Convenient Christmas Bride (9781460389034) Read online

  “See?” Emily Jane pressed. “He doesn’t mind waiting until Christmas.”

  Anna Mae pulled her hand from his. Her skin tingled where his warm lips had touched. She stood. Her voice came out as electrified as her hand felt. “Well, I don’t want to wait until Christmas. That’s almost two full months away. I’m ready to get married now.”

  The room grew silent as all three adults stared at her, various degrees of questioning in each expression. Josiah seemed pleased as punch and William looked as if he’d suffered another punch. Emily Jane appeared ready to hit someone if she didn’t get her way. Anna Mae stifled a giggle, then sobered.

  They each had their own thoughts, but she was the one who had to prepare for the worst. The worst being that Mrs. Bradshaw still might spread rumors. Mrs. Harvey had put a stop to Mrs. Anderson’s meddling, but that might not stop Mrs. Bradshaw.

  Anna Mae knew her friends would ignore the widow’s lies, but what if Josiah started thinking she wasn’t good enough to be a stand-in mother for his girls? Then what? She would be left stranded again.

  Until she said her vows, Anna Mae knew she had to be on her toes, ready for anything. So to her way of thinking, the sooner the better.

  “She’s right.” Josiah placed his strong arm around her waist. “We don’t want to take the chance of being separated should another storm arrive, with me and the girls stranded at the farm and Annie here in town.”

  His arm about her waist gave her a sense of protection, a feeling that they would stand together against anything or any person that came between them. She leaned lightly into him, tilting her face up to his, wishing there was a way to express how she felt about their united stance.

  She felt rather than saw his shocked reaction. Had he thought she wanted to kiss him? She stepped out of the circle of his arm, her face flushed with humiliation and anger at herself. She’d only wanted his protection.

  Just when she started to put distance between them, he caught her elbow, gently turning her to face him. “So how soon will you do me the honor of becoming my bride?

  * * *

  Anna Mae couldn’t believe she was married. The last three days had felt like a Texas twister. She was blown about preparing for the big day that just didn’t seem real.

  As Emily Jane had predicted, Susanna created a dress just for her wedding. It was a soft peach with lace ruffles around the long sleeves and neck. Her friend had fussed that it wasn’t enough, but Anna Mae thought it was perfect.

  Emily Jane baked a two-tiered cake much too large for the handful of friends and family who were present at the church. It seemed extravagant for a marriage of convenience, but then again, her friends didn’t know it was just that.

  Josiah stood with the minister in a black suit, black boots, and his black hat in his hands as she’d walked down the aisle. They hadn’t spent much time together since having Sunday lunch at William and Emily Jane’s house. Anna Mae had questioned her decision several times, but when she saw him standing there, a pillar of strength and security, she felt the Lord’s peace wash over her and knew she was doing the right thing.

  The twins had walked in front of her, throwing colorful ribbon bows onto the hardwood floor and giggling. Their little legs were slow moving and it had seemed like an eternity before she’d arrived at Josiah’s side.

  They’d said their vows, he’d kissed her lightly on the cheek and the minister had pronounced them husband and wife. What had taken three days to prepare for was over in less than five minutes.

  Josiah helped her up into the wagon and then turned to take Rose and Ruby from Emily Jane and William. As he reached for Rose, his sister-in-law said, “We could keep the girls tonight, Josiah. They wouldn’t be any trouble.”

  “Thank you, but those clouds look like they might contain snow and I’d just as soon have the twins with us if we get another storm.” He handed Rose up to Anna Mae.

  She released the breath she’d unintentionally held, relieved that he’d declined to leave the girls. Even though they were now married, Anna Mae wasn’t prepared to spend an entire evening alone with her husband. She set her new daughter into the wooden box that Josiah used to keep them safe when it was just him and the twins riding in the wagon. She knew the crowd of well-wishers would expect her to sit beside her new husband.

  William gave Ruby to Josiah, who handed the second little girl up to her. Then he hurried around to pull himself up beside Anna Mae.

  She set Ruby beside Rose and then turned to wave at the small crowd of people as he pulled away from the church. She turned back around in her seat to find them heading toward the farm. Now her home.

  When they were far enough away from the church so that no one would hear him, Josiah said, “That went well.” He smiled over at her. “Did I tell you how pretty you look?”

  She eased farther across the seat from him and smoothed out the wrinkles in her dress. “No, I believe you were too busy getting married,” she teased.

  “True, but you do look very pretty. I like the way you’re wearing your hair.” He clicked his tongue, causing his horse to pick up the pace.

  “Thank you.” Anna Mae reached up and touched the silky strands and ringlets that Mrs. Harvey had declared was her gift to Anna Mae. The older woman had insisted that she leave it down, flowing sleekly over her shoulders with wisps curled in ringlets about her face. It had taken a long time to get the curls to hold. They would be out by tomorrow morning and Anna Mae’s hair would be back to its old mousy-looking style.

  She turned to check on the girls, who had grown quiet and found they had slumped down in the box and fallen asleep against each other. Their little faces shone with sweet dreams. Anna Mae tucked a thick blanket around them and then took another and placed it over the top of the box to help lock in their warmth.

  Knowing they were safe, she turned back on the seat just as large fluffy snowflakes began to fall. She pulled her cloak tighter around her body and looked up at the sky. If the truth were truly to be known, aside from worrying about her job and the reaction of the townspeople, she had enjoyed being snowed in at the farm. It had seemed as if they were alone in their own little world, snug, cozy and warm. Now it looked as if it would happen again. Her silent prayers of thanks winged up to the Lord, for the small addition of snow on her wedding day and especially for her new family.

  She and Josiah may not have married for love, but Anna Mae felt she’d done the right thing by marrying him. She felt an inner peace, as if she finally belonged somewhere. Josiah might not need her, but his girls did, and she planned to be the best mother she could be.

  They rode for several minutes before he glanced her way again. “Why so quiet? Do you regret marrying me?”

  “No.” She grinned. “But I am glad the service is over. I’m not a fan of being in front of everybody.”

  His brows drew together. “Really? I figured it wouldn’t bother you, since you stand in front of a classroom full of children every day.” Josiah lifted one hand and lightly slapped the reins against the horse’s back to speed him up a bit. The blowing snow came against their faces in a cold, wet kiss.

  “They’re children. Not adults. Besides, kids really don’t pay attention to the way I’m dressed or the way I walk and talk. Today I felt like an ugly ink blot on a fresh piece of paper.”

  Josiah pulled the wagon to a halt.

  Why had he stopped? She looked about but didn’t see anything amiss. The snow wasn’t falling at an alarming rate, so there was no reason for him to stop and turn them around. When she looked at him to inquire, Anna Mae found him turned in the seat, studying her face. “You really do feel that way, don’t you?”

  She nodded. “Yes. But it’s no reason to concern yourself. I’ve always felt like that.” Anna Mae offered him what she hoped was a cheery smile. She hadn’t been looking for sympathy, just stating how she felt
. How she’d always felt.

  He picked up her hands. “You are far from ugly. Next to my Mary, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Your hair looks silky soft, and your brown eyes have a mysterious, captivating glint in them. Your smile...well, it warms a person right up, and the shape of your face is beautiful.”

  She didn’t know what to say. His gloved hands holding hers made her feel as if he truly meant every word. “Thank you. I believe that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.” Her face flushed right to the tips of her burning ears.

  Josiah nodded and then released her hands. He quickly got the horse moving toward home once more. “You’re welcome. I hope you never believe such negative things about yourself again.”

  Anna Mae didn’t answer him. She’d been told all her life that she was plain. It was sweet of him to tell her differently, but she knew the truth. Once the wedding day came to an end, Josiah would see her for who she truly was—simple, plain Anna Mae.

  Half an hour later he pulled up to the front of the house and stopped. Josiah jumped from the wagon and hurried to her side to help her down.

  “The girls are still napping. I’ll bring them in as soon as I get the horse taken care of.” He smiled down at her.

  “Are you sure they will be all right? It’s pretty cold out here.” She gnawed at her lower lip.

  He gently touched her cheek. “Thank you for worrying about them, but this is the way we have done it the last few months.” He dropped his hand and climbed back onto the wagon. “As long as they are covered up in that box, they are toasty warm.”

  Anna Mae nodded, missing his touch. He was right, and she could get a few things done in the house before they woke up. “Are you hungry? I could fix us something to eat while you are out in the barn.”

  He grinned. “I’m starving. That bite of cake wasn’t nearly enough.”

  Torn by conflicting emotions, Anna Mae watched him drive the wagon to the barn. She was married to a virtual stranger. What did the future hold for her now? What did the Lord expect her to do from here on out? Would she be a good wife and mother? Girding herself with resolve, Anna Mae forced her lips to part in a curved, stiff smile. She vowed right then that Josiah, Ruby and Rose would never have reason to complain.

  Chapter Eight

  Josiah wiped his feet before entering the house. Mud and straw caked on the bottom of his boots. He set down the box that held the sleeping girls. They were getting heavier and soon wouldn’t be able to sleep in the box or be carried into the house like that.

  He took a few minutes to pull the footwear off. Mary had always hated when he’d come home and mucked up her floors. What would she think if she could see him now with a new bride? He set his boots beside the closed door and carried the girls to the sitting room.

  Josiah checked that the twins still slept and then made his way into the kitchen. He inhaled deeply. Was that fried chicken he smelled? Anna Mae didn’t have time to fry up a hen. Well, that didn’t make no never mind; he smelled fried chicken, so if she did cook it, she was the most amazing wife a man could ask for.

  Anna Mae stepped out of the bedroom. She had taken off her wedding dress and now wore a light pink housedress. A big white apron covered the front of it. “Emily Jane left us a wedding present,” she said, motioning toward the kitchen stove, where several covered dishes sat.

  “Fried chicken?”

  “Yes, with a note that says she wanted to make sure I didn’t cook on my wedding day. Wasn’t that sweet?”

  When had Emily Jane had time to do that? He remembered William being late for the service and now knew why. “My sister-in-law never ceases to amaze me,” he said, realizing that Anna Mae still waited for some form of answer from him.

  She pulled fried chicken, baked beans and big fluffy biscuits from the back of the stove. “It’s still warm, too.”

  “Good, I’m starving.” He met her at the table. She’d already set it with four plates, silverware and glasses.

  “What about the girls?” she asked, looking toward the box that sat beside the fireplace.

  Josiah grinned. “Let them sleep. We can enjoy a rare meal without them demanding to be fed first.”

  Anna Mae smiled and motioned for him to sit down. “Emily Jane also left us warm apple cider, or you can have coffee if you’d prefer.” She paused for him to answer.

  “Coffee for me, please.” Josiah waited for her to return and sit down. They needed to talk about their marriage, what it would be and what it wouldn’t be, but first he’d enjoy their wedding present.

  Once she was seated, Josiah said a quick prayer over the food and then dug in. He wasn’t sure what to say to his new bride, so they ate in silence. She obviously felt as unsure of him as he did her. It seemed a little awkward, but not intensely so.

  After several minutes Anna Mae laid her fork down and sighed. “The service was beautiful, wasn’t it?”

  “I believe so.” Josiah set his fork down also and wiped his mouth. “The women did a fine job.”

  “Yes, I really do have wonderful friends here. I couldn’t have done it without them.” She picked up her plate and carried it to the scrap bucket.

  “Or without me.” Josiah laughed out loud at the shocked expression on her face. “Well, do you think you could have gotten married without a groom?” he teased.

  Josiah saw in her face that he’d hit a nerve. She didn’t look angry, just hurt. “I’m sorry, Annie. I was only teasing.”

  She offered a wobbly smile. “You didn’t say anything wrong. You’re right, a woman can’t get married without a groom. No one knows that better than me.”

  He hurried around the table and hugged her. “Annie, for a moment I forgot about that clod of dirt who left you. It was insensitive of me to say what I did. I really am sorry.” Josiah gently squeezed her. The sweet scent of lavender teased his nose. He leaned forward and sniffed her hair.

  Anna Mae returned the hug and then stepped out of his embrace. “Really, Josiah. It’s all right.” She walked to the table and collected the rest of the dirty dishes.

  With her back to him she said, “We need to talk about our marriage.”

  Josiah sat down at the table. He missed the warmth of her in his arms. “Yes, I’ve been meaning to talk to you, too.”

  She poured water into a large pan and set it on the back of the stove. “Do you want to go first?”

  “No, you go ahead.” He decided the polite thing to do was let her get out whatever she had on her mind.

  Anna Mae cleared her throat. “Well, I was thinking that I would like to stay in the room I used last time I was here. If that’s all right with you?” The question in her voice made him smile.

  “No, I want you with the girls. There will be lots of nights when I won’t be home. I’d rather you be close to them. You can have my room and I’ll take the smaller room.”

  “Oh, I hadn’t thought of that.” She glanced toward the fireplace, where the twins slept peacefully. “But don’t you think they are old enough now for their own room?”

  Josiah looked at his girls, too. Rose and Ruby would always be his babies. He couldn’t imagine them having a room of their own, and yet knew that they were almost old enough now to do so.

  “I suppose so,” he admitted grudgingly. Then another thought sent his pulse spinning. Maybe Anna Mae didn’t want the girls with her. Was that why she’d made that comment? His head swirled with doubts. How well did he actually know her? He’d known plenty of women who acted a certain way until they had a man all hog-tied, then their true colors showed up.

  He regarded her thoughtfully for a moment. She lifted the pan of water from the stove to the counter and filled it with the dirty dishes. She moved quickly from one task to the other, wiping off the table, covering the food, refilling their coffee cups. The apron ti
ed behind her back accentuated her slender waist. There was both delicacy and strength in her face, but did he know much about her character?

  He had to find out. He couldn’t just sit quietly and let his girls suffer from his poor judgment. He stood and with heavy steps walked to Anna Mae’s side. He put his hand on her shoulder and turned her so he could see into her face.

  She looked up at him, brows raised with what seemed to be genuine concern. “What is it, Josiah?”

  “The statement you made a few minutes ago. Do you not want the girls in the same room with you?”

  Her shiny brown eyes widened in surprise. He heard her quick intake of breath, before she placed a hand against his chest. She spoke in a broken whisper. “How can you even ask me that?” Anna Mae dropped her hand.

  Didn’t she realize they truly were practically strangers? What did she know of him? That he was William’s brother-in-law. The father of Rose and Ruby. And that was all. She didn’t know what his character was, so how could she expect him to know hers?

  “But you must have doubts or you wouldn’t have had to ask that. Please—” Anna Mae motioned to the table “—let’s sit down and talk a bit more.”

  When they were seated opposite each other, she reached out and laced her fingers in his. “I know that we don’t actually know each other that well, and I guess I assumed you could tell my character by the company I keep. But you can rest assured in this one thing.” Raising fine arched brows, she spoke firmly. “I love Rose and Ruby. I loved them even before you showed up in town. Emily Jane and I took turns watching them while William worked at the store. It was easy to fall in love with them.”

  Anna Mae’s eyes clung to his as she analyzed his reaction. He had no idea what she saw in his expression, but her voice gentled and she squeezed his hands. “Over the last couple of weeks, when I was sick, the twins wound up in bed with me more often than not. I love sleeping with their little bodies cuddled up next to me. But they are getting bigger, and giving them space of their own is the next step. And that is all I meant by the comment.”