The Christmas Bride - A Western Romance Novella (Book 4, Burnett Brides Series) by Sylvia McDaniel

Seemed reasonable to Wyatt.
    Audelia sighed. “I think you’re missing an excellent opportunity to have a wonderful production this year. We’ll be back for rehearsal on Tuesday.”
    “Thanks, Audelia. I’ll look forward it.”
    She grabbed her daughter, who stood against the wall, her cheeks red with embarrassment, and led her from the auditorium.
    Wyatt walked up beside Eugenia. “Does she think our production is going to New York or San Francisco? It’s a church play.”
    Eugenia shook her head. “Every year it’s something with her. Her daughter is a sweet girl, but her mom will drive us crazy before the end of this.” She glanced at him. “You certainly didn’t step in there and try to explain it to her.”
    “I’m not here to run the play. I’m here to be supportive and help you. You’re in charge,” Wyatt said, knowing instinctively that if he’d interfered, Eugenia would have resented his meddling.
    She made a harrumph sound. “I’m having a hard time believing that.”
    He shrugged. “Think what you want. I’m just telling you like it is. I’m here as support.”
    Why was she having a hard time accepting that he didn’t want to lead the play? Could this possibly be a problem with Eugenia? Did she always need to be in control? That could certainly be a problem in any relationship.
    #
    Sunday morning after the service, Wyatt hurried outside the building. He watched as Eugenia walked over to her family.
     
    “Good morning, Eugenia,” Wyatt called.
    Outside, people stood in the bright, warm, Texas sunshine waiting for everyone to gather. Buggies were loaded with families as they prepared to ride out in search of a Christmas tree. Every year the church made cutting down the annual tree an outing, except years when the weather had forced them indoors.
    “Morning, Wyatt,” Eugenia responded.
    Wyatt watched as Eugenia walked to her buggy. Beth had laid the bundled up sleeping baby on the bench. There was no place for Eugenia to sit as Rose, Lucas and baby Desirée occupied the front row with Travis. Tanner, Beth, and baby Carter were in the back.
    He walked over to their buggy. “Hey there, folks. You guys are a little cramped.”
    “Good morning, Wyatt,” Beth said.
    Beth smiled at him, and he knew without a doubt the woman had deliberately put the sleeping baby on the bench.
    “Eugenia, baby Carter is sleeping. Why don’t you ride with me?”
    Her steely blue eyes gazed at him and then back at the sleeping child. She glanced between him and Beth, and he knew she was deliberating whether or not to tell Beth to pick the child up.
    Finally, she sighed. “All right, I’ll ride with you, Mr. Jones.”
    She turned and marched to his buggy. He tipped his hat to Beth and smiled. Then hurried to catch up to Eugenia.
    He helped her into the wagon, noting the tense line of her jaw, the way her mouth was set in a determined line.
    After he climbed up into the buggy, she turned to him. “I don’t know how you’re doing this or even why you arranged this little buggy ride. But I will talk to Beth and tell her to stop the matchmaking. It’s not becoming, and she doesn’t know what she’s doing.”
    He pulled the wagon into the line of other wagons all heading the same direction and laughed. He hadn’t seen Eugenia since their first rehearsal and then only briefly. He’d missed her quick mind and sharp wit. “That’s funny coming from a woman who matched all three of her sons and who’s known for her matchmaking.”
    “Beth’s an amateur.”
    Maybe she was, compared to Eugenia, but she’d helped Wyatt by leaving no room in the buggy for the older Burnett.
    “How does it feel, Eugenia?” he asked her, clicking to the horses as they fell into line with all the others. “How does it feel to know that someone is pursuing you and your family has now turned the tables on you?”
    She turned and gave him one of her cool, assessing looks.
    “Wyatt Jones, you better back off right now, or