The Christmas Vow (16 page)

Chapter Fifteen

“Where are you going?” Toby asked as Adam tugged on his boots then slipped on his coat.

“I’ve got business to attend to, but I’ll be back in time for supper tonight,” Adam said, wrapping a scarf around his neck.

Toby’s lip puckered and his little brows knit together in a frown. “Don’t you want me to go, too?”

Adam hunkered down and opened his arms to the boy. Toby lunged against his chest as Adam wrapped him in a hug. “I’ll be out in the cold most of the day, Toby. Your mama would flay the skin right off me if I took you out and let you get a chill. Besides, Christmas is coming and I might have a few surprises that require some attention.”

“Surprises?” Toby asked, leaning back as the sparkle returned to his blue eyes.

“Yes, surprises, little man.” Adam set him down and tweaked his nose. “Promise to be good today and keep an eye on your mama and Crabby.”

“I will,” Toby said, his good humor restored. He handed Adam his hat and watched as the big man pulled on his gloves.

Tia strode into the room, carrying a stack of clean dishtowels. She set them down on the counter and raised an eyebrow at Adam. “Going somewhere, sailor?”

Adam grinned at her. “Yes, ma’am, I am. I promised Blake I’d help him set up for their skating party Saturday. I’ll be out at his place most of the day.”

“But, Adam, don’t you think you should…” Tia gasped as Adam silenced her with a quick kiss. If Toby hadn’t been watching, she wondered if it would have lasted longer than the time it took her to blink in surprise.

“Mrs. Guthry, you’ve held me prisoner in this house for days. I’m ready for some hard work and fresh air.” Adam winked at Toby and opened the back door.

“I’ve done no such thing. Why, just yesterday you spent the day at the livery with Douglas doing who knows what and we had dinner with Arlan and Alex. How, exactly, is that holding you prisoner?”

Adam took a step closer to her and bent his head down until his warm breath caressed her ear. “I’ll forevermore be a prisoner of your charms, Queenie.”

A shiver of delight raced through Tia as Adam kissed her cheek then stepped outside.

The look he tossed back at her made heat churn in her belly. “Go on with you, and tell Ginny I said hello.”

“I will. You two have a good day and don’t forget to keep the doors locked. Even though Mr. Nivens is no longer a threat, I’m certain we’ll hear from the judge again.”

Tia nodded in understanding then watched as Adam strolled down the back steps and cut through the lawn to the front of the house. Crabby sat on a wooden stump and licked his paws, soaking up the sunshine that turned the snow into a glistening wonderland.

Unaware she studied the slight swagger to Adam’s gait, the way his shoulders smoothly rolled with each step, she wondered what it would be like to be loved by a man such as Adam Guthry.

Saddened by the thought she’d never know, she forced aside her maudlin musings and pasted a bright smile on her face as she turned to face her son.

“Toby, I think it’s about time for us to bring some Christmas cheer to the house. What do you say to that?”

“Hooray!” The little boy ran around in an excited circle before grabbing his mother’s hand. “Can we hang garlands and string popcorn and bake cookies and…”

Tia laughed and scooped him into her arms. “Let’s do one thing at a time, sweetheart. How about we start by making paper snowflakes for the windows?”

“May I make one for Erin?” Toby asked as he squirmed to get down.

Amused by his constant interest in Erin, Tia smiled. “Yes, you may.”

“I’m surprised your wife let you out of her sight to help me today,” Blake said. Adam helped him carry benches from the back of the wagon to set around the pond for the skating party taking place that weekend.

Blake had purchased the adjoining property in the spring so he could expand his horse breeding operation. Part of the new addition included a pond. As soon as Ginny saw it, she’d enthusiastically clapped her hands and informed Blake they simply had to host a skating party during the holidays.

Since the weather had been unreasonably cold, the pond had frozen several feet down, making it possible to carry out her plans for the event. To Adam’s knowledge, Ginny had invited everyone in a ten-mile radius to attend.

Blake, Luke, Chauncy, and Adam had gathered to clear the snow off the ice and ready the area for the guests who would attend the event.

“Last time I checked, she practically had him hog-tied to the bed,” Chauncy teased as he scooped snow into a pile.

Adam glowered at him as he lifted another bench.

“Aren’t you apt to rip out those stitches?” Luke asked as Adam easily hefted the bench.

“Nah. I don’t know why everyone made such a fuss. I’ve had far worse injuries at work.” Adam glanced at his friends. “Although, when I get hurt on a boat, I don’t have the luxury of lazing in bed while a beautiful woman checks on me every hour.”

Luke thumped him on the back. “I’m sure that was a real hardship for you.”

Adam grinned. “I somehow managed to suffer through her ministrations, and all the delicious food she insisted I needed to eat to regain my strength.”

The other men chuckled.

Chauncy squeezed his shoulder. “We are glad you’re fine, though, Adam. It’s not every day there’s a shooting in our town. Do you think you’ll have any more trouble from Tia’s former father-in-law?”

“I’m counting on it.” Adam glanced around. “Speaking of counting, where is my brother? I assumed he’d be out here, too.”

“Someone needed to keep the bank open,” Luke said, lifting a shovel of snow. “It’s a good thing your brother is much more interested in balancing the books and keeping up the accounts than me. It gives me time to enjoy a beautiful day like today.”

Adam squinted up at the pale yellow sun brightening the winter sky. “It is a splendid day to be out, even if it’s cold.”

“What are you complaining about? Isn’t it frigid on the river in the winter?” Blake asked, leaning on the handle of his shovel as he looked at Adam. “I’ve ridden a few ships down that river and thought I might freeze from the inside out before we reached the port.”

Adam grinned. “It can get cold out there, bone-chillingly so, but I just add another layer of woolen underwear and go on with my day.”

“Maybe you won’t need those extra drawers this winter since you’ve got a new bride to keep you warm.” Luke waggled his eyebrows at Adam.

Adam scooped a handful of snow and lobbed it at the banker. Luke ducked as he laughed and they returned to work.

When they finished, they ventured to Blake’s house where Filly and Ginny had lunch ready for the men.

The hot beef stew and slices of warm corn bread filled their empty stomachs and warmed them from the winter’s chill.

“Did you get everything set up?” Ginny asked as she refilled their coffee cups.

“We sure did, Ginny Lou,” Luke said, winking at his sister.

She frowned at him then turned to pour more coffee into Adam’s cup. “Are you feeling well enough, Adam?”

He suppressed a sigh of frustration. If one more person asked about his health, he thought he might explode. Instead, he pasted on a smile and nodded to Ginny. “I’m fit is a fiddle, Ginny, but thank you for asking.”

“It was so brave of you to fight that nasty man while defending Tia and Toby,” Ginny gushed, setting down the coffeepot on the stove. “You’re like a heroic knight in shining armor.”

Chauncy snorted while Luke chortled and Blake shook his head at his wife’s theatrics. Adam rolled his eyes and caught Filly’s grin as she looked at her sister-in-law.

The two women seemed such an unlikely pair, but from what he’d witnessed, they were close friends. Petite, fair-headed, and full of plans, Ginny’s appearance was far different from Filly’s mahogany hair, green eyes, and tall height. She was nearly as tall as Alex. Yet, the two women seemed to hold a deep affection for one another. He thought they balanced each other well. Ginny drew Filly into her fun and nonsense while Filly kept her sister-in-law from getting into too much trouble.

Adam leaned back in his chair and looked around the Stratton home. He remembered being in it a few times as a boy. From the outside, it didn’t appear much different, but the inside looked vastly changed.

Recalling the humble furnishings that used to fill the home, it now boasted some of Blake’s unique, expensive pieces. Ginny had added plush rugs and velvet-tufted chairs. She’d also insisted Blake add running water and build on a bathroom, since she was used to a life of luxury.

Surprised she seemed happy living out in the country with Blake, Adam mused that love could make any place a home.

Thoughts of Tia filled his mind as he sipped his second cup of coffee and ate a piece of the custard pie Filly set before him.

Although he’d offered her the option of staying in Hardman when he returned to Portland, Adam wanted Tia and Toby to go with him. In the few days they’d lived in the same house as a family, he’d grown accustomed to it, to having them both around. Selfishly, he didn’t want to give that up when he went back to work.

If they’d agree to go with him, he might even look into a new job opportunity he’d been offered last month to captain a boat on day excursions. At most, he’d only be gone a few nights a month instead of several days out of each week. The new position would also be notably less hazardous.

As his mind worked through the possibilities, he partially listened to the conversation taking place around him.

“Has she given away any of her secrets, Adam?” Luke asked, with a probing glance.

“What?” Adam asked, confused. “Who?”

“Stop dreaming about your wife and pay attention to the conversation,” Chauncy chided. “Luke is bound and determined to discover how Alex does all of her magic tricks. So far, he’s only been able to get her to share the secrets for a handful of basic sleight of hand maneuvers that even the first-graders could figure out.”

Luke glared at his best friend. “I don’t see you getting any inside information either.”

“Nope, but you are the one obsessed with prestidigitation, my friend.” Chauncy winked at Filly and she nodded her head.

Luke turned his attention back to Adam. “Have you seen her do any tricks?”

Adam took a sip of coffee. “Not many. She’s done a few simple tricks after dinner a couple of times. I’m looking forward to seeing her performance at the Christmas Carnival. Arlan showed me her magic wagon.” Adam whistled. “Now that is what you’d call a unique piece of craftsmanship.”

“That it is,” Luke agreed. He rose to his feet and slapped Blake on the back. “We need to get back to town, but you know where to find us if you require assistance with anything else.”

Blake shook his brother-in-law’s hand. “No, you’ve all done enough. I appreciate your help preparing for the party. As long as it doesn’t snow between now and Saturday, we should be all set.”

“A blizzard wouldn’t dare mess with my sister’s plans for a party,” Luke said, reaching out to muss Ginny’s hair. She ducked and stuck her tongue out at him, causing everyone to chuckle.

Filly gave the two of them an indulgent look. “You two will be old and gray, hobbling around on canes and still tormenting each other.”

“I hope to goodness we are.” Luke winked at his sister then held out Filly’s coat for her.

Chauncy pulled on his coat and hat. “I’ve got some calls to pay to folks out this way before I head home. Thank you for lunch, ladies. Although I know Filly made the food, your coffee has vastly improved, Ginny. It no longer tastes like bitter mud.”

Ginny wrinkled her nose at Chauncy as he chuckled and hurried out the door.

Adam soaked up the lighthearted heckling of his friends. He missed this, missed being part of a fun group of people who knew each other, cared about each other.

He’d made friends in Portland, but it wasn’t the same as this bunch who shared his past.

Blake kissed Ginny’s cheek then motioned to Adam. “Shall we get started on that project you mentioned?”

“That would be great, Blake, if you’re sure you have time. I know you get bogged down with holiday orders.” Adam smiled at Ginny before he followed Blake out the back door to his workshop.