A Keeper For Christmas (Spinster Mail-Order Brides 12) by Marisa Masterson

Author:Marisa Masterson [Marisa Masterson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Since the house was full to bursting and Merrilee was sleeping in Carl’s room, the two brothers headed to the cabin. Earlier, Carl lit a fire to warm the building. With all the activity in the house, the brothers reasoned the cabin was their best chance at a good night’s sleep. Myra kept it cleaned and aired as if it were a rich person’s guest house. Just in case visitors happened by she reasoned.

The snow crunched under their feet, disturbing the otherwise silent night. By the light of the lantern he carried, Fred looked at Carl and shook his head. “Can’t get over it. A boy! After four girls, we have a nephew.”

Carl nodded morosely. “Yep. Kind of thought he’d always have girls and one of our sons would get the farm.”

Fred stopped and held the lantern closer to Carl’s face, peering at him through narrowed eyes. When he spoke, Fred’s voice held a conciliatory tone. “Cheer up, little brother. You and your kids will have your farm, if that’s what you want. Land will go up for sale and Holder will set you up.” His placating tone twisted, taking on a biting tone. Snorting derisively, Fred frowned. “You’re always leaving Holder to do the work on his own so I can’t say you seem happy working in the fields.”

A noise kept Carl from answering. While the snow swallowed much of the sound, they could make out the approach of a horse. Extending and raising the arm that held the lantern, Fred looked in the direction of the figure. It approached rapidly.

“My deputy. Shoot! You’d think folks in town would behave themselves on Christmas Eve.”

Without waiting for the man to arrive, Fred headed for the barn. Carl followed and watched as his brother hung the lantern on a nail near his horse’s stall. Murmuring apologetically to the animal, Fred hoisted the saddle on the gelding’s back. A call outside the barn drew Carl away from the scene.

With a hand on the edge of the barn door, Carl opened his mouth to speak and stopped. For a moment, he’d forgotten his act. Recovering his childish persona, he pitched his voice higher than normal and called to the man. “Fred’s in here.”

Micah Kloha nodded. “Thanks, kiddo. I got to take him away from you. Hope you had fun on Christmas Eve.”

Inwardly cringing at the role he played, Carl grinned impishly for the other man. “Yep. Merry played the organ and we sang until she said her legs were apple jelly from pumping.” He gave an honest laugh at Merrilee’s silly words with the girls. Their giggles had been a welcome sight after the quiet, tense supper. His wife worked magic with children. Hard to believe her claim that she’d never been around any before today.

The deputy’s words pulled him from his thoughts. “Well, that’s good.” The man smiled absently as he stepped around Carl to enter the barn. Seeing Fred, he quickly explained the problem. “Had trouble at the Biergarten. I’ve rounded up a couple that started a fight.

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