After she returned, they sat at the table and enjoyed the chicken and salad while catching up on the last few weeks since bumping into each other in St. Paul. When they were done, he gave her a knowing smile. “I’m sorry to hear your marriage didn’t work out.”
“Me too, but I think it was all for the best. If he wasn’t ready to commit, I’m glad he had the decency to back out before our marriage.” She poked at some salad on her plate before meeting his gaze again. “So, your cousin’s wife is an acquaintance of Miss Milton? What a small world!”
He took a sip of sweet tea and nodded, glad for the change of subject. “Yes, it is indeed. However, when Amy mentioned contacting her, I was dead set against it.”
Her eyes studied his with concern. “So, what convinced you to contact the bride agency?”
He sighed and reached for her hand across the table, in awe of her beauty. “A lot of time in prayer. There wasn’t much to do in St. Paul while waiting for things to straighten out with my grandfather’s inheritance. He helped me to realize the children in my charge should have a mother to help raise them. I know very little about these things, Caroline. It’s not that I was opposed to marriage. I’ve just been content to live in my cabin with nature surrounding me. It’s always so peaceful in the Ozarks. I suppose I have always kept to myself—making it almost impossible to meet someone I would consider sharing my life with. That all changed when my best friend died in the war. Now that I have his children to care for, I realize what I’ve been missing. I’m weary of being alone. My heart is ready to love someone.”
She smiled, making his heart skip a beat. “And so is mine.”
After dinner Caroline invited Emmett to take a walk with her by the riverside. It was a beautiful evening with enough breeze to wear her shawl to avoid catching a chill. They strolled arm in arm while observing two pelicans skimming through the water at a calm section of the river.
She still couldn’t believe Emmett had showed up in Pelican Rapids and Miss Milton had matched them together. It was true, she’d thought of him several times since their first meeting in the streets of St. Paul. He had been so kind, retrieving her parasol and escorting her back to the train before it chugged away without her. Now he walked beside her as a potential husband.
“It is beautiful and peaceful here,” he commented, bringing her back to the present. “I can see why you like it.”
She nodded. “Yes, it’s cooler than Atlanta. Everyone has told me the winters are brutal, but the area has grown on me. I think the peaceful atmosphere and warm spring and summers would make up for the cold.”
“Yes, I suppose it would.”
She let out a contented sigh as they stopped by the riverbank and sat on a small bench. “So, I’d love to hear about the children in your charge. How old are they, to begin with?”
He smiled thoughtfully while gazing at the river as the sunset painted it shades of burnt orange, magenta and violet. “Thomas is almost twelve and Felicia is nine. Thomas is very serious and responsible much of the time. He had to grow up too fast after his father’s death. I have to remind him to loosen up and have fun sometimes.”
Caroline frowned. “It must have been very hard on a child his age to lose both parents. What about the girl? How did she take the loss?”
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Felicia is the opposite. She’s a witty tomboy who likes to test the limits.”
She released a faint chuckle. “Sounds like you have your hands full.”
Emmett shrugged. “Yes, I suppose you’re right. I’m thankful my mother has been able to help, but she doesn’t have as much energy as she did in her younger years. They both need a mother, but I worry about Felicia the most. If she goes on like this much longer, I fear she will not gain the skills appropriate for a young lady in society.”
Caroline smiled. “I was a tomboy growing up as well. I liked to play with boys at school more than the girls. I often came home covered in mud from head to toe.”
He laughed. “I cannot picture that now, seeing the refined young woman you grew up to be.”
She shrugged. “My mother might disagree with you. Anyway, with proper guidance, Felicia will learn to act like a polite young lady, in public at least. I have to admit I still haven’t learned how to behave proper all the time. My clumsiness gets me into trouble sometimes, as you discovered in the streets of St. Paul.”
He reached up to touch her cheek. “I don’t expect perfection, Caroline, not from you or either of the children. I’ll accept and love you for who you are. When I saw you with your hair all a mess, chasing your umbrella, I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.”
She blushed and offered him a shy smile. “You were so kind to me. I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t run into you.”
“I think God knew what He was doing, Caroline. He doesn’t make mistakes.”
“I agree,” she answered, scarcely able to breathe as his green eyes gazed into hers.
“I know I’m asking a lot—moving away from your family and living in the Ozarks where you don’t know a single soul. My cabin is small and nowhere near the living conditions you are used to. However, I am in the process of building a bigger cabin enough for our family.”
“Our family?” she asked, heart pounding. Are you asking me marry you?”
He paused to run his thumb over her cheek. “Yes, I am, Caroline Rose Kennedy. I know this is fast and it will take us time to grow to love each other, but I haven’t a doubt in my mind about the happy future we will have.”
Caroline started leaning her face closer to his, caught up in the moment, but pulled back at the last moment and stood, backing a few feet from him. “I’m sorry, Emmett. This all sounds wonderful. I cannot deny, I feel a connection between us, but I need time.”
He nodded. “I understand completely. This is a big decision to make—and not the life in Pelican Rapids you were imagining. Take the time you need. I’ll stay in town until you decide.” He stood from the bench and offered his preferred arm. “Can I escort you back to Lady Slipper Cottage?”
She grinned while linking her arm through his, recalling the first time he’d offered to escort her somewhere. He certainly did have charm. “I would like that very much.”
Chapter Seven
“Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!”
Proverbs 15:23 NLT
After an entire evening of tossing and turning, Emmett rose as the first hints of sunrise began filtering through the curtains in his hotel room. He crossed to the small desk and lit a lamp before penning a letter to his mother, informing her of his delayed return to Niangua. He planned on leaving for home in seven to ten days. He considered telling her of Caroline, but paused, questioning if he should. His mother had been nudging him to settle down and marry for years. Emmett didn’t want to get her hopes up now when he might return home without a bride.
He had mentioned colliding with her in the streets of St. Paul as she chased her runaway parasol in a previous letter to Thomas and Felicia, hoping they would find the story amusing. However, he didn’t mention anything else about her while penning a letter to the children this time. Instead, he simply said he missed them, had souvenirs from St. Paul and would buy them both a bag of candies from the general store before his return.
After sealing both letters in an envelope and addressing them, he dressed for the day and headed north on Birch Street, turning right on Washburn and then Oak. He saw the Mayor’s cottage before reaching the general store. It was just opening when he walked in.
A middle-aged woman smiled at him from behind the counter with wide eyes. “Good morning, sir. I don’t believe I’ve ever made your acquaintance before. I’m Mrs. Theodora Carter, the store owner. How may I help you?”
He removed his hat and shook her hand before introducing himself. “I’m visiting from the Ozarks and need to mail a few letters. I saw a sign for the post office outside?”
>
She nodded. “Yes, you can buy postage and give the letters to me. I will make sure they are delivered to the post master when he arrives. Is there anything else?”
“Yes,” he said, eyeing the jars of candy displayed on the shelves. “I would like some sweets to bring home to my children. Could I purchase two small bags of them with a variety of candies? I’m not certain what they would prefer, not being much into sweets myself.”
“You certainly may, Mr. Riley. My daughter will fill your order. She’s good at choosing the best ones. Now while you’re waiting, there are also some lovely hats, broaches and scarves displayed on the racks behind you. They might make a perfect gift for your wife. Feel free to look through them.
He shook his head with a smile. “Oh, I don’t have a wife…at least not yet, but thank you for your hospitality, ma’am”
“You’re welcome,” she responded with a strange gleam in her eye before turning to call loudly for someone named Jenny. He assumed she was Mrs. Carter’s daughter.
While waiting, Emmett spent some time browsing through the store. When he came across some hair ribbons of various colors, he paused to look at them for Felicia, but then he decided against it. She had made it clear she didn’t like to wear them. Maybe a gift of that nature would be better received from a lady she looked up to—perhaps Miss Caroline—if by some miracle she agreed to be his bride.
Emmett remembered how her golden curls shimmered in the setting sun the evening before and the way her blue eyes twinkled when she laughed. His feelings toward her had developed much quicker than he ever imagined they would. Was it love yet? He couldn’t be certain yet. It was too early to know for sure, yet he knew his feelings were stronger for her than he had ever felt for any other young woman he’d met in his home town.
Their dinner and walk by the river the night before had been wonderful. Their mutual faith in God and the fact she would be able to relate to Felicia’s tomboy behavior was encouraging. He usually tended to be shy in the presence of beautiful women, yet they had talked freely the entire evening without a hitch—until he mentioned marriage. When she pulled away from him, Emmett’s heart had broken in two, yet he understood her dilemma. She had moved away from Atlanta, leaving her friends and family behind. She had her cousin in Pelican Rapids. If she moved to Missouri, she’d have no kin, except him.
Perhaps it would be better for her in the long run if she rejected his proposal. Miss Caroline Kennedy was beautiful, unique and refined—the portrait of what a respectable lady should be, but the realization made him wonder something else. Did he deserve such a fine wife? He had simple ways and lived in a small two-bedroom cabin in the Ozarks. Would she be happy in such rustic conditions?
“Mr. Riley?” A quiet feminine voice asked from close by, bringing him back to the present. He turned around and noticed a young woman with flushed cheeks standing behind him, holding two paper sacks. “Here is the candy you requested.” He said thank you and she gave a shy curtsy before turning on her heels and heading back to the counter. He followed close behind to make his purchases.
Mrs. Carter beamed at him from behind the cash register. “I see you’ve met my daughter, Jenny. Isn’t she lovely?”
“Yes, she is, and she was kind enough to prepare and deliver the candy in a timely manner. I appreciate it, Miss Jenny.” The young woman peeked at him briefly and nodded before blushing again and turning away to straighten a few things on the shelves behind her mother. She had one eye that crossed a bit. He assumed it was the reason for her shy demeanor, but she was a pretty young woman regardless—he guessed about Caroline’s age.
Mrs. Carter rang up his purchases and then gave him change back. “Thank you for stopping by, Mr. Riley. I hope you’ll enjoy your time in Pelican Rapids. Say, would you like Jenny to give you a tour of the town? I’m sure she’d be happy to spend the morning showing you around.”
He gave Jenny a brief glance, noting the terror in her eyes and turned back to Mrs. Carter again. “Thank you kindly for the offer, ma’am, but I have to be on my way.”
“Will you be attending the Lutheran Church on Sunday? Perhaps we’ll see you there?”
He put on his hat and tipped it in Mrs. Carter’s direction and smiled at Jenny, too, who looked relieved she didn’t have to escort him around the town. “If I’m still here in town, you can count on it, ma’am, but my plans are not set in stone. Have a good day, ladies.”
“You, too.” Mrs. Carter gave him a smile, but appeared disappointed as he walked out. Her plan to match him up with her daughter had failed. He felt a little sad for Jenny having to deal with an overbearing mother. Perhaps someday she would find the right man, but that man wasn’t him. Emmett’s heart already belonged to someone else.
He took the scenic route back to the hotel, going south past the Lutheran Church and crossing the bridge across Pelican river. He paused for a moment to watch the rapids and small fish trying to race the current as a few pelicans flew above him. It brought some peace to his soul, the beauty of the nature around him serving as a reminder God had everything under control. Whatever Caroline decided, he would accept as the Lord’s good and perfect will.
After about ten minutes, he finished crossing the bridge and eventually ended up back on Birch Street. By the time he reached the hotel again, the restaurant located on the bottom level was serving breakfast. He entered, eyes scanning the room for an empty table. Then he spotted a glimmer of strawberry blond hair. Caroline sat in the front of the restaurant near the window, wearing a gown the lovely shade of blue matching her eyes. He approached the table at a loss for words.
Her eyes darted around as she curled her white gloves in her hands nervously. “I’m sorry I came unannounced. I asked Lottie’s husband to drive me here so we could talk. The hotel manager said you left early this morning with some letters to mail, so I waited here for your return. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
He shook his head with a smile, managing to gain control of his mouth again. “You could never disturb me, Caroline. What was the reason for your visit again? I cannot recall what you said.”
She released a nervous chuckle and then sobered. “I came to inform you of my decision.”
Chapter Eight
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
Mark 11:24 NKJV
Caroline continued to twist her morning gloves until her hands were sore from the bad habit. She had spent almost the entire night wide awake, praying for God’s guidance and wisdom. When the sun rose, she finally received her answer and knew she had to find Emmett right away to inform him of her decision. After arriving and discovering he’d left, fear struck her heart again, remembering Lee’s rejection. Perhaps he had changed his mind?
Now, with him standing before her, his expression eager to hear her decision, she struggled to put it into words. “Would you like to eat before we discuss this? I know you came in to have breakfast. I’d hate to interrupt your plans.”
He released a deep breath and smiled at her. “I believe I’ve lost my appetite for the time being. Perhaps a walk would be better and we can both eat upon returning.”
She nodded, relieved he had suggested it. Her nervous stomach wouldn’t be able to take in food at a time like this either. “A walk sounds delightful.”
A minute later, they were walking north on Birch Street toward the river. When they reached the bridge, he turned toward Caroline and took both her hands in his. “Before you say another word, I want you to know I’ll accept whatever decision you have made. I wish for your happiness more than anything.”
“Good,” she said with a wide smile. “Becoming your wife would make me the happiest woman in the world.”
“Really?” He chuckled while lifting her in his arms and spinning her in a circle. When he put her down his hands continued to encircle her waist and he leaned down to look into her eyes. “Are you certain this is what you want?”
/> She nodded as happy tears gathered in her eyes. “Yes, it is. When I arrived here in Pelican Rapids on the train, I thought I had found my home, but it turns out I was only halfway there. God had planned for me to travel the rest of the journey home with you.”
He lifted her into his arms a second time and kissed her lips so softly, yet with such passion it took her breath away. She wrapped her arms around his neck and allowed him to hold her close. “I’ll cherish you forever, my bride,” he whispered into her blond curls. “You are my precious, unexpected gift from God.”
After Emmett put her feet back on solid ground, he surprised her again by dropping to one knee. She looked around to see if any of the townspeople were watching, especially Mrs. Theodora Carter or her daughters. However, after a moment she realized she didn’t care in the least who watched. “What are you doing, Emmett?” She released a nervous chuckle, like a school girl after sharing her first kiss from a beau. “I’ve already said yes to your proposal.”
“I want to do this properly. You deserve a decent proposal.”
She laughed again, feeling the blood rush to her cheeks. “Very well, go on then.”
He smiled while lifting her hand and then planted a loving kiss on the top of it before producing a box from his pocket with a ruby engagement ring, bordered with tiny diamonds inside. She gasped at the sight of it. “I inherited this from my grandparents and now it belongs to you. Miss Caroline Rose Kennedy, I never thought I was the marrying kind, but colliding with you in the streets of St. Paul changed all that. It’s hard to believe a runaway parasol brought us together, but I believe God had his hand in it. I promise to be patient while our hearts grow closer together as husband and wife. Caroline, will you marry me?”
She nodded while wiping happy tears from her cheeks. “I believe you already know my answer, Mr. Riley.”
He gave her a boyish grin, while placing the ring on her finger. “I’d love to hear the beautiful words again.”
Caroline's Quilt (Brides 0f Pelican Rapids Book 2) Page 4