Christmas With the Colburns Read Online Free Page A

field. “I have to. I know you’re worried about your
holiday traditions, but your father is right: I need to make the decision
whether or not I’ll train to be the next overseer of Good Springs. I’ve put
this off long enough.”
    “I didn’t mean to make things harder on you.”
    Connor furrowed his brow. “You’ve never made things hard on
me. You make my life complete. I love you and Andrew and this family and this
village. I want to do the right thing for everyone.”
    She had grown used to the idea of her husband becoming the next
leader of Good Springs someday, and she was beginning to like it. It meant they
would live their lives in the Colburn house, but it also meant they would both
have jobs that would frequently interrupt family time, including holidays. But
if it were what he was called to do, she could deal with the inconveniences.
“It’s just bad timing, that’s all.”
    “I don’t want to leave you at Christmastime, especially while
Isabella is near death and you’re busy with the baby and work. And I know
you’re upset because the rest of your family is doing their own thing this
year, but your dad will be here. This is his house, after all.” He was smiling
now. She could hear it in his voice. “I will try my best to be back by
Christmas dinner. I have to do this and I need you to trust me. Okay?”
    “All right.”
    “Good.” He peeled the quilt back. “Now let’s forget about it
for tonight, please. At any moment a villager could bring a sick or wounded
person to the medical office and ring the bell, and we won’t have another quiet
moment alone for days.”
    As Connor leaned onto the pillow beside her and pulled her
close, the detestable darkness receded. The sweetness of being together in the
quiet of the night took its place. As he traced a finger along her arm, she let
out a contented sigh. She could not forget everything was changing, but she
could put it aside long enough to enjoy their time together.
    Something downstairs rattled the wall. Connor shifted in the
bed and the quilt rustled. Beneath the sound, voices murmured outside. Before
she could listen for it again, the bell on the wall rang.
    She jumped out of bed and pinched the wire so the bell would
stop ringing before it woke the whole house. This was the last thing she needed
right now, but duty swallowed self-pity. She pulled a work dress over her fancy
new nightgown.
    Connor tossed the covers off and stood. He reached for his
shirt. “I’ll go out to the medical office with you.”
    “No, stay here. Remember, you have your work and I have mine.
Besides, if Andrew wakes up, he’ll need you. We can’t expect Bethany to watch
him all the time; she’ll move out soon.” She pointed at the bedside table.
“Would you light my lamp for me, please?”
    “Here, take mine.”
    She buttoned her dress. “No, I need mine.”
    “What you need is an assistant.” He moved to her table,
struck a match, and lit her lamp. As he carried it to her, he raised an
eyebrow. “Ever thought about getting a nurse?”
    “A what?”
    “A nurse.”
    She laced her boots in case the person at the door needed her
to ride out somewhere to help someone. “For Andrew?”
    “No, in the medical office. One of the students graduating
this year, Sophia Ashton, wants to train with you.”
    “Doctor Ashton’s granddaughter?”
    “Yeah. What do you think?”
    “I can’t think about it right now. I have to go.” Lydia
grabbed a hairpin from her dresser and reached for the door. “Don’t wait up.”
    “Lydia?”
    “Yes?”
    “Please be careful.”

 
    Chapter Five

 
    Lydia nestled Andrew into his crib for his afternoon nap,
covering him with his favorite blanket. He promptly kicked it off and stuffed
his foot into his mouth, then watched her to see if she would try to cover him
again.
    “I’m not falling for it, mister.” She smiled at him and
closed the nursery door behind her.
    Exhausted from being awake with a patient all