Carolyn Davidson - Christmas Cowboy Kisses - A Family for Christmas / A Christmas Miracle / Christmas with Her Cowboy

“Well, get him ready for bed and send him down to me if he’s still wide-awake. I’ll read to him for a while from Black Beauty and see how he likes it. It’s a good story, for sure,” Joy said.

So it was that she curled up on the sofa with a lamp on the table next to her on one side and a small boy gathered to her on the other. The book lay open on her lap and she found herself with an audience as Gideon joined them, sitting on the floor by her feet as she read. Joseph snuggled close as if he hadn’t been cuddled in a long while and his head drooped against her, finally dropping to her lap as he snoozed while she read.

Joy closed the book after inserting a bookmark she’d knitted, a miniature scarf, only an inch or so wide.

Gideon smiled as he saw it. “You’re just full of talents, Joy,” he said. “You not only cook and clean, but you know how to tend to a family in every way possible. I’m in awe at your abilities.”

Joy flushed, nodding her thanks for the compliment, placing the book she’d been reading on the table beside her. “This boy is about out for the night,” she whispered to Gideon as he approached.

“I’ll take him up now. And I think I’ll crawl in beside him. We’re both nearly tuckered out. Will you being going up, too, Grandpa?” he asked the older man.

Grandpa nodded and headed for the stairs, dropping a quick kiss on Joy’s cheek as he passed her chair. “Good night, Grandpa. And you, too, Gideon. I’ll lock the doors and be on my way, too,” Joy said, stifling a yawn as she spoke.

“It was the most beautiful Christmas I’ve ever had,” Gideon said as he paused by her chair. “And you made it possible, Joy. You and your grandfather. I can’t thank you enough, both from me and my son. I’ll bank the fire in the kitchen and be right back to tote my boy upstairs.”

Joy looked up into his eyes and felt warmed from within. Gideon’s smile was one she’d never seen before, filled with more than affection, for he bestowed upon her a smile that spoke to her heart.

“I’ll be turning in, too, once I make sure all the candles are out,” she said.

“I’ll see you in the morning, Joy. God bless you, for you’ve been a real blessing to me. And to Joseph.” He bent, leaving the touch of his lips against her cheek, then went into the kitchen where she heard him lifting a burner on the stove, preparatory to banking the fire for the night. By the time she’d gone to her own room he was back in the parlor, picking up his son and carrying him to the stairs, where she heard his footsteps touch each step. She watched from her bedroom doorway as he climbed, looking down at the lad he carried, lifting him close to his heart as he reached the top of the stairs and headed to the first room on the right.

The house was quiet as Joy found her bed. Before she snuggled beneath her quilts, she lifted herself up a bit to blow out the candle she’d brought to light her way. Her fingers touched the spot on her cheek where Gideon had left his warmth. The man seemed to have crept into her life and her heart in a way she’d never have dreamed possible. He was the very image of what she had long harbored in her heart as the perfect man for her future. Not only tall and strong and handsome but a wonderful father to his son. Perhaps it would be her Christmas gift from the powers that be, that Gideon would find her pleasing. For though he’d told her she was to be admired, she could only wish for more.

Her head swam with images from the whole day as she sank into slumber. And all of them included the tall man who had swept into her life and somehow...into her heart.

Chapter Six

The days following Christmas passed swiftly, Joy caught up in the pleasure of watching from the window as Gideon went about the chores inherent in running the farm. For he had told her she must not leave the house, but rather stay inside and keep Grandpa and Joseph company while he braved the cold and snow outdoors.

She could not find it in her heart to dispute his edict and so cooked and cleaned the house, then washed the ever-present laundry, hanging it on the rack behind the stove to dry. Gideon brought in bacon and sausage from the smokehouse and even half a ham for their supper one night.

“There’s still a lot of meat out there,” he told Joy as he presented the ham to her that afternoon. He ducked back to the porch and brought a pail of eggs into the house, carrying them to the pantry for her. “I’d say we’re in pretty good shape,” he said as he hung his coat and cap on the hook. “If we seem to be running low, I can always take the gun and find a deer for us. I’d think we could eat for a good long time on a nice buck. And we could always have one of the hogs butchered if need be.”

“I’m so glad you’re here, Gideon,” Joy said with spontaneous happiness. “I’ve never felt so well cared for before. It seemed I had to be the one to do chores and look after my grandfather and keep everything up to snuff. It’s a real pleasure to have you here, and especially with the way you’ve taken over the chores for me.”

“I’ve been blessed by you and your grandpa, Joy,” he said in a low tone as he sat at the kitchen table to watch her as she put together their supper. “Joseph and I would have been goners if you hadn’t welcomed us into your home.”

“I think there is a power that watches over us,” Joy said, turning to face him. “Things work together for good, the good book says, and I believe it.” She lifted the coffeepot and filled a cup for Gideon, placing it before him. “I made a fresh pot while you were out taking care of things. I thought you’d be cold and ready for some hot coffee to warm your innards,” she said with a chuckle.

“I can’t imagine why a woman such as you hasn’t been snatched up by some young fellow,” Gideon said softly, his words carrying only to her ears. “You are the epitome of womanhood, Joy. A real treasure for the right man.” And then she watched as a flush rose to cover his cheeks.

“I can’t believe you’re blushing,” Joy said, seating herself next to him at the table, her own coffee steaming before her.

“I’m trying to smooth the way for a question I want to ask you, Joy. I’ve wanted to go to town and speak with your minister there, but the weather hasn’t allowed for travel yet. And I need to deposit my cash into the bank, too. I’d thought the minister or even your sheriff might check up on me for you, kinda relieve your mind about me if you’ve any questions He could write or wire to the folks who wrote my letters of referral and see for himself that I’m exactly what I’ve said I am.”

“I don’t have any questions about you, Gideon. I read the letters you showed me the first day you were here and I have no doubt that they are genuine. If you want to speak with my pastor or the man at the bank or even the lawman in town, I’d say go right ahead. But I trust you thus far. And unless you give me reason not to do so, I’ll let things ride.”

He bowed his head in a courtly gesture. “Thank you, Joy. As to what I began saying earlier, I really hesitate to be too bold, for we’ve only known each other for a short while. And yet I feel that I’ve known you forever. Does that make sense?”

She lifted her cup to sip at the hot brew within, then smiled at him as she lowered it to the table once more. “I know what you’re saying and I understand what you mean, Gideon. I didn’t know I could come to love a child in such a short while, but I feel that Joseph is almost my own. That sounds a bit...presumptuous, I suppose, but it’s how I feel.”

“Joseph asked me last night when we went to bed and after he’d said his prayers if he could call you his mama. He’d already prayed for a mother of his own, as he has several other times, but for some reason, he has latched onto the idea of calling you mama and I didn’t know how to answer him. I told him I’d ask you today if you wouldn’t mind.”