Convenient Christmas Bride (9781460389034) Read online

  “For that, sir, you will receive a bigger helping of the apple bread.” She sliced off an inch-thick slice, placed it on a small plate and handed it to him.

  He teased, “So compliments mean more food?”

  She turned to get his coffee. “That depends.”

  Josiah carried the bread to the table and slid into one of the chairs. “Depends on what?”

  Anna Mae carried two cups to the table and set one in front of him. “On my mood.” Her eyes twinkled with merriment.

  Would he get used to a playful wife? Or would she become bitter at being stuck out on the farm with very few adults to talk to?

  Mary had been more of the serious type. She wasn’t bitter or playful, she was simply Mary, and he’d loved her. Lord, don’t let me forget how much I loved Mary. I can’t allow Anna Mae into my heart. If I should lose her it would hurt even more if I truly loved her.

  Chapter Eleven

  How did she do it? Josiah stood out in the cold, hammering boards together to make a chicken coop. Anna Mae had already talked him into hanging pots and pans, and now here he was freezing half to death, making a chicken coop with old boards from the barn. He shook his head.

  Josiah heard wheels crunching into the front yard before he ever saw the wagon. He laid the hammer down and walked around the house. Saved by the Barnses, he thought happily.

  William had just helped Emily Jane down from the wagon. Josiah hurried forward to help them carry Anna Mae’s trunk and other things into the house.

  “You take the pies in and we’ll get the heavy stuff,” William was saying as Josiah approached.

  “Thank you.” Emily Jane grasped two pie pans and turned toward the house.

  Anna Mae opened the front door. She stood with a twin on each side of her. “Come on in here and warm up.”

  “Thanks, I believe I will.” With a little giggle Emily Jane hurried up the porch steps.

  Josiah noticed his brother-in-law never took his eyes away from his wife. “Be careful. Those steps might be slippery,” William called after her.

  “Yes, dear.” Emily Jane’s voice didn’t sound as endearing as her words would lead one to believe.

  William waited until she and Anna Mae had entered the house before saying, “I do believe that woman is getting tired of me mothering her.”

  Josiah laughed. “You reckon so?”

  William playfully punched him in the shoulder. “I’ll have none of that from you. I remember how you hovered about Mary when she was carrying the twins.” He pulled a large box from the wagon and thrust it into Josiah’s hands.

  He had to admit he’d been more than worried about his wife when she carried the girls. Mary’s middle had been impossible to ignore as she’d grown larger and larger. Toward the end she’d grown miserable and cranky.

  But his girls had come and they were the most beautiful creations he’d ever seen. Briefly he allowed himself to feel sorrow that they would never know their mother.

  William pulled another large box from the wagon, the same size as the one he’d given Josiah, and headed toward the house. “What are you waiting for, an invitation?”

  Josiah shook his head and grinned. “Don’t beat around the bush, tell me how you feel,” he answered, following.

  William chuckled. “We still have a big trunk to unload and a boxful of books. So no sassing.”

  Josiah entered the house to find Emily Jane and Anna Mae sitting on the couch, each holding one of the girls and giggling. He heard Emily Jane say, “Seriously, she gave you chickens and hand towels for a wedding gift?”

  “Yes.”

  “But you’re afraid of most animals.”

  He continued walking, but noticed Anna Mae glance his way and whisper, “Shh, I don’t want Josiah to know.”

  Not know? He already knew she feared the chickens. Josiah continued on to the bedroom and set his box beside the one William had just put down. What other animals was Anna Mae afraid of?

  “What do you think? Bring the trunk in next?” William asked as they headed back to the sitting room.

  Josiah nodded. He’d noticed the trunk and two smaller boxes still in the wagon. “Are both the other boxes Annie’s, too?”

  William raised his voice for the women to hear. “Yep, between the stuff you brought from the school and the stuff we picked up from the boardinghouse, your Annie has a lot of things to lug around.” William pressed his hand playfully against his back as if he were in great pain.

  Laughter from the ladies followed his antics. Anna Mae wiggled a finger at them. “As soon as you men get the wagon unloaded, we’ll reward you with dinner and pie.”

  Josiah hurried after William, who acted as if he’d gotten his strength back and part of a child’s energy to continue on with what needed to be done. His brother-in-law was a ham, through and through.

  As he hefted the trunk and felt the weight of what must be books, Josiah wondered again what other animals Anna Mae feared. Since they didn’t have any, besides Roy and the mule, he really didn’t have to worry about that, now did he?

  Josiah found himself silently praying. Lord, there is so much I don’t know about my new wife. Please help her to overcome her fears. No man or woman should ever be fearful of one of Your creations. And Lord, help me to be a good helpmate to her.

  * * *

  Anna Mae enjoyed having Emily Jane and William over, but as soon as they left she hurried to her boxes. She left her bedroom door open and listened while Josiah read to the girls from the Bible. She’d made the suggestion earlier, saying it would do the girls good to start putting the word of God in their hearts now, while they were still young enough to teach them how to do so. She explained that the earlier they began to learn about God and His word, the easier it would be for them to turn to Him when times were hard on them later in life. Josiah seemed to have liked the idea, and his reading to them now proved it.

  It didn’t take long to put her clothes away, but going through the books and things would take a little more time.

  Anna Mae pulled out the books and stacked them neatly against the wall. Would Josiah be willing to build her a bookshelf? Or was there one in the room with the sleeping chickens? She’d look tomorrow.

  Josiah had seemed tired this evening. Had she worked him too hard? He’d hung the pots and pans and then ventured out into the cold to make the chicken coop. She knew it wasn’t finished and thought perhaps she would help him tomorrow. Those chickens had to get out of her house.

  She heard Josiah say, “The end.” And the sound of the Bible closing assured her he was finished reading to the girls for the night. For a few brief moments Rose and Ruby squealed with joy. Anna Mae wondered what Josiah was doing to bring them so much happiness.

  With giggling and heavy footsteps, she heard him bringing them to the bedroom, and Anna Mae sighed. It would have been nice to find her journal before she had to put the girls to bed. One more night of not writing in her diary wouldn’t kill her, she guessed. Anna Mae knew she’d find the book in the morning and would record all that had happened since her wedding.

  “I think my playful kittens are about ready for bed,” Josiah announced, coming into the room. He held a little girl’s hand in each of his.

  “No bed!” Ruby protested, pulling at his hand.

  Rose watched her sister and her lips began to pucker.

  He’d said the bed word. Anna Mae shook her head with a grin. It would have been easier to dress them and then put them to bed. “Now, girls, you know the routine. Anna Mae said, read a story and then off to bed.” Josiah said, putting blame on her for their routine and newly applied rules.

  Her joy quickly turned to sorrow. So that’s how it was. If he didn’t like her suggestions, he should have said so. They were his daughters. Maybe it was time to remind him of just th
at.

  “Josiah, you know that was only a suggestion, right? I didn’t mean to encroach on your rights as their father. They are your children and you must always do as you feel best.” There, she’d said it.

  His jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed slightly. “Well, that certainly puts a damper on my evening.”

  What was wrong? She’d only given him the option of setting his own rules. Anna Mae didn’t understand and said so. “Why? What do you mean?”

  He drew his lips in thoughtfully. “I must have gotten it all wrong, but I thought when you became my wife, you also became their mother.” His fingers grasped a hand of each girl.

  Anna Mae shook her head in dismay. “No! I mean, yes, I did.”

  He released their hands and studied her face as if she were an outlaw he hadn’t expected to come upon. Josiah ran his hand across the back of his neck.

  Anna Mae wanted to scream. This marriage thing was much tougher when you started out with a family, and without the love of your partner.

  Josiah sighed heavily as if he were having the same thoughts.

  She threw up her hands in surrender. “The way you told the girls it was bedtime made me feel I had taken away your rights to keep them up as long as you wanted. I feel as if I’ve crossed some invisible line.” She swallowed hard, lifted her chin and boldly met his gaze. “Look, I only meant that I’m a schoolteacher and I’m used to dealing with children, but I would never override your decisions concerning the girls. That’s all I wanted to say.”

  He came close, looking down at her intently. “I’m sorry, Annie. I jumped to the wrong conclusion, again.” Josiah reached out and fingered a stray piece of hair that had come out of her ponytail near her cheek. “I’m very much aware of the burden I’ve placed on you, saddling you with a sheriff and two little girls. It’s a huge task, to say the least. I thought perhaps today had proved to be too much and you had changed your mind.”

  Reaching up, Anna Mae covered his hand with her own. “No, Josiah. I could not love the girls more if they were my own flesh and blood. Still, I have no right—”

  He placed a finger across her lips. “Don’t say it, Annie girl. I gave you the right the day we got married, and I want you to always do what’s best for our children. If you must argue your point with me, do so. That’s what parents do. That’s what real love is.” He paused and then retracted his words. “I mean real love for the girls.”

  A raw, primitive grief overtook her. He’d just reminded her that she would never have his love or know the joy of bringing new life into the world. Not that Anna Mae would ever love him, either, but having it pressed home like that...well, it just wasn’t something that she enjoyed. She dropped her lashes quickly to hide the hurt.

  Concern laced his rich voice as he asked, “What is it, Annie? What did I say that was wrong?” He caressed her cheek.

  Anna Mae took a step back, breaking his hold on her. “Nothing, Josiah,” she hurried to assure him. “Just please have patience with me. I’m new at this, too, and will get it wrong more often than not, but I promise you this. I will give our girls the best care that I can and their health and happiness will always come first.”

  He didn’t seem to want to accept her explanation at first, but thankfully, he let it go. Josiah looked down. “Speaking of our little girls, where did they get to?”

  Both adults turned to the bedroom door, to find Rose and Ruby sitting on the floor examining their belly buttons, quietly pointing and touching, seemingly happy that they both had one in the exact same place. Once more laughter sprang from Josiah as he walked over, swept them both into his arms and deposited them in their beds.

  Rose and Ruby shrieked and cried for “tisses.”

  Anna Mae tapped him on the shoulder, aware that he was making them squeal even louder. “Stop riling them up. I’ll never get them to sleep if you keep on this way.”

  He stepped back. “Good night, girls.” Josiah offered her a smile and then left the room.

  Fifteen minutes later, Anna Mae turned down the covers of her bed and slid between the sheets. She’d wanted to join Josiah in the sitting room, but her emotions had been on a roller coaster all day and she needed time to absorb the things she hadn’t understood, and meditate on ways to change or accept her new way of life.

  One thing Josiah was dead right about...raising two little girls was a huge task, and with a heavy heart she wondered if she truly was up to it.

  Chapter Twelve

  Josiah arrived home the following evening, tired and confused. His thoughts had been on Anna Mae all day.

  Last night, he’d waited for her to join him after putting the girls to bed, but that hadn’t happened. Now that he examined their actions and words from the previous evening, he realized in surprise that they’d both been on the defensive. And why was that? Action and reaction. Interesting. But even more troubling was the look of pure hurt that had entered her eyes when he’d told her the girls were hers.

  He felt certain she loved the twins. She’d shown that in more ways than one, so what caused the sadness? Had Anna Mae realized the time-consuming job she’d taken on, and even though she loved the girls, regretted giving up her own life to join his?

  He rubbed the back of his neck wearily. What caused women to twist up a man’s insides like this? Mary had done the same. It had gotten to where every time he left on sheriff business she’d become quiet and withdrawn. More and more she’d taken to spending time in the bedroom rather than in the sitting room with him. He’d thought maybe it was those woman emotions that took over after giving birth, but now Anna Mae acted the same way.

  His communication skills hadn’t improved at all. Looking back only brought more confusion and sadness; a feeling of failure.

  Instead of going straight to the barn and putting Roy away, Josiah decided to go to the house first. He needed to make sure that Anna Mae was doing all right.

  He opened the door slowly and the warm scent of fried potatoes greeted him. The house was unusually quiet. Josiah walked to Anna Mae’s and the girls’ bedroom. Everything was in its place, but they were nowhere to be found. He hurried to the guest room, where the chickens clucked in low undertones. Again, the room was empty. His heart skipped a beat.

  Had she left and taken his girls with her? Where had she gone? And why? He hurried back outside. If Anna Mae had really left, she’d have to have used the mule and wagon.

  Roy snorted as Josiah passed by. Josiah’s boots squished in the mud and snow as he rushed to the barn. With more strength then he knew he possessed, he jerked the door open.

  “Papa!” Rose hurried to him on her short little legs.

  Seeing her twin sister and father, Ruby squealed and ran toward him, too.

  Josiah’s heart leaped with gladness. The girls were safe. His gaze swept the barn and he found Anna Mae kneeling in front of a wooden structure of some type. She had a mouthful of nails and a hammer poised to do some damage.

  Both girls grabbed him around the calves and hung on tightly. “Up!” they demanded.

  He picked them both up and kissed their little cheeks. His gaze held Anna Mae’s as she spit the nails into her hand.

  “I wasn’t expecting you back so early,” she said, once her mouth was empty.

  Josiah carried the girls to her. “I’m not early.” His gaze moved to whatever it was she was trying so hard to make. “What is that supposed to be?”

  “A bookshelf?” Anna Mae turned to look at the wood. With a heavy sigh she said, “Doesn’t look much like a bookshelf, does it?”

  He didn’t want to hurt her feelings. “Well, I’m not a carpenter.”

  Her delicate laughter took him by surprise. “No, but you are a really sweet man.” She looked up at him with joyful eyes. “Come on inside and we’ll get everyone fed.” She reached up and took Ruby from his a
rms.

  He followed her from the barn. Roy snorted from the front porch. Josiah had completely forgotten about his dear friend.

  “I was thinking, Josiah.” Anna Mae paused as she reached the front door.

  This couldn’t be good for him. It seemed every time the woman said “I was thinking,” it meant work for him. He started to ask her what she’d been thinking about, dreading what she’d say, when she continued.

  “Why don’t we put the chicken coop in the barn until spring. That way they would be warm, and all we’d have to do is set up a place for them to sleep.” She opened the door and set Ruby down. The little girl immediately started taking off her coat and boots.

  Josiah did the same with Rose. “I need to put Roy away for the night. I’ll see if I can find space for the chickens.”

  “The last stall on the right should work well,” Anna Mae suggested, as she helped Rose with her buttons.

  He headed back to the horse, which nudged him with his nose as if to say “Forgot all about me, didn’t you?”

  Josiah rubbed his nose. “I didn’t forget about you, ole man. It’s just now I have a wife and kids to think about, too.”

  Roy bumped him in the shoulder. Josiah laughed, picked up his reins and led him toward the barn. As he entered the warm building, Josiah had to admit she might have a good idea about keeping the chickens there.

  With Roy properly taken care of, he walked back to the stall Anna Mae had said would be good for the chickens. It needed a little repair. Several of the boards looked as if they were going to pop loose.

  Josiah shook his head. He’d placed his horse and the mule in the better maintained stalls, thinking he had until spring to repair the rest that needed work. Josiah sighed. Women always wanted something done right away, and Anna Mae was no different.

  He gave Roy a final pat on the nose and then headed back to the house. Anna Mae wanted bookshelves, the stall fixed and a nesting box for the chickens. Thankfully, he didn’t have anything pressing going on in town and could stay home tomorrow and work on the chores.