Sweetwater Springs Scrooge: A Montana Sky Holiday Short Story (The Montana Sky Series) by Debra Holland Read Free Book Online Page A

Noah; then she turned back and met Elias’s gaze. Her nose and cheeks were pink with cold, and she looked as animated as he remembered.
    Hope filled him. Maybe, just maybe, this outlandish plan of mine will work!
    ~ ~ ~
    Walking into the spacious new hotel for the Christmas Eve party, Marian felt she could finally breathe. Here was beauty and gaiety, and no memories of Harold or Juliana. Although, she had to admit, the church service hadn’t been as difficult as she’d expected. Elias’s presence next to her, touching shoulder-to-shoulder, had brought her comfort, allowing her to almost enjoy the service—including singing her favorite Christmas carols and listening to the children’s choir with their sweet voices. Noah had seemed to enjoy the experience, telling her he wanted to join the choir. And such an air of excitement and good will infused the church service that she hadn’t even minded the curious glances that came her way.
    When she shed her outerwear and gave them into the arms of a waiting servant girl, Marian felt as if she was also letting go of her grief. For a time, at least. She knew all too well the pain would find her again.
    Carrying the red velvet gift bag of candy and cookies given to every family by Banker Livingston, she set herself to having a nice time. A few days earlier, Marian had taken Noah to the hotel to view the decorated Christmas tree when it first appeared in the front corner window, so she’d thought she’d known what to expect. But, in addition to the lavish decorations, the party atmosphere had transformed the huge lobby of the hotel, what with the happy mood of the people, the buzz of conversations, the excitement of children, the special treats, and the sense of community and camaraderie.
    Although she and Elias started out together, they were swept apart by the tide of the party. She exchanged news with her friends, especially the ones she hadn’t seen since the snows had descended, keeping people homebound on outlying farms and ranches.
    Even though Marian enjoyed her conversations, she also kept an eye on Elias, surprised to see him socializing. Sometimes, they moved together for a few minutes before the press of people pulled them away. Listening in, she heard him make an appointment with banker Caleb Livingston concerning the transfer of his funds from the bank in Crenshaw; discuss rancher Nick Sanders’s request to breed Prancer to one of his stallions; and have a sweet conversation about his mother with one of her old friends.
    A new Elias had emerged from isolation into the welcoming embrace of Sweetwater Springs, as if the community had been waiting for him all these years. Have I, too?
    Pamela Carter, the wife of the most established rancher in the area, approached Marian as she stood near the punch bowl, a characteristic warm smile brightening her plain, plump-cheeked face. “It’s nice to see you looking happy when you’ve been grieving so,” she said, her tone kind.
    “Thank you,” Marian murmured, not sure she wanted to discuss the reason for her good feelings.
    “And I’m glad to see Mr. Masters so changed.”
    So much for not discussing Elias. She debated on revealing her dilemma about the frustrating man. Mrs. Carter was about fifteen years younger than Marian, and they weren’t close, although they were on friendly terms. The rancher’s wife didn’t have a speculative, gossipy air about her, though, which convinced Marian to unburden herself.
    She leaned closer to Mrs. Carter. “You might not know our story. It happened long before you arrived in Sweetwater Springs.” She proceeded to give the woman some of the details—the vase, the disapproval he expressed toward her beloved pets, the ever-increasing thriftiness that tightened around her. When she saw only genuine interest and concern on Mrs. Carter’s face, Marian began to reveal her doubts that the changes Elias displayed wouldn’t last and he’d revert to his miserliness.
    Mrs. Carter