A Baby For Christmas

Chapter Three

Louise waited, all ready to wed. Aunt Bea had said she must remain out of sight until everyone had assembled. “Make Nate wait a few minutes,” she’d advised. “It never hurts to make a man think you might have changed your mind.”

“I’m not changing my mind.” But as she waited, she wondered whether Nate would change his.

She drew in a deep breath. The last few hours had been a whirlwind. Together with Missy and Aunt Bea, she had washed the fine china and baked a cake. All necessary for a wedding, Aunt Bea had insisted. They’d dusted and tidied the parlor until it looked fit for company and was likely the cleanest it had been in a couple of decades.

When her aunt had been satisfied, she’d led Louise to her bedroom. “You won’t be able to wear my mother’s wedding dress. Not in your condition.” Aunt Bea had looked Louise up and down.

“You have Grandmother’s wedding dress?” Why hadn’t Aunt Bea offered it when Louise married Gordie?

“I have her veil, too. You can wear that.” Aunt Bea had opened a musty-smelling trunk. The wedding dress lay wrapped in muslin.

Aunt Bea had pulled out the veil. “I’ll press this.” She’d hurried from the room, then retraced her steps. “Why are you standing there? Go get ready.” She’d waved Louise toward her own bedroom, and Louise had hurried down the hall to select the only dress she could fit into that looked even halfway dressy—a gray satin with empire waistline that allowed for her girth.

“Hardly suitable for a bride,” she’d murmured to herself, then realized Aunt Bea had made Louise believe for a moment this was real. Shaking her head, she reminded herself of the facts. She was expecting a baby, she was a recent widow and the marriage was only temporary.

Aunt Bea had hurried in with the fragile veil and affixed it to Louise’s hair. Light as air, with sequins flashing in the sunlight, it reached to Louise’s elbows and made her feel almost pretty.

Missy had stepped into the room. “You’re beautiful,” she’d whispered.

Just a few minutes ago, she’d heard Pastor Manly enter and speak to Aunt Bea. Aunt Bea had giggled. Louise had noted previously how her aunt got girlie and giggly when Pastor Manly was around. If she wasn’t mistaken, Aunt Bea had finally found a man to her liking. Louise chuckled. Maybe Pastor Manly was responsible for Aunt Bea’s sudden interest in all things wedding related.

Now she heard Mrs. Hawkins speaking to Aunt Bea, then, finally, Nate’s voice, full and strong and sure. She closed her eyes. He’d come. She’d been wrong to fear that he might reconsider and ride out without a backward look.

Of course, he could still change his mind. Until the marriage certificate was signed in black ink and blotted dry, she couldn’t be sure he’d actually marry her.

“Everyone is ready.” Missy stood at the door.

“You look lovely. But then you always do.” She took the posy of silk pansies Aunt Bea had unearthed from her trunk, kissed her sister-in-law on the cheek, then tucked her hand into the crook of Missy’s arm and marched into the sitting room.

Nate stood in front of Pastor Manly. His hair, still damp enough to be dark, was slicked down. He wore a white shirt, a gray vest and a black tie.

She moved to Nate’s side. “You look nice,” she whispered, then sneezed. “Sorry, it’s the mothballs.”

He eyed her veil. “Nice touch.” His gaze caught hers, full of something she hadn’t seen in a long time—strength and encouragement. “You’re a beautiful bride.”

Her surprise barely registered before Pastor Manly cleared his throat. “Shall we begin? Before we do, it is incumbent upon me to ask if you are both sure about this very serious step?”

Louise held her breath. Would Nate say no?

“I’m sure. How about you, Louise?” he said.

“I’m sure.” The words wheezed out her tight throat.

Pastor Manly nodded and opened a black book. Only a few words registered in her brain—words of accusation. “An honorable estate not to be entered into lightly...but in the fear of God.”

What they were doing was wrong in the eyes of God. Would He ever forgive her? Well, it wasn’t as if He’d sent any other way of escaping Vic. And she must protect her baby at all costs.

“Face each other and hold hands. Repeat after me,” the pastor said. “In the name of God, I, Nathaniel Hawkins—”

Nate gripped her hand so hard her knuckles cracked. His eyes were dimmed by the veil over her face, yet not enough to hide his distress. His throat worked.

She dare not breathe. Oh, please don’t refuse. I need this. I promise I won’t tie you to the vows.

“I, Nate Hawkins, take you, Louise Williams Porter, to be my wife.”

She felt herself relax a bit. Still, had anyone else noticed his refusal to speak God’s name in his vows? She didn’t dare look at Pastor Manly, but the silence in the room echoed with the ticking of Aunt Bea’s mantel clock.

“Very well, then.” Pastor Manly continued, “To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part.”

Nate got as far as “until death do us part” and stopped.

“This is my solemn vow,” the pastor prompted.

“Louise will have to take my word for it,” Nate said.

“This is highly irregular, but I suppose it’s acceptable.” The pastor turned to Louise. “Repeat after me—”

“Excuse me, I want my vows to be the same as Nate’s.” She, too, would prefer to leave God’s name out of them.

Pastor Manly gave them each a hard look. For a moment, Louise feared he would refuse to marry them under the circumstances. Aunt Bea leaned forward. “It’s still legal, isn’t it?”

“Yes, yes.” He proceeded. “Rings?”

Nate shook his head. “Didn’t have time.”

“I shouldn’t be surprised, should I? Then all you have to do is sign the papers.” They did so, and after Aunt Bea and Mrs. Hawkins added their signatures, Reverend Manly concluded the ceremony. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

She would have jerked her hand from Nate’s, but he held tight. Slowly, he lifted her veil and smiled as he gave a little nod as if to indicate they needed to complete this charade.

She closed her eyes and lifted her face to him.

His lips brushed hers ever so softly. Quickly he drew back, but not before she felt the kiss all the way to her toes. She could almost persuade herself it had only been her imagination. Yet her lips still tingled from his tender touch.

Pastor Manly gave a tight smile. “What God has joined together let no man put asunder.”

Heat pooled in the pit of Louise’s stomach. Oh, why had he said that? She tried to swallow away the burning. It was only heartburn, she told herself, not guilt. Wouldn’t God expect her to do what she must in order to protect those in her care? She cradled her arms around her stomach.

Missy hugged her and kissed her cheek. Aunt Bea patted her arm. Mrs. Hawkins squeezed her hands. “Welcome to the family. I know you’ll make my Nate a happy man.”

Her gaze sought and found Nate. Help, she cried silently. She hadn’t expected to feel so guilty over this.

He met her eyes over Aunt Bea’s head as her aunt shook his hand. Did she imagine he looked as flummoxed as she felt?

She allowed herself to be led into the kitchen where the good china had been set out to welcome the guests. She and Nate were given the place of honor at the head of the table. His mother set a layered cake before them. “Congratulations! You may cut the cake.” She handed Louise the knife. “Nate, you put your hand over hers. It means you will support her and take care of her, and for Louise, it means she will take care of you and your children.”

Children? Louise almost choked. But she must do as instructed, as must Nate. He cupped his hand over hers and they cut a generous slice of cake.

Mrs. Hawkins clapped her hands together in glee. “The bigger the piece, the larger the family, and it looks like you are going to be blessed with lots of children.”

Aunt Bea shook her head. “I always thought it meant a long marriage.”

Why didn’t she know this? It wasn’t as if this was her first wedding. But she and Gordie had gone away to get married in a nearby town and come back as Mr. and Mrs. Porter with little fanfare. The church ladies had offered to hold a tea after the service to honor them, but she knew Gordie wouldn’t likely have agreed to come, so she’d declined.

Nate still held her hand and squeezed as if to encourage her to remain calm.

Aunt Bea and Mrs. Hawkins served tea and sandwiches. Where had they come from? Nate’s mother must have brought them. Aunt Bea cut pieces of cake for everyone and chatted on and on about the kind of marriage Nate and Louise would have. Even Missy added her comments.

Louise couldn’t choke down a single bite and pushed her plate aside to cup her hands around the teacup, seeking the warmth it offered. She would have gulped down the liquid but feared her hand would shake and she’d slosh the tea everywhere.

Pastor Manly seemed to be in no hurry to leave. He asked Aunt Bea about a book he was reading and they entered into a long discussion that was only noise in Louise’s head. The room shifted and swayed. She needed to breathe before she fainted, and concentrated on filling her lungs then releasing the air slowly.

Nate rubbed her back and the faintness passed.

“Feel better now?” Nate whispered, his mouth close enough to her ear that no one else heard.

She slowly brought her gaze round to his. “I didn’t think anyone noticed,” she whispered.

His smile flooded his blue eyes with warmth. “I did. Are you okay?”

“Good as can be expected.” Her words were full of resignation.

He chuckled. “We’ll survive. We’re good at that.”

She nodded. “We do what we must do.”

His gaze held hers. She couldn’t find the strength to turn away.

Still looking into his eyes, she leaned closer to whisper in his ear, “That’s a vow I can make honestly.”

The smile fled from his eyes.

She almost wished she hadn’t reminded him of the dishonesty they’d engaged in...vowing before God to something they didn’t mean to do. But they both understood the step they had taken together.

He patted her hand as if he wanted her to forget that part of the day.

“I must be on my way.” Pastor Manly wished Louise and Nate all the best before Aunt Bea escorted him to the door.

As soon as she returned, Nate spoke loud enough for the others to hear. “I have things to attend to.”

“You’ll be back. You’ll want to stay with your new wife.” Aunt Bea turned pink as a summer rose. “Louise, show him your room.” Poor Aunt Bea could hardly choke the words out.

“What about Missy?” Louise found herself as choked as Aunt Bea. She had to think of a way to refuse.

It was the most uncomfortable moment in her life.

* * *

Nate had things to attend to, but he couldn’t seem to budge from his chair as Aunt Bea’s words blared through his head. She expected them to stay in the same room. Of course she would. They were now man and wife. In the sight of God.

Poor Louise had looked about to faint more than once throughout the long afternoon. Who cared about cake and what it meant? Why couldn’t they all just get on with their business?

But stay the night in the same room? That was taking this pretend marriage too far. “We’ll wait until the baby is born,” he announced.

Aunt Bea made a protesting noise.

He noticed Louise’s shoulders rise, as if she was trying to hide from her aunt and his ma who were about to unleash protests.

Nate’s knee had started to bob up and down and he pressed his free hand to it, his other still clutching Louise’s on the tabletop next to the uneaten piece of cake. Neither of them had touched it after the startling predictions of a long wedded life and a large family. He would release her hand, but he felt the tension in every finger and suspected she might bolt from the table. Perhaps from the house. He couldn’t allow that, not when he’d caught glimpses of Vic wandering past the yard. No doubt wondering what was going on that required Pastor Manly’s presence.

Or did he hold tight to Louise for fear his own legs would bolt for the door, knocking over chairs and perhaps breaking to pieces the flowered teacups made of such fine china that they were almost transparent? The little handles were surely designed to make a man feel as clumsy as an ox.

His ma spoke up, ending the echoing silence. “Are you coming home, Nate? You’re welcome to bring Louise.”

Louise’s hand spasmed beneath his. He had to force himself to remain calm and refrain from squeezing her fingers any tighter.

“Ma, we leave on the stagecoach tomorrow morning. I have to get things organized. If Aunt Bea will allow it, I’ll sleep on the sofa here so we can get going early.” It wasn’t that early and Louise didn’t need any help getting herself ready, but it would enable him to be close by, should Vic grow more troublesome.

“Of course,” Aunt Bea said.

“Then I must get at the preparations. Ma, would you like me to escort you home?”

“I’m ready.”

Aunt Bea gathered up the dishes Ma had brought and held them while Ma pulled on her woolen shawl and winter gloves.

Vic ducked out of sight around the end of the block as Nate stepped from the house. He would confront the man later.

Behind him, the key turned in the lock. Good. Louise hadn’t forgotten to take precautions.

At home he packed his few belongings. In truth, he had little preparation to do. In the morning, he’d take Missy and Louise with him to the depot. He’d ride his horse beside the stage when they left. But despite having made all the arrangements he could for now, he was in no hurry to return to Louise and their pretend marriage.

And he had one necessary thing to do. He left the house and crossed to Aunt Bea’s house, suspecting he’d find Vic lingering nearby.

The man must have seen him approach, for he ducked behind a building. Nate strode in that direction.

Vic pressed against the wall of a back shed, but at Nate’s approach he straightened, jammed his hand to his hips and gave Nate one of his dark scowls.

Nate paid the scowl no mind. He stopped a few feet from Vic. “Thought you’d like to know that Louise and I got married this afternoon.”

Vic’s expression didn’t change one iota. The man was an expert at hiding his feelings. “That baby ain’t yours.”

“That’s not what the law says.” He knew that the wife’s husband was the legal father to any of her children, even though Louise had been clear about this being Gordie’s baby, lest he get the idea he should care about the little one.

Vic’s scowl turned to a leer. “How about that sweet little Missy?”

Nate narrowed his eyes. Other than that, he would not give the man the satisfaction of seeing how his question riled him. “She’s now my sister-in-law.” It wasn’t accurate, but close enough. “And I will protect her, just as I will protect my wife and her child.”

Vic gave a mirthless laugh. “My, ain’t you all righteous and noble? But you ain’t got no claim to Missy. I been waiting a long time for her. Someday she’ll be mine.”

“When the sun falls from the sky and lands at your feet, maybe.” He widened his stance, leaned back on his heels and crossed his arms as if he was in complete control of the situation. He could only hope and pray he was. But would God listen to the prayers of a man who made vows invoking God’s name with no intention of fulfilling those vows?

“Be careful.” Nate’s voice was low, but he made sure every syllable carried a warning. “You bother them again and you won’t be facing two helpless women.” Not that they were entirely helpless, but what chance did they stand before a ruthless man like Vic?

Vic snorted. “You think I’m ascared of you?”

“I suggest you should be.” He stalked away without waiting for the man to answer. If Vic should threaten Louise or Missy in any way, Nate would make sure he regretted it to the depths of his heart.

It was dark before he went back to Aunt Bea’s house and knocked. The key turned and Louise pulled the door open.

“I wondered if you’d left without us.”

“Nope. What kind of groom would leave his bride on their wedding night?” He didn’t succeed in keeping the teasing from his voice.

“A pretend one.” She stepped back to let him enter, then locked the door behind him.

“If I didn’t mean to take you with me, why would I bother with a pretend marriage that involved vows made before God and man?” It still bothered him to swear falsely.

“It plagues my conscience, too, you know. But Vic threatened to sell my baby.” Her arms cradled her stomach, protecting the unborn one. “I don’t doubt he would.”

Nate took his time about hanging his hat and coat. Done, his insides somewhat calmed, he turned to Louise and rested his hands on her shoulders. At the trembling beneath his palms, he pulled her closer, till only an inch separated them. He bowed his head over her hair. “I will protect you and your baby. I will see you get safely to Eden Valley Ranch where you will be given shelter for as long as you need it.”

“That is so good to know.” She stepped back and went to the sitting room, waving her hand for him to follow.

He wished he knew if she meant it was good to know he would protect her or good to know she would be welcome at the ranch.

A pile of blankets rested on a chair, reminding them both that the future would be different from anything they’d known.

He shifted his gaze from the blankets to Louise. She chewed on her bottom lip. “You still worried about Vic? Don’t be.”

She quirked an eyebrow. “I’ll stop worrying when we reach the ranch. Maybe.”

He wouldn’t mention his conversation with Vic earlier, nor the man’s insistence about wanting Missy. She’d be safe at Eden Valley Ranch. It wouldn’t be the first time someone had come after a woman there and ended up facing more than he figured on. The whole crew would protect Missy and Louise. He’d not say that now, though. It would only give Louise reason to think she couldn’t outrun Vic.

“We’ll be on our way tomorrow.” And he’d be keeping a sharp eye out for any trouble Vic might present.

“You hungry?” she asked. “I am. I couldn’t eat after the wedding.”

“Me neither. Do you suppose that piece of cake is still there?”

She smiled. “You mean the one that indicated we would have a long marriage?”

It was good to see her relax, and he chuckled. “And many children.”

She laughed softly.

“Where’re Aunt Bea and Missy?”

“They thought we might like some privacy, so they went to bed early.” She dipped her head, then lifted her eyes. “Seems we’re the only ones who remember this.” She patted her rounded stomach. While he tried to think of an answer, she said, “I’m going to find that cake. Come on.” He followed her into the kitchen.

A piece of cake and a handful of little sandwiches were on a plate under a glass dome. She poured a glass of milk for each of them and placed the plate of food on the table.

They sat kitty-corner from each other, eating the cheese sandwiches. When they were gone, she cut the cake and they each had a piece.

She grinned at him. “Aunt Bea was really into the wedding stuff. Do you know she has my grandmother’s wedding dress in a trunk in her bedroom? I think she’s still hoping to wear it.”

“Your aunt Bea? That’s a surprise.”

“I know. But she and Pastor Manly seem to have an interest in each other.” She sobered. “I don’t suppose I’ll get to see her in a wedding dress.”

Nate hadn’t thought about all she was losing in her flight north. The home she’d known for seven years, her friends, all the memories she’d made in this place. But she had no choice. “I guess you’ll take your memories with you.”

“And my baby.”

“And Missy.”

“I haven’t forgotten.” She pushed from the table, gathered the dishes, carried them to the basin and poured hot water over them.

He saw she was about to wash them. Saw weariness in the way she moved. He sprang to his feet. “You sit and I’ll take care of the dishes.”

She opened her mouth to refuse, but he took her by the shoulders and guided her back to the table and eased her down into the chair. She let out a sigh of relief.

As he washed the few dishes and dried them, he talked to her. “We have to be at the depot at seven-thirty tomorrow morning.”

“Not a problem. We’ll be ready to go.”

He dried the last dish and hung the towel on the rack by the stove. “Is there anything you need me to do?”

Her eyebrows came up. “You mean, besides marry me?”