High Plains Promise (Love on the High Plains Book 2) by Simone Beaudelaire Page A

church, noting how even the sparkling of the sun on the crusty surface of the snow failed to lighten his mood. Each day had been harder than the one before, and he hadn't been back to work yet. He knew Melissa would be content to color in the corner of his office for a day or two, but he couldn't bring her there every day until she was old enough to start school. He needed help. But where would he find it?
    Seated on the red cushion that covered his usual pew, Melissa perched on his lap, he noticed for the first time that the church was decorated for Christmas. A large tree had been adorned with candles and gilded ornaments. The communion rail sported a cheerful garland of evergreen boughs and bright red bows. How lovely it was. A new thought occurred to Wesley. Christmas had nearly arrived, and Melissa would have to face the holiday with no mother to care for her.
    Wesley shook his head as the organ began to play the opening hymn. He sang, a little raggedly, and couldn't help but smile as Melissa fumbled through the semi-familiar lyrics.
    Then Cody stepped into the pulpit and began the morning announcements. At the end of the usual committee meetings and prayer requests, he dropped a bombshell, which left the congregation gasping.
    “Friends, in the short time I've been here, you've made me feel welcome, and I thank you. But no one has done more to facilitate my integration than Miss Kristina Heitschmidt. Therefore, I have decided to make her a permanent part of my life by marrying her. To my very great surprise, she has agreed. More details will be provided later,” Cody continued, “and I sincerely hope all of you will wish us well. And now, if you would take your Bibles and turn to Psalm 57. We will read responsively, whole verse by whole verse.”
    Wesley was still trying to close his gaping jaws, even as his finger fumbled by rote to the center of the pew Bible. He'd known from the beginning that Cody and Kristina belonged together, but to become engaged, just like that? Then he smiled. They would be so good together. As good as he and Allison would have been, if only…
    If only he'd married her, instead of Samantha. But he hadn't. Now everything was different. And to be honest, he needed a woman in his life, someone to do all the womanly things around the house, someone to take care of Melissa. She already liked and trusted Allison, and so did he. If Allie would agree… Oh, Lord. If she would agree he could finally marry her. Finally have the perfect life he'd dreamed of for so long. But would she agree? He didn't know, but suddenly he knew he would have to find out. Tradition dictated he wait a year, but he didn't know if he would be able to manage. He would have to think on this carefully.

Chapter 5
    Allison Spencer and her sister sat at the most level of the little uneven tables at Lydia's café, with the proprietress and Kristina Heitschmidt. The restaurant had closed a couple of hours ago and now the four ladies had gathered in the large, empty room. Outside the rows of massive windows, the early December afternoon was bleak and gray, and a stiff wind sent the twigs on the naked, stunted trees whipping. Though the heat of the kitchen warmed the dining room, the chill outside seeped in. Allison was grateful for the hot drinks and warm gingerbread cake.
    “I still just can't believe it,” Lydia said, taking a sip of her tea. “How long have you two been courting in secret?”
    “We haven't been,” Kristina insisted. “We've been fighting for the longest time, almost since he first arrived.”
    “Well then, what happened?” Lydia asked.
    Allison met Kristina's eyes briefly. Should she mention the shocking sight she'd seen at church the other morning? Kristina, half-dressed, sound asleep in Cody's arms on a pew cushion, which had been laid out beside the fire. She supposed they'd behaved, but it had looked bad, and they'd been talking of marriage ever since. Kristina had asked them all to meet here to