Zack’s Christmas Bride (Mail-Order Bride Book 14) by Stella Clark

Author:Stella Clark [Clark, Stella]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance, Women's Fiction, Victorian Era, 19th Century, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Love Possibility, Frontier-Pioneer Era, Cowboy & Western Romance, Hearts Desire, American West, Clean & Wholesome, Christian Stories, Faith Based, Inspirational Reads, Love Inspired, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small Town & Rural Area, Beautiful & Feisty, Mail-Order Bride
Publisher: Stella Clark
Published: 2019-12-03T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

“And after that,” Ross explained, “Della showed me how to draw my horse. Look!”

Zack gripped the reins tightly before glancing over at the piece of paper his son pulled out. It took him two turns of the head to get a good look. There were scribbles around the page, but there was indeed a sketch of a horse on one corner of the page.

Nodding, he gave his son a grin. “That’s really good, Ross. You have some talent there. Well done.”

The boy beamed. “Thanks! Is she ever going to come over and visit at our house? I don’t think Della goes anywhere like I do. Maybe she would want to come to school with me and Henry. Could she come with me, Papa?”

He hesitated only a second before shaking his head. “No, Ross. She’s too old for that. I think she has been to school enough.”

“Oh.” The boy shrugged and then hopped down once they came to a stop at their barn. “I still think she should come over. She hasn’t seen my horse yet. I told her I would.”

Unhitching the horses, Zack tried to imagine bringing Della over to the house. He had meant to do it at one occasion. Maybe her first week there. But she looked so comfortable at his sister’s house that he didn’t want to be a bother. Besides, it was easier to visit her there instead of bringing her to his house and then taking her back. That didn’t make any sense to him.

So, he told Ross. “I don’t know when she’s coming over, Ross. Don’t plan on it. Not yet, anyways.”

“Then when?” the boy asked hopefully.

“I don’t know,” Zack repeated. He gripped the reins tightly on Billy, wishing Ross could talk about something else.

But the boy was persistent. “What about tomorrow?”

“No, Ross.”

“Then Christmas?”

Zack gritted his teeth. “I don’t know!” The words came out louder and harsher than he had intended. After he winced, he opened his eyes and turned to see Ross’s face. His son was frozen in his tracks, eyes to the ground with a tight-lipped look like he was trying not to cry.

That was a mistake. Zack hadn’t meant any of it. His heart tightened as he attempted to backtrack. But as Zack opened his mouth, he couldn’t find any words. “Ross, I… that wasn’t what I meant.”

“I know.” The words were so small in little Ross’s mouth. “I’m sorry.”

There was a tense silent as Zack forced himself to pull his thoughts together. “Go back to the house. You can… you can put your picture up somewhere. Any place you like. I’ll take care of the horses and - and then we’ll eat.”

Ross turned away. “I’m not hungry.” And then he hurried back to the house.

It wouldn’t do him any good to follow. He had already apologized. Shaking his head, Zack went to work with the horses. Keeping his hands busy helped him to think. His thoughts wandered over to his son. He wasn’t doing enough to be a good father.

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