Christmas for Ransom Read Online Free PDF

then.”
    “Not close enough to get into each other’s hair.” She laughed and waved to neighbors starting their busy day. “I’m determining whether I wish to visit her for Christmas. I might, if the weather holds.”
    I hope it doesn’t, she prayed silently, wishing Pleasure Stakes had a church so she could pray for real. Worshipers gathered in the schoolhouse come Sundays, pushed the desks aside and brought in rough benches.
    “Nice to have some kin.”
    His hoarse tones wrapped around her like soft wool, and she recalled he had no one. Her lips trembled as she changed the subject.
    “Around here, Saul Hamers manages to bring in a pinchot juniper for Christmas Eve,” she said. “I’d sure like to be on hand to decorate it.”
    Ransom emitted an uncommitted answer, and she marveled at his quiet footsteps. His boot heels hardly made any sound or dust at all. In spite of his burly size, she sensed him graceful and light on his feet.
    “Ah, a Christmas tree.” Ransom’s breath danced in a little white cloud on the air. “I’d like to see that, truth to tell. Been a long time since I beheld such a sight.”
    Eliza’s heart twinged at the wistfulness in Ransom’s voice.
    “How long do you plan to stay in Pleasure Stakes?” she asked, an idea trilling. “You thinking of hiring on at the railroad?”
    He shook his head. “Just passing through.”
    Passing through? A funny little panic throbbed in her veins at the thought of him gone. She’d hardly slept all night, not just at meeting him but at the thought she’d see him today. She bit her lip, trying to sound bashful.
    “Maybe…maybe. If you’ve no plans, that is, you might wish to keep Christmas with Granny and me. She’s plenty of room. And.” She stopped, keeping her voice coy, “She does a blistering job of decorating the place.”
    Joy like Christmas morn itself split his face into a grin.
    “Why, thank you kindly, Eliza. Your offer does hold some merit.”
    Her heart soared even though he hadn’t committed to a thing. “I’d like it, to be sure. If you don’t mind me asking, what is it you do? For your occupation?”
    For a long time, all she heard was the bustle of another busy day and Ransom’s near silent footfalls. The heat of mortification tickled her neck at her prying. Goodness, she knew better. Ladies whether in Boston or Texas knew when to hold their tongues. And now she’d likely jeopardized the invitation to Stony Brook.
    His gabardine coattails rustled in the morning breeze as they walked into the schoolhouse.
    “Truth is, Miz Eliza, that don’t matter much.” Hand on the door post, he stopped and looked down at her, so tall and strapping he almost filled the frame. “What does matter is, I need to learn to read. Promised my gram-maw on her dying day. Maybe I could hire you to teach me?” Despite their browned skin from a life in the sun, his cheeks flushed. “Or am I too old for such a thing? And you’re leavin…”
    Eliza’s heart sang. School might be on break, but she wasn’t about to shirk her duties now. Getting to the Stony Brook would happen or not, because she was staying in Pleasure Stakes to knock some learning into Ransom’s head. She stopped like ropes grabbed at her heels.
    “Why, Mr. Ransom, no brain is too old for learning. And no, I’ve not decided my plans for certain. I’d be honored to teach you.”
    “I can pay.” He looked down at her, hand poised over his pocket.
    Being in his presence was payment enough, but Eliza didn’t dare mouth such unwomanly words. “No need. Place a donation in the offering plate come Sunday.”
    He chuckled deep in his chest. “Not a churchly man, ma’am. How about I buy something you need for the schoolhouse?”
    “Fine idea.” She pretended to think hard. “A map of the world would do the children well.”
    “All righty then,” he repeated and swung open the door, bowing to let her in first as elegant as any Bostonian. “I’ll take a look in the