Seth hurried into the room but stopped when he saw Andrew. “Miss Price, did you know that baby is my cousin?”
Alice smiled. How she loved Seth. “Yes, and he’ll need you to protect him and show him how boys play.”
Andrew laughed when Harry licked his hand.
“Look at that. He likes Harry. Does the baby have a dog?”
Gently, Alice removed Harry’s ear from Andrew’s tugging hand before the little boy put the dog’s fur in his mouth. “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask his mother. But you should call him Andrew, not that baby.”
“Did you know his mama is my Aunt Hope? I got lots of family now, don’t I?”
“Reckon you do at that.” Alice envied Seth’s security in a family who accepted him without question. “You have a Pa that thinks you’re special, your cousin, two uncles, and three aunts.”
“When you and my Pa get married, you’ll be my new Ma. Then you’ll have lots of family too.” Seth’s face brightened. “Hey, you can even share Harry. He likes you ‘cause you helped him when he was sick.”
Alice scratched Harry between the ears and evaded contradicting Seth. “Harry’s the nicest dog I’ve ever seen.”
“Pa said now that the weather’s turning nice, he’s gonna teach me to ride my horse any time. I can saddle Bonnie now and brush her down.”
“I’ve seen you ride. Reckon you’re a regular cowboy.”
“I don’t fall off no more.” Seth played with Andrew while he talked. “Course I rode lots of times and had a good horse ‘fore we left town.”
Gently, Alice touched his cheek and raised his chin so he looked at her. “Seth, you don’t have to make up stories to impress us. We’re already proud of you for who you are.”
Seth’s lips trembled. “Sometimes I forget.”
“That’s okay. Just remember your new pa already thinks you’re a special boy. And Harry’s a special dog. You make a fine pair of ranchers.”
Hope hurried in and picked up Andrew. “His food’s ready, so I’ll just take him into the kitchen and feed him.”
Andrew whimpered and reached toward Seth and Harry.
Seth’s smile lighted his face. “Hey, he wants us to come too. Can we, Aunt Hope?”
“Of course you may. Perhaps you’d like to help feed this hungry little man his dinner.”
Alice watched as Seth followed Hope into the kitchen, but she remained where she sat. She thought of her previous life. All those lonely years on Pa’s ranch when she and Mama longed for companionship seemed cruel now.
She had thought Pa rescued them, and reckoned he had in one way. She knew he loved Mama and her, but it was a strange kind of love. A selfish love. Not at all the kind Zach and his family showed one another.
And now she realized she and Mama were little more than prisoners on Pa’s ranch. When she’d planned to go to Atlanta in search for her dreams, she’d had no idea all the things she longed for were available nearby. And had been all along.
Her heart ached for Mama, who was so lonely all those years. At least they’d had one another, but Mama needed other women she liked to visit and talk women talk with. Knowing now that all those years they could have enjoyed the very things Mama had said she missed about Atlanta created a powerful sadness for Mama’s life.
Could Mama have changed Pa’s mind about town and such? Had she tried? Alice would never know.
Alice had serious plans to revise. Should she leave or stay? If she left, should she go now or wait until her stepbrothers were caught? So many decisions created a throbbing pain behind her eyes.
Which choice was right?
Chapter Twenty Six
Alice heard Zach and Micah come into the kitchen. She knew she should stop moping and join them, but her heart ached with indecision and her head throbbed. This wasn’t at all like her. Why couldn’t she snap out of this melancholy mood?
Zach came into the parlor with her wrap. “Let’s take a walk before dinner.”
She rose and donned the coat he held for her. He was always a gentleman. “I should have been in there helping.”
He chuckled. “There are plenty of people in there. My aunts sent Mrs. Hammond on home. We’re having a cold supper, so I don’t think you’ll be shirking if you come with me.”
They left by the front door and stepped off the covered porch that spread the length of the house. Crisp air whirled around them, but carried a hint of spring to come. She took Zach’s arm and they strolled toward the orchard. He placed his hand over hers and warm shivers crept up her arm.
As they passed the place where his yellow clothes had hung, he laughed. “Glad you aren’t doing the laundry now.”
She almost stumbled over a rock, but Zach steadied her. He held her overlong then took her hand and laid it back on his arm.
“You’re kind to get over being mad at me. Your aunts told me you’d find my mistake funny after a while, but they had no idea I planned the dye.”
“You were right. You did what I asked. Things have changed now and you don’t have to resort to tricks like that one.”
“Not entirely changed, Zach. My stepbrothers are still out there. I’d like to go into town and look around, maybe go to church, and see the stores.”
They reached the orchard. “Yeah? If you go to church, I’ll be right beside you.”
She smiled. “Surely you’re not really jealous of the preacher?”
He shrugged, his face serious. “He sure acts taken with you, and he’s single. I’d as soon he keeps his distance.”
She stopped beneath a large pecan tree and tugged his arm so he faced her. “He was only being polite. And that must have been hard since I near choked the poor man the first time he was here. Even then he was still nice enough to come to Seth’s party.”
Zach cupped her face, his steely gaze trapped her heart and sent her thoughts soaring. “I know when a man’s interested in a woman. He finds you as fascinating as I do.”
“Fascinating? Me?” She stared into his gray-blue eyes.
“You.” He lowered his lips to hers.
Alice wasn’t a woman used to being kissed, but instinctively knew Zach was different from any man she’d met or imagined. His warm lips on hers melted her insides like butter on hot bread. Her breath caught in her throat and she soared like she’d just stepped off a cliff.
When he broke the kiss, instantly she missed his touch. She struggled for something to say. “Did you know the quilt we’ve started today is for us?”
“Sure. Custom here is to make one for every bride and every baby.” He slid his strong arms around her waist.
His gentle embrace created the sensation of being treasured. She laid her head against his chest. She could stay here until the end of time.
“Alice, have you thought over my proposal?” His lips were near her ear, softly questioning.
“I’ve thought of nothing else.” Alice smoothed her shaking hands across his powerful chest. She wanted to snuggle up to him and have him hold her forever. But she had to protect the people she’d come to care for.
“Zach, I can’t bring more trouble to your door. With Rusty and Frank running free, there’s no telling what they’ll do or when they’ll find me. There are your aunts and Seth to consider. And those two would try to kill you for sure.”
“Alice, if you’re willing to stay with me, it’s time to start working together as a family. Don’t get your dander up, but I had a long talk with Micah today.”
Her eyes sought his. “Y-You told him the truth? Dear Heaven, what must Micah think of me?”
He nodded. “He’d been suspicious. He served in Georgia in the War and knew you didn’t speak like the women there. His feelings were hurt because we’ve always been honest with each other. He knew I was lying and that you were too.”
“I’m right sorry you lied to protect me.”
“No, the lie was to protect myself from teasing, remember? But I explained everything to him and now it’s time to tell Joel. It’s
the only way to make sure everyone is safe.”
She rested her head against his chest. “You should put me on the next stage east.”
“No, I want you here where you belong...with me. So you just let Joel and me worry about your stepbrothers. And Micah is loaning us Bert and Slim to help keep watch on the place.”
“The two men I met the day I came here? They were easy to like. Good of Micah to loan them to you.”
“They may look easy going, but they served with Micah in the War and they know how to defend you.”
She sighed. “That’s a relief. With your brother Joel coming here pretty often and Slim and Bert here, I won’t worry as much about Rusty and Frank finding me.”
He cradled her to him. “Are your stepbrothers the only reason you’re hesitant to say yes?”
“Isn’t that enough?” Frustration created a storm in her. “I want to marry you and be a part of your life forever. But I can’t cause you more trouble than I already have.”
“No trouble, Alice. Even with those tricks you pulled--I know you were doing what I asked--even then I wanted you near. I’m lucky to have you here. I want us to be together permanently.”
“What will your aunts think when they learn the truth?” She leaned back to meet his passionate gaze. “They’ll think I’m crazy and that you’re as crazy to keep me here.”
He looked away, but kept his arms around her. “Micah understood when I told him the truth. Joel and my aunts will too.” He exhaled a deep breath and gave her a gentle squeeze. “Can’t tell you how much better it feels to be honest with my brothers.”
“But your dear aunts. They’ve been so kind to me and I’ve been awful to deceive them.”
“You’ll be surprised how little that will matter. They’re happy with you and want to see us married.” He cupped her face. His beautiful eyes were dark with emotion. “I want that too, Alice. I want it more than you can imagine.”
She laid her hand on his cheek in a gentle caress. “So do I. Living here with you and Seth would be a dream come true. Life with you holds everything I’ve longed for.”
His handsome face lighted with pleasure. “Then you’re saying yes? You won’t miss the things you hoped for in Atlanta?”
She smoothed her fingers down his cheek. To her, his scar had faded and her love saw him for the man he truly was, handsome inside and out. How foolish she’d been, thinking Atlanta offered the only way to happiness. Everything she needed existed within this man’s arms and on his ranch.
“All those things I longed for, everything I hoped to find, is right here with you. I am saying yes. Yes, yes, yes.”
He kissed her, soft at first and then heating with bridled passion. Warmth pooled low in her belly. All thoughts fled and she sank into his kiss’s power. When she thought she would melt like a puddle of butter, he broke the kiss.
“I should tell you, I plan on talking to Judge Henderson about adopting Seth legally so no one can doubt he belongs here. His new name will be Seth Barnes Stone.”
“That’s wonderful. Have you told Seth yet?”
“No, guess I should. Maybe we can tell him together.”
“You said you want other children. Seth will feel more secure if he’s really your son before a baby arrives.”
He cupped her face. His beautiful blue-gray eyes shone with happiness. “Our baby. I hope we have a girl with golden blonde hair like her mother.”
“Not green?” She grinned.
His steady hand caressed her head, fingers sliding among her curls. “No, like this, spun gold silk.”
“I hope we have little boys with dark hair and mischievous blue-gray eyes.” She poked his broad chest. “But they won’t get a pony until they’re old enough to ride safely.”
He kissed her nose. “Aw, Seth can ride now. He was just excited. I should have taught him to ride before I gave him Bonnie. I learned my lesson.”
“Me, too. He seems so small and vulnerable to me. Because of his former life, he hasn’t had the good experiences most boys are offered so he’s a little behind on normal things. He’s catching up fast though. Guess I was overprotective.”
“Like a mother. You’ll make a wonderful mother to our children. How many do you want?”
“Maybe two girls and two boys. What do you think?”
He chuckled. “I don’t think we get to choose whether we have boys or girls, just the number of children. I think four more would make a nice family. As long as I have you, I don’t really care.”
“What a nice thing to say. You’ll make a fine father, Zach. You’re the best man I’ve ever met. I hope Seth and any boys we have turn out just like you.”
His strong hands slid to her waist and he swung her around, “Yahoo! We’re getting married.” He set her down, but kept his powerful arms around her. “How soon?”
She steadied herself against his broad chest. “If you’re putting aside caution of my stepbrothers, then as soon as you wish. I expect your aunts will want to bustle around planning a fancy wedding at the church in town, don’t you?”
He laughed, his face appearing younger and carefree. “Yep, and I won’t mind the preacher that time. Bet the aunts are already making plans. That okay with you?”
“More than okay. They know how to arrange things better than I do.”
“Let’s go back and tell them to set a date.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her into a trot. Laughing, they ran toward the house.
When they heard the news, Lizzie and Maggie were even more pleased than Alice could have imagined. Micah slapped Zach on the back. Hope held Andrew, but offered her excited congratulations on setting the date.
Seth hugged her. “Now you’ll be my real Ma. Can I call you Ma?”
She almost cried at his sudden display of affection. “I’d love it if you called me Mama. That’s what I called my mother. Then I’ll think of her whenever you say it.”
The boy smiled at her, his face shining with happiness. “I will. I’ll call you Mama just like you said.” He picked up his furry dog. “Did you hear that, Harry. We got us a new Mama.”
Harry wagged his tale as if he understood. To Alice, the dog looked as if he smiled his approval.
Alice cupped Seth’s chin. “But you must never forget your first mother. She gave you life and loved you. Just as I love you now.”
“I keep her picture on my dresser just like you said. But I’m sure glad you’re going to be my new mama.”
Lizzie said, “We’ll have an engagement party Saturday, then the wedding a week later. Let’s see, I think we can get everything ready by then, don’t you, Sister?”
“Shouldn’t take much to have a big shindig.” She laughed. “We’ve been planning both since we learned Alice was arriving.”
“I have my mother’s wedding dress packed away. I know it’s out of style now, but it will fit me pretty well and it means a lot to me for her to be a part of the wedding.”
“Wonderful. Let us make plans, ladies. This will be such fun.” Hope smiled at her husband. “You and Zach had better go into another room before we have you helping us or you’re bored to tears with all our planning.”
Micah picked up Andrew. “I’ll take care of our boy so you can plan.”
The males hurried out of the room, as if afraid wedding talk would unman them. Alice and the other women laughed. Alice’s heart was near to bursting with happiness.
Her stepbrothers were a worry she shoved away for another day. Was that wise? Don’t tempt fate. She shrugged off her nagging doubts and listened while the aunts revealed their plans to her and Hope.
Chapter Twenty Seven
By Saturday, Alice’s head spun with the flurry of her week’s activity. The aunts had helped alter several of Mama’s dresses and decided the blue faille would be most becoming. The chatelaine bodice extended below her waist. An overskirt of Valenciennes lace ended halfway to the skirt’s front hem and draped to the floor in back.
Faille ribbon the color of the dress and Va
lenciennes lace formed the Grecian bertha. Matching fabric roses formed a corsage and a coronet for her hair. Alice was uncomfortable with the low neckline, but admitted the color flattered her and made her eyes look darker blue. She’d never worn such a beautiful garment. Who needed one on Pa’s ranch?
Hope adjusted a rose in Alice’s hair. “You have lovely hair and it is as soft as Andrew’s. As nearly as I can create, you will have the latest style.”
“Thank you for helping me. Truly, this is like having a sister. I’m only learning about what’s in and out of fashion.” What a relief she no longer had to fib about her background to Hope or the aunts. “Once in a while, Pa brought us newspapers and sometimes a ladies’ periodical. Mostly we contented ourselves with sewing. Seemed we always needed clothes and bedding.”
“I’m so glad you have your mother’s dresses. She had some beautiful things.”
“They’re from before she married Pa, of course, but I love the feel of the fabrics. She’d come from a wealthy family before she married my real father, so her things were quality.” Alice sobered. “On the ranch, all she needed were cotton housedresses.”
“You really never left the ranch in all those years?” Hope wove a ribbon through Alice’s fancy hairstyle.
“Only once. Pa said a woman as beautiful as Mama caused folks to be nosey. When Mama first started coughing up blood, I went with her and Pa to the nearest town and a doctor. When the doctor said she had consumption, he explained her care and told us what medicines to give her. Oh, Hope, we were so scared, but we went back to the ranch. We didn’t know what else we could do.”
“Hold still a little longer.” Hope slid an anchoring comb into Alice’s hair. “But you nursed your stepfather, too.”
“He went to the doctor on his own. Didn’t want anyone else to know until he was so bad he needed my help.”
Alice turned each way to admire her new hairstyle. Was that really her in the mirror? “I knew a couple of years before he told the boys. They had no idea how sick he was, even at the last.”
High Stakes Bride, Men of Stone Mountain Book 2 Page 16