Convenient Christmas Bride (9781460389034) Read online

  Confusion laced her pretty features. Her hair hung about her oval-shaped face, giving her a soft, delicate look. “That we have to go dog hunting?”

  He shook his head in mock frustration. “No, it means we have to go to town for supplies.”

  The thought of visiting town brightened her face. “Oh, that’s a wonderful idea. I want to buy some fabric. The girls need new dresses. I’d love to make them Christmas dresses and...” Her gaze moved to the kitchen. “We need more sugar, coffee and bacon.”

  Josiah laughed. He found he laughed more around her than anyone. She brought joy out in him. Even Mary hadn’t been able to make him laugh as much as Anna Mae had in the last couple weeks. The thought sobered him.

  “You might want to make a list, but I think we also need corn and oats. Not to mention I’m going to have to go to Mr. Green and see if he has extra hay for the cow.”

  “Oh, that’s a great idea.” She jumped up and ran to her room.

  Rose and Ruby looked at him in confusion. He shrugged. “I guess she went to get paper and pen. Who knows what that woman is doing?”

  The little girls nodded as if they agreed. “Go,” Ruby said, pushing at the table.

  “Oh, no, you don’t. You finish those pancakes and then we’ll go.”

  Anna Mae returned with pencil and paper and an open book to make her writing neater. The pencil scraped rapidly across the page as she scribbled out her list. Her head was down and her hair created a curtain that hid her face. “I’d also like to get a few sheets of colored paper, if Carolyn has some.” She spoke more to herself than him.

  “Annie?”

  She looked up. Her brown eyes sparkled with excitement. “Yes?”

  Josiah pushed away from the table. “I need to go hitch up the wagon. Do you think you can take care of things in here until I get back?” He looked pointedly at his sticky girls.

  “Oh. Sure. I’ll give them a quick sponge bath and get them all prettied up.” She stopped. “Oh, before we leave I’ll need to feed the chickens.” Her nose wrinkled in distaste. “And learn how to milk Jersey.”

  She looked so sweet with her nose all crinkled up and her lips curled. Josiah focused on pulling his boots on before answering. “I’ll take care of the animals this morning. This afternoon or tomorrow will be soon enough for you to take over.”

  Her teeth flashed in a big smile. “Thanks, Josiah.”

  That smile brightened his outlook on things while he hitched up the horse and checked on the other animals. The mule brayed in her stall. She probably wanted to get out and kick up her heels. Josiah made a mental note to ask Anna Mae if the little mule belonged to her or if they should tie it to the wagon and take it back to the school.

  The sounds in the barn had changed in the past month. Once Roy was the only animal in there, but now there was a mule, a cow and three chickens. It was a noisy and warmer place to be. Anna Mae had changed his life in more ways than one since her arrival.

  How much more change would she bring to his life? He thought of them as good friends, but would that alter? Could he grow to love her? Josiah shook his head. No, he couldn’t allow such thoughts to fill his mind. Mary had been the love of his life, and he could never allow anyone to take her place. Never.

  Chapter Sixteen

  At the general store, Anna Mae read the proclamation from President Grover Cleveland declaring a designated Thursday, the twenty-fourth of November, as a day of thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by all the people of the land. She listened to Carolyn as she rushed about the store gathering up their supplies. Anna Mae’s gaze moved to the back of the room where the men gathered, talking about the president’s latest proclamation.

  The Moores had placed several of the newspaper clippings about their store for their customers to read.

  Carolyn’s voice drew her attention once more. “We can’t believe it. Can you imagine how many people will be buying more staples and food supplies here? I placed another order yesterday. I just hope it gets here before the twenty-fourth.”

  In her excitement, Carolyn didn’t really want or need an answer, Anna Mae knew. Her gaze moved to Rose and Ruby, who sat on the floor, playing with a couple other children. The four of them rolled and played with wooden blocks. They would stack them up and knock them down with squeals of laughter.

  Anna Mae walked over to the fabric and fingered the softness of the material. Her thoughts were more on Christmas than this new holiday called Thanksgiving. She already planned to make the girls Christmas dresses for the Sunday service and rag dolls with matching dresses. But for Josiah it had to be something special. The quilt on his bed was very worn. Perhaps she could make a new one. Something simple that wouldn’t take a lot of time to do. She’d have to hand piece it. Her thoughts raced as she touched each fabric in turn.

  A royal blue caught her attention, reminding her of the beauty in Josiah’s eyes. She picked up the bolt and carried it to the counter. Then she returned to the fabric table once more. By the time Anna Mae finished her shopping, she had bolts of blue, yellow, white with blue swirls, pink and lavender resting on Carolyn’s counter. She’d also picked up a package of needles, plus a few spools of white and black thread.

  “You have been busy,” Josiah said, coming up behind her.

  How did he do that? The man walked more quietly than anyone she knew. She’d have to remember that around Christmastime. It might be hard to conceal his gifts from him.

  He ran his hand over the blue fabric. “That’s pretty. Are you going to make a dress out of it?”

  She hadn’t thought of making a dress for herself, but now she would. Anna Mae nodded. “I think so.”

  “It will look beautiful on you,” Carolyn said, pulling the bolt to the side. “How many yards do you want?”

  Anna Mae turned to Josiah. “I’m about done here. Would you mind putting those things in the wagon?” She pointed to the box of dry goods Carolyn had gathered for them.

  A puzzled look crossed his face but he nodded. “I’ll be happy to.” He hefted the box and turned to the door.

  She quickly turned to Carolyn and gave her the yardage she needed. “Be sure and put the fabric and sewing notions on my bill, Carolyn. It’s a Christmas gift for Josiah and the girls.”

  Carolyn wrote up the bill and said, “Aw, that’s why you sent him out of the store. Good thinking.” After dropping the money in a drawer, she turned to cut the cloth.

  Anna Mae walked over to where Rose and Ruby still played. “Tell your friends goodbye, girls. It’s time to go.” She waited to see if they would be obedient or throw a fit at having to leave.

  Both little girls stood. “Bye-bye.”

  She took their hands and led them back to the counter. “Pick out a candy stick, girls. Thank you for obeying when I asked you to. Such good girls I have.”

  “They aren’t puppies,” Josiah said, coming to stand beside her once more. “You don’t have to buy them a treat for behaving.” Even though his voice sounded firm, when she looked up at him an unmistakable twinkle filled his eyes.

  “No, I don’t. But I want to.” She picked up Ruby so she could look at the candy jars on the counter.

  Josiah did the same with Rose.

  As soon as the girls each had candy in their chubby hands, Josiah paid the bill. “We need to stop off at the feed store before heading home. Is there any place else you want to go first?”

  “I wouldn’t mind stopping in at the bakery and having a treat.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Josiah set Rose up on the seat, took Ruby in turn and then helped Anna Mae up. He pulled himself onto the seat and grinned across at her. “Do you think Emily Jane might have some more of that chocolate cake for sale?”

  Anna Mae chuckled. “I hope so. I really need to learn how she makes hers.”

  It f
elt as if they were a family as they rode down Main Street. The girls sucked on their candy, making slurping noises and giggling. Josiah sat in the driver’s seat looking like a proud papa.

  “Sheriff!”

  Josiah pulled the wagon to a stop. Wade Cannon, his new young deputy, came running up to them.

  Concern laced Josiah’s face as he asked, “What is it, Wade?”

  The deputy paused to catch his breath. Anna Mae realized he must have run all the way from the edge of town. “Mr. Caldron said to come get you. Someone butchered one of his cows. Took some of the meat and left the rest to rot.” He squinted up at Josiah. “Who’d do a fool thing like that, Sheriff?”

  “I don’t know, Wade. Maybe a stranger was hungry and thought the cow had no owner. Was it outside the pasture?”

  “Why, no, sir. He found it not too far from the barn. I looked about, but you know Mr. Caldron. He insisted you come look.”

  Anna Mae watched as Levi Westland walked up in time to hear the last of the conversation. He shook his head. “No one local would do something like this, so that can only mean one thing.”

  Josiah nodded. “Yep.” He exhaled loudly. “We’ve got visitors.”

  “That could also explain the recent thefts,” Levi added, looking studious.

  Josiah studied his face. “What thefts? That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

  “Well, until right this minute I didn’t think of them as anything to worry about, but Millie put two pies on the windowsill to cool and someone took them both. We thought it might be a couple of kids.” He rubbed his newly grown mustache. “But then ole Asa, you know, that new fella in town, at the boardinghouse.” At Josiah’s blank expression, he continued, “Anyway, he hung his wash on the line and two pairs of his pants went missing. Ain’t likely no one around here would want Asa’s clothes. So again, we wrote it off as kids’ pranks.”

  Anna Mae took the reins Josiah handed her before he swung down from the wagon. “Anything else?”

  Levi shook his head. “As far as I know, that’s it. Want some company? I assume you’re heading over to the livery.”

  “Can’t say as I’d mind a helping hand.” He looked up at Anna Mae. “Annie, you take the wagon and go on over to Emily Jane’s. Stay there till I come for you.”

  She looked at him, hoping he’d heed her gentle but firm warning. “You be careful, Josiah Miller.” Anna Mae knew Josiah’s job was dangerous but seeing him at work caused her heart to flutter with worry. Lord, please keep him safe, she silently prayed.

  * * *

  Josiah arrived at William and Emily Jane’s house tired and frustrated. He was no closer to finding out who had butchered that cow than he’d been two hours ago when he and Levi had gone to the livery.

  No one saw the deed done nor had heard anything. He’d noted two sets of footprints; which meant more than one culprit. The amount of meat they’d taken most likely would have fed four or five men. These thoughts rolled around in his mind, trying to find the right category to be placed in. Evidence or just circumstance?

  At Josiah’s knock, William opened the door. “Any news?” he asked, stepping back and letting him inside.

  “Nope. But I do know it wasn’t a random act. Whoever killed that cow knew what he was doing.”

  Emily Jane walked up behind her husband. “What do you mean?”

  “They went for the choice cuts of meat and left the rest.” He looked about, expecting his family but not seeing them. “Where are Annie and the girls?”

  William coughed and moved back a few steps. “I tried to get her to wait, but she said that there was no telling when you’d return and that Jersey would need to be milked and the chickens put away for the night.”

  Josiah felt sucker punched. During the investigation, he’d felt a sense of power, as if he could do anything. He’d spotted the evidence clearly and decisively. He knew it was due to Annie’s warning for him to be safe. It had lifted him up, made him do a better job, because he felt someone cared for his well-being. It had been a long time since he’d felt like that.

  But now the woman had undone all those good feelings. Did she even realize the worry she put on him? Why couldn’t that stubborn lady listen to him? She didn’t even know how to milk the cow. Josiah took a deep, cleansing breath. “When did she leave?”

  “About an hour ago,” Emily Jane answered. She wiped flour off her apron, avoiding his eyes.

  Josiah shook his head. “Well, that’s a fine how do you do.” She’d left him in town without a horse. How did she expect him to get home? Walk?

  Chapter Seventeen

  His temper continued to build as he bounced along in William’s wagon. His sweet sister-in-law had insisted on taking him home.

  Mary would never have acted so impulsively. She also wasn’t quick to smile. Or quick to banter with him. The two women were as different as outlaws and lawmen.

  Anna Mae came out of the barn when they rode up. She had one of the twins on her hip and the other by the hand.

  As soon as the wagon came to a stop, Josiah jumped to the ground. He started walking toward the barn at a fast clip.

  “Papa!” Ruby pulled her hand from Anna Mae’s and ran for him as fast as her little legs would carry her. His girls were always happy to see him.

  He swooped her up and continued toward his wife. When he got close enough for her to hear him without having to shout, Josiah said, “I thought I told you to stay at Emily Jane’s until I returned.”

  Rose pushed against Anna Mae, trying to get to her Papa.

  “You did. But I thought the animals should be taken care of before dark,” she countered, as she handed Rose over to him.

  Josiah stared into her pretty brown eyes. “How was I supposed to get home?”

  She looked at him, confused. “I assumed you’d borrow a horse from William. I really don’t understand why you are upset.”

  Emily Jane and William joined them. They each took a twin in their arms. “We’ll take these two inside so you two can talk,” Emily Jane said. She gave Anna Mae an apologetic look before turning to the house.

  William hurried after her.

  Josiah clasped Anna Mae by the arm and turned her toward the barn. He pulled the door open and ushered her inside. “Anna Mae, as my wife you have to do what I ask you to.”

  “No, I don’t.” She pulled free from his grasp and placed both her hands on her hips. “I did not stay in town, because I didn’t know how long you would be. And whether you like it or not, we now have animals to take care of.”

  He inhaled deeply. “Those animals can be quickly sold.”

  “No, they can’t.” Her eyes took on a fiery glow that told him he would be in for a big fight if he threatened her with the animals.

  Maybe he was going about this the wrong way. Josiah walked back to where the cow stood. She mooed in greeting. He heard the hay rustle behind him as Anna Mae followed him. Without turning to face her, he asked, “Did you or did you not promise to ‘love, honor and obey’ me?”

  Silence hung heavily in the air for a few minutes. Josiah didn’t dare turn and look at her for fear she might be crying or close to tears at his words.

  “I did. But since we took love out of our arrangement, honor and obey shouldn’t be there, either.” There was a softness to her voice that caused him to turn and look at her. She swallowed hard, then lifted her head and met his gaze head-on.

  Josiah felt the fight run out of him. She was right. At no time had they discussed their marriage vows, but both had let the other know that this was no love arrangement. If anything it was more of a business deal. “You’re right. You don’t have to obey me.”

  He saw the barely hidden twitch of her lips. “I know.”

  He grabbed the milking stool and sat down on it, gesturing for her to sit
on the bale of hay across from him. “I guess it’s time we discussed our arrangement again.”

  “Do we have to?” The pretend defeat in her tone caused him to grin. She sank onto the hay bale and waited with a heavy sigh.

  Josiah mimicked her sigh. “I’m afraid so. You see, when we got married I thought it would be real easy. You would watch the girls and I would work. But, woman, when you take my horse it makes it hard for me to work.” He leaned his forearms on his knees and waited for her reaction.

  Anna Mae nodded, as if in total agreement. “Yes, I can see where that might hinder your job. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken Roy.”

  “But that’s not all.”

  Big brown eyes looked up at him. “It isn’t?”

  “No, ma’am, it isn’t. You see, as the sheriff I have to keep law and order. Now, that’s going to be hard for me to do if I have to worry about where you and the girls are at the same time. I don’t mind telling you, it’s a little distracting. Know what happens when a lawman chases outlaws and gets distracted?”

  She shook her head. “No, but I’m sure it isn’t good.”

  He sat up straighter. “No, it is not. I could get shot, hanged or worse.” Josiah looked her straight in the eyes. He tried to convey that even though they’d been teasing earlier, now wasn’t a time to joke or kid around. He needed to know that he could rely on her to keep herself and his girls safe.

  * * *

  Anna Mae knew he was serious, even though he kept his tone light. “I’m really sorry, Josiah. I don’t want you getting shot, hanged or worse. I’ll try to do as you ask in the future.”

  “That’s all I’m asking,” he said, standing. “Now, I think you need a lesson in milking a cow.”

  She curled her nose. “I suppose so. I fed the chickens and gave them fresh water. But, well, after I got here I realized I have no idea how to go about milking Jersey.”