Handpicked Husband (Love Inspired Historical)

by Griggs, Winnie

  Reggie swallowed a groan, then glanced at Adam who had a similar look of caution on his face. Of course, he, too, would remember her grandfather’s notorious fondness for new-fangled gadgets.

  “I’m almost afraid to find out,” she said.

  “Coward.” Adam’s lips twitched in a challenging smile.

  “Well, I suppose, once we’ve unpacked and freshened up, we can—”

  “I wouldn’t wait that long,” Ira warned. “It’s already getting a fair amount of attention, and besides, Jack might just bust if you don’t have a look.”

  “Please, Aunt Reggie, can we go now? It’s really grand. Even better’n that mechanical rug beater he sent last year.”

  Reggie turned to Adam. “We just got in from a long ride. Are you up to one of Grandfather’s surprises?”

  Adam swept an arm back toward the buggy. “By all means. I admit to being a tad curious.”

  Reggie threw up her hands in surrender and allowed Adam to help her back into the buggy. Jack, Ira and Mrs. Peavy climbed in the backseat.

  When they arrived at the depot, it seemed the whole town had gathered. Folks stood in clusters talking excitedly. Small children sat on their father’s shoulders, staring openmouthed at something hidden from Reggie’s view.

  “Come on,” Jack urged as he jumped down.

  The crowd parted for them. Reggie noted various expressions, ranging from excitement to disapproval.

  Her first glimpse proved to be rather anticlimatic.

  A new carriage? Shiny and impressive, yes. But why all the excitement about a carriage?

  Then she heard Adam’s low whistle and took a closer look.

  “It’s a motor carriage, Aunt Reggie,” Jack said excitedly. “Mr. Dawson says it’ll run without any horse to pull it. Have you ever heard of such a thing?”

  She met Adam’s gaze over Jack’s head and saw that same little-boy excitement under his tolerant grin.

  “What in the world does Grandfather expect us to do with such a thing?”

  “Ride in it,” Adam responded.

  “Can we, Aunt Reggie? Please?”

  “We don’t even know how to run the thing.” Reggie’s exasperation rose. As if she needed this gigantic child’s toy to complicate her life right now.

  “There’s a packet under the seat,” Chance volunteered. “I imagine it contains instructions on how to operate it.”

  Chance had already looked it over, had he? She took in his eager expression and decided it had probably been a major trial for him to just look. Most of the men pressing around her wore similar expressions.

  Adam reached in and pulled out the packet. After a moment he nodded thoughtfully. “Doesn’t seem too complicated.”

  “So we can ride in it.” Jack was almost hopping in his excitement.

  Over her dead body. “Now, Jack—”

  “Not just yet,” Adam intervened. “I want to make certain I can operate it safely before taking on any passengers.”

  “I’ll be glad to lend you a hand with that,” Chance offered. “Always wanted to get my hands on one of these.”

  There were a number of onlookers who chimed in with similar offers. And others who echoed Jack’s eagerness to ride in it.

  Even Reverend Harper stared at the carriage with more than passing interest.

  Which gave her an idea.

  She turned to Adam. “Do you really think you and Chance can figure out how to operate this thing?”

  “Of course.” His frown was a vision of insulted male pride.

  She rolled her eyes, then turned back to the crowd.

  “Thank you for your offers of assistance,” she announced loudly. “I believe my husband and Mr. Dawson will be able to figure this out on their own. But, assuming they get it running safely, everyone will have an opportunity to ride in it.”

  That promise earned her some cheers and applause.

  She placed a hand on her hip and smiled. “We’ll have a booth set up at the fair next week, a nickel a ride. All proceeds go to the church organ fund.”

  The cheers changed to groans, most of them good-natured.

  Jack tugged at her skirt. “Can I stay and watch?”

  Reggie hesitated a moment then nodded. “Of course. Just make sure you stay out of the way.” Then she sent Ira a meaningful look. “Why don’t you stay as well.”

  “Wild horses couldn’t drag me away.” Ira clapped Jack on the back with a grin. The slight nod he gave Reggie, though, let her know he would keep a close eye on her son.

  “Well, then, I suppose Mrs. Peavy and I will leave you menfolk to it while we head home.”

  She turned back to the crowd. “I wouldn’t stand too close if I were you. I saw some of these at an exhibition in Philadelphia a few years back and they tend to be noisy and unpredictable.”

  As she and Mrs. Peavy moved to the carriage, Mitchell stepped from the crowd to help them climb aboard.

  “Thank you.” Regina smiled, then she raised a questioning brow. “I don’t see Everett about. Is this excitement not to his taste?”

  Mitchell grinned. “I don’t think the arrival of the motor carriage even registered with him. His printing press came in on the same train.”

  “Ah. So we can expect our first issue of the Turnabout Gazette soon?”

  “I heard him mention something about having an issue ready in time to report on the fair.”

  A loud wheezing exploded through the depot area. Mitchell grabbed the leads as Reggie’s carriage horse, along with just about every other animal and person nearby, jerked in startled surprise.

  Adam’s gaze flew to hers, and she was gratified to see the flash of relief on his face when he realized she was all right.

  Then he straightened and turned to the crowd. “My wife was correct,” he announced. “It would be best if you all went about your business and gave us some room to work here.”

  Reggie felt a small thrill pass through her at the way he said “my wife” so naturally. It was a start.

  She saw some of the women tug their husbands’ arms and lead them away. Bit by bit most of the businessmen went back to their shops and offices. A small crowd remained, however, mostly boys and young men.

  Reggie worried her lower lip, concerned they would ignore caution and get too close.

  “Don’t worry, Mrs. Barr,” Mitchell said quietly. “I’ll stick around and make certain those lads don’t cause mischief.”

  Reggie smiled her thanks, then took the reins.

  This little distraction for her menfolk would actually work out for the best. The morning of the wedding, she’d left instructions that Adam’s things, and only Adam’s things, be moved into Patricia and Lemuel’s old room. Now she’d have time before Adam arrived to make certain Mrs. Peavy hadn’t taken it in her head to alter those instructions.

  * * *

  Adam stared inside the carriage house one last time before he closed the large double doors. The photography wagon and the motor carriage sat side by side. An interesting combination.

  He shook his head at the contrast as he secured the door with a shiny new, solid-as-granite padlock. He’d already gone around inside and secured all of the windows as best as he could.

  He and Ira had decided this was the best place for the judge’s gift—out of the weather and out of sight. He didn’t want to tempt some adventurous youth to try the vehicle out on his own.

  Adam rattled the door, satisfying himself the lock would hold. Then he stood there, rubbing the back of his neck as Ira’s words echoed in his mind.

  Just before the old codger had left to escort Jack home, he’d informed Adam that all of his things had already been transferred from the boardinghouse to his new home.

  Home.

  Adam rolled the word around in his mind, letting it conjure up images of cozy family gatherings, of putting down roots, of belonging somewhere. It was the same feeling seeing his name in Regina’s family Bible had given him.

  But, given his ambivalent
feelings toward Regina, did he deserve that honor?

  Still wrestling with that question, he turned and headed toward Regina’s house—his house, too, now.

  By the time he arrived, supper was ready. Jack chattered on through most of the meal about the motor carriage, then about what he’d been doing while they were away—most notably the merits of a turtle shell he’d found.

  Adam noticed Regina pushed food around on her plate but didn’t eat much. She obviously had something on her mind.

  After the meal was cleared away, Jack hopped up from the table. “You want to come see my turtle shell?”

  “I’d love to,” Regina answered, pushing away from the table.

  “Of course,” Adam said almost simultaneously. He’d never been beyond the first floor and was suddenly curious to see the rest of his new home.

  Regina took Jack’s hand and mother and son led the way out of the room and up the stairs. When they reached the top, Adam discovered the stairs opened onto a long gallery-like landing with a much shorter open hallway jutting from either end.

  Jack tugged Regina to the left and led her to the far end of the corridor.

  “So, you have the corner room, do you?” Adam asked.

  Jack nodded and threw open the door. “I like it ’cause it has windows on two sides.” He waved Adam over to one of the windows. “You can see a mocking bird’s nest in that tree branch over there.”

  Adam made appropriate noises as he admired the view.

  “And come see this.”

  Adam caught Regina’s indulgent smile as Jack dragged him across the room. He then solemnly examined a rock collection, the rattle from a rattlesnake, a wooden whistle and the promised turtle shell. He felt a small stirring of pride when he spotted the bag of marbles he’d given the boy prominently displayed with the other treasures.

  Then Jack picked up a photograph. “This is my mother and me when I was a baby.” He held it up for Adam to see. “She was real pretty.”

  Adam cut a quick glance Regina’s way. “Yes, she was.”

  Jack placed it back on the chest, carefully aligning it to his satisfaction. “I wish I could have known her.”

  Adam heard the wistfulness in the boy’s voice and remembered his own lonely childhood, felt again the awful hole left by the abandonment of his mother. Jack had been cheated of that special relationship as well, not because of his mother’s untimely death, but because Regina had given him up.

  This time when he met her gaze, neither of them were smiling.

  But Jack seemed oblivious to the strain between the adults. “Your room is a corner one, too,” he told Adam. “It used to be my pa’s.”

  “You don’t mind me moving into it, do you?”

  “No sir.” Jack’s chest puffed out. “Me and Ira will be glad to have another man around here.”

  “Time to get you ready for bed, young man,” Regina said firmly.

  Adam took his cue. “I’ll get my things unpacked and meet you downstairs later.”

  Regina nodded and led him to the door. She pointed across the landing to the room in the opposite corner. “That’s your room,” she said unnecessarily.

  With a nod, he stepped past her and quickly covered the distance to the master bedroom, all the time feeling her eyes on him.

  He stepped into the room and shut the door. He raked a hand through his hair, then looked around. It was a large chamber, furnished with good solid pieces. Everything was neatly arranged with no sign of clutter or personal belongings anywhere, other than his own. Had all of Lemuel’s things been removed? Or had the man not surrounded himself with any of the little touches that would have hinted at his personality or taste?

  By the time Adam had put away his things and stepped back into the corridor, he found Reggie at the head of the stairs.

  “Oh.” She paused. Her smile had an uncertain edge. “Did you find everything to your liking?”

  “I did.”

  She tucked a stray tendril behind her ear. “Would you like a little tour of the house?”

  He smiled. “Good idea.” Why did she seem so nervous?

  “There’s not a whole lot more to see up here.” She pointed to the set of double doors next to the one he’d just exited—the only other doors on this side of the landing. “That’s a linen and storage closet. It backs to the small dressing room that opens off of your bedroom.”

  She quickly turned and swept her hand in a gesture that included the rest of the upstairs. “The rest are all bedrooms. Mine is next to Jack’s.”

  He raised a brow. “This house was built either to hold a large family or a number of visitors.”

  “Lemuel and Patricia planned to have lots of children. They were heartbroken when they learned it was not to be.” She pointed to the stairs leading up. “That takes you to the attic. You can explore it on your own later, if you’d like. Right now I’ll show you the rest of the ground floor.”

  Once downstairs, she stepped into the dining room and waved toward the far wall. “That door leads to the pantry and the kitchen. Ira and Mrs. Peavy’s rooms are on that end of the house as well. Since you’ve already seen the kitchen, we won’t risk disturbing them.”

  As she stepped back out, her arm brushed his. He immediately felt a connection. The color rose in her cheeks, a sure sign she felt something, too.

  But she pushed on, passing the parlor and moving to the next door. “This is what we call the library.” She opened the door and stepped aside so he could view it. He noticed she was careful this time not to touch him.

  It didn’t matter. The connection was still there, invisibly binding them together.

  He glanced inside, taking in the large set of bookcases lining one wall and the small desk near the window.

  “It’s small compared to Grandfather’s, but it suits our needs.” Regina moved on to the end of the hall. “This was Lemuel’s study. When he was home, this is where he spent most of his time. Feel free to use it however you wish.”

  He detected a note of censure in her tone. “You said ‘when he was home.’ Was he gone often?”

  “Lemuel spent most of his time in here or at the bank. We rarely saw him, except for meals.”

  She ran a finger along one of the bookcases, then absently rubbed it with her thumb, as if checking for dust. “Lemuel’s office at the bank will be at your disposal now, as well as this study. If at some point you wanted to start up your law practice again, it’s the perfect place.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” Then he leaned back and folded his arms. “Now, why don’t you tell me what’s really on your mind?”

  She started guiltily. “What do you mean?”

  “You’ve been more nervous than a kitten in a kennel since I walked in here this evening. So out with it.”

  She straightened. “If you must know, I’ve been wondering if you still intend for us to make that trip to Philadelphia we discussed.”

  So that was it. She was worried about having to make her confession to her grandfather. He felt a vague sense of disappointment. “I think we should get that bit of business taken care of as soon as possible. Why don’t we plan to leave the day after the fair?”

  She nodded dejectedly. “Very well.”

  He took her hands. “I know it won’t be easy, but it needs to be done. Just explain the full story. He loves you—that won’t change.”

  She nodded again but she didn’t appear convinced.

  He tamped down the stirring of sympathy—the sooner this was behind her, the sooner she could start to free herself of the shame she felt.

  He gave her hands one more squeeze then let them go. “It’s been a long day. Off to bed with you.”

  “What about you?”

  “I’d like to glance through these papers your brother-in-law left here before I turn in.”

  She nodded. “Of course. I’ll leave the upstairs lamp on.”

  Adam watched her leave, then sat behind the desk.

  And suddenly the realiz
ation that he was truly the man of the house settled in him. For good or ill, he was responsible for the well-being of those under this roof. It was a sobering thought. But a not unpleasant one.

  * * *

  Reggie climbed the stairs, trying to decide how she felt about the turn of events. She knew he still felt strongly about the way she’d handled the situation with Jack. But it was just as obvious he was trying to make this arrangement work.

  In all other ways he was solicitous and considerate toward her. Not to mention how wonderful he was with Jack.

  There was a real chance that, even if theirs wasn’t a true marriage, they could at least build a family atmosphere in this house, that they could provide some wonderful childhood memories for Jack.

  Why couldn’t she be happy with that?

  She opened her bedroom door and tried to shake off her melancholy thoughts. Perhaps, in time, Adam would relent. Surely, once he had time to understand how much better this was for Jack than the alternative would have been, he’d see things her way.

  She just had to be patient.

  In the meantime, she would go on as if everything were all right. She had agreed to do her utmost to make this arrangement work, and that’s what she intended to do.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Adam strolled along Main Street the next morning, looking at the town with fresh eyes. This was his town now, his neighbors he passed. And while Turnabout might not have been his first choice of a place to settle down, he was beginning to see some definite silver linings to life here.

  He stepped inside the bank, ready to dig into his role as administrator of Jack’s business interests. But before he could do more than look around, Thomas Pierce appeared at his elbow.

  “Why, Mr. Barr, what an unexpected surprise.” The banker pumped Adam’s hand enthusiastically. “Let me again offer my felicitations on your wedding.”

  Adam bore the man’s effusiveness with a smile. “Thank you.”

  Pierce leaned back on his heels. “I see Reggie’s had better luck than I in convincing you to settle here.” The banker waved him into a nearby office. “I must say I’m pleased you’re going to be part of our growing community.”