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Last night she had spent the holiday in the manner and fashion of which Wade and his family were accustomed. Today, she vowed, she would celebrate it the way her family would have. It would be a day of cooking and baking. She would start with the pie crusts and cookie dough for later when the children would help make Christmas gingerbread men. Her mother had made the best and Anna was certain she remembered the recipe. The morning before, Wade had brought in the dead turkey he had killed out on his hunt with some of the ranch hands and Anna admired it with awe. She had never seen such an enormous bird before. She would have to ensure she prepared enough cooking time in order for it to be completed before dinner.
After she was fully dressed and cleaned, she pulled the box out from under her bed to admire the lilac dress once more before heading into the kitchen. There was no one about as of yet, which was good with Anna. She had a lot of preparations to do and didn’t need the interruptions.
An hour later, she heard footsteps overhead, then the scampering of tiny feet as they headed for the staircase. She knew the family was up and put the kettle on for morning coffee. A few moments later, the kitchen door opened and Wade popped his head around the corner.
“Morning.”
She nodded and tried not to turn pink at the memory of the kiss.
“We’ll have our coffee by the Christmas tree this morning.” He must have noticed the flush in her cheeks, for he added, “Are you feeling all right?”
Again she nodded, quickly wiping her hands on the apron tied around her waist. Anything to avoid eye contact.
“Well, bring yourself a mug as well and get out of this hot kitchen.” His eyes shot around the room. “What the hell are you cooking? It’s an inferno in here.”
Not really wanting to abandon what she was doing, she knew better than to disagree with him, so therefore removed her apron and proceeded to add another mug to the tray. Though she loved him dearly, she was after all still his servant.
His siblings greeted her warmly while the children ran about full of excitement. Not only were the stockings hanging over the fireplace full, but there were a dozen of gifts for them under the tree as well. Anna had never seen a Christmas like this before.
“Look, Uncle Wade,” Danielle called from the window. “There is snow outside.”
Wade went over to look and declared, “So there is. Perhaps you children can go outside and play after breakfast.”
“Oh, can we?” Her eyes lit up with excitement. “And will you join us Uncle Wade?”
Anna saw the hesitation and thought how sad it was that he could not appreciate his niece and nephew. She only knew too well how family can be taken away. Angrily, she brushed the sad thought aside. She had promised the day would only be full of happy thoughts. In memory of her family.
“I suppose,” he muttered and glanced over at his sister, perhaps looking for help in getting out of the situation.
Kathleen grinned but got up to assist. “Now children, Uncle Wade is a very—”
“Can Peter come too?” Young John pleaded, stopping his mother in her advance.
Again Wade hesitated, but this time his eyes shifted toward Anna. She thought of the kitchen and the heavy workload she had planned. Smiling suddenly, she nodded her head in agreement. Wade frowned openly back at her and Anna couldn’t help but want to smile brighter.
“Well, that’s settled.” Kathleen retreated to her seat next to the Christmas tree.
“Can we open presents now?” John tugged Wade’s sleeve forcing him to tear his growling face away from Anna.
“Yes.” He didn’t sound pleased, but at least didn’t show his temper.
Anna felt her cheeks quiver and had to bite her bottom lip to stop her smile from spreading further.
“Wipe that smile off your face,” he told her sternly, but his voice held no malice.
She obliged until he turned his back to her, then she let it spread from ear to ear. There was so much happiness in her heart, she couldn’t remember feeling this much joy ever.
As promised, after the children had finished eating their breakfast Wade and Anna took the children outside in the snow. It was deeper than it looked from the window and Anna was glad that there were a pair of leather strap on boots on the premises. They were sized far too big, but she was able to make them work. Wade loaned her a knitted hat and mittens and along with her wool coat, she felt snug and warm.
The children ran ahead of them, throwing snowballs at each other and diving into deep snow banks. Their laughter filled the valley and echoed off the surrounding mountains. Their childlike cheer was contagious and Anna happily joined in the fun. She gathered a handful of snow and formed a snowball.
“You’d better think very carefully about where you plan on throwing that,” Wade warned her as she gave him a devilish look from under her lashes.
Turning from him she ran off toward the children. They were lying flat on their backs in the snow, using their arms to whip snow high into the air. Anna fell down next to them and smiled happily up at the cloudless sky. She had always loved snow. It brought back so many childhood memories. Moving her arms and legs, she began to form a snow angel.
“What are you doing, Peter?” Danielle asked, sitting up and looking down at her creation.
Very carefully, she stepped out of the imprint she had made and cocked her head to one side to get a better look.
