Read Sweetwater Springs Scrooge: A Montana Sky Holiday Short Story (The Montana Sky Series) for Free Online Page B

especially those with stiff-necked pride, she couldn’t help but chuckle and wish she could see their faces when they spied the turkey or ham waiting when they returned home. Some of those people wouldn’t accept charity, no matter how necessary. But they couldn’t refuse a gift deposited on their doorstep in secret.
    Marian wondered if Elias had delivered the food to the homes himself, or, more likely, had several people helping. If so, the secret of him as being the benefactor would probably be revealed. She laughed out loud. Wouldn’t people be surprised how the Miser of Sweetwater Springs had turned into Father Christmas?
    But as Marian realized she was softening toward Elias, she choked off the laughter. The truth was, his generosity deeply moved her. She pressed a hand to her chest, longing for the sweet romance they’d once shared.
    Agitated, she jumped up from the bed. The grand gesture was indeed grand , but she couldn’t trust that he had changed. Opening up to him, loving him again….
    No, the letdown, the pain would be too great. And she wasn’t the only one who’d be affected. I have to protect Noah.
    With that thought Marian once again hardened her heart against Elias.
    ~ ~ ~
    An hour later, Marian straightened the collar of Noah’s new coat. She smoothed down an errant black curl near his temple and rested a hand on his shoulder. The child looked so handsome in the clothes she’d bought for him to wear tonight. In the short months he’d lived with her, he’d grown several inches.
    In that moment, she wished Juliana could see her son, and a lump rose in her throat. Although Marian believed with her whole heart that her daughter was watching from heaven, she wanted more than ever for the chance to hug Juliana and celebrate the holiday together. “Let’s go,” she said briskly, to hide her emotion. “The church will quickly fill up.”
    Noah’s brows scrunched together. “I, uh…. I forgot something.” He pulled away from her and ran to his room.
    Marian stared after him in puzzlement. What is that boy up to?
    She ran her palm down the midnight-blue velvet of her gown and fingered the brooch. From a glance in the looking glass in her bedroom, Marian knew she was looking her best. She radiated a vibrant air that she hadn’t felt for years, and her cheeks were pink with excitement.
    I’m excited because of the party , she told herself, careful to keep her thoughts away from one puzzling man. Reaching for the fur coat hanging on the rack, she shrugged herself into the garment, wound a midnight-blue scarf around her neck, picked up her matching hat and muff, and walked into the entry.
    The jingle of bells caught her attention, and Marian moved to the front window to see who was driving by. But the sound of the bells slowed.
    Curious, she peered through the window to see a shiny black sleigh with gold trim—far more elegant than any other in town—pulled by a beautiful horse as white as Pegasus. The driver was muffled up in a coat and hat, and she couldn’t guess his identity.
    Noah tore by her, flung open the door, and dashed outside.
    What in tarnation? Hurriedly donning her hat, Marian followed him but left her muff on the small marble-topped table by the door.
    The driver had dismounted and given the reins to Noah to hold. The man strode over to her, elegant in a well-cut black coat and a bowler hat. A green woolen scarf wrapped around his neck, and he wore driving gloves.
    She saw his smile first—charming with a hint of self-depreciation in the quirk of his mouth. Marian had to blink several times to recognize Elias Masters. He’d trimmed his beard close to his chin, and his gaze was warm.
    Elias looks so handsome, almost like a stranger. Her breath caught. Heat flushed her, and Marian, who hadn’t blushed since she was a girl, knew her cheeks had reddened.
    He came closer, extending a hand. “Merry Christmas, Marian.” The color of the scarf turned his hazel eyes green.
    Moving as