The Christmas Vow (5 page)

Even if she hadn’t completely captivated him, he’d been unable to resist her lovable son. The little boy had a mischievous twinkle in his eye with the smile of an angel. The combination of those two characteristic no doubt got him out of almost as much trouble as he got himself into.

Adam stopped shoveling and stretched his back. He’d abandoned his hat and coat half an hour earlier as he worked up a sweat.

While his mind played over how beautiful and appealing he found Tia, he’d cleared the snow away from both sides of the street all the way from Granger House to the school.

A hungry pang in his stomach assured him it was nearly time for lunch. He picked up the shovel and headed back to Arlan’s house.

Swiftly washing up and changing out of his sweat-drenched clothes, he shrugged into his coat and hurried out the door. He had plenty of time to catch Arlan and take him to lunch at the town’s only restaurant.

On his way to the bank, he stopped by the mercantile, interested in finding a little something to give Arlan and Alex as a belated wedding gift.

“Why, Adam Guthry! It’s been half of forever since we’ve seen you.” Aleta Bruner stepped around the counter and gave him a welcoming hug. “My goodness, but life on the river must agree with you.”

Adam grinned and smiled at the friendly woman. His skin was perpetually tanned from being outdoors most of the time. He rarely wore a hat while he was on the river, so his dark hair held lightened streaks from the sun.

Tall and brawny, he cut quite a dashing figure, even in a simple cotton shirt with his navy pea coat.

“Did you stop by just to say hello or are you looking for something in particular?” Aleta motioned to the aisles of the well-stocked store.

“I need a pair of work gloves and I want to find a gift for Arlan and Alex, since I missed their wedding.”

Aleta smiled and led him to a display of work gloves. Adam selected a sturdy pair of leather gloves with smooth palms and tried them on. Pleased with the fit, he removed them and nodded his head. A display of picture frames caught his eye so he strolled over to them.

“Do you think a picture frame would be a suitable gift?” Adam picked up an ornate silver frame and studied it.

“It would be a lovely gift. Would you like me to wrap it for you?”

“That would be great. Thank you.” Adam handed Aleta the frame and the gloves. She hurried back to the counter to wrap the frame while Adam browsed through the store. The air inside the inviting shop smelled of cinnamon and leather with a hint of whatever Aleta had cooking for dinner in the apartment overhead. Adam breathed deeply, savoring the pleasant, familiar aromas.

On impulse, he picked up a picture book about boats. He envisioned it being something Toby would enjoy. Irritated that Tia and her son continued to infiltrate his thoughts, Adam set the book down and looked at a selection of rope. He stared at a display of fabrics, focusing on a bolt of soft peach velvet that would set off Tia’s complexion and hair.

Angrily growling to himself, he marched back to the counter as Aleta tied a red ribbon around his gift.

“Here you go, Adam. Is there anything else you need?” Adam purchased a small sack of peppermints along with the gloves and picture frame, stuffing everything inside his coat pockets.

“Thank you, Aleta. Your store is always a place I enjoy visiting when I’m in town.” Adam would have tipped his hat to her, if he’d remembered to put it on before leaving Arlan’s house. Instead, he smiled and started to open the door.

“You know you’re welcome anytime, Adam. Don’t be a stranger,” Aleta said. She glanced down at a box on the counter then turned back to him with a sly grin. “I don’t suppose you’d be willing to make a delivery for me? It’s right here in town.”

“I’d be happy to help out. What do you need me to deliver?” Adam returned to the counter.

“Just this box.” Aleta tapped her hand on the edge of a large wooden box filled with flour, sugar, spices, a tin of tea, and a few cans of peaches.

“I’ll take it right now. I’m meeting Arlan for lunch, but I’ve got time to deliver this. Where does it need to go?”

“To Mrs. Devereux’s house. You do know where she lives, don’t you?”

Adam clenched his jaw. “Yes. I know.”

“Wonderful. Tia was supposed to stop back in earlier this morning to pick this up, but she must have forgotten or had something arise that kept her from returning. Please let her know she can pay for her purchases the next time she stops by.” Aleta offered Adam a reassuring smile.

Not only was the storekeeper a friendly gossip, she was also a scheming, conniving matchmaker in the making.

He’d have no part of it. None at all.

“On second thought, maybe I better get on over to the bank. Arlan might be ready to go and…”

Aleta bustled around the counter and opened the door then proceeded to give Adam a nudge outside. “Go on. It will just take a moment to drop off that box for Tia. It’s practically on the way to the bank, anyway. And I do so appreciate your assistance, Adam. You and Arlan always were such nice boys. Why your mother used to…”

Adam rolled his eyes and strode outside. “Goodbye, Aleta.”

“Bye, Adam.” She waved at him. “Thanks again.”

Peeved, Adam walked to the end of the block then around a corner and down a few blocks until he reached the old Meyer place. Recently painted, the house looked clean and fresh, but the roof appeared as though it could use a few repairs before a windstorm loosened several shingles.

He stepped onto the porch and opened the screen door. With his fist, he tapped on the wooden door.

The door swung open almost instantly and he gazed down into the happy face of Toby Devereux.

“Hi, Mr. Adam! Did you come to visit us?” Toby stepped back so Adam could enter.

Before he answered, Tia breezed into the entry, wiping her hands on an apron. “Toby, did I hear you talking to… Oh, Adam. What are you doing here?”

“Aleta Bruner said you forgot to pick up some things this morning. She mentioned you could settle the bill the next time you stop by the mercantile.” Adam held out the box in front of him, eager to set it down and be on his way. The longer he lingered in Tia’s presence, the harder it was for him to resist the temptation to taste those sweet lips.

Tia blushed. It painted a rosy hue on her cheeks, causing an insane desire in Adam to kiss each one.

“I completely forgot about going back to the mercantile. I’m so sorry she asked you to bring this over. It could have waited until George returned this afternoon.” Tia started to take the box from Adam but he held onto it.

“It’s heavy, Queenie. I’ll take it into the kitchen for you.” Adam grimaced as the pet name he used to call Tia slipped out unbidden.

Tia hurried into the kitchen. Adam followed close behind her, admiring the swish of her skirts and the bob of the apron bow at her waist.

She pointed to an empty space on the counter. “Please, if you’ll leave it there, I’d appreciate it.”

Adam set down the box and looked around the kitchen that appeared much as it had the last time he’d been in the house years ago. The stove was new and the sink now had running water instead of a pump, but for the most part, everything was the same.

He glanced at the scarred wood of the kitchen table. Many afternoons after school, he and Carl had sat there with Tia enjoying a snack of milk and cookies before they went home to do their chores.

Flooded with memories of the past, Adam spun around, intent on escaping the pain it resurrected. He nearly plowed over Toby. He stopped and lifted the little boy, tossing him into the air and making him giggle.

Like vines climbing around a post, Toby’s innocent laughter twined around Adam’s chest.

“Do it again, Mr. Adam!”

Adam tossed him into the air three more times before setting the boy on his feet. He dug into his pocket and handed the child a peppermint drop.

“You save that for after your lunch, Toby, if it’s okay with your mama for you to have it.”

Tia nodded. The sight of Adam making her son laugh squeezed painfully at her heart. While Patrick had loved both her and Toby, he’d always been somewhat reserved. He’d never played with Toby like Adam had just done.

“How come you called my mama, Queenie?” Toby asked as he walked with Adam to the front door.

Adam should have known the bright little boy would notice his blunder. He hunkered down so he didn’t tower above Toby and tweaked the child’s freckled nose. “Way back when your mama and me and our friend Carl were young, she used to boss us around all the time. Carl and I called her Queenie because she acted like a queen, expecting us to follow her orders.”

Toby sighed and leaned against Adam’s thigh. “She still does that.”

To keep from laughing at the long-suffering look on the boy’s face, and the humor of his words, Adam chewed the inside of his cheek. To commiserate with Toby, he gravely nodded his head. “I didn’t really think she’d outgrow it.”

Adam glanced up and winked at Tia then rose to his feet and ruffled Toby’s hair.

“You two stay out of trouble.”

“Bye, Mr. Adam. Thank you for the candy and playing with me.” Toby waved with unbridled enthusiasm as Adam stepped outside.

“Yes, thank you, Adam.” Tia placed a hand on Toby’s shoulder as they stood in the doorway.

Adam lifted a hand in parting, calling himself an idiotic ignoramus for letting both Tia and Toby get under his skin.

If he had a brain in his head, he’d pack his few belongings and ride out of town before he found himself in too deep with both members of the Devereux household. At the rate he was going, he’d be wrapped around both Tia’s and Toby’s fingers before the week was out.

Chapter Five

Tia pushed the rolling pin against the piecrust with more force than she intended and tore a hole in the delicate pastry.

Aggravated, she slammed the pin onto the counter and wadded the crust into a ball then started all over again. At this rate, she might as well use old shoe leather to cover her canned cherry pie. The crust would be tough and tasteless if she had to roll it out too many more times.

“May I help, Mama?” Toby ran into the room and dragged a kitchen chair over to the counter.

Tia wasn’t in the mood for his help, but she tamped down her temper and smiled at her son. She pinched off a piece of dough and set it in the edge of the counter as Toby climbed onto the chair and stood on it. He pushed up the sleeves of his shirt then flattened the dough with his fingers.

“Are you making pies, Mama?” Toby poked holes into the dough with his index finger, creating eyes and a nose. He giggled at the silly face then worked the dough back into a ball before repeating the process.

“I am making pies, sweetheart.” Tia finished rolling out the crust and carefully laid it over a sweet, thick cherry filling. “You like pie, don’t you?”

“Mmm, hmm.” Toby rolled the dough into a long tube then trailed it back and forth along the counter. “I like pie and cake and cookies and pudding and…”

“Everything sweet.” Tia grinned at him as she placed two pies inside the oven. When she finished, she leaned over and kissed his nose.

Toby swiped at his nose, rubbing it on his arm in an attempt to wipe away her kiss. “Aw, Mama. You can’t do stuff like that. I’m a big boy now, you know.”

Tia schooled her features to look properly contrite. “Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot again, didn’t I?”

“Yep.” Toby jumped off the chair, dough clutched in his small hand. “Can I play outside?”

“I don’t know. Can you?” Tia lifted an eyebrow his direction.

Toby shot her an oppressed look as his shoulders slumped forward. “May I play outside?”

“Yes, you may, but stay where I can see you from the window. Do you need help with your coat and boots?”

“Nope. I’ll do it myself.” Toby ran out of the room and returned a few minutes later with one arm shoved into his coat sleeve and his scarf held in his teeth.

Tia caught him before he rushed out the door. She wrapped the scarf around his neck, buttoned his coat, and tugged a knit cap down over his ears. “Where are your mittens?”

He fished them out of his coat pocket. Tia helped him put on one. When he held out his hand to put on the other, the glob of pie dough squished between his fingers.

Repulsed by the gray color it had turned, Tia took it from him. “I think you’ve played enough with the dough.” She slid his mitten on his hand and opened the door.

Toby ran outside and flopped back in the snow, waving his arms and legs as he made an angel.

Tia watched him for a moment before shooing Crabby outside. She felt better if the cat kept watch over Toby. Even though he played where she could keep an eye on him, she worried about her son. With Crabby on guard, she held a measure of peace no one would disturb the boy.

Quickly cleaning up the mess from making pies, she stirred the stew that simmered on the back of the stove then made herself a cup of tea.

Weary, she sank down at the table and released a sigh. She’d hardly slept the past several nights, ever since the letter from Cedric arrived.

She refused to take Toby to Portland and relinquish him to the control of her former in-laws. He belonged to her, not them, and she’d decide the best way to raise him. Maybe it would be in Portland, maybe in Hardman, but that was her decision to make.

Distraught over what measures Cedric would take when she didn’t soon return to town with Toby, she wondered if she could buy some time by saying she wanted to stay through the holidays in Hardman. Surely, he’d understand both she and Toby needed to spend Christmas surrounded by their friends.

After making a mental note to send Cedric a telegram, she took a sip of her tea and glanced outside. Toby packed snow into a ball and rolled it across the ground, attempting to form a snowman. She laughed when he made a move to pick up Crabby and the cat darted beyond his reach. The two of them kept up their game and Tia relaxed.

Admittedly, it wasn’t just the idea of the judge taking Toby that had kept her awake, tossing and turning long into the night.

Thoughts of Adam Guthry disrupted her sleep and left her anxious. The intensity of her feelings toward the man hadn’t diminished in eleven years. In fact, if anything, they’d multiplied.

Despite his surly tone and the hurtful words he’d spoken when she first ran into him the other day, he’d been extraordinarily kind — like the Adam she remembered — when he found her crying in the alley.

 She couldn’t believe he’d called her Queenie. Carl had been more likely to refer to her as “your highness” or a “bossy know-it-all.”

Adam was the one who called her Queenie. As teens, he’d often bowed before he like she was royalty in a teasing gesture. However, the light in his eyes when he’d looked at her made her feel cherished and loved.

Tia smiled as she thought of how much and yet how little Adam had changed over the years.

He’d always possessed a thick thatch of dark, unruly hair. When they were twelve, she’d shown him a picture book in the mercantile about a family of bears. Laughingly, she told him his hair made him look like a grumpy bear.

After that, Adam deliberately left it mussed. Oh, he kept it cut, but the top of his head always looked like he’d rumpled it instead of combed it.

That edge of wildness and rebellion was one of the things she’d admired most about him.

He never worried about conforming to what others thought was proper. He tended to march to his own tune, whether anyone else liked it or not.

Yet, with his good looks and a dimpled smile guaranteed to melt female hearts, rarely did anyone take offense to his actions.

In truth, Adam Guthry was one of the most attractive men Tia had ever encountered. Rough and rugged, tall and commanding, Adam owned a tender spirit and a healthy dose of humility.

Bright blue eyes that sparkled with mischief or softened as they glimpsed into the depths of her soul coupled with that lopsided, playful smile made her wonder, again, why she’d ever left Hardman.

Tia breathed deeply and her traitorous nose conjured up Adam’s scent. No matter how hard she tried to remove it from her mind, every whiff of him smelled like a precious memory of her past she didn’t want to forget.

Curious why he’d never married, she was glad he’d remained single. If he’d been happily wed with a family of his own, she would have eventually forced herself to stop thinking about him, pining for him.

Through the years, her grandmother kept her updated on Adam’s whereabouts and marital status. When he moved to Portland, Tia had vainly hoped to run into him. A dream of walking down the street and bumping into him kept her studying every dark-headed brawny man she encountered.

The folly of her actions often left her convicted. Even if she had run into Adam, she wouldn’t have done more than engage in polite conversation. She might not have loved Patrick, but she never would have betrayed him.

Once Patrick passed away, she’d frequented a park along the banks of the Columbia River. While Toby played, she covertly watched the boats on the water, hoping for a glimpse of Adam. Most likely, she wouldn’t have been able to discern if one of the men was Adam anyway, but being there made her feel closer to him somehow.

In the process, Toby had fallen in love with the water and boats. The little boy didn’t seem to care if the boats were large or small, ships or barges, he held a fascination for them all.

Of course, Cedric and Catherine did all they could to discourage his interest, calling it beneath him.

Secretly, Tia encouraged him, buying him toy boats and picture books. She’d even had Abby sew him a little pea coat she planned to give him for Christmas. Toby would be thrilled with anything that made him think of boats and sailors.

Movement outside drew Tia’s gaze to her son and a burly man in a navy pea coat helping him build a snowman.

As though her thoughts had conjured his presence, Tia studied Adam’s broad shoulders as he lifted the head onto Toby’s snowman and settled it into place.

The look of unmistakable joy on her son’s face made Tia’s heart catch as the two loves of her life worked together outside the kitchen window.

Suddenly recalling the pies she’d placed in the oven, Tia hurried to check on them. They weren’t quite done, so she shut the oven door and stood at the window, watching Adam play with Toby. Crabby supervised from his spot on top of a box Toby had set near the snowman, tail swishing back and forth.

Tia’s jaw dropped when Adam leaned down and picked up the cat, cradling it on one arm as he brushed a hand along its white back. To her knowledge, no other adult besides her had been able to get close to Crabby.

Rooted to her spot, she stared in shock as Adam and Toby sauntered across the yard. Fearful of being caught watching them, she hurried to pour milk into a saucepan on the stove. While it heated, she took out a square of baker’s chocolate and finely grated it then added it with a few spoons of sugar and hot water to another saucepan.

Quickly stirring the melting chocolate, she smiled over her shoulder as Toby and Adam trooped inside, stamping snow from their boots before entering the warmth of the kitchen.

“Mama! Did you see me and Mr. Adam make a snowman?” Toby asked as he jerked off his hat and tugged on his scarf.

“I did, sweetheart.” Tia glanced at the cat still cradled on Adam’s arm. “Good afternoon, Adam. I see you’ve made a new friend.”

“Toby tells me Crabby isn’t too fond of people.” Adam rubbed a hand over the cat’s head. A loud purr filled the kitchen and made Toby laugh.

“Crabby seems to like you just fine.” Tia raised an eyebrow at her little boy. “Why don’t you take Crabby and go wash your hands, sweetheart. I’m making hot chocolate for you boys and I think there are a few cookies left.”

“I should be going.” Adam set Crabby down and turned toward the door, but Toby grasped one of his big hands in both of his.

“Please, Mr. Adam? Won’t you stay and have hot chocolate with me? Mama makes it really good.” Toby looked up at him with pleading eyes.

Unable to tell the child no, he agreed. “Okay, I’ll stay for a cup of chocolate.” Adam cast a glance at Tia and she nodded her head in agreement. “But then I need to be on my way.”

“Hooray!” Toby shouted as he whipped off his coat and tried to kick off his boots.

“Here, little man, let me help.” Adam squatted down and settled Toby on one solid thigh while he helped the boy remove his boots. “There you go.”

“Thank you, Mr. Adam!” Toby wrapped his arms around Adam’s neck and gave him a tight squeeze before racing off down the hall to the bathroom.

Tia had hired a crew of workers to add a bathroom soon after she decided to stay in Hardman. She couldn’t bear the thought of using an outhouse after she’d been spoiled with indoor plumbing for so long.

Adam watched Toby disappear before rising to his feet and removing his coat and gloves.

In Hardman for less than a week, he’d already grown stir-crazy. He’d shoveled the boardwalks twice, mended a broken pew at the church, fixed a squeaky door at Arlan’s place, and repaired a leak in Filly’s kitchen sink.

With nothing to do that afternoon, he’d attempted to settle down in Arlan’s parlor and read a book. Both Alex and Arlan recommended
The Island of Doctor Moreau
by H.G. Wells.

Adam read the first chapter with interest. The danger of shipwrecks was all too familiar to him.

Although he’d not mentioned it to Arlan, he’d survived a brutal shipwreck in the spring. A large scar across his shoulder and down his back along with an occasional stiffness in his left hand reminded him that life was fleeting at best. They hadn’t lost anyone in the wreck, but it had been so close, Adam had nightmares about it for weeks afterward.

By the third chapter of the book, Adam’s thoughts drifted to Tia and Toby. He’d seen them at church Sunday, but managed to be polite, though aloof. Now, he wished he’d been a little friendlier.

Picturing Tia all alone in that old house, he questioned whether she had enough wood cut for her fireplace and stove. Did the shingles blow off the roof in storm they’d had yesterday morning?  Had she decided what to do about her father-in-law threatening to take Toby?

The Tia he remembered would have sent the man a scathing note telling him what she thought of his high-handed behavior in no uncertain terms.

The grown-up Tia, though, seemed more inclined to suggest demurely she didn’t appreciate the judge’s plans.

Adam wondered when Tia had lost her fire or if being part of the proper and snobby Devereux family had just banked the embers.

Annoyed that he cared, he set the book aside and got to his feet. In need of physical exertion, he’d gone outside for a walk.

Without conscious thought, his feet carried him past Tia’s house. When he saw Toby outside struggling to make a snowman on his own, Adam stopped to assist him. The next thing he knew, he’d agreed to stay for a cup of hot chocolate.