Love Wears Plaid for Christmas, page 1
part #2 of The Ornamental Match Makers Series
Love Wears Plaid
for Christmas
Book 2 in the
Ornamental Match Maker Series
Written By
Marlene Bierworth
Copyright © 2018 Marlene Bierworth
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without written permission of the author, Marlene Bierworth, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Disclaimer
This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, character and events are the product of the author’s imagination. While the author has tried to be historically correct, her goals in this book are great characters and storytelling. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locals, is purely coincidental.
From the Author
Mrs. Claus is all about spreading Christmas cheer — especially to the many lonely hearts seeking friendship, love, healing, second chances, and that special someone to call their own.
To help each lovely heroine and dashing hero find their perfect match, Mrs. Claus sends them a magical holiday ornament. From a carousel horse that matches the exact horse a hero will be found riding to an iced angel just like the cookies a dreamy chef bakes, each ornament has a real world counterpart that, if followed, will lead to true love. These books are designed to be a fun quick read with a touch of magic and romance.
From historical to contemporary, from heartfelt to humorous, each of these sweet romance stories ends in a festive happily ever after that will leave you wanting more — so be sure to check out all the titles by multiple authors in our Ornamental Match Maker Series, by visiting https://www.facebook.com/groups/712109532498752/
My contribution to the series features, Tamara, a young widow and mother from Texas, and Joel, a lonely widower and single dad from Montana. The setting is historical, and the love story is a fun twist of magic, targeting two struggling hearts that stumble upon unexpected love. Two daughters add to the fun, and keep the investigation going as to the identity of whom the Match Maker chose for Tamara. Only the plaid reindeer knows for sure.
A very Merry Christmas to our readers around the world! Let love rein!
“There’s a two hour stop in Livingston, folks. Feel free to get out and stretch your legs.” The conductor’s voice was sharp and distinct as he proclaimed his announcement to the passengers in his charge. He promptly moved on to the next car.
My head rested on a tiny, flat pillow that I’d propped against the cold windowpane. The locomotive ground to a slow halt. The deafening screech and whistle blared loud enough to wake any late-risers in Livingston, Montana. Puffs of gray smoke billowed out behind us, obliterating the steel rails from view and sullying the clear blue sky with its grimy vapors. The wheels clattered and shook as I laid my gloved hand against my chest to steady my nerves. We were finally here.
Chris squeezed into my tiny viewing space and squealed. I recoiled, the noise increasing the pounding pain in my head another notch until I felt confident it had the power to split my soft skull and launch whatever remained of my common sense into eternity with my deceased husband. The ongoing pain wore my patience thin, and I had to bite my tongue when it wanted to spew words of poison and squelch my daughter’s excitement.
“Isn’t it beautiful, Mama?” Chris asked.
I nodded. “Yes, dear. Beautiful.” My words lacked her luster, but she barely noticed. Her tiny frame continued to wiggle her way into the viewing zone, and a red mass of curls fell loose from under the stylish hat her grandmother had bought so that no one would find a reason to label them as poor folk. I also feared it was my mother-in-law’s subtle attempt to cover the red hair that she found so offensive. My tresses of understated strawberry blonde color had blended with her son’s, Trevor Spencer the 3rd’s, thick locks of dark auburn and somehow Chris had come into the world wearing a crown of shocking red.
Chris possessed the same dream as her father – to live close to the mountains and play in the northern snow. When I could not bear her moping and grieving another day, I’d decided to apply for a short-term teaching opportunity. She was over-the-top and had not stopped blabbering about the journey for months before we left. Worse still, she hadn’t ceased the gibberish for the entire trip to Montana. I vowed to indulge her adventurous spirit until summer, and then we could return to Texas and pick up where we left off. That was my plan, not hers. She had no way of knowing how much it hurt to live my husband’s dream without him. He’d been trampled beyond recognition when the herd he led to market stampeded. After that, loneliness became my constant companion.
“Mama, do you think Santa Claus stops in Montana before Texas?” she asked while cranking her head to look into the sky.
“Santa Clause? Whatever are you carrying on about?”
“It’s December, Mama! Surely you know that.”
“Yes, I know it.” The train lurched us forward and came to a final stop. The porter opened the door of our car, and the steel steps dropped to the ground. “This is our stop, Chris. Grab your carpet bag and let’s go take a look around your new home.”
Chris jumped to her feet, did a happy dance on the spot, and snatched her bag and hugged it to her bosom. A wide grin lit sparkles into her eyes, and I knew I had made the right decision to come to this place. I pushed her forward nodding toward the door. She covered the distance in an instant nearly toppling an old woman over.
“Sorry, ma’am,” Chris called out behind her, and I offered a weak smile to the woman as I caught her from tumbling back into her seat.
“She’s excited. Can I help you with anything?” I asked.
“No, thank you, dear,” she said. “You best hurry and catch up with the girl. She’ll be halfway to town before you manage to find a breath of fresh air.”
The boarding platform and a newly constructed depot loomed somewhere beyond the swirling gray masses. I grinned at the truth of the stranger’s remark. I hadn’t noticed this passenger and wondered when she’d boarded the train. Without a doubt, my eyes would have been drawn to her, for the woman’s body was covered entirely in crimson velvet wraps and snow-white furs. Her silver hair was shoulder length, and curly wisps escaped from under a stunning red and white woolly hat. Two cherry colored balls, placed strategically on her cheeks, highlighted her jolly appearance. Chris should have taken a closer look at the person she’d nearly flattened. In my child’s present frame of mind, she’d cast the woman in the role of Mrs. Claus and go on a hunt for her husband to make sure he knew where we’d be located come, Christmas Eve.
“Yes. Well, I hope your trip ends soon and you can settle in for the winter,” I said.
“A hired man will take me from here, but I will enjoy a few hours in Livingston. I’ve heard the city is growing in leaps and bounds. Our only son – my husband’s piercing thistle-in-his-beard – settled close by a river in some mountain shack. His heart is failing from the gold fever. But I’m here to persuade him to come home for the holidays.” She winked, “and hopefully forever. He needs to take over the family business, but like most boys, he’s fighting his destiny.”
“If anyone can persuade him it will be you – with your cheerful disposition. Can’t imagine your boy staying away from you for too long?”
“It’s been a heartbreaking two years! I want grandbabies, and I want them close to home. He will be pleased to know that I have the perfect mate lined up.”
I laughed. “You’re a match maker, then?”
“Oh, yes, dear. Whenever I can spin the love-magic, I do it.” She gazed deep into my eyes until I squirmed. “Are you needing some romance for the holidays?”
“Don’t waste your Christmas magic on me. My daughter would be devastated should a new man try to win our affections.”
“Youngsters bounce back quicker than grown-ups if we set them in the right place at the right time.”
I laughed. “Chris is thrilled to be in Montana and imagines Santa will drop by here first - before he heads for Texas – since we’re closer to the North Pole.”
“Ah, she’s a believer.” The old woman’s countenance twinkled on mystical levels that felt eerie-cool and comforting-warm at the same time.
“Speaking of Chris, I need to find her. Tell your son I’m the new school teacher. Of course, only if he refuses to leave the area, and instead of your pick, finds a mountain woman to wed.” I didn’t tell her the job was a temporary fill-in for the regular instructor Mr. Jacobs, while he visited his dying mother in New York.
“Probably, won’t be seeing you again, Mrs…” she stopped short when she realized I hadn’t given my name.
“Tamara Spencer,” I said. “Widowed this past year.” Why did I add fire to the fuel? The woman did not require any encouragement to entice her romantic schemes further.
“Ah, well, Tamara Spencer – I’ll be sprinkling some love dust over yonder, close to your schoolhouse, specially targeted for the new teacher in Livingston.” I smiled politely, and she added. “I like that plaid jacket your wearing. The pattern suits you.”
“Thank you. It was a parting gift from my mother. Guess she had lots of material to use up. The pattern matches the family quilt,” I said, pride elevating my voice.
“That should bring consolation to you in this new place so far from home.” She paused and smiled. “Tis good to kn
“Good day to you, ma’am.”
I hurried toward the exit door. I couldn’t wait to dismount this black beast for the final time. My daughter stood on the wooden platform gazing around her at the new sights, while her mouth drooped open and her feet pivoted slowly so not to miss a thing. The air cleared, and I saw a close-up view of the magnificent snow-covered mountain peaks that reached toward the sky as if praising their Creator. I swallowed the lump in my throat and moaned. “Oh, Trevor. It’s as beautiful as you said.”
“Pardon? Are you ready, ma’am?” the porter asked. I reached out for the hand he offered and descended the three steps.
“Someone once told me your Sky Country was God’s paradise. I suppose I am here to discover it for myself.”
“Best territory in the whole world. Mighty proud to call it home,” the man said as he tipped his cap to me. “Welcome to Livingston.” He glanced over my shoulder and offered a hand to the next traveler. “Let me help you down, Missy. Glad to see you back.”
I scanned the area and sighted my inquisitive daughter of ten years old beginning to wander. “Wait up, Chris,” I called. “We need to go inside and hire a man to bring our trunks to the boarding house.”
“I can do that for you, Mrs. Spencer.”
I turned to the left and saw a cowboy outfitted much like the ranchers I’d lived among all my life in Texas. Except, this man was clean, a rare sight for a workingman mid-morning. Apparently he had not shoveled horse dung today. From the top of his coal black hair to the polished toes of his pointed boots he screamed perfect. I pressed my lips together and drew in a sharp breath when a mild scent of pine aftershave invaded my nostrils. He leaned forward and relieved me of my travel case. With the other hand, he slipped off his hat.
“Names Joel Parker, ma’am. The board of education appointed me to make sure you got settled in at Fran’s Boarding House.”
A smile crossed my face, and I realized my childish dimples were on display. They had thwarted my best efforts at composure many times in the past. But how could a lady not cave in when held under the spell of those midnight blue eyes?
“That was generous of them. Please relay my thanks to the committee,” I said, grateful that my voice did not betray me.
“You can do it yourself. We’ve all gathered in town to meet the new teacher for lunch at the Diner. Give you a proper howdy and show you round the schoolhouse afterward.”
“You are part of the committee?” Land sakes! How could I put my best foot forward with the group who had hired me, sight unseen, when this cowboy kept tripping up my defenses?
“I am at your service, Mrs. Spencer.”
The formal way he said my name helped to steady my nerves. “And my boss. I will have to tread carefully with you, Mr. Parker.”
“No need. Suppose you’ll do just fine with the young’uns. Annie is looking forward to coming back to school.”
I wondered how he was related to, Annie, but chose not to intrude on his personal life today. “Well, lunch is a splendid idea. I look forward to it. Hopefully, my feet will have grown accustomed to standing on solid ground by then. And of course, I will need to freshen up.” I felt the heat rising up the back of my neck. What was wrong with me? Since my husband’s death, I’d seen my share of handsome men, many more forthcoming than this cowboy.
“Well, let’s get you two over to Fran’s place. Lunch is at noon.” He cleared his throat and plunked the hat back on his head. He appeared to feel the need to explain further. “Some of us need to get home for chores before dark.”
“Why can’t I go, too? I don’t want to eat here alone with a stranger. Besides, I smell fried onions, and it sickens me, Mama.”
“Fran owns the boarding house, so she is not considered a stranger. We will be living with her this winter, and you will be alone in the house with her many times.”
“But it’s only our first day in town. Please, Mama, don’t make me stay behind. I’ll sit as quiet as a mouse at the lunch table. I’ll do you proud. You can count on me.”
I smiled. “You win. Put on a pretty dress and comb your hair.”
We arrived inside the Diner at twelve o’clock, and Joel Parker rushed over and proceeded to hang up our coats. He escorted us to a huge round table where two men and three women waited for us. The men stood to their feet as Joel pulled out a chair for me. When one of the men noticed Chris with me, he grabbed an empty chair from a nearby table and squeezed it in beside me.
He lifted his hand to a waitress and spoke. “Bring one more table setting, Patty.”
Questions fired at me from all directions, and I did my best to satisfy their curiosity. Chris was true to her word and remained silent and well behaved. The committee noticed.
“Well, Mrs. Spencer. You have my full support. I suspect you will have no trouble with the children. Your daughter is an angel.”
I smiled. Chris could never rise to the attributes of an angelic being. Not the Chris I knew and loved. “Thank you, Mrs. Foster. She does have her moments.” I squeezed the slender hands that lay quietly in her lap. She was my angel, and I was thankful.
Joel stood to his feet. “If we’re done our discussions here, I will leave the tour in your capable hands, Mrs. Foster. I’m afraid unfinished work is calling me back to the ranch and Annie will be anxious to hear about the new teacher. No doubt, she’ll be thrilled to hear about you, Chris. You two are about the same age, and my Annie is a great judge of character. I’m confident you have what she calls, a kindred spirit. Her mother taught her to be picky - Better to have no friends at all than settle for the wrong ones.”
“That’s very good advise, Mr. Parker,” I said.
His smile covered his face and drew me in like a bee to honey. “I am sure that my wife would also have considered you a kindred spirit, Mrs. Spencer.”
Chris gazed at me with new interest and a mischievous spark lit up her eyes. She turned and beamed at the man who towered over us. “I look forward to meeting your Annie, sir.” He tipped his hat and turned to leave. The others followed close behind, and all that was left was Mrs. Foster, Chris and I.
“Poor man. Pined away for his wife for the longest time. Thought he’d near kill himself with grief.”
“She is deceased, then?” I asked.
“Three years now. Bunch of rustlers showed up one day to help themselves to a few heads of cattle. Both Joel and Annie were gone, but the dear woman stood her ground. Got a bullet in the gut for her loyalty. Annie found her in the barn after school.”
“How horrible!” I turned quickly and watched the color drain from Chris’ face. Even though I was curious, I felt the need to end this morbid discussion. I stood to my feet. “Mrs. Foster, perhaps we could have that tour now.”
It was a one-room schoolhouse, and my job was to teach eight grades at the same time. I was rusty, for I’d chosen to give up my career after Chris had been born. This assignment in Montana would get my feet wet again for when I returned to Texas. I’d need to work to support us from here on in, and the thought did not scare me in the least – it provided the long overdue motivation to start living again.
“Mama, can I sit here?” Chris asked as she tested one of the seats in a middle row. Like her to want to be at the center of things.
“We’ll have to look at the register. Mr. Jacobs has probably assigned seats to the other students. You’ll have to pick a vacant one.”
Mrs. Foster hurried to an enormous, oak desk that sat at the front of the room. She opened a drawer and withdrew a book. “I think this is what you’re looking for.”
“Thank you.” I took the roster and flipped to the first page. Sure enough, that seat was taken. “Look here, Chris. Annie Parker sits there,” I pointed to the location, “but the desk directly in front of her is empty. The name is half scribbled out – it looks like Tommy Jacobs.”
“That would be Mr. Jacobs’ son. He left with his father to help with the care of his grandma,” Mrs. Foster said.
Chris did not care. The only thing she heard was that the seat ahead of Annie – hopefully, her new friend – was available. She pushed her body off the bench of her first choice and plunked her bottom in the other. “This is better. Ah, Mama, do you think its providence that Annie sits right behind me?”
