The Unexpected Bride

by Griggs, Winnie

  She poked a finger at his chest with her free hand. “Are you ready to give up simply because you aren’t all knowing and all seeing? For goodness’ sake, so I uncovered those problems before you did. That’s why God set it up so most children have two parents, so one can catch what the other one misses.”

  He backed up a step, then two, trying to avoid her jabbing finger. He hadn’t seen her this riled in some time.

  She followed him, step for step. “What about the times you were there first? Should I feel bad because I failed them?”

  What in thunder was she talking about? “When—”

  “Like knowing Alex needed those cages without him having to tell you. Like staying up nights with the children when they had the measles. Like the way you worked so hard to make Peter feel wanted and needed.”

  How could she compare such everyday things with the others? “But—”

  She forced him another step back as she pressed her next point with another finger to his chest. “And let’s not forget the fact that you battled your sisters and the courts in order to keep the children together. You even went so far as to accept a bride, sight unseen, so you could safeguard the arrangement and the children could have a mother.”

  He stepped back again, this time smack into the wet clothes strung on the line behind him. His arms flailed as he attempted to untangle himself and keep track of Elthia at the same time. So much for him taking back control of this conversation.

  She pushed on, ignoring his clumsy stumblings. “That’s the kind of father you are, Caleb Tanner. And that’s the kind of father I want my children to have. I think it’s downright arrogant and conceited to expect perfection of yourself.”

  Caleb finally shook off the clinging bits of feminine apparel and stared at the vengeful goddess bearing down on him. What she was saying—did she really believe it? Could she possibly be seeing things more objectively than he did?

  Heaven above, was there really a chance…

  She followed him past the barrier of wet clothes. Shaking her head, she offered a sympathetic smile. “Oh Caleb, is that why you sent us away, because you’re not perfect?”

  He was breathing hard, as if he’d run uphill. He wanted so badly to believe her, to greedily grasp the gift she offered him.

  She placed a finger to his lips to still his next words. “I don’t want perfection, Caleb. I want you.”

  As if her finger had been a mighty battering ram, he felt the shell around his defenses fracture. With a groan, he pulled her to him, burying his face in her hair. “So help me, sweetheart, I know I don’t deserve you, but I can’t fight you anymore.”

  He reveled in the feel of his arms around her, in the silky touch of her hair on his cheek for a few glorious minutes. Then she pulled back enough to see his face.

  With a vulnerable I-have-to-know-no-matter-what expression, she met his gaze. “You never answered my question.”

  He smiled tenderly and reached up to remove her glasses. Setting them aside, he brushed the hair away from her face. “I have loved you since that morning you faced me in the barn, alone, scared, and wonderfully brave, refusing to back down.” Saying the words aloud was more liberating and satisfying than he’d ever imagined it could be. Why had he ever hesitated?

  Elthia threw herself back in his arms but not before he saw a suspicious trace of moisture in her eyes. “Oh Caleb. Then you’ll take me back with you?”

  He squeezed her tight, never wanting to let her go again. “I dare anyone to try to stop me.”

  She sought his gaze. “If my money is a problem, I’ll give it away or put it in trust for the children or whatever else you like.”

  Lord above, but he did love her. He’d been a selfish brute to make her feel such a sacrifice was necessary. He kissed the tip of her nose. “I don’t think we need to do anything quite so drastic. As long as you’re willing to live day to day off my earnings, I guess I can live with you occasionally doing something special for the children or yourself.”

  He took a deep breath, deciding he needed to go a step further. He owed her that and more. “You might even want to hire someone to help with the housework a couple of days a week.”

  Eyes shining, Elthia pulled his head down for a quick kiss. “You are a good man, Caleb Tanner.”

  Happy that he’d pleased her, Caleb gave her a squeeze. “I think we can do better than that.”

  He lowered his head for another kiss, one he was prepared to make much more satisfying than the tame one she’d just given him. Elthia’s arms snaked around his neck. She went deliciously limp in his arms, melting against him in a way that set his pulse racing and his body in an agony of anticipation. She was pliant, she was passionate, and she was his.

  He lifted her and carried her across the room, continuing the kiss, even when he set her on the bed. His lips moved lower as he reached for the knotted end of the sheet at her bodice.

  “Wait.” She pushed his hand away and struggled to sit up.

  Caleb clamped down hard on his control. “What is it?” Did she no longer desire his touch?

  She fiddled with her hair, tucking it nervously behind an ear. “Before we… well, before we go any further, there’s something I have to tell you.”

  So there was something wrong. He braced himself for another rejection. “I’m listening.”

  His self-assured, forthright wife, suddenly looked shy and uncertain. “I… We… Oh, Caleb, we’re going to have a baby.”

  After a second of blank incomprehension, a blaze of pure joy shot through Caleb.

  Elthia breathed a sigh of relief. There was no mistaking the fact that Caleb welcomed the news.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, as if afraid to believe her. “I mean, before you left, you said—”

  “I know. But I was wrong. Dr. Driscoll confirmed it. He tells me a lot of women continue with a weak monthly cycle through part or all of their confinement.”

  Caleb ran a hand through his hair. “We’re going to have a baby.” Then his face split in a broad grin. “We’re going to have a baby!” he repeated, giving her an exultant hug.

  He pulled back, his expression almost comically aghast. “I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”

  Elthia laughed. It would be a long six months if he was going to treat her like she was breakable. “Just because I’m carrying our child doesn’t mean I’ve suddenly turned to glass.”

  A troubled look crossed Caleb’s face. But it was there and gone in a matter of seconds. As if forcing something unpleasant aside, he reached out to hug her again.

  She held him back, determined he would not return to shutting her out now that he’d finally let her in. “What’s the matter?”

  He cocked a brow. “Nothing’s the matter. I just thought I’d try to steal another kiss.”

  But she wasn’t buying it. He had to learn to trust her with the bad news as well as the good. “Don’t do this, Caleb. Something’s bothering you. Tell me what it is, or tell me to mind my own business, but don’t lie to me.”

  He studied her face a moment, then nodded. “All right, no more secrets. The thought just crossed my mind that perhaps this bit of news had something to do with your eagerness to come back to Texas with me.” He flashed an unconcerned smile that she saw straight through. “Not that it would change anything,” he assured her. “You’re coming with me, regardless.”

  Furious, Elthia drew back, grabbed a pillow, and swung it at him as hard as she could. “You are, without a doubt, the most hardheaded man I have ever come across. This baby has nothing to do with my wanting to be with you.”

  He raised an arm, deflecting a second blow. He grabbed the pillow from her and tossed it aside. “Now, sweetheart—”

  She glared. “Don’t you Now sweetheart me.” She touched a finger to the bridge of her nose, shoving on glasses that were no longer there. She was thankful that he’d finally trusted her enough to speak of his feelings but was appalled at what those feelings revealed. How could she get through to him?


  “Think about it,” she said. “I already have your name, so there would be no real social stigma. I’m surrounded by a family who is more than willing to rally round and help me raise this child. I have access to the best doctors in the country.” She tossed her head. “So why would I need to be with you?”

  He winced. Good! Maybe he’d gotten her point after all.

  “Why? No reason.” She allowed irritation to color her every word and movement. “Other than the fact that I love you.” She poked his chest indignantly. “That I loved you before I ever discovered I was going to have a baby and that I will never be whole again without you.”

  He shifted closer, but she held him off with angrily narrowed eyes. “And if you ever see fit to question the truth of that again, I will sic Poppy on you.”

  Her words broke down the last of the wall he’d so carefully erected around his heart. There was no way, looking at her now, he could doubt the genuineness of her outrage, the honesty of her love. He wanted to shout his joy to the world.

  But first there were ruffled feathers to soothe. He flashed another smile, this one absolutely genuine. “You sure are pretty when you get riled.”

  An unforgiving harrumph was his only answer.

  He toyed with a corner of her sheet, feathering it against her ankle. “You’re not gonna stay mad at me long, are you?”

  Her eyes flickered down to his hands. “And why shouldn’t I?”

  He released the sheet and began massaging her foot, giving special attention to the sensitive arch. “Well, sweetheart, it’s not that I don’t deserve for you to be riled at me, but I was just thinking what a shame it would be for us to waste tonight.”

  He smiled as he noticed her smother a half-formed sigh. She was enjoying his touch. Well, there was more where that came from. His hands shifted to her other foot.

  “After all,” he continued, “your brother went to all the trouble of leaving us alone for the night, the least we could do is make the best of it. We’ll be heading out tomorrow, and we’re not likely to find much in the way of privacy or comfort until we get back to Foxberry.” He shrugged. “And since we have to go to Indiana first, that’s liable to be a while.”

  Her gaze snapped to his at that. “Oh Caleb, do you really think we can get the children back?”

  He slid over beside her, putting an arm around her shoulder. “If we have to camp on the judge’s doorstep for a month, we’ll make him listen. We won’t return to Texas without our family.”

  He brushed her temple, smiling at her shivery response. “But for tonight, we have other things to occupy us.”

  She turned in his arms, and Caleb’s mouth met hers with a hunger and urgency that would not be denied.

  As he laid her back against the pillows, he said a silent prayer of thanks for this second chance at happiness and for the stubborn woman who had fought for him to see and grasp it.

  She’d said she wanted to feel loved and needed, to feel like she’d made a difference. Well she was, and she had.

  And he’d ask for nothing more than to spend the rest of his life proving to her just how much.

  EPILOGUE

  Caleb climbed up the stairs, careful to avoid the creaky tread near the top. Elthia had been after him to fix it for weeks now. Maybe he’d get to it tomorrow.

  It was late. Most of the house was quiet and dark. Caleb opened the door of his bedroom, smiling at the picture that greeted him.

  Elthia sat in the rocking chair he’d finished for her three days before little Grace was born. The baby, now two weeks old, lay at her mother’s breast, sleepily suckling.

  As he slipped inside and quietly closed the door, Elthia looked up and smiled. She placed a finger to her lips as he approached. By the time he was close enough to put a hand on her shoulder, Grace, with a final smack of her lips, settled back in the crook of her mother’s arm, sound asleep.

  Caleb picked up his daughter, awed once again by the perfection of her tiny features. She had her mother’s red hair and violet eyes, but the nose and chin were pure Tanner.

  Grace stirred for a minute, and he gently jiggled her in his arms as he carried her to the bassinet situated near the chaise.

  Elthia slipped up beside him as he straightened, and they stood there a minute, each with an arm around the other, staring at the newest Tanner.

  When Elthia yawned, Caleb smiled and picked her up. “Come on, sweetheart, you’ve had a long day.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled up to his chest. “But a marvelous one. Oh Caleb, I can hardly believe they’re finally all ours.”

  Judge Walters had delivered the papers today that made the adoption final. Caleb and Elthia had invited their neighbors and friends for a grand picnic party to not only celebrate the occasion but to introduce Grace to the community.

  He was now the father of not only infant Grace but her six cousins as well. With Elthia by his side, a man couldn’t ask for a finer family.

  As Caleb climbed into bed beside his sleepy-eyed wife, he said a silent prayer of thanks for all his blessings, the chief of which was the woman at his side. His sweet, opinionated, saucy angel of a wife had helped him finally find that something more he’d been searching for all of his life.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Winnie Griggs is the author of over 25 published works of historical and contemporary romance. Her books have won numerous awards, including the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award.

  Growing up in a rural area, Winnie spent many an hour with her siblings cutting jungle trails, building forts and looking for pirate ships on the nearby bayou. Eventually she found her Prince Charming, a rancher who rides a tractor instead of a steed. Together they built their own happily-ever-after that includes four children who are now pursing their own adventures.

  Winnie holds a BS degree in Mathematics as well as an advanced degree in the art of procrastination. Her hobbies include browsing estate sales and her ongoing search for fun new tea flavors.

  And as always, Winnie loves to hear from her readers. You can contact her at winnie@winniegriggs.com or on Facebook with your thoughts on this or any other of her books.