Rescuing The Preacher (Christmas Rescue Series Book 1) Page 7

  Grace was playing happily in the sitting room when she returned, so she sat on the chair and rested for a moment. Staring out the window, she saw the silhouette of a man hidden in the shadows.

  She shuddered. Was it the same person who’d knocked on the door?

  “Mama! Look at this.” Her attention was taken by the toy Grace wanted to show her. When she glanced up again, he was gone.

  If he was even there. Perhaps her imagination was playing tricks on her. But Rose knew the open gate was not a figment of her imagination.

  Chapter Ten

  Two days had passed but Rose couldn’t get the incident of the open gate out of her mind.

  She hadn’t mentioned it to Matthew, afraid it would worry him. Instead she would keep her eyes open whenever they left the house.

  If such a thing happened again, she would definitely inform her husband.

  He was due home in less than an hour, so they hurried to the Mercantile. Hearty soup was on the stove, biscuits were cooling on the counter. Luncheon was ready.

  Until she discovered the butter was almost non-existent. She’s been so worried about her unseen visitor, she’d let her household duties fall behind.

  The children were well wrapped in their warm coats, gloves and hats, and they headed out. The flurries were getting heavier by the day, much to the delight of Grace. She had her sights set on building a snowman, and was getting impatient at the long wait.

  Rose couldn’t blame her. She was a small child, and had no concept of time. It would be at least another week before they experienced heavy snowfall, according to Matthew.

  Grace raced ahead as they arrived at the Mercantile. She had a special relationship with Joe – he was almost like an uncle.

  “Good morning, little one,” he said, as she ran toward him.

  She grinned shyly at him. “Good morning,” she said back. “We need butter.”

  He looked to Rose. “We do. I didn’t realize I was so low.”

  Joe went out the back to retrieve the butter for them. He quickly returned. “Thanks Joe. You’ve saved me.”

  They headed to the door and were about to depart the store, when a familiar figure approached the store. She would recognize him anywhere.

  She scurried to the back corner of the store where they couldn’t be seen from the front of the store, and Joe stared at her.

  Once the door opened, she was sure he’d understand.

  “Morning,” he told the stranger, in a not so friendly fashion. Not for Joe anyway, Rose decided. “What can I do for you?”

  “I’m looking for someone. Rose Charleston.” Rose would know that voice anywhere.

  Joe went quiet, and Rose held her breath. “Ain’t no Rose Charleston here,” he answered truthfully.

  “Huh. I was told she was here in Dalton Springs.”

  Rose heard papers shuffling around, then Joe replied. “I know everyone in this town, and there ain’t no Rose Charleston.”

  He wasn’t lying. She was now Rose Barnabas.

  Joe was a good Christian man who didn’t lie, but she also knew he would protect her if push came to shove.

  She heard the door open and the bell tinkle, but was too afraid to come out of hiding. She waited for a couple of minutes, and finally Joe came to her.

  “Who is he?” Joe asked sternly.

  Rose swallowed. She’d hoped by coming here she had seen the last of Jonas Hanson, but apparently it wasn’t to be.

  “I, I was being forced to marry him,” she said quietly. “So I ran away.”

  “Well you’re married now, so it’s too late. He can’t have you.”

  She nodded, not sure how to answer. Since she and Matthew had consummated their marriage, could she still be forced into marriage with Jonas?

  He was a lawyer, he would know all the possible ways to make her. She wanted to cry, but had to stay strong for Grace. It would upset the child terribly.

  “Wait here.” Joe indicated for her to stay put and went out of the store, looking all around, then returned. “I can’t see him, so I think he’s gone.”

  She began to push Clara out of the corner, clasping Grace’s hand at the same time.

  “To be certain, I’m coming with you. I want to make sure you get home safe.” Rose opened her mouth to argue, but he stopped her. “I owe the preacher that much, and I don’t want to see a sweet thing like you hurt. Or the children.”

  “Thank you,” she said quietly.

  “Bertha, look after the store,” he bellowed, checking outside again, then led them back to the preacher’s cottage.

  He didn’t ask questions of her, in fact, Joe didn’t say a word.

  They arrived at the same time as Matthew. Rose thanked him, and he began to walk away when they were joined by an unwelcome guest.

  Joe rejoined them, and Matthew gave him a curious look.

  Jonas reached out and grabbed Rose by the arm. “You’re coming with me,” he bellowed, trying to drag her away.

  “No I’m not. I’m already married,” she yelled, pulling back in vain.

  “Get your hands off my wife,” Matthew demanded, but Jonas ignored him. Matthew stepped between them, and Joe grabbed the intruder.

  Grace began to scream. “Let go of my Mama!” She kicked him on the shin, but Jonas continued on his endeavor.

  Tears rolled down Rose’s cheeks. Her life had been wonderful, and now this.

  “What’s going on here?” It was a voice Rose didn’t recognize, but she felt relieved when she noticed the sheriff’s badge.

  “She’s my betrothed.” Jonas was adamant.

  “Rose is my wife,” Matthew said determinedly.

  Jonas continued his grip on Rose, and tried to drag her away.

  Rose could see Matthew getting angrier by the moment, and Joe stretched himself to his already tall height. They were both ready to fight for her.

  “Let the lady go.” The sheriff spoke low but clearly. When Jonas still refused, the sheriff pulled out his gun.

  Rose gasped.

  Joe snatched up Grace and pulled Clara out of the way. Matthew stepped toward Rose, knowing his children were safe. The horror on his face was palpable.

  “Last chance,” the sheriff said firmly, and Jonas finally let go his grip.

  He was handcuffed and marched to the jail. Rose was shaking and crying, and Matthew pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her.

  She didn’t want him to ever let her go.

  * * *

  With less than a week until Christmas, the snow was finally heavy enough for Grace to make her much-wanted snowman.

  He was a little lopsided, and his face was all out of shape, but no one cared. She was having fun, and that was all that mattered.

  Despite being rugged up, her little teeth were chattering, but no way was she going back inside.

  “I’ll tell you what, Grace,” Rose said gently. “If you come inside and warm up for a little while, after we eat we can go and watch the Christmas tree being put up.”

  Her little eyes opened wide. “Really?” she asked excitedly.

  It would be a big day for her, but it would also be a day to remember. Since arriving in Dalton Springs, Rose had learned that memories made together as a family were more important than anything else.

  “We even have a special decoration to put on the tree,” she told the shivering child. “Come inside and we’ll get ready.”

  Since she’d found out it was tradition for newlyweds to add a decoration to the tree, Rose had made it her mission to create one.

  Grace ran into the house and headed straight to the sitting room, which was the warmest room in the house. It didn’t take long for the chattering to subside.

  Clara sat at Rose’s feet and played happily as she sat up unaided. She had begun to feed the baby a few solids, and she was more than happy now.

  Matthew arrived home for luncheon and stood in the doorway observing the joyful sight. Rose could vividly recall him doing the same thing when she’
d first arrived a few months earlier. Only this time he had a look of contentment instead of one of sadness.

  “Papa!” Grace ran toward her father and wrapped her little arms around his legs. “We’re going to see the Christmas tree soon.”

  He reached down and pulled her up into his arms. Rose watched as he kissed her forehead and whispered something in her ear. Grace wriggled her way down to the floor and ran off.

  “What did you say to her?” Rose asked, perplexed.

  “I told her if she had a rest on her bed, there might be a surprise in a few days.”

  Clara’s eyes began to close, and she started to topple sideways. Rose knew it was time for her to rest too.

  She picked the baby up and headed toward her room.

  When she returned, Matthew was standing in front of the fire, a smile on his face.

  “What?” Rose asked, sensing something was up.

  His smile became a grin. “Am I not allowed to have my wife all to myself?” He opened his arms and she walked into them.

  “I love you more than life itself, Rose,” he whispered in her ear.

  Rose rested her head on his chest. “I love you too, Matthew. Until I came here, I had no idea what a real family could be like.” She lifted her head and glanced up into his face.

  “You were a lost soul,” he said gently. “But I was lost too - you saved us both.”

  Tears rolled down her cheeks, and he brushed them away. She’d never thought about it before, but he was right, they were lost, but now they’d found each other.

  With Jonas safely tucked away in jail, she no longer had to concern herself with him turning up to claim her.

  Perhaps one day she may even have a reconciliation with her parents. Matthew was certainly keen for that to happen.

  Only ten minutes had passed before Grace came running out of her room. “I’ve had a rest, Papa,” she said excitedly.

  Rose pushed herself out of her husband’s arms. She felt so loved and so safe with him. “Time for luncheon, and then we can go and see the Christmas tree,” she told the child.

  Grace ran into the kitchen and sat at the table. Something she rarely did without instruction.

  They said a prayer for their food, then tucked in. Grace ate with more vigor than usual. It made Rose smile.

  “I have the rest of the day off,” Matthew said, surprising her. “I planned it so we could spend the afternoon together.”

  Rose did not complain.

  With Grace in his arms, and Rose by his side, Matthew looked down at Clara rugged up in the perambulator.

  They waited until almost the last minute to arrive, not wanting the children to become agitated at the wait. The younger men of the town had wound a rope around the trunk of the huge tree, and everyone was instructed to move back.

  The last thing the Mayor wanted was for someone to be injured.

  Matthew looked down at his daughters and his wife. This time last year it was a totally different scenario. He was certain Alice would be looking down on them with a sense of approval.

  Rose was a good mother to the girls, and would be no different with their future children. A smile crossed his face.

  A few months ago, none of this was even on his mind.

  “Papa! Papa!” Grace yelled in his ear, startling him. She grabbed at his chin and faced him toward the tall tree. “Look, Papa! It is a giant tree,” she said, still shouting.

  His heart was full of love, for this town, for his family, and for Rose, who now had Clara in her arms. The baby’s eyes followed every movement as the tree was raised up.

  “Can you take Clara,” Rose asked, indicating for him to put Grace down. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the decoration he knew she’d been making with Mrs Armstrong’s help.

  She squatted down to Grace’s height and whispered in her ear, then reached for the little girl’s hand. Together they walked over to the now secured tree and added their decoration.

  Grace turned back to look over her shoulder and glance at her father – a huge grin on her face.

  His heart swelled at the scene before him. This Christmas was sure to be filled with joy.

  Epilogue

  One year later...

  As they sat in the sitting room buttoning eighteen-month-old Clara’s coat, Grace put on her own coat. With the warmth of the fire and the aroma of Christmas baking, the place felt very homely.

  Matthew thought back to a year ago. They were doing something similar this time last year, but this year was very different.

  This year they had welcomed their new baby, a son. Joshua Mark Barnabas had been welcomed into the world only two weeks ago. Rose’s parents had arrived soon after they’d received word of their first grandchild.

  It was a tearful reunion, but one that needed to happen.

  Matthew sat back and watched the scene play out before him. This was his family, his reason for living.

  “Time to go,” Rose said quietly, not wanting to wake Joshua.

  He stared into her face – she looked as emotional as he felt.

  This year Grace had made her own decoration for the tree. One that announced the arrival of her tiny baby brother. She was a proud big sister, and Matthew knew she would always look out for him.

  Clara toddled over to her father wanting to be picked up. He squatted down and pulled her into his arms. Rose stood beside him, their tiny bundle of joy in her arms, wrapped warmly, ready to venture outside.

  The kitten they’d welcomed into their home last Christmas rubbed up against his legs, and Grace leaned in and hugged her gently. Misty, named because of her grey color, didn’t object.

  Matthew’s eyes darted around the room, taking it all in. His heart was full of joy. How could he have ever anticipated his life before Rose arrived?

  Although she had endured great distress, they were both incredibly happy now, and so very much in love.

  Matthew said a silent prayer to God for sending her to him.

  “Can we have another kitten this year, Papa?” Grace asked as they began their trek toward the Christmas tree raising.

  “No, Grace. One kitten is enough,” he said firmly.

  “Then can we have another baby next Christmas?” He glanced across at Rose. That was a wish he would gladly grant.

  The End

  From the Author

  Thank you so much for reading my book – I hope you enjoyed it.

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  About the Author

  Multi-published, best selling and award-winning author, Cheryl Wright, former secretary, debt collector, account manager, writing coach, and shopping tour hostess, loves reading.

  She writes historical western romance, as well as contemporary romance and romantic suspense.

  She lives in Melbourne, Australia, and is married with two adult children and has six grandchildren.

  When she’s not writing, she can be found in her craft room making greeting cards.

  Check out Cheryl’s Amazon page for a full list of her other books.

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