Texas Whirlwind

by Bonnie Blythe

  Travis nodded.

  The pastor cleared his throat. “We’re gathered here today in the sight of God and man to witness the joining of Travis and Emma in marriage, instituted by God, regulated by His commandments, blessed by Jesus Christ, and held in honor among all men.”

  Travis sent a surreptitious look toward Emma as the pastor continued words about loving, honoring, and commitment, and noticed the bouquet trembling in her grasp.

  “I charge you both, before the great God, the Searcher of all hearts, that if either of you know any reason why you may not lawfully be joined together in marriage, you now confess it. For be well assured that if any persons are joined together otherwise than as God's Word allows, their union is not blessed by Him."

  Emma’s sudden intake of breath made him snap his head around to look at her. Spots of color burned on cheeks as she avoided his gaze. The pastor looked up from his book and regarded them both.

  Focusing on Travis, he continued. “Travis, will you take this woman to be you wife, and pledge to love and honor, in all duty and service, in all faith and tenderness, to live with her, and cherish her, according to the ordinance of God, in the holy bond of marriage?”

  Why won’t she look at me? Fighting off a wave of black disappointment, Travis swallowed. “I do.”

  “And will you, Emma, take this man to be your husband, and will you pledge to love and honor, in all duty and service, in all faith and tenderness, to live with him, and cherish him, according to the ordinance of God, in the holy bond of marriage?"

  She turned and looked up at him, her eyes wide with anguish. Travis’s heart skipped several beats as her pause turned into seconds.

  Come on, Emma. Just say the words.

  Her breathing increased. Emma looked at the pastor, at the girls, then back at him, her bottom lip between her teeth. She shook her head.

  “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

  “What?”

  “I can’t do this. Please forgive me, Travis.” Emma thrust the bouquet at Charlotte and hurried to Rosemary. Grabbing each little girl by the hand, she headed for the door, turning just before she left the room.

  “I am sorry to have put everyone to so much trouble. I really am.” And with that, she disappeared through the door.

  Travis stood frozen like a statue, feeling ice cold through and through. He was only vaguely aware of the other people in the room, of the dull pounding of his heart, and the runaway thoughts of failure and disillusionment. He stared at the empty doorway and breathed a prayer for forgiveness.

  I brought this all on myself.

  ****

  Emma inhaled a deep breath of moist air blowing in from the gathering clouds, and for the first time in ages, she felt free. The peace that had eluded her for so long now filled her soul as surely as the air filled her lungs.

  Peace. It was as if she’d grasped at wind—and caught it by its tail. She released the breath and twisted to look at the girls in their car seats. They smiled at her, their eyes clear and bright.

  I did the right thing. I know I did.

  A residual sense of guilt tugged at her heart—knowing that Travis had been hurt. It was her fault for letting things go as far as they had. But when she heard the words of the marriage ceremony—and all the implications, she knew she couldn’t mock God by making a vow on a false premise.

  Maybe someday he’ll understand...and forgive me.

  Emma turned off the ignition and slid from her seat. She looked up at the court building, marshaling strength for the hearing to be held in mere minutes—knowing that she’d made herself more vulnerable to losing the girls. A brisk wind caused a piece of newspaper to skitter through the parking lot. She turned to the south and saw flashes of lightening inside the black masses of clouds.

  Lord, no matter what, Kendra and Katrina belong to you. I trust Your decision, whatever it will be.

  Even if that means losing them.

  She closed her eyes, knowing she believed the words, yet praying she wouldn’t have to back them up. But as fresh doubts sought their way through hairline cracks of her resolve, a wave of renewed peace blanketed her soul—confirmation that she’d made the right decision to simply rest in God’s plan for her and her daughters.

  A gust of wet wind buffeted her form when she got out of the van. Rushing to beat the coming rain, she pulled on a loosely-knit white sweater and got the girls from their car seats. After she put little jackets on them, she locked up the van. The first fat raindrops landed on her head and face. She picked up the girls, preparing to make a dash into the building.

  “Emma! Wait!”

  She turned, amazed to see Travis striding toward her. He looked so handsome in his black suit and gray silk tie—she’d been too terrified to notice earlier. How did he get here so fast? He must’ve been right behind her after she left the church office.

  When Travis reached her, he stopped and stared at her, a world of emotion in his eyes. “Am I so bad that you would risk custody of the twins rather than marry me?” A smattering of raindrops fell, some landing on the lean lines of his face. “Why?” he grated. “Why did you do it?”

  “Travis, I—”

  “Miss Hayes!”

  Emma tore her gaze from his tortured expression and turned toward the sound of her name. Suddenly Mr. Belling came weaving his way through the parked cars. He arrived at her side out of breath.

  “Miss Hayes. I called you at home, but you weren’t there.” He gulped in some air. “You won’t believe this, but I just found out that the social worker from the state wasn’t real.”

  “What?” she cried, gripping the girls’ hands. “What do you mean?”

  “There’s no Maya Stokes employed with Family and Protective Services, and never has been.”

  “Then who was she?” Travis barked.

  “I don’t know, but in fact, there was never any call made to them about the twins.”

  Relief warred with outrage. “You mean the whole thing was made up? But why?”

  “Probably meant to intimidate,” Travis said grimly, “which makes it obvious who was behind it.”

  Mr. Belling nodded vigorously. “At first I was going to file a false and frivolous claims report against the state agency, but technically, no one there was involved.” He looked at Emma. “And as far as I can find out, there’s no Maya Stokes in Galveston, or anywhere in the state of Texas for that matter, which means the name was almost certainly fake.”

  “So what now?” Emma asked, still reeling from the news.

  “We go in there and see what happens. I’ll be interested to see how the plaintiffs act and if the social worker’s visit to your home comes up.” He smiled, the weary lines of his face lessening. “Don’t worry, Miss Hayes. The rest of this hearing will be mere formality.”

  “Unless the plaintiffs have something else up their sleeves.”

  Emma glanced at Travis, and at his dark expression—wishing she could ease his strain—instead of always being the reason for it.

  A crack of lightening flashed over head. Emma jumped. The girls screamed. Travis took Kendra in one hand and put his other arm around Emma.

  “Let’s go!”

  As they all rushed toward the building, the rumble of thunder right over their heads was deafening and terrifying. In the lobby of the building, the girls fear had turned to delight at the headlong rush. They giggled with abandon and droplets of water sprinkled the floor around where they all stood.

  A moment later, the main doors opened and Charlotte and Rosemary entered. Charlotte shook out her umbrella and sent Emma an angry glare. Travis stepped in front of Emma, blocking the older woman from view.

  “Now, Mrs. Evan, let’s just calm down. Everything will be okay if we keep our heads. Rosemary, would you please take the twins? Emma is due in the hearing room.”

  Emma kissed each of her daughters before Rosemary led them away. Half-afraid of Charlotte, she took Travis’ out and ducked into the ladies restroom to repair her bed
raggled appearance.

  It was sweet of Travis to protect me like that. Maybe I should’ve gone through with the ceremony and hoped that things would get better on their own.

  No. I did the right thing.

  She regarded her reflection in the mirror. Her expression had lost that hunted look of late. Emma took off the sweater and slung it over her arm, deciding the tightening curls of her hair would have to do. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

  God, I’ve done my best to honor You. Thank You for Your guidance. Now, please go before me, to the judge and plaintiffs, preparing their hearts and minds for the outcome You’ve already set in motion. And be with the girls. Comfort them and help them feel secure in Your love.

  “Amen.”

  ****

  A peal of thunder encased the building and shook it hard before releasing its grip. Emma heard nervous titters in the hearing room along with hushed discussions about the weather. Judge Brenner shot the perpetrators a baleful look.

  Emma sat in her chair, concentrating on taking measured breaths, the butterflies in her stomach not quite getting the message that God was in control of the proceedings. They’d taken flight after the hearing had been called to order by the bailiff.

  “Mr. Belling,” the judge intoned. “Is your client in full possession of her emotions today?”

  Emma stifled a groan.

  Her lawyer’s face reddened slightly. “Yes, your honor. We’re ready to proceed.”

  Judge Brenner turned to the plaintiff’s attorney. “Are you prepared?”

  “Yes, your honor.”

  “Then, Mr. Petersen, proceed.”

  After a few opening statements, Petersen sent Emma a look that chilled her. She lifted her chin.

  “Your honor, we have just learned the defendant is subject to the Texas Family and Protective Services investigation, and as such, feel it gives more weight to our case.”

  “Objection! There is no official case against my client.”

  Judge Brenner glanced at Petersen. “What proof do you have?”

  The other lawyer flipped through some notes and produced a document. “This is from the department and shows an official complaint against the defendant.”

  “It was a hoax,” Mr. Belling said flatly.

  A scuffle sounded from the back of the room. Emma turned and saw Stephen hastily edging past Lucy and making for the courtroom doors.

  She pressed her lips together, suddenly realizing Stephen must be behind the social worker trick. How could he do this to me? What did I ever see in him? She glanced over her lawyer’s shoulder at Travis, who sat where she could easily see him. His dark gaze followed Stephen out the door.

  The judge snapped his fingers several times. “Let me see that document.”

  Emma turned back around as Petersen approached the bench.

  “Your honor,” said Mr. Belling, “I will be filing proof that the document, whatever it is, is not genuine. I’ve spoken to the head of the Department myself and they assured me no such action has been taken, and no employee works there matches the name of the woman who came to my client’s home.”

  Petersen stalked back to the table and shot a sharp look at Mr. Belling. “I will look into the matter further, but I have every reason to believe the accusation is true.” He scribbled on some papers, adjusted his glasses, and straightened his tie.

  His clients stared straight ahead, as if the proceedings were beneath their tolerance. When the lawyer apparently had collected himself, he addressed the judge.

  “I have attempted to prove that the defendant has shown herself unfit to parent the twins, much of which she has admitted to, despite the veracity of an alleged investigation by Family and Protective Services.”

  Another spate of thunder growled overhead. The lights in the courtroom flickered.

  Petersen rolled his gaze toward the ceiling, then turned his attention back to the judge. “But that is not all. I have documentation that Travis Taylor, the twins’ doctor, and intimate of the defendant, took out a marriage license three days ago for the express purpose of providing a stable family for the defendant and the girls.”

  He paused dramatically and let his gaze sweep around the courtroom. “And it has just come to my attention that the ceremony was to be held this morning.”

  Emma sucked in her breath and braced herself for what she knew was coming. Lightening flashed through the courtroom windows, made more eerie by its silence.

  “In fact, the ceremony had begun, but when it was time for the defendant to make the commitment, she got cold feet and fled the premises.”

  Mr. Belling grabbed Emma’s arm in a silent demand for her to remain quiet. She inwardly writhed in agony. No problem. Mortification is plenty of motivation to keep my mouth shut.

  “This shows that the defendant is unable to make wise and proper decisions for the care of the twins—she has no job, no husband, no permanent home, and when a doctor offers to marry her to provide all that she lacks for the betterment of the children, she spurns it for some incalculable reason that I doubt she can even defend.”

  “Objection,” Mr. Belling said wearily, as if half-agreeing with Petersen. “The adoption agency my client went through has no stipulations of marital state, and furthermore, my client has proven that she has the financial and psychological fitness to parent the twins. There has been no contestation from the agency or the state. The only contestation comes from people who should know better than to try and adopt children that have already been adopted.”

  Suddenly the judge slapped his hand on the bench. “Why didn’t you marry him?”

  Emma jumped, and realized the judge was addressing her. “What?”

  The lights flickered again.

  “Why didn’t you marry the doctor?” he roared. “He’s chosen you over my niece who’s been eating her heart out over him—and yet you refuse to marry him! What’s your excuse?”

  Mr. Belling blinked rapidly. Petersen sat with his mouth hanging open. The judge’s face was mottled a dangerous red, with sweat shining on his forehead.

  Emma’s heart careened against her ribcage. She slowly turned around and looked at Travis, who sat stiffly, his face pinched and tense. He still wore the white rose boutonnière in the buttonhole of his lapel.

  A sudden rush of longing swept through her. Her lips trembled. She clasped her hands in her lap and tears burned her eyes. “I love you, Travis. That’s why I can’t marry you!”

  He stared at her as though stunned, then jumped up from his chair, his dark eyes ablaze. “For crying out loud, Emma, I love you, too.”

  A mighty roll of thunder boomed overhead, and the lights went out.

  Emma opened her eyes wide in the abrupt blackness. Her lawyer muttered under his breath. People began to exclaim, the judge pounded his gavel, and sounds of footsteps neared.

  Suddenly strong arms surrounded her. The scent of Travis’s cologne enveloped her as he pulled her against him. Despite the darkness, he had no trouble finding her lips. Emma kissed him with all the pent-up yearning suppressed far too long while the gentle fervor of his lips drove everything else from her heart and mind.

  The sound of a buzzing penetrated her ears. She opened her eyes and saw that some of the fluorescent lights had come back on while everyone in the courtroom stood staring at her in varying stages of shock and disbelief.

  Travis didn’t seem to notice anything else around him. He bent his head and spoke in a low voice. “What kind of crazy notion makes you think you can’t marry someone you love?”

  She touched his face. “When that someone is doing it out of a sense of duty.”

  His smile seemed sad. “Not duty. It’s my fault for not having the courage to tell you how much I loved you.”

  “And it’s my fault,” she said softly, “for giving you a reason to doubt me.”

  He took a deep breath and held her tight. “Sweetheart, would you marry me since I can’t seem to live without you? Every other reason is just an
extra.”

  Emma sent him a tremulous smile. “Yes, Travis.”

  He kissed her again, sealing the bargain.

  The gavel resounded once more. “Case dismissed!”

  Emma opened her eyes and saw Judge Brenner wave his gavel toward Petersen. “And don’t even consider an appeal, ‘cause you got nuthin’ but heresay!” He sent a hard look toward his niece. “This has been a complete waste of time.”

  Lucy stood and marched stiffly from the room.

  Mr. Belling sighed and rolled his eyes. “You’re telling me.”

  Charlotte stood up, looking regal as a queen. Her shrewd, shining eyes surveyed everyone in the room before coming to rest on Travis and Emma for a prickly moment. Thumping her cane, she let out an exasperated huff.

  “Well, if this just ain't been nothin' but a tempest in a teacup!”

  Bonnie's other Kindle titles:

  Rock and A Hard Place (Cascade Bride series)

  Faith must decide whether to open her heart to love and reconciliation.

  Restorations

  (Book One of Oregon In Love)

  Can her old boyfriend rebuild their relationship as well as her house?

  Lights and Shadows

  (Book Two of Oregon In Love)

  Chiaroscuro: the treatment of light and shade to give an illusion of depth—even in love.

  Milagro For Miranda

  (Book Three of Oregon In Love)

  Miranda needs a miracle—to find her lost sister in a Mexican orphanage

  Claire’s Not-So-Gothic Romance

  Jane Eyre meets Lucille Ball

  How Sweet It Is

  Chocolate maker meets surfer dude

  Dearly Loved

  He was her first kiss. Can she handle him back in her life?

  Love's Unmasking

  A regency novella

  Melody’s Knight

  British girl who has a hankering for American cowboys

  If you enjoyed Texas Whirlwind, I would appreciate it