Western Kisses – Old West Christmas Romances (Boxed Set) by Carré White Read Free Book Online

history books, sir. Willow’s makin’ Marlborough Pudding.”
    He patted his belly. “I’m looking forward to that.”
    Leona brushed past him with a dozen plates in her hands. “We’ll be fair to bursting after we eat.”
    “That’s fine by me,” he said, grinning.
    “Can you bring more hardwood, dear?” asked mother. “We’ll need it for the other turkeys.”
    “Certainly. I’ll gladly be of service, but first,” he snatched a small square of cornbread off a plate, “I should taste this.”
    “Stop that,” mother chastised. “You can wait to eat like the rest of us.”
    He’d already popped the food into his mouth. “Um…hum…”
    “Go get the firewood.”
    “Yes, ma’am,” he chortled. “The smell is really something wonderful.”
    “It’s the turkey,” I said. “I’m eager to have a taste myself, but I’ve stuffing to make and everything else.”
    In a flurry of activity, we baked, basted, and mashed, working ourselves to dizzy exhaustion, but not before there were several large pots filled to the brim with stuffing, mashed potatoes, and the pudding. Leona flitted back and forth setting tables, bringing out cups and dishes, and scrambling into the basement for the butter, which was kept on ice.
    At precisely eleven o’clock, the doors opened, and the first of many hungry men, women, and children arrived. We would eat as a family after everyone had left, although I had tasted things as I went. Ellen helped herself to the rest of the sherry, sitting near the turkeys, drinking while basting.
    “Good, good. It’s all good.” Her cheeks were rosy, her expression gay. “I’ll just mind the birds.”
    “You’re drunk.” My hands went to my hips.
    “No, ma’am.”
    “Yes, you are,” I giggled.
    “We’re nearly all done now. Why can’t I have a little sip?”
    Leona appeared. “I need four more plates, please, and three puddings.”
    “I’ll get it.”
    “When you have a moment, someone’s asked for you.”
    It didn't surprise me that a patron had wanted to thank me for the meal. “Fine, but I’m not the only cook today. Everyone deserves whatever accolades may come.” I gave her the plates in question, after they had been piled high with food. “Here.”
    “You can bring the pudding. That’ll save me a trip.”
    I gave her a look. “Oh, fine, but I’m hardly qualified. You’re far friendlier, and everyone adores you.”
    She had gone already, but her reply was, “Poppycock!”
    I hated having to leave the security of the kitchen, especially after working like a mad woman all day, with flour on my face and wisps of hair escaping the frilly cap. I untied the apron, brushing off a bit of dough from the right sleeve of the dress.
    “I’ll be back. Try not to fall in, Ellen.”
    She saluted me with a full glass. “Good luck and blessings.”
    “Oh, dear,” I laughed. “I guess Leona and I will be doing the dishes later.” I hurried out with the pudding, leaving it on several tables, as Leona indicated. The person who had requested my presence sat near the window, and I recognized him instantly, feeling my heart skip a beat. Mr. Hindman had returned! “Hello, sir.” My smile was genuine, as I stood before him. He was thinner than I remembered, and I wondered if he had been ill. “How are you?”
    “Tired,” his bleary eyes scanned my face, “but happy to see you.” He waved to the empty seat across from him. “Join me for a spell.”
    I sat, resting my hands on the table, while staring at him, finding the sunken quality of his cheeks alarming. “Did you enjoy the meal?”
    “I did. You’re more open today than I remember.”
    I hadn’t thought of it that way. “I suppose. You look thinner, sir.”
    “Food wasn’t as plentiful as I had hoped.”
    “Shall I bring out another plate then?”
    “In a bit. I longed to see you again. There’s something comforting about you.”
    That statement was extraordinarily revealing and personal. “I’ve…I’ve