A Baby For Christmas. Linda Ford

idea and I hadn’t given the particulars much thought.” She paused a moment. “The stage leaves tomorrow.” After another hesitant beat, she added, “Early.”

      “Then I suggest you get on with your wedding plans.” His eyes still twinkled.

      “I think you’re enjoying my discomfort.”

      He sobered. “No. But you must admit, it is a little amusing. A spur-of-the-moment wedding. The bride—” His gaze darted to her belly and he chuckled. “Some would think this is a shotgun wedding.”

      Heat rushed up her neck, but she would not turn from giving him a steady look. “It’s Gordie’s baby. I don’t expect you to take care of it.”

      His smile turned into a scowl. “Of course.” His gaze went beyond her and grew distant.

      She wondered what he was seeing. Maybe someday she’d feel comfortable enough to ask. Right now all that mattered was he’d given his word and they were to be married. All she wanted from this relationship was to get away from Vic and gain safety for herself, her baby and Missy.

      She didn’t expect anything more from him.

      Nate got to his feet. “Seems we have a wedding to arrange. Why don’t I take you to Aunt Bea’s and you can tell her your plans.” He held out a hand to help her to her feet.

      She might have refused, but it was getting harder and harder to get up gracefully.

      He squinted at her. “When is this baby due?”

      She understood the question he meant to ask. Was she going to deliver on the journey? Please, God, let me go a little longer. One week until they reached their destination. One week of pretend marriage and then the joy of her little son or daughter. She couldn’t think of a better Christmas present.

      To Nate she gave a dismissive shrug. “Not for a while.”

      His eyebrows rose. Then he let the subject go and opened the door his mother had closed a short time ago. “Ma, I’m taking Louise home. I’ll be back in a bit.”

      They left the house and went to Aunt Bea’s house, pausing outside the door.

      “I’ll wait until you inform her, then take you to your house,” Nate said.

      “That won’t be necessary. Missy and I took what we needed when we left yesterday.”

      He caught her shoulder and brought her around to face him. “You’ve left your house? Why?”

      “Because Vic moved in.” The words were soft, disguising the anger that burned through her at being forced from her own home.

      Nate dropped his hand from her shoulder and pushed a fist into his palm. “The louse.”

      “Snake,” she corrected. “He’s a slithering snake.”

      “You won’t have to worry about him much longer. Marriage will protect you. Listen, it’s best if no one knows it’s only pretend. Vic might see that as an opportunity.”

      “Agreed.”

      “Let’s go tell your aunt.”

      She knocked. “I told Missy to bar the door when I left.”

      Nate’s fists balled at his sides. “That will end before the day is out. He won’t bother you any longer.”

      Good to know. Whatever lay ahead of sorrow or joy, she would at least be free of Vic.

      Missy opened the door and Louise slipped in with Nate at her side. She welcomed his support. “I have good news,” she said, including Aunt Bea, who sat in her customary upholstered chair. “Nate and I are getting married.” Before either of the women could speak, she rushed on. “Missy and I will go north with him.”

      “We’ll be safe?” Missy asked.

      “We’ll be safe.” Louise patted Missy’s arm as the girl let out a long gust of air.

      “Well, I hate to see you go.” Aunt Bea sounded as if it couldn’t be too soon to suit her. “When are you planning to marry him?”

      “Today.” At the stunned look on Missy’s face, she choked back a giggle. Aunt Bea’s eyes widened. Louise tried to think if she’d ever surprised her aunt before.

      If so, she couldn’t remember it.

      Aunt Bea managed to get to her feet in record time. “Today? There is much to do to get ready.”

      Louise could think of nothing except the need to sign a document. But if Aunt Bea, with her unbending opinions of proper conduct, knew it was to be a temporary marriage, she would likely raise enough objections to create a stir, maybe even persuade the preacher to refuse to marry them.

      “I’ll go see to the details,” Nate said. “Lock up behind me.” He hurried out the door.

      Louise turned the key, then faced Aunt Bea. “Tell me what I need to do.”

      * * *

      Nate stood outside until he heard the key turn, then tested the knob. The lock held and he strode away as fast as his legs would take him. His insides burned with fury.

      Vic had moved into the Porter house? Seemed he thought he owned the house and the family. Well, the family would be leaving. The family would say goodbye to their home and learn, as he had, that nothing lasts.

      Not even marriage, it seemed. What they planned was only pretend. A convenience. He pushed aside the guilt stinging his thoughts.

      So far as he could tell, nothing was forever, but at least he could get Missy and Louise and Gordie’s unborn baby away from Vic.

      He stepped into Ma’s house. She stood at the stove, tending a pot of something that smelled mighty fine. “Making soup?”

      “Cream of potato. Thought I’d make your favorite while you’re here.”

      “Ma, sit down. I need to talk to you.”

      She pushed the pot to the side of the stove and pulled out a chair to sit. “That sounds like a warning.”

      He didn’t know what he’d call it. Nor how to explain what he meant to do except to come right out and say it. “Ma, Louise and I are getting married.”

      “Good.” She patted his hand. “I’ve always thought you two were suited to each other.”

      “You did? But she married Gordie.”

      “She was hurt and confused. The poor girl had lost so much and was trying to recapture it.”

      He stared at his ma. “How do you know all this?”

      “I’m a mother, even though I haven’t been the kind I wanted to be.” Her eyes looked past him into the distance. “If only your father hadn’t died.” She shook her head. “So you’ll be staying around a few months? That’s good.”

      Let her believe this marriage was for real. The more who thought that, the better for them. “No, I’m leaving tomorrow.”

      “I see. When will you come back for the wedding?”

      “We’re getting married today. As soon as I can make arrangements.”

      Ma stared at him, her hands limp in her lap. “Today?” Her voice squeaked. “That hardly seems—”

      “Proper?” He knew many would think the same, but he didn’t care what anyone thought except perhaps Ma.

      “No. It hardly seems enough time to plan a wedding.”

      “How long does it take to find the preacher, say the vows and sign the papers?” Vows. He’d be vowing before God and man to stay with her until death parted them. God did not take lightly a man making vows, then breaking them.

      “Are you sure about this?” Ma asked.

      No,