Holly’s Christmas Wish
(The Belles of Wyoming Series Book 2)
By Marianne Spitzer
© December 2018
This book is a work of fiction. All the names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, events, locations, or organizations is purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced without the written consent of the author.
Acknowledgments
There are many people I would like to thank for their help and understanding while I wrote this book, but first and foremost, I want to thank God for all His blessings. I also wish to thank my family and friends for their patience and understanding when I disappear into my writing world especially my son, Lance, for his unwavering support. Last, but by no means least, I would like to thank my loyal readers who read my books and leave reviews. I couldn’t do this without you. You’re the best.
A special mention for the talented Virginia McKevitt for the beautiful cover design. You can find her on Facebook.
Holly’s Christmas Wish
Chapter One
Holly sat clinging to Matthew’s arm as the old wagon bounced over the road. They left Chicago before the sunrise, and she prayed they weren’t followed. A cold late November wind whistled past as tiny snowflakes danced around them.
Her mind drifted to the first time she saw Matthew. She worked as a seamstress’ apprentice in the quality ladies wear shop in the heart of town. Mrs. Royalton, one of the town’s most influential woman married to a wealthy businessman, had finished her elaborate shopping spree.
She turned to Holly and said, “Girl, have all of these things delivered to my home.” She waved her hand at the stack of dresses and personal items on the counter. “Except for the lavender gown. I wish to take it with me.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Holly replied. “I will wrap it immediately.”
“Hurry then, I see my son has arrived to escort me home.” She glided toward the door but stopped one last time to admire the silk scarves near the door allowing Holly enough time to package the dress without wrinkling the delicate fabric. Holly followed Mrs. Royalton out the door and watched as her handsome son helped her into their carriage.
He turned to Holly and took his mother’s purchase from her hand. “Thank you, Miss…?”
“Miss Martin,” Holly added with a slight smile and gentle curtsy.
“Miss Martin,” he nodded and climbed into the carriage.
~ * ~
The next morning a messenger arrived and handed Holly a note written on the most beautiful parchment paper she had ever seen much less held in her hands. It was a simple note:
Miss Martin,
Have dinner with me this evening. I will pick you up when the shop closes.
Matthew Royalton
Dinner? Could he really want to have dinner with her? Holly approached her employer and dear friend. Miss Constance had saved her from an unknown fate when she was fourteen and took her in as an employee when the orphanage decided she was old enough to work. Some girls went to work as maids in the homes of wealthy citizens. Some were not as fortunate and ended up cleaning or cooking in shady establishments. A few disappeared. Miss Constance was Holly’s guardian angel. At eighteen, she now had a needed skill and lived in a small room at the back of the seamstress shop. She was happy or at least she thought she was until she looked into Matthew’s eyes yesterday. She had little contact with men, and he intrigued her.
Miss Constance warned her that Matthew might be a fine young man, but his father had the reputation of a tyrant that ran his family with an iron hand. Holly heeded the advice but told Miss Constance she would enjoy dinner somewhere other than the small café down the street. She doubted Matthew Royalton would take her a nywhere except an excellent restaurant. Miss Constance smiled at her innocence but agreed that perhaps once Holly could enjoy the more elegant side of life and allowed her to borrow a lovely new gown for the occasion.
Dinner was more than Holly imagined. Matthew escorted her to one of the excellent restaurants in the city, one Holly heard of but knew she would never see inside.
As Matthew held out her chair, he whispered in her ear, “Did I tell you that you look enchanting this evening?”
Holly blushed, “Yes, you did, thank you.”
“Then I must tell you again and again until you believe me. I don’t think you realize just how beautiful you are,” Matthew said his smile warming Holly’s heart.
Three weeks later, Matthew proposed, and the young couple made plans to leave town and begin a new life.
~ * ~
The sound of horse’s hooves pounding behind them tore Holly from her memories. The three men dressed in black forced Matthew to pull over to the side of the road.
Holly gripped Matthew’s arm tighter and asked, “Are they bandits?”
“No, dear, don’t worry. They’re my father’s men,” Matthew grumbled.
The three riders blocked the road, and Matthew sat glaring at them. Shortly they heard a buggy pull up next to them. Mister Royalton sat in the buggy seat shaking his head.
“All right, Matthew, you’ve had your fun. It’s over now. Get out of that wagon and return home this instant. If your mother learns of this, she’ll take to her bed for days with one of her sick headaches and make us all miserable,” Mister Royalton insisted.
Matthew sat there staring between his father and Holly with a look of confusion across his face.
“Tell him,” Holly whispered.
Matthew shook his head.
Holly spoke up, “We’re getting married today, Mister Royalton.”
Mister Royalton laughed and leaned a bit forward to get a better look
