The Christmas Bargain (19 page)

“I’m staying out of this one,” Chauncy said. “Now, if you both will settle down I’ll ask the blessing so we can enjoy this meal while it’s still hot.”

Later that evening, after Filly gave Abby a bowl of broth and some bread, readied food for breakfast the next day and sat with Abby as she fed the baby, Luke helped her into her coat and they walked home.

The air was cold and crisp, but the stars danced above them in a clear December sky.

Strolling hand in hand, Luke was in no hurry to return home. When Filly stopped to study the stars, he pulled her up against him.

“What a beautiful way to end such a beautiful day,” Filly said, tipping her head back to better see the stars.

“Beautiful,” Luke said, admiring the way a thin ribbon of light from the house they were passing illuminated Filly’s face. “Absolutely beautiful.”

Filly glanced at Luke to see he was looking at her instead of the night sky.

“Luke,” she whispered. Whatever else she was going to say was lost when his lips connected with hers. His kiss was warm, gentle, loving.

Luke felt her melt against him and pulled Filly closer, deepening the kiss. Finally realizing they were standing in the middle of town, Luke kissed her quickly once more then put his arm around her shoulders, directing her home.

Going in the kitchen door, Luke helped Filly remove her coat then took off his coat and hat, hanging them on the pegs by the door. Filly stirred the embers in the stove. Straightening, she turned to find Luke watching her intently.

Taking both her hands in his, he pulled her into his arms.

“Filly, you were amazing today,” he said, resting his chin on top of her head. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, wrapping her arms a little tighter around Luke’s waist. “I do apologize for the spectacle I made on Sheeba. I didn’t stop to think about what it would look like.”

“You most certainly did not make a spectacle,” Luke said. “You looked like a very caring young woman riding to get help for her friend. That’s all. And I didn’t mind what I saw. Not one bit.”

“Oh,” Filly said, unable to think of a response.

“In fact,” Luke said, taking a step back and pulling the pins from her hair. “I’d like very much to see your hair down again.”

“But, Luke,” Filly said, raising one hand in a weak protest. Luke grabbed her hand and kissed her palm, then continued taking down her hair. When all the pins were removed, he shook the mass of curls loose and watched it cascade down her back and around her shoulders.

Drinking in the sight of her for a long moment, Luke finally released a groan and buried his face and hands into her hair. Breathing in the scent of roses, he felt his resolve to patiently court his wife race right out the door. As his pulse accelerated and she filled his senses, he wanted more than anything to sweep her into his arms and carry her to his bed.

Filly didn’t know what she would do when Luke let her go. She’d already lost the ability to stand on her own and her legs felt like they might give way beneath her. Luke was making her feel things she’d never felt before. Longings from deep within her were edging closer to the surface and she didn’t know what to do about them. They both frightened and thrilled her.

Luke took a deep breath then captured Filly’s lips with his in a firm, demanding kiss. Afraid she would pull back, she instead returned his ardor.

Lost to everything but the feel of the woman in his arms, Luke finally raised his head, resting his forehead on hers. When his breathing returned to normal, he leaned back, offering her a wicked grin. “I think you should move to the advanced level of kissing since you seem to have mastered the basic lessons.”

“Luke,” Filly said, her cheeks flushing at his teasing. “It’s because I have a good teacher.”

“Let’s make sure you’ve got it all down,” Luke said as he kissed her senseless one more time.

Filly clung to Luke, feeling too spent to do anything else. She had no idea kissing could be so exciting, wonderful and invigorating.

Luke gathered the unravelling edges of his composure together and took a step back from his wife. Seeing exhaustion in her eyes, he took her hand and led her down the hall to her bedroom. Stopping at her door, he kissed her cheek and ran one hand over her hair, letting his fingers linger on a silken curl that rested on her chest.

“Sweet dreams, Filly.”

“Good night, Luke,” Filly said, half hoping, half fearing what Luke planned to do when he led her to her room. Quietly closing the door behind her, Filly knew her dreams would all be of Luke.

Chapter Ten

Luke and Filly didn’t have much time alone for the next several days. She spent most of her mornings and part of the afternoons at the parsonage helping Abby with the baby, cooking and cleaning for them. When she wasn’t doing that, she was busy keeping up Granger House, with the help of Mrs. Kellogg.

The evenings found her in the kitchen at home, trying to squeeze in some of the holiday baking she wanted to have done before Christmas arrived.

Nights she spent tossing and turning, dreaming of her handsome, charming husband. Luke’s ice blue eyes, lit by an inner fire, haunted her dreams. If she breathed deeply enough, his unique manly scent would flood her senses and fill her with a deep longing, one she couldn’t even begin to understand.

One afternoon while both the baby and Abby were napping, Filly ran over to the mercantile for some supplies. She waved at Aleta Bruner who was helping another customer and made her way over to the fabric and yarn section. She was looking through some skeins of colorful yarn, trying to think of what she could make Luke for Christmas, when she overheard Melanie LaRoux talking to two of her friends.

“Isn’t she awful? I don’t know what Luke sees in her,” Melanie said, with a haughty toss of her head.

“He could certainly have done better for himself,” one of Melanie’s friends said.

“Well, I heard she worked at the Red Lantern before he married her. That’s why no one saw her around town before. Respectable folk wouldn’t have seen her. Did you hear about her riding through town with her hair down and her skirts up to her thighs? What kind of woman does that?” Melanie said, spreading nasty rumors that would no doubt be around town before the day was through.

Filly couldn’t hear the rest of their conversation as they left the store, but what she’d heard was enough to make her hang her head and brush at the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks.

When Aleta finished waiting on the other customers, she found Filly still standing by the yarn, looking as hurt and dejected as she had the first time Abby brought her in the store.

Putting her hand on Filly’s arm, she gave it a squeeze. “Don’t you pay Melanie and her friends any mind. Her tongue is sharp on both edges and she’s still mad she couldn’t catch Luke Granger.  She’s just a mean, spiteful girl who’ll get her comeuppance one of these days. If you ask me, Luke’s blessed he found you and didn’t end up with her.”

Filly gave her friend a small smile. “Thank you.”

Aleta patted Filly’s back. “Now, I know you didn’t come in just to look at the yarn. What’s on your shopping list today?”

Filly gave Aleta the list, her mind zipping between thoughts of finding a suitable Christmas gift for Luke and the horrid things Melanie said.  Fingering a skein of light blue yarn that made her think of Luke’s eyes, she added it to her pile of purchases, planning to make him a scarf, but wanting to get him something more, something special.

“Would you like me to have Percy carry this to the house for you?” Aleta asked. “I could send him over as soon as school is out.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Filly said, “I can take it with me.”

Pulling on her gloves, Filly picked up her purchases, placed them in her basket, and started toward the door. Turning back she smiled at Aleta. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Filly. And remember what I said. Melanie isn’t worth worrying over.”

Stepping out into the bright afternoon sunshine, Filly took a deep breath, then another before making her way back to the parsonage. She was nearly there when she felt a warm presence beside her and turned to find herself staring into Luke’s twinkling blue eyes.

“Hello, wife,” Luke said, kissing her cheek. “What are you about this afternoon?”

“Just picking up a few things from the mercantile,” she said as they went in the kitchen door of the parsonage. “Abby needed some supplies and so did I.”

Abby walked into the kitchen carrying little Erin. Beaming them both a smile, she held the baby toward Luke. “Would you like to hold her, Uncle Luke?”

“You know I would,” Luke said, quickly removing his Stetson and coat. Sitting down at the table, he took the baby in his arms and cuddled her close. Everyone was surprised at how he had taken to the sweet baby.

“How’s my girl today?” Luke asked as he brushed Erin’s tiny cheek with a light kiss. “I think she gets prettier every time I see her.”

“That’s what you said the last two times you held her,” Abby laughed, pouring a cup of coffee and sitting down across from Luke.

“I can’t help it if it’s true. You know bankers look at the facts and the fact is she’s the prettiest baby I’ve ever seen.”

“She’s the only baby you’ve ever seen, at least close enough to tell if it is a boy or a girl,” Abby teased.

Filly laughed. “That would explain a lot.”

Luke pretended to ignore then. “You hear that Erin. Your Mama and Auntie Filly are making fun of me. What should we do about it?”

The baby waved one tiny hand and hit Luke’s face.

“I think I’ve just been slapped,” Luke said dryly while Abby and Filly laughed.

“Not that we aren’t enjoying your company, Luke, but what are you doing here mid-afternoon?” Abby asked, surprised to see him in the middle of the day.

“You mean I can’t just drop by to see my favorite ladies whenever the mood strikes?”

“Of course you can,” Filly said, putting away the groceries she picked up for Abby. She made sure the yarn stayed wrapped in paper and out of Luke’s sight.

“Good,” Luke said, making funny faces at the baby who appeared to be going back to sleep. “I came to see if I could steal my wife away from you Abby, if you are feeling better.”

“I feel fine and by all means, steal away. I keep telling Filly she doesn’t have to work like a slave for me every day. I’m feeling much, much improved.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Luke said, standing up and rocking the baby a few times before handing Erin back to her mother. He picked up Filly’s coat and helped her put it on, then slid on his own.

“Don’t I get a say in what I want to do this afternoon?” Filly asked as Luke walked her out the door.

“No,” Luke and Abby answered in unison.

“Have fun,” Abby called as Luke shut the door behind him.

Placing Filly’s hand on his arm, he walked them down the sidewalk and toward the bank. When they reached the corner, Luke led her down a side street she had not taken time to explore.

“Will you at least tell me where we are going?” Filly asked, trying to guess what Luke might be up to.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” he said, guiding her up the steps of a large building and holding the door so she could precede him inside.

“It’s the skating rink,” Filly said, looking around. “I’ve never been skating.”

“Then by all means, let’s remedy that right now,” Luke said with a wink.