A Convenient Christmas Wedding by Regina Scott

Author:Regina Scott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-11-08T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Nora was very glad to watch Charles and Meredith leave the clearing. Even though her brother and sister-in-law had offered her a better life with them in Seattle, she couldn’t make herself believe their promises. Wallin Landing might not be high society, but at least Simon’s family treated her with respect. And she was beginning to hope for more, from Simon.

So, she immersed herself in life at Wallin Landing. With only a week left until Christmas, there was much to be done. Teamsters from Seattle had come to haul off the spars, so Simon and his brothers focused on clearing the new land. Nora worked with the Wallin ladies at the main house, preparing for Christmas, in addition to their usual chores.

Christmas had been a simple affair back in Lowell. Her mother would put a wreath on the door, perhaps a spray of ivy on the dining table. They would go to church services and have a fine dinner. If her parents had given each other gifts, they never mentioned it in her hearing. Meredith had expected Charles to give her something elaborate—a new fur stole or a pendant with a gemstone—and she’d been very cross for days afterward if he did not come up to scratch.

Though Mrs. Wallin mentioned that she and her children generally exchanged gifts, Nora knew Catherine and Rina were working on presents for their husbands. Surely she should do something for Simon.

She had enough material left from a commission to make him a waistcoat. But measuring him without him noticing was proving challenging. She’d estimated the breadth of his shoulders by watching where he fit against the hearth, his back length by counting the logs behind him when he stood near the door. But she could think of only one way to gauge his circumference.

She rose when he did in the morning so she could milk Britta. One morning before he could put on his coat, she went up to him and wrapped her arms about his middle.

And immediately forgot her task.

He smelled cool and clean, like crisp winter air, the flannel of his shirt spiced with the tang of fir resin. His warmth seeped into her, making her want to cuddle closer. She could hear his heart beating, steadier than her own.

“Nora?” he asked. “What are you doing?”

Stop feeling and think!

Taking note of where her fingers met behind him, she stepped back. “Just giving you a proper send-off. Have a good day.”

Her face was flushed as he left the cabin, a bemused smile on his lips.

And then there was the theatrical. She finished sewing the costumes and fitted them to the respective players. With so few students, Rina had enlisted several members of the family to play certain roles. Nora listened to Beth and Levi recite their lines, offering encouragement when they stumbled.

One of the afternoons, after school was out on a rainy day, Nora was helping Beth put together decorations for the main house. The girl had brought out red

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