“I know I’ve never said it before,” he said with a voice he didn’t recognize. It was not his voice; this voice was too husky with anticipation. “But I have fallen in love with you, my sweet Allie. I love you with all my heart.” He was light-headed with happiness to have finally told her how he felt.

  She looked surprised. “Oh Charlie,” she said with a smile on her face. “I’ve loved you almost from the start. You make me feel things I have no right to feel.”

  He was grinning, he knew he was, but he didn’t care. His Allie loved him. And he loved her.

  His life couldn’t get any better than it was right now.

  Chapter Eight

  Allie woke with Charlie’s arms wrapped around her, as she often did after she’d climbed into his bed in the night.

  But today was different. Today she was a woman. A proper married woman who was intensely in love with her husband.

  She slid out of bed, leaving Charlie to sleep, but his arm snaked around her waist and pulled her back. He leaned up over her and looked down into her face. “Good morning my love,” he said softly.

  She smiled up at him. “Good morning, husband,” she said quietly. “I slept much better last night, because I was in your bed.”

  He winked at her. “It wasn’t because you were in here. And it’s our bed now.”

  She felt the heat creep quickly up her face. She wished she could control her embarrassment.

  He leaned into her and gently brushed her lips.

  “Charlie,” she scolded. “I have to get up. I have things to do.”

  She pulled away and slid out of the warm bed, made warmer by the fact her husband was in it. She drew her soft robe up around herself and patted into the kitchen, ready to light the fire for Charlie’s coffee.

  “I can do that. You sit down and rest.”

  She gazed at him. “I can do it just as easily. You need to get ready for work.”

  He shrugged his shoulders but lit the fire anyway. When that was done, he lit the sitting room fire too. “It’s getting colder now. The closer we get to Christmas, the worse it gets. I don’t want you getting sick.” He hugged her close, and Allie reveled in his nearness.

  “I hope Mr Horvard has plenty of red ribbon in stock,” she said, trying to change the subject. She knew how distracted Charlie could get when he got all lovey-dovey on her.

  She pulled out of his arms and moved to the kitchen. She stared out the window, glued to the spot. “Charlie, Charlie,” she called urgently, and he came running.

  He had terror written all over his face. “What’s wrong, what’s happened,” he demanded, as he entered the room.

  Allie laughed, and pointed out the window. “Look! It’s snowing. Real snow this time, not just a few flakes like when we got the Christmas tree!” She headed to the door. “I want to go out and play in it. I’ve never touched snow before.”

  She felt Charlie’s hand cover hers as she tried to open the door. “You need to get dressed first, and rug up, including gloves. Otherwise you’ll end up with frost-bite.”

  He reached around with his free hand and pulled her against him. “I’m going to miss you today,” he whispered. “More than ever.” He spun her around in his arms and kissed her forehead.

  She glanced up at him from under her lashes. “First, you have to go to work. Otherwise there’s nothing to miss. You get ready while I make your breakfast,” she said sternly.

  He laughed a big belly laugh, and it warmed Allie from her head to her toes. She’d never heard him laugh like that before.

  “Shoo,” she told him, motioning with her hands. “By the time you are dressed, your omelet will be ready.”

  He scurried off into the bedroom to change as Allie worked in the kitchen.

  She turned to watch him go and wondered how she’d been so lucky as to get a man like him.

  * * *

  Sunday came around quickly.

  Allie donned her Sunday best dress, and Charlie stood back and admired her. “You look beautiful, Mrs Jones,” he said. He enjoyed watching her blush, but every word he said was true.

  The church was a short walk away, but he helped Allie into her warm coat, and made sure she put on her gloves.

  He knew she looked forward to church, because she got to catch up with Charlotte, as well as some of the other ladies from church.

  It must get lonely for her during the week. He, on the other hand had plenty of people to talk to in the way of customers.

  He’d watched her when she helped in the barber shop and the customers conversed with her. Allie’s face lit up – she hung on every word they said.

  She needed someone to spend her time with, but he wasn’t sure who that could be. As much as she and Charlotte were friends, Charlotte had her hands full with her brood of children.

  Perhaps one day Allie would have her hands full too. He could only hope.

  He carried the hot stew wrapped up in a kitchen towel, ready to share for luncheon at church. It was a highlight of the week for his wife, and in some ways for him too. He took delight in her happiness.

  They made their way into a pew at the very back of the church. Allie felt awkward being up the front, she’d told him. The last thing he wanted to do was make her feel out of place. Especially now that she’d finally settled in.

  They’d not long taken their places when the music began. Onward Christian Soldiers was a favorite for Charlie, and Allie had said it was one of her favorites too. As they stood to begin singing, he put his arm around her shoulders. He said a silent pray and thanked God for sending this angel to him.

  What he’d done to deserve her, he’d never know, but he appreciated every moment he got to spend with her.

  When the service was over, they moved to the hall where the luncheon would be held. It was just as easy to go home since they lived so close, but Allie enjoyed it so much, he didn’t want to let her down.

  The Ladies Auxiliary women rallied around and organised the food, while the men sat talking. Several of the town’s men congratulated him on his recent marriage.

  The pastor came over and sat beside him. “How are things going with your young bride, Charlie?” He’d made it known some time again he was not an advocate of mail order bride marriages. Marriage should be based on love, he’d told Charlie.

  But Charlie knew love could grow over time. It certainly had for him.

  He fiddled with his hat on his lap. “It’s going really well, Pastor,” he said. “We are very much in love.”

  The pastor patted him on the back. “Good to hear, young fella.” Then he stood and walked away to chat with another parishioner.

  Allie appeared from the kitchen, her hands laden with food. He jumped up to help her, but she clearly didn’t need his help. She was in her element, helping out, while at the same time getting to meet other women, and hopefully make new friends.

  Angus came to sit beside him. “She’s fine, my friend,” he said. “Leave her to get to know everyone.”

  Charlie nodded. Angus had been through the exact same thing, and not all that long ago. “You two getting on alright?”

  He stared at the sheriff and grinned.

  Angus slapped him on the back. “Charlotte will be happy. She’s been anxious, worrying about the two of you, but especially Allie.”

  Charlie leaned in so only Angus could hear. “Tell her not to worry. We’re doing fine.”

  * * *

  Allie was pleased to discover the Mercantile had plenty of red ribbon, and she spent much of the morning creating bows to hang on the Christmas tree.

  She stood back and stared at her handiwork – it looked beyond beautiful, especially with the fire burning beside it.

  She was certain Charlie would be pleased.

  She spent the rest of the morning preparing a roast for dinner, baking bread, and organizing Charlie’s lunch – sausages and fried potatoes.

  This afternoon she would get to work on the decoration. She had planned to use the sprigs she’d collected from the forest, as well as the small pine cones she’d found.

  The door opened as she was pouring Charlie’s coffee. She was excited to show him the tree and greeted him warmly with a hug.

  “I could take this every day when I come home for lunch,” he said, a smile on his face.

  Allie looked up at him expectantly. “I have a surprise,” she said, dragging him into the sitting room and pushing him down into a chair. “I can only imagine sitting down here at night and watching it for hours.”

  Charlie stared at it. “You did an amazing job,” he said. “But I’m not sure I want to watch it for hours. I have better things to do with my time.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

  Allie stood with her hands on her hips. “Charlie Jones, you are incorrigible.”

  She returned to the kitchen and dished up his lunch.

  As he sat eating with obvious enjoyment, Allie picked at her food.

  “Is there a problem,” Charlie asked. “You seem to be playing with your food.” He studied her keenly.

  Her head shot up. “Not a problem exactly….” She put her knife and fork down on her plate. “I’ve been trying to plan for Christmas supper. Will it just be the two of us? What do you normally do for Christmas?”

  She studied him; he looked uncomfortable. “Charlie?” He continued to eat, totally ignoring her question. That wasn’t like him at all.

  He looked up momentarily and answered. “I’ve never done anything special. Sandwich for lunch, cold or cooked beans for supper.”

  That made her incredibly sad. Her own family, as poor as they were, still celebrated the Lord’s birth in the best way they could, and with family surrounding them.

  “But… what about your family? Your mother….?”

  He pushed his hair back from his face. “Both dead,” he said with emotion. “A wagon accident some years ago. The horses were killed as well.”

  “Oh Charlie!” She ran to his side and hugged him tight, but he shrugged her away.

  “Let it be, woman,” he snapped, pushing her away.

  Allie had never seen him like this. “I’m sorry if I upset you,” she said. “But I care about you.”

  He gazed into her eyes. “I know,” he said quietly. “But I don’t like to talk about it.”

  Suddenly he jumped to his feet. “I have to get back to work,” he said hurriedly.

  Allie hugged him extra tight as he was leaving. “Allie, I…” He stared down into her eyes and brushed the hair back from her face. “Don’t be sad. I’m sorry I acted like an ass.”

  She continued to stare at him. “You have every right,” she said. “Losing family is hard. I can’t imagine what you went through.”

  She pushed up on her toes and kissed him gently. “Would you like me to come and help this afternoon?” Perhaps her presence would cheer him up.

  “I’ll be fine. You do whatever you had planned.”

  He gave her an extra squeeze and was on his way.

  Allie stood staring after him for an eternity. This Christmas was going to be special. This was going to be a Christmas that Charlie would remember for a very long time.

  She would make sure of it.

  Chapter Nine

  Allie spent the afternoon on her Christmas baking.

  She made cookies, muffins, and mince pies. With a little under a week to go, she had to get more organized – with everything.

  She’d bought some wool from the Mercantile about a week back and had begun to knit a scarf for Charlie as a Christmas gift. She didn’t know what else to get him, but had noticed he didn’t have a scarf, so it seemed perfect.

  She hoped he liked it.

  She iced the muffins and once cool, added little sprigs of holly as decoration. She didn’t ice the cookies, but left them bare, adding them to an airtight tin to keep fresh.

  Tomorrow she would bake a Christmas cake, as well as a pudding. Charlie wouldn’t know what hit him – this Christmas would be his best ever.

  At least she hoped it would be.

  She stood in the doorway to the sitting room staring at the tree. How beautiful it was, but she felt something was still missing.

  She pondered for a few minutes, then realized it was candles. It needed to be lit up, and would look so beautiful at night, with the fire roaring beside it.

  She’d seen some in the pantry, so ran to check it out.

  She found ten hidden in a box in the corner. Not quite as many as she’d hoped, but she would make do.

  Allie secured them on some of the branches, ready to light tonight when Charlie was home. It would be their tradition – lighting the candles together.

  She returned to the kitchen and began work on her decorations. She’d found some thin wire, which she used to put the branches together. She formed them into a circle along with a few of the pine cones.

  Then she added a big red ribbon to the center.

  She smiled at the result.

  Allie added it to the front door, then stood back and admired her handiwork. It was truly beautiful.

  Snowed flittered down onto her nose, and she brushed it away. It hit her head and she shook her head to get rid of it.

  She looked up to the sky – the snow was beautiful. Sure, it was cold when it hit her skin, but it was such a beautiful sight for someone who had never seen snow before.

  Perhaps she could convince Charlie to make a snowman later?

  She went back inside; she was starting to get cold. She still had a lot of twigs and pine cones left, so decided to make a similar decoration for Charlie’s Barber Shop.

  She put her finger to her chin – where would it go?

  If he didn’t want to hang it on the door, it could go on the mirror. She hurried to make the second Christmas wreath. This one was just as beautiful as the first. There were still some items left over, so she hung them around the house, making it look even more festive.

  She’d been so engrossed in what she was doing, Allie hadn’t realized how late it was – until she heard the door open.

  She ran to her husband and hugged him tight. “Oh Charlie,” she said. “I’ve had such a lovely day making decorations.”

  He held the door open and stared at the decoration there. “So I see,” he said. “But it’s not very secure. Let me fix it – I’d hate for it to fall down.”

  Her face fell. Didn’t he like it? “It’s very beautiful,” he finally said. Was it her expression that coaxed him into saying so?

  “Do you really like it, Charlie?” she asked.

  He nodded as he hammered a small nail into the door. “That’s better. It won’t fall now.” He snaked his arm around her and pulled her close. “I adore it,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  She was feeling a little insecure, but Allie had no idea why. “You might think I’m some silly little girl,” she said. “But I made one for your shop as well. You don’t have to use it if you don’t want to.”

  She reluctantly pulled herself away from him, lifted it from the kitchen counter to show him.

  Charlie’s eyes opened wide. “Another beauty!” he said. “You’re very talented, wife of mine,” he said affectionately.

  “Oh!” she said suddenly. “I’ve got another surprise for you.” She led him into the sitting room.

  He stared at her handiwork once more. “The tree will look stunning in the night light with the candles lit,” he said, pulling her close.

  Warmth spread through Allie, and an excited thrill raced down her spine.

  She knew she was exactly where she needed to be. Her life had changed tremendously over the past weeks, but she was so happy.

  All she wanted now was to give Charlie the best Christmas he’d ever had.

  Chapter Ten

  Allie’s eyes blinked open. It was Christmas Day!

  Charlie was still asleep, which was exactly what she wanted. She pulled her robe up around herself and snuck out of the bedroom.

  She lit the oven, then the sitting room fire. It was colder today than it had been for weeks. Charlie had warned her, but she thought he’d been exaggerating.

  She added water to the kettle before putting it on the stove, then stared out the window.

  It was snowing.

  Not just a light splattering, but heavily. It looked magical. She resisted the urge to run outside and play in it.

  She prepared the turkey for lunch, and once the oven was hot enough, she would put it in there as it would take quite some time to cook.

  She’d cleaned the whole house from top to bottom over the past few days, made a table decoration, which she’d hidden from her husband as a last-minute surprise, and had the Christmas pudding ready to be boiled later today.

  She took a deep breath.

  What else did she need to do? She’d forgotten something, she was certain of it.

  She prepared Charlie’s mug with coffee, ready for when he got up, and made herself a cup of tea. She set the table for breakfast.

  It still niggled away in her mind that something had been forgotten.

  Allie sat down at the table and sipped her tea.

  She looked up as Charlie plodded out in just his nightgown.

  She couldn’t help but stare at him. He was so beautiful, this husband of hers.

  “Charlie Jones,” she said. “It’s freezing cold. Get some clothes on yourself!”

  Suddenly it hit her. She’d finished Charlie’s Christmas gift, but had forgotten to wrap his scarf up. She’d have to find a way to do it without him knowing.

  He walked over to her. “Does it bother you to see me like this?” He took her hands and pulled her to him, then wrapped his arms around her. “I’m so glad we met, Allie. I can’t imagine my life without you.”

  She rested her head against his chest.

  “I was so lonely before you arrived,” he continued. “Lonely and grumpy.” He laughed. “And starving half the time. I got very sick of beans.”

  She looked up into his handsome face. “I’m so sorry you went through that,” she told him. “I guess we both had our demons.” She lifted her hand to his chin. “You need a shave,” she said laughing.

 

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