders, grabbed her cane, and stepped out into the beautiful, cold stillness. A dusting of snow covered the wooden storefronts, and lamplight twinkled in the frosted windowpanes of most of the neighbors’ homes.
Across town, Mutter and Papa and Mr. Pip would most likely be rising from bed or moving about their new place. They would never admit it, but they were enjoying the slower pace of retirement. Dr. Craig was a frequent guest, her folks having taught him to play the card game Skat, and he’d reciprocated by introducing them to Cribbage.
Jo continued to greet the train and walk with Carl to the Last Chance Trading Post to collect Aunt Elsa’s postcards and letters from her Cincinnati cousins. The train continued to carry people and families coming West to start a new life, or less numerous, those challenged by disappointment or defeat of some kind choosing to return East.
The city of Cincinnati and her old neighborhood held a special place in her heart, but Aurora was now home. Wyoming high country and the numbness from time to time weakened her limbs had tested her courage and resolve. And she was stronger for it.
Sugar Cookie’
s tail wagged as he trotted to greet her as she entered the cozy confines of the stable. She scratched his ears. “Good dog.”
Ox filled a feedbox with oats. “I could hear you humming before you opened the door.”
“Was I?” This Christmas had arrived with a peace she hadn’t known since Jasper passed. Her frenzy to celebrate the season had been a means to escape her fears. Her condition remained stable, for now. And she found comfort and strength in knowing if more trials came, she wouldn’t face them alone.
She hugged her joy tight. “Maybe I was anticipating my Christmas kiss.”
All cowboy in his white broad-brimmed hat, red flannel shirt, and western boots, he set the bucket down, shed his work gloves, and moseyed toward her. “Maybe I was hurrying through the chores for the same reason.”
Her heart danced the Texas two-step. “Have I told you how much I love you?”
“You want to kiss me when I smell like an old horse hide. If that’s not love I don’t know what is.”
Their lips met in a fizz of laughter.
She pressed closer. “Happy Christmas, Husband.”
“Merry Christmas, Wife.” He kissed her soundly.
Arms curved around each other’s waists, they exited the stable. The horses whinnied in farewell. Sugar Cookie raced ahead and frolicked in the fresh-shoveled snow outside the entrance to the Rawhide Saloon. The distant mountains glowed soft pink from the rising sun.
Who knew a Wild West Christmas could be so lovely?
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Thank you for reading Merry Wild West Christmas! If you are so inclined, I’d love a review of Merry Wild West Christmas. Reviews can be hard to come by. You, the reader, have the power to make or break a book.
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For more books in this series: Brides of Sweet Creek Ranch Books
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All the best,
Wanda Ann Thomas
Books by Wanda Ann Thomas
Brides of Sweet Creek Ranch
Brides of Sweet Creek Ranch Series
Book 1: The Mail-Order Bride Carries a Gun
(Ty & Ella)
Book 2: Gunslingers Don't Die
(Boone & Maggie)
Book 3: The Cowboy Refuses To Lose
(Garrett& Brigetta)
Book 4: The Cattle Rustler and the Runaway Bride
(Wyatt & Kitty)
Book 5: The Cowboy Takes A Gamble
(Levi & Laura)
Book 6: Merry Wild West Christmas
(Ox & Josephine)
The Herod Chronicles
The Herod Chronicles Series
Book 1: The Warrior
(Nathan & Alexandria)
Short Story: The Stonecutter
(Cephas & Mary)
Book 2: The Barbarian
(Kadar& Lydia)
Book 3: Warring Desires
(Gabriel & Shoshana)
Book 4: Apostate Priest
(James & Elizabeth)
Inspirational Ancient World Romance
Faithful Daughter of Israel
(Julian & Anna)
About the Author
Wanda Ann Thomas is the author of Sweet Historical Western Romances and Ancient World Christian Romance. The common bond is my delight in LOVE stories. And creating stories is my happy place. After juggling a career as a dental hygienist and raising a family, I was ready for a new challenge. Twelve years and ten books later I am more enthralled with writing than ever.
Drawn to western historical romance I adore cowboy heroes and the women who braved the dangers of the wild and wooly West to start a new life, in a new land. The allure of the beauty and severity of the mountains and plains. The bedrock of ranching and farming communities where faith, family, and friends are the heart of life. Imaging the sights, sounds, smells takes me back to my youth and time spent riding my grandfather’s horses and summers haying and herding cows at my best friend’s family farm. And this is all tied up with the sweet bow of a heartfelt love story.
I’m blessed to be living my own happily ever after with my high school sweetheart turned husband. Our three beautiful children and their spouses and the grandchildren are the light of our lives. When not at my desk writing I enjoy playing a round of golf, or sitting by the pool, or watching my flower gardens bloom. Road trips are a favorite recreation. There nothing more I relish than the excitement of traveling to new places and touring museums and historic homes or exploring cities or visiting national parks. And refreshed and brimming with vivid sights, sounds, and images, I am just as eager to return home and plunge back into writing the next story.
Merry Wild West Christmas Page 9
