Jubilant Montana Christmas by Ramona Flightner

Author:Ramona Flightner
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781945609213
Publisher: Grizzly Damsel Publishing

Chapter 5

Karl eased open the barn door, hoping not to cause any sound. The interior was darkened, and he stumbled down the inner aisle of the barn. Although cold, it was much warmer than outside with the heat the animals supplied. Rather than attempt to find a lantern to light, Karl found an empty stall with fresh hay and bedded down for the night, tugging his coat around him.

He jerked awake a few hours later when his leg was kicked, and he jumped to his feet, fists ready for a battle. He relaxed when he saw Bears watching him curiously. Karl scratched at his head, pulling pieces of hay from his blond hair.

“I never expected to find you here, lumberman,” Bears said. “Thought you had more sense and would spend the night with your wife.”

Karl nearly growled at Bears, earning a grunt of understanding.

“At least you tried,” Bears murmured before he moved away to the tack room. “There’s breakfast in the main house, if you’re hungry. They always have food for ten.”

Karl rubbed at his grumbling stomach, remembering he hadn’t eaten much of last night’s supper due to his attempted reconciliation with his wife. He looked for Bears to thank him, but he had disappeared into the tack room. After Karl grabbed his hat, he walked the short distance from the livery to the main house. Rather than barge into their kitchen, he knocked on the door.

Fidelia Evans opened the door with a confused smile. “How may I help you, Mr. Johansen?” Her chestnut-brown hair was tied back in a bun, and she wore an apron over a sky-blue wool dress that matched her eyes.

He pulled off his hat and rubbed at his hair, flushing as more pieces of hay flitted out. “I … Bears told me that I might find some breakfast.”

“Did you sleep in the barn?”

“Ja,” he said, his jaw firming as though expecting criticism.

“Next time, knock on the door. You could have slept in the parlor. And Sorcha’s room is unused right now.” Fidelia opened the door fully and allowed him inside. The large stove heated the kitchen, and a blanket was tacked over the door leading to the front hallway to keep the warmth within the room. In the half of the room that served as the kitchen, there was a large stove, a sink with a hand pump, an icebox and cabinets for holding plates, serving dishes and china. A round table with six chairs sat in the other half of the room with a cheerful red-and-white tablecloth covering it.

He shook his head in consternation. “I don’t understand you.” At her raised eyebrow, he let out a deep breath. “You give my wife a place to live away from me, but you would also give me shelter?”

Fidelia frowned as though disappointed in him. “It was the middle of a blizzard, Mr. Johansen. There are few we would turn away.” She motioned for him to sit and then poured him a cup of coffee. Soon a plate of eggs, ham and potatoes with a piece of buttered toast was set before him.

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