JD Dunne nervously waited in Nettie Wells sitting room for his girlfriend, Casey Wells to make her appearance. Things between the two of them
had finally gotten back on track after the whole mess involving Mattie Stokes had broken them up. Nothing like nearly dying to wake up a man to
the important things in his life, especially the one girl he had ever cared a lick for.
“Relax, J.D. before you wear a hole out in my rug.” Nettie Wells told the young peacekeeper. “Casey will be out in a couple of minutes.”
J.D. stopped pacing and flashed the older woman an apologetic smile. “I didn’t think I would be this nervous about asking Casey out our first
social together. Especially after all the times we’ve gone riding, fishing, or swimming together.”
Nettie smiled understandingly at him. “I expect it’s because the two of your have grown closer over the past couple of weeks.”
“ Suppose you are right.”
The door to Casey’s room opened and she stepped out into the sitting room. J. D. stared at her. She wore a cream colored blouse with lace
around the color and wrists. It was tucked into a russet colored skirt that fell to her ankles and accentuated her slender waist. She wore her curly
auburn hair with the sides swept back away from her face with a bow made out of the same cloth as the skirt.
When a few moments had passed and J.D. hadn’t said anything, Casey bit her bottom lip and cast her aunt an anxious look. Another moment or
two passed and Casey’s anxiety started to turn into anger.
“Well?” she demanded, waving her hand in J.D.’s direction to get his attention.
“Huh? Oh…” J.D. said coming out of his speechless state and throwing her a sheepish smile. “You sure are pretty Casey.”
Casey flushed with pleasure at his words. “Really, J.D.?”
I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it.” J.D. told her, walking toward her.
He leaned over and kissed her when he reached her, to seal his approval of her attire. Casey wrapped her arms around his neck as she gave
herself over to the kiss. J.D. encircled her waist with his own arms and the kiss deepened.
Nettie waited for a couple of minutes and then cleared her throat. “If the two of you can see fit to stop kissing long enough to escort an old
woman into town to a party, I’d be obliged.”
J.D. and Casey broke off the kiss immediately, both of their faces turning scarlet with embarrassment at such a display in front of Nettie.
“I’m sorry Miss Nettie…” J.D. began as Casey said, Aunt Nettie I’m…”
Nettie held up her hand to stave off the rest of their individual apologies. “No apologies necessary. It does this old heart of mine good to see you
two finally come to your senses and realize how important you are to each other.”
“We best be on our way them. “ J.D. said, taking Casey by the hand and offering his other arm to Nettie.
“Guess we better.” Nettie agreed.
J.D. escorted the two Wells’ women out to the wagon he had borrowed from Yosemite at the livery for the evening. Once they were all settled on
the wagon seat, J.D. picked up the reins and set the team of horses into motion. Nettie started a Christmas carol as they drove out of the yard,
and J.D. and Casey cheerfully joined in as they rode into town.
had finally gotten back on track after the whole mess involving Mattie Stokes had broken them up. Nothing like nearly dying to wake up a man to
the important things in his life, especially the one girl he had ever cared a lick for.
“Relax, J.D. before you wear a hole out in my rug.” Nettie Wells told the young peacekeeper. “Casey will be out in a couple of minutes.”
J.D. stopped pacing and flashed the older woman an apologetic smile. “I didn’t think I would be this nervous about asking Casey out our first
social together. Especially after all the times we’ve gone riding, fishing, or swimming together.”
Nettie smiled understandingly at him. “I expect it’s because the two of your have grown closer over the past couple of weeks.”
“ Suppose you are right.”
The door to Casey’s room opened and she stepped out into the sitting room. J. D. stared at her. She wore a cream colored blouse with lace
around the color and wrists. It was tucked into a russet colored skirt that fell to her ankles and accentuated her slender waist. She wore her curly
auburn hair with the sides swept back away from her face with a bow made out of the same cloth as the skirt.
When a few moments had passed and J.D. hadn’t said anything, Casey bit her bottom lip and cast her aunt an anxious look. Another moment or
two passed and Casey’s anxiety started to turn into anger.
“Well?” she demanded, waving her hand in J.D.’s direction to get his attention.
“Huh? Oh…” J.D. said coming out of his speechless state and throwing her a sheepish smile. “You sure are pretty Casey.”
Casey flushed with pleasure at his words. “Really, J.D.?”
I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it.” J.D. told her, walking toward her.
He leaned over and kissed her when he reached her, to seal his approval of her attire. Casey wrapped her arms around his neck as she gave
herself over to the kiss. J.D. encircled her waist with his own arms and the kiss deepened.
Nettie waited for a couple of minutes and then cleared her throat. “If the two of you can see fit to stop kissing long enough to escort an old
woman into town to a party, I’d be obliged.”
J.D. and Casey broke off the kiss immediately, both of their faces turning scarlet with embarrassment at such a display in front of Nettie.
“I’m sorry Miss Nettie…” J.D. began as Casey said, Aunt Nettie I’m…”
Nettie held up her hand to stave off the rest of their individual apologies. “No apologies necessary. It does this old heart of mine good to see you
two finally come to your senses and realize how important you are to each other.”
“We best be on our way them. “ J.D. said, taking Casey by the hand and offering his other arm to Nettie.
“Guess we better.” Nettie agreed.
J.D. escorted the two Wells’ women out to the wagon he had borrowed from Yosemite at the livery for the evening. Once they were all settled on
the wagon seat, J.D. picked up the reins and set the team of horses into motion. Nettie started a Christmas carol as they drove out of the yard,
and J.D. and Casey cheerfully joined in as they rode into town.
Christmas Carol |
Josiah Sanchez, Ex-preacher, and the eldest member of the seven peacekeepers hired to protect the citizens of Four Corners, was head over
heels in love. This realization hit him with the force of a lightning bolt upside his head as he prepared for the town’s annual Christmas party. He
gazed at himself in the chipped mirror he stood before in the back room of the church, and let his mind wander back onto the day several weeks
ago when he had first laid eyes on his Esther.
He had been in the middle of repairing one of the dilapidated benches that served as pews for his parishioners, when he heard the sound of soft
footsteps entering the church. He had turned from his work toward the doorway as the door opened and the loveliest vision he had ever seen
walked through the door.
Esther Wilson was in her mid-thirties, tall, graceful and a widow. She had waist length ebony hair that she wore in a loose braid or ponytail at the
nape of her neck, smoky gray eyes, an ample bosom and generous figure.
In a lyrical voice that held a hint of an Eastern accent similar to J.D.’s, Esther had introduced herself and explained why she had sought him out.
Her husband, Abram, had died two years earlier leaving her a small fortune. She had remained in the home that they had made together, idly
attending social gatherings after her period of mourning was declared over, until she couldn’t stand it any longer.
She wanted to live again, to go out west as Abram had promised her they would do once he had retired. One day she had decided that he dreams
of going West didn’t have to die with Abram, and so she had closed up her house, packed her bags and headed out on her grand adventure.
She had been on the stagecoach headed back East after her trip to California, when it had arrived in Four Corners to pick up a couple more
passengers. She had taken one look at the quaint community and something inside of her had urged her to stay. That same day she had set
herself up in a room at the hotel, hired herself a carriage and gone exploring the town and its surrounding areas. Within the next couple of days
she had purchased some land and decided that she would build a house upon it large enough to serve as a place where she could have
boarders as well.
That was what had led her to seek Josiah out. She had heard around town that he was a good hand with a hammer. Josiah couldn’t think of a
reason to turn her down, but did explain to her that his other duties as peacekeeper would have to take precedence over anything else if there
was trouble in town. Esther had told him that she understood perfectly that his other responsibilities in town would not be hindered by her in any
way, and a deal was made between them.
The more time that Josiah had spent with Esther, the more he found to admire. She was kind and gentle, and unafraid to work hard. She was
intelligent with a good head for numbers, and a talent for drawing. She was the one who designed the plans for her house and Josiah had been
impressed. Esther was always willing to listen to his judgment about which materials were best to use in the construction and what was readily
available on hand.
Many nights after they had worked hard during the day, they would share supper together at the hotel. Sometimes they would sit sipping coffee
and talking about the world that they had both seen. Esther delighted in hearing his tales of the places he had been, and the adventures that he
and the other peacekeepers had shared together.
He had introduced her to the other peacekeepers one at a time and found that she quickly developed and easy rapport with each one. She didn’t
treat any of them any different than the other, and it meant the world to Josiah. Chris and Nathan both; were used to be treated with prejudice,
Chris because of his speed with a gun, and Nathan due to the color of his skin. Esther saw them simply as the men that they were and was soon
quick to come to any of their defense if she heard a disapproving remark from anyone in town.
Now as he finished his grooming, slipped into his suit jacket, picked up the gifts that he had purchased for her and left the church, Josiah hoped
that Esther loved him too. He rented a carriage from Yosemite and drove out of town to the boarding house, and pulled the carriage to a stop
alongside the porch. He climbed down from it and sprang up the steps, pulling on the chain of bells that Esther had designed for visitors and
guests alike to announce their arrival at the boarding house.
He didn’t wait for someone to come to the door, and let himself in and moved toward the parlor, where he found Esther waiting for him with her
two new boarders, Chastity Cummings and Amelia Vanderson.
“Ladies, you are a heavenly sight to behold.” He complimented all three of them sincerely, even though his blue eyes were all for Esther.
The two younger women thanked him and then excused themselves from the parlor. Josiah settled his large frame into one of the dainty chairs
and held out his presents to Esther. Esther took them with a delighted smile and unwrapped the smallest box first. Inside the velvet box was a
cameo.
“Josiah it’s beautiful.” Esther said sincerely, her gray eyes lifting off of the cameo and locking with his blue ones.
“It can’t compare to you.” Josiah replied softly.
Esther blushed at his words, and turned her attention onto the other package she held in her lap. Inside was a multicolored lace shawl. She
fingered the soft material as tears filled her eyes. “I don’t know what I’ve done to be so blessed to have found you Josiah. I thought after Abram
had died that I was destined to spend the rest of my life alone, but it seems that God had other ideas in mind for me.”
“He certainly had ideas in mind for the both of us.” Josiah said, rising from his chair and moving over to stand in front of Esther’s chair. He held
out his hand to her. “I don’t have much more than love to give you Esther, but if you consent to become my wife, I will spend the rest of my life
loving you.”
“Oh, Josiah…” Esther said, setting her presents aside and rising from her chair and slipping her small hand into his larger one. “Yes…yes, I will
become your wife.”
Josiah pulled her into his embrace, hugging her tightly to him, silently thanking God that he had deemed to give him such a precious gift. He
lowered his head to press his lips to hers in a sweet kiss that held such promise to come for the both of them. They didn’t break the intimate
embrace until several moments later when they heard the sound of tinkling bells announcing the arrival of someone to the boarding house.
heels in love. This realization hit him with the force of a lightning bolt upside his head as he prepared for the town’s annual Christmas party. He
gazed at himself in the chipped mirror he stood before in the back room of the church, and let his mind wander back onto the day several weeks
ago when he had first laid eyes on his Esther.
He had been in the middle of repairing one of the dilapidated benches that served as pews for his parishioners, when he heard the sound of soft
footsteps entering the church. He had turned from his work toward the doorway as the door opened and the loveliest vision he had ever seen
walked through the door.
Esther Wilson was in her mid-thirties, tall, graceful and a widow. She had waist length ebony hair that she wore in a loose braid or ponytail at the
nape of her neck, smoky gray eyes, an ample bosom and generous figure.
In a lyrical voice that held a hint of an Eastern accent similar to J.D.’s, Esther had introduced herself and explained why she had sought him out.
Her husband, Abram, had died two years earlier leaving her a small fortune. She had remained in the home that they had made together, idly
attending social gatherings after her period of mourning was declared over, until she couldn’t stand it any longer.
She wanted to live again, to go out west as Abram had promised her they would do once he had retired. One day she had decided that he dreams
of going West didn’t have to die with Abram, and so she had closed up her house, packed her bags and headed out on her grand adventure.
She had been on the stagecoach headed back East after her trip to California, when it had arrived in Four Corners to pick up a couple more
passengers. She had taken one look at the quaint community and something inside of her had urged her to stay. That same day she had set
herself up in a room at the hotel, hired herself a carriage and gone exploring the town and its surrounding areas. Within the next couple of days
she had purchased some land and decided that she would build a house upon it large enough to serve as a place where she could have
boarders as well.
That was what had led her to seek Josiah out. She had heard around town that he was a good hand with a hammer. Josiah couldn’t think of a
reason to turn her down, but did explain to her that his other duties as peacekeeper would have to take precedence over anything else if there
was trouble in town. Esther had told him that she understood perfectly that his other responsibilities in town would not be hindered by her in any
way, and a deal was made between them.
The more time that Josiah had spent with Esther, the more he found to admire. She was kind and gentle, and unafraid to work hard. She was
intelligent with a good head for numbers, and a talent for drawing. She was the one who designed the plans for her house and Josiah had been
impressed. Esther was always willing to listen to his judgment about which materials were best to use in the construction and what was readily
available on hand.
Many nights after they had worked hard during the day, they would share supper together at the hotel. Sometimes they would sit sipping coffee
and talking about the world that they had both seen. Esther delighted in hearing his tales of the places he had been, and the adventures that he
and the other peacekeepers had shared together.
He had introduced her to the other peacekeepers one at a time and found that she quickly developed and easy rapport with each one. She didn’t
treat any of them any different than the other, and it meant the world to Josiah. Chris and Nathan both; were used to be treated with prejudice,
Chris because of his speed with a gun, and Nathan due to the color of his skin. Esther saw them simply as the men that they were and was soon
quick to come to any of their defense if she heard a disapproving remark from anyone in town.
Now as he finished his grooming, slipped into his suit jacket, picked up the gifts that he had purchased for her and left the church, Josiah hoped
that Esther loved him too. He rented a carriage from Yosemite and drove out of town to the boarding house, and pulled the carriage to a stop
alongside the porch. He climbed down from it and sprang up the steps, pulling on the chain of bells that Esther had designed for visitors and
guests alike to announce their arrival at the boarding house.
He didn’t wait for someone to come to the door, and let himself in and moved toward the parlor, where he found Esther waiting for him with her
two new boarders, Chastity Cummings and Amelia Vanderson.
“Ladies, you are a heavenly sight to behold.” He complimented all three of them sincerely, even though his blue eyes were all for Esther.
The two younger women thanked him and then excused themselves from the parlor. Josiah settled his large frame into one of the dainty chairs
and held out his presents to Esther. Esther took them with a delighted smile and unwrapped the smallest box first. Inside the velvet box was a
cameo.
“Josiah it’s beautiful.” Esther said sincerely, her gray eyes lifting off of the cameo and locking with his blue ones.
“It can’t compare to you.” Josiah replied softly.
Esther blushed at his words, and turned her attention onto the other package she held in her lap. Inside was a multicolored lace shawl. She
fingered the soft material as tears filled her eyes. “I don’t know what I’ve done to be so blessed to have found you Josiah. I thought after Abram
had died that I was destined to spend the rest of my life alone, but it seems that God had other ideas in mind for me.”
“He certainly had ideas in mind for the both of us.” Josiah said, rising from his chair and moving over to stand in front of Esther’s chair. He held
out his hand to her. “I don’t have much more than love to give you Esther, but if you consent to become my wife, I will spend the rest of my life
loving you.”
“Oh, Josiah…” Esther said, setting her presents aside and rising from her chair and slipping her small hand into his larger one. “Yes…yes, I will
become your wife.”
Josiah pulled her into his embrace, hugging her tightly to him, silently thanking God that he had deemed to give him such a precious gift. He
lowered his head to press his lips to hers in a sweet kiss that held such promise to come for the both of them. They didn’t break the intimate
embrace until several moments later when they heard the sound of tinkling bells announcing the arrival of someone to the boarding house.
Bells Will be Ringing |
| This site is for entertainment purposes only, based on the characters from “The Magnificent Seven.” I don’t own them, but if I did I would run away with ‘em and never be seen again. Disclaimer: CBS and Co., Trilogy Entertainment, and MGM had ‘em first and do not want to give ‘em away. I only play at this for fun and do not make any money doing it. The stories listed here are strictly fiction any references to locations or people are only for story use and is not intended to depict any real place or persons.I do not own any of the material - sound, video and photographic - that is found on my pages, the material is and stays the property of their original owners. No copyright infringement is intended. |
| Wendy's Christmas Stories |
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