Jennie's Christmas Baby Turnaround (Christmas Holiday Western 1)

Author:Jackie Marie Stephens [Stephens, Jackie Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christmas, Mail-Order Bride, Sweet & Clean, Western, Inspirational, Romance, Christian, Fiction, Marriage Of Convenience, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Historical, Frontier & Pioneer, Holiday, Christmas Baby, Seasonal, Weather, Spirit, Joyous, Tragedy, Best Friend, Stranger, Deception, Charade, Single Mother, Widow, Courage
Publisher: J.M. Stephens
Published: 2015-12-24T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6 – Second Volcanic Eruption

Colin was working on his ledger, writing down the sales of his stock and checking them against the projected breeding numbers for next year. His profits were up and it allowed him to continue to enjoy the lifestyle he currently lived. He took care of his employees, from the ranch managers to the lowest stock hand.

The new developments with his Mail Order Bride were concerning. He had not expected to take on the added cost and responsibility of a newborn and her wet nurse. His bride was pretty enough and his brother Matthew had been making such obvious eyes at the wet nurse that she would have to be blind not to see it.

Yet his bride was not his beloved Catherine. Christmas was coming, the season that he dreaded far more than the anniversary of her death. Anything to do with the season he had sold.

The decorations, the fine blown-glass baubles that had been ordered from overseas to decorate the tree had been donated to the church. The wreaths that had hung over every doorframe he had personally tossed into the fireplace in his study. He detested Christmas with a passion born of his grief.

Jennie knocked on the door, waiting for his gruff call to enter. She opened the door and stepped timidly into the room. Colin stood up and moved in front of his desk.

“Turn around,” he instructed her, whirling his finger in a circle when she stopped in front of him. “Yes, much better,” he decided. “Now, please take a seat, Jennie.”

He indicated the small leather armchairs that sat before the crackling fireplace. He waited until she was seated before he took his own chair. She sat with her bottom almost to the edge of the seat, her nerves on edge.

“Starting tomorrow, you will begin to teach Thomas. I have a strict regimen for him that you will follow. Morning will be for mathematics, the afternoon for reading and writing. The only breaks will be for his morning tea and lunch.” He handed her a sheaf of papers that he had written his strict instructions on.

Jennie looked over them. They were like a military officer’s orders, direct and extremely strict. She nodded. “And I will inspect his work every day after dinner.”

“And playtime?” she asked.

“Playtime?” Colin asked, his voice gravelly with confusion.

“Yes, all young boys need some playtime outside.”

“No, he has no need for that.” Colin said sternly. “The snows will come soon and he may catch his death.”

“I disagree, Husband. Your son needs to be outside to enjoy the sunshine, even in winter.” Jennie looked from the sheaf of papers in her hand to her husband, who was now bristling with anger.

“I forbid it.” he said simply.

“You forbid it?” Jennie asked. “Just as you forbid Christmas in this house?”

“Yes, I forbid it. You will not question me on this, or my decision about Christmas. Do not anger me or I shall send you back to whatever flea-ridden hole you came from with an annulment chasing you, with your brat and her wet nurse as well.

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