Western Kisses – Old West Christmas Romances (Boxed Set) (9 page)

“Now repeat after me,” said Pastor Lloyd. “I, Guss Adam Hindman, take thee, Willow Clair Brady, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward…”

While I waited to say my vows, I marveled at how calm I felt, how at peace I was with my decision. All I had to do was look into Guss’ eyes, and a peculiar, nearly languid sense of serenity came over me. This in turn softened my features, lifting the edges of my mouth into a permanent smile. The dress I wore had been purchased at the mercantile yesterday, a light pink creation with a fitted bodice and long sleeves. The veil was something my mother sewed last night; the sheer white material had been adorned with small fake, pink flowers.

Through a soft fog of happiness, I watched my intended’s mouth move, saying the words that would bind him to me forever. When it was my turn, I repeated the same sentences, until Pastor Lloyd declared us man and wife.

I gazed at my husband, yearning to kiss him, but he drew me close for a brief moment, murmuring, “I love you, Willow.”

“I love you.” His lips brushed my forehead.

Hundreds of eyes were upon us, and everyone offered cheers and congratulations, as we wandered up the aisle towards the heavy wooden doors. I passed my parents who beamed, my sister, as tears flooded her eyes, and Milly and Ellen, dressed in their Sunday best. Mayor Walden and his wife were present, as was William and his family. Cybele was conspicuously absent, which was perplexing, but I hardly had time to worry over these matters. As we left the church, standing outside in the blinding, freezing light of day, bells rang and people tossed rice, while applauding.

I’d always wanted to hide my face, especially when I was in public, but, now, seeing the acceptance of so many and their well-wishes on my momentous day, I did not feel the urge to disappear. Guss held my hand, leading me towards my parent’s hotel, where the reception would be held. The next hour was spent receiving gifts and congratulations and sharing a delicious slice of cake, which I had baked the night before, although Ellen had decorated it with an almond paste icing.

“I’m so happy for you,” said Leona. “But…I’m jealous. Now I want to get married even worse than before.”

I groaned. “I hope we survive the winter having to listen to your complaints.”

“I really don’t see why I have to wait for spring. You have to help me persuade mother.”

“I won’t think of that right now. Can’t I enjoy my special day?”

She had the grace to look ashamed. “Oh, very well.”

I hugged her. “All in good time. You’ll be married before you know it.”

“Congratulations!” Ellen held out her arms. “Give me a hug.”

“The icing on the cake was wonderful, Ellen.”

“I’m glad you liked it. I’ve saved you the top piece for later. It’s in the kitchen.”

“Thank you.”

“You look so beautiful, Willow.”

“Thank you.”

Pa had his hand on my back, and I turned to look at him. “Give your father a hug.”

“I’m so happy,” I murmured.

“It shows. I’m proud of you, Willow. I think you’ve made a good match.”

“I feel that I did.”

“Your mother’s already talking about grandbabies—”

I gasped. “Pa!”

He laughed, “I know, I know. One thing at a time.” He headed for the buffet table. “Now, for another slice of that cake.”

The room was filled with friends, most of whom had already offered congratulations. William, who stood with his mother, glanced at me, his expression unreadable. I’d seen him speaking to Guss earlier, and I couldn’t help wondering what was said. When the cake was mostly eaten and Ellen and Milly had disappeared, returning to the kitchen to clean up, I found myself with my husband, who had a glass of wine in his hand.

“Do you think we’d be missed, if we disappeared down the hall?” he asked.

“Mother has a room ready for us. It’s our biggest with a fireplace.”

His eyes sparkled. “When can we go?”

“I’ll tell her.” I brushed past him, but he grabbed my arm, bringing me near, kissing the side of my face. Our eyes met, as something warm and sultry burned. “They’d better not disturb us for a good long time.”

“I agree,” he chuckled.

I hurried to where mother was in discussion with Mayor Walden’s wife. “We’re off now.”

“So soon? Did you have any wine?”

“We’re taking the bottle,” I lowered my voice, “to our room.”

“Oh, I see. You needn’t bother. I put one there already.”

“I’ll leave this here then. We don’t wish to be disturbed.”

“I’m well aware of that.” She smiled, the edges of her eyes crinkling. “You look lovely, my dear. The service was perfect. Congratulations.”

I embraced her. “Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without everyone’s help.”

“I’ll make your excuses, although you need none. Have a wonderful night. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Thank you.” I hurried across the room to where my husband was, although people had already guessed we were about to take our leave. They cheered for us, as shouts and well-wishes rang out. When we were away, strolling down the hallway, I asked, “Did we leave too soon? Were we rude?”

“Not at all.” He stopped before the door, smiling. “Now, I’ll have to bring you across the threshold. A hand went beneath me, as he lifted me off the floor. “Can you get the knob?”

“I’ll try,” I giggled. We were in the room a moment later, facing a blazing fireplace, which had warmed the space considerable. There was a bottle of red wine on a table with two glasses, and the bed had been turned down. “They even brought flowers.” Although, at this time of year, mother had assembled a vase of evergreens instead. “It’s like Christmas morning.”

“That’s not for two days, but I know what you mean.”

He set me on my feet, and I worked to draw the gloves off, revealing a shiny silver band around my ring finger. “Will they really not bother us?”

“That reminds me.” He thrust the key through the door, turning it. “Now it’s locked.”

“What shall we do?”

“Let’s sit by the fire.” He took his sack coat off, draping it over a chair. “Wine?”

“I suppose.” It was strange being alone with him, knowing that we had every right to be private in this manner. I stepped out of my shoes, which had been pinching my feet. “There were so many people at the church.”

“Indeed.” He handed me a glass of wine, the burgundy fluid sloshing inside the rounded glass. “Come sit with me.”

I joined him on the sofa, while the fire crackled and popped, throwing out softened light. “Here’s to new beginnings.”

“A fresh start.” We clinked our glasses together.

“You were talking to William earlier.”

“I was.”

“I spoke to him yesterday.”

“He said so.”

“I want you to know that—”

“It’s not necessary.” He’d had a sip of the drink, placing the glass on a nearby table. “He’s a troubled man, my love, but that’s hardly our concern. He offered his congratulations, and I have accepted them. I sensed his regret, but that’s his loss. I knew you were special the moment we met. You were a shy, frightened creature, who was scared of her own shadow, but you’re not like that anymore. You beamed at the church. Your smile was brighter than a thousand candles.”

Tears were in my eyes. “Oh, Guss.”

He touched my face. “I’ve never been more proud of you, Willow. I didn’t think I could love you more, but I do. You saved me from a life of loneliness and despair, but I saved you too. You realize that, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Now, why the tears?” He smiled tenderly.

“Because I love you so very much.”

He took the glass out of my hands, placing it with his. Then he drew me into his arms. “I love you, my darling.”

“I thought that luck had forsaken me, but I was wrong. I’ve been blessed with outstanding parents, an irritating sister—but I love her too—and some wonderful friends.” I glanced up at him. “But you…you…”

“What?”

“You made all my dreams come true.”

His lips brushed my forehead. “Not yet, Willow, but I will.”

“Merry Christmas, Guss.”

“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Hindman.”

The End

Six months later…

“Do you think we’ll survive ten more days?” I asked, turning to look at my husband, who sat in bed with a book.

“Probably not.”

I giggled, “I had high hopes…”

“Your sister…is a challenge.”

Leona would be married soon. “Indeed.” It was Saturday morning, and we were still lazily in bed, while the aroma of fresh wood surrounded us. The cabin had only just been completed. “Should I put another log on the fire?”

He grinned. “Please.” Snatching a blanket, I wrapped it around myself, as it was the only thing I wore. “That’s a shame.”

I slid into slippers, because the floor was made of earth, which had been layered in gravel. “I really should get dressed at some point today. Someone has to cook.”

“We’ve bread and there’s ham in the cellar.”

“That’s true.” I grasped a log, tossing it into the fire. “There, that should do it.” Then I returned to bed, all under Guss’s watchful eyes.

“Come here.”

Although summer was nearly upon us, it was still chilly in the mornings. “Who will milk the cow?”

“I will…soon.” He reached for me, encountering bare skin, which was littered with small, round discolorations, even my belly, which protruded. He’d left the book on the nightstand, while enfolding me in his arms. “That’s so much better.”

My hand encountered his firm chest, which was smattered with hair. “This is shamefully decadent.”

“Shush,” he murmured. “Your parents don't need to know we’re in bed half the day on Saturday.”

“I can tell you they’d be shocked.”

“Then we had best keep it to ourselves.” His hand skimmed over my hip, while his lips grazed my cheek.

“I am rather hungry.”

“You’re always hungry.” His tone had taken on a husky quality.

“That would be your fault.” The baby took that moment to kick, as if agreeing with me.

“I’ll happily take the blame.”

“Do you think I became pregnant on our wedding night?”

“I believe so.”

“It was…rather magical.” I sighed, remembering every moment of that evening. “It’s the best present I’ve ever had.”

“Be careful about that. I’ve heard infants are a fair amount of work.”

“Mother’s beside herself with excitement. She’s already knitted six outfits, four hats, three sets of booties, and a pair of mittens.”

“Add to that all the blankets you’ve made, and we’re nearly ready.”

“In four months, we’ll have him or her here with us.”

His hand spanned my belly. “She’s already here.”

“She?”

“I think it’ll be a she.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Just a hunch. I had…a dream. I saw a great deal of pink.”

I touched his face, feeling an unruly beard. “You need to shave.”

“I’d first have to get out of bed. Since marrying you, it seems to be one of our greatest challenges.”

I giggled. He was right. We read in bed, ate in bed, and I had even written letters, although I’d spilled ink on my favorite blanket. That hardly compared to the hours spent in each other’s arms, kissing, touching, and exploring…

“Well,” I said pragmatically. “Once the baby’s born, that’ll be one extra person in bed.”

“Then we’re doomed. There’s no help for us.”

I leaned over him, smiling. “You’ve taken our demise rather well, sweetheart.”

He shrugged. “It’s not such a burden after all.”

I pressed my lips to his. “No, it isn’t.”

“They say we shouldn’t…have relations with you being as pregnant as you are.” The timber in his voice sent a shiver down my backbone.

“I wouldn’t listen to them. I plan on enjoying you…until the very end.” His eyes widened, as I ran my hand across his belly.

“You scandalous woman.”

“Oh, let’s not talk anymore. Kiss me.”

“Yes, my dear.”

Carré White is the author of "Sonoran Nights", a book that is set in the same small town in Arizona that she grew up in. After marrying, having children, and traveling, she has settled in Colorado, enjoying nearly 350 days of sunshine.

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By Anya Karin

When Lottie Wright’s home town of Almos, Texas, way up in the panhandle, empties out with Civil War fear, she and her father decide to weather the storm. They make do with what they have and what they can scrounge, but the older she gets, the more Lottie longs for something she can’t have.

Colton Howe has finally made one bad decision too many. Running from his past, he comes across a lonesome house on the Texas panhandle, and walks straight into destiny.

Immediately infatuated with the rugged cowboy, Lottie suddenly knows what she’s been missing, but with winter bearing down, and loneliness an even worse fate than starvation, Lottie and Colton must come to terms with themselves if they’re ever going to accept each other.