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A Christmas Family of Convenience

“I never imagined marrying my best friend’s brooding brother. He never planned on coming back. But with Christmas around the corner and two children to save, we’ll risk everything—even our hearts.”

Haunted by guilt over his sister’s death, Roy returns home just in time for Christmas to find her children orphaned and their future uncertain. Desperate to atone for his absence, Roy will do anything to protect these children—even marry his sister’s infuriating best friend…

Nothing could have prepared Pearl for the heartbreak of losing her best friend. But when a corrupt orphanage matron sets her sights on her children, Pearl has no choice but to agree to the most unthinkable plan—marry her best friend’s estranged and grumpy brother to secure custody of the children before Christmas…

As the snow falls and festive lights glow, Roy and Pearl must do anything to protect the children and their shattered souls. Can the season of wonders transform a marriage of convenience into a love that binds them together as a family?

Written by:

Western Historical Romance Author

4.5/5

4.5/5 (98 ratings)

Prologue

24th December 1880

Denver Colorado

 

Shivering in the cold, the darkness wrapping around her, Pearl stood at the mirror and looked at her reflection. There was enough light from the moon outside to shine across the mirror so she could see her face. Someone stared back at her, and Pearl found it hard to believe this was her.

She rarely looked into mirrors, knowing she would be shocked and ashamed by what she saw. She didn’t want to see the thin, waxen appearance that every orphan seemed to have; it made Pearl remember her upbringing, with all the canings and lack of food while trying to mold them into working people. Given how thin she was, it was a wonder that she hadn’t broken into several pieces when she took a step.

Those emotions were poking at her now, wanting to be at the forefront.

But she didn’t allow it.

She was leaving the orphanage. Finally, it was time for her to step out into the real world, beyond the doors of the place she had called home for her whole life. Now, she was eighteen, grown up, and the nuns did not wish to look after someone who could look after herself.

Pearl didn’t think she could look after herself, not when she hadn’t been taught how. The nuns and various missionaries who ran the orphanage had never shown anyone how they were to manage life when they were on their own. They did the bare minimum to make sure the children got an education and worked for the meager salaries they were given. Pearl could sew well and make clothes, but she didn’t know how to cook or look after a house and certainly had no idea how she would interact with other people.

It made an orphanage feel redundant. What was the point of one if there was nobody to love and care for them?

Glancing down the line of beds at all the sleeping children, their gentle breathing interspersed with the occasional snoring, Pearl tiptoed to the door. A floorboard creaked, and she froze, wincing as she waited for a child to wake up and find her sneaking around. But it didn’t happen. There was a sigh from someone and a rustling of sheets. Pearl waited a moment, but nothing happened. Letting out a breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding, she continued toward the door.

She managed to open it without making too much noise. Their primary caretaker slept in the opposite room and was a very light sleeper. Hearing anything would set her off, and Pearl didn’t want to deal with that woman tonight. She had someone important to visit.

Avoiding the creaking floorboards, she went downstairs and through the huge building toward the infirmary. Janet would be there, slumbering in her bed. Hopefully, she wouldn’t be too ill to celebrate tonight. It was their last chance to do their Christmas tradition before Pearl left, and she was determined to make the most of it.

It was the last time she would smell the dusty air and experience the sensation of being a burden. Pearl wouldn’t have to see the nuns and other workers sneering at the unwanted children, the whispers in the hallways when they thought the orphans weren’t paying attention. Nobody wanted them to be here, that much was clear. The fact they ran an orphanage at all was a bit of a surprise.

But no more of that. Not for her, anyway.

Slipping into the infirmary, Pearl looked along the beds. There were cribs nearest the door with a few babies sleeping. One was stirring and making noises, the sound making Pearl’s heart squeeze. The poor thing sounded like they were in a lot of pain. There were smaller beds beyond the cribs, half of them empty. Usually, there would be a lot of children sick during the winter, but this year, it was like barely anyone was falling ill. It made the infirmary feel like a crypt. It was unnerving.

“Pearl?”

Pearl gasped and spun around. Sister Marie was walking toward her, and her soft-soled shoes barely made a sound. Pearl pressed a hand to her chest, waiting for her heart to stop jumping.

“I came to see Janet,” she whispered.

“You should be in bed asleep,” Sister Marie admonished quietly. “You shouldn’t disturb the sick.”

“But I’m leaving tomorrow, and I don’t think Mother Superior will let me see Janet before I go.” Pearl bit her lip. “Please, Sister Marie? I’ll be quiet, I promise.”

The nun pursed her lips as she considered it. Pearl hoped she would allow it. Sister Marie was strict, but she was one of the nicer nuns in the orphanage—one of the few, actually, which made her a rare individual. Looking after the sick children all the time probably made her heart a little softer. Pearl had never had any trouble from Sister Marie.

Finally, the older woman sighed and put a finger to her lips.

“Fine. But you must keep quiet. If you get caught…”

“I won’t get you into trouble, I promise. Thank you so much.”

Before the nun could change her mind, Pearl hurried to the far bed. Janet lay there with her back to Pearl, looking as if she were asleep. Her breathing was ragged, and it sounded painful. Pearl wished she could take the pain away. Her friend had been struggling with a nasty cough for the last few weeks, and it had been getting worse.

Hopefully, she could make it better for a short time tonight.

“Janet,” Pearl whispered, tiptoeing around the bed and sitting on the thin mattress. “Are you awake?”

“Yes.” Even though Janet’s eyes were closed, she held up her hand and managed a weak wave. “The light was hurting my eyes.”

“But there’s no light here, though.”

“There was a while ago. It still hurts.” Janet cracked her eyes open and grimaced. “I wanted to watch the snow outside, but it was too much for me. Everything hurts.”

She did not want to see Janet this way, but her friend had been sick so long that it seemed she would never get better.

She wasn’t going to think about that tonight.

“Well, I thought you and I could see the start of Christmas Day together, even if we’re in here.” Pearl reached into the pocket of her dress and brought out her item. “I’ve got you a little gift. I thought it would make you smile.”

“Oh, Pearl.” Janet managed a genuine smile as she took the little jewelry box. She opened up the lid and looked inside. “It’s beautiful. How did you get this? I thought we were not allowed out unless chaperoned, and I can’t see anyone letting you buy this. They’re so expensive.”

“I made it myself.”

“What?”

Pearl beamed.

“I carved the designs myself, and I painted it.”

“It’s beautiful.” Janet turned the box over, her tone breathless. She looked happier. “This is one of your best creations yet.”

“I don’t know about that…”

“Well, I do. You’re so good with your hands, Pearl. You could really make the most of this when you’re out of here.”

Pearl didn’t respond. At this point, she didn’t know if it was because she was being forced out without any preparation or because of Janet’s joy.

“How long did this take you to make?” Janet asked.

“About a month.”

“For me?”

“You’re my friend. I wanted to give you something special.” Pearl stroked her hair. “You’re special to me, Janet. Why wouldn’t I make you something for Christmas?”

She saw tears forming in Janet’s eyes, and her friend blinked hard. Then she licked her dry lips.

“I wish I had something for you. I wanted to get you something nice, but… I’ve been in here for so long…”

“Don’t worry about it,” Pearl assured her quickly. “I don’t mind if you haven’t gotten me anything this time.”

“Even so…”

“Besides, we’ll have plenty of Christmases in the future to exchange gifts. And we won’t have to sneak around to do it, either.”

Janet grunted.

“That’s true. I can’t believe God-fearing nuns are against anyone celebrating Christmas. Surely, this would be something to rejoice.”

“I will never understand that, but I will not try now. I’m leaving here in the morning, and I can do what I want during this time of year.” Pearl took Janet’s hand. “I know I wouldn’t be allowed to see you, so that’s why I’m here now.”

“I’m glad you came, Pearl.” Janet squeezed Pearl’s fingers. “I’m going to miss you. When you leave, I will feel like I’m on my own.”

“I won’t forget you, Janet,” Pearl insisted, even as she felt the tears building. “We’re going to write to each other, right? And you’ll be leaving next Christmas as well. Once you do, we can head out into the world together. Look after each other. We’ll make sure we have a better life than the one in here.”

“I hope so,” Janet croaked. “I’m scared, Pearl. What if I don’t leave this bed? What if I don’t leave next Christmas?”

“Don’t be silly. Of course you will!”

Pearl didn’t want to think about the possibility that Janet wouldn’t be there next Christmas.

“I just feel so ill.” Janet began coughing hard before she slumped onto the pillow. “Everything hurts. I thought I would be getting better by now.”

“You’ll be better soon. You’re stronger than this.” Pearl tried not to sound like she was about to cry. “I won’t go anywhere without you, Janet. You and I are in this together. Like we always have been.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” Janet whispered. She swallowed and looked at her glass on the bedside table. “Can you get me some water, please? My mouth is dry.”

“Of course.” Pearl picked up the glass and leaned over to kiss Janet’s head. “Merry Christmas, Janet.”

“Merry Christmas.” Janet’s eyes were filled with warmth as she looked up at her friend. “I’m so glad I’ve got you.”

Pearl echoed the sentiment. She didn’t think she could cope without her friend. They were going to look after each other, start on their adventures as they embarked on a new world. They were going to be married with the other present, be godmothers to each other’s children, and Pearl was sure they would live next to each other, if not close by. It was what they had always talked about.

She would make sure that this happened. Once Janet left the orphanage, they would do all of that. And things were going to be better.

Chapter One

1st December 1888

Durango, Colorado

 

Pearl tried not to show her panic despite the turmoil in her stomach that made her feel sick as she laid the wet cloth on Lilly’s forehead, hoping it would cool her down. But given how much Lilly was sweating, how pale her skin was, and the way she was breathing, it was like putting an ice block onto a roaring fire. It wasn’t going to do anything.

Her friend was close, and Pearl wanted to ignore that as long as possible. She wanted to believe that Lilly would get better, but that hope was fading away fast. Nothing was going to bring the wife and mother back from the brink.

It was like experiencing that Christmas eight years ago, seeing someone she cared about suffering before her eyes with no indication they were going to get better. Pearl felt overwhelmed.

But she couldn’t do that. The children needed her to be strong. Someone had to be after such devastation.

Hoping that Lilly was resting, Pearl left the room. She paused at the next door, which was closed, and started to reach for the handle. Then she decided against it and pulled back. No, she couldn’t go in there. Pearl already knew what was behind the door.

Only the day before, Lilly’s husband Samuel had died. He had been racked with sickness, and it had hurt Pearl to see her friend like this. The doctor said that Samuel and Lilly had tuberculosis, and it was nothing short of a miracle that Pearl and the children hadn’t been infected. The parents had been isolated for the past three weeks as it got worse, barely able to see their three children. Pearl had come over from her cabin as soon as she heard what was happening, and she had taken on the caretaking role. Robert, Sara, and Frankie needed someone to look after them, and Pearl had promised Lilly she would do that.

After all, the Parker family had taken her in when she needed a friend, and had given her a home and stability for the first time. They had allowed her to live in one of the cabins on their land, so she wasn’t paying exorbitant fees for a bed and breakfast in exchange for looking after the children when things got busy on the ranch. The least Pearl could do was look after them until the parents got better.

Now Samuel was dead, and Lilly was not too far behind.

Pearl wanted to scream in helpless frustration. She wanted to make things better for everyone, but it wouldn’t happen. December was already a difficult month. This year, though, Pearl was wracked with worry.

If Janet had been here, things might have been easier to handle. Knowing her friend was here for support would be enough. But Pearl didn’t want to think about that; she didn’t want to start crying now. The children didn’t need to see that.

Avoiding the room where Samuel was now lying, waiting for the undertakers to take him away, she headed downstairs. The children refused to sleep in their rooms and were on the settee in the sitting room. The fire was roaring away, and Robert lay on the hearth rug in front of it. Sara and Frankie slept at each end of the settee, a blanket over them.

How were they going to cope without their mother? It was going to be horrible for them.

Shifting Robert away from the fire so his blanket didn’t get caught by the spitting flames, Pearl stroked his hair away from his face. He was so much like his father, tall and lean with golden hair. He was mature and well-mannered, something Pearl had never encountered before. She was used to seeing eight-year-olds misbehaving and causing trouble when they weren’t being scolded for their actions.

Her time in the orphanage had shown her one way of life, and Lilly Parker’s family showed what it was meant to be like.

A knock at the door distracted Pearl from her thoughts, and she left the room. A tall, thin man carrying a leather bag was on the threshold, removing his hat to reveal his balding gray hair and thin face.

“Miss Whipsnade.”

“Doctor Fuller.” Pearl stepped aside and let him in. “The children are in the sitting room, so we need to be quiet.”

“I understand,” Doctor Fuller whispered, putting his hat on the coat rack by the front door. He turned to her, his expression softening. “How are you holding up?”

“I… I’m managing.” Pearl absently rubbed at her arms. It was warm in the house, but she felt so cold. “I can’t believe that this is happening. It’s just… I don’t know what to think.”

“I know. It can be a traumatic event to go through.” Doctor Fuller placed a hand on her shoulder. “But it’ll be fine. You’ll come through this stronger.”

“It’s not me that I’m worried about,” Pearl replied, subtly nudging his hand away from her. She was still not used to physical touch, even in comfort. “It’s the children. What’s going to happen to them when their mother dies?”

“Pearl, you can’t think about it like that…”

“She’s got tuberculosis, Doctor.” Pearl did her best to keep her voice down when she realized she was getting louder, glancing toward the partially open door to the sitting room. “That’s not pessimism on my part, that is just me being realistic.” She swallowed hard. “Someone has to be.”

Doctor Fuller regarded her quietly, his scrutiny making Pearl somewhat uncomfortable. Eight years had passed since she left the orphanage and never returned, but when people looked at her and said nothing, it brought her back to those unhappy memories.

“What will happen to the children once Lilly passes away?” She needed to focus on the conversation and not on how unnerved she felt. “Where will they go?”

Doctor Fuller hesitated for a moment too long. Pearl’s heart sank. She knew what that meant.

“Oh, no. No, you can’t be saying…”

“They would have to go to the orphanage, Miss Whipsnade. They don’t have any other family around here, so they would have to—”

“But Lilly would never allow that to happen,” Pearl protested. “She said she would want her children to be raised by someone she trusted.”

“Unless she makes a will, there isn’t much we can do. The children must go somewhere that will provide them with food and shelter.”

Pearl didn’t believe that for a moment. Her experience said that wouldn’t happen as the doctor expected. She paced away, wishing she could put everything back together. That this was a horrible dream.

“Can’t I take them in?” she asked. “Is that not permitted?”

Doctor Fuller sighed. “I honestly don’t know. Unless Lilly says something…”

“She did, though,” Pearl protested. “She trusts me, and I know she would be comfortable with my taking care of them as they need.”

“But there are rules to follow. If Lilly doesn’t say she wants you to look after them, you’ll have to follow the proper protocol to get them.”

Pearl stared at him.

“Are you saying that I can’t just look after them now? That I have to get permission?”

“We had a similar situation a few years ago before you came here. A husband and wife passed away within days of each other, leaving behind their two children. A friend of the husband’s said she could take them in, but she was ignored because there was no written will.”

“How is that allowed?” Pearl demanded. “Thousands of children out there have no one to look after them. The people who run the orphanages should be delighted that they have fewer children coming in because good community members are willing to take them on instead.”

“It’s just how things are done, I’m afraid,” Doctor Fuller responded, raising a hand as if to say he was trying to maintain peace between them. “I don’t write the rules about this, Miss Whipsnade. I just know that it’s not that simple.”

Pearl paced back toward him, rubbing her hands over her face.

“This is madness,” she muttered under her breath. “What happened to thinking about what’s best for the children? I thought things had gotten better in twenty years.”

“That’s why the rules were made, weren’t they?”

“As someone who’s been through it before, I don’t believe that at all.”

Pearl felt everything would break down inside her, but she couldn’t do that. Someone needed to keep it together, and it had to be her. Despite the panic in her chest and her throat tightening, making it harder to breathe, she knew she needed to be strong.

She didn’t want to feel strong right now.

Pearl looked toward the stairs and lowered her voice.

“Do you know when the undertakers are arriving? Samuel can’t stay there forever.”

“They’re on their way. It shouldn’t be long.” Checking the watch hanging on the end of a chain, Doctor Fuller tucked it back into his waistcoat. He nodded toward the sitting room door. “They’re going to see that their father is dead if you haven’t told them.”

“I know. I think Robert suspects something already.”

“Will you stay with the children when that happens?”

“Of course.” Pearl lifted her chin. “I’m not going anywhere.”

The man’s mouth twitched, and something that Pearl didn’t quite catch passed across his face. He gave her a nod and headed toward the stairs. Pearl hesitated, wondering if she should follow him or stay with the children. But not wanting to leave Lilly alone, she hurried after the doctor.

Ever since moving to Durango, Pearl felt a sense of home. She had been scared in the beginning, looking for work after having drifted from town to town across the state. She had lost count of her many jobs since leaving the orphanage. It had kept her on the move, Pearl unable to stay in one place. Nothing made her want to stay.

Danger alone was enough for Pearl to keep going; as an unmarried woman traveling alone, she was a target. It was not something she wanted to handle, and keeping one step ahead of those who paid attention to her had been Pearl’s plan from the beginning. There had been a few occasions when Pearl had been cornered by gentlemen who wanted a good time, and she had used her wits to escape them. Men certainly liked to take advantage of women traveling alone, thinking they could easily overpower them and get what they wanted. Pearl wasn’t about to stay in one place for long to let that happen more than it already had.

Then Pearl had come to Durango and met Lilly Parker. She worked as a seamstress from home while her husband looked after a small horse ranch left to them by Lilly’s uncle. When they met, Pearl had been in the general store asking if they had any work. Lilly had been getting her groceries, and they had just started talking. Pearl was naturally wary of a stranger who had come up to her out of nowhere, but Lilly had very quickly put her at ease. She was warm and friendly, and there was an aura about her that could make anyone relax. Pearl had liked that about her.

So when Lilly offered to put in a good word with the local seamstress she worked for, Pearl had agreed. She had also given Pearl a place to live in that cabin. It was dusty and needed a lot of work done, and only just enough room for one person, but it was a roof over her head. Pearl hadn’t had that in a long time.

Lilly had also helped Pearl integrate into life in the town. She showed her around, pointed out the people who would be helpful if she needed anything, and introduced Pearl to her friends. Everyone was welcoming of her, and nobody seemed to care that she hadn’t had the same upbringing. The community was understanding of a harsh life growing up in the west. To go through it as a child with no parental figures made a person tough.

That hadn’t happened to her or Janet, so Pearl didn’t believe it at all.

A pang of sadness washed through her as she thought about her friend. Janet would have also been here if she had left the orphanage when she was supposed to. They could have spent the last seven years together, which would have made things more enjoyable.

But her friend had passed away during the night. After Pearl had visited her to give her the gift, and they watched the snow falling for a while, she returned to her bed. Janet had taken a turn for the worse during the night, and she passed away in the early hours of the morning. Now Pearl was experiencing it all over again by looking at Lilly, seeing how quickly she was slipping toward succumbing to the illness. The memories brought back a lot of emotions that Pearl tried to hold back, but it was never easy. She would often wake up from a nightmare watching Janet die, and she would cry herself back to sleep.

She wanted someone to wrap her arms around her and tell her that she was doing well and things would be fine. Before coming to Durango, Pearl had never had anyone do that to her other than Janet. It was the first time she had support, and it was not fading away.

Janet would know what to do. She was always the pragmatic one. She knew how to handle things. Pearl wanted that right now because all she could think about was panicking, knowing that her new friend, the one who had introduced her to her fresh start, was dying, and she couldn’t do anything about it.

Pearl hated feeling powerless.

Doctor Fuller opened the door to Lilly’s room and went inside. Pearl followed him and saw Lilly lying on the bed, just as she had left her. She was still, her eyes closed. Nothing seemed to be moving on her. Pearl couldn’t even see Lilly’s chest rising and falling, albeit very slightly.

Panic now gripped her. It couldn’t be.

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  • This is a very good book. After the first chapter it is a well written book to read. The book seams that it will be an enjoyable book to read with a happy ending. Looking forward to get this book to finish reading it.

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