A Wife by Christmas by Callie Hutton Page B

behind her ear and rose. His clothes rustled as he put them on, and soon the sound of the door opening and closing jolted her into action.
    How could she ever face him? No matter, she had to get up, get dressed, and say nothing. She frantically pulled on her clothes, leaving off the corset she couldn’t fasten herself. Usually one of the other women in her house would help her. One day she would burn the damn thing anyway.
    Max returned from outside and slowly approached, pulling her into his arms. “How are you this morning?”
    She looked beyond his shoulder, chewing her bottom lip. “Fine.”
    He cupped her chin, and turned her head to face him. “Are you sure?”
    Ellie searched his eyes, her shoulders slumped. “Y-y-yes.” She burst into tears.
    He blew out a deep breath. “I was afraid of this.” He put his large hand on her head, and nestled her onto his chest. “Do you want to talk about it?”
    She shook her head.

    After a few minutes, he handed her a handkerchief from his pocket. “Why don’t you make a visit outside, and I’ll pack up in here. The sun will be up soon, and we need to get you home.”
    The walk to the next farmhouse took only twenty minutes. A layer of snow enveloped the ground, which Ellie would have enjoyed any other time. Glistening snow covering the branches of the trees had turned the entire countryside into a work of art.
    The farmer had a can of gasoline he loaned to Max, and after he trudged back to his motorcar and returned for her at the farmhouse, they were able to drive home. Ellie kept silent the entire trip, and she guessed Max was grateful not to have to deal with her tears again, because he said nothing either.
    Thoughts raced around her mind. She glanced at him several times on the trip home. He appeared relaxed, and even had a slight smile on his face. On the other hand, she had knots in her stomach, her eyes burned, and the beginning of a major headache loomed.
    The biggest concern was her lack of remorse. No doubt Max considered her tears stemmed from guilt. Not so. When he’d cupped her chin and turned her to look directly at him, it hit her like a board between the eyes. She had fallen madly, completely, and forever, in love with Max Colbert. Her archenemy, and the man who’d told Uncle Jesse he intended to remain single, that he had no desire for a wife and family. The memory of those words cut deep into her heart.
    Before the sun fully rose in the sky, they were in front of her boarding house. “What am I going to tell Mrs. Beamer?” She chewed on her thumb nail and glanced furtively at the house.
    “You have a first floor bedroom. We’re going to hoist you through the window.”
    Ellie cast him a glance, eyes narrowed.
    He grinned. “What? You’ve done it before. On a ladder, no less.”
    They quietly crept along the side of the house until they stood underneath her window. Max turned to her. “Take off your coat and pull your skirt between your legs and tuck it into the waistband.”
    That accomplished, he stood behind her and wrapped his hands around her waist. He lifted her, then ducked his head and settled her on his shoulders. “Slide the window up.”
    One shove and the window rose. She climbed off his shoulders onto the sill and put each foot gently on the floor.
    “Your coat,” he whispered from under the window.
    She took it from his hands, her fingers numb.
    “Don’t forget the School Board Christmas party tonight. I’ll be by at seven.” He smiled warmly at her and left.
    Ellie closed the window and rubbed her arms. What was she going to do? She may even be pregnant. That brought a smile. Then they’d have to marry. No. He’d resent her for the rest of his life. She dropped to the mattress and stared at the wall.
    Max returned to the Oldsmobile and pulled away. He pounded his fist on the steering wheel. “Dammit.”
    Oh, not at all sorry he’d made love to Ellie, it would’ve happened anyway, the attraction was too strong. It was