An Unexpected Dilemma Bride_Family of Love Series_A Western Romance Story

by Elliee Atkinson

  “Since you lived it,” Alice supplied.

  Joshua smiled at them both. “I can and I will, but not right now. I’m beat. I haven’t seen you in, what has it been, fifteen years, Uncle Adam? You don’t look like you’ve aged a bit.”

  Adam threw his head back and laughed. “Thanks, Josh. I think it’s probably that you don’t remember what I looked like.”

  “Nah. You look as young as ever. And you have a beautiful wife, too.” Joshua turned his smile to Alice, holding the door open so she could pass through it before he went inside their small house.

  Joshua looked around. “I like this, Uncle. You’ve done a great job with this little house.”

  “What are you used to, Josh?”

  “This is pretty much what I’m used to.” Joshua gave him a large grin. “My little house in Louisville has four walls and a capable kitchen. I don’t need much more than that. I’m not there very often anyway.”

  “You don’t need any money, do you? I would be glad to…”

  Joshua laughed, interrupting and lifting one hand while he was shaking his head in the negative. “Oh no, Uncle Adam. Thank you though. I make a lot of money doing what I do. People pay me whatever they can, and some of the people I’ve helped do work around their fancy houses have paid me handsomely. I know where to find clients. Wickenburg is becoming a little more appealing to me though. I’m running out of people to meet in Louisville.”

  Alice raised her eyebrows. “You can’t possibly know all the people in Louisville. It is three times the size of Wickenburg.”

  Joshua shrugged, grinning. “I get around.”

  Adam nodded. “I imagine you do. Do you want a drink? Alice can make some tea or we have whiskey if you want some.”

  “I’ll take some tea, Auntie, if you don’t mind. I don’t drink liquor. I like to keep my wits about me, if you know what I mean. I don’t want to be drunk, in case I’m needed.”

  “So tell me what you’ve been up to. I know you’ve got stories that are much more exciting than anything that goes on here in Wickenburg.”

  “It’s a good possibility that could be true, Uncle.” Joshua nodded. “But I’m not sure. I’ve read in the papers about things that have happened here, and I gotta say, sometimes I wonder if I’m not needed more here than in Louisville. You’ve got all kinds of weird stuff going on around here.”

  Alice giggled, looking at Adam. “See? I told you.”

  Adam just grinned, shaking his head.

  Instead of sitting down, Joshua went to the window next to the front door and looked out. It was a gorgeous spring day. The sky was blue and there were no clouds to be seen. “This is a wonderful time of year. The perfect time to be out in the woods, or building something new,” Joshua commented, looking over his shoulder at Adam, who had sat down on the couch. Adam nodded.

  “Yeah, it is. It’s my favorite time of year, in fact. I like to work in this weather. I leave the doors of my saddle shop wide open. Makes me feel like I’m more in touch with the outside world instead of huddled up in there working. There’s a nice breeze. Maybe we should take a ride to town later. You can meet some of our friends.”

  “Thank you, Uncle Adam.” Joshua gazed out over the horizon.

  “How have things changed for you since you left your house?” Alice brought in a tray with three glasses of tea on them. “I put a sugar bowl here if you want some, Joshua.”

  He looked at her with his eyebrows raised. “I’m not moving to Wickenburg, or at least I haven’t decided. Did you think I was?”

  “I sincerely thought you were, but I’m glad you’ve at least come for a visit. You’ve had such an exciting time in Louisville. And you told Adam that you were looking for a change.”

  “It’s always an adventure. The funny thing is that I’m always drawn into it, whether I want to be or not. It’s like it finds me wherever I go,” Joshua admitted. He finally turned from the window and came back to sit on the couch next to his uncle. He leaned forward and picked up a glass of tea.

  “I hope you find your stay here fun and adventurous, too.”

  He looked up at her with an amused look. “It always seems to me that something bad has to happen for anything adventurous to happen. So I’m not sure you want that. But I’m sure I’ll enjoy my time here. Just keep me away from the ladies.”

  The three of them laughed.

  “What kind of things do you do for the people of Louisville that make them trust you so?” Alice asked, honestly curious. “It seems that here in Wickenburg, there’s always some type of emergency to take Adam away in the middle of the night.”

  Adam chuckled. He looked at Joshua’s surprised face. “Don’t be surprised. It’s an unfortunate fact.”

  “It seems like such a peaceful town. I didn’t know there was constantly something happening.”

  “Well, not constant. It just seems like Adam should be the deputy sheriff or something, the way people come to him for help.” She looked at Joshua. “Like they do you. It must run in the family.”

  Alice looked at her husband. Joshua looked at him, raising one eyebrow. “You, Uncle Adam?”

  Adam shrugged. “It’s necessary. And I don’t do it alone. I have friends here that help when needed.”

  “That’s amazing, Uncle. Really amazing.”

  “So tell me what kind of adventures you have. I swear; sometimes Adam will get a letter from someone in Louisville singing your praises and it just amazes me! You are always helping people with so many different types of things. So many places you’ve been…just to help people!”

  Joshua thought back on the few times he’s been asked by the sheriff for his advice regarding a crime that had gone unsolved. He’d had success a few times, but it was the times he failed that haunted him. He didn’t like to think about it.

  “Not in Louisville,” he said.

  “I’m glad to hear it. I know you enjoy helping people in need, but you must think of yourself sometimes.”

  “I have. That’s why I’m here now. I want to enjoy a nice vacation and take it easy for a while. No one to ask for my help, except around here, of course.”

  “How long do you plan to stay?” Alice lifted her hands in warning. “Not that I’m hurrying you to leave. You don’t need to hurry. I just want to know so I can plan dinners for all of us.”

  ”I guess a couple weeks, maybe three at the most. My good friend Tucker told me to check out the Inn, and that I better get some of that food or I’d regret it. Do you remember Tucker, Adam? He mentioned that he worked with you and Mark when he visited last time. He only stayed for a short time. He helped build a house on some land around here for a young man who had inherited a lot of money.”

  “I do remember Tucker. Fine young man.” Adam nodded. “It was about five years ago.”

  “Yes, that’s right. He has been my friend for a long time now. In fact, we went to the same academy as teenagers.”

  “He had a lot of good things to say about you.”

  “I would expect that. We are good friends. He said the Horse N Saddle was the best place to get a drink and play cards, and the Inn was the best place to get a meal.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with the meals at the Horse N Saddle,” Adam said defensively.

  Alice swatted him on the arm. “Oh, you just say that because Sam is your friend.” She looked at Joshua. “Sam is the bartender and the owner of the saloon. They’ve always been good friends.”

  Joshua smiled, and Alice wasn’t in the least surprised that the ladies loved him. He was everything a woman could want. In addition, he had money. That, alongside his generosity, meant that some woman was going to be very, very lucky.

  “I want to… I’ve been thinking about settling down. I don’t know, maybe finding the right woman. I observe people a lot. I know people. I don’t mean spiritually; I’m not crazy. I’m just saying I know people. I’ve got good instincts.”

  “Are you always right?” Alice tilted her head to the side.

>   Again, Joshua smiled wide, lighting up his face. “Not all the time. No one is. But I’d say at least 90% of the time. And that other ten percent, well, I learn from it and move on, don’t I?”

  “Well, you are pretty amazing, Joshua, and I’m glad you’re here.” Alice took a drink of her tea. She gave him a warm smile. “Do you think you will be able to go to the fair next week? There will be some pretty girls there. You might find someone interesting.”

  “Have you been talking to my ma, Aunt Alice?” Joshua laughed.

  “No. I’m a mother myself.” Alice chuckled.

  Adam gave his nephew a knowing look. “I don’t know what you’ve started, son, but I think you’re gonna get an earful.”

  Joshua’s answer was somewhat garbled as he replied, laughing. “I…will tell you like…I told my mother, Aunt Alice. When… the right woman comes along, I’ll know it. I’m sure of it.”

  Alice joined him in laughter. “Well in order to get married, you have to find a woman.”

  Joshua laughed. “I will.”

  “Lord knows you’ve got plenty of prospects. I hear every available woman, young and old, is vying for you.”

  Joshua blushed. “I’m well-liked.”

  “You certainly are.”

  “But I have to find the right woman.”

  “You may not be the one making that decision,” Alice said, grinning wide.

  “What makes you say that?”

  “Because, young man, sometimes love is something you can’t control.”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know about that. For my part, I am satisfied with my life. I wake up every morning happy to be alive.”

  “That is wonderful to hear, Joshua.” Alice agreed. “Are you taking one of the rooms in the hotel in town? We might be able to fix up a bed here for you, if you’d rather.”

  “That sounds lovely, Aunt Alice. I’ll just stay tonight, if that’s okay with you. I don’t want to get in your way.”

  “Not at all. We are glad to have you here!”

  “Thank you but it would be better for me to be at the Inn if I stay for a while. Really, don’t worry about me.” He looked around. “Where’s the little ones?”

  “Some friends have Carrie and the other two are still at the schoolhouse. They should return shortly.”

  He smiled. “I look forward to meeting them!”

  He meant it. He was looking forward to staying with a family for once.

  CHAPTER TWO

  DINNER WITH A FAMILY

  DINNER WITH A FAMILY

  I really hope to have an uneventful time here, Adam.” Joshua smiled wide as he sat down on the chair offered to him. “I’ve had some hectic times these past few months and all I can think about is not having to think about anything.”

  Adam and Alice both nodded as they sat at the wooden table.

  He sat down, too, wondering whether he would find the peace he was looking for in Wickenburg. “I don’t find a lot of peace in Louisville. I hope to find some here. Things don’t seem to be getting any better for people out there. So many people need help in one way or another. We need the railroad to come straight through here so we will have more jobs for these people; that way, they can achieve more of their goals with better pay.”

  “People here have been struggling, too.”Alice said solemnly. “Is it a lot different from here? I didn’t think Louisville was much larger.”

  “I haven’t been here long enough to determine how different it is, but it is definitely smaller here.” Joshua shook his head at Alice. “But whatever happens here in Wickenburg is really just a shadow of how it will be when it grows to be as big as Louisville. I hate to say it, but something has to happen so that the economy out here isn’t so hard on everyone. I’m one of the lucky ones. I have the money my grandfather left me and I can live on that. That’s one of the reasons I’m able to help so many other people.”

  “Why do people go to a place where there is a lot of poverty and a lot of people? Wouldn’t they be more successful in a much larger city on the East Coast?”

  Joshua shook his head, looking in her direction. “Why are you here?”” He gave her a gentle smile that made his face light up, though it could barely be seen. “Aunt, you don’t know what some of these people go through. All they want is an easier life. If I’m able to repair their plow so they can work the fields, or repair a step so a woman doesn’t fall, or build a fence so a child stays safe, I’m willing to do that. I don’t have to work a regular job, even though I do. I know that children even steal there.”

  “Why would they do that?”

  Joshua tilted his head to the side. “They are hungry.”

  Adam and Alice looked at each other sadly. “What a terrible shame.”

  Alice stood up from the table and went through to the kitchen, leaving the doorway open. She returned quickly with a large bowl. She set it down in the middle of the table.

  Joshua leaned over it and breathed in with a smile on his face. “This is beef stew, isn’t it? That’s terrific, Aunt Alice, it’s one of my favorite meals! How did you know?”

  Alice looked very pleased. “I didn’t know. But I’m very glad, Joshua.”

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a home-cooked meal that I didn’t make myself. I always go to the nearest restaurant back home.”

  “I hope so, Joshua. But that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for telling us more about the adventures you have.”

  “I’d love to, Uncle Adam. But if I could take a break from that for a night, it would be really appreciated.”

  Adam raised his eyebrows. “Oh, nephew, I didn’t think about that! I apologize.” He turned to his oldest son, Max.

  “Did you learn anything interesting in school today, Max?”

  Max glanced at his father, hungrily returning his eyes to his bowl of stew before answering. “Yes, we are learning something about history.”

  “American history?”

  “No, I think British.” Max looked at his sister for confirmation. When Riley nodded, he looked back at his father, his spoon already heading to his mouth. “Yeah, British.”

  Alice shook her head. “You should be learning about our history. American history. What do you need to know about the British? How is that going to help you when you are older?”

  “I’m surprised to hear you say that, Alice,” Adam said. “History is important. We learn from it.”

  Alice looked at Adam, her cheeks flushing. “Yes, that’s true. I suppose I just think there are interesting stories here in America that should be told before we go exploring some other country.”

  Joshua watched the exchange in silence. He could see that his aunt and uncle were very compatible and respected each other a great deal. He wanted to find a woman like that. He hadn’t yet and didn’t know if he ever would. However, he had come to the decision that perhaps it was time to settle down. His aunt and uncle respected him because of his solid reputation as a man of great character. He was good at solving puzzles and didn’t mind helping people who weren’t so good at that trait. He hoped it would help when he met the right woman, and that their guidance would lead him if he missed it.

  Joshua was proud of his reputation and what he’d done to help others. Nevertheless, one of the reasons he’d left Louisville was to see what it was like to be with someone else, to have a woman by his side for support and love; it was time for a new adventure.

  He came back to the conversation when he heard his name.

  I was never a ladies’ man though, was I?” Adam smirked and gave Joshua a mocking warning look. “Be careful. My woman has decided to be a matchmaker for you. She’s already married, so…”

  Alice gasped, covering her smiling lips with one hand. “Adam! I didn’t say anything of the sort. I’m just thinking of a few friends who Joshua might like to meet, that’s all. I am not thinking about me… my goodness… The whole town would laugh at me. You don’t want that. They would laugh at you, too.”

  �
�Yes, but I wouldn’t care, because I started the rumor in the first place.”

  “Oh, Adam!” Alice gasped.

  He laughed, shaking his head. “Relax, darling, I would never do such a thing to my beautiful wife.”

  Alice grinned, narrowing her eyes at him in an amused way. “Thank you for the compliment, my dear.”

  Adam gave her a loving look, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t insult you, Alice. Let’s say grace and eat.”

  Joshua squirmed uncomfortably in his seat, feeling the room heating up momentarily. He felt his stomach growling and the stew looked and smelled delicious. He didn’t mind saying grace, but he had no idea if Adam was a two-minute, five-minute or half-hour praying type of man. He silently hoped Adam would keep it short.

  “Dear Father, we thank You for this beautiful bounty and for Your mercies and love. Forgive us when we stray. Bless our friends and family. Thank You for our visitor, Joshua, who has come to stay for a peaceful vacation. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

  Relieved, Joshua cleared his throat, his eyes on the bowl of stew in front of him. “This looks wonderful, Alice. Thank you for making it.”

  “Go ahead and eat. You don’t have to wait for us,” Alice said, much to his relief.

  Glad the prayer had been short, Joshua lifted the fork to his mouth, ready to gulp down the tasty stew. There was a small restaurant in Louisville where the food was delicious, but it was in a part of town that he didn’t care for. It was a shame. He’d always thought that if he ever needed a cook, he would have to find out who did the cooking in that kitchen and hire them. He grinned at the thought. As if he would ever have enough money to hire someone to cook for him.

  ”I hope that your stay here is as peaceful as you want, Joshua. Are you enjoying the stew? It’s made from a special meat. I hope you like it. I think it has a hearty taste.”

  Joshua nodded. “It does.”