Merry Wild West Christmas by Wanda Ann Thomas

Author:Wanda Ann Thomas
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2019-11-14T05:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

Jo knocked against Ox, making him drop the ax, and held onto him for dear life. The Indian wars were a thing of the past, but occasionally stories had appeared in the Cincinnati newspapers of rogue braves leaving reservations to go on the warpath.

“White Wolf,” Ox exclaimed, voice warm and welcoming. “What brings you here this time of year?”

Her heart resumed beating. Mortification followed, at throwing herself at Ox. She pushed away from him, tucked a stray curl behind her ear. Reindeer droppings! Why did his solid chest and encircling strong arms have to feel so comforting and good?

“Wolf is family.” Ox leaned the ax against the fir tree but watched her with concerned eyes.

Not only was her reaction spineless, it was rude. “Please introduce me to your…” Did Ox say they were family?

Ox wrapped the other man up in a bear hug. “Wolf is my brother.”

“I’m sorry to have frightened you.” The man’s tawny face softened, and his voice was surprisingly gentle. “My white man name is McMurray,” he explained, returning Ox’s embrace. “White Wolf McMurray Haven.”

“This here is Miss Josephine Hopkins.” Ox’s brow remained creased.

A thousand questions raced through her mind. She extended her hand. “I’m happy to make your acquaintance, Mr. Haven.”

His handshake was firm but brief. “Call me Wolf.”

“Mr. Wolf, please call me Jo.”

“Wolf will do just fine.”

He had a patient calming nature about him. “I’m sorry for interrupting your reunion with Ox.”

Ox smiled wide. “Wolf is never far away. What brings you this time? Have you seen Boone and Garrett yet? You know Maggie and Bri will beg you to stay for Christmas.”

“I might allow them to convince me. You know how fond I am of Miss Bri’s apple strudel.”

Listening to Ox and Wolf speak of family had her missing her many cousins and aunts and uncles. Holiday festivities would be in full swing in her Cincinnati neighborhood.

A night of Christmas caroling would cheer her. Ox couldn’t have been serious about caroling. She fiddled with her handkerchief.

“I hope you had better luck than us running your trap lines,” Ox said. “Had a grizzly take down four calves before Garrett and I caught up to the son of a gun. Then the drought at the start of the summer had us worried, but the rain came before the fields got scorched.”

Frowning, she exhaled. Here Ox was dealing with real problems, and her “big” concerns were hanging wreaths and wrapping presents.

“Miss Jo is getting antsy to get back to collecting fir boughs.” Ox winked. “We were in the middle of a contest. And we still have to find a tree for decorating.”

“You win.” She tucked the square of cloth into his shirt pocket. She wouldn’t blame Garrett, Bri, and Wolf for thinking of her as silly and selfish. “We should go. My parents will be wondering what’s keeping us.”

Ox looked from her to the handkerchief. “Are you sure?”

“I am.”

Garrett and Bri shoved past a screen of evergreen branches and eagerly greeted White Wolf. They suggested everyone return to town.

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