Wild West Christmas. Lynna Banning

right?”

      Dillen nodded. He set Colin’s feet on the floor and the boy skipped back to Alice’s side. Cody sidled forward with more caution, reminding Dillen of a curious but skittish horse.

      Dillen dropped to one knee. “Sorry about the kissing.”

      Cody made a face.

      “You take care of Miss Truett until I come to fetch you.”

      Cody accepted this responsibility with a nod. “Do I have to kiss you?”

      “Naw. Handshake.” Dillen extended his hand and Cody seemed relieved to take it.

      He watched Cody walk to Alice’s side and felt that same ache only this time his gut twisted with his heart. He stared at the threesome, wanting something but uncertain what it was.

      “Will you send the telegram to Harvey if I write it out?” he asked.

      She agreed and waited while he found paper and wrote to his employer. The man seemed a reasonable sort, but letting his new hand move his family into the boss’s house seemed an unlikely outcome.

      His family? He stilled and glanced back to Alice. Dillen’s chest tightened. He wanted her to stay. He knew his desires didn’t mean staying was best for the boys. Lingering at the ranch would just postpone the inevitable day when she reached the conclusion that he was not father material and that she couldn’t run a household. But if he could put off that moment, keep her here with him a little longer, then he was willing to let her send the damned wire.

Chapter Six

      Alice spent the ride home mulling over the meaning of Dillen’s kiss and her wild and unladylike reaction. If he had no feelings for her, why would he kiss her with such abandon? It confused her while simultaneously sparking new hope. Finally both the wintery chill and distance cooled her ardor and she took hold of herself. She wasn’t going to allow him to hurt her again, was she?

      Despite her trepidation, she did send the telegram to Dillen’s employer immediately upon return to town and added one of her own, explaining who she was, who her father was and who her maternal grandfather was. Since her grandfather owned a sizable stake in the railroad and his name appeared often in the newspapers, she thought Mr. Harvey might recognize the name and this might help Dillen’s cause.

      She did not wait for Mr. Harvey’s reply, as it was already past dark and she and the boys were wilting from hunger.

      They went back to the hotel for a hearty meal, but worries dampened her appetite. She sipped her tea as she turned the problem over in her mind. Despite her bravado, Alice had little practical experience cleaning, though she was an excellent cook. To fill the gaps in skill, she had a secret weapon. Before her journey here, she had purchased a copy of Mrs. Beeton’s Book of Household Management and had pored over the tome at every opportunity.

      Still, reading was not doing and this troubled her.

      Dillen’s words played again in her mind. You don’t know the first thing about raising two boys.

      She didn’t.

      The next morning, Alice woke with a headache, but managed to get the boys dressed and breakfasted before setting off for services in a drafty unfamiliar church. She missed the Latin, but thought it better that the boys understood what was said and hoped they took some comfort in knowing their parents were safe in God’s hands.

      After services, she was approached by Mrs. Louise Pellet, who was the niece of Mr. Harvey’s foreman, Bill Roberts. Louise Pellet was sturdy and curvy with clean clothing of a simple style, and she wore her hair drawn up in a no-nonsense bun. The woman’s demeanor shouted practicality, and her expression showed the clear-eyed gaze of intelligence. She was expecting Dillen and her uncle for Sunday supper and invited Alice and the boys to join them at her boardinghouse. Alice was happy to accept, and they walked together through the town, Mrs. Pellet’s boys quickly befriending Cody and Colin.

      Once at her home, Louise ushered them into the parlor, but before Alice even had the boys out of their coats, Mrs. Pellet’s four younger children tumbled in, asking if Colin and Cody would like to see their snow fort behind the house. Alice admired Mrs. Pellet’s natural, no-nonsense style with her children as she sent them off with coats buttoned and mittens on. Her hostess had an innate warmth so absent in Alice’s own mother. Mrs. Pellet turned and caught Alice staring.

      “Something wrong?” asked her hostess.

      “You seem so confident with them.”

      “The children?” She laughed. “I remember when my first was born. Lord have mercy. I was so scared I’d do something wrong. And I did, of course. Live and learn. But she came out all right. Isn’t that right, Lizzy?”

      Behind them came the clatter of silverware as a young woman set the table in the adjacent dining room. She stepped into the doorway and introductions were made.

      Mrs. Pellet smiled proudly. “Could run the place herself. Her husband will be a lucky man. This one doesn’t want to sit in church with me anymore. Not when she can sit with her intended.”

      Lizzy flushed and then returned to her work.

      “So, Mrs. Truett, any word from Mr. Harvey?” asked Mrs. Pellet.

      Alice took a moment to recover from her shock. She had no idea how Mrs. Pellet knew this, but was impressed, as she had only sent the wire last evening.

      “Ah, it’s Miss Truett,” she corrected. “And no, I’m afraid the offices are closed today.”

      “Oh, but I have a special connection.” She turned to Lizzy. “Isn’t that right, my girl?” Louise Pellet beamed at Alice. “Tommy is one of the operators. That’s Lizzy’s beau.”

      And that explained that.

      “Yes, well, I’ll be seeing to the boys’ care in the short term.”

      “So you’ll stay through the winter?” asked Mrs. Pellet.

      “No, unfortunately, I’ll be returning to my family for the holidays.”

      “Oh, that’s a shame. I’m sure the boys will miss you. When will you be back?”

      “Well, I’m not certain,” said Alice. “My responsibility was only to bring the boys to their uncle.”

      “You’ve gone a sight farther than that. Offering to see them situated. But have you thought what will happen after you make those three a home and then disappear?”

      Alice felt her breathing catch. “I have no claim on them, nor has Mr. Roach asked for my assistance past the holidays.”

      “Is that so? So you two never...” She let her words trail off. Mrs. Pellet was a very perceptive woman.

      Alice felt her face heat. “Well, we did see each other, but that was some time ago.”

      “And his sister sent you out here, to him.”

      “To bring her boys to him, yes.”

      Mrs. Pellet’s smile was knowing. “Might be mistaken. Would explain why he works so hard, though.”

      Alice shook her head in bafflement. “I don’t follow.”

      “Uncle Bill told me that Dillen seemed real focused on earning money. Won’t say why. He thought Dillen owed a debt, but now I’m thinking that reason is you. Wouldn’t be the first time a man was intimidated by a gal’s fortune.”

      “I wouldn’t intimidate anyone.” But his words ricocheted in her mind. You don’t understand me at all.

      Mrs. Pellet snorted. “Dillen is a working man. You wear a diamond brooch.” She pointed to the cameo at Alice’s collar. “You’ve got fine clothes, a fine vocabulary and a sort of carriage that might make you a little difficult for some men to approach.”