Free Married by Christmas by Karen Kirst

stick-straight spine and tense shoulders. He’d reached out and touched her without thinking earlier and, like a fool, hadn’t immediately released her. Clearly a rash mistake. She’d been prickly ever since, the accusation You ruined my life squarely back in her eyes.
    “You have no idea who it is?”
    “None.” Amy’s twin braids swished as she shook her head. “Rebecca questioned Mr. Harper, but he denied having any part of it.”
    “It’s likely someone from church,” Becca said, dropping a handful of carrots into the bubbling pot on the stove. The savory smells that were beginning to fill the room chased away his sleepiness. Although he’d eaten just over an hour ago, he found he could eat again. After days of nothing but broth and water, his appetite was kicking in with a vengeance.
    “I think it’s a man who’s sweet on my sister but is too shy to tell her, so he’s leaving her secret gifts.”
    Caleb coughed. Sweet on Becca? More like meeting a need he knew for a fact she wouldn’t accept face-to-face. His thoughts turned pensive. Was she involved with someone? Adam had been gone a long time, over a year. The men of this town couldn’t be blind to her attributes.
    “Amy, really.” She pursed her lips.
    Amy shrugged. “She doesn’t believe that theory,” she informed him, leaning closer. “Rebecca’s not a romantic like me.”
    Rubbing his hand along his scruffy jaw, he swallowed a retort. That’s not the Becca I knew. The Becca he’d known had walked around with stars in her eyes, quoting Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and been convinced Adam was her storybook hero. Until Caleb brought reality crashing down on all of them.
    “Amy, have you finished your history report?” Becca stood with a hand on her hip, a towel clutched tightly in the other. “As soon as this snow melts, it’ll be back to school for you.”
    The younger girl’s shoulders sagged. “I don’t understand why I have to study something that happened over a hundred years ago in a country I will never step foot in.”
    “Mr. Crockett obviously thinks it’s important or else he wouldn’t have given you the assignment. Besides, there’s a whole world out there. Learning about other people and places expands your thinking. Life doesn’t begin and end in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, you know.”
    “I can’t wait for Christmas break,” she moaned, trudging toward the bedroom. “Come on, Storm,” she beckoned to the dog, who immediately obeyed. “You can keep me company in my misery.”
    Caleb hid a smile. He hadn’t liked school all that much, either. Why read about other people having adventures when you could experience one for yourself?
    Thinking like that is what led me to this place, isn’t it? Disfigured. Alone. And responsible for burdening his closest friends with a world of hurt and disillusionment.
    “You’re good with her. Your parents would be proud.”
    Sorrow flickered and was quickly concealed. “I do the best I can,” she said tightly before turning to replace the spice jars on the shelf near the stove.
    He’d been packing his bags for another hunting trip when his father had relayed the tragic news of their accident. Instantly, the need to go to her and offer what comfort he could had gripped him. Rebecca had enjoyed a close relationship with her parents, especially her pa. She’d adored Jim Thurston. Caleb had managed to master the impulse to see her that day, but he hadn’t been able to stay away from the funeral.
    “It was a beautiful service,” he murmured, lost in memories and not fully aware he’d spoken aloud.
    A large spoon slipped from her fingers and clattered onto the floorboards. “You were there?” Her brows crashed together in confused disbelief. “I didn’t see you.”
    He was silent a moment. “Didn’t figure you’d want to.”
    He’d kept to the edge of the crowd, careful not to show himself and cause her more upset. Aching for her profound loss, he’d longed to stride