“But the train is gone.” Chris appeared concerned, but her brain never stopped working. I could almost hear the wheels going clickity-clack inside her head.

  “But her gift is here, and delivered by her friendly elf. You saw it for yourself,” I said.

  “Mama, you’re making fun of me. You don’t believe a word you’re saying.”

  “The whole idea seems a bit far-fetched for me, but I am a fan of a good mystery and open to your take on the encounter.”

  “And you shall have it. I can’t wait for Annie to get here. She loves a good, who-dun-it, too, you know?”

  “You learned that all in the one day that you’ve known her?”

  “I told you we were kindred spirits. I know Annie will believe me.” Chris put a finger to her chin. “We could ask the students if anyone left the gift – just to eliminate your false lead.”

  Probably a good place to start.” I wrapped the ornament carefully and proceeded to lay it inside again. My fingers hit paper on the bottom. I withdrew the reindeer and peeked inside the box. “Well, I’ll be. It appears there is a note included.”

  Chris was elated over this latest discovery, and I felt certain today would not be her best day for retaining any book learning. “What does it say?”

  I spread out the paper on the desk in front of me and read. “Love wears plaid for Christmas.”

  “The gift proves the plaid part. But it feels like a bigger lead. There has to be more.” She stomped her feet. “Yes, I asked Santa to bring you a man for Christmas.”

  “You didn’t!” Chris’ face turned a brilliant shade of red. I gathered that last remark was a slip of the tongue.

  “Mama, it’s okay if you like somebody. Pa expects us to move on. I just know it. Maybe he instigated this whole gift business, knowing how I love a clever mystery and how scared you are to look for your own man.”

  I tossed my hands in the air. “How can I stay angry, when I see your huge heart and all this concern for your mother,” I said.

  Chris breathed easier and continued speculating. “The clue is plaid and it involves love, reindeers, Christmas, and you, of course.” She tapped her fingers on my desk. Maybe another quilt? No – unless it’s draped on a man’s back, not his bed.” She laughed, and I grimaced. “Our man might have an ornament just like this one, but that would be the tree wearing it. Or Mr. Wright could just wear something plaid – but a reindeer! How does someone wear a reindeer?” She sprang to her feet and began to pace. “It’s all so vague. Mrs. Claus left confusing clues.”

  I heard her disappointment and started to repack the gift box. “We’ve run out of time, my little sleuthhound. I hear a lot of racket outside. It’s time to ring the bell and let everyone come in out of the cold. You throw another log in the fire, and I’ll open the doors.” I gave her a quick kiss on the forehead as I passed by. “Have a good day, Chris.”

  I hurried home from school and grabbed the bundle of clothes and accessories I’d set out this morning. I headed for the bathing room. Fran had supplied fluffy towels, rose-smelling soap, and a soft scrub brush. They all lay on a chair waiting for me. The day had been busy, but somewhere in the back of my mind, the puzzle of the gift had lingered. Chris and Annie had been noticeably distracted all day, and I felt confident it all centered on the mysterious Mrs. Claus. As I poured pails of warm water from the reservoir into the tub, I smiled at the thought of some naughty bystander having a hay-day watching the new girls in town fall prey to his joke.

  Yet, I could not wholly cast aside the memory of the woman on the train – not only that she looked the part of Mrs. Claus but also had pried into my love life or lack thereof. The aura that she’d radiated without even trying was unusual at the very least, and in the light of recent events, downright mystical. I shook the fog in my head clear and stepped into the warm bubbly water. I sunk low and closed my eyes, willing my mind to simmer and unwind.

  Joel and Annie would be here at seven, and I’d been looking forward to a bit of fun all day. I’d had little since my husband’s death, with his mother scrutinizing my every move. Freedom from all the family expectations of a grieving widow felt exhilarating, and Livingston provided the space I sought to bring closure to a long year of loneliness. Into the air, I whispered, “Goodbye, Trevor. I will move forward, one step at a time, with our daughter in this land you dreamed of. I can feel you release me, and I thank you. The pain of losing you has been difficult to bear.”

  An hour later I was combing through my strawberry blond curls, winding it on top of my head and fastening it with sparkling festive combs. I pulled random tendrils loose and let them fall in ringlets close to my face and down the back. The result was a delicateness that brought out the best of my features and tamed the harsher line of my nose. The mossy green eyes, the long lashes, and finely shaped eyebrows could hold the best of the male species captive – when I chose to cast aside the last of my reservations and run free. I wondered, if tonight, I would reveal the real me to Joel Parker. He undoubtedly possessed the ability to draw me out. Perhaps I would loosen the bolts on the door to my heart and let him peek inside. With or without Mrs. Claus, I could celebrate Christmas with the best of them.

  Chris ran into the room, and I caught my breath. My little girl was a knockout and part of her charm was that she never knew it. My work was cut out for me on the day the boys started to come knocking on her door. “Baby – you look gorgeous,” I said.

  “Fran did my hair and helped me pick a dress. Said you needed some quiet time and we should surprise you.”

  “Bless you both. I do feel revived – like a new woman.”

  “You look like one too, Mama. Mr. Parker will have a hard time concentrating on his dancing feet tonight swinging you around the room in his arms.”

  “How old did you say you were?”

  She laughed and blushed. “Ah, Mama, you know I’m only ten, but tonight I feel like a Princess, and you look like a Queen. I just know this has been the best week ever.”

  “So dramatic,” I said.

  We both heard the soft rat-it-tat-tat at the same time, but Chris was the first to reach the door. She flung it open, and Annie rushed into her arms. They squiggled and hugged one another, laughing the entire time.

  I concentrated on Joel. He held a heaping apple pie in his hand. “Our daughters seem to have hit it off big time.”

  “It would appear so,” he said. “You are lovely tonight, Mrs. Spencer, and certainly dressed for the merry occasion.”

  “You mean this old red dress with the white furry hemline.” I bit my tongue. That came across somewhat flirtatious and was not the direction I planned on going this evening. If Joel noticed the sassy fluctuation of my tone, he never showed it.

  Chris giggled. “She tried to dress like Mrs. Claus.” Then she worked up a wink that did not come easy and ended up more like a blink. “But, we both know who the real Mrs. Claus is, right Mama?”

  I chose to ignore her constant referral to the gift I’d received this morning – and the giver. She was a gumshoe on the move, determined to unravel the mysteries that she managed to exaggerate into all kinds of nonsense.

  Joel did not know better and fell into her trap. “There is a touch of magic in the air tonight. Do you ladies feel it?”

  I turned beet red and twisted sideways to open the hall closet. I withdrew my blue coat out of spite and left the red wrap hanging. Joel set his dish down on a small table, and helped me slip into it. “Thank you.” I reached into the basket and grabbed a faux fur hand muff and placed my hands inside. “Are you ready, Chris, or are you going outside without your cape?”

  Chris dove for the closet and was dressed within the minute for the short winter walk to the town center. Joel offered me his free arm, while balancing the dessert with the other. “Shall we go?”

  I could hear the music filtering through the air long before we reached the double doors of the large building. The girls did too, for as they quickened along the boardwalk, they danced the two-step together. Joel opened one of the massive oak doors wide and motioned for us girls to take the lead. Chris and Annie barged through the opening, peeling off their coats and throwing them back in our direction. They both cooed together, “Have fun, you two lovebirds. We’re off to find food!”

  Mrs. Foster appeared out of nowhere and relieved Joel of his dessert contribution. “Thank you, Mr. Parker. Evening Mrs. Spencer. So glad you could make it.” Then she was gone, with a smile on her lips that suggested we might soon become prime targets for the Livingston grapevine. Ripe gossip was hard to pass up.

  “I apologize. Annie has been pushing this romance agenda for a couple of days now. I mean I’m glad she’s okay with me… well, you know, stepping out. But her efforts are a trifle overwhelming, to say the least.”

  “I know exactly what you mean. Do you suppose our daughters don’t have any faith in Mrs. Claus’s skills as a match maker and are taking the task on themselves?”

  “You mean you – Mrs. Claus – or the real one at the North Pole?”

  I laughed. “Don’t let my detective daughter get you caught up in her investigation. It involves far too many flighty scenarios. But, I’m afraid if Annie is the least bit of the curious sort, Chris will persuade her to join forces.”

  “Dare I ask about this investigation you are referring to?” Joel’s eyes twinkled. It appeared he liked a bit of mystery too. I’d best kill that interest – in my case anyway.

  I laughed. “In a nutshell – Chris is on the lookout for the next great love of my life. What she doesn’t know is that this assignment in Montana is only for the school year, then we are moving back home to Texas.”

  “Oh,” Joel appeared surprised. “I didn’t know that.” He fumbled with the words. “I suppose I knew the position was temporary but I never thought about you leaving when it was over.”

  “And neither does she. Let’s keep it that way.”

  Joel became melancholy as he hung my winter wear in the cloakroom. His smile did not reach his eyes the next time he looked at me. My escort offered his hand and ushered me into the main dance hall. I wondered if he were upset for himself that I’d be leaving next summer or that Chris’ going might break his daughter’s heart. Of course, he’d be concerned about Annie. I attempted to lighten the dark mood that had settled over us.

  “Chris is all about the food. Look at her over there filling up a plate with enough to feed an entire family.”

  “Annie’s portion is also developing into quite a hill. Since her mother’s death, the girl is my chief cook and bottle washer at the ranch. She only gets to sample her own recipes. Tonight is a special treat for her so I won’t be begrudging her any of her helpings.”

  “That is a lot of responsibility for a young girl,” I said as I took a closer look at the child. “Chris would be lost in the kitchen.”

  “I suppose one rises to the occasion when necessary. Annie actually likes it – or so she says. She tells me that you may include a cooking class in your curriculum at school. My daughter is right excited about that idea.”

  “Maybe once a month. I thought the older girls would profit from some culinary tips. Of course, I need to run the idea past Fran at the boarding house. I’m hoping she will loan me her space for the session. Perhaps even instruct the girls herself – she is a marvelous cook.”

  “Shall we take our turn at the table before the girls eat our share of the food. I didn’t have any supper, and my stomach is protesting.” Joel rubbed his belly.

  I agreed. “Yes, lunch has long ago burned off. Let’s eat.”

  We sat at a small table with our plates and ate. Joel scanned the room and unofficially introduced me to many of the people gathered to celebrate the Christmas season. By the time we’d finished, I’d mentally memorized their names and stood ready to meet the townsfolk. My escort was an excellent guide, knowing just how long to visit with each person and when to move on to the next. People were amazed at my skills of memory and I, in turn, did not enlighten them as to Joel’s prior coaching.

  An hour later we sat again on a chair to catch our breath. “I feel like I’ve met more people tonight than I knew the entire time I lived in Texas.”

  “Do you love Texas?” he asked.

  “I never thought much about it. I was born in the south and figured I die there as well.”

  “I’m hoping that you will change your mind over the winter and consider the north your home,” said Joel.

  “I’m sorry. It was rude of me to drop my future plans on you tonight. The girls are becoming friends at an alarming rate, and the father in you is probably aching for Annie’s loss already.”

  He lifted his brow. “Suppose the girls will hurt big time as well,” was all he said leaving me to wonder if he had his net cast in my direction. I sighed. Falling for him would be so easy. The man was likable, and charming, and handsome, and polite, and a great father. What more could a woman want? I wondered why he’d stayed single for so long.

  “Mrs. Foster said your wife died three years ago. Have you considered any of these fine ladies for marriage?” I blushed. “Forget that remark. It’s none of my business.”

  “I don’t mind your asking. Truth is, I never had the urge to go looking – until now.”

  His gaze bore through me into a deep place inside. I’d locked entry through that door firmly the day my husband died, but as Joel’s eyes pooled with emotion, I unraveled. How quickly he turned the key in the rusty latch and laid my heart bear to his inspection.

  The girls arrived in the nick of time. My tongue would not loose, and my mind could think of no response to the man’s honesty.

  “Wherever did that bubbly daughter of mine go?” I asked. “You look like you lost your best friend.”

  “No, Annie is my new best friend, and she’s as sad as I am.”

  Joel cut in. “Well, what happened then? Eat too much of that rich food on the table?”

  “Oh, no Pa, the food is delicious. It’s just that the ornament mystery has gotten way too complicated.”

  “Ah, the investigation,” I said. “What are the latest developments?”

  “Just about every cowboy in this place is wearing something plaid. It’s in the decorations, and even some ladies have full skirts with the pattern. Mama, it appears everyone wears plaid at Christmas.”

  “Plaid?” asked Joel. “I don’t wear plaid.”

  Annie stomped her feet and placed her hands on her hips. “And that is the main problem we are facing!” At that, the two of them scuffled off looking sad and forlorn.

  Joel appeared to be completely confused by the whole encounter. I smiled. Mrs. Claus had been specific in the letter that accompanied the plaid reindeer. Love wears plaid. Joel’s confession was a clear sign that he did not qualify as my perfect mate. It appeared the grand lady, and her green delivery boy had another choice in mind. That should keep the girls preoccupied for a while, even though the new developments did not appear to make them happy.

  “If I live to a hundred I’ll never figure out girls.” Joel stood and turned to me. “Shall we dance, Mrs. Spencer?”

  “Only if you call me Tamara,” I said.

  “Tamara. That has a nice ring to it.” He smiled and this time it lit up his entire face.

  He reached for my hand and led me onto the dance floor. It was a slow dance, and he moved us into position. We remained silent throughout the heartbreaking country tune of Christmas love gone sour, despite the pine aftershave that tickled my senses and threatened to make me come unglued. I distracted myself by watching others on the dance floor and managed not to be swept away by his close proximity.

  When it was over, the lead singer shouted, “It’s time to step high and loud. A rocking Christmas in Livingston tonight.”

  Three songs later my feet ached, and my voice was raspy from the exercise. “I need to catch my breath, Joel.”

  “Right pleased to hear you say that, Tamara. Thought I was stuck out here for the duration of the night,” he said. “Let’s head for the refreshment table.”

  “Sounds perfect. My throat is parched.”

  He leaned in closer, his hot breath playing mischief with my sanity. “Your mouth looks fine to me.” He smiled, and I blushed. He grabbed my hand. “To the punch table.”

  When the pianist called for everyone to gather around his instrument, we assembled with the others, and Chris and Annie squeezed in between us. The melody of Christmas songs, both worshipful and silly, filled the room and enveloped me like a warm, comforting blanket. I felt the bonding of a community, and for the first time in my life felt like I belonged. It thrilled me, and at the same scared me half to death. This was not the plan I’d come to Montana with. I’d made the trip primarily for Chris. My long-range goal was to return to Texas and work in the Crocker Elementary School next September. I waited on pins and needles to hear of the board’s final decision. I needed to work to keep food on the table, but more than that – to satisfy the teacher in me that had been long neglected. The Spencer family had never tried to understand needs outside the home.

  “One last dance before we leave?” Joel asked.

  “Is it time already?” Disappointment groaned through my voice. “I’m so happy right now! I would not be surprised to find myself walking on air.”

  Joel drew me into his arms. “I best hold you down then. Wouldn’t want you to fly away.” His voice deepened and developed a huskiness I hadn’t heard from a man in a long time. He pushed me closer as the slow love song filled my senses. I melted into him. My emotions were piqued, and I could not have pulled away even if I’d wanted to. In my heart, I knew I was lost, treading on unfamiliar territory and gasping to regain solid ground. I closed my eyes and reveled in the moment. I felt his head move and looked up into his face. His dark eyes drank me in, and his voice whispered, “Oh Tamara, what have we done?” He bent low, and I welcomed his kiss. It was slow, like the happily-ever-after song that fed our mood. It was searching like a lover who’d lost his way. It was everything and more.

 

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