Western Christmas Brides: A Bride and Baby for Christmas / Miss Christina's Christmas Wish / A Kiss from the Cowboy

“It has helped us considerably,” Teddy said. He wasn’t totally sure if Abigail was being sincere, or just acting. It was hard to tell at times, but either way, he was glad she’d behaved. Shrugging into his coat, he rounded the counter and told her, “I won’t be gone long.”

“Take your time,” Abigail said. “I’ll just be pulling type.”

“I can do that when I get back.”

“No,” she replied, looking at the picture of herself. “I can do it. I want to make some changes to the story, too.”

The likeness was very good. It reminded him of her when she was younger.

“I’m sorry to have caused more work for both of you,” Hannah said as he took the basket from her.

“It’s no problem,” he said. “We’re used to last-minute changes. It’s part of the publishing businesses. Isn’t it, Abigail?”

“Yes.” Abigail held up one of the children’s drawings. “And the Gazette is the best newspaper in all of Kansas.”

That was exactly what the piece of paper she held said, with a couple of misspelled words and backward letters. Teddy had to take a second look at his sister. He hadn’t seen her smile so big in a long time. The giggle beside him had him shifting his gaze.

The shine in Hannah’s eyes was the brightest he’d ever seen, and was enough to make his heart hammer harder than his printing press when cranking out newspapers.

“That was one of my favorites,” she said.

“I look forward to reading them all,” he said, opening the door and gesturing for her to cross the threshold first.

“You’ll enjoy them,” she said.

“I’m sure I will. Thank you for delivering them. And thank you for the etchings. They are remarkable, Hannah.”

“Thank you, Teddy.”

It sounded as if she’d said his name as a test, or an afterthought, which was how he’d said her name. A sort of test to see if she’d protest.

“I enjoyed making them, and the children were thrilled with the idea of being in the newspaper. The thank-you notes were Miss Burnett’s idea.”

The wind tugged at her bonnet as they walked and he took her elbow to direct her closer to the buildings for a bit of protection. “I’m sorry for the way I left the other day.”

“That’s why I brought you some pie. I knew you’d been looking forward to it.”

“Thank you for that as well, and I will eat it as soon as I get home, but I meant for how I left you. You were upset. I should have—”

“No, you shouldn’t have, Teddy. I needed to be alone.”

“Well, I shouldn’t have said what I did about Jules Carmichael and Jess Radar. They are good men and once married, I’m sure they would secure different living quarters.”

“Probably, and I’m sure they are good men. Don Carlson, too.” She glanced up at him.

“Yes,” he admitted, with a hint of chagrin. “Don, too. The others on your list are as well, and—”

“I burned it.”

Taken aback by her interruption, he asked, “Burned what?”

“The list. Right after you gave it back to me.” She wasn’t looking at him, but straight ahead, toward the corner they would soon turn down and head east toward Brett’s house.

“Hannah, I—”

“It wasn’t because of anything you said or did. It was me.” She glanced his way. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“Were you in love with the woman who didn’t marry you?”

He paused before answering. “I thought I was at the time.” He wasn’t so sure now. Becky had been young and alone, not so different from Hannah, except that Hannah had Brett and Fiona. Becky hadn’t had anyone and that had worried him.

“You thought?”

Becky had been in his thoughts lately, as well as what his life might have been like if she had married him, and he questioned the absence of any ache, of any sense of loss. “I was worried about her and wanted to help her.”

“Why? Was something wrong?”

He couldn’t stop his eyes from darting to her waist. Lifting his gaze, he shook his head. “Not necessarily wrong.” Becky had left him for a man she loved. Hannah still loved Eric, and he had to wonder if that would be worse. She might always love Eric, and where would that leave him? Needing to change the subject, and curious, he asked, “How are you feeling?”

“Fine.” Her smile increased. “I loved etching all of the children. I’d never drawn people before, and wasn’t sure if I could.”

“Well, those etchings are amazing. Your grandfather must have been an excellent teacher.”

“Oh, he was. He and Gram are the best.”

“You miss them.”

She nodded and put one hand on her stomach. “I do. Very much.” Her sigh caught on the breeze as they turned the corner to walk toward the blacksmith shop. “I was never scared or worried while at their house.”

“But you were at your own home?”

She nodded.

“I’ve already told you my father wanted a boy instead of me. It was worse that Eric’s family continued to have children. Boys to carry on the family name, and our side of the family didn’t.”

Anger rolled inside Teddy. He couldn’t imagine a father—any man—blaming a child for something that was so out of their control. It was ludicrous. “Being born a girl was not your fault, Hannah. You had nothing to do with it.”

She shook her head solemnly. “It went beyond that. I couldn’t do anything right in his eyes. Including my etchings.”

“Well, I believe your etchings are remarkable. And I’m not the only one. Every time someone inquires about an advertisement, they ask if you’d be able to create a picture to accompany it.”

“They do?”

The shine in her eyes made his heart skip a beat. “Yes, they do. You’ve been very good for our business.” He added a wink, hoping that she understood it was the truth, but he was also teasing her a bit.

She giggled. “I’m glad. It feels good to know I’m helping someone and I do enjoy it very much.”