A Present for Christmas Read online

  Jennifer has had a rough life, and she's never had friends. After alienating the town of Lone Oak, Texas, can she change? Will the Mystery Groom Girls forgive her and help her find the love of her life?

  Can Jeff deal with his family? Find out in A Present for Christmas.

  A Present for Christmas

  Spinster Mail Order Brides

  Book 26

  By

  Patricia PacJac Carroll

  A Contest for Christmas Spinster Mail Order Brides Book 24

  Copyright © July 2020

  Published by Patricia PacJac Carroll

  ALL rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, (except for inclusion in reviews), disseminated, or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, or audio. Including photocopying, recording, or in any information storage and retrieval system, or the Internet/World Wide Web without written permission from the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

  Cover Designer: Virginia McKevitt

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  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Epilogue

  A Present for Christmas

  Chapter 1

  Jennifer Grant stared out her second-story window. The small town of Lone Oak was coming alive as people made their way to church. Below, she saw Kate and Peter Gabriel walking arm in arm while their son, John, scampered ahead of them.

  That the couple was happily married was evident to all. A fact that burrowed a dart of anger deep in Jennifer’s heart. She was supposed to be married. She’d answered an ad for a mail-order bride agency. All was set, but just before she reached her intended, he’d been killed by outlaws.

  The gang took her to the town of Dry Springs and held her captive to be sold into slavery in Mexico. If it hadn’t been for Kate, Adelaide, and Diane, taking a trip to Dry Springs, Jennifer would now be in Mexico. Dead, whether she was alive or not. Even now, her existence was void of joy or hope.

  Oh, the women in the Thursday Night Ladies Club assured her they would be with her until she found a husband, but Jennifer knew better. While in captivity, her hopes had been extinguished. Yet now, most of the women in town looked at her as if she were a threat to them.

  It was up to her to get a man to promise to take care of her. Adelaide had given her the two months in her room at the boarding house. Yes, Adelaide married Angus leaving only Diane to be married. And Diane had her old fiancé, Jeff Worthington, to marry as soon as he sorted out his family.

  Jennifer alone would be sitting at the Thursday Night table at Heart’s Café, wondering who would stoop so low as to marry her. She couldn’t rely on her reputation or looks. Not that she wasn’t pretty, but the hardness in her heart blinded men from wanting her as a wife.

  She knew that but was powerless to change. She tried. Really tried. But she couldn’t deny that what that gang had done to her colored her outlook on men. She didn’t trust them. Yet, she needed one to survive the hardships of life.

  If she didn’t find a man to marry and provide for her, Jennifer knew her future belonged in the saloon with the other ladies of the night. The ones who aged fast and died faster. Not that they ever looked as if they were living. Existence. Jennifer knew all about that. Since her rescue, she’d been surviving day to day.

  Looking out the window, she saw Jeff Worthington across the street by the store. She thought he would meet Diane, but he wasn’t moving, and Diane had already gone to the church with Kate. He was the one eligible man Jennifer thought might be worth trying to win over. He was rising from a life in the backwoods where his father and brother stole to survive.

  Jeff had started as a hired hand on the Pollin’s Ranch. Now, he had his own ranch. He and Diane were to have been married, but his family had returned and now lived on his ranch. Jeff wouldn’t allow Diane to come to the ranch as long as his outlaw family was there.

  A knock on her door interrupted her thoughts. She turned. “Yes?”

  Claire opened the door a crack. “I was on my way to church and wondered if you wanted to walk with me.”

  “Oh, not this week. Thank you for asking.” Jennifer stayed at the window and waited until Claire nodded and shut the door before turning back around. Church, that was another thing she didn’t want to indulge in.

  God had let her down. Stolen her one chance at a good life, ruined her, and for some reason, saved her for a life as a dried-up woman without a chance, except for Jeff. She put a finger to her chin. Jeff wasn’t a bad-looking man, and that his ranch was growing was proof that he was capable. Yet, she could see he needed a woman who would do more than just stand behind him. He needed a woman who wasn’t afraid to take charge and work hard with him, even pushing him toward success.

  She shook her head. Why did she think she could go after Diane’s fiancé? Jennifer was already the most hated woman in Lone Oak. When she walked around town, men ran from her, and women glared at her as if she were a tramp trying to steal their men.

  That wasn’t far from the truth. She was desperate. Every day, she could feel the vise closing in on her. Her job at Trent’s General Store didn’t earn her enough to survive. Her only other alternative was the saloon.

  That would be a fate worse than death. She’d seen how those women lived. Not much different than the way she had when she’d been held captive. Jennifer shuddered. Just remembering that time sent tremors of terror through her.

  She had to find a man who would marry her whether it made her an enemy of the Thursday Night Women’s Club or not. Right now, she knew of two men who weren’t married that might qualify as decent the sheriff and Jeff. Yes, each of them had women they were betrothed to, but they hadn’t made the trip down the church aisle yet.

  Sheriff Kirk Taylor, he might be a problem. Mary Louise wasn’t about to let him go. But Jeff Worthington, he’d let Diane down twice now. One more time, and Diane might want to be free of him. Jennifer watched him walk to the church. He was a decent man and would make a good husband.

  ***

  Adrian Farnsworth checked the telegram he’d received from Peter Gabriel. Seems the little town of Lone Oak had need of a teacher. Not the biggest town, but it would do for now. Adrian loved teaching.

  He loved the challenge of instructing young minds to become good citizens. Teaching burned in his heart. He knew there was not much money in it, but Adrian didn’t care. This was his life and livelihood. He had only himself to worry about.

  A small inheritance from his father would provide a house for him. The teaching position would pay for his food and necessities. If he was married, he wou
ld have to work somewhere else. But as it was, it was only him.

  Not that Adrian wouldn’t mind a wife. He just never had time for one. Women were a distraction from the important things in life. Besides, Adrian had never met a woman that he would consider marrying. He preferred spending time with his students and reading.

  Adrian spotted Peter Gabriel’s office, but seeing it was Sunday, decided to go to the hotel and get a room until he could find a house. A small cabin would do. He didn’t need much. He walked along the boardwalk and considered going to the church, but he didn’t want to make an entrance during the service.

  First, he would make a point to meet the pastor and then decide to go to the church or not. Some preachers were almost illiterate, and he had no desire to inhabit those churches. Adrian smoothed out his jacket. Appearances were important to him. To set a good example to the students was important.

  He was almost at the hotel when he spotted a man standing by the hotel. He had a troubled look on his face. The man was looking toward the church but not moving despite the ringing of the bell.

  Adrian was just about to see if he could be of assistance when a woman walked up to him. She caught Adrian’s attention. Her cinnamon-colored hair was free and flowing about her like the mane on a lion. And at a glance, he saw her blue eyes light up as she went toward the man.

  Curious, Adrian stood by Trent’s General Store and pretended to look in the window, but his attention was on the couple. Someday, Adrian would write a novel. Watching people and their interactions gave him ideas.

  The woman strode up to the man who stood still as if he were a deer struck with blindness. Why Adrian had thought in those terms, he wasn’t sure, but it was the impression he had.

  She smiled and spoke to the man.

  He shrugged and looked around as if he’d done something wrong. Adrian looked around. Was the man married? Or was the woman a saloon girl looking for a man to rescue her from a den of iniquity?

  She’d bear watching. Adrian had seen women like her before. While they were beautiful, there was something else about them. Perhaps like in the old books when they wrote about the sirens who lured ships onto the rocks and men to their death.

  He’d seen men fall for them and lose their families and businesses. One thing Adrian knew, and that was to keep far from that woman, whoever she was. By the looks of the poor guy she’d cornered, Adrian might not need to worry.

  He laughed at the idea. It wasn’t as if she would come after a schoolteacher and a tall skinny one with glasses at that. No, he was not the type to have a woman look at him.

  Adrian straightened his suit and walked to the hotel. He wanted to come to town early. He wasn’t due to start until the spring semester as they had a schoolteacher now. But she’d recently gotten married and had agreed to teach the fall until the town hired another.

  He was grateful for that. Starting at the beginning of a semester was desired. That way, he could take control of the class and not have to battle the way the former teacher did things. Not that he was worried. His students generally enjoyed his classes.

  Adrian loved teaching and never wanted to do anything else. He realized his support would be small, and he’d never earn a lot, but this was what his heart desired. After all, he only had to support himself.

  Chapter 2

  Jeff Worthington had seen her coming but couldn’t figure a place to run. It was bad enough he had to deal with his father and brother, but Jennifer was another trouble altogether. The worse thing was Diane was waiting for him at church.

  He raised a hand and started to walk across the street when Jennifer grabbed his arm and looked at him with those blue eyes of hers. He stopped.

  “Jeff, I was hoping to find someone to talk to. It’s such a lovely day. I was wondering if you’d walk me to Trent’s store.”

  He looked away from her. “They’re closed. It’s Sunday.”

  “Oh, it is.” She waved her hand. “I plumb forgot. Well, would you walk me back to the boardinghouse? Claire said there were some rough characters in town last night. They do frighten me ever since I was taken captive.” She sniffled.

  Jeff hated himself for being taken in, but that woman could twist any man around her little finger. He pulled away from her. “Actually, I was on my way to church. I can escort you there.”

  “Well, that is along the way. Someday, I might go to church.” She smiled at him. Her dimples showed deep and alluring.

  Knowing he risked Diane seeing him with her, he thought it a good idea if he could get Jennifer inside the church. Then he could go and sit with Diane. And maybe it would cure her of whatever trouble the woman had. Sheriff Taylor had warned that it was best to stay away from her, but those were easy words if she wasn’t after you.

  Jeff said a quick prayer that Diane wouldn’t see him with her or that if she did, she would understand that he was doing his Christian duty to get the poor woman into church.

  Jennifer grabbed his hand. “Sometimes, I remember those bad days, and I get so scared. Just holding your strong hand makes me feel so much better.”

  Jeff wondered why because his hands were sweating along with the rest of him. Why did he feel so guilty? It’s not as if he was doing anything wrong. He and Diane intended to marry.

  That brought him to his other troubles. Pa and Abel. How was he going to get rid of them? There was no way he would bring Diane to his home with those two around. So far, he had no success in convincing them to leave either.

  Jeff was going to ask the preacher about what to do after church today.

  A tug on his arm brought his attention back to the current trouble attached to him. “Jeff, I was wondering if you’d be interested in taking me to dinner today. I’m already hungry, and Claire won’t be cooking today. She told everyone she wanted a day off and has chosen Sunday.”

  “Oh, well, Diane and I had plans.”

  Jennifer looked up at him. “Oh, really? She didn’t say a thing to me about any. In fact, she looked a little upset when I mentioned your name.”

  A warning gong sounded in Jeff’s mind. Why would Jennifer mention his name to Diane? She must have set up this whole thing. As if to prove his thoughts correct, Jennifer slowed down just as they were passing the church.

  She bent down. “I have a rock in my shoe. Can you help me get it out?”

  Jeff wanted to say no. then heard himself respond. “Sure.” He bent down right in front of the window where Diane would be sitting. Gently he pulled her shoe off and shook it waiting to see the offending pebble fall out. None ever did. With regrets, he put her shoe back on and stood.

  “There was no rock in your shoe. I’m sure you won’t mind telling Diane that you set me up.”

  Jennifer batted her eyelashes. “Set you up? I have no idea what you’re talking about. There was a pebble in my shoe. I felt it. Well, I can walk back to the boarding house from here. If you change your mind about dinner, I’ll be waiting in the parlor.” Jennifer turned from him and walked in that alluring way she had that despite the knowledge he was already in trouble kept his eyes glued to her.

  Jeff finally tore his eyes from her and turned to the church in time to see Diane’s pale face in the window. He groaned. Well, he better get inside and sit beside her if she’d let him. She’d warned him about Jennifer. How could he explain to her that it just wasn’t that easy to ignore the woman?

  He hurriedly went to the church door and tried to enter without a sound, but it seemed that all eyes were on him. Even the preacher was silent while he made his way down the aisle to sit beside Diane.

  Jeff stepped in front of the sheriff and Mary Louise, who managed to kick his shin as he went past her, and finally sat beside Diane.

  She promptly scooted as far away from him as she could.

  One glance out the window, and he could see why the whole entire row was frosty to him. They’d all had a good shot of him walking Jennifer to the boarding house, and the spot where he’d pulled off her shoe was right across
from the window.

  His thoughts took an ugly turn just as he heard Preacher Cannon shout. “We are to love one another.”

  Jeff looked at Diane and shook his head, and muttered under his breath. “Easier said than done.” He thought the preacher ought to talk about forgiveness more. Maybe that would get Diane’s attention.

  That was what he’d have to beg for after church. He knew it but could already feel the frosty response he would get from Diane and Mary Louise. He hoped that Kirk would be on his side, but today, he doubted even that.

  Sitting in front were Peter and Kate with their son, John, and beside them Angus and Adelaide. They were already married. Their troubles were over. Jeff thought how nice it would be to have Jennifer off his back. She didn’t seem to want to bother the married men.

  He glanced at Kirk. As sheriff of Lone Oak, Jeff had hoped there might be some law that he could run Jennifer ought of town on, but he’d shaken his head and said he couldn’t find one. But if there was one, he’d gladly do it.

  Well, maybe Kirk would talk to him over dinner. Jeff reached out to Diane for her hand, but she quickly pulled it from him and turned her head to the front.

  Jeff settled back in his seat. He might as well listen to the sermon. He wasn’t getting anywhere with Diane.

  ***

  Diane held back the tears and tried to listen to Pastor Cannon. Something about love one another. Well, that was going to be a tall order to accomplish for a couple of people she knew. She’d warned Jeff about Jennifer.

  And on a Sunday, no less. Once church was over, she was giving him a piece of her mind and more. How dare he talk to that woman and touch her foot in such a, well, by the look on Jennifer’s face, seductive way.

  She doubted Jeff ever looked like that when he was with her. He was taking her for granted. That was for sure. If he thought she was going to wait around for him to finally marry her, well, he had another thing coming.