Christmas Angel by Suzanne D. Williams

Author:Suzanne D. Williams
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christmas story, young adult romance, historical fiction, short stories, 90 minute reads, mystery, mysteries, suspense, romantic suspense, 19th century, juvenile romance, juvenile relationships, holidays, Christmas, clean & wholesome, clean reads, murder mystery, values & virtues, western
Publisher: Suzanne D. Williams
Published: 2016-04-03T00:00:00+00:00

Elias leaned over the porch rail, nervously picking at the great feathery garland of red and green plaid ribbon swooping from post to post. He ought to look at her, but he couldn't bring himself to.

"I came to apologize," Angel said.

He glanced up at her then, his brows drawn together. "You don't have to apologize to me."

"I think I do." She smiled, and his gaze fell on her lips.

"But you didn't do anythin’."

"I led you on with my womanly powers."

Laughter spurted from his mouth, and a grin edged on his face. His gaze fell back to the ribbons. "I'm sorry I did that."

"You are? 'Cause I'm not."

He glanced back up, his face warm. "You're not?"

She shook her head. "No. In fact, I distinctly recall wantin’ you to do it again."

"You did?"

Her cheeks colored, and he swallowed. Leaning forward, he brushed his lips across hers, lingering at the taste of her. "How was that?" he asked.

"That was ... that was ... Are you going to take me to the dance Saturday or not?"

He smiled. "Do you want me to?"

She smirked at him.

"So you do want me to," he corrected.

She nodded. "But first, you're going to tell me what's botherin’ you, and it wasn't just the kiss."

With a groan, he rubbed the sides of his head. "I'm such an idiot!"

"Wow! That seems harsh.”

He looked away. A couple walked their small dog down the sidewalk. "I promised myself I'd never tell anyone."

"I'll make a trade with you. You tell me your secret, and I'll tell you mine."

He stared at her for a second, imagining what kind of secret she could possibly have, and sucked in a great breath of air. "It's not what I did, but what I didn't do. I saw some fellows hurt a girl." He paused. "No, it was worse than that. They ... you know ..." He cleared his throat. "I wasn't involved, but I came on them and did nothin’ to help her."

The silence lengthened, and he clenched his teeth. "I guess you ... you hate me now."

But she wove her fingers into his, the heat of her fingertips radiating up his arm. "I admit that's pretty awful, but what matters is how you feel about it."

"Horrible," he said. "I feel horrible. I tried to tell her that, the girl, but she wouldn't talk to me." He couldn't blame her. He wouldn't have talked to him either.

"Mama used to tell me the hardest person to forgive is always yourself."

He gave a weak smile. "I think your mama was right."

"She usually was. Wanna know my secret?" The breeze lifted her hair, fanning it out behind her.

"Sure. If you wanna tell it."

"I made a promise to myself too. One I now can't keep."

"What's that?"

"I said I'd never fall in love."

His eyebrows rose. "And you can't keep that?"

"No. Brian told me I'd fail, and he was right."

He ran his free hand down her cheek. "Is that what this is?"

She closed her eyes, her voice descending to a whisper. "I hope so."

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