The Christmas Vow (6 page)

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Adam asked, stepping behind Tia as she mixed the melted chocolate into the hot milk.

“If you wouldn’t mind taking down the mugs, I’d appreciate it. You’ll find them in that cupboard, there.” She jutted her chin in the direction of a cupboard near the sink. Adam lifted out three mugs. One he recalled from when they were kids because Tia always wanted to drink out of it.

Creamy white with a chip in the handle, a pattern of deep pink roses decorated the side of the cup. It appeared Tia valued the sentiment of the piece more than she did having a cupboard full of matching dishes.

Adam set the mugs on the counter and watched as Tia filled them with the steaming hot chocolate. She added a dollop of cream to one and stirred it in as Toby raced back into the kitchen with his hair combed and hands scrubbed.

Tia placed the mug with the cream in front of Toby then grabbed the rose-emblazoned mug, handing the last one to Adam.

Nearly as quick as she took a seat, she popped back up, arranged cookies on a plate, and set it in the center of the table along with three napkins.

She handed Toby a cookie then held the plate out to Adam. He accepted one of the sugar cookies and took a bite before sipping the hot chocolate.

Toby was right. His mama did make really good hot chocolate. Unlike many people who scrimped either on the chocolate or sugar, this drink was rich and sweet.

Rather like the woman who made it.

Adam groaned inwardly and redirected his thoughts away from how enticing Tia looked with her hair in a loose bun and a smudge of flour on her cheek. His fingers itched to reach out and brush it away, so he finished his cookie and wrapped them around the cup of hot chocolate.

Toby filled the silence with his chatter. When Adam mentioned that he piloted boats down the river, the little boy scurried to his room and returned clutching a book in his hand. He set it down next to Adam and climbed on his lap without hesitation.

Page by page, Toby went through the different types of boats, pointing out which ones he liked best and why.

“I see you’ve got a sailor in the making on your hands,” Adam observed, offering Tia his dimple-cheeked grin and a wink before returning his attention to Toby.

Flabbergasted by Adam’s easy manner with her son, Tia’s tongue felt tied in knots. She studied the dark-haired man bending over to peruse her golden-headed child’s book.

“That’s a steam schooner.” Adam pointed to a picture then to another. “And a sternwheeler.”

“Have you been on a schooner, Mr. Adam?” Toby asked, turning his gaze from the book to the man who intrigued him.

“I sure have, Toby, and a sternwheeler. If it travels on the water, I’ve probably piloted it at some point. Most often, I pilot big ships coming inland from the sea to Portland and barges carrying wheat. Did you know that a large portion of the nation’s wheat crop, and even a percentage of the world’s wheat, is grown right here in Oregon?”

“It is?” Toby’s voice held a note of wonder as he gazed at Adam.

“It sure is.” Adam watched as Toby returned his attention to the book and pointed to a canoe.

“Have you ever been in one of those?” Toby tapped his tiny finger on the picture.

“I have,” Adam said, leaning back in his chair. Toby propped an elbow on the table and studied Adam with a mixture of awe and excitement.

“Was it fun?”

“It was fun,” Adam agreed. “There’s this old Indian named Charlie Two-Teeth. He paddles his canoe along the shore, catching fish in traps. One day we stopped nearby, so I walked over to Charlie and asked him if I could sit in his canoe. He shrugged, so I wasn’t sure he understood me. When I held out a fifty-cent piece, he grinned and handed me the oar. I don’t know what happened to ol’ Charlie’s teeth, but all he’s got is one here,” Adam pointed to one of his top teeth, “and one here.” He touched a bottom tooth.

“Golly!” Toby said, eyes wide. “Where did you take his canoe?”

“I paddled it across the river and back again.” Adam made a rowing motion with his arms. “Luckily for me, it was at a narrow spot.”

Tia smiled and watched Toby relax against Adam as they finished looking through the book.

Her son missed having a father figure in his life. When Patrick died, Roland had tried to stop by weekly to give Toby some special attention. Although Cedric and Catherine claimed to dote on the boy, they seldom spent time with him. She couldn’t fathom why they’d want to take him away from her.

Neither of them had any interest in the day-to-day care of a child. The thought of them hiring a nanny and ignoring Toby made Tia even more determined to keep it from happening.

“Look, Mama.” Toby pointed to a photo of a houseboat. “That’s like the boat I want to have someday. I’m going to marry Erin Dodd and we’ll have our very own boat.”

Adam chuckled and Tia smiled. She reached out and caught Toby’s chin in her hand, turning his face to hers. “Those are some big plans, young man. I’m glad to see you’re thinking ahead.”

“I am, Mama. Erin and I will live on the big boat and you, and Pastor Chauncy, and Miss Abby, and Mr. Adam, and everyone can come visit us. We’ll have lots and lots of room.”

“I’ll look forward to seeing that big boat, Toby.” Adam patted the boy on his back, drinking the last of his chocolate.

He set Toby on his feet then rose to his own. “Thank you for allowing me to help with your snowman and showing me your book. Maybe I can show you how to make a sailor’s knot or two sometime.”

Animated, Toby grabbed Tia’s arm and shook it. “Can he, Mama? Can he show me how to tie a real sailor’s knot?”

“Of course, as long as Mr. Guthry has time and you behave yourself.” Tia grinned at Toby, pleased by his enthusiasm.

“The one thing I’ve got the next few weeks is plenty of time,” Adam said as he pulled on his coat and wrapped a scarf around his neck. He’d once again forgotten to wear his hat, although he didn’t really care. He opened the door but turned back to Tia before he stepped outside. “I noticed there are some loose shingles on your roof. It wouldn’t be any trouble to fix them for you.”

Tia pushed past him out the door and rushed down the steps, walking backward across the yard until she could see the roof. As Adam said, she could see several loose shingles. The two men she usually hired to do odd jobs around her house were already overextended with projects. They let her know before Thanksgiving that they wouldn’t be available to do any work until after Christmas.

While she hated to accept help from Adam, she didn’t want to lose any shingles in the next windstorm.

Crossing her arms over her chest, she marched over to where he stood with Toby at the door. “I’ll purchase all the necessary supplies and pay you for your time.”

“You’ve probably already got all the necessary supplies and you won’t pay me for my time. If you insist on it, I won’t do it at all. I might take a pie as payment. However, I’d prefer one without a blackened crust.”

“Oh, gracious!” Tia raced inside the house and pulled the pies from the oven. Enthralled with Adam and the affectionate interaction between him and Toby, she’d completely forgotten about her pies.

The crust was darker than she liked, but at least they weren’t black, as Adam had suggested.

His chuckles floated back to her as he strode outside and down the porch steps.

Chapter Six

A knock at the front door caught Tia by surprise as she slid a chicken into the oven to roast for dinner.

Swiftly wiping off her hands and removing her apron, she hurried to the door as someone knocked a second time.

An impeccably dressed man stood on the front step, holding his hat in his hand as she opened the door.

“Mrs. Devereux?” He smiled in a seemingly friendly manner.

“Yes?” Tia had no idea who the man was as she took in his stocky, short build. A hint of foreboding settled like a lump of unpalatable mush in the pit of her stomach.

Although his clothes were expensive, the man appeared out of place in them, like an actor playing a part. In spite of how he looked, Tia had no problem picturing the man as a ruffian.

“I’m Edward Nivens. The Honorable Cedric Devereux retained my services in the matter of guardianship of his grandson.”

“What?” Tia took a staggering step back and bumped into Toby as he ran to the door to see who had arrived.

The little boy sensed her fear and clung to her hand. “Mama?”

Tia forced a smile to her face and turned to her son. “Sweetheart, would you run into the kitchen to make sure we have enough cookies for today? If we have additional visitors, we might need to bake more.”

“Okay,” Toby said, dragging his toes and staring at the strange man over his shoulder as he shuffled to the kitchen.

When he was out of earshot, Tia returned her attention to the man who lingered in her doorway. “What is the meaning of this?”

“Judge Devereux is concerned about his grandson’s wellbeing. Since he did not receive a reply to the letter he sent, he began proceedings to seek guardianship of the child. I’m to serve these papers to you and, if you’re in agreement, bring the child back to Portland with me.”

“Of course I’m not in agreement!” Tia hissed, refusing to take the thick envelope Mr. Nivens held out to her. “Has Cedric lost his mind? The only way he’ll get guardianship of Toby is over my cold, dead body.”

“I believe he’s willing to consider that as a possibility.” Mr. Nivens leered at her and stepped inside the house.

The cold gleam in his eyes sent fear slithering along Tia’s spine. “Get out of my house and don’t ever come back!”

“I’ll remain here until the boy is in my keeping. You might as well get his things because whether you willingly send him today or I take him by force, he’s still going.”

“I won’t allow it! I won’t!” Tia regulated the volume of her voice so it wouldn’t carry to the kitchen and frighten Toby. However, her tone clearly conveyed her disgust and dismay. “I insist you leave this instant or I’ll…”

The man grabbed her wrists and pinned them behind her back. “Or you’ll what, missy? Seems to me you don’t…”

A blur of white fur launched across the room and latched onto Mr. Nivens’ leg. He howled in pain as Crabby dug in his claws and rapidly climbed upward. Screeches rang through the house as Mr. Nivens attempted to shake off the enraged feline while the cat snarled and spat, furiously inching toward the man’s head.

Bits of white fur floated like fluffy snowflakes in the air as the man tried to grab the writhing feline. Sharp teeth sunk into his palm, drawing blood. Mr. Nivens waved his bleeding hand in the air as he gaped in utter disbelief at Crabby.

“Get this demented beast off me!” he shouted, panicked as the cat continued his ascent.

Unaware of the danger, Toby ran into the room and sank onto the floor with laughter, watching the man spin in circles as the cat clung to his chest.

Tia took advantage of the intruder’s distress to give him a hard shove out the door. She locked it behind him then stood at the window, watching as the cat raised a paw and clawed a deep scratch across Mr. Nivens’ chin. Crabby jumped down and pranced through the snow toward the back of the house.

With a look of shock and anger on his face, the man swiped at the blood dripping down his chin, shook his fist toward the house, and stomped off.

Relieved he’d gone, Tia sank onto the sofa, trying to gain control of her shaking limbs.

Stunned that Cedric would hire a thug to do his dirty work, she tried to think of the best course of action.

Perhaps she should pack a bag and steal away in the night to protect her son. She had a few friends in Pendleton that might help her. Maybe it would be best to head south to California, toward a warmer climate.

Lost in her worries, she jumped to her feet as Toby tried to open the door.

“Toby, no! Don’t open the door!” She rushed to his side and dropped to her knees, pulling him into her arms.

“But, Mama, Mr. Adam’s out there.” Toby pointed to the door as another knock sounded. “I want to tell him about Crabby climbing all over that man.”

Tia stood, still holding Toby, and unlocked the door. Adam took one look at her and stepped inside, placing a hand on her arm as he closed the door. “What’s wrong, Tia? What’s happened?”

She gave Adam a cautionary glance then rested her cheek against Toby’s forehead. “I think you might need to check on Crabby, sweetheart. Why don’t you get your boots and coat and go outside? Just long enough to check on the kitty. And make sure you stay where I can see you.”

“Okay, Mama.” Toby started squirming before she set him down and raced into the kitchen. In no time, the sound of the kitchen door opening and closing carried back to where Adam and Tia stood by the front door.

“You’re shaking like a leaf, Tia. What’s wrong?” Adam took her hand in his and led her to the kitchen. He eased her down into a chair where she could watch Toby in the backyard while he pulled the kettle toward the front of the stove to heat the water for tea.

Tia needed something to steady her nerves yet he doubted she had anything stronger than coffee in the house.

“What happened?” Mindful of her agitated state, Adam took her favorite mug from the cupboard and located the tea and sugar.

“Toby’s grandfather sent a man here to take him back to Portland, by force. If it wasn’t for that crazy cat, he might have done it, too.”

“Was he a stocky, short man in a gray coat with shredded trousers?” Adam asked as he leaned against the counter.

“Yes. Did you see him?” Tia started to rise when Toby disappeared from her sight then sat down when he ran into full view.

“Sure did. He was holding a handkerchief to his chin and dripping blood down the street, muttering curses with every step.” Adam’s look held shock and a hint of amazed wonder. Dimples popped out in his cheeks as he snickered. “The cat did that to him?”

Despite the fear threatening to swamp her, Tia grinned. “Yes. Crabby took offense to his plan and let him know we wouldn’t go down without a fight.”

Chuckles rumbled out of Adam as the kettle whistled. He made a cup of tea and set it in front of Tia.

“What are you going to do?” He hunkered down beside her, placing a warm hand on her shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze.

“I don’t know, but I won’t allow that awful man to take my son.” Tia sipped the tea, sweetened just the way she liked. Surprised Adam remembered, she glanced down and realized he’d handed her the mug she always favored.

“I’m going to work on the roof for a while and keep an eye on Toby. You just sit here and try to relax. I don’t think the judge’s man will return today, at least not if he knows what’s good for him.” Adam stood and walked over to the back door. “Don’t worry, Tia. We’ll figure something out.”

Soon after he stepped outside, she heard Toby’s giggles as Adam tossed him in the air. She listened to the sound of the ladder being set against the house then footsteps thudding overhead as Adam made good on his promise to repair her loose shingles.

Her thoughts spun around and around in her head, making her dizzy as she tried to decide the best thing she could do to protect her son.

Frustrated by her own sense of inaction, she smacked the top of the table with both hands, got to her feet, and marched out of the room.

With each nail Adam pounded into the roof, he pondered Tia’s situation. Each time he set a new shingle in place, he sent a prayer heavenward for wisdom.

Below him, Toby played in the snow while the cat sat nearby, swishing his tail and keeping watch.

Adam wished he’d been around to see Crabby in action. He’d never heard of a cat attacking a man before. Based on his shredded trousers and multiple scratches dripping blood, Adam doubted Tia would have any more trouble with Cedric Devereux’s hired thug that particular day.

In his work, Adam had seen plenty of men like the one who’d terrified Tia. No matter how nicely they dressed or how fine their manners upon first meeting, they were all the same — all heartless bullies who lived to strike fear in others while making a little money on the side.

As he worked to repair Tia’s roof, Adam realized he could no more turn away from Tia and Toby now than he could cease his need for air to breathe.

He’d never intended to speak to her again, let alone open his heart to her. Not a single doubt lingered in his mind that she’d rip his heart to pieces a second time if given the opportunity.

Even in light of that knowledge, Adam couldn’t force himself not to care about her and her son.

Toby was the most intelligent, adorable child Adam had ever encountered. He understood why the judge and his wife wanted him, but that didn’t make their actions acceptable.

The little boy belonged with his mother, wherever she decided to raise him.

“Mr. Adam, watch me!” Toby waved to get his attention.

Adam leaned over the edge of the roof and smiled. “I’m watching.”

Toby tumbled across the snow-covered yard in a somersault then hopped a few paces on one foot before falling into a pile of snow with a giggle. “Did you see me?”

“I did see you, Toby. That was very good.”

“Mama taught me to do summersalls.” Toby pointed up at Adam. “Can you do a summersall?”

Adam wondered if Tia taught Toby by executing a few somersaults of her own or just giving him instruction. A picture of her trying to do one with her long skirts and petticoats made him grin.

“Stay right there, Toby, and I’ll show you something.” Adam maneuvered around until he sat on the edge of the roof with his back to the ground. He set aside his tools and made sure he didn’t have anything sharp in his pockets. Relaxing his muscles, he placed his hands on his knees, leaned back, and rolled off the roof. He spun around in a perfect circle before landing on his feet in the snow.

“Oh, Mr. Adam, do it again! Please, do it again!” Toby ran over to him and tugged on his hand, excitedly hopping up and down. “Can you teach me to do that?”

“I’m fairly certain your mother would skin me alive if I taught you to do that. Don’t you let me catch you trying. You have to be a full-grown size before you can try that trick. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.” Toby nodded his head solemnly but a smile quickly brightened his countenance. “But will you do it again?”

“Once more, then I need to finish my work.”

“Hooray!” Toby clapped his mitten-covered hands and watched as Adam hurried up the ladder to repeat his performance.

The door opened and Tia stepped out just as he rolled off the roof a second time. She gasped and placed a hand to her throat. “Adam Guthry!”

He landed with a lopsided grin and flourish of his hand as he bent toward her. “Yes, Queenie?”

“Good heavens! Have you lost your mind? What if you injured yourself?” Tia stood on the back step with her hands fisted on her hips. “What were you thinking?”

“That it would make Toby smile,” Adam said and glanced down at a beaming little boy who leaned against his leg. “Besides, I do it off boats all the time in the summer and this way, I don’t have to worry about anything sucking me under the water. It’s just a matter of balance.”

“Well, cease from balancing that matter off my roof. What if someone much smaller than you takes a notion to emulate your careless behavior?” Tia looked pointedly at Toby.

Adam reached down and ruffled the boy’s hair. “Toby knows he can’t try this until he’s as big as me, isn’t that right?”

“Yep. Mr. Adam already said I couldn’t try it, Mama. Did you see him roll right off? Boom!” Toby clapped his hands together. “I wish Erin could have seen it. Will you do it again, Mr. Adam, if I go fetch her?”