When Victoria’s family, including Claire’s sisters and their husbands, as well as Trace’s sister and her family had crowded in, wanting to know he would be well, the doctor had shooed them all out. Everyone except Victoria. Trace had clung to her hand and refused to let go. Even as he slept, his hand still held hers in a possessive clasp.
She watched as his eyelashes fluttered then opened. “Hi,” she whispered.
“Hi.” He licked dry lips and she hurried to hold a glass to them, giving him a drink.
“I’m glad you’re going to be okay.”
“Me too,” he said with a cocky grin.
Victoria brushed her hand across the stubble of his jaw and kissed his cheek. “Billy told me you shoved him out of the way and took the bullet meant for him.”
“Nah. I’m sure Brunson was aiming for me and was just a terrible shot,” Trace said with a hint of humor. “I’m sure sorry I had to leave you tied up at Gray’s cabin, Tori. I didn’t want to, but I needed you to be safe. You’re quite a woman, following me like that, especially when you thought I was an outlaw.”
“Well, I needed to prove to myself I wasn’t crazy. You see, I fell in love with the local telephone man, but then I found myself wildly attracted to a thief named Bub. By the way, the next time you go undercover, find a name that isn’t quite so ridiculous.”
He grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Billy explained everything. I understand why you couldn’t tell me you’re a U.S. Marshal and that you were here to catch Brunson and his gang. You’re a hero, Trace, and I’m so proud of you.”
“I’m sure Billy enhanced my deeds of derring-do.” Trace shifted and tried to sit up, wincing with the effort.
Victoria placed pillows behind his back to prop him up. “You should be resting.”
“There will be time enough for that later. I want you to know what I said to you this morning is true, Tori. I meant every word of it. I love you. I’ve loved you since the day I lifted you out of the stage and took that ring off your finger. If you want it back, I know where to find it.”
“No, I never want to see that hideous thing again. And I suppose I owe you for removing it. I’d tried multiple times to get it off, but it was firmly stuck. The ring was as stuck on my finger as I was in the past. Thanks to you, the ring is gone and I’m ready to step into my future.” She brushed the curly hair away from his forehead. “Although you didn’t give me a chance to say anything this morning, I love you. I think I’ve loved you since that day on the stage, too, but I fell in love with a kind, funny man who installs telephone line.”
Trace placed his hand on her neck and pulled her to him for a kiss, but a clearing throat from the doorway made her jump back, jostling Trace’s arm in the process.
“I think you better let him rest,” the doctor said with a knowing grin.
Victoria stood and gave Trace a quick peck on the cheek before she left the room.
The remainder of the day passed in a blur. She stopped to check on Trace after the Christmas Eve service at the church, but the doctor assured her he was sleeping and didn’t want his patient disturbed.
Back at Gray’s house, where Claire and Elsa had decided it was best to hold their combined gatherings since there was more room, they’d just assembled in the parlor after a lively meal. Maddie, Betsy, and Jimmy had been beyond excited when they saw the electric Christmas lights Victoria had ordered as a surprise. With Gray’s help, they added the lights to the towering fir tree.
Conversation amongst the group was joyful and teasing, interrupted when the sound of sleigh bells jangled at the door followed by a loud knock.
“Who in the world could that be?” Claire asked as she hurried to into the entry and pulled the door open as everyone crowded close to see the visitor.
“Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!” a deep voice said as a man dressed in red walked inside the house. “I heard there were some good little girls and boys here.”
Everyone watched as Maddie, Betsy, and Jimmy raced over to Santa Claus. The jolly old elf took a burlap sack from his shoulder and set it on the floor, removing three gifts wrapped in bright paper and tied in colorful ribbons. “Now you be good and wait until tomorrow to open those.”
“We will, Santa. We will,” the children chorused.
“Then I’ll bid you all a good night. Merry…”
“Wait, Santa!” Maddie said, tugging on his mitten-covered hand. “Please wait. I have something for you!”
Maddie raced from the room and returned with her violin. She stood in front of Santa and played the song she’d composed just for him.
When she finished the song, Santa dropped down to his knees, brushed at the moisture gathered in his eyes, and gave the little girl a tender hug.
“That was the best gift I’ve ever received, Maddie Mae. Thank you.” Santa rose to his feet, patted her on the head, and lifted his empty sack. “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!”
Before the children could do more than blink, he disappeared out the door.
The children excitedly studied their presents tucked beneath the tree and talked about being visited by Santa. When it was time for bed, the Baldwin family bundled up and headed to town, but with a promise to return for Christmas dinner.
Fred and Elsa went to their house across the road with Claire’s sisters, while Victoria’s father and aunt stayed at Gray’s home. Her father caught her alone in the kitchen, pulling her into a comforting hug.
“I’m so glad you decided to spend time here in Hardman, Vic. It certainly agrees with you, or perhaps it’s your young man that has put roses back in your cheeks.”
She returned her father’s hug and pulled back with a smile. “The credit goes to both, I think.”
“Well, whatever the reason, it does my heart good to see you happy once again.” Her father cleared his throat then gave her a studying glance. “Years ago, when I made it clear I didn’t intend to leave you part of the business, I know it hurt your feelings.”
“It’s fine, Papa. I understand.”
Her father shook his head. “No, it isn’t fine. I always intended for you to have an equal share to the boys, but I refused to let Wendell get his hands on it. I recently had the attorney update my will. You and Gray will receive equal shares.”
“That isn’t necessary, Papa, but appreciated.” She hugged him again and kissed his cheek, feeling lighter in heart than she had for years. It set something at ease in her spirit to know her father loved her as much as Gray.
The only thing that would have made the evening better was to have Trace beside her, but Victoria couldn’t help smiling, knowing he’d somehow made Maddie’s wish come true by visiting her as Santa. In spite of the padding he’d somehow stuffed beneath his clothes, she was convinced the man who arrived so unexpectedly was Trace.
The next morning, after Claire shared the news she and Gray would welcome a baby in the late spring, the ringing of the telephone caught them all by surprise. The telephone office was closed, so no calls should have been able to go through. Since Victoria was the standing the closest to the telephone in the parlor, she picked it up and held the receiver to her ear.