Chapter Eleven

A Sleigh Ride for Eliza

Christmas Evening

Eliza secured her beautiful new fur hat atop her head with one of Gram’s pearl hat pins. She donned her woolen coat, and then stuck one hand into the fur muff. The minute they stepped out into the cool night, Eliza gasped in surprise. “A sleigh? You’ve brought a sleigh.”

“Yep. I thought we could take a ride. I have something I want to show you.” He paused, then added, “If you think it’s needed, we can stop by and ask Mister Hastings to check on Miss Jillian while we’re out.”

“I’m sure she’ll be fine on her own. Especially if she’s planning to nap in her chair.”

“We should only be gone an hour or so, but I don’t want you to worry.”

“It’s amazing how well she’s doing. According to Amanda, all she needed was for me to come home.”

He stretched out his hand and helped her into the sleigh, before agreeing. “Family is a mighty fine healer. That and a deep faith in the Almighty.”

“Well, now, Gram has both.”

“So, does that mean you’re staying?” he asked once he’d seated himself at her side.

“I think so. I’d like to see if I can make a go of the dress shop.”

“Why?” he asked as he laid the lap blanket over her legs. With a snap of the reins, he set the sleigh in motion.

“Why, what?”

“Why work? It’s not like you have to, after all.”

She wasn’t sure how to answer. It wasn’t surprising that he, as the marshal, knew of Gram’s circumstances. “You know?”

His deep chuckle ran clear through her, warming her in a most pleasant way.

“Everyone knows, Eliza. Most likely the entire town.”

“But—”

“It’s been an effort at times to pretend we don’t know who funds the church repairs, or who paid for the special brace Jimmy Parks needed for his leg. Miss Jillian wanted to remain anonymous, so the entire town let her. It was one of the first things the reverend told me when I returned, and I’ve been part of the subterfuge ever since.”

Tears filled Eliza’s eyes. This was what she’d missed… a small town so kind they’d willingly keep an old lady’s secret. This was what true love and faith in one’s fellow man or woman was all about.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. The credit goes to the reverend and all those who’ve been around since your family first arrived.”

They drove on, through the field behind the main street of town, past the church, and onto the road leading out of town. The wind, though mild, whipped against her cheeks. She glanced to the side at Cole’s profile. He truly was a handsome man, a strong man both physically and in character. When he tapped the reins, the horse picked up speed, drawing her laughter.

“This is wonderful,” she shouted over the pounding of the horse’s hooves and clatter of the bells attached to the sleigh. “I’d still like to know where we’re going.”

“Like I said, I’ve got something to show you. It’s just up ahead a mile or so.”

“Isn’t this the old Proctor place?”

“Yes, it is. Will Proctor was my maternal grandfather. When he passed, he left the property to my uncle and my mother jointly. When my mother died, it fell to my uncle.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever met your uncle,” she noted.

“No, you haven’t. He never lived in Big Bend. He owned an orchard in Washington Territory and had no intention of moving here. He died six months ago and left the property to me. Knowing about the inheritance was one of the things that influenced my decision to come home.”

“This is your land now?”

“All two hundred acres,” he confirmed as he pulled the sleigh to a stop at the laneway to the property. “Unfortunately, there are no standing structures on the property. Everything had fallen apart over the years. The first thing I did once the deed was executed was to tear down what little remained. We also managed to get the foundation put in before the first frost.”

“Are you going to build on more during the winter?”

“That’s my plan. I figure if I make this my home by spring, I can give the place that came with the marshal’s position to my deputy and get him out of the boarding house. That way, if he ever gets up the nerve to ask Reverend Peterson for permission to court Miss Amanda, he’ll be a man with property and a job.”

Eliza hid her giggle behind the thick fur muff. “I thought I was the only one who’d noticed.”

“I’d not be much of a lawman if I didn’t notice when my deputy gets all moony eyed over a woman, now would I?”

“No, I guess you wouldn’t.” She waved her hand wide, motioning out over the expanse of land. “Building a home takes time and a lot of hard work.”

“That it does. Although, you know what would make it easier?”

“What?”

“A partner.”

“Like a business partner?”

He turned to face her and shook his head slowly, the look in his eyes snagging her attention like a magnet to steel. “No, like a life partner. A wife.”

“Oh,” she responded softly.

His full lips lifted in a smile. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m crazy about you, Eliza. I’d like for you to be that wife.”

Her heart stopped… she was sure of it. Yet, she was still breathing. “You want to marry me?”

“Is that so hard to believe? I love you.”

Swallowing back the lump in her throat, she admitted, “I love you, too.”

Cole reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a velvet pouch, dumping out a beautiful ruby ring into the palm of his hand. “So, to be clear, that means you’ll marry me?”

She nodded, too overwhelmed to speak. Finally, she squeaked out a simple, “yes”.

After sliding the ring into place, Cole drew her close to his chest. Lifting her chin on the tips of his fingers, he pressed his mouth to hers. Their first kiss was perfect.

The second, even better. The heart she thought had stopped now beat frantically within her chest.

“One more,” he whispered against her lips. “Then, we have to stop.”

“We do?”

“Yes,” he said firmly. “We do.”

The ride back to the house was exhilarating. Not only was her first sleigh ride an adventure on its own, but she was now an engaged woman. Gram was going to be overjoyed. Perhaps, someday soon, she’d get those great grandbabies she’d been wanting.

They took a longer route back, covering even more open land, letting the horses have their legs. From time to time, Cole would reach out and caress her hand. Occasionally, he leaned close to press a kiss to her cheek.

Once they arrived home, Cole pulled up close to the front porch rather than around the back near the barn. “You’re not coming in?” she asked. “At least long enough to give Gram the good news.”

“One minute. Two tops. I’ve got to get this sleigh back to the livery and brush down Mister Durgin’s horses.”

When they reached the parlor, Gram was sound asleep in her chair, her bible open on her lap.

“Gram,” Eliza said softly. “Wake up. We’re home.”

Jillian opened her eyes slowly. “Did you have a nice sleigh ride?”

“Very nice,” Cole told her. “Perfect, in fact.”

Fully awake, Gram sat up straight. “Did you propose? Or did you chicken out?”

“You knew?” Eliza asked. When she turned toward Cole, he shook his head as if to say he’d not told Gram ahead of time.

“A person would have to be blind not to see how he feels about you. And, despite my age, I’m not blind. I hope you said ‘ yes ’, Eliza June.”

Eliza waved her hand in front of Gram, showing off her ring. “I did. Of course, I did.”

“Great. Now we can plan your wedding,” Gram announced. “April is a nice month to get married.”

“Yes,” Eliza echoed. “That’ll give me plenty of time to design and sew my wedding gown.”

“I’ll have plenty of time to build us the perfect home,” Cole told them. “With room for Miss Jillian, as well.”

Jillian shook her finger at them both. “Not at first, of course. I won’t be interrupting your honeymoon.”

Cole laughed soundly. Gathering Gram’s hands in his, he told her, “I’m mighty grateful for that, Miss Jillian. Mighty grateful indeed.”