On the Mountain (24 page)

“Anna?”

Startled, she looked up and saw Wade standing before her holding out a wine glass.  The memory vanished.

She thanked him with her eyes and looked cautiously at the red liquid inside the glass.  At least, she thought with relief, it wasn't that horrible amber drink.  Having never tasted wine before, she experimentally lifted it to her lips and took a small sip.  She was delighted to discover it tasted far better than the other drink he had offered her that night he had told her . . .

She stopped herself short, refusing to relive that night, she was enjoying the evening far too much.

The group began exchanging presents and Anna shifted on her feet uncomfortably.  She did not think to buy any gifts.  It was not a tradition in her household at Christmas.  They simply did not have the money.  She watched their faces light with joy as they opened their respective gifts and was startled when Kathleen was not the only one who had thought to purchase her a present.  She opened a delicate handkerchief with the letter A embroidered in one corner given to her by Prescott.  With her eyes, she relayed her gratitude, but couldn’t help but feel dreadful for not having purchased anything in return.

“I have a little something for you as well.”  Wade surprised her, handing her a square flat package wrapped in red paper and topped with a large golden bow.  “I’m afraid I don’t have much experience in the presence category, as I’m sure Kathleen would agree, but I hope you enjoy them.”

“Nonsense.”  Kathleen overheard and produced the expensive perfume he had given her.

Grinning at his sister before pushing the box into Anna’s hands, he said, “Go ahead.  Open it.”

Anna hesitated, but undid the wrapping as carefully as she did with Kathleen’s.  When it was completely removed, she opened the lid and raised her brows.  A single-layer tray full of rich chocolates sitting in perfectly cut and shaped tissues lay before her .  She had seen them sitting in the window of an expensive shop in Lantern when she slipped into town on her few visits, and her mouth had watered just staring at them.

Their cost, however, was staggering.  She could remember thinking how could anyone imagine spending that much money on one box of sweet treats when they could purchase a month’s worth of food supply instead.  Staring at the expensive chocolates she thought of all the hungry little mouths back home its cost could have fed.  They were just another reminder the difference between them.  She put the box of chocolates down, got up and headed for the kitchen.

* * *

He watched her leave and frowned.  She looked far from pleased with his gift.  Not the reaction he had expected.  Admittedly, he was not the best at gift buying and she in particular was the most difficult.  But after seeing her response to both Kathleen and Prescott’s presents he thought his would easily meet with her approval.

He noticed Kathleen looking at him with a concerned look in her eye and thought he better go have a word with Anna before she did.  He got up and went into the kitchen after her, but found the room empty.  The door to the cook’s room opened and emerged before coming to an abrupt halt at his presence.  Her hand shot behind her and at the last moment he noticed some form of paper flutter at her back.

“What have you got there?”  His brows dipped, feeling slightly annoyed.  Though he really had no reason.  It irked him more than he realized that she was unhappy with his gift.

She hesitated, then brought her hand back around.  With an outstretched arm, she offered the paper to him.  Dubious, he took it from her and turned it over.  It was a Christmas card depicting a hand-painted image of a mountain in winter cloaked by the early morning sunrise.  Automatically, he flipped the card open and was stunned by what he saw inside.  His jaw dropped before his eyes shot toward her face.

“You wrote my name.”

She offered a single nod.

“You spent the past month learning how to write
my
name?”  He could hardly believe it.  When she offered yet another nod, he shook his head and offhandedly replied, “I thought you were learning how to spell your own name.”

A look of unease crept into her face and Wade unconsciously thought about his own gift to her and how little thought he had put into it.  He knew what time and effort she would have had to devote learning the letters required to spell his name.  He felt like the biggest idiot.

“I’m sorry you didn’t like my gift,” he said with sincerity.

Her eyes glistened as they looked up at him and Wade thought once again how remarkably beautiful they were, but for the first time he had no idea what they were saying.  He took a step back and felt unsure of himself.  Maybe it was the dress, he wasn’t sure, but he felt the woman standing in front of him was a stranger.

“Kathleen, I’m sure, would like to bid you a Merry Christmas before she turns in for the night.”

She nodded and followed him back out to the great room.  His sister stood up when they reentered.  “Is everything all right?”

“Of course.”

“Good.”  She reached out and took Anna’s hands.  “I’ve so enjoyed having you with us this Christmas.  You are a dear person, Anna, and deserve so much for the future.”

Wade noticed the dark shadow cross over the younger woman’s face even if his sister apparently did not.  Prescott stood up and held his hand out for Elizabeth to follow.  “At least, my dear sister, she still has age on her side.  Unlike myself who I’m afraid must bid you all a good-night.  My ancient bones are refusing to hold me up any longer tonight.”

“Of course, dear Prescott,” Kathleen took his hands in her own and reached up for a parting kiss.  “It has been a very exciting evening and I too must turn in, after all, I know a couple of wee ones that will be up before the sunrise.”

They all bid their goodnights and slowly made their way toward the huge staircase.  Wade lingered behind, ensuring the fire was well fed before he headed for bed.  Anna was one of the last to leave and for some reason, he called her back.  He wasn’t ready to part with her company just yet.  She stood in the entrance to the room looking more breathtaking than he had ever seen, yet her innocence and youth were clearly visible.  He sighed and came toward her.

Kathleen had stopped at the bottom of the staircase to turn back and see them staring at each other.  “I believe you two are seeing the real person for the first time.”

Anna’s brows dipped, indicating she wasn’t entirely happy with the reveal.  Disappointed, he swallowed his pride and gently grasped the exposed flesh on one of her arms.  He couldn’t agree less.  Not even a month ago, he had thought she was just a simple average looking girl.  No remarkable features to label her attractive.  However, he couldn’t have been more wrong.  The delicate creature standing before him with the most exquisite set of dark eyes and pearly soft skin would probably have to be the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on.  The boy was gone forever.

“I believe I owe you this.”

He moved quickly, knowing her naive ways would try to deter him.  Leaning down, he planted a gentle kiss on her cheek.

“Merry Christmas, Anna.”

* * *

Anna woke the following morning with so much joy in her heart, she thought her face was probably glowing brighter than the sun.  The evening before admittedly had its disagreeable moments, but the pleasant ones far outweighed them.  She pushed back the warm blanket covering her body and touched a hand to her cheek.  It was the best present she received all night.  As a matter-of-fact, she hoped the day would find her caught under any one of the many mistletoes throughout the house with Wade once again.

Getting herself dressed in her simple boy’s attire, she couldn’t wipe the smile from her face if she tried.  She was in love and she wanted to shout it to the world.  It was a good thing then, she mused, she had lost her voice.  He may have been very sweet with her yesterday, but nowhere did that mean he shared her feelings from the heart.  She brushed the thought aside and refused to allow any sour thoughts to enter her head.  It was Christmas Day.

Last night she had spent the holiday in the manner and fashion of which Wade and his family were accustomed.  Today, she vowed, she would celebrate it the way her family would have.  It would be a day of cooking and baking.  She would start with the pie crusts and cookie dough for later when the children would help make Christmas gingerbread men.  Her mother had made the best and Anna was certain she remembered the recipe.  The morning before, Wade had brought in the dead turkey he had killed out on his hunt with some of the ranch hands and Anna admired it with awe.  She had never seen such an enormous bird before.  She would have to ensure she prepared enough cooking time in order for it to be completed before dinner.

After she was fully dressed and cleaned, she pulled the box out from under her bed to admire the lilac dress once more before heading into the kitchen.  There was no one about as of yet, which was good with Anna.  She had a lot of preparations to do and didn’t need the interruptions.

An hour later, she heard footsteps overhead, then the scampering of tiny feet as they headed for the staircase.  She knew the family was up and put the kettle on for morning coffee.  A few moments later, the kitchen door opened and Wade popped his head around the corner.

“Morning.”

She nodded and tried not to turn pink at the memory of the kiss.

“We’ll have our coffee by the Christmas tree this morning.”  He must have noticed the flush in her cheeks, for he added, “Are you feeling all right?”

Again she nodded, quickly wiping her hands on the apron tied around her waist.  Anything to avoid eye contact.

“Well, bring yourself a mug as well and get out of this hot kitchen.”  His eyes shot around the room.  “What the hell are you cooking?  It’s an inferno in here.”

Not really wanting to abandon what she was doing, she knew better than to disagree with him, so therefore removed her apron and proceeded to add another mug to the tray.  Though she loved him dearly, she was after all still his servant.

His siblings greeted her warmly while the children ran about full of excitement.  Not only were the stockings hanging over the fireplace full, but there were a dozen of gifts for them under the tree as well.  Anna had never seen a Christmas like this before.

“Look, Uncle Wade,” Danielle called from the window.  “There is snow outside.”

Wade went over to look and declared, “So there is.  Perhaps you children can go outside and play after breakfast.”

“Oh, can we?”  Her eyes lit up with excitement.  “And will you join us Uncle Wade?”

Anna saw the hesitation and thought how sad it was that he could not appreciate his niece and nephew.  She only knew too well how family can be taken away.  Angrily, she brushed the sad thought aside.  She had promised the day would only be full of happy thoughts.  In memory of her family.

“I suppose,” he muttered and glanced over at his sister, perhaps looking for help in getting out of the situation.

Kathleen grinned but got up to assist.  “Now children, Uncle Wade is a very—”

“Can Peter come too?”  Young John pleaded, stopping his mother in her advance.

Again Wade hesitated, but this time his eyes shifted toward Anna.  She thought of the kitchen and the heavy workload she had planned.  Smiling suddenly, she nodded her head in agreement.  Wade frowned openly back at her and Anna couldn’t help but want to smile brighter.

“Well, that’s settled.”  Kathleen retreated to her seat next to the Christmas tree.

“Can we open presents now?”  John tugged Wade’s sleeve forcing him to tear his growling face away from Anna.

“Yes.”  He didn’t sound pleased, but at least didn’t show his temper.

Anna felt her cheeks quiver and had to bite her bottom lip to stop her smile from spreading further.

“Wipe that smile off your face,” he told her sternly, but his voice held no malice.

She obliged until he turned his back to her, then she let it spread from ear to ear.  There was so much happiness in her heart, she couldn’t remember feeling this much joy ever.

As promised, after the children had finished eating their breakfast Wade and Anna took the children outside in the snow.  It was deeper than it looked from the window and Anna was glad that there were a pair of leather strap on boots on the premises.  They were sized far too big, but she was able to make them work.  Wade loaned her a knitted hat and mittens and along with her wool coat, she felt snug and warm.

The children ran ahead of them, throwing snowballs at each other and diving into deep snow banks.  Their laughter filled the valley and echoed off the surrounding mountains.  Their childlike cheer was contagious and Anna happily joined in the fun.  She gathered a handful of snow and formed a snowball.

“You’d better think very carefully about where you plan on throwing that,” Wade warned her as she gave him a devilish look from under her lashes.

Turning from him she ran off toward the children.  They were lying flat on their backs in the snow, using their arms to whip snow high into the air.  Anna fell down next to them and smiled happily up at the cloudless sky.  She had always loved snow.  It brought back so many childhood memories.  Moving her arms and legs, she began to form a snow angel.