Longing for a Cowboy Christmas by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Anthologies
ISBN: 9781492683834
Goodreads: 43352279
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Published: 2019-09-24T00:00:00+00:00

Nine

Rebel opened her eyes and took in familiar surroundings. Her fever, her aches were gone, and her head was clear. She lifted a feeble hand that seemed to weigh a ton and laid it over her eyes.

What day was it? How long had she been sick?

A man—Travis, she thought, squinting—was rattling around in the kitchen. One thing about a soddy…all the rooms were together. She tried to call to him but couldn’t make a sound. She was so tired, but she didn’t want to sleep until she’d asked some questions.

At last, he finally came closer to her bed, and she took in the sight she’d never expected to see again. The cleft in Travis’s chin appeared deeper, his eyes bluer.

When he saw her staring, he did a double take, then hurried to her side. “You’re awake. You’re really awake. I’m not dreaming, am I?”

Rebel worked her tongue and got out one word. “Water.”

A big grin stretched across his face. He strode to the kitchen in that long, smooth way of his and returned. He gently lifted her and held the cup to her mouth. “Sleeping Beauty, you sure know how to worry a man. I have a lot to tell you.”

The cold water soothed her parched mouth and throat. It was as though she sipped from a mountain stream. She drank her fill and lay back on the pillow. “How long have I been sick?”

“Three weeks all together, but lingering near death’s door for seven days.” The bed sagged when he sat down beside her. “We had a service yesterday, and I gave Jenny and Ely my name. I wish now that I’d waited. Only Dr. Mary kept telling me you wouldn’t make it.”

“No, I’m glad you went ahead.” Her voice came barely louder than a whisper.

“Darlin’, your idea of this Advent is a huge success. It’s really made a big difference in the children and adults, too. I’m just sorry you missed most of it. Oh, Tally said to tell you that she took your day on the calendar.”

“That’s good.”

He smoothed back her hair and tenderly kissed her. “I don’t know why God granted my request. I’m only glad He did.” Travis chuckled. “Maybe he’d never heard such a pitiful outlaw’s strange prayers. But here you are, alive and feeling better than you have in weeks. I’m a lucky, lucky man.”

“Did I miss the wedding?” she asked, her voice faint.

“Nope. Christmas is in five days. I just don’t think you’ll be up to the ceremony.”

Rebel’s mulish chin raised just a hair. “I’ll be there. But I won’t have a dress.”

Travis rose and went to the nail where her few dresses hung. Maybe he was going to pick one out. “I found this old thing hanging at the back the other day when I was snooping around. Do you think it’ll work?”

What one could he possibly be talking about? He spread it on the bed, and Rebel’s breath caught. The red satin she’d saved for so long had created the most beautiful dress she’d ever seen.

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