The Christmas Vow Read online

  “Not until you go wash up.” Tia waved a spoon at him. “And tell Toby to quit dawdling. He can set the table.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Adam refrained from saying anything further to Toby about the knots as they ate.

  As soon as they’d finished the meal and helped with the dinner dishes, he made Toby remove every knot he’d tied around the house.

  “How come you didn’t help your mama decorate for Christmas today?” Adam asked as they worked the knots out of the fringe on the mantle scarf.

  “I did help her,” Toby said, pointing to the paper snowflakes dangling from silver thread in the front windows.

  “We made snowflakes, and put the garland on the fireplace, and hung a wreath on the front door. Mama said she’d ask you to climb up in the attic to bring down the rest of the decorations.” Toby leaned closer to Adam and lowered his voice. “She’s scared to go up there.”

  Adam grinned. Tia had never liked going into the attic of the house, convinced ghosts or spiders lived up there, just waiting to terrorize her.

  One year, after Tia had read about Charles Dickens’ ghosts, Adam and Carl snuck up to the attic and banged around. Of course, her grandmother was in on the ruse, asking Tia to run up there to bring down an old hatbox she needed.

  With no small degree of trepidation, Tia slowly made her way up the attic stairs. Adam hid behind an old trunk while Carl ducked under a sheet covering a rocking chair with a broken back.

  Stepping away from the safety of the stairs with great hesitation, Tia’s eyes darted around the room, searching for the hatbox her grandmother wanted.

  After unearthing a discarded fur coat that looked like it had been chewed on by a dog, Adam pulled it over his head and snuck around to the stairs while Carl set the rocking chair into motion.

  The steady creak of the wood caught Tia’s attention and she turned around, staring at the chair with eyes as wide as bread plates.

  Adam bit his lip to keep from laughing when Carl rose out of the chair, shrouded with the sheet, making ghostly, ghastly sounds.

  Tia spun around and nearly plowed right over Adam in her haste to get away from the ghost until she decided a bear had inhabited the space.

  Screams cut through the dusty attic air. She somehow leaped past Adam and raced down the stairs, screeching like a banshee.

  Carl and Adam tossed aside their coverings and laughed so hard they tumbled down the stairs, landing in a heap at the bottom.

  Once Tia realized who had frightened her so badly, she pummeled them both until her grandmother finally made her stop.

  Evidently, Tia had never recovered from her fear of the attic.

  “Your mama always was scared of the attic. I’ll bring the rest of the things down later.” Adam smiled at the boy as they finished untying the last of the knots in the parlor. “Okay, little man. Anywhere else you tied knots today?”

  Toby nodded his head and took Adam’s hand, leading him down the hallway to Tia’s bedroom. He pushed open the door then walked over to the bed. Silk stockings were heaped into a pile of twisted knots.

  Adam picked up two stockings and admired the fine job Toby had done in executing a perfect sheet bend knot, looping them together. Proud of the child’s skill, Adam tamped down his eagerness to praise Toby and instead studied the bit of silk in his hand. He worked the knot free, but in the process, the stocking had multiple pulls in it from his rough hands.

  “You know what, Toby. I think we may have to buy your mama new stockings.”

  The boy’s lip stuck out in a pout again. “I didn’t mean to ruin Mama’s things. I’m sorry.” Toby sniffled and leaned against Adam’s leg.

  Adam picked up the child and rubbed his back. “You learned an important lesson you won’t soon forget, though. Right? No more tying knots on anything except your rope.”

  “I won’t forget, Daddy.” Toby gave him a solemn look. “I promise.”

  “I trust you, Toby.” Adam glanced around the room and held back a bark of laughter at the corset strings Toby had tied in a knot around the bedpost — with the corset still attached.

  He set the boy down and quickly loosened the knots, then studied the pale green brocade garment in his hand. Curious what it would be like to see Tia wearing it and a pair of those silk stockings, his temperature climbed. He tossed the corset onto the bed and took Toby by the hand.

  “Anything else you got into today?”

  Toby shook his head.

  “All right, then. It’s off to bed for you.”

  Toby took a step toward his bedroom then glanced back at Adam. “Will you tuck me in and tell me another story about one of the boats you’ve been on?”

  “I sure will, son. Hurry and get ready for bed.”

  The little boy rushed into his room to put on his nightshirt then raced down the hall to the bathroom to brush his teeth.

  Adam supervised the process, although he didn’t offer any help. Like his mother, Toby was incredibly independent and liked to do things for himself.

  “I want Mama to tuck me in, too,” Toby said as he ran down the hall toward the parlor.

  Adam watched as Tia returned with Toby. She ignored him as she entered the child’s room and tucked him into bed.

  “You sit right there, Mama,” Toby said, patting her hand. He pointed to the other side of his bed. “And you sit here, Daddy.”

  Adam moved inside the room and walked around the boy’s bed, sitting on the opposite side of Tia.

  When she looked over at him, he winked and the barest hint of a smile touched her lips. Adam studied the contours of her mouth, wondering if she’d taste like summer peaches — ripe and sweet.

  Distracted by thoughts of his lovely bride, Adam felt a tug on his hand as Toby drew him back to the moment. “I’m ready for my story, now.”

  “Let’s see, a story about a boat…” Adam appeared thoughtful as he rubbed his chin and stared at a painting on the wall of a boy pulling a boat by a string. He cleared his throat and smiled at Toby. “There once was a beautiful little boat. It was sleek, strong, and fast. It outran all the other boats on the river.”

  “What color was the boat?” Toby asked, settling deeper into his pillow.

  “Blue, like the sky overhead.” Adam smiled at the child, knowing that was his favorite color. “The beautiful little blue boat would speed through the water so fast, it looked like a streak of light as it passed the older, slower boats poking along. Sometimes the little boat teased and taunted the bigger slow-moving boats. One day, as the beautiful little blue boat rushed from one harbor to another, a big, ugly boat rammed into it on purpose. It broke the little boat, smashing it into pieces.”

  “Oh, no!” Toby sat up, eyes wide with fear. “What happened?”

  Adam gently pushed Toby back down in the bed and brushed at the cowlick ever at odds with the rest of his hair. “Well, the pieces of the little boat drifted to the shore for miles. But a kind man, the man who built the little boat, carefully gathered each one. He hauled them all back to his workshop. He worked and worked until he’d rebuilt the little boat. When he finished, he painted it blue, with a bright red stripe down the side. He took the little blue boat back to the river. It bobbed in the water for a while, getting used to the feel of it again, before it once again raced down the river, happy as it could be.”

  “I’m glad the little blue boat could sail again.” Toby’s eyes drifted shut.

  “Me, too, little man. Now go to sleep.” Adam leaned over and kissed Toby’s forehead.

  “I love you, Daddy,” Toby whispered.

  Adam’s heart clenched and he swallowed hard. “I love you too, Toby. Sleep well, son.”

  “Night, Mama.”

  “Good night, baby.” Tia leaned over and kissed Toby’s cheek before she stood and adjusted his covers. Adam joined her in the doorway as they watched Toby turn onto his side and fall asleep.

  Quietly closing the door partway, Tia returned to the parlor. She sat down and picked u
p the knitting needles she’d set aside when Toby asked her to tuck him into bed.

  Adam sat across from her in a chair by the fire and watched the needles clack back and forth, reflecting spears of firelight.

  “What are you making?” he finally asked, fascinated by the speed with which her fingers flew. He didn’t remember Tia ever sitting still long enough to learn any skills like knitting, crocheting or needlepoint when he’d known her before. The talents she acquired had to come after she’d wed Patrick Devereux.

  “A scarf for Alex,” Tia said, holding up dark red ball of yarn. “I already made one for Arlan. I wasn’t sure what would be a proper gift to give them.”

  “They’ll appreciate anything you make,” Adam assured her, leaning back in the chair.

  “Did I see you bring home something earlier?” Tia asked without glancing up.

  “I did. I’ll fetch it.” Adam retrieved the sleigh from the kitchen and set it down on the low table in front of the couch.

  “Oh, Adam, it’s darling. It looks perfect right there. What a thoughtful gift.” Tia set aside the knitting and dropped to her knees in front of the table.

  Adam noticed her wince and put a hand on her back as he leaned down to look into her face. “What hurts, Tia? I know something did.”

  “It’s nothing,” she said, rising to her feet and wincing again.

  “Nothing, huh?” It was obvious something pained her. He’d get an answer out of her sooner or later. “Let me take a look at those scratches from Crabby.”

  Tia shook her head and backed away from him. “No. I’m fine. However, it’s time for me to go to bed.” She reached back to untie her apron strings and jerked on them.

  Like a dog chasing its tail, she went around and around in circles, furiously yanking on the strings until Adam pulled her to a stop.

  “Looks like Toby got to your apron, too. How’d he tie it in a knot without you noticing?”

  Tia stamped her foot in frustration. “He said he needed to fix my bow. Oh, that child has been utterly vexing today! He’s never been so full of orneriness before and I can’t imagine what’s gotten into him now.”

  Her gaze turned to Adam as he worked the apron strings loose. Once he released the knot, she whipped off the apron and shook it at him. “In truth, the facts point to your influence as the cause for my troubles with Toby.”

  “Me?” Adam asked, perplexed. “All I did was show him how to fashion a few knots every man ought to know how to tie. You’re the one who was home all day while he tied the house into knots.”

  Tia sank onto the sofa and covered her face with her hands. Adam couldn’t tell if she was laughing or crying from the way her shoulders shook. Finally, she lifted her gaze to his. Although her eyes watered, the smile that brought apples to her cheeks made him grin at her mirth.

  When she gained control of her laughter, she released a breath. “Honestly, Adam, I can’t begin to explain what happened today. One minute he was helping me set out the holiday decorations and wrist-deep in my cookie dough. The next minute, I turned around to see knots everywhere. Toby told me he wanted to play in the parlor and I kept checking on him. Nothing seemed amiss. Since he played so quietly, I didn’t think anything of it. I stepped outside to speak to Mrs. Ferguson for a moment, and he stayed in the kitchen. When I returned inside… knots everywhere.” Tia leaned back and giggled. “Poor ol’ Crabby. That cat would let Toby scalp him and not twitch an ear, but he sure didn’t like me touching his tail. I’m surprised he let you hold him while I finished.”

  “Crabby knows a good guy when he sees one.” Adam’s lopsided grin charmed her.

  Tia’s face softened. “Yes, I guess he does.”

  “Now, Mrs. Guthry, I want to check those scratches. Arlan always claimed you could get more diseases from cat scratches than from eating candy you found in the outhouse.”

  Repulsed, she wrinkled her nose and he chuckled. She started to move but Adam blocked her in on the sofa.

  Every inch she scooted back, he advanced forward until she’d wedged herself into the corner of the sofa and had nowhere to run.

  “Come on, Tia. Let me see. You may need me to do some doctoring.” The wicked smile he gave her did nothing to soothe her overwrought nerves.

  Ever so slowly, he picked up one foot, worked off her shoe and let it drop to the floor. He repeated the process with the other. Gently, he massaged both feet, causing Tia to swallow back a groan.

  When his warm, callused hand slid beneath her skirt and petticoats, she sucked in a gulp of air. “Adam! Stop it right now. That’s enough.”

  He raised a heated gaze to her while his hand moved up her calf, over her knee and trailed across her thigh. “Oh, calm down, Tia. It’s not like I haven’t seen it all before.”

  Indignant, she glowered at him. “Swimming in our underclothes in the creek when we were nine is a lot different than you… than you doing… this!”

  “And what is this, Tia?” Adam’s voice dropped to such a husky level, she shivered in response to it.

  In truth, she didn’t want Adam to stop. She wanted to be his wife, his true wife, but not because of an obligation on his part to fulfill his duties as a husband. And certainly not because he was a virile man who found her attractive. She wanted Adam to want her out of love, out of his heart’s need for her, just as she loved and needed him.

  As the flame in his eyes cast a spell over her, he slid both hands up and down her legs. Gently, he pushed up her skirts and petticoats.

  When he exposed her bloomers to the light, he gasped at the streaks of dried blood running down both legs.

  “I’m gonna wring that cat’s neck right now.” Adam growled as he carefully lifted the fabric away from her skin.

  “Oh, leave Crabby alone. It isn’t his fault. If anyone is to blame for the whole mess, it’s you.” Tia knew the cat drew blood by the sting she’d felt when he’d sunk his claws into her leg, but she’d been too angry to pay any mind. Now, though, as Adam tried to pull the blood-crusted fabric of her bloomers and stockings away from her skin, it hurt.

  A whimper escaped her as he touched a particularly sore spot.

  His eyes found hers again. “I’m so sorry, Tia. I’m truly sorry for…”

  She put a hand over his mouth to silence him. “It’s just a few scratches, Adam. I’m not made of glass and I won’t break. You seem to have forgotten I could outclimb, outrun, and outshoot you when we were young.”

  “I know, but you’re a refined lady of society now, not that rough and tumble playmate from so long ago.” Adam rocked back on his heels. “Why don’t you remove those bloody clothes and let me see to those scratches? You really do need to be careful about them getting infected.”

  “If you think this is the first time Crabby and I have done battle, you would be sadly mistaken.” Disappointed that Adam got to his feet and stepped back from her, Tia wished he’d take her in his arms, or at least tease her by saying outlandish things she had to pretend offended her.

  “I’m going to take a hot bath. And I assure you, I can tend to the scratches on my own.” Tia rose and picked up her shoes before crossing the room. She looked back at the sleigh full of nuts on the table. “Thank you for the thoughtful gift. I truly appreciate it. I also appreciate your help with Toby this evening. He adores you, you know.”

  “I really do love him, Tia. He’s a special boy, even if he does tie you up in knots.”

  Grinning at his joke, she gave him one final glance then walked down the hall, conflicted. Part of her rejoiced that Adam loved her son. The rest of her possessed bitter jealousy that Adam didn’t love her, too.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Oh, just look at everyone!” Tia squeezed Adam’s arm as they walked toward the pond where half the town skated. Others sat around the edges on benches visiting or stood close to the roaring bonfire, warming chilled hands and feet.

  A large table held a variety of refreshments. Tia waved at Ginny and hurried over to give her a hug.


  Adam set a gingerbread cake she’d made on the table then lifted Toby from where he’d ridden on his shoulder as they walked out to the farm.

  Although Adam offered to borrow or rent a sleigh, Tia wanted to walk. Invigorated by the clean, fresh air and the sunshine overhead, she enjoyed sauntering down the road with the two males she loved the most.

  Seeing Toby ride on Adam’s broad shoulder made her heart ache with joy and sadness. At some point, when Adam decided he wanted out of their fake marriage, it would devastate Toby.

  For her son’s sake, she hoped Adam kept his promise to honor his vows.

  Determined to enjoy the day, she chased away her sad thoughts and greeted her friends.

  Toby located Erin among the throng and the two children raced around laughing and giggling.

  Finally, Adam picked up Toby and strapped on his skates while Chauncy put a pair on Erin.

  The two youngsters stepped onto the ice. Their feet slid from beneath them, leaving them on their bottoms.

  Erin’s lip puckered into a pout, but Toby giggled. “Come on, Erin, let’s do it again!”

  In light of her playmate’s enthusiasm, the little girl worked herself upright and the two of them made it a few feet before falling to the ice again.

  Tia sat down on a bench and put on her skates. She glanced over at Adam, pleased to see he strapped on skates as well. Ever since she was thirteen, she’d dreamed of him skating with her as a man who loved her, not as a boy who liked her as a chum.

  Sixteen years later, she still wished that dream would magically come true. Unsteadily, she got to her feet and took a few tentative steps. Hampered by her long coat, she removed it and draped it over the bench.

  Adam stood and pretended to wobble on his skates.

  Tia laughed. “You were always a good skater, Adam. You’re not fooling me.” Slowly moving her feet forward, she stepped onto the ice.

  “You weren’t too shabby yourself,” Adam said, gliding in a circle around her. “In case I didn’t make mention of it earlier, Mrs. Guthry, you are perfectly charming today.”