An Angel For Mistletoe (O Little Town of Christmas #2) Page 2

  *****

  Luke clicked the reins and the horse moved toward them. It was amazing to see him weave them in and out between the trees. Finally, when the sleigh was nearly beside them, Luke called out, “Whoa, Diamond.”

  Angelica watched in admiration as the large man easily jumped off the sleigh, rushed around and lifted Lanie into the front seat. He was careful with her foot and wrapped a blanket around her.

  He loves his child.

  When Lanie was settled, Luke returned for her, but Angelica pulled back. She wasn’t looking forward to the pain she knew she would feel when he moved her, but she also needed to know his intentions.

  “Where are you planning on taking me? Is there a doctor nearby?”

  “No. There is no doctor in Mistletoe. The closest one is in Somerset. I'm sure someone on the stagecoach will think to send him, but that wouldn’t be until late tomorrow at the earliest. In the meantime, I plan to take you to my cabin and see what I can do about your leg.”

  “Your cabin? That’s not feasible. I’m an unmarried lady. I cannot go to your cabin.”

  Angelica was stunned when the man had the audacity to laugh. “I can assure you, I do not take advantage of women; especially women with broken legs.”

  Angelica pushed up to a sitting position, regardless of the excruciating pain and crossed her arms over her chest and spoke emphatically. “I can’t go with you. It’s not proper.”

  Luke turned and looked at his daughter. The child’s lips were blue and her teeth were chattering from the cold. He turned back.

  “I’m sorry, Angelica. There isn’t anywhere else for you to go.”

  “What about the store?”

  “The general store is owned by a grizzly old man who spends most of the day drunk. I doubt you would find it any more proper than my cabin.”

  Angelica looked over the town. She noticed one store with a wooden sign that read Hot Baths and Haircuts. There was a blacksmith shop which also served as a livery, and a small church-like structure on the outskirts of town.

  Lord, what kind of place is this?

  “Are there any homes nearby with a woman who would take me in? I could pay a small fee.” She bit her bottom lip.

  “There aren’t many women in the area. Most are married and live in cabins farther up the hill. A trip that far would be bad for your leg. Moving you to my cabin will be hard enough on you.”

  “But, it’s not…”

  “The last thing you need to be worried about right now is what’s proper or not. Look, my daughter is frozen and you aren’t far behind. It will be a miracle if you both don’t end up with pneumonia as well as a sprained ankle and a broken leg.”

  Angelica watched him blow his warm breath into his own hands and she realized she was overreacting. She knew his words were correct, so she nodded. “What about my leg? Without a doctor, how can it ever heal properly?”

  “I know a bit about broken bones. I will be able to set it straight.”

  She had nothing left to say. There was no point in continuing to protest.

  Luke bent over, slipped his hands and arms gently under her legs and behind her back. Angelica slipped her arms around his neck, but when he actually stood, the movement sent horrific pain shooting through her. Darkness blotted out the agony.

  CHAPTER 3

  Throbbing pain jerked Angelica awake and she squealed out. Instantly Luke was beside her, holding a glass of cool water. For several moments, she didn’t know where she was or why her leg hurt so much. Her eyes widened and her head twisted back and forth.

  “Angelica, try to calm down.” The voice was familiar. She lifted her head and focused on Luke’s face. This close she noticed his eyes were black like dark coal, much like his horse, but with flecks of soft gray.

  “The pain is unbearable…” she panted between deep breaths.

  “I know. I had to set the bones straight. It’s going to hurt for a while. I don't have anything for the pain.”

  Angelica whimpered and nodded in understanding.

  “I’ll do the best I can.” Her eyes shot around the room. “Where is Lanie?”

  “She’s in her bedroom. I didn’t want her to see your leg when I set it, and she is being punished for running away.”

  Angelica swallowed, biting her lower lip to keep the pain at bay. Her breeding and good grace took over.

  “This is a lovely cabin.” Her eyes took in the fireplace with the oak mantle, the hand carved rocking chair and bear skin rug. Although rugged, there were several lovely wooden sculptures set strategically about that softened the room. She eyed Luke. It was hard to picture this giant of a man decorating. Questions about his wife filled her mind.

  “I want to move you into a bedroom tonight, but it worked better to have you out here on the wood floor when I set your leg. Then I placed you onto the settee.”

  If her leg hurt this much now, Angelica couldn’t even imagine what the pain would have been like if she had been awake when he set it.

  “Thank you for taking care of me.” She squeezed her eyes and sucked in a breath as another shot of pain sliced through her leg. When she opened her eyes again, she could see the sympathy in Luke’s stare.

  “I’m sorry to be such a bother. I missed my stage.”

  A bellowing laugh burst out of him. “Yes, you missed the stage, but I don’t think you were in any condition to travel all the way to Somerset.”

  The warmth of the fire spread through her and the pain began to ebb as she relaxed. “I was supposed to start teaching after Christmas, at the new year. I don’t see how I will recover from a broken leg in two weeks time.”

  “No, I don’t suppose so. If the break isn’t too bad, maybe in a month.”

  “A month? I don’t have enough money to stay in a hotel for a month and I doubt they will let me board at the school if I’m not teaching.”

  Luke patted her hand. “It’s too early to tell. Don’t get upset. We will work out something.”

  Under her breath, Angelica murmured, “Mr. Reece will not be very happy.”

  Luke glared at her. “Rance Reece?” His black brows furrowed.

  “Yes. Do you know him?”

  Luke gritted his teeth and nodded. “He was in Mistletoe for several weeks, told everyone in town he had come to start a school.”

  “Yes. He is the one who hired me for Somerset. Did he ever start the school?”

  “No. He really came here looking for a wife. He interviewed all the single women for miles around. Promised several of them a teaching position. Finally asked two of the women to marry him.”

  “Two?”

  “Both turned him down. So he left town. Guess he moved on to Somerset.”

  Angelica pushed up onto her elbows. She grimaced at the pain that bulleted up her thigh. “Are you sure he didn’t start the school before he left?”

  “Nope. No wife, no school.” The words were almost spat from Luke’s mouth. “I don't know if he would have opened a school even if he had found a wife.”

  “I’m sure most of that is only rumors. Perhaps none of the women were qualified to teach, so he didn’t feel he could open a school here. Even Somerset must not have anyone, because he sent letters to Boston searching for a teacher. That is how I found out about the job.”

  “Hmm, did anyone else apply for the job?”

  “Yes. There were several qualified candidates from the school where I trained. I was lucky to be chosen. I was the youngest and most inexperienced.”

  “Did he see a picture of you?”

  Luke’s questions made her feel uncomfortable. She wondered several times why she had been chosen over the older, more qualified teachers. But, surely what Luke was implying was incorrect.

  “That has nothing to do with anything.”

  Luke laughed again and slapped his thigh. “If Rance Reece wanted a teacher, he could have found one a lot closer than Boston, but if it’s a wife he still wants, it won’t be long before he shows up here to find out what
happened to his prize.”

  An angry red flushed Angelica’s cheeks. “I’m quite sure you are wrong. Mr. Reece told me that the school had paid for my train ticket and he made arrangements for me to transfer to the stagecoach. I doubt he would do that much for a woman he has never met, if he only planned to consider her for marriage.”

  “Have you seen a picture of Mr. Reece?”

  “No. Why should I? He is the school superintendent. He wouldn’t need to send me a photograph of himself.”

  Luke’s laughter gurgled up from inside. “Well, we will see. I assure you, he will show up soon.”

  Angelica was irritated and confused. Luke’s words brought up unanswered questions she had faced before stepping on the train. However, she wanted the chance to travel, to teach and to be out from under her strict Boston lifestyle, so she had easily brushed her concerns away.

  “Do you believe a doctor will come from Somerset?” She changed the subject.

  “I expect one tomorrow. The stage probably already reached Somerset. It won’t take long for word to spread about your little mishap. Doc Hardy will be here in the morning.”

  “What can he do? You already set the bones.” Angelica lay back again. Beads of sweat rose on her brow.

  “He can give you pain medicine. I can’t even offer you whiskey for the pain. I’m not a drinking man.”

  Fatigue began to pull Angelica into the darkness again. “Perhaps he can take me to Somerset.”

  Luke didn’t answer. He sat still beside her and watched as Angelica’s eyes fluttered closed. He picked up a cloth and wiped the sweat from her forehead.

  She won’t need Doc Hardy to drive her to Somerset. If I know Rance Reece, he won’t leave this beauty in the hands of anyone but himself.

  Luke stomped out of the room wondering why he suddenly felt so angry.

  *****

  Later that day, a sheepish Lanie slipped into the room and knelt on the floor beside the settee; her eyes big.

  Angelica had just woken and was happy to see the child.

  “Does it hurt lots?” Lanie’s voice trembled.

  Angelica reached over and smoothed the child’s mused hair. “Not so much now. Your daddy has been taking very good care of me and my leg.”

  The child’s lip quivered and several tears spilled down her cheeks.

  “Why are you crying, darling?”

  “I didn’t mean to hurt you.” The child buried her head on the edge of the settee.

  In a soothing voice, Angelica assured her, “It wasn’t your fault. It was an accident. I’m not used to walking in such deep snow. It was foolish of me to try and race down a hill.”

  Lanie looked up in adoration. “Daddy told me it was wrong to run away, but I’m not sorry. I wanted an angel and I found you. I’'m sorry that I hurted my ankle and that you got a broked leg.”

  A small chuckle escaped Angelica. “Sweetheart, I am not an angel. I’m just a teacher on my way to Somerset. But, I’m glad I found you in the snow. You might have gotten very sick if you stayed there much longer. I want you to make me a promise.”

  Lanie’s eyes filled with curiosity.

  “Promise me you will never run away again, no matter what.”

  “I won’t need to now that you are here.”

  “Lanie, I know you want an angel or a mommy. I am not either of those. You have to believe me and you have to promise to never go looking for one again.”

  The child slowly nodded. “But I need a mommy.”

  “Then you have to pray and ask God to help your daddy find a woman he can love.”

  “He could love you.”

  Angelica closed her eyes. Trying to convince a child that she wasn't an angel or a mommy was not an easy task.

  “Lanie, you need to let Angelica rest now.”

  Angelica's eyes bolted open at the sound of Luke’s deep voice. Her cheeks flooded pink, embarrassed he had overheard their conversation. She reached over and grasped Lanie’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “You can visit me later. I think I will take a nap right now.”

  Lanie leaned closer and whispered, “Can I give you a kiss?”

  Angelica nodded.

  Lanie pressed her small lips against Angelica’s forehead. “Good night, Angel.”

  Before either Luke or Angelica could reprimand her, Lanie scooted from the room.

  Chapter 4

  The day was long and painful.

  “Can I move you into the other room?” Luke asked as Angelica fidgeted.

  “Please let me stay here. I’m afraid the pain of moving me will be too much to bear.”

  Luke nodded in agreement when he noted the true trepidation on her face. He did all he could to make her comfortable, providing her with blankets, a warm glass of milk and a blazing fire to keep the chill out of the room.

  Once Luke and Lanie retired for the night, and Angelica lay alone in the big front room, she couldn’t even toss and turn without the pain pulsating up her leg. She finally fell asleep from exhaustion and slept for several uninterrupted hours. When she awoke in the early morning hours, she noticed the pain had ebbed.

  From the settee, Angelica had a clear view of the kitchen. She was surprised to see Luke already awake. He moved around the kitchen quietly, making a rich smelling coffee and cooking bacon and eggs. At one point his head turned and a sheepish grin spread across his face.

  “Sorry if I woke you. I tried to be quiet.”

  “You didn’t wake me.”

  Concern in his eyes, Luke stepped closer. “Did your leg wake you? I’m sorry I couldn’t do more for the pain.”

  “No, actually it doesn’t hurt as much this morning.” Angelica stretched her arms and yawned, quickly covering her mouth with her hand.

  “Good.” Relief washed across his face. “Can I get anything for you?”

  “That coffee smells wonderful. I usually drink tea, but my brother likes coffee, so I’ve grown used to it. Sometimes I sit with him in the evening over a cup.”

  When Luke turned away to fetch a cup for her, Angelica scanned the room. As she had thought the day before, the whole room appeared neat and lovely. Everything was made from gorgeous wood and most looked to be hand carved.

  “Your home is beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” Luke called over his shoulder. “It’s small, but homey.”

  Angelica thought she detected genuine pride in his voice. She almost giggled. This home wasn’t as large as the dining room of her Boston home. Still, it was in some way so much more appealing. It was much like the man who owned it, sturdy, rugged with a certain appeal and charm.

  I wonder what it would be like to live here, Lord. Is this the type of teacherage I’ll have in Somerset? Will it be this lovely? Will there be any man near by as handsome as Luke?

  “You must have found someone very talented to do all the woodwork and to make the lovely carvings on the mantle.” She ached to get up and explore her surroundings, but moving and the pain it brought reminded her of the predicament she was in. She slumped back on the settee in a huff. Her eyes traveled to the windows. They were covered in frost, another thing to remind her of the fix she was in. She would never be able to start teaching after Christmas. She probably wouldn’t be in Somerset by Christmas. Her eyes searched the room again and a frown nit her brow.

  “Where are your decorations? Christmas is only a few days away.”

  Luke brought a coffee cup over and set it on the table near her. He reached out and helped her into a sitting position. Her leg throbbed, but not enough to make her cry out.

  I hope that is a good sign.

  “We don’t do much decorating. I’m a single man, raising a daughter. I have to hunt, cook, clean and pretty much do everything. Decorating for Christmas isn’t very important.”

  Angelica frowned. “Oh, that’s too bad. That’s the one thing I’m going to miss about home. At Christmas we have a big tree with all sorts of decorations. We string popcorn and hang pine boughs all over the house. I’ll m
iss it.”

  *****

  “That sounds like fun,” Lanie’s voice chimed from across the room. She stood in the door frame in her sleeping gown, holding a small doll. “I want to have a Christmas like that.”

  Luke greeted his daughter with a smile. “Good morning, princess. Did you sleep well?”

  “Yes, but I was worried my angel might have left.” She pranced across the room and stopped beside Angelica. “I’m glad you’re still here.”

  Angelica laughed and pointed at her leg. “I can’t go anywhere with a broken leg.”

  “But angels can fly,” Lanie insisted with a toothy grin.

  Angelica took Lanie’s hand and pressed it against her cheek. “Feel my skin, Lanie. I’m a real person, not an angel. I can’t fly.”

  The child looked unconvinced. She held her doll up. “This is baby Jane.”

  The doll looked well loved, but it’s dress was torn.

  “She’s very lovely.”

  Lanie nodded, turned and padded across the room. “I’m hungry.”

  Angelica’s eyes met Luke’s. He shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe you can fix a plate of food for your angel first.”

  *****

  As she unceremoniously scooped up the last of the eggs from her plate, Angelica couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed. She basically inhaled the food Luke set before her.

  It must be the clean air or my broken leg making me so hungry.

  Lanie sat on the floor beside the settee. “Do you want some more?”

  Angelica rubbed her stomach. “I don’t think I have any room left. I’ve never tasted such wonderful eggs.”

  Lanie’s face lit up. “We have a chicken coop and I collect the eggs everyday. That’s my most ‘portant job.”

  “Hmm, I’ve never done anything like that.”