The truth of his bold statement annoyed her. “My reason for remaining single is none of your concern, Mr. Penniman.”
“As I said before, if you’d let go of the past and trust your heart, you’d find me worthy of your affections.”
When he took a step toward her, she lifted the tennis racket. “We’ve had this discussion one too many times, Mr. Penniman. I told you I would tolerate no further advances from you.” She motioned toward the tennis court. “You have a student waiting.”
Mrs. Bridgeport had insisted upon buying several new gowns for Callie before they’d departed Indianapolis. Callie had protested the purchases, but Mrs. Bridgeport had prevailed. Callie disliked the fancy parties and balls, but Mrs. Bridgeport counted it her moral obligation and duty to find a suitable man for Callie—whether she wanted a suitable man or not. For the Valentine’s ball, Mrs. Bridgeport had selected a fabric the seamstress referred to as peony red. Mrs. Bridgeport declared the color pure perfection. Callie thought quite the opposite. It would be impossible to hide in the bright red confection. At least the older woman’s attempts to arrange an escort had proved unsuccessful. For that, Callie was thankful.
Callie looked over her shoulder when Mrs. Bridgeport tapped on the door and entered. “Your dress looks lovely, dear.” The older woman rubbed her forehead. “Of all days for sickness to overtake the household. I cannot believe both Lottie and Maude are ill.” Mrs. Bridgeport rubbed her forehead. “Next it will be Daisy and Thomas.”
Callie smiled at the woman’s exaggeration.
Mrs. Bridgeport sighed. “I wonder if I could convince Lula or Jane to stay until we return from the ball.”
“There’s no need for either of them to remain. I’m more than happy to stay here and take care of Maude and Lottie as well as Thomas and Daisy. Lula and Jane aren’t accustomed to caring for the children. It will be much easier for me to stay at home.” Callie didn’t add that it would also be much more to her liking. She would have been willing to care for an entire household of sick family members if it meant she didn’t have to attend the Valentine’s ball.
Mrs. Bridgeport clasped her hands together. “I am so disappointed. If only I could think of some other solution.”
Callie shook her head with such zeal a hairpin dropped to the floor. “This is where I am needed. Please don’t worry yourself any further.”
“Much as I dislike the idea of having you miss the ball, I suppose you’re right. I must get dressed and there’s not time to make any other arrangements.” The older woman’s shoulders drooped in defeat as she departed the room, but Callie sighed with relief. In no time, she’d changed out of the dress and hurried down the hallway to check on Lottie.
Once Mr. and Mrs. Bridgeport said their good-byes, Callie returned upstairs. By bedtime, Lottie was feeling much better, and after preparing the children for bed and listening to their prayers, Callie went to check on Maude.
She tapped lightly on the door and waited. “Maude, are you awake?”
“That you, Callie? Come on in.”
Maude’s voice sounded weak. Callie opened the door and stepped inside. Maude was lying down, her complexion as white as the bedsheet.
Callie studied the woman. “Lottie’s feeling much better, so I was hoping you’d regained some strength, too.” Callie saw a tray sitting atop the chest of drawers and went over to examine it. “You haven’t touched your food. You’ll not regain your strength if you don’t eat.”
Maude placed her palm across her stomach. “I don’t think my stomach is ready for food just yet. Maybe tomorrow.” She forced a smile. “I’m glad to know Lottie is feeling better. It gives me hope that I’m going to recover. For a while, I wasn’t too sure. My insides hurt so bad I thought it would be easier to just go on and die.”
Callie returned to Maude’s beside. “I’m truly sorry you’re so ill. I wonder if you and Lottie ate something that made you sick.”
“Don’t know what it would be. We didn’t have anything other than what the rest of you had for lunch and supper yesterday.” She hesitated a moment. “Aren’t you supposed to be at the Valentine’s ball tonight?”
Callie nodded. “Yes, and I have you and Lottie to thank for saving me another boring evening.”
Maude shook her finger. “You need to quit talking like that, Callie. I know you don’t like the parties and such, but Mrs. Bridgeport is trying to give you an opportunity to meet someone so that you’ll have a good life. I don’t want to insult you, but many young ladies your age have already married. The older you get, the fewer chances you’ll have.”
Callie knew Maude’s comments weren’t intended to hurt her—and they didn’t. She simply wished she could make others understand that she didn’t believe marriage was her only option. Why did a woman need a husband in order to be accepted in society? None of this had seemed important when she’d been engaged to Matthew. But nowadays everyone appeared determined to save her from the possibility of spinsterhood—whether she wanted to be saved or not.
Maude grasped Callie’s hand. “Surely you meet some nice fellows when you’re out with Thomas and the girls.”
Callie shuddered. “The one I was around today wouldn’t be considered nice. I think I mentioned Mr. Penniman, the tennis instructor, to you before.” She frowned and met Maude’s gaze. “I believe he’s the most disagreeable man I’ve ever encountered. He will not take no for an answer. I plan to speak with Mrs. Bridgeport tomorrow. If she can’t find someone else to take Thomas to his lessons, I hope she will consider withdrawing him from future classes. I don’t want to be around Mr. Penniman again.”
Maude appeared lost in thought for a moment but then inhaled a deep breath. “You can’t let a few bad apples spoil the barrel. There are lots of good men out there. You just need to find the right one. I think if you’d look around a little and open your heart, there would be many opportunities for someone with your beauty and intelligence.”
“Thank you, Maude. That’s very kind.” For a moment, she considered telling the older woman about Wesley but changed her mind. She knew what would happen. If she dared to mention Wesley’s attributes, Maude would assume far too much. Better to keep thoughts of the handsome golf instructor tucked in the back of her mind.
Mrs. Bridgeport had been sympathetic to her complaints regarding Mr. Penniman. She wanted to speak with Mr. Bridgeport and have the matter brought to the attention of Mr. Nusbaum or Mr. Crocker, but Callie had objected. She didn’t want the man terminated, but she did want to avoid further contact with him. Because she feared Archie’s behavior could prove to be a poor influence upon Thomas, his mother decided to offer him additional golf lessons.
Mrs. Bridgeport sat on the sofa and beamed at her son. “What do you think, Thomas? If Mr. Wesley has time for a daily lesson, would you object to giving up your tennis lessons for the remainder of the season?”
Thomas glanced back and forth between his mother and Callie. “Why? Did I do something wrong?”
Mrs. Bridgeport shook her head. “Not at all, but I believe the additional golf lessons will prove beneficial, and being on Bridal Veil provides an excellent opportunity.”
The boy appeared confused, but he didn’t question his mother’s decision. “If you think it’s best, I don’t mind. I like Mr. Wes and he’s a good instructor.”
Mrs. Bridgeport sighed. “Then it’s settled.”
Once Thomas left the room, Callie shook her head. “Not quite.”
“Whatever do you mean, Callie?”
“We don’t know if Wesley has enough free time to offer Thomas lessons every day.”
The older woman stood and gestured toward the door. “Then you should go and ask him.”
“Now?” Callie arched her brows. She had planned to take the children to the beach.
“As my husband likes to say, ‘There’s no time like the present.’” She hesitated on her way to the other room. “I’ll tell Maude to look after the children while you’re gone.”
C
allie doubted Maude would be happy with that piece of news. The nanny had become accustomed to spending her afternoons with Jane and Lula. She didn’t know how much help the woman actually provided, but she did enjoy their company and the tidbits they shared about their own lives. If Callie hurried, she could be back in half an hour.
She had almost reached the golf course when she considered the fact that Wes might be out on the golf course when she arrived. If so, there was no telling when he might return, and she certainly couldn’t wait around all afternoon. Maude would be more than a little unhappy. If she couldn’t speak to anyone, she’d have no choice but to leave a note—provided the caddie shack was unlocked.
Relief washed over when she wheeled her bike alongside the wooden structure. The door stood wide open. She strode inside and immediately spied an old gentleman cleaning his golf clubs. “I was hoping to speak to Mr. Townsend. Do you know where I might find him?”
The man looked at her from beneath bushy eyebrows. “You might try turning around.”
She spun around to see Wes grinning from the doorway. “Were you looking for me, Callie?”
“I was. I mean, I am. I mean, yes, I need to speak to you.” A burst of heat flooded her cheeks. Why was she acting like a silly schoolgirl?
“Why don’t you follow me outside, and we’ll sit on the bench near the live oak? There’s a nice breeze.”
She followed him but didn’t answer for fear she’d once again sound like a blathering fool. Using a towel he carried in his pocket to clean a ball or club when needed, he wiped the bench and waved his hand for her to be seated.
“What can I do for you? I didn’t miss a lesson time, did I?”
His generous smile caused her heart to flutter. What was wrong with her? Her mouth turned dry, and she wondered if she could speak.
He narrowed his eyes. “Are you ill?”
“No.” She croaked out the response and cleared her throat. “I-I’ve come to ask if you could possibly provide Thomas with golf lessons every afternoon instead of three days a week.” She sighed. Finally she’d been able to respond as though she hadn’t lost her senses.
“I thought he was taking tennis lessons three days a week and golf lessons on the alternate three days. I think he’ll be too tired for both golf and tennis three afternoons each week, don’t you?”
“Mrs. Bridgeport has discontinued his tennis lessons.”
Wes rubbed his jaw. “I see. Any particular reason? Thomas said he’d been improving with his tennis.”
“I’m not at liberty to discuss the reason.” Mrs. Bridgeport hadn’t given Callie specific orders not to tell, but it didn’t seem proper to tell him the real reason.
“If you’re willing to bring him at a different time on those extra three days, I could take him. We’d need to begin at three o’clock on those days, and we could stay right after lunch on the other three days—unless you want to switch and have them at three o’clock every day.”
“No. The alternating time is fine. I’m . . . I mean, we’re . . . I mean Thomas will be pleased to know you can work with him every day.”
Wes chuckled. “And what about you?”
“Me?”
He nodded, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “Are you pleased, too?”
She stood and smiled at him. “Yes, I believe I am.”
Chapter 17
When Callie had requested daily golf lessons for Thomas, Wes had been delighted. Ever since dancing with Callie at the masked ball, he’d hoped to find some way to become better acquainted with her before he revealed his identity. Not that he’d given her a false name or told untruths about himself, but he hadn’t been forthcoming about the fact that he was a guest at the clubhouse and a member of a wealthy family. Right now, he and Callie treated each other as equals, and he wanted it to remain that way. If she discovered his background, she would likely shy away from him. Worse yet, she might believe his desire to spend time with her was for less than honorable reasons.
Unlike some of his friends, Wes disliked the social distinctions that came with wealth. He’d known far too many men who used their money and position to mislead young women. Should Callie ever believe such of him, she would never speak to him again. And he needed more time with her. She was unlike any woman he’d ever met. With Callie, he could be himself. If he wanted to talk about golf, or botany, or his future, or God, she listened. Of course, he hadn’t discussed his family or his past. And he’d been careful to avoid asking questions about Callie’s family or past, as well. When the proper opportunity arose, he would discuss those things with her, but right now he took pleasure in hearing about the Bridgeport children and her life in Indianapolis and whatever else she offered to share with him. Before he revealed the truth, he wanted to be certain they were on firm ground.
On the other hand, he worried she might discover his identity through a guest who knew him as the son of Howard and Blanche Townsend. For now, Wes counted himself fortunate that he and Callie had never encountered one another at the clubhouse. While the possibilities of that happening were endless, at least the Bridgeport and Townsend families had been scheduled at different seating times in the dining room. And since he’d taken the position of golf instructor, Wes had been able to avoid many of the social functions. That, in itself, was payment enough for his job as acting golf pro.
He strolled toward the caddie shack, his gaze fastened on the path. A smile formed the moment he caught sight of Callie and Thomas. Though he sensed there was always something that caused her to maintain a certain distance, she captured his interest like no other woman. On occasion, she would forget and drop all reserve. It was on those occasions that he could imagine spending his life with her. Over and over, he’d told himself he must temper his dreams of a future with Callie. Still, he hadn’t forgotten her words when she’d requested additional lessons for Thomas. She’d told him she would be pleased to spend more time with him. Then again, her comment could have been an offhand courteous remark. Besides, once she knew of his past, she wouldn’t want him. What woman desired a man who had proved himself a failure before he’d reached the age of thirty?
Callie parked her bicycle near the caddie shack and strode toward him. “A penny for your thoughts.”
Had he not known better, he would have thought she’d somehow been able to read his mind. He chuckled and shook his head. “I wouldn’t consider taking your hard-earned money to hear my thoughts.”
“So you’ll tell me for free?”
He wouldn’t tell her exactly what he’d been thinking, but maybe he could use this opportunity to advantage. “I was wondering what attributes young women find desirable in a man.”
She stared at him for a moment and then chuckled. “If you would have asked me to guess what you’d been considering, that particular thought would never have crossed my mind.” She pushed a curl behind one ear. “I can’t speak for other women, but I think the most important thing for a man or a woman is truthfulness. How else can you build trust in a relationship?”
Her answer hit him like a blow to the midsection. The response wasn’t what he’d expected to hear. He was hiding the truth—but for all the right reasons. At least that’s what he told himself. Would Callie find his reasons as altruistic?
“Look what I’ve got, Mr. Wes.” Thomas climbed off his bike and extended the club toward Wes. “My father was over in Biscayne. He said that since I’m taking golf lessons every day, I should have a sand iron.”
Wes turned to the boy, thankful for the interruption, for he didn’t have a good answer to Callie’s question.
“Have you been telling your father that you’ve been having a bit of trouble in the bunkers over the past week?”
Thomas bobbed his head.
“Well, I’m pleased he bought you a sand iron, but I’m hoping you’ll avoid the bunkers as much as possible.” Wes placed his arm across Thomas’s shoulder. “You’re going to be a fine golfer by the time you go off to boarding school. You need to get a lit
tle more loft to your ball at times, but so do I. We’ll put that sand iron to work a little later. Right now, I’m going to help you and Miss Callie with your putting. Why don’t you go inside and get your putter so we can begin?”
Thomas ran inside, and Callie stepped closer and smiled. “What about you, Wes? Do you think truthfulness builds trust in a relationship?”
He swallowed hard, wishing he’d never raised this topic. “I do think it is very important. I also believe that until you know someone quite well, it isn’t necessary to divulge everything about your past.”
Her smile faded, and she appeared to contemplate his remark. “I suppose that’s true enough. Except with dear friends, I don’t share all of my deep, dark secrets.” She chuckled. “Still, if I wanted to develop a relationship with someone, I wouldn’t lie.”
He hesitated. “Well, no. Not an outright lie, but if a question isn’t asked, there’s no need for an answer, right?”
“It would depend upon the relationship and the importance of the information, I suppose.” She tipped her head to the side. “For instance, if I had an interest in a man and he had an interest in me—and let’s say this man had . . .” Callie hesitated.
Wes nodded. “Yes, go on.”
Her shoulders stiffened. “And let’s say this man had already pledged his love to another woman. Whether asked or not, don’t you think he would have an obligation to reveal the truth? After all, it would impact both of the relationships.”
“In that instance, I would definitely agree he should be forthright.”
When Callie appeared to relax, Wes wondered if something similar might have happened in her past. Yet, with her charm, abilities, and beauty, what fool would ever turn loose of her?
“I’m ready.” Thomas returned with his putter and headed for the links.
“Not out there, Thomas. There’s a putting green down this way. We’ll use that for practice right now.”
After they’d arrived at the putting green, Wes removed a putter from his bag and looked at Thomas. “Watch carefully. Once you have your grip, keep your eyes directly over the ball.” He looked up. “You should align the ball with your nose, and you can decide if you want to stand straight or crouch over a little, but remember, your arms must swing freely.”
To Honor and Trust Page 16