The Parson's Christmas Gift (Love Inspired Historical #22) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Kerri Mountain (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Desperate to escape her past, Miss Journey Smith heads deep into Montana Territory. Then a terrible accident strands her in the tiny town of Walten during the Christmas season. The townspeople welcome Journey into their hearts and homes, leading her to dream of a normal life, full of happiness, holidays—and the town's handsome parson.

Enchanted by the troubled beauty, Zane Thompson knows Journey is not what she seems. But she can't—or won't—trust him with her secrets, especially when her past reappears with a vengeance. Soon the parson must risk his life and his faith to offer Journey the greatest Christmas gift of all—his heart.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
September 1870, Montana

She'd pay ten dollars for a hot bath if she had it.

Journey wiped the grit from her eyes and slid from her horse. She felt as if she'd been born in the saddle—and spent all of her twenty years there.

She checked her saddlebags. Eight dollars and some hairpins.

She scanned the town as it started to wake. Slowly the sun stretched over buildings, quiet and fresh as the barren peaks surrounding the settlement. Nothing like Savannah, still fighting to recover from the destruction of the War Between the States some five years past. Nothing like Independence, always bustling with folks coming from and going to parts unknown.

"It looks like we may be in luck, Gypsy," she whispered to her horse.

The shop she was looking for sat near the end of the street—one with a plain, honest front, a quaint little porch and a worn sign proclaiming General Store in faded blue letters. Underneath, smaller letters spelled out a wide variety of items.

Journey slipped along the shadowed side of the building and pulled a small silver mirror from her satchel. Dust muted the freckles over her round cheeks, and she debated as to which was the worse. Her skin had darkened over the miles, despite the broad-brimmed hat she wore. But no amount of color hid the exhaustion from her dark brown eyes. Pulling the hat from her head, she ran strong fingers through the curls that coiled around each other until she could feel the tangles before she touched them. She remembered the brilliant red of her mother's silky waves and wondered what had happened that it had translated to her as a dingy auburn, uncontrollable mass.

She tugged none too gently at her tight locks and poked hairpins in strategically. "If they catch me talking to you, Gyp, I guess it won't matter how civilized I look." She tugged the horse toward the front of the store.

Her dress barely showed its original flowered print and she didn't know how much shorter she could cut her petticoats to reinforce the material. But she brushed the dust off as best she could and looped the horse's reins around a post. With a deep breath she pulled on her shapeless hat and mounted the steps to the open door.

A cloud of grime swept over her worn skirt.

"Sorry, ma'am! I didn't see you there."

She drew her lips up in a gracious smile. So much for looking civilized.

The man stopped sweeping and leaned against the broom, nodding her through the doorway on his way out. "My wife'll be with you in a little bit, ma'am. Take a look around." Journey watched a grin peek from below his full mustache.

Whitened walls gave the store an open feel, much as the landscape did for the little town. An inviting stove glowed in the center near the back. Canned peaches, harness fittings and an odd conglomeration of pans and kettles rested on shelves and pegs behind the counters on either side. Barrels marked Flour and Sugar sat in front.

She tried not to notice the curious stares following her as she browsed her way along the bolts of yard goods, but still started when a young woman asked her, "Anything I can help you with?"

Pulling a bolt of navy broadcloth from the wall, she responded with a flash of smile, determined to be calm. "I'd like a dress length of this, please." It would cut into her meager funds, but a purchase always made an impression when she needed information. She'd need a new dress before winter anyway. Tattered hems made only wrong impressions.

She stepped toward the counter. Though she'd always been short of stature, the shopkeeper's wife dwarfed her by a good eight or nine inches. The woman must've been about her own age, judging from the smooth skin and bright green eyes. Honey-blond hair hung in a low tail down her back.

"I haven't seen you around here before," the lady said as she measured the cloth. Journey nodded when the woman glanced up. "I'm Abigail Norwood—Abby to most. Have you met my husband, Sam?"

"Yes, she did, I'm afraid," the low voice called from the porch. He wedged through the door and made a show of putting the broom in its corner space. "I gave her a right unfriendly greeting, though."

The woman shook her head in mock despair. "The one time I get him to sweep up in here." A sheepish grin drew across her lips. "Anyway, it's always nice to see a new face in town."

"Thanks," Journey said. She hoped her smile didn't waver.

"You visiting family?"

She shook her head, making a show of fumbling with the latches on her saddlebag.

"Just passing through, then?"

Sam Norwood stepped back into the room from what Journey guessed was a storage area. He smiled under his thick mustache again, and his eyes twinkled at his wife. "You'll have to forgive her," he said. "She has a soft spot for the curious cat."

A blush lit Abby's cheeks. "I didn't mean to pry. I just like to meet new folks. My apologies if I've overstepped, Miss…?"

"Smith… Journey Smith. Actually, someone with a little curiosity could be exactly the person to help me." She breathed deeply, gathering any poise and confidence she could muster. "I wondered if you know where I might find work around here."

"So you're planning on staying? Most folks pass through on their way to Virginia City. What type of work are you looking for?"

"I've done a little bit of a lot of things. Tended children, waited tables—"

"Ever done housekeeping?"

"My own."

Journey stood steadily under Abby's gaze. She thought if she held her breath she could probably hear the gears whirring in the woman's brain.

Abby turned to her husband then, looking down slightly to meet his eyes. "What about Miss Rose? She's been hoping to find someone to help out around her house. I'm not sure what arrangements she's thinking on, but I could take you out there if you're interested."

"I'm not sure how long I'll be in town. I was thinking—"

"Nonsense. Miss Rose is a fine woman. Once you meet her, you'll never want to leave."

"It's not that…" Journey stammered.

Abby looked up from where she was cutting the thick cloth. "At least speak with her. You never know how well things might work out."

Journey searched for an inoffensive excuse. "I don't want to be a bother. If you'll direct me to her house, I'd—"

"It's no bother at all. She lives on a ranch outside of town. Let me get my things and I'll take you there," Abby said, tying a string around the fabric Journey had purchased. "If you like, you can leave your trunks inside until you return."

Fear fluttered like a moth in her throat. "I'm traveling rather light. All I have is my horse tied out front. I'm certain I could find the place on my own."

As Abby patted the package and pulled her coat from a nearby hook, Journey caught her questioning glance but noticed it didn't stop her motion. "It'd be easier to show you. Sam knows I need to get out on days like this, anyway. He can handle the store for a few hours until we get back. I haven't had a chance to visit Miss Rose in a while myself. We'll take some sandwiches and have a nice little picnic. It'll give you a chance to get to know her."

"You can tether your horse around back, if that'll suit," Sam offered. "My wife's a natural guide, born and raised right here in Walten. Montana grows them pretty, that's for sure."

Journey forced her arms and legs to relax. There seemed no way around it, short of racing out the front door and galloping away on Gypsy. "If you're sure."

Sam moved back toward the storage room. "I'll hitch up the team. Oh, and, Miss Smith—"

"Please, call me Journey."

A dimple joined the grin on Sam's face. "Journey, if things don't work out with Miss Rose, come back here. We can't offer much more than a cot, but we might be able to find some work for you."

She nodded once, turning her head in time to catch the knowing smile Abby directed his way. Journey wrinkled her brow, wondering what these people expected from her.

"Thanks. I'll just go and tie my horse around back."

"Wait! Take your cloth—on the house." Abby thrust the neat package her way.

"I don't need charity." Well, that wasn't exactly true.

But she heard the insistence in Abby's voice. "Not charity. I guess Sam owes you for the mess he swept over you. We can't be treating our customers that way or we won't have them long."

She studied Abby. She seemed sincere enough, and she had made a point of not noticing the tattered seams in her dress. "I appreciate your kindness," Journey said, looking away as she slid the wrapped cloth into her satchel.

"I'll meet you around back," Abby said.

Journey nodded. Their kindness overwhelmed her a little. Maybe Hank's training had become more ingrained than she thought. They were just the type of people he had always sought—helpful and unsuspecting. Fortunately for them, she'd rid the world of at least one of his kind.

Journey slid farther into the corner of the narrow wagon seat. Abby had peppered her with a dozen questions before they'd even left sight of town. The sparse grass crackled under the wagon wheel, and she considered her odds of surviving a leap of escape.

"How far to the ranch?"

Abby paused. "Oh, probably three or four miles. Did you live—"

"It's easy to get caught up in the scenery here," Journey said.

"It is beautiful. Some folks complain about it being drab, with all the browns. They don't pay attention to the shades of the mountains in the light, or the pockets of sage tucked in everywhere. I've never wanted to live anywhere else. But listen to me jabber about myself. Where'd you hail from?"

"Back East."

"Yes, of course. I suppose most folks around here do, what with all the families settling in the area. What part?" Abby turned a smile her way.

Most folks took the hint when she answered in such an obviously vague way. "Well, I… I traveled quite a bit before coming here."

"I've never been out of Montana," Abby said. "But my pa's family came once to visit…"

Journey's attention wavered as she tried to ease her pounding heart. She considered making up something but hesitated. Lies had cost her plenty in the past. Weren't lies part of the reason she found herself here now? Hope...

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Steeple Hill (December 9, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373828020
• ISBN-13: 978-0373828029
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #393,226 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful, Involving, can not wait for more from this Author, January 13, 2009

By	A. Nadin - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Truly enjoyed this tender, yet suspenseful story. The author has created great characters and you cheer for Journey and Zane as well as Miss Rose, Abby and Sam. And rather then "clobber" you over the head with how Journey finds her faith, the author lets her discover it on her own so it is believable that it happened. The same is true with the danger to Journey to loose all she has gained; the Author weaves a excellent story to free her and have hope of a future with Zane. Can not wait to see the next story for Kerri Mountain!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars tender romance, January 11, 2009

By	myrtille (athens, gr) - See all my reviews

this is a clen, tender romance with a great deal of adventure, mystery and danger.
Journey, whose name suits her exactly, is running away from danger and from her past. she is stranded in a small country town during Christmastime, where everyone is really friendly, kind and helpful to her. the way people treat her surprises her. that, and the friendship of a handsome pastor who slowly falls in love with her, lead her to give her life to Jesus. meanwhile, the danger she is dreading is getting ever closer and bigger than she imagined.
how she finds Jesus, how the pastor romances her and rescues her and how she finally is lead to safety and happiness is what you are going to find out in this lovely, charming little book.
i loved it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic First!!!, January 4, 2009

By	B.Morgan "Blake Morgan" (Alaska) - See all my reviews

This is the first book by author Kerri Mountain, and to be honest, I cannot wait to read her next tale!I devoured this in 3 evenings! I hated to put it down,and was happy to get back to it,so I could see what was going to happen next with Journey, Miss Rose, and Zane. The way Ms. Mountain depicted these characters made them seem so "real" to me! I could "picture" them in my mind's eye,and that does not always happen when I read a novel. Job well done to Ms. Mountain! I hope she does a "part two" to let us know what will happen next to Zane, and Journey! This is a fine read. I hated to come to the end, as I had enjoyed these folks so very much. It has all the right ingredients for the recipe of a page-turning tale....Romance, mystery, suspense,and a heaping teaspoon of some mighty staunch characters! Enjoy!