Mail-Order Holiday Brides: Home for Christmas / Snowflakes for Dry Creek

“Anytime, Miss Eberlee.” He went to tip his hat to her, only to find he wasn’t wearing one. Embarrassment crept across his chiseled face in a pink sweep.

He was funny. Her heart thumped an extra beat, likely in anticipation of being with Tom. He’d come to take her to see her new home.

He stood framed by the doorway with his bulky coat unbuttoned, his blue flannel shirt and red suspenders showing. Tension bunched along his jaw. Fury darkened his face. He did not look glad to see her.

Tom didn’t look glad at all.

Chapter Five

“What are you doin’ with him?” Tom demanded, beefy hands curled into fists. “Are you usin’ my dime to see if you can land yourself a bigger fish than me?”

“Why, Tom.” She surged forward, shocked by the words coming out of his mouth. This wasn’t the greeting she’d been expecting. No smile of welcome, no light in his eyes when he gazed upon her. Then she remembered he didn’t know her. They were strangers. She was determined to show him the woman she was. “In time you will come to know that I would never treat you that way. I’m hurt that you think I could,” she said gently.

“Oh.” Tendons stood out in his neck. He shot a cold, aggressive look the marshal’s way. “You were eating with him.”

“Yes, I was. He invited me over so I didn’t have to sit alone, and I’m grateful.” Her face heated, aware of curious diners watching. When she glanced back, the turmoil within her calmed the moment her eyes met Elijah’s blue eyes.

He looked concerned, but he didn’t need to be. She smiled at him to tell him so. Really, everything was going to be all right, but she wasn’t sure he believed her and she felt a little lost. She wanted Tom to be a good man; she needed him to be. “Tom, it’s your proposal that changed my life, and I’m so glad. That’s what matters here.”

“Guess I got all heated up.” He shrugged, self-conscious and a little sheepish. His hazel gaze caught hers bashfully. “Can’t hardly blame me. A pretty lady like you could have her pick of men.”

“Don’t try and soften me with flattery.” But a smile broke through. “It’s true a lady likes compliments.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” He had a charming smile and a farmer’s homespun way. “Do you want to see your new home?”

“Very much.” She fetched her coat from the large coat tree by the door, where she’d hung it last night to thaw, ice-driven from the near-blizzard conditions. Now, exactly why did that remind her of Elijah and the way he’d stayed at her side, shielding her from the brunt of the storm? Perhaps any woman would find him hard to forget. As for the snug, fond feeling building in her chest, that was a friendly feeling. Nothing when compared to what she would have with Tom.

“What’s wrong with yer arm?” Tom’s gravelly voice grated harshly. He didn’t help her with her coat as she slipped into it, careful of her splint.

“I fell and apparently broke it, but don’t worry, the doctor said it should heal just fine,” she finished quickly, buttoning up her coat. “By the end of January, it will be good as new.”

“Doctor?” His jaw snapped tight, and his polite tone was strained. “I didn’t agree to pay for no doctor.”

“I don’t expect you to.” She struggled with her mittens. Tom confused her. Perhaps he still feared she might take advantage of him, and it was true enough there were women in the world who thought nothing of such a thing. He would soon learn she was not one of them. He didn’t open the door for her, so she grasped the knob and pulled. Below-zero temperatures hit her like a punch. “I’ve made arrangements with Dr. Frost to work off what I owe him.”

“By doin’ what exactly?” Hazel eyes turned stone hard.

“By cleaning his office.” Now she was displeased with him. “I’m not that kind of woman, Tom. I would think you could tell simply by looking at me.”

“Sorry.” He flushed red and bowed his head. He appeared to be humbled, except for the strain snapping along his tight jaw. “I just saw you makin’ cozy with that man at your table, and I thought the worst. Shouldna done that.”

“No, and thank you. How about we make a pact?” She realized the only horse and vehicle tied at the hitching post had to be Tom’s, so she swept snow off the sled’s wooden seat with her sleeve before she sat. “Instead of thinking the worst, we’ll think the best of each other. Agreed?”

“Agreed.” Tom shook snow out of a fur robe and handed it to her.

“I’m so glad you are to be my husband, Tom.” She laid her mittened hand over his gloved one, willing her heart to feel. The spark of affection she longed for did not take root. Perhaps that would take time. “I can’t wait for my new life with you to start.”

“Me, either.” The corners of his mouth relaxed. He untied the horse, who flinched when he came near. The horse’s gray flesh rippled and the animal sidestepped.