LITMIR.BIZ

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along, Annie. You shouldn’t bother the lady.”

      Missy’s insides curled at the way Wade made it sound as if she didn’t welcome Annie’s questions. Ignoring his warning glance, she brushed her hand over the girl’s shoulder. “You’re not a bother to me.”

      Right then and there, she promised herself she would do everything in her power to make this a Christmas Day these children would remember with joy.

      * * *

      The only place left for Wade to sit was next to Missy. He almost refused Linette’s invitation to be seated, but he had asked to be included in their Christmas. Seemed it meant enduring Missy’s narrow-eyed looks. He plunked onto the chair and pulled Annie to his lap. Joey sat on the floor in front of him, watching the other children playing.

      Annie turned to regard Missy. “You live here?”

      “I’m only visiting. Louise is my sister-in-law.” She pointed out a young woman with a tiny baby in her arms and a man hovering adoringly at her side. “She and Nate are going to live at his ranch as soon as he fixes the cabin.”

      Wade fleetingly wondered if Missy would be living with them.

      Annie reached out and fingered the fabric of Missy’s dress. “I like your gown. It feels nice.”

      “It’s satin. Royal blue was my mama’s favorite color. I like to wear it and remember her.”

      Annie leaned forward. “Mama’s favorite color was pink. I like pink, too. Maybe I’ll get a pink dress when I get big. I gots a pink sweater she knitted me. It’s my favorite thing.”

      It was the most Annie had talked since her parents died. Before that she had been a regular chatterbox.

      She turned to Wade. “Where’s my pink sweater?”

      He had no idea. The neighboring women had helped him pack up the children’s things. “I expect it’s in one of your bags.”

      “In the wagon?”

      “Yes. Everything is under a tarp.” He wanted to reassure her that her belongings were safe.

      “Oh.” The one syllable was both a question and a demand.

      “We’ll find it later.”

      “Oh.” Disappointment and reluctant patience colored her voice. How could a little girl pack so much meaning into one small word? But Annie had always been good at letting her feelings be known.

      She turned back to Missy. “If you don’t live here, where do you live?”

      Even though they didn’t touch and he didn’t look directly at her, Wade felt the young woman stiffen. Why did such an ordinary question cause such a reaction?

      “I’m staying here for now. And then...well, I’ll find something else.” Beneath the cheerful words ran a river of uncertainty that made Wade tighten his arms around Annie lest she feel it, too.

      But he couldn’t prevent the child’s understanding. “That’s like us. We’re going someplace but I don’t know where. Only that Uncle Wade is leaving us and going...” She lifted her hands in a dramatic show of I-don’t-know.

      The gesture made him ache. As did her words. If only he could give them specifics as to their future, but at this point, he had none to give. Please, God. Make their adoption work out. Sooner would be better than later.

      Missy shifted slightly so she could give him an accusing look. He ignored her, gazing down at the floor. She needn’t think he acted selfishly. He had to do what was best.

      Linette broke the tension as she announced her departure. “I need to go finish the meal preparations.” She put baby Jonathan in his cradle and headed for the kitchen. Immediately, the other ladies, including Missy, exited the room. Wade drew in a deep breath. The delicious aromas that had assaulted him as he entered the house now drew saliva from his mouth and growls from his stomach. The smells made it difficult to focus on anything else, until he felt Annie get up and start to follow Missy. Wade roped in his attention. “Stay here,” he said.

      Missy turned, favored him with another of her accusing looks and continued on her way. Wade let her go without comment, deeming this a battle not worth fighting. Right or wrong, the woman was entitled to her opinion.

      For the first time since he’d seen Missy in the room he sat back and tried to relax. But the smells of turkey and stuffing, ham and mincemeat made him miss Susan so badly he felt a sting of tears. Thankfully, all the other men had their attention on Eddie as he regaled them with a story about finding stranded cows in a snowstorm.

      Wade’s stomach was kissing his backbone by the time Linette invited them into the dining room. “Children, you have a table in the kitchen. Daisy’s in charge. Be sure you mind her.”

      The older girl, Daisy, who looked to be about thirteen, had a toddler perched on one hip and reached out her free hand to Annie. “Come on. It’s fun to sit at the children’s table.”

      “Daisy is very good at minding the younger ones,” Linette assured Wade. “She’s Cassie and Roper’s oldest. With two brothers and a sister, she gets a lot of practice.”

      The little boy named Grady signaled to Joey. “You wanna sit with me?”

      And as easy as that, the two clinging children left Wade.

      He wanted to call them back, but Linette waved everyone to chairs.

      Somehow Wade ended up beside Missy. A glance around the table revealed they were the only single adults present, so he supposed it made sense to his hostess.

      He forced himself to sit calmly as Eddie said grace, even though having Missy so close made his nerves tingle. He tried to cover it up by squirming about in an attempt to see or at least hear the children.

      “Relax,” Missy said. “If Linette says it’s okay it’s okay.”

      He nodded, though he wasn’t sure he agreed.

      Linette spoke from the end of the table. “You couldn’t know it, but Daisy and her brothers and sister were orphans. Roper and Cassie adopted them. In fact—” she glanced about the table “—all these people have children who lost at least one parent.” She guided the passing of the food as she spoke.

      Louise sat on the other side of Missy and leaned around her to speak to Wade. “Even little Chloe. Her father never had a chance to meet her. Now Nate is her father.”

      The couples around the table smiled lovingly at each other, obviously content with their new relationships.

      Wade filled his plate with turkey and stuffing, ham and green tomato chutney, mashed potatoes and gravy, carrots and turnips. He realized all eyes were on him. Had he taken too much food? But a glance about the table revealed every plate held a generous amount.

      “Did I miss something?” he asked, silently acknowledging he had been interested only in the food.

      Everyone slid their gaze to Missy and back to him.

      “It seems like marriage would be the perfect solution for you, as well,” Linette said. “Both of you.”

      He shook his head. “Oh, no. Marriage isn’t for me.”

      Missy held up her hands. “Nor me.”

      “Why not?” Louise demanded of her sister-in-law. “What’s wrong with marriage?”

      “I didn’t say there was anything wrong with it. It’s fine if that’s what you want. I have other plans.” She dug into the pocket of her blue satin gown and pulled out a piece of paper. She unfolded it and showed it to Louise, who read it aloud, then stared at her.

      “A secretary?”

      “Using a typewriter.” Missy made it sound as if that made a world of difference.

      “Where will you get the money to

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