A Baby For Christmas

“He’ll follow you.”

“I’ve thought of that. And I have a plan. Why don’t you open the back door and toss the dishwater out. He’ll be watching you and I’ll slip out the front door. He won’t even know.” Please, God, make me invisible to him.

“Be sure and lock up after I leave.” She waited until Missy opened the back door, then slipped out the front and hurried down the street toward the heart of town, going directly to the stagecoach office.

“How do I get to Eden Valley Ranch?”

The bespectacled man behind the wicket stared at her. “Guess I’d have to know where it was before I could tell you that, ma’am.”

She racked her brain. Had Mrs. Hawkins ever said the name of the nearest town when she’d spoken of the ranch on which her son worked? Yes. It came in a flash and brought a relieved sigh. “Edendale in Alberta, Canada.”

The man tipped his nose as he studied a map on the wall to the side of the wicket. Then he brought his gaze back to her. “Well, ma’am, that’s a mighty long ways off. This here stage will take you as far as Fort Macleod, but, ma’am, it’s a long journey, especially for someone in your—” He turned so red his skin must have burned, and he didn’t finish.

“In my condition. Yes. Yes. But isn’t that up to me to decide?”

The color had begun to fade on the man’s cheeks, but again intensified.

“How much will it cost?” she asked. “And when does the stage depart?”

“I can sell you a ticket to Fort Macleod. After that, you’ll have to buy another to Edendale.” He named a sum that made Louise cringe.

“The next stage leaves tomorrow. Early.” He looked at Louise as if he thought getting up early was impossible in her condition.

“Fine. Thank you.”

She left the station and headed for the bank. Within minutes she had withdrawn enough money to buy the tickets in the morning, see them both safely to their destination and perhaps even to start a new life north of here. For a moment, her heart stalled at the idea of leaving behind the only place she’d ever felt she belonged. Perhaps she should appeal to the marshal to remove Vic from the Porter house.

Even before she finished the thought, she knew her wish was futile. Vic cared nothing for what the law demanded.

She had no choice but to proceed with her plan, and she left the bank to go back to Aunt Bea’s house. She turned the corner at the end of the block and ground to a halt as Vic stepped directly into her path.

“Thought you could get away, did ya? I wasn’t born yesterday.”

Holding in her fear, she replied evenly, “I was taking care of a few chores.”

“In the stagecoach station?” He chortled. “You thinking of taking a trip?”

She refused to answer.

“You get on that stage and I’ll follow you. I’ll bring you back. You will never get away from me. Not you nor Gordie’s sweet little sister.” He smiled benignly lest anyone be watching, but his words carried enough venom to make her skin crawl.

“I’ll tell everyone we don’t want to go with you.”

“No one will listen when I tell them yer my wife.” His eyebrows waggled in mockery.

She didn’t respond. He’d do it so convincingly, everyone would believe him and see her as a rebellious wife. Some would even cheer him for coming after her. She unconsciously pressed her hands to her belly.

His gaze followed. “Seems that kid ought to be born any day now. I got plans for it.”

“Plans?” What right did he have to make plans for her baby?

“Yup. Got a friend who knows people who will pay a lot of money for a baby.”

She staggered back as if he’d hit her. Threatening her was one thing, but threatening her baby was quite another. She began to tremble.

Giving her a smile, Vic touched the brim of his hat as if he were a mannered gentleman. “Nice talking to ya.” Anyone watching would think they’d had a friendly little chat.

They would be wrong.

Her insides rolled and tossed.

She breathed deeply, determined she would not be sick in public.

How was she to get away? How was she to make sure he didn’t follow her and bring her back as his “wife”?

She could think of one thing that would stop Vic. Now all she had to do was make Nate see the reasonableness of it.

* * *

Nate remained in the alley. Vic and Louise hadn’t seen him and he didn’t want them to. Especially Vic.

His opinion of the man had never been a secret and it had been reinforced yet again. The man was a danger to all decent folk.

Nate had been close enough to see the expression on both Vic’s and Louise’s faces, and to overhear enough words to know Vic had threatened her, then threatened to sell her baby. His fists balled. This must surely be the reason for her wanting to leave. It explained why she’d used but one word to explain her fear—Vic.

Nate turned back toward his mother’s house, having completely forgotten the errand that brought him into town.

Still seething, he burst into the house. But he jerked to a stop when he saw who was there.

“Louise?” She sat at the table facing his ma. “What are you doing here?”

Ma tsked. “I’m sure you don’t mean to sound so unwelcoming. She said she wanted to talk to you.”

Louise nodded. “There’s something I want to say.”

Ma got to her feet. “I’ll leave you two to deal with whatever it is that’s bothering the both of you.” She made for the door. “It’s hard to believe that you were once eager to spend time together.” The door closed behind her, shutting out her words and her opinion.

Nate sank to the chair she’d vacated. Ma was right. There had been such a time. “Things change,” he said. He had no desire to go back.

Louise liked to cling to what had once been, but wouldn’t she soon have a baby? Didn’t that mean she had to plan for the future?

He was about to say he’d seen her with Vic, when she leaned forward and started to talk.

“I want to leave. Go to Eden Valley Ranch.”

He nodded. Would have said he thought it a good idea but she didn’t give him an opportunity.

“I obviously can’t ride a horse all that way. In my condition. I can buy us tickets on the stagecoach,” she said. “I already made inquiries.”

“Good.”

“But—” Her head jerked up and her fierce gaze left him speechless. She had something in mind and she meant to get it done. She lowered her gaze, enabling him to release his breath. She studied the top of the table. “If Missy and I try to go alone, I fear Vic will stop us.” She lifted her head, her eyes this time filled with what he could only say was a mixture of sorrow and fear. She shuddered.

He knew she had every right to be afraid of Vic. The man would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. He wished he could offer her escape, but he didn’t see how he could.

“What I need,” she continued, her voice strong and steady, “is a man to protect us.”

He knew from the look in her eyes she meant him. But they’d already had this discussion. Accompanying her would get her away from Vic, but it would ruin both the women’s reputations. Even a widow’s expecting a child.

He wished he could protect Missy and Louise. But what could he do?

“Louise, I’ve already told you I can’t—”

She cut him off with a wave of her hand. “I have the perfect solution.” She straightened in the chair and drew in a long breath. “You and I can get married.”

“Married?” No other word came to his mind.

“Marry me and take us to Eden Valley Ranch.”

“Marry?” Still he was capable of saying nothing else.

Her eyes narrowed. “This is the Porters’ grandchild. Gordie’s child. Doesn’t that mean anything to you? After all they did for us? They gave us a family when our own were too busy.”

She was right, but he needed to see Mountain Mike and buy his ranch. The thought of his land seemed to ground him and allowed him to think sanely again. “But the place I’m looking to buy has only a tiny cabin. Only big enough for a man. Not two women and a baby.” Then again, if a man and a woman loved each other, the small quarters wouldn’t be a problem. A persistent hope sprang to his mind.

“I’m only suggesting a pretend marriage until we get there. Then we can have it annulled.” She widened her eyes as tears glistened in them.

A pretend marriage? Was such a thing possible?

“Must you look so shocked? Am I so unappealing?”

He managed to shake his head. Seemed the power of speech had abandoned him again. Then, seeing how she struggled to keep the pooling tears from overflowing, he started to reach for her hands. He stopped himself because he had no right. “Marriage isn’t like buying a ticket for the stagecoach. It’s a lifetime commitment.”

Her eyes pinned him with dark fierceness. “Only real marriages are forever. You don’t love me. I don’t love you. We both know it’s not for real.”

Her words scraped through his insides. A person couldn’t be much clearer than that about their feelings. Even knowing she was only asking to use him, he considered her request. Marriage gave him the right to tell Vic to leave Louise and Missy alone. He could protect her, get her to safety.

He nodded. “Very well. Let’s get married.”

She blinked and then blinked again. “Really?”

“You heard me.”

She sprang to her feet and rushed to his side to hug him. “Thank you. Thank you. You will not regret this. I promise.”

He hoped not. But already doubts had sprung from the corners of his mind. How could he pretend to do something that, a long time ago, he’d dreamed of?

Chapter Two

Louise returned to her chair and studied Nate. He’d said yes without much of an argument. Why was he so agreeable? But she wasn’t about to guess at his reasons so long as he got them safely to their destination.

A fear clawed at her brain. He was in a hurry. Would he escort them all the way or leave them in some little way station to fend for themselves? After all, he was good at leaving. Seemed all the important men in her life were. Though Pa had made her be the one to leave, and Gordie and his parents had died. Each case was different, yet in her heart she viewed them the same. She’d been left before, so it wouldn’t surprise her if it happened again. Best she could do was be prepared for it.

She pressed her palms to her stomach. The funds she had would not last long and she’d have a new baby to care for besides watching over Missy. Resolve flooded her being. She could and would take care of herself. Had been since she could remember. Pa had expected it. When it got too much for him, he’d shipped her off to Aunt Bea, who likewise made it clear she didn’t care to bother with Louise. Only while the Porter parents lived had she found the sort of welcome she longed for. But Eden Valley Ranch promised refuge while she sorted her life out and decided what to do next.

Would she be refused refuge at the ranch for making a mockery of the wedding vows?

Please, God, just let us get away from Vic, then I’ll manage somehow. With or without Nate. Doubt again tugged at her heart. Would God refuse to help her because she meant to be untruthful about the wedding vows? As always, when doubts flared, she reminded herself of all that the Porters had taught her about God’s love and faithfulness. Surely God would understand, given the circumstances.

She realized she still gawked at him. “What now?” she asked.

He laughed, his blue eyes flashing with amusement. “This was your idea. Shouldn’t you be the one with things figured out?” Their gazes locked, just as their futures were soon to be bound together for a short time.

She jerked her attention to a worn spot on the table. “It’s a rather new idea and I hadn’t given the particulars much thought.” She paused a moment. “The stage leaves tomorrow.” After another hesitant beat, she added, “Early.”

“Then I suggest you get on with your wedding plans.” His eyes still twinkled.

“I think you’re enjoying my discomfort.”

He sobered. “No. But you must admit, it is a little amusing. A spur-of-the-moment wedding. The bride—” His gaze darted to her belly and he chuckled. “Some would think this is a shotgun wedding.”

Heat rushed up her neck, but she would not turn from giving him a steady look. “It’s Gordie’s baby. I don’t expect you to take care of it.”

His smile turned into a scowl. “Of course.” His gaze went beyond her and grew distant.

She wondered what he was seeing. Maybe someday she’d feel comfortable enough to ask. Right now all that mattered was he’d given his word and they were to be married. All she wanted from this relationship was to get away from Vic and gain safety for herself, her baby and Missy.

She didn’t expect anything more from him.

Nate got to his feet. “Seems we have a wedding to arrange. Why don’t I take you to Aunt Bea’s and you can tell her your plans.” He held out a hand to help her to her feet.

She might have refused, but it was getting harder and harder to get up gracefully.

He squinted at her. “When is this baby due?”

She understood the question he meant to ask. Was she going to deliver on the journey? Please, God, let me go a little longer. One week until they reached their destination. One week of pretend marriage and then the joy of her little son or daughter. She couldn’t think of a better Christmas present.

To Nate she gave a dismissive shrug. “Not for a while.”

His eyebrows rose. Then he let the subject go and opened the door his mother had closed a short time ago. “Ma, I’m taking Louise home. I’ll be back in a bit.”

They left the house and went to Aunt Bea’s house, pausing outside the door.

“I’ll wait until you inform her, then take you to your house,” Nate said.

“That won’t be necessary. Missy and I took what we needed when we left yesterday.”

He caught her shoulder and brought her around to face him. “You’ve left your house? Why?”

“Because Vic moved in.” The words were soft, disguising the anger that burned through her at being forced from her own home.

Nate dropped his hand from her shoulder and pushed a fist into his palm. “The louse.”

“Snake,” she corrected. “He’s a slithering snake.”

“You won’t have to worry about him much longer. Marriage will protect you. Listen, it’s best if no one knows it’s only pretend. Vic might see that as an opportunity.”

“Agreed.”

“Let’s go tell your aunt.”

She knocked. “I told Missy to bar the door when I left.”

Nate’s fists balled at his sides. “That will end before the day is out. He won’t bother you any longer.”

Good to know. Whatever lay ahead of sorrow or joy, she would at least be free of Vic.

Missy opened the door and Louise slipped in with Nate at her side. She welcomed his support. “I have good news,” she said, including Aunt Bea, who sat in her customary upholstered chair. “Nate and I are getting married.” Before either of the women could speak, she rushed on. “Missy and I will go north with him.”

“We’ll be safe?” Missy asked.

“We’ll be safe.” Louise patted Missy’s arm as the girl let out a long gust of air.

“Well, I hate to see you go.” Aunt Bea sounded as if it couldn’t be too soon to suit her. “When are you planning to marry him?”

“Today.” At the stunned look on Missy’s face, she choked back a giggle. Aunt Bea’s eyes widened. Louise tried to think if she’d ever surprised her aunt before.

If so, she couldn’t remember it.

Aunt Bea managed to get to her feet in record time. “Today? There is much to do to get ready.”

Louise could think of nothing except the need to sign a document. But if Aunt Bea, with her unbending opinions of proper conduct, knew it was to be a temporary marriage, she would likely raise enough objections to create a stir, maybe even persuade the preacher to refuse to marry them.

“I’ll go see to the details,” Nate said. “Lock up behind me.” He hurried out the door.

Louise turned the key, then faced Aunt Bea. “Tell me what I need to do.”

* * *

Nate stood outside until he heard the key turn, then tested the knob. The lock held and he strode away as fast as his legs would take him. His insides burned with fury.

Vic had moved into the Porter house? Seemed he thought he owned the house and the family. Well, the family would be leaving. The family would say goodbye to their home and learn, as he had, that nothing lasts.

Not even marriage, it seemed. What they planned was only pretend. A convenience. He pushed aside the guilt stinging his thoughts.

So far as he could tell, nothing was forever, but at least he could get Missy and Louise and Gordie’s unborn baby away from Vic.

He stepped into Ma’s house. She stood at the stove, tending a pot of something that smelled mighty fine. “Making soup?”

“Cream of potato. Thought I’d make your favorite while you’re here.”

“Ma, sit down. I need to talk to you.”

She pushed the pot to the side of the stove and pulled out a chair to sit. “That sounds like a warning.”

He didn’t know what he’d call it. Nor how to explain what he meant to do except to come right out and say it. “Ma, Louise and I are getting married.”

“Good.” She patted his hand. “I’ve always thought you two were suited to each other.”

“You did? But she married Gordie.”

“She was hurt and confused. The poor girl had lost so much and was trying to recapture it.”

He stared at his ma. “How do you know all this?”

“I’m a mother, even though I haven’t been the kind I wanted to be.” Her eyes looked past him into the distance. “If only your father hadn’t died.” She shook her head. “So you’ll be staying around a few months? That’s good.”

Let her believe this marriage was for real. The more who thought that, the better for them. “No, I’m leaving tomorrow.”

“I see. When will you come back for the wedding?”

“We’re getting married today. As soon as I can make arrangements.”

Ma stared at him, her hands limp in her lap. “Today?” Her voice squeaked. “That hardly seems—”

“Proper?” He knew many would think the same, but he didn’t care what anyone thought except perhaps Ma.

“No. It hardly seems enough time to plan a wedding.”

“How long does it take to find the preacher, say the vows and sign the papers?” Vows. He’d be vowing before God and man to stay with her until death parted them. God did not take lightly a man making vows, then breaking them.

“Are you sure about this?” Ma asked.

No, he wasn’t sure. At least not about pretending the vows. But he was sure about the reason for it. “I can’t leave them here.” He explained the way Vic treated Louise and Missy, and hoped she agreed the wedding had to be immediate.

“That’s very noble, son, but it hardly seems enough reason to marry.”

Likely it didn’t to anyone but himself and Louise. “We’re of a like mind.” Their reasons were enough to satisfy him. “I’m going to buy a ranch and it will be nice to have a home and family, too.” His insides coiled at purposely leading her to believe forever was part of their plan. He’d told her of the place he hoped to purchase. His journey home would be slowed by having to accompany Louise on the stagecoach. He wouldn’t have any time to spare if he hoped to get back to Edendale in time to meet the mountain man. “You could come too, Ma.”

“Thank you, but no. This is my home. I’m too old to start over again.” She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.

“You’re thinking of Pa, aren’t you?” Nate could barely recall his father. A man who laughed a lot, roughhoused with Nate and kissed Ma often.

“I never got over him. You are so much like him.”

“In what way?” It seemed important to know, seeing as he was soon to become a husband, if only for a week.

“You look like him. He wasn’t much older than you are now when he died. You are like him in other ways, too. He was ready and willing to help those who needed it.” Nate knew the story. He’d been killed helping a neighbor put up a barn. A beam had fallen and crushed him.

His mother stood up. “But enough of that. I need to get ready for a wedding.” She was halfway out of the kitchen before she stopped. “Help yourself to the soup.”

“Yes, Ma.” He didn’t have time to eat. There were details to take care of now.

“Make sure you eat. The day will be even busier as it goes along.”

When he didn’t move, she hustled to the stove, filled a bowl and set it before him. “Eat.” She waited until he put a spoonful in his mouth.

“Mmm. Good.”

“Now I must get ready. Will you come and get me when it’s time?”

“Yes, I will.” He ate the soup hurriedly, then trotted over to the house next to the church where he found the good preacher. A man he hadn’t met before who introduced himself as Pastor Manly.

Nate took that to be his name, certainly not a description. The pastor was slight, pale and fidgety.

Nate explained he wanted to get married. “This afternoon.”

“Fine. Fine. Bring your bride here.” The man had thin white hair. Its thinness likely not helped by the way he ran his fingers through it.

“Is there some reason we have to get married here?” Perhaps there was some law saying where people could wed.

“It’s convenient.”

“Could you marry us at Miss Williams’s house?” he asked, naming Aunt Bea.

Did the pastor blush? He certainly tapped the tips of his fingers together rapidly. “Yes, yes. What time?”

He hadn’t asked Louise what time suited her. He’d have to guess. “Would five o’clock suit?”

“It will be fine. You will need two witnesses of legal age.”

“Miss Williams and my ma, Mrs. Hawkins?”

“Yes, yes. Now, let me get ready.” He waved Nate away.

Nate hurried from there to the stagecoach depot and checked on tomorrow’s departure of the stage.

The agent consulted a schedule. “Be here by seven-thirty. The driver will want to be on his way by dawn. Days are short.”

“Thanks.” Nate didn’t hang about to see what else the man had to say but hurried to Aunt Bea’s to inform Louise of the time of the wedding.

At his knock, she pulled him inside and closed the door. “Vic’s been hanging about out back.”

“I’ll take care of him.” He eased Louise aside, intending to dash out the back door. Louise stopped him.

“Leave him be. What did you find out?”

He told her the arrangements for the wedding.

“I’ll be ready,” she said.

“You haven’t changed your mind?” Seemed now was the time to do so if she wasn’t sure.

“I’ll do what I have to to get away from him.” She jabbed her thumb over her shoulder.

He studied her, recognized the look on her face. It was the same one she used to get when he and Gordie said she couldn’t join them in some activity. Didn’t matter if it was playing ball, climbing a cliff or rowing a boat on the river. She always insisted she could do whatever they did even though she was a girl and a year younger.

He chuckled.

“What’s so funny?”

“I remember how you always had to prove you could do whatever Gordie and I did.”

Her fierce gaze didn’t falter. “Seems I did it, too.”

“Except rowing the boat.” He chuckled again at the memory of her tipping over her boat and falling headfirst into the river. “I pulled you to safety or you’d likely have drowned.”

Their gazes riveted together, full of memories of a happier time. It had come to an end, of course.

She smiled. “Guess it’s up to me to prove again that I can face a challenge.”

He held her gaze. Or did she hold his? “I guess it’s up to me to rescue you again.”

He saw the protest in her eyes, but before she could voice it, the look faded to acceptance.

“You won’t regret it. I promise. You’ll be free as soon as we get there.”

From somewhere down the hall, Missy called Louise.

“I have things to prepare.” She held the door for him and locked it when he left. He stood on the step a moment, wondering how she could promise there’d be no regrets.