But Aunt Bessie Mae hadn’t always been right. She’d refused to leave her big home in Atlanta when the soldiers ordered them all out. Instead she’d sent Amanda to live with her older brother in Maine. And neither Uncle Stephan nor she heard from Aunt Bessie Mae again. Stephan said she probably was too stubborn to leave her home and died in the fire that burnt Atlanta to the ground.
So if Aunt Bessie Mae had been wrong about not leaving Atlanta, why couldn’t she be wrong about not trusting handsome men? Yet logic couldn’t dredge Aunt Bessie Mae’s warning out of her mind.
Frank hurried to her side. “Here let me carry Jamie. He’s a heavy lad.” He held out his strong arms.
Daylight didn’t dim the man’s fine looks. His brown eyes romped with life, dark chocolate like fine candy.
“Thank you. He is a bit heavy.” She smiled. “Did you find any nuggets?”
“Just this one.” He held a small nugget that seemed lost in the palm of his big, calloused hand.
“That looks like a good morning’s work.”
“Not so good as I’d hoped.” He glanced at the sideboard. “Is that a pie sitting there? That looks like a good morning’s work.”
As slow warmth at his praise oozed through her, she nodded.
“Shall we head on over to the Angel Vale Eatery for breakfast?” He shifted Jamie to one arm and cocked his elbow for her to take. “I want to show off my soon-to-be-wife.”
A shudder blew over the warmth. “Thank you.” How could she hurt this man? He was so eager to marry her. The longer she stayed in town, the harder he would take her loss.
They strolled together into the restaurant, and he seated her at the same table they’d used last night. He dropped into the seat across from her, Jamie snug in his lap.
The pretty red head rushed out. “You want breakfast?”
“None for me, thanks, Brenda. I’ll just have coffee.” Frank glanced at Amanda. “Are you hungry? Order whatever you want.”
“Yes, please. I’ll have breakfast.”
“Right away, Miss.” The girl Frank called Brenda slid him a funny glance, then she smiled at Amanda. “It’ll be a pleasure to serve you.”
Well, that was a complete change from last night. Brenda had been as hostile as a hen protecting her chickens when she’d served them dinner. Now she beamed as if she and Amanda were best of friends. But that dead-giveaway-glance that passed between Frank and Brenda meant the two of them had an agreement about something. And judging from Brenda’s new conduct, that agreement had something to do with Amanda and Brenda becoming friends.
As soon as Brenda sashayed to the kitchen, Amanda touched Frank’s forearm. “You and Brenda are up to something. Mind sharing?”
Red flooded Frank’s face. He looked like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
CHAPTER NINE
Amanda caught the truth in his fleeting expression before Frank smacked on his Unreadable Sheriff Face.
“Um…Brenda said she’d like to be your friend.” He kept his dark eyes on Jamie.
Truth, but not exactly. Hm.
“So, tell me.” His white teeth glinted in a charming grin. “Why did you decide to leave everything you know and travel all this way west to marry a stranger?”
Her heart kicked like a new-born colt. Nice. She liked communication straight to the point. Get the embarrassment over immediately. “My Uncle Stephan found me a burden. I refuse to be a burden to anyone.”
His brown eyes turned darker chocolate. He rubbed a gentle hand over the soft blonde curls on Jamie’s head. “But I’m certain there were countless fishermen in Maine, even in a small village, who’d have given their right eye and arm, with a leg thrown in, to marry you.”
Ah, there it was. Time to confess the unpleasant truth. She picked up her napkin and tucked the cloth in her lap.
Brenda arrived with a coffee pot and two cups and placed them properly on the white tablecloth. She gave Amanda a friendly smile. “Perhaps sometime today I could walk you around Angel Vale, show you the town, and introduce you to the locals.”
“I’d love that. But the baby.”
“Oh, my Granny has a pushchair we can borrow. Some moms call them prams. Granny will lend you hers as long as you need one. Baby F—Jamie won’t be taking steps for six to eight months yet. You can use Granny’s pram until Jamie learns to walk.”
Amanda stiffened. So, Brenda had talked earlier with Frank. Else she’d not have known Baby Frank as Jamie. Interesting. Had Frank persuaded Brenda to show her around? What a thoughtful man.
“That would be so very helpful. Thank you. I’d like to thank your Granny in person.”
“Oh, no need for that.” Brenda glanced at Frank, gave him the eye, rattled her tray and turned. “I’ll bring your breakfast now.”
Interesting. What scheme had the two of them hatched?
Before Brenda reached the kitchen door, Frank repeated, “Why didn’t you marry any of the men in Maine?”
Amanda lifted her water glass and sipped, watching him over the rim. He tried to conceal his concern, but he worried about her reason. He thought she had some dark secret to hide. She must set his mind at ease.
“I never enjoyed living in Merville. A fishy smell hung over the town all the time. During the day Merville rivaled a ghost town when all the fishermen sailed away. They’d return in the evening, smelly and cranky. Then I hated the tedious task of cleaning all those fish and boiling those lobsters and crabs the men brought home in their nets. Plus, I discovered I have an allergy to sea food, so my food choices were limited.”
That fleeting look on his face proved he didn’t believe her.
“That’s it? That’s why you left?”
She glanced at the door. Where was Brenda with the food? “I did have a particular suitor. He loved me. My Uncle encouraged him in every way, saying the match between us was the best in Maine. But…” She smoothed her French Roll and curled a free ringlet around her finger. “The night Uncle was certain Beau would propose, instead the Southern Gentleman”—she couldn’t keep the scorn from her voice—“slunk to Uncle’s porch with downcast eyes and face as gloomy as a wet weekend. He fell to his knees before me and informed me his family insisted he marry a more suitable woman. He’d asked for the hand of the banker’s daughter rather than the hand of a mere baker’s daughter.”
Surprise flashed over his face. He quickly masked his expression. She had to admire him. He erased his expression faster than anyone else she’d ever tried to read.
“This man chose another woman over you? Hard to accept.”
“Yes. Well, her family had wealth on their side. He was the only son and heir. They threatened to cut him out of their lives if he married me.” She smoothed her wry tone. “God bless him, he was a Southern Gentlemen who chose duty over love.”
“Idiot I would say. Did he love you?”
“Yes, Beau truly loved me.”
“Double idiot! Sounds like your Beau had the backbone of an octopus.”
“So, you would have responded differently?”
“Absolutely.” He touched the wedding band on her finger. “But I’m certain another man would have stepped in and claimed you.”
She gently moved his hand away, but not before her cheeks heated. “I was humiliated. I didn’t fare well with all the poor Amanda people from that town. They had pitched in to help me plan the wedding. Uncle Stephan ordered my gown, and they assisted me with my trousseau.”
He winced.
He may as well know the whole awful story. “I gathered linens and dishes and articles I’d need as a married woman even in the rustic fishing village where Uncle fled during the war to keep from serving a cause he didn’t believe in.”
“And those things are in the trunks I carried to your room at the lodging house?”
She nodded.
“So heartbroken, you came here to me?”
She smiled and shook her head. “No. Looking back I don’t think I ever loved Beau. He swept me
off my feet with his Southern charm. I never grew accustomed to the clipped speech and laconic ways of the men of Maine. He was fresh air in the fish market.”
“So why did you decide to come to me?”
“The ladies from the church showed me your letter and asked if I was interested. You sounded as if you needed a good, practical, woman, and I needed a new start and a new life in a new town where no one knew me.”
He took both her hands and gazed deep into her eyes. “This is a new town. You will definitely have a new life. With a new husband. Jamie and I and Angel Vale are exactly what you hoped for.” His Adam’s apple rose and fell in his throat. He rubbed his thumbs over the backs of her hands. “And, as a Southern Gentlemen myself, I choose love over duty.
Amanda gasped. Would he really?
Brenda rattled over with breakfast and Frank slowly released her hands. The pretty redhead took care setting the food out, smiling, and chatting. After she pranced back to the kitchen, Frank laid a warm, strong hand on Amanda’s arm. “And you will have new friends.”
She took her time to butter her biscuit. “Are these friends you arranged for?”
Coffee half-way to his lips, Frank’s hand jerked, and coffee spilled over the cuff of his new shirt. Jamie squealed with delight and wriggled on Frank’s lap.
“I arranged for?”
“I noticed your silent communication with Brenda.” She sampled a bite of scrambled egg. Good to get the conversation off herself.
“You do practice mentalism. Or is your gift called telepathy?”
“Neither. I’m simply alert to people’s expressions.”
“And you’re darned smart. I like both in a woman.” He leaned forward and folded her hand in his. “In fact, there is nothing I don’t like about you. I couldn’t have received a more perfect Christmas Angel.” Red darkened his ruddy cheeks. His brown eyes melted with admiration.
Her back stiffened. “Yes, well, Beau said almost the same words.” She jabbed at the large slab of meat on her plate. “What is this?”
“Elk meat.” He leaned back in his wooden chair and juggled Jamie on his knee. “So…because one man…” he hesitated as if searching for the right word.
Dumped her. Left her at the altar. Trampled her heart with his horse and carriage.
“disappointed you, you’re leery of all men.” He moved Jamie to his arms, pulled him to his chest, and patted his bottom. Jamie laid his blonde fuzzy head on Frank’s broad shoulder and closed his blonde lashes.
She nodded and attacked the eggs again.
“Look at me.”
She raised her head.
“You read expressions. Do I have the same expression as that fool who disappointed you?”
His gaze was steady. His entire countenance appeared as open and honest as any she’d gazed into.
“I’m a Christian man.” He blinked. “A new Christian. I do not lie, cheat, or steal. When you become my wife, I will never fancy another woman. I will not deceive you. I will be faithful to you until the day I die.” He leaned so close his warm breath stirred her hair. “I will do my best never to disappoint you.”
“And if I disappoint you?”
His jaw dropped. “I truly believe you could never disappoint me.”
“Why? Because you like my appearance? What if I neglect Jamie? What if I discover a man I prefer to you? What if I don’t like this town and want to move away? Will I disappoint you then?”
He blinked.
He’d not gotten beyond her beauty. Just as Beau had never gotten beyond her lack of money. Did southern men only view women in a superficial way? One has money, one has not. One has beauty, one has not. One is chaste, one is not. She was fairly sure Brenda was not chaste, and for that reason Frank didn’t want to marry her. Last night Brenda made herself pretty clear that she adored Frank.
“Look, Amanda, let’s not delve into things that will never happen. You are a Christian woman. You obviously have a sense of honor. You would not do such things.”
No she wouldn’t, but she was human. She laid down her fork and dabbed her mouth with her napkin.
“We have three months to get to know one another.” He grunted beneath his breath. Then, slowly, reluctantly, like a water pump working a dry well, he spoke through gritted teeth. “If you don’t like me well enough to marry me by then, I’ll scrape up enough money to send you back home.”
“Would you mind putting that in writing?” She dug into her tapestry bag and drew out the paper, ink well, and pen she’d hoped to use to send a letter to Uncle Stephan this morning.
CHAPTER TEN
Frank pushed the paper away. “I’d never force you.”
“You’re a stranger to me.”
“Read my face.”
Slowly she retrieved the ink, pen, and paper. “You’re an honorable man. I shall accept your word.” She deposited her writing items back inside her bag.
“Thank you.” He settled Jamie in his lap. The baby’s hand started exploring one of Frank’s plain leather holsters. He took the little hand and began a game of pat-a-cake with the baby. “So, you found the coffee?”
“Yes, it was quite good.”
He laughed. “Strong, you mean.”
She nodded.
“What else will you need to take care of Jamie?”
“Nothing.” She bobbed her head prettily. “I was about to put a pie in the oven when you came for me.”
“I saw that pie. Will we have it for supper?”
“Yes. I hoped to open a bakery here in Angel Vale.”
Frank jiggled Jamie’s bootie. “I’m not sure about a bakery. We don’t have any empty buildings, but I know the owner here at the Eatery, and he’ll buy your pies.” He rubbed his burning eyes. Long hours must be getting to him. “And, if you want, you could go into the tent camp and sell your pies to the miners. They’d love to get their hands on home-baked pies. But I’ll need to accompany you when you make that trek.”
Her smile coaxed out tiny dimples. He loved to invite them to venture out of their hiding places and play in her cheeks. She brimmed with surprises, and each one delighted him more. She had such a sunny disposition even after the hard trip, taking care of Jamie, and rising so early this morning. She had a beautiful soul.
And she could bake. He swallowed more coffee. After eating nothing since last night, his mouth watered. He’d no money to waste on food for himself, even though the morning started out so badly. Daisy had been irritable, side-stepping his hands, tromping his feet, and hadn’t wanted to give up her milk. Plus the log he felled for their home had been stubborn enough to fall in the wrong spot. He’d almost crashed the tree into his sluice box.
He took a swig of his coffee and held his cup up for Brenda to refill. His stomach growled. “I love biscuits and gravy.”
“Then you shall have them for breakfast tomorrow. I’ll have hot biscuits and cream gravy ready for you tomorrow about this time. No sense in eating out when you can have a nourishing breakfast in your own shanty.”
He nodded, not even trying to keep his intense pleasure out of his expression. How like God to send him a woman both frugal and capable. She was not the china doll he’d feared. “Um, I hope you’re staying alone in the shanty during the day won’t prove too difficult.” She hadn’t liked being alone with him. He leaned the chair back on two legs and stretched his long legs in front.
“It is a bit awkward. But I’m certain I’ll adjust.” Those dimples flashed again. “There just doesn’t seem to be any other place available where I can care for Jamie.” She leaned closer, and he caught her sweet scent like an April day in the country after a refreshing shower. “You’ve made the place cozy.”
He slammed his chair back to the floor, leaned across the table, and grabbed her hands. “Wait until you see our cabin. The house will have everything. You and Jamie will have room to entertain.”
Her sky blue eyes sparkled.
“And I’ll make the kitchen especially large so you can ba
ke all you want.”
“Oh, well, yes.”
Suddenly she seemed to draw up into herself, and her manner cooled. He didn’t need to be a mind-reader to realize he’d said something wrong. What had he said?
“Excuse me. I must use the facilities.”
He rose and balancing Jamie in one arm, plucked out her chair.
“Please, I can find the outhouse on my own. You and Jamie stay here.”
****
Amanda wiped a bit of spilt milk from her bodice and waited for the tears spiking behind her eyes to abate. She so hated to see how badly Frank wanted to please her. He wanted so much to touch her. He wanted so much to marry her. She smoothed her hair. No, she wouldn’t ask the Marriage Broker for a more suitable groom. She could never live in Angel Vale after she jilted the handsome sheriff. She couldn’t stand detecting his pain and the awful blow to his pride. Frank Calloway would be devastated.
She’d just have to catch the stage out of town like the mysterious woman who left her baby in Frank’s care. But who could she get to take care of Jamie? The little man had entwined himself around her lonely heart with his unconditional love and happy cooing. None of the brides she’d taken the long wagon ride with would do. They all had plans of their own. And some were taking on other men’s children, and others brought their own children with them. No, none of them had the ability to include Jamie in their plans.
Perhaps she could take Jamie with her. She leaned against the outside wall of the restaurant. No. Frank loved Jamie. Anyone with two eyes could see the tenderness he used with the boy. Besides the only danger worse than a woman traveling alone was a woman traveling alone with a baby. Neither of them would be safe.
What could she do? She’d find herself so easily falling in love with Frank. Did she dare risk her heart? She washed her hands in the basin outside the outhouse. Frank was safe. He was a haven in a world that hadn’t provided a safe place for her. Winter was sneaking in. Never a good time to travel. The cabin he worked on sounded so wonderful. And Frank didn’t mind her desire to set up shop and bake. He even offered to share the work with her.
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