He left her there on the sidewalk, her thoughts going back to all the places he’d kissed her over the past week, a few of which heated her face to the point her entire body felt hot and caused her pulse to race. She debated running after him and having him take her home but dismissed the idea. He’d think she was a shameless wanton for even suggesting it.

  She headed across town, looking into the shop windows as she passed, her heart filled with so much happiness she was glad she’d let the others talk her into coming with them out here. If she hadn’t, she’d still be in Charleston, wishing for a better life while doing needlework by the fire every evening. She had that now—and she had Matthew. This was the life she’d always wanted. This feeling of belonging to a community where no one was trying to bring you down. Most of the women in the circles she knew back home would step on anyone to get what they wanted but the people in Angel Creek all wore happy smiles and she’d yet to meet a single person who didn’t have a kind word for her.

  Julia turned the corner, trying to remember which street Prudence had told her everyone lived on, and her distraction caused her to run into someone. They collided with enough force she nearly toppled over and when she was steady on her feet she saw who she’d bumped into. “Oh, my goodness! Forgive me, Cora. Are you all right?”

  As she stared down at the other woman, she remembered the conversation with Matthew and him telling her he and Cora had talked and that everything was fine between them. That she’d wished them well in their marriage in the end, so the look on Cora’s face was confusing to her now. A cold, taut expression covered her face, the angry glint in her eyes freezing her in place.

  Cora lifted a hand, wiping at her lip. It was then Julia saw the small bright red dot of blood. “So not only have you taken my fiancé but you wish for my blood as well?”

  “I apologize. I didn’t realize—“

  “Of course you didn’t.” Cora glared at her, her gaze dropping to her cloak. Her face reddened as she stared at it, one side of her mouth twisted in annoyance. “Perfect, beautiful Julia, one of the lovely southern belles of Angel Creek. I’m so sick of hearing about you all! Sick of it! You five are all anyone talks about anymore. Those lovely ladies all the way from the east coast with their proper manners and enchanting accents.” She sneered at her, her lip curling in disgust. “It’s as if you can do no wrong!”

  Julia opened her mouth but Cora took a step toward her, lifted her hand and pointed a finger at her before she could say a word. “Stay away from me, Julia, and don’t step foot inside my shop. You’ve taken the most important thing in my life. I’ll not give you a single thing more. I don’t care if you do pay for it.”

  The pain Cora felt was obvious. It was in every line of her face, in the way she stood, and heard in every harsh word she spoke. But what was the cause of it? And why would accidentally running into her make her so angry?

  Or was it something else?

  Had Matthew not told her the truth about his meeting with Cora? Had he told her things were well just so she wouldn’t worry? Not that it mattered. Either way, Cora’s reaction now wasn’t what she’d expected and if she had to live in this town, they needed to get along. From what Prudence had told her, Cora had very few friends. She knew from experience how a lack of support would turn one bitter. She’d known many ladies like that so maybe Cora just needed a friend.

  She straightened her cloak and said, “I was on my way to Sarah’s house for a visit. I’m sure she has a pot of tea on and if not, it won’t take much to persuade her to fix one. Would you like to join me?”

  Cora stared at her long moments before hissing, “I’d rather dine with pigs,” her voice laced with contempt. She came at her and Julia tried to step out of her way but gasped when Cora reached out with both hands and gave her a hard shove off the sidewalk.

  In seconds, Julia was on her back, staring up at the white-washed sky as snowflakes fell onto her face, something wet and cold seeping into her cloak and dress. Voices around her grew in volume until she saw a man peering down at her.

  “Mrs. Bailey, are you all right?”

  She was still stunned enough that his words didn’t register immediately but once they did, she smiled. She’d never been called Mrs. Bailey before. “Yes, I think so.”

  He helped her off the ground and held onto her arm until she was steady and the crowd was growing as she stood there. Seeing their shocked faces, she puzzled over the looks until she heard Cora—wailing as if some tragic event had just occurred.

  They all seemed to notice her at once, everyone on the sidewalk turning to look at her, Cora turning with them, that accusing finger once again raised and pointed her way. “She did it!”

  The gasps and disapproving head shakes were odd until she looked more closely at Cora. Four bright red claw marks raked down the side of her face and her lip was bleeding freely.

  Cora let out another wail before shouting, “She said she’d kill me if I spoke to Matthew again, then attacked me.”

  And as Julia stood there with absurd accusations hanging over her head, the optimistic hopes for life in that town crumbled into dust.

  Something was happening on the other end of town. The hammering of the blacksmith, nor the men gathered around the shop talking could distract from the commotion, or the raised voices he heard, and the occasional scream from someone screeching like a dying cat echoed through the streets.

  He turned with several other men and headed toward the far end of town to where all the commotion was. When they rounded the corner and saw the crowd, one familiar, tall figure standing in the street caught his eye. “Julia?”

  Matt pushed his way through the crowd until he reached her side, the look of relief on her face when she saw him enough to knock the air from his lungs. She leaned against him when he reached for her, burying her face against his chest.

  Her cloak was wet, as was the back of her head. “What happened, Julia?”

  She mumbled, “It was an accident.”

  “What was an accident?” He looked to the sidewalk, scanning the crowd. Whoever was crying was concealed behind a mass of people but they all seemed to shift as one. That’s when he saw her. Cora, bellowing to the top of her lungs.

  She saw him at the same moment and lifted her chin, her mouth set into a harsh, angry slash. “Do you see what she did to me, Matthew?” She pointed to her face, the red slashes down her cheek bright against her pale skin. “She attacked me for no reason at all.”

  The red marks down her face were fresh, blood pulled to the surface of her skin but he had a hard time believing Julia was responsible for it.

  He looked down at her, met her gaze, and knew instantly she would have never done such a thing. He’d learned a great deal about his wife over the past week and her sweet, gentle nature was one of her most endearing qualities. Even if Cora had provoked her, Julia would never have struck her, let alone clawed Cora’s face that way.

  “Can we go home, now, please?”

  Julia was once again staring at his chest, her fingers clenched in the fabric of his coat.

  “Why are you wet?”

  “I found Mrs. Bailey laying in the street when I came around the corner.”

  Matthew looked up at the voice and found Joseph Hall staring at him. The old man walked these sidewalks endlessly for no other reason than he had nothing better to do. If anyone would have seen what happened, it would have been him. “Did you see anything before finding her?”

  He shook his head. “Nope. Heard someone yelling though.” He flicked a glance to the sidewalk. “Sounded like Miss Cora to me.”

  “It was me!” Cora pushed her way to the edge of the sidewalk. “She told me to stay away from you, Matthew, and to never step foot on your land again, then just—attacked me. I screamed, of course, then shoved her away. That’s how she ended up in the street.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Just what sort of woman have you married?”

  Multiple people started talking at once and Matt knew he’d never get to the bottom of it with so many people around, not to mention, Julia was obviously distressed with so many onlookers hovering nearby.

  He wrapped an arm around Julia’s shoulders and turned, looking up at Cora. “Unless you’d like to discuss this in private, we’re going home. I’ll not let my wife become a spectacle for the entire town.”

  “What’s there to discuss? Your wife attacked me!”

  “Would you like to press charges?”

  Cora’s mouth opened, then closed, her gaze falling on Julia. Matthew waited but when she said nothing, he turned and started leading Julia away. Neither of them spoke as they crossed town to the livery stable, or while they waited for Willie to hitch the horse to the wagon. When they were headed back across the prairie he reached out to wrap his arm around her and pulled her close.

  “You want to tell me what really happened?”

  She looked up, surprise shining in her eyes. “You don’t believe her?”

  He laughed. “Not hardly. Cora has always had an over the top reaction to things. Today proved she still does.”

  She went limp beside him, her head falling to his shoulder and he realized then how tense she’d been. Had she actually thought he’d take Cora’s side in all this? Without even knowing what really happened, he knew, regardless of what occurred, Julia wouldn’t be at fault for it.

  Julia told him her version of events and he had no reason to believe it didn’t happen just as she said. Her question as to why Cora would behave the way she had when he’d told her she’d wished them well, was as puzzling to him as it was her.

  Prudence stepped out of the house when they pulled into the yard. Matt helped Julia out of the wagon and told them he’d be in as soon as he’d unhitched the horse and got him back in his stall. Orin met him at the barn doors, both of them working quietly to see to the horse and he was about to leave when Silas’s voice drew him to a stop. He looked around the barn and finally saw him in the loft.

  “What’s all this?”

  When Silas leaned over the crate he’d stored up there, Matt yelled, “It’s breakable so be careful.”

  “What is it?”

  He hesitated, then said, “Gifts—for Julia. For Christmas.”

  Silas and Orin both stared at him as if they’d never seen him before. He ignored their curious gawking and left the barn, pushing the doors shut behind him.

  He and Pru hadn’t celebrated Christmas in so long, gift giving felt foreign now. But—Julia wanted the type of Christmas she was used to, and if he had to guess, he’d say gifts were a part of it. That reason alone was why he hadn’t given her the tea set he’d bought for her, or the remaining tea. He’d only taken the one tin inside the house, saving the others to give to her on Christmas morning when he gave her the tea tray with its fancy teapot and cups. The brooch Cora had given him was in there as well, but after today, he’d head into town first thing in the morning to return it. If Cora was going to behave the way she had on that sidewalk earlier, he wouldn’t put it past her to accuse him of stealing it—or rather, accuse Julia of taking it.

  He stepped up on the porch and could see Julia through the window. She was smiling despite her day. Her hair was matted in the back from the melted snow and street sludge she’d fallen into. He’d see that she had a proper bath as soon as Pru left.

  The thought brought a smile to his face, wondering how soon he could make his sister head for home.

  Prudence gave her a wide-eyed look as she removed her cloak. “What in the world happened to you?”

  Julia started to hang the cloak by the door, then thought better of it. It would have to be washed. “Matthew took me into town to see my friends and I ran into Cora on the way.”

  “And?”

  “And she wasn’t happy to see me.”

  “Obviously.” When she said nothing else, Prudence sighed. “You might as well tell me what happened because I’m not leaving until you do.”

  Julia told her every detail she could remember, knowing Prudence would have spent half an hour getting every detail out of her anyway. When she’d finished, Matthew opened the door and stepped inside.

  Prudence crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “I hope you told her off.”

  “Who?”

  “Don’t play dumb with me, Matthew.”

  He hung his coat and said, “I hate to disappoint you, Pru, but I didn’t say anything to her.” He crossed to the fireplace as Prudence sputtered—trying to find the right words to yell at him more than likely—as Matthew grabbed a few logs of wood and laid them in the fire. “Well, actually, I told her we’d discuss it in private if she wished but she never moved, so we left.”

  Prudence scoffed. “Well, no one would be privy to the spectacle if you held the conversation in private. I swear, Cora thrives on drama.” She turned to look at her. “This, Julia, is why Cora has no friends. She’s just—“

  “—Lonely.” Matthew and Prudence both stared at her, speechless. “I think she’s just lonely.”

  Prudence opened her mouth, closed it, then said, “I don’t think that’s the word I’d use to describe her.”

  “I know people just like her,” Julia said. “They’re hurting for one reason or another and lash out as a way to feel something.” She met Matthew’s gaze. “If it would be all right with you, I’d like to try to befriend her.”

  “You don’t need my permission to be anyone’s friend, Julia.”

  She gave him a grateful smile and saw a twinkling of light by the tree, her attention drawn to it. Seeing the tree reminded her of the party Cora had mentioned. “Were you planning on attending the Christmas party in town?”

  He looked uneasy but said, “If it would make you happy.”

  “It would.”

  “Very well, then, we’ll go.”

  Julia could tell the idea wasn’t something Matthew wanted to think about but for her, he was willing. “I’m sure my friends will be there and it will be the perfect opportunity to introduce them to Cora properly.”

  Prudence made a choking sound. “You’re serious about being friends with her?”

  “Yes.”

  Prudence looked at Matthew. He only smiled.

  Her sister-in-law shook her head. “Matt, who does she remind you of?”

  “Gramps.”

  Matthew winked at her as Prudence laughed and said, “Gramps would have loved you, Julia.” Her eyes took on a far-off look as if assaulted by memories. “The man never met a stranger and he didn’t have a single enemy. Those who were most ornery around him, he sought out. Said everyone deserved a second chance and he gave them freely. He laughed often and loved scaring the snot out of me.” She grinned. “I miss him every day.”

  “He sounds delightful.”

  Prudence turned and stared at the tree. “He loved Christmas time. Gran died when I was a baby so I don’t remember her but Gramps said she always decorated the house and made sure we did every year after she was gone.” She looked around the room. Julia did as well. The tree had been strung with homemade decorations and ribbons. The mantle adorned with pine boughs and dried berries. It wasn’t as festive as the holiday decorations back home but for their first Christmas, it would do. “He would approve of what you’ve done in here.”

  “I’m sorry I never got a chance to meet him.”

  Prudence crossed to the small room behind the stairs. Julia had peeked in once, finding nothing but a small desk and stacks of ledgers. She could hear the shuffling of things, and a drawer opening and closing before Prudence came back, something in her hand.

  “This is him.”

  Prudence handed her a small photograph within a tin frame. An older man with a shock of wild hair stood staring back at her. Julia’s heart skipped a beat as she looked at his face. “What was his name?”

  “Abraham, but everyone called him Abe.”

  Julia’s heart started racing so fast, she felt dizzy and grabbed hold of the chair beside her to keep from falling down. She stared at the photograph of Abe, at the same mischievous grin she remembered, and barely heard a word Prudence was saying. She caught the word, “trickster,” though and smiled. Yes, that was him, in a nutshell.

  “He loved scaring people.” Prudence moved to the tree and retied one of the bows on the branches, telling her of her grandfather’s antics and Julia saw the small twinkling light again. As if by magic, the shadowy outline of a person appeared in the corner, the form slowly gaining substance until Abe stood there staring at her. He winked, and as quickly as he’d appeared, his image faded into nothing.

  Well, that certainly explained how he came and went so quietly.

  Matthew’s arms closed around her from behind. “She’s right, you know.”

  She turned her head to see him. “About what?”

  “About Gramps. He would have loved you.” He took her chin by two fingers and turned her head and placed a soft kiss to her lips, the arm he had draped around her waist tightening as he whispered, “Almost as much as I do.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Christmas Eve, 1914…

  “That’s it?”

  Julia laughed. “Yes. What more do you want?”

  The girls shifted in their seats, the oldest of them shaking her head before saying, “What happened with Cora?”

  “And what about the party?” Emma squealed.

  “Did you really see a ghost?”

  The questions came at her so fast, she lost track of who asked what. “The party was amazing,” she told them. That first Christmas party in town was one of the happiest she remembered. Matthew had even seemed to enjoy himself despite the fact she knew he’d only gone because she’d wanted to. Him going just to please her had endeared him to her and she knew without a shadow of a doubt that she loved him and told him so under a cluster of mistletoe someone had hung as a party decoration.

  He’d kissed her right then and there, that public kiss earning them both a chastising from Prudence, who herself was chastised for interfering in the kiss by a man none of them had ever seen. He’d been new to town, only arriving the day before, and if she had to guess, she’d say it was love at first sight for Prudence and Franklin. They’d been married less than two months later.