SOLVED - '80s Xmas Anthology Frontier Widow & Indian [s]

[Teri-K]

For years we moved around the world with a box of books including this PB romance anthology, probably purchased in the 1980s. It was Christmas oriented, but I'm not sure if it was all historical westerns or just historicals in general. I believe each story was by a different author. One year the box got lost in a move, and every year about this time I wish I could find this book to reread it.

I remember only one story in particular. It was set in Frontier America and started with a young couple who lived rather far from any town. One winter the husband died - I believe he became ill. The widow didn't have anywhere to go, so she stayed on the farm. Food began appearing at her door. It turned out that an Indian brave had been watching them, realized her husband was dead, and began taking care of her.

I'm a little foggy on the rest of the story, but I do know they eventually get together. I believe they even go into town together and she is treated rather roughly. But of course they're in love so they stay together. I don't think the book was exactly erotic, but the couple may have made love, I'm not sure.

I've tried to find off and on for several years but had no luck. All help is appreciated. :)

[Kris]

One Starry Christmas by Carolyn Davidson? One Goodreads reviewer describes "Stormwalker's Woman" by Carolyn Davidson as "Jesse Stormwalker is a half-breed and doesn't fit in either the white or native worlds. He knew that if he associated with his beautiful neighbor, Molly Thompson, that he could do her reputation damage, but he couldn't keep away from her. Molly was also drawn to Jesse, although she is the widow of a brutal man, and she believes that no man will ever be attracted to her again because of an accident that left her face scarred. A litter of orphaned puppies bring them together, can love keep them together?"

[Teri-K]

I don't believe that's it. Unless it's a reprint from an earlier anthology, the publication date is way too recent. Also, I don't remember the first husband as being abusive, though that's hazy.

[Teri-K]

BUMP for this anthology probably published in the early to mid 1980s.

Thanks

[Teri-K]

I think I found it. I believe it's A Frontier Christmas: Loving Sarah/ A Christmas Angel/ The Homecoming/ The Greatest Gift of All, and the story I remembered is Loving Sarah by Madeline Baker.

I've searched Amazon off-and-on for years trying to find this book, because it's been stuck in my mind and won't go away. This time I was able to look inside and read a bit of the story, so I'm sure that's it. I have no idea why I never spotted it before, though the cover doesn't ring a bell. Also, I thought it was published earlier than 1992, which just goes to show how the memory can trick us.

Thank you to everyone who looked at this and tried to help. I'd have given up otherwise. :)