The Christmas Quandary: Sweet Historical Holiday Romance (Hardman Holidays Book 5) Page 23

  “That’s right. You two wed on Christmas Eve,” Junie said, dragging her gaze away from the baby long enough to smile at them. “Happy anniversary.”

  “Thank you, Junie,” Ginny said, grinning at her husband. “We all thought Arlan and Alex would wed on Christmas Eve, too, but they waited to see if Adam could make it. Then there was the Christmas Eve Toby’s grandfather kidnapped him. Now, Miss Lila has ridden back into town and Tom’s heart while Abby and Chauncy will welcome a new baby. What a wonderful way to welcome Christmas!”

  “It is indeed wonderful,” James said, smiling at his wife and the baby in her arms.

  Tom saw the looks of love the two of them exchanged. By summer, they’d have their own baby to cuddle and hold. He looked forward to being there to spoil his baby sister, or brother.

  Lila breezed into the room in a dark purple wool dress. Much to his dismay, she’d pinned all that lovely, shiny hair back up on her head instead of leaving it loose to tempt him.

  She sat next to Tom, near the crackling fire. He took her hands in his and brought them to his lips, blowing warm air on them. “We need to get you warmed up, Lila Lilac, before you turn into an icicle.”

  Blake smirked. “I’m sure if we left you two alone in here for five minutes, you’d figure something out.”

  Lila blushed while Tom gave Blake a disparaging look. Just because thoughts of kissing Lila until they both reached a feverish level filled his mind, he didn’t appreciate any comments along those lines.

  James waggled his eyebrow at his son, making them all laugh.

  Maura and Erin wandered over from where they’d been looking at the decorations on the Christmas tree and sank down on the floor by the table where Blake had placed the refreshments. The girls each took a cup of milk and a cookie, quietly eating their snack. When they finished, Ginny cupped Maura’s chin in her hand.

  “I think it’s time to put you two to bed, or Saint Nicholas won’t visit.”

  “I’s not tired yet, Aunt Ginny,” Maura said, battling to keep her eyes open.

  “Of course you aren’t,” Ginny agreed, winking at Lila. “But it’s time for bed just the same.”

  Weary, Erin rose and looked around. “May I go home to my mama and daddy?”

  Lila pulled the little girl onto her lap and kissed her cheek. “You get to stay here tonight. Won’t that be fun? You and Maura can share her bed and when you wake up, it will be Christmas!”

  “But what if Saint Nicholas doesn’t know where to find me?” Erin’s lower lip rolled out in a pout. “What if my mama needs me?”

  “Oh, your mama has all the help she needs right now,” Lila said, hugging Erin close and kissing the top of her head. “As for Saint Nicholas, he always knows how to find good little boys and girls, no matter where they might be.”

  “Okay,” Erin said. The child spoke without a speck of enthusiasm as her shoulders sagged.

  Maura yawned and slumped against Ginny’s side while Erin leaned into Lila.

  Blake stood and lifted Erin in his arms while Lila picked up Maura. He held out a hand to help Ginny to her feet. “Let’s get these girls ready for sleep so they can dream of sweet surprises.”

  While the three of them left to tuck the girls into bed, Tom smiled at his parents. “Just think, by this time next year, little Jamie will be here, all decked out in pink.”

  James shook his head. “I don’t think my boy will be wearing pink.”

  “Our Jamie will be because Mama’s having a girl,” Tom said, winking at his mother. “You want a girl, too, and you can’t deny it.”

  James laughed. “Girl or boy, makes no difference to me. We’ll love the baby no matter what.” He kissed the top of Junie’s head. “You look mighty pretty sitting there in the firelight rocking that baby, June-bug. Makes me think of old times when Tom was that small.”

  “Are you sure I was ever that little?” Tom asked, kneeling next to the rocker and studying Cullen’s tiny features.

  “You sure were, Tom, and you had the longest eyelashes that fluttered on your cheeks like butterfly wings,” Junie said, giving her son an adoring look. “I used to sit and hold you for hours, so in awe of the beautiful, precious gift God gave us in you.”

  “Aw, Mama, there you go getting all sentimental on me,” Tom said, kissing her cheek.

  “If you can talk Lila into marrying you soon, you could be well on your way to having your own baby to hold, Tom,” James teased.

  Tom grinned at him. “I don’t know, Dad. Are you sure you can handle having a newborn and a grandchild close together. They won’t know what to call you. Maybe we should start practicing by calling you gramps right now.”

  Junie laughed. “The boy does have a point, James. We could very well have a daughter and a grandson less than a year apart.”

  “I wouldn’t mind. Since Tom has decided to stay in Hardman, those two kids could grow up like siblings.” James thumped Tom on the back. “We’re mighty happy Lila will be joining the family, and that you’ll both stay in Hardman.”

  “Will you have to go back to Portland for a while, son?” Junie asked, shifting Cullen as the baby began to fuss.

  “I figured I’d wire my boss after Christmas and let him know I don’t plan to come back to work there. I will need to go to Portland to clear out my apartment, but I thought perhaps Lila would like to go with me and we could make it a honeymoon trip.”

  “That’s a fabulous idea,” Junie said, rising to her feet and rocking the baby in her arms, trying to get him to quiet down. “I think this one is hungry. Should we take him back to Filly?”

  Lila hurried into the room. “I thought I heard him fussing. Filly has a few bottles prepared for emergencies. I’ll warm one for him.”

  She returned a short while later with a bottle and flannel cloth that Junie draped over her shoulder. She fed the baby then lifted him to her shoulder, gently patting him on the back. His loud burp drew smiles from the adults.

  “I guess that means he enjoyed his meal,” Tom said, draping his arm around Lila’s shoulders as she rested against his side. He pulled a throw off the end of the sofa and tucked it around her. With a devilish grin, he leaned down until his breath caressed her ear. “I can think of any number of ways to warm you, but until Chauncy pronounces us man and wife, I suppose a blanket and the fire will have to do.”

  Heat seared her cheeks and she narrowed her gaze with mock offense as she looked at him. Her feigned affront gave way to a flirtatious wink. “I hope Chauncy will be up the task very soon.”

  Thrilled that she wanted to wed immediately, Tom banked his yearning for her and enjoyed the light conversation as Blake and Ginny returned to the room. Junie finally settled Cullen in his cradle then she and Lila washed the dishes.

  When they returned to the parlor, Blake and Tom played with a zoetrope Luke had purchased for Maura. By changing the slides that fit inside it, they watched a horse gallop, a couple dance, and a monkey swing from tree to tree.

  “This is quite a toy,” Tom said, grinning as he turned the handle and made the horse run faster. “Maura will love it.”

  “If she ever gets it away from her uncles. Arlan and Blake have nearly worn it out playing with it,” Ginny said, giving her husband a pointed look.

  “Then perhaps Saint Nicholas should deliver one to our house,” Blake said, tossing Ginny a cheeky grin.

  She tipped her head back against the cushions of her chair and watched them set Maura’s gifts beneath the tree. “Should we fetch Erin’s gifts from her house? I’d hate for her to awaken and not have anything from Saint Nicholas,” she said, stifling a yawn. The clock in the hall struck eleven.

  “Let’s wait a while longer, love. If necessary, I can run fetch a few things before we go home.” Blake kissed Ginny’s temple.

  It was almost midnight when Luke and Filly arrived, both bearing looks of excitement on their faces from having witnessed the miracle of birth.

  Everyone looked to them, eager to hear how Abby and
the baby were doing.

  “How’s Abby?” Junie asked, as Filly and Luke walked into the room.

  “She’s doing very well, and pleased at the arrival of their son.”

  “Oh, it’s a boy.” Ginny clasped her hands beneath her chin. “I bet Chauncy is about to bust his buttons.”

  “Indeed, he is.”

  “What did they name the baby?” Lila asked. She knew from time spent with Abby that she and Chauncy hadn’t settled on any names for the baby.

  “Owen,” Filly said, beaming with joy. “Owen Andrew Dodd. And he has dark hair like Erin.”

  “I bet he’s adorable,” Ginny said, leaning against Blake.

  “He is,” Filly said, walking over to check on Cullen. Satisfied he was well, she turned back to the group. “Is Erin asleep?”

  “Yes, but we were debating what to do about her gifts from Saint Nicholas,” Blake said, glancing at Luke.

  He nodded. “Chauncy had us fill her stocking and place presents beneath the tree before we left. I’ll carry her home. She’ll want to wake up Christmas morning in her own house,” Luke said.

  “If we wrap her in a blanket, we can tuck her straight into bed,” Filly said, starting for the stairs with Luke right behind her.

  While they bundled up Erin, Blake and James went outside to harness their teams. Ginny asked Junie if she’d noticed the arrangement Filly made for the dining room, purposely leaving Lila and Tom alone in the parlor.

  “I thought they’d never all leave,” Lila whispered, wrapping her arms around Tom’s waist and leaning against his chest.

  His hands rubbed tantalizing circles across her back. “I’m so glad you came home, Lila. You broke my heart when you left without saying a word.” He tipped her chin up so he could look into her face.

  Tears glistened in her eyes. “I know, Tom, and I’m so sorry. I wanted to tell you then how much I love you, but I felt obligated to go with Emerson. I’m sorry I hurt you.”

  A rakish grin made her knees weaken. “You can make it up to me by marrying me tomorrow afternoon. Until someone tells me otherwise, I’ve still got the teacher’s house all to myself and I need to make a trip to Portland to clean out my apartment there. Do you think you’d like to take a little honeymoon trip between now and New Year’s Day?”

  “Oh, I’d love that,” Lila smiled at him. “I would be honored to marry you tomorrow. Do you think Chauncy will leave Abby’s side long enough to perform the ceremony?”

  “I bet we can talk him into giving us a few minutes of his time.” Tom lowered his head to hers. His sweet, gentle kiss, held a heart full of promises. Before it could turn into anything deeper, his father and Blake stomped snow off their boots at the front door, and Luke and Filly returned with Erin.

  “I guess this is goodnight, Lila Lilac. Merry Christmas to you.”

  She kissed his cheek and smiled. “And to you, Tom. May tomorrow be the beginning of many, many happy Christmases we’ll share.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  The steely strength of Greg’s arm helped Lila remain upright after she stepped into the back of the church and caught sight of Tom standing at the front with his father and Pastor Dodd.

  Incredibly handsome in his suit, he wore a festive green tie and a smile just for her. She couldn’t believe how much her life had changed in a few short days. When she boarded the train heading to New York, her heart had remained in Hardman, with Tom.

  Even though she hadn’t been able to tell him the truth, it didn’t change how she felt inside, how much she loved him.

  Now, she walked down the aisle of the church, eager to become his bride.

  She had no idea what their future together would hold, but she knew they’d spend it holding each other, supporting each other, loving one another.

  And that was more than enough for her.

  Tom’s heart threatened to burst with joy as he watched Lila walk down the aisle of the church on Greg Granger’s arm.

  She wore his favorite gown, the one with lilacs embellishing the front. Although it was not a particularly festive selection for a Christmas wedding, it perfectly suited his bride.

  He meant the heartfelt words he’d written in the poem to his soon-to-be bride. Lila was springtime, bringing sunshine, fresh air, and new life to his heart. A heart he hadn’t even realized had turned so frosty and barren as he wrote about the calamities and horrors that took place in Portland on a daily basis.

  Thanks to the beautiful, effervescent woman, he was ready to return to Hardman and build a good life there with her.

  Despite their plans to have a small wedding with only close family and friends, it seemed as though half the town had shown up at the church that afternoon.

  Fred Decker took photographs with his new camera, as did Percy Bruner. The boy’s wishes came true when his parents gifted him a camera that morning.

  James nudged Tom with his elbow as he stood beside him in the role of best man. When his father waggled his eyebrows as Lila neared them, Tom grinned.

  Lila took the arm he held out to her and smiled, eyes brimming with love. She nodded to Filly who served as her matron of honor then moved forward to stand beside Tom.

  Throughout the brief ceremony, Tom battled to keep his focus on Chauncy’s words. His attention drifted to Lila’s tantalizing fragrance and her beautiful appearance. He couldn’t wait to get her alone and show her exactly how alluring he found her.

  Mindful of his wayward thoughts, he pulled them back to the moment when Chauncy asked if he had a ring. His father placed a wide gold band set with a single diamond on his palm, a ring that had belonged to Tom’s grandmother. He slipped it on Lila’s finger, pleased it was a perfect fit.

  Surprised by the simplistic charm of the ring, Lila admired it a moment before repeating her vows.

  “I proudly present to you Mr. and Mrs. Tom Grove,” Chauncy boomed, smiling at them both. “You may now kiss your bride.”

  Tom wasted no time in pressing his lips to Lila’s, kissing her just long enough and with enough emotion to cause everyone to clap and cheer.

  Filly glanced at Luke who nodded and stood. “Please join us all at Granger House for refreshments.”

  Tom glanced at Lila and she shrugged.

  As guests filed out of the church and either returned home or ventured to Luke and Filly’s home, Tom and Lila turned to Chauncy.

  “Thank you so much for performing the wedding for us, Chauncy.”

  The pastor smiled. “You are most welcome. Congratulations to you both.” He thumped Tom on the back and grinned at Lila. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going home to my wife and children. Merry Christmas!”

  “Merry Christmas!” Lila echoed. She took Tom’s hand in hers and together they walked to the door. “This has been the most wonderful Christmas, Tommy.”

  He pulled her against him and dropped his head to nuzzle her ear. “I have a feeling it will get even better before the day ends, especially if you keep calling me Tommy.”

  Pink suffused her cheeks from embarrassment, but she didn’t pull away from him. Instead, she leaned into him and wrapped her arms around the back of his neck. “I’m looking forward to having you show me around Portland.”

  “I’m excited to share my favorite places with you,” he said, trailing kisses along her neck. “I hope you don’t mind staying in my apartment.”

  “Actually, I thought we could get a room at a hotel. Luke recommended one where he and Filly stay.” Unconsciously, Lila tipped her head to the side to give Tom better access to her neck as he made his way to her ear again.

  He raised his head and frowned. “I want to give you the best of everything, Lila, but I won’t be able to afford that. All of my money will go to Ed Daily for the newspaper.”

  “About that…” Lila grinned. “The newspaper is no longer for sale.”

  Tom’s amorous mood evaporated as he straightened and stared at her. “What do you mean? He said he’d wait until after Christmas for my decision.” />
  “Well, that was before he received an offer he couldn’t resist.” Lila handed Tom her coat. He held it while she slipped it on.

  “Who made him an offer? How do you know about it?” Tom tugged on his coat and lifted his hat in one hand, taking Lila’s small hand in his other.

  “I know, because he told me this morning when I went to see him.” Lila hid her smile as Tom closed the church door and offered her a puzzled look.

  After opening gifts with his parents, he’d gone to Granger House to see Lila. Ginny and Filly refused to allow him to see the bride before the wedding, so he’d returned home and waited with his parents until it was time to head to the church. He wondered when, in all the busyness the day had brought, Lila had time to visit the owner of the newspaper.

  “Why would you go see Mr. Daily?” he asked, clearly perplexed and slightly perturbed.

  “So I could tell him we wanted to buy the paper and agree to meet him at the bank tomorrow to make payment for it. Luke said he’d have his attorney meet us there to draw up a simple agreement.”

  “But, Lila, I can’t afford to buy the paper outright. I was hoping Mr. Daily would be open to accepting payments.” Distraught, Tom ran a hand through his hair.

  Lila’s laughter rang like a bell in the crisp wintery air. “Perhaps you can’t afford to purchase the paper, but we can.”

  “You aren’t making sense. What do you mean we can?”

  She looped her arm around his and sauntered down the church steps. “My parents left me a wealthy woman, Tom. I can afford to buy a hundred newspaper businesses and still have money left over. And what is mine is now yours.”

  He gaped at her. The fact the Granger family had money was common knowledge, although exactly how much remained a mystery.

  In truth, Tom hadn’t given a thought to Lila having her own funds. She’d never, not once, put on airs or flaunted her fortune, so he’d conveniently forgotten she came from wealth and affluence.

  Uncertain what to think of the idea of being married to a wealthy woman, Tom let the notion sink in a few moments. Pride demanded he refuse to accept a penny of her money, but common sense prevailed.