by Barbara Goss
“Where is she? I’ll go tell her,” Sam said.
Rhea frowned and scrubbed a silver spoon harder than necessary. “She went into town, but she couldn’t be shopping because she rode Venus instead of taking the buggy.”
“Do you think she’s seeing the fellow that’s sweet on her?”
Rhea shook her head. “No, she would never do that. I have a feeling she’s seeing an attorney about an annulment.”
~~~***~~~
Greta returned home, relieved that she’d made some headway into straightening out her life. She hated to disappoint the Sutherlands—they’d been good to her—but she had to find some happiness for herself. Life was too short to spend alone, and Bethany needed a family life.
Sam ran to greet her as she entered the house. “Guess what, Greta? Adam’s on his way home.”
The news shocked Greta. On the very day she’d started annulment proceedings, she’d learned he was finally returning.
“Really? Well,” she said, “he’ll be relieved to learn I’ve started annulment proceedings. He never wanted to marry me. He was coerced like I was.”
“No, he wasn’t. Not really. At first, he might have been shocked by our asking him, but he stepped up and agreed. He said it was the least he could do for Seth.”
“I heard you telling Rhea that he was angry about marrying me.”
“No, he was angry about having to return to land. He just loves being at sea.”
“Now, he can turn around and go back to it.”
Sam rubbed his forehead. “Please, give him a chance, Greta.”
“I love you and your wife, and I appreciate all you’ve done for me, but now I have to make a life for myself and Bethany.”
Rhea walked into the room. Greta knew as soon as she spoke that she’d been listening. “Greta! This is so unlike you.”
Tears ran down her face, but Greta stood up to Rhea for the first time. “I’ve had enough. I need a life.” She turned and ran up the stairs to her room.
~~~~***~~~~
Adam stepped off the train, picked up his satchel, headed for the livery, rented a horse, and rode home. On his way, he passed the church cemetery, stopped, tied his horse, and made his way inside the fenced burial ground where he searched for his brother’s grave. When he found it, he knelt down and prayed.
Adam whispered, “Hello, little brother. I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner, but I’ll take over where you left off. Don’t worry—I’ll rear your child like it was my own. I love you, Seth.” He stood and stared at the tombstone. It was hard to believe Seth was gone. The last time he’d seen him was at Isaac’s wedding. He recalled how badly Seth’s health had been and how he’d been surprised when he heard he’d married.
He felt someone’s presence and swung around to face a lovely blonde woman. “Hello,” Adam said.
The woman cocked her head at him, turned pale, and fell forward in a faint, but Adam caught her by the shoulders and led her to a nearby bench. Her head lolled on her shoulder. He wasn’t sure what to do, as a woman had never fainted on him before, so he simply sat beside her and rubbed her hand.
She finally raised her head and said, “I’m sorry, I must have fainted...from the heat.”
“It’s actually cooler here than at some of the places I’ve been,” he said. Adam wasn’t impressed with her beautiful, creamy skin, or her thick, blonde hair which was pulled back in a braided bun. But it was her blue eyes that captured his interest; they looked sensitive. He’d seen beautiful women everywhere he’d been, but he’d never let himself be taken in by them. They were usually self-centered and spoiled, and he wanted a woman who had a good heart and believed in God. Her looks didn’t matter to him as much as her character.
He saw her look at his hand holding hers and he dropped it. “I hope you don’t think I’m being forward. I was rubbing your hand, hoping to bring you back to consciousness—I’m a married man.”
The woman looked stunned, and Adam hoped she wasn’t about to faint again.
“Your wife is fortunate to have such a devoted husband.”
“I hope so.”
“You hope so?”
“I haven’t met her yet. I was at sea, and we married by proxy. I can’t wait to meet her.”
The woman bit her bottom lip. “What if you don’t like her looks?”
“Oh, her looks won’t matter to me. It’s what’s on the inside that counts. She was married to my brother, and it’s my duty to take over for him. I trust that Seth married a good person.”
The woman stood. “I wish you all the best, then.”
“Thank you. It was nice meeting you...”
“Miss Hanson.”
Adam stood and offered his hand. “Adam Sutherland.”
He watched as the woman walked away, thinking she seemed down-to-earth and friendly. Had she said her name was Hanson? His parents’ housekeeper was Tilde Hanson. She was Swedish—the woman was probably a relative, given her blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair coloring. He’d have to tell Tilde he’d met someone related to her.
No sooner had he tied his horse to the post in front of the house than his mother ran down the steps and threw herself in his arms. Adam swung her around in circles.
“I’ve missed you, son,” she said.
“And I you.” He let her go to greet his father.
“Thank God you’re all right.” His father embraced him. “The maritime police sent me a full report.
“We thought you’d gone crazy, stopping at all the wrong ports.”
Adam put his arms around both of his parents and walked them to the house. “I’d probably still be there if it hadn’t been for you sending the police after me.”
Rhea led him to the sitting room. “Should I ring for tea?”
“Not for me,” Adam said. “I’m anxious to meet my wife. Is she here?”
He noticed his parents exchanging a look.
“What is it?” Adam asked. “Is there a problem?”
Rhea caressed Adam’s shoulder. “No. No problem. We’re just worried about whether or not the two of you will like each other.”
Adam smiled at her. “Rest assured—I’ve made up my mind to like her. She was Seth’s choice, and I trust him to have chosen a good Christian woman. We’ll be fine. I’m anxious to see my brother’s child, too. Where are they?”
Sam told him, “They recently moved into the house we built for the two of you. It’s on the north end of the property. We miss having them around.”
“What’s my wife’s name?”
“Greta. And the child’s a girl, named Bethany—Beth to go with Seth.”
“I’m a little nervous. Will the two of you come with me to introduce me? Do I just move in? I don’t know how to proceed, here.”
“I think it might be a good idea to stay here with us and sort of court her,” Sam said. “Do you agree, Rhea?”
Rhea nodded. “Yes, that would be the best way to get to know each other.”
“Good. Let me wash up and change clothes, and we’ll go to meet my new family.”
Chapter Five
Greta received a message from Rhea that Adam would be coming to meet them soon. She fidgeted as the maid Rhea had given her styled her hair, wondering how she should greet him. Greta felt nervous and excited all at once. Seeing Adam again had brought back the feelings she’d once had for him. She’d been young then, and young love is memorable. It was probably why she’d fainted at the cemetery. She’d only fainted once before, in church on a Sunday, when she hadn’t eaten breakfast.
When she’d met him in the cemetery, she’d been too shocked and unsure of herself to tell him who she was. Had that been a mistake? What if he didn’t like her looks? Had he been telling the truth when he said looks didn’t matter?
She looked at her maid, Sadie, in the mirror as she twisted Greta’s hair into a French twist. Sadie was a plain woman, a bit on the stout side, and she was about Greta’s age. What if she sent Sadie down with Bethany? She knew she coul
dn’t fool Adam for long, but it would be interesting to see his reaction to Sadie. Had he been truthful when he’d insinuated that looks didn’t matter?
Rhea had also set Greta up with a housekeeper, Annie, and groundskeeper, Fritz. They were husband and wife. Greta had been living in the house—which was similar to Rhea and Sam’s house but on a smaller scale—for just a few months.
Just as Sadie had finished with Greta’s hair, Annie knocked on the bedroom door, opened it, and called, “You have guests in the parlor, Miss Greta. It’s your in-laws and a young man. Should I tell them you’ll be down shortly?”
“Yes, Annie. Thank you.” Greta stood, and Sadie helped her slip on a pink satin dress. “Sadie, would you take Bethany down to meet her grandparents? I’ll follow shortly.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Greta snuck down the back stairs and stood in the shadows of the dining room to see Rhea, Sam, and Adam sitting in the parlor. She watched Sadie come down the stairway, leading Bethany. The guests stood when Sadie entered the room, and Bethany ran to her grandmother who hugged her. She watched Adam greet Sadie with a brief hug before turning to hug Bethany.
Greta was shocked that Sadie’s appearance didn’t faze Adam. He was a truthful man. Sadie was no beauty, but she had a lovely smile, and Adam seemed to accept her as his wife. That was until Rhea introduced Sadie as the maid.
Greta thought it a good time to enter the room. She walked into the parlor, and Bethany squealed, “Mama!” and ran into her arms. She’d never forget the look of shock on Adam’s face.
When she put Bethany down, Adam approached her with a slight smirk on his face. “Well, Miss Hanson, we meet again.”
“Why, that’s Greta!” Sam said.
Adam gave Greta a loose embrace. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Sutherland.”
Greta sat in the only available seat, which was beside Adam.
Annie brought in a tea tray as the topic of conversation turned to Bethany.
“She has Seth’s eyes,” Adam said, “but other than that, she looks like her mama.”
Greta ran her fingers through Bethany’s hair as she sat on her lap. Bethany had the same golden hair, only a few shades darker. Her complexion was a bit darker, but she did resemble Greta. She also agreed with Adam: Bethany had Seth’s green eyes instead of Greta’s blue ones.
Adam held his arms out to Bethany who wriggled free of Greta’s grasp and went over to him. It surprised Greta because Bethany was usually shy around strangers.
What Adam did next shocked Greta—he bounced her on his knee and sang a song to her. It sounded like a sea chanty, with lyrics about the deep blue sea and ships being docked.
Bethany giggled.
Rhea sighed, “Aw.”
Sam smiled proudly.
As they played with Bethany, Greta wondered what would happen next. Surely, they didn’t expect Adam to sleep in her house and definitely not with her. She had no idea what the plan was, but she was nervous about it.
As usual, Rhea sensed Greta’s worry. “We thought it best if Adam stayed at our house until the two of you become better acquainted.” She looked from Greta to Adam. “Then we’ll see what should be done.”
Greta breathed a sigh of relief. It must have been loud, for Adam looked at her, and his forehead crinkled into a frown.
Rhea stood and gave Bethany a farewell kiss and hug, and Sam did the same. “We’ll be going home now,” she said. “Adam, you can stay a few more minutes. I think you and Greta might have some things to talk about.” Rhea looked at Sadie who was standing quietly by the stairs. “Would you take Bethany up, now?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Sadie said, taking the child by the hand.
Greta sighed again. It was just like Rhea to take charge, as usual.
When Adam and Greta were the only ones left in the room, she felt uncomfortable. She had to tell him about the annulment. She was sure he’d be relieved.
Adam turned to her and said, “Why did you pretend to be someone else today at the cemetery? Do you enjoy playing games with people?”
“I recognized you. I saw you in church a few times before you went to sea, so I knew who you were, and you took me by surprise. I don’t usually play games, but I wasn’t sure what to say or do. The shock of seeing you was why I fainted.”
“I’m prepared to step into Seth’s place. I’ll be a good husband to you and loving father to Bethany.” He gave a slight chuckle. “I think I love her already; she’s adorable.
“I’ll court you slowly. I don’t expect any intimacy until...well, we’ll see how things go.”
“I think you should know that I’ve hired an attorney to void our proxy marriage,” Greta said, looking at the floor.
Adam stared at her. He frowned again. “Why would you do that?”
Greta played with the folds of her dress. “You were at sea, and I didn’t think you’d ever come back, and if you did, you wouldn’t stay. I’m young, and I need a life. I’m a lonely widow who yearns to be loved, and I want to give Bethany a family life one day.”
“Is there someone else involved?” he asked.
“I’ve had a few offers to be courted, but I’ve refused them. I can’t even think about other men until I’m single again.”
“I see,” he said. “I agree with you: you deserve better than you’ve had since Seth has died.”
His words surprised Greta.
Adam continued, “I’m disappointed, of course. I’ve actually come to look forward to being a family man, but if you want an annulment, there’s not much I can do about it. I would like to be on your list of men who wish to court you. In fact, being Seth’s brother, I’d hope my name would be at the top of that list.”
“There isn’t a list,” Greta murmured. “There’s just one gentleman who’s interested, and he knows he has to wait until the annulment is final.”
“Until then you’re still my wife, right?”
Greta nodded.
Adam stood. “Then, I have every right to court you before the annulment is final.”
Greta stood to face him. “Why do you want to do that? I thought you’d only agreed to the marriage because of family duty.”
“I made Seth a promise today at the cemetery, and I aim to keep it, or at least, do everything in my power to keep it.” He walked to the doorway of the parlor. “No need to see me out—I’ll find the way.” He turned and disappeared from her line of vision.
Greta listened to his footsteps in the hall and heard the door close behind him. He seemed sincere, but marrying to keep a promise to Seth wasn’t the basis for a marriage. Her heart still beat heavily when she looked at him. Her heart remembered him.
~~~~***~~~~
Adam didn’t know how he felt. He supposed that anger was the best fit. He wasn’t pleased at the games she seemed fond of playing, both at the cemetery and purposely leading him to believe the maid was his wife. Still, he hadn’t seemed disappointed when he’d looked at Sadie—she did have a nice smile. He’d been ready to accept her as his wife. Maybe now he wished Sadie had been his wife. It was just as he’d always thought: beauty was only skin deep, and he found Greta’s personality lacking.
While he agreed she deserved a better life, he thought that a woman of better character would have at least given the marriage a try before voiding it as if it had meant nothing to her. He was home now, and willing to trade his sea legs for land legs and a family.
He shrugged and prepared for bed. He should be glad, now that he could return to the sea he loved, but something deep inside him was hurt by Greta’s wanting to annul their marriage.
She was a beautiful woman, he had to admit—he could see why Seth had been attracted to her—but he needed to discover what was beneath her physical appearance before he could write her off and return to the sea.
At breakfast, his mother pried, asking him questions, but he kept quiet except for the occasional nod. At last he said, “Mother, stop asking questions. I need to figure this all out for myself bef
ore I can tell you my plans.”
His father gave her a warning look.
“Do either of you know the gentleman who wants to court Greta?”
“Miles Tanner,” Rhea said.
“You’re kidding!”
“No, I’m sure that’s who she mentioned.” Rhea gave him a worried look. “Do you know him?”
“Wasn’t he the kid who punched Seth and stole his lunch on the way to school?”
Rhea nearly dropped her teacup. “It was a Tanner.”
Sam spoke up. “It was Miles.”
“He’s a bully. I’d bet Greta doesn’t know what he’s really like.”
Rhea patted his arm. “Adam, they were children at the time. Surely, this Miles has grown up since then. He could be a very decent man.”
Adam stood. “Any boy who’d punch a sick kid and steal his lunch couldn’t be decent.” He stormed from the house.
Adam knocked on Greta’s door. Annie opened it.
“Oh, Mr. Sutherland—do come in.”
Adam stepped into the foyer. “I’m here to see Greta and Bethany.”
“Come into the parlor,” Annie said.
Adam set the basket he’d been carrying down by the front door, followed Annie into the parlor, and took a seat.
“I’ll let Mrs. Sutherland know you’re here.” Annie scurried up the stairs.
It seemed like Adam waited for a long time before Greta came down the stairs. Her hair was in a long braid, and she wore a blue, cotton dress with a large lace collar. She helped Bethany down the stairs.
“You wanted to see us?” Greta said when they’d reached the bottom step.
Bethany ran up to Adam and showed him her rag doll. “Dolly,” she said.
Adam asked, “What’s the doll’s name?”
Bethany looked at the doll and then up at Adam. “Dolly.”
“Ah,” Adam said. “Hello, Dolly.”
He watched Greta take a seat across the room from him. “You’re good with children,” she said. “Have you had much experience with them?”