Western Christmas Brides: A Bride and Baby for Christmas / Miss Christina's Christmas Wish / A Kiss from the Cowboy

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 Hannah 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.

He’d never considered that before. Truth be known, his thoughts were more selfish. The desires Hannah evoked in him were like no others, and not just physically.

Daydreams had formed lately and had continued to grow every day involving her. He dreamed about her at night, too, dreams that left him aching in the morning. He’d tried not to admit that he was thinking of her along those lines, but he was, and those desires grew each and every time he saw her.

A gentle tap on his arm had him glancing toward her. Smiling, she gestured for him to stand along with her, and join in the singing of the hymn.

He did so, and then settled in to listen to Reverend Flaherty, hoping a solid lesson on righteousness would do him good. The reverend’s sermon was about love and kindness and forgiveness, all of which had him reaching over and taking hold of Hannah’s hand.

* * *

Hannah couldn’t remember if she’d ever enjoyed a sermon so much. The reverend’s message was full of hope as they embarked upon the Christmas season. In some ways, the holiday season had always seemed miraculous because when her family had descended upon her grandparents’ home for the holidays there had been nothing but kindness and love shared. Pappy had insisted it be that way. That the holidays were a time to rejoice in all the blessings that had been bestowed upon her family, and even her father had obeyed that rule. Thanksgiving and Christmas were the only two days she’d felt as if he’d loved her.

She may not be with them this year, but she could still honor her grandparents’ traditions. They would like that. Closing her eyes, she said a silent prayer of thanks, and rejoiced in how Teddy squeezed her hand. She’d been cherishing the warmth of his hand since he’d taken hold of hers earlier.

When people started gathering their coats and jackets, Reverend Flaherty said, “I’m going to ask you all to remain seated for a few minutes longer.”

As a curious stillness filled the church, Abigail whispered, “Will you help me distribute the newspapers?”

“I’d love to,” Hannah answered, truly honored.

Teddy stood and stepped aside, making room for her and Abigail to exit the row of pews. Hannah waited and then followed Abigail toward the front of the church where a table had been set up.

“At this time we’d like for the children to come forward,” Reverend Flaherty said. “Miss White has something to give them.”

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