A Baby For Christmas

He nodded. “Do you want me to give you a moment?”

He had always had this gentle consideration for the needs of others—spoken or otherwise. Another thing she’d forgotten. Encouraged by that memory, she smiled. “I’m done. I’m ready.”

He bent his elbow for her to hold as she crossed the wooden walkway and escorted her down the wooden steps to the ground. Grateful for his help, she turned to face him. “Thank you. I’m sorry I’m so awkward right now.”

“As your husband, I am more than willing to help you.”

Her heart beat a rapid rhythm as wild wishes for forever tangled with regret and reality.

He flashed a smile so unexpectedly warming that she could only stare. He leaned closer to whisper, “We might as well enjoy this while it lasts. I, for one, fully intend to.”

“How can you think that’s possible?”

He chuckled. “We were friends in the past. Let’s see if we can remember what that was like.”

A relieved smile curved her mouth. See, he truly wasn’t Vic nor like Vic in any way.

“Folks, I’d like to get on the road soon as possible.” The driver’s urging made it impossible to do more than nod her agreement to Nate.

He steadied her as she climbed into the stage and sat next to Missy. Facing them was a woman whose expression was full of curiosity. No doubt she’d strained to hear every word. She shifted and a pained look came to her face, perhaps from sharing the space of the man on the other end of her bench—a weathered old man who ought to have shaved and bathed. Clean clothes would have been nice, too. Between the two, a cowboy in rumpled clothes leaned forward on the leather-covered seat as if uncomfortable at being pressed so close to the others.

At least Louise and Missy weren’t crowded together with a stranger. Unless they picked up more passengers on the way.

The smell of the one man permeated the coach and made Louise’s stomach roll. Perhaps when they got moving, fresh air would help.

With a crack of the whip and a call to giddyap, the journey began.

Her heart lurched along with the coach. Where was Nate? Had he abandoned her already?

She glanced out the window. He sat astride his horse, riding beside them. Was that how he planned to make the trip to Fort Macleod? Or did he plan on leaving them before they arrived at their destination? Riding out there, he could leave at any moment, and then what would she do?

Her lips pressed tight. If he left, she’d have to manage. At least they were going away from Vic.

If Nate left, would he look her up later and arrange to dissolve their marriage?

She sat back. Oh, how upset Aunt Bea would be if she knew the falseness of her marriage vows. How often had she warned Louise to do what was right even when it was difficult? Aunt Bea never came right out and said so, but Louise understood her to mean Louise shouldn’t be like her mother. In Aunt Bea’s opinion, Ma ought to have honored her wedding vows.

The baby kicked against Louise’s ribs.

She relaxed as much as was possible in the swaying coach. She was doing this for the right reasons—to protect her baby.

Missy poked her head out the window on her side. “We’re almost out of town. We’re on our way.” She laughed from sheer joy.

Louise took one more look out the window, glancing back. Why couldn’t things stay the same? People left or died. Things changed. Just once she’d like to think she could hold on to something, or someone.

Instead, she was leaving the place that had been her home for many years. She was heading into an uncertain future as part of a very temporary marriage.

Seemed forever was always going to be out of her reach.

* * *

We used to be friends?

Nate grinned as he thought of Louise’s surprised expression when he said those words. She had looked so worried, frightened even. Guess he couldn’t blame her. She was a widow, about to become a mother, and now leaving her home for a place she’d never seen.

He chuckled softly and ducked his head, lest anyone see and wonder why he was so amused. She was also a new bride. No wonder she wore such a tense expression.

At that moment he had decided to try to make the journey enjoyable, though he’d ridden in a stagecoach once and wondered if it was possible to find any pleasure in the ride. But he would do his best to help her through the next few days. Not only because he was her temporary husband, but because of Gordie. And also because of the past they shared, a happier time, to be sure. He had no desire to go back. The future beckoned. He’d always thought of Louise as part of his past, but now she was part of his present. Just not his future. Even so, it wouldn’t hurt to help her. He didn’t find the prospect distasteful, which alarmed him. Still, it was only a few days out of his life, seven or eight at the most. Might as well make the best of it.

They left the town behind them. In a few miles they turned toward Fort Benton. From there they would follow the Whoop-Up Trail north.

He’d decided to ride his horse rather than be cooped up in the coach, but now he wished he was inside so he could point out different landmarks to Louise.

It was cold but clear. No threat of snow or rain. Dust rolled up from the horses’ hooves and the wheels. Some of it drifted into the coach. Was she comfortable enough?

He’d have to wait until their first way station to ask.

He settled back into the saddle and drank his fill of the scenery. It felt good to be in the open again, riding horseback. That was his life now—a free-and-easy cowboy about to start his own ranch. It would mean lots of work. Hours of riding. Cattle to buy and move. Horses to break. Meat to hunt.

And no one to worry about but himself. He liked that. Back in Rocky Creek he was reminded of the futility of worrying about others. He’d asked around for details on Gordie’s death. No one had been charged with his death, even though it seemed likely he’d been murdered. The last person seen with him had been Vic. It was enough to convince Nate that Vic had something to do with Gordie’s death. Nate had worried when his friend had joined up with Vic. He’d tried to convince Gordie it wasn’t wise. Rather than continue to argue with his friend, he’d left. Every year when he visited, he’d sought out Gordie and tried again to persuade him to leave, to follow him to Eden Valley Ranch and get work.

Every year he’d failed and left. All his worry and concern had achieved nothing. Better to be free and easy. To move forward, not back, not even glance over his shoulder at what might have been.

The stage hit a hole in the trail and jolted from one side to the other. The occupants clutched at the leather handholds to keep from being tossed from their seats. Sure didn’t look comfortable to Nate. He’d sooner ride a horse any day.

He’d taught Louise to ride. Not that she’d never been on horseback before she moved to Rocky Creek, but she’d never ridden astride at full gallop across a field.

Ma had heard of it and scolded Nate royally. “She’s a young lady. Have some regard for her safety and reputation.”

It was a warning he meant to heed but Louise had ideas of her own and had continued to follow him and Gordie around, insisting she could do anything they did. Mostly she could.

No longer. She could barely waddle. Wouldn’t she pitch a fit if he pointed it out to her?

At least he was doing what he could to protect her reputation with this pretend marriage, and at the same time keep her safe from Vic.

He glanced around, studying every bush and boulder, looking for someone lurking after them. He saw no one. Had Vic given up on his quest to have Louise and Missy? And the baby? Nate’s jaw protested at how hard he clamped down on his teeth. Imagine selling a baby! The mere thought made his insides twist. Best for Vic if he stayed away.

But would Vic give up so easily? One part of Nate thought Vic would move on to easier prey, especially after Nate had tossed him into the street. But another part thought Vic didn’t like to admit defeat.

Nate rode around a rut dug in the trail by wagon wheels during a rain. The stage wasn’t able to miss it and lurched from side to side again.

Nate fell back and to the side. From his position, he could see Louise without her noticing unless she looked over her shoulder.

Her face was pinched and pale, her eyes closed, her mouth a thin line.

The ride had to be most uncomfortable in her condition. Maybe she was regretting this decision.

He kept his position as they continued, watching with growing concern. He might have lost his right to ask God for favors by vowing falsely, but somehow he knew that wasn’t true. How many talks had Bertie given back at the ranch as they gathered in the cookhouse for Sunday services? He’d said God never gave up on people. God, don’t give up on me. I know what I did was wrong, marrying with no intention of staying married. But I did it for Missy, Louise and her baby. I’m still concerned about them. Please help me get them safely to the ranch.