Christmas Under Western Skies by Anna Schmidt

woman, babbling like a creek running free after a thaw? “Come with me,” he blurted the thought that had been uppermost in his mind ever since reading Jake’s letter.
    She turned and smiled at him. “Of course I’m coming. I’m bartering with Jacob—the apple butter in exchange for some Christmas presents for the twins and Glory and Sam.”
    Nathan set down the crate he’d picked up and touched her shoulder. “Not to the store, Julianne. Come with me to California.”
    â€œHow can I?” she whispered hoarsely, and he realizedthat she was every bit as perplexed by the choice as he was. “I also made a promise, Nathan.”
    â€œTo Luke.”
    â€œTo my husband and our children,” she corrected. “This is our home, Nathan—the only home the twins have really known. After everything they’ve had to endure this last year, I couldn’t…”
    He wanted to take her in his arms and assure her that he understood, that he would never ask her to betray a deathbed promise. But they were standing on Main Street, and in spite of the cold weather, people were out—and watching them with curious glances. So he hefted the crate of apple butter to one shoulder and took hold of her elbow with his free hand. “It’s Christmas, Julianne. The season of miracles. How about helping me pick out a gift for the Fosters?”
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    Back inside the store, Nathan set the crate of apple butter on the counter. “There’s one more crate,” he told Jacob, and headed back outside.
    Julianne watched him go, wondering as always at his certainty that things could possibly work out for them. Well, she had been the cause of Luke’s break with his family, and she would not come between Nathan and his brother. Jake had been abandoned by his family once, and his letter—however concise the words—had been filled with his delight at having a connection to family once again.
    â€œHow can I be of help, Mrs. Cooper?”
    Julianne turned to face Jacob. The older man wasalways more formal when cast in the role of shopkeeper serving a customer. She pulled a list from her pocket and handed it to him.
    â€œAh, the ingredients for your wishing cake?”
    Julianne nodded. “And I’ll need two of those peppermint sticks for the twins,” she said, as she focused her attention on the jars of candy that lined the shelf behind the counter. She selected some tobacco for Sam’s pipe and a china teapot for Glory, all before Nathan returned with the second crate of apple butter. “Will there be enough to cover all this?” she asked, suddenly aware that she had yet to select an actual gift for the twins—or for Nathan.
    â€œAnd then some,” Jacob assured her as he inventoried the jars and began setting them on a shelf.
    Nathan fingered the floral-patterned teapot. “For Glory?”
    â€œYes. Her favorite teapot was broken when one of the axles on their wagon split on the trip out here. She’s never said a word, but every time we come to the store I notice she looks to see if this one is still here.”
    â€œWhat if I gave her the cups and saucers to match?” Nathan asked. “Or maybe not. Maybe that’s too—”
    â€œI think she would like that very much.”
    â€œI’ll need something for Sam.”
    â€œHe broke the tip on his pocketknife a while back,” Jacob said, as he indicated a tray of pocketknives below the glass cover of the counter. “Now, what about those children, Mrs. Cooper? Surely you’ll need something beyond the peppermint sticks.”
    â€œI was thinking perhaps some paints and brushes for Laura.”
    Jacob retrieved the items from a shelf near the back of the store. “And young Master Luke?”
    Julianne was at a loss. Her son was growing up so fast—both of the children were. She spotted a wooden rocking horse, but Luke was already too big