This dramatic historical tale starts in Gatlinburg,
Tennessee. A heavy snowstorm falls as Caleb O'Malley rides
for shelter. The year is 1881, and although it's December
the snow has come early. Rebecca Thurston is working on her
family's farm when her dog hears a horse in the weather.
When she finds Caleb unconscious, she recognises him and
doesn't want anything to do with him. But he needs help,
for injuries and cold. She hauls him home.
MARRIED BY CHRISTMAS paints a respectful portrait of
Rebecca. She's a responsible young woman, living on the
farm with only her sister Amy. At one time she admired
Caleb, but now she blames him for the loss of her
sweetheart. Since they can't send for the doctor, the girls
will just have to take care of the man. When Caleb comes
around, he remembers witnessing the murder of the town's
sheriff, meaning that he's in danger if the killer realises
he survived the bullet that pierced his leg. He can't put
the two girls in peril.
Foreseeably at this period the respectable local folks
think Caleb should marry Rebecca because they've spent time
together, Amy being under age is not a real
chaperone. Caleb feels obliged to offer in case he's
unwittingly ruined the girl's moral standing, but she
refuses so that's all right then. Or is it?
We think of the moral tone of the day as narrow-minded but
when a female could take few jobs, and needed a lot of
support if she had a child, the attitude makes more sense.
Even a marriage on paper conferred respectability, though
it might not be what the Reverend considered a real
marriage. There is tension and laughter in the snowbound
district as the threads of the tale weave together and
Caleb gets to have what he considers his best Christmas -
knowing that he must soon leave the little household. How
can they all find happiness?
The period details are well realised and even the bad guys
- and gal - are presented to us as real people with genuine
motives. We can feel the cold and shiver in the icicle-
bound barn. MARRIED BY CHRISTMAS is far from frivolous,
making a fine addition to the series of
inspirational Smoky Mountain Matches by Karen Kirst.
This would be a good read for someone who enjoys strong
romances as a Christmas present.
Wherever Caleb O'Malley goes, trouble follows, and trouble
is the last thing Rebecca Thurston needs. But when Caleb
appears—gravely wounded—at Rebecca's Smoky Mountain cabin,
she can't turn him away. His life depends on her kindness,
but she never anticipated it would lead to an unwanted
proposal.
Caleb never forgave himself for the accident that ended
Rebecca's engagement and destroyed her life. He doesn't want
to hurt her again. But after a week recuperating at her
cabin, there is only one way for Caleb to protect both their
reputations from scandal. Neither of them wants to tie the
knot, but as Rebecca and Caleb spend time together, will
they find there's more to their marriage than convenience?
Smoky Mountain Matches: Dreams of home and family come true
in the Smoky Mountains
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