The Holiday Courtship
A Wife by ChristmasAs Christmas approaches, Hank Chandler is determined to find a wife to mother his sister's orphaned children. When schoolteacher Janell Whitman offers to help him with his niece and nephew, she seems to be the perfect match—but she won't accept his proposal. Instead, she insists she'll find him another bride before the holidays.Janell moved to Turnabout, Texas, to put her past behind her and focus on her future—one that doesn't include marriage. But while she plays matchmaker and cares for Hank's children, she loses her heart to the two youngsters…and their adoptive father. If Janell reveals her secrets to Hank, will he still want her to be his Christmas bride?
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A Wife by Christmas
As Christmas approaches, Hank Chandler is determined to find a wife to mother his sisterâs orphaned children. When schoolteacher Janell Whitman offers to help him with his niece and nephew, she seems to be the perfect matchâbut she wonât accept his proposal. Instead, she insists sheâll find him another bride before the holidays.
Janell moved to Turnabout, Texas, to put her past behind her and focus on her futureâone that doesnât include marriage. But while she plays matchmaker and cares for Hankâs children, she loses her heart to the two youngstersâ¦and their adoptive father. If Janell reveals her secrets to Hank, will he still want her to be his Christmas bride?
âHave you made any progress with the names on my wife-candidate list?â
So they were back to that. Hank certainly didnât seem to be harboring any lingering feelings for her. âA little. But trying to be both discreet and thorough takes a bit of time,â Janell responded.
âThen perhaps we shouldnât worry so much about discretion and just focus on thoroughness. Keeping secrets is a lost cause in this town anyway.â
âIf thatâs your wish, then of course Iâll do what I can to speed up the process.â She knew he was rightâthe sooner he had a wife, the better, for both of them.
âI need to move on with establishing a ânormalâ household for Alex and Chloe as soon as possible. They are already getting too used to having you aroundâitâll be difficult for them when you move on and another woman takes your place.â
The words stabbed at her with a keenness that surprised her. Sheâd known thatâs what would happen, that another would replace her. She had in fact encouraged it. So why did it hurt so much?
WINNIE GRIGGS is the multipublished, award-winning author of historical (and occasionally contemporary) romances that focus on Small Towns, Big Hearts, Amazing Grace. She is also a list maker and a lover of dragonflies and holds an advanced degree in the art of procrastination. Winnie loves to hear from readersâyou can connect with her on Facebook at facebook.com/winniegriggs.author or email her at [email protected].
The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
âDeuteronomy 31:08
Dedicated to my wonderful editor Melissa Endlich whose insightful suggestions were invaluable in helping me get the story on the paper to match the story in my head.
Contents
Turnabout, Texas November 1897
Hank Chandler hefted the two carpetbags he carried as he tried to usher his niece and nephew down the aisle of the train toward the exit. He needed a shave. And a good nightâs sleep. And a cup of coffee that didnât taste like tar.
But most of all he needed for Enid, his sister, not to be dead.
Chloe paused a moment, as if confused. âAlex, keep a tight hold on your sisterâs hand, please.â It seemed wrong to put an eight-year-old in charge of his ten-year-old sister, but for now that was how it had to be. His niece didnât want anything to do with him at the moment.
Here he was, returning home to Turnabout, with two scared orphans. With a cat in tow. Why couldnât they have a sensible pet, like a dog?
Even with Aunt Rowenaâs help, how would he be able to care for all of them?
Especially Chloe.
He glanced down at his niece. With her straight brown hair, slightly pointed chin and expressive green eyes, she looked so much like Enid at that age that it hurt. He knew the girlâs angry, defiant demeanor was just a front sheâd put on to deal with all sheâd lost. But how was he ever going to get through to her if they couldnât even communicate properly?
He still had difficulty coming to terms with the fact that his life had changed so drastically in such a short span of time. A month agoâit seemed a lifetime ago nowâheâd been a bachelor with a very orderly, uncomplicated life. A life heâd been quite content with. Then heâd received that telegram that had sent him hightailing off to Colorado.
And his life had been irrevocably changed.
But he couldnât waste time feeling sorry for himself. What had happened was over and done with, and there was nothing to do but move on. Besides, his niece and nephew were facing much bigger, more traumatic changes to their own lives. He had to do what he could to help them feel at home here.
The weight of that responsibility pressed down on him again. The one thing he could do for them in the short term was provide a sense of order and routine to their lives. To make them feel safe again.
