The Unexpected Bride

by Griggs, Winnie

  He shrugged. “Well, it’s bound to show up. And there’ll be a perfectly innocent explanation for how it got misplaced.”

  Why wouldn’t he take her concerns seriously? Was it because he still believed she’d just been careless? Or was it because he didn’t want to share his thoughts, his own worries with her?

  Caleb caressed her cheek with the back of a hand. “Stop worrying. I can’t imagine one of the kids digging through your things, and no one else had access or reason.” He crossed the room to pick up his hat. “I plan to deliver the Powells’ cradle today. If you need anything from town, just make me a list.”

  Elthia watched him leave, not at all reassured by his words. But he was right, worrying wouldn’t do her a bit of good. She threw off the covers. Maybe she’d try her hand at getting breakfast ready on her own this morning.

  That challenge seemed a less frustrating pursuit than dwelling on the workings of Caleb’s mind.

  Breakfast was a mixed success, much like her marriage. The eggs and potatoes were cooked to everyone’s satisfaction. The bacon, however, was overdone, and the biscuits were too heavy. But she received compliments for her efforts, and there were very few scraps left over. Maybe there was hope for her yet.

  Elthia left the kitchen chores to the girls. She had a pile of mending to see to. When she entered the parlor, though, the clutter left over from Josie’s bout as a patient caught her eye.

  Humming softly, she gathered up the books and set them back on the shelves. Then she picked up the picture Josie had painted of a dog sniffing at a ladybug. Smiling, she put it aside to show Caleb, then collected the art supplies and headed upstairs.

  As she lifted the lid of her trunk to put the paints away, she remembered something that set her back on her heels.

  She’d sent Peter up here, just before Caleb’s birthday, to fetch this same box of paints. It was right after that that he’d resumed his surly attitude. If Peter had found the contract, it would explain a lot.

  Poor Peter. Reading that contract must have been a shock. He’d already believed Caleb didn’t want him, and now he’d learned she apparently only planned to stay for a short while.

  No wonder he was walking around with a chip on his shoulder.

  How could they undo this? How could they make Peter believe they did love and want him and his brothers and sisters?

  She would discuss it with Caleb. Perhaps between them they could figure out the best course of action.

  Caleb watched his nephew fidget uncomfortably. He obviously knew that there was something serious afoot.

  Caleb and Elthia had decided the workshop would afford them the most privacy. Peter sat on one side of the workbench, Caleb on the other. Elthia perched on a low stool at the end of the bench, within an arm’s reach of either of them.

  Earlier they had agreed she would speak first, so now she cleared her throat. “Peter, do you remember when Poppy got hold of one of the birthday banners we made for your uncle?”

  Peter’s wariness increased. “Yes ma’am.”

  “I sent you upstairs to get the art supplies from my trunk while I cleaned up the mess. Remember?”

  Peter nodded.

  “Did you happen to see a piece of paper while you were in my trunk, a contract of sorts between your Uncle Caleb and myself?”

  Peter’s nostrils flared, and he struck an angry, defensive pose. “What are you accusing me of? Stealing?”

  Caleb leaned forward, trying to divert the boy’s choler. “No one’s accusing you, son. Aunt Elthia just asked a question.”

  “I ain’t your son!”

  Caleb winced at the anger in those telling words. It was a slap-in-the-face rejection. Did Peter actually hate him?

  Peter scraped his chair back, facing Caleb with red-faced contempt. “Yes, I saw it. It was stuck to the paint box, and I had to pry it off. I took it, too, if that’s what this is all about. What does it matter anyway? It only proves that she doesn’t want us any more than you do.”

  A soft protest escaped Elthia. “Oh Peter, that’s not true.”

  The boy’s hands fisted at his sides. “You lied. You told me you married Uncle Caleb willingly, that you two worked everything out.” His lips curled. “You worked everything out, all right. You’re just planning to stay around long enough to make the judge think we have a real family here, then you’re gonna leave us.”

  Caleb watched Elthia flinch. She reached for Peter’s hand. The boy didn’t relax, but at least he didn’t push her away.

  “No, I won’t,” she said firmly. “I love all of you too much to bear even the thought of leaving.”

  When Peter remained stubbornly silent, she pushed on. “I made your uncle sign that piece of paper because I was angry that he seemed to be having things all his way. And because I was afraid I couldn’t measure up to life here. It was cowardly, but I wanted a way to leave on my terms if it came to that.”

  Caleb admired her honesty with the boy, especially when she did it at the expense of her own dignity.

  “That’s all changed now,” Elthia continued. “I think it changed the minute I said my wedding vows. I want to stay, to be a part of this family. I don’t want that contract back. If you haven’t already destroyed it, you can tear it up. I’m staying.”

  Caleb never tired of hearing those words. Maybe someday he could truly believe them.

  Peter shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. Uncle Caleb doesn’t really want us either.”

  Caleb straightened. It was his turn. “There has never been a doubt of my wanting to have you and the others with me.”

  “I heard you!” Peter, his eyes blazing, shook off Elthia’s hand. “You were arguing with Aunt Liz and Aunt Annie, telling them they weren’t being fair, that you couldn’t do it.” His chin jutted out. “You gonna deny it?”

  Caleb could see the boy’s hurt through his anger. How could he ever straighten out the mess he’d made of things?

  “No, I don’t deny it. But there were reasons why I said what I did, reasons that had nothing to do with how I felt about you kids. But those reasons don’t matter anymore. I really want to see us build a family here.”

  Peter remained unmoved. “What were the reasons?”

  Caleb raked a hand through his hair. Peter was just too young to deal with such sordidness. “I can’t tell you.”

  “I don’t believe you! You’re lying about wanting us. I’m the oldest member of my family, and that gives me the right to decide what’s best for us. And I don’t think you’re it.”

  “Peter!” Elthia’s exclamation echoed in the ensuing silence.

  Peter jerked away from her outstretched hand. “If you’re done with me, I promised Zoe I’d help water the garden.” He turned and exited the workshop without waiting for a response.

  Familiar feelings of inadequacy clawed Caleb. “He hates me.”

  Elthia rested a hand on his shoulder. “No, he doesn’t. He’s just hurt and confused. Give him time, he’ll come around.”

  Caleb stared at the empty doorway. “I hope you’re right.” But he wasn’t so sure.

  Elthia circled around to face him. “Caleb?”

  “Yes?” When she didn’t respond, he lifted his gaze to hers.

  She quit worrying her lip. “Are you sure you couldn’t share your reasons with Peter? I mean, no matter how bad, usually the truth is easier to deal with than the things we imagine.”

  Caleb pulled her down beside him. “Peter didn’t quite get it right. I was arguing with my sisters because they wanted to take in all the kids between them except Josie. Josie was to be sent seventy miles away to our Aunt Dorothy. I dug in my heels and told ’em I wouldn’t let Josie be sent off alone.”

  His jaw tightened. Just thinking about his sweet pea being made to feel like a castoff raised his hackles.

  Not to mention the dark memories it revived.

  Elthia’s brow furrowed. “But Josie is such a sweet child.”

  Caleb tried to explain. “It’s not tha
t they don’t want her. They just felt she’d be better off somewhere else.” How best to say this? “I mentioned once that Josie isn’t really a sister to the other five.”

  Elthia nodded. “I remember. But she is your other brother’s child. She’d be just as much your sisters’ niece as Zoe.”

  “Yes, but there’s something you don’t know, and neither does Peter.” He paused. How would a woman raised as she’d been view this? Would she still see Josie in the same light? “Josie’s parents were never married.”

  Elthia blinked. “Oh.”

  Then she straightened. “That’s not Josie’s fault. I can’t believe your sisters would hold it against her.”

  She’d surprised him again. “They don’t,” he answered, squeezing her hand. “But there are others who would. We tried to keep it quiet, but somehow word got out after Tim died. Already the word bastard was being whispered about.”

  He spread his hands. “Once gossip like that gets started, you can’t stop it. That’s why my sisters thought it best she gets a fresh start somewhere far away from the talk.”

  He rubbed his neck. “And I agreed with them. I just didn’t want Josie sent into exile. At the time, Aunt Dorothy was caring for her invalid mother, so one child was all she could take. Annie and Liz had deep roots in Harvestown—it would have been hard for either of them to pick up and move.”

  Caleb shrugged. “My sisters thought I was crazy when I said I’d give it a shot. No one, including me, knew if I’d be able to do it. I’d never been responsible for even one kid before, and I didn’t have a wife to give ’em the mothering they needed.” He met her gaze. “But I had to try to keep them all together.”

  Elthia stroked his cheek. “You’re a good man, Caleb Tanner. The children are lucky to have you. And so am I.”

  He captured her hand and kissed it. “Thanks. But I don’t think Peter agrees.”

  “He will eventually.” She drew back, her expression suddenly sober. “But I think you should consider telling him the story you just told me. He has a right to know.”

  “When he’s older. I don’t think he’s ready right now.”

  She looked prepared to argue, then caught herself. “I’m not sure I agree, but I’ll defer to your judgment, at least for now.”

  He raised a brow. “For now?”

  She smiled sweetly. “I’ll let you know if I change my mind.”

  Caleb drew her onto his lap. “You, my dear, are getting much too sassy.” Then he kissed her, quite thoroughly. When he set her on her feet, he had to force himself to release her.

  The next few days couldn’t pass fast enough.

  Grinning at her bemused expression, he swatted her bottom and pointed toward the door. “Off with you, woman. I’ve work to do, and you’re too tempting a distraction for my peace of mind.”

  She flashed him a saucy smile, then turned and sauntered out.

  Caleb shook his head as he watched her make her exit. It was definitely going to be a long couple of days.

  His wife was one special lady. Dare he hope that this time, this woman, would be different? Had he found someone who wouldn’t leave or send him away?

  Then he sobered. That kind of thinking was dangerous, would gouge chinks in the protective walls he’d built. After all, much as she said she’d stay, their last ruckus had started because she thought she’d lost the annulment contract.

  No, he’d just take things as they came. He planned to enjoy their time together to the fullest. If she stayed past three months, so much the better. If not, well, he’d be ready for it.

  Elthia had mulled over their discussion for the past hour and had arrived at a decision. Caleb had been wrong. He needed to put things right between himself and Peter before the boy took his hurt and anger out in a destructive way.

  She had to convince Caleb of that, and the sooner the better. When he stepped through the back door, she was ready. “Caleb?”

  He gave a mock groan. “Don’t tell me—we need to talk.”

  “Well, yes. But this really is important.”

  “Naturally. Come on, we can talk in my office.” He ushered her into the room ahead of him. “Now,” he said, stepping around his desk, “what is the current crisis?”

  Was he mocking her? Elthia decided to ignore it if he was. “It’s Peter. I think you should talk to him now rather than waiting.”

  Caleb’s light mood disappeared. “What happened to your deferring to my judgment?”

  “Just hear me out. You said Peter is too young, but I think you’re wrong. When I look at Peter, I see a youth approaching manhood.”

  She saw Caleb’s frown and tried again. “He worked beside you at the barn raising. Would you say he did a man’s work?”

  “Well, I suppose. But that—”

  “There, you see? He’ll be a man before you know it. Do you want him to hear about this from you or from someone else?”

  He waved a hand impatiently. “No one here knows—”

  “You said yourself, this kind of thing has a way of getting out. Why take the chance? Surely you’re not afraid it’ll make him love Josie any less if he knows.”

  “Of course not.”

  “Good. Then you’ll talk to him?”

  He gave an exasperated sigh. “Elthia.”

  She placed a hand on his. “Caleb, he’s angry and hurting. He thinks you don’t want him or don’t trust him. Hearing the truth, even something like this, will make him feel better.”

  Elthia mentally held her breath. Had she pushed too hard? Would he think her an interfering busybody?

  Finally he nodded. Leaning back, he slid a hand through his hair. “Perhaps you’re right.”

  She relaxed. He did understand. “So you’ll talk to him?”

  “Yes. Just as soon as I get back from town.”

  He obviously didn’t feel the same urgency over this that she did. Should she push again or be satisfied with his decision?

  Caleb sighed. “Something tells me that’s not good enough.” He moved around to her side of the desk and took her hand. “I’ll go find him right now. Feel better?”

  She nodded. “Did I mention what a good man you are, Caleb Tanner?”

  He shot her a cocky grin. “Yes, but I don’t mind hearing it again.”

  Caleb stepped outside and called to Peter. He put an arm around the boy’s stiff shoulders. “Did I ever show you the swimming hole I played in when I was a kid?”

  Elthia stood in the doorway, watching them disappear into the woods, praying they could work this out between them.

  “Aunt Thia, Aunt Thia. Somebody’s coming.”

  Elthia set her mending aside. “All right, I’m coming. Maybe it’s your Uncle Caleb.” It was too soon for him to be back from town though. He’d only been gone twenty minutes.

  “No, no. Come see.”

  Elthia stepped out on the front porch and shaded her eyes. Sure enough, a delivery wagon was plodding up the drive.

  Of course! She’d all but forgotten the special order she’d made just before Caleb’s birthday.

  Oh dear, and she’d never gotten around to telling Caleb. Well, no sense worrying now. He might be irritated, but she couldn’t imagine him staying angry for long.

  By the time the wagon pulled up to the house, the children were making extravagant guesses as to what might be contained in the huge crate lashed down in back.

  Even Peter was showing interest. His surly belligerence had disappeared since he returned from his walk with Caleb. It had been replaced by a sober, heavy mood that she suspected was due to both guilt over his prior attitude and worry about Josie.

  Caleb had told her that when their talk was over, he and Peter shook hands and agreed to stand together to take care of the family. Peter had declared that anyone who so much as whispered hurtful things about his baby sister would have to deal with her big brother.

  Elthia smiled and stepped from the porch as she heard Zoe’s excited squeal. The contents of the crate had been discover
ed.

  CHAPTER 23

  Caleb held the reins loosely as he fingered the telegram he’d picked up on his way through town.

  Her family was well-to-do, she’d said.

  Her father was prominent, she’d said.

  Why hadn’t she just told him the truth? Why hide this from him? According to the telegram, her father could buy one or more small countries without blinking an eye. The man had the ear of those in the highest circles. Elthia’s family home was a mansion that would rival Europe’s finer palaces. And this man had no idea his baby girl had been coerced into marrying an itinerant carpenter with a ragtag passel of kids.

  No wonder she’d seemed so shocked at the thought of marrying him. Lady Privilege—he’d had no idea how appropriate that nickname was. She’d been bred to take her place among the world’s elite. Not to cook his meals and do his laundry.

  What had he done?

  No matter what she said about her desire to stay now, he had bullied her into marrying him to start with. Not only that, he’d deliberately set out to woo her in order to trap her into staying. How long before she began to tire of the relative drudgery of life here, began to resent him for tying her to him?

  No matter how hard he worked, he’d never be able to give her the kind of life she was born to. Blast! Even if she never voiced a word of complaint, could he live with the knowledge of what he’d asked her to give up?

  Sure, she’d wanted to escape that brute of a fiancé her father had lined up for her, but had his heavy-handedness been any less forgivable?

  By the time Caleb neared home, he was in a foul mood. Having to maneuver his buckboard around a passing delivery wagon that insisted on taking up much of the road didn’t cheer him up any.

  When he turned up the drive, he wondered where the kids were. Usually they were outside playing this time of day. But not even Elthia’s yipping lapdog was around to broadcast his arrival.

  Caleb took care of the horse and wagon, then headed for the house. He paused on the front porch. Was that music he heard?

  He tromped to the parlor and halted in the doorway. What had been a small open space between the sitting area and the bookcases had been expanded and filled with an impressive new upright piano.