A Bride Idea

by Yvonne Lehman

  Neil had an emergency and couldn’t get away from the clinic in time for his grandmother’s birthday party. When he arrived home after 3:30, he met the Whitfields, Mary and Janie Clayton, and some of the church women leaving in their carriages.

  At least he got to greet Bart when he rode up to the stable and Danny took Sally’s reins. “Those women of yours sure know how to have a good time,” Danny said. Bart agreed and laughed.

  Walking up to the house, Neil thought with pleasure how much he appreciated Juliet and Stella suggesting this party. These past months of activity had enlivened his grandmother. But hanging over their heads was still the specialists’ diagnosis of her failing heart. This might be the last party she would ever have.

  He walked right up to his grandmother who sat at one of the dining room tables with gifts in front of her. He sat beside her and handed her a book by her favorite author, Grace Livingston Hill.

  “Oh, The Finding of Jasper Holt. I don’t have that one.” She kissed his cheek.

  He was glad to see Hedda again. She, along with Juliet and Stella, slipped on their aprons and began to clean up from the party.

  “I’ll get you some tea and cake,” Stella said.

  Before she could, however, rushed footfalls sounded from someone coming into the inn from the main entrance. A middle-aged, well-dressed man appeared, his face scrunched like he was in pain.

  Neil’s first thought was that the man had been hurt. But that didn’t make sense. Surely he would have gone to the hospital or clinic.

  Neil stood when the man stepped farther inside the room, looking past him and around the room. He hadn’t noticed the woman with the man until she stepped up and pulled on the man’s arm, which he shrugged away.

  Suddenly the man, in a booming voice, ground out, “So this is the kind of job you took? A waitress?”

  Juliet squealed. She dropped a tray of dirty dishes, and it crashed onto the hardwood floor. Small china teacups broke. Stella rushed over and put her arms protectively around Juliet’s shoulders.

  The man glared at Stella. “I should have known the two of you would be in this together.” With two long steps, he reached Juliet and took hold of her arm at the same time Neil reached him.

  Neil grasped the man’s arm. “Get your hands off her.”

  The man sneered. “I’ll do as I please with my daughter.”

  Tightening his hold on the man’s arm, Neil raised his right hand and circled the man’s throat. “You will not do as you please with my wife. I’m a doctor. My fingers are on the pressure points that can have you on that floor before you can blink an eye.”

  Neil surprised himself with the intensity of his emotions. But he didn’t back down. “And sir, that’s the nice part of what I can do to you.”

  The man let go of Juliet. “I’m her father.” He sounded like a man with a sore throat.

  “I’m her husband.” Neil glared at him. “Shall we sit down and discuss this like. . .civilized men?”

  The man nodded. Neil looked at Juliet.

  “It’s all right,” Juliet said in a small voice.

  Her stark face and the fearful look in her eyes indicated everything was not all right. But Neil moved his hands away, still watching the man as he straightened his collar and tie.

  “Now why don’t you ‘civilized’ men sit down?” Stella said. “All you need is some tea. Everyone just calm down until I bring it.” She looked around, smiling. “Would anyone like a tea cake?”

  “No,” Neil and the man ground out at the same time.

  The woman with him said, “Yes, thank you. That would be nice.” She put her arm through the man’s. That’s when her appearance registered. She looked to be around fifty, with a lot of gray in her hair that was pulled back in a neat roll. She looked pleasant and refined in a conservative dress and jacket.

  Neil gestured toward the clean table next to the one where his grandmother sat. He was afraid such a confrontation might upset her, but her coloring looked good and her breathing seemed fine. In fact, she smiled as if enjoying the scene.

  “Yes,” Mama McCory said, “please, have a seat.” She moved her chair around to see them better.

  The pleasant woman stepped over to the table and turned her head toward the irate man. He exhaled heavily, then pulled out the chair for her. She thanked him. He sat in a chair next to her.

  Hedda had picked up the dirty and broken dishes. “I’ll be glad to serve the tea.”

  Stella took the seat next to the pleasant woman. Neil held out a chair and nodded for Juliet to sit next to Stella. He would be between Juliet and the man in case he needed to protect her.

  “This is a nice place,” the woman said, as if she had just dropped in on a friend for a cup of tea. “I’ve heard about it and have seen it advertised as one of the lovelier places to visit in Sunrise. But this is my first time here.”

  While Hedda served the tea, Stella agreed that it was a lovely place and spoke of travelers and tourists who made reservations to return at the same time each year.

  Neil wondered how Stella could be so cordial to this woman. If this man was Juliet’s father, like he said, wouldn’t he be Stella’s husband? But he was here with another woman. And Juliet’s father was supposed to be a poor miner, wasn’t he? This man’s appearance was more like that of a prosperous businessman.

  Stella stared at Hedda, who seemed to be taking an incredibly long time pouring the tea and bringing a tea cake to the woman. “Thank you,” Stella said, and soon Hedda left the dining room.

  “Now,” Stella said in a commanding voice. “I’m probably the best one to explain everything since the men are acting like children competing for the last cookie in the jar.”

  The man made a sound like a growl deep in his throat. Neil glanced at him quickly. The man sighed and leaned forward with his forearms on the table as if resigned to some dastardly fate.

  “It’s simple.” Stella lifted her hands. “She met and married Dr. Neil McCory.” She pointed at Neil. “Married him last September.” Her voice lowered. “Herman, she knew you would object, so she was afraid to tell you.”

  Neil watched the man’s mouth move, from closed to open, closed to open. Finally, he said, “That’s all I ever wanted for her—to settle down and marry someone and live like normal people.”

  “Well, I did,” Juliet said.

  The man sat back, seeming to relax. His eyes swept over the room and back again. “Then you’re not working as a waitress?”

  “Not that anything’s wrong with that,” Stella said with spirit. “I’ll bet you’ve been served by many of them and enjoyed the meal.”

  A tinge of color came into the man’s cheeks, as if he’d felt the brunt of her reprimand.

  “But for your information,” Stella continued, “she manages this inn. After all, she is the wife of Dr. McCory, which makes her the granddaughter-in-law of Mrs. McCory, who owns this place.” Stella held out her hand toward Mama McCory, as if presenting her.

  The man acknowledged Neil’s grandmother with a polite nod. He seemed at a loss for words. Finally, he said, “This inn does have a fine reputation.” He took a deep breath and exhaled. “And so do Stella’s Sweets.”

  “This is delicious,” said the woman eating the small cake. “I had one at the Canaan Valley bakery.”

  “That’s how we found you,” the man said. “I’ve sent letters that were never answered. I inquired at the post office and was told your mail had been picked up. I even visited your cabin after the weather cleared up. The baker said Stella’s Sweets came from Sunrise.”

  “At the first store we stopped in,” the woman said, “they knew who you were and said Herman could find you here.”

  The man looked smug. “So here we are.”

  “One big, happy family.” Stella gave him a stony look.

  He returned it, then snapped, “I don’t know what you’re doing, Stella.” He looked at Juliet. “But I’m glad to see you’re behaving responsibly.”

&
nbsp; Neil didn’t care for the man’s tone. “Please speak politely to the ladies, Mr. Kevay.”

  “The name’s Easton.”

  Bewildered, Neil tried to make sense of it. He figured Stella and Mr. Easton must have divorced and then Stella married a Mr. Kevay, who adopted Juliet.

  But this man’s attitude wasn’t like one who had given up rights to his daughter. The only Easton he’d ever heard of was the name of the coal that ran daily from the mining area to other parts of West Virginia.

  The man spoke again, more politely this time. “Olivia, I’m pleased that you gave up that wild dream of yours and that you’re married. I’ve worried about you and wanted to know that you were all right. And another reason I wanted to find you”—he touched the shoulder of the woman next to him—“I want you to meet the woman I’m going to marry.”

  Neil nodded at the woman Mr. Easton introduced as Evelyn James. But he was thinking about the man calling Juliet “Olivia.”

  Stella had told them that Juliet had lived with her brother in the city when she went to college. So this was Stella’s brother? But he said he was Juliet’s father. Had she called him her father when she had lived with him? He’d apparently cared about her, having her live with him while she attended college.

  “Maybe I was too hard on you,” Mr. Easton said to Juliet. He smiled with a more tender look than Neil expected. “Evelyn has pointed out some errors of my ways. She’s a fine lady whose deceased husband was pastor of a church in Thurmond. She moved to Davidson after he died.”

  “I’m happy for you,” Juliet said.

  Mr. Easton spoke almost contritely. “I met her through friends but never thought we’d have anything in common. I soon discovered we didn’t. But her faith, charity, and sweet spirit intrigued me. She’s softened my heart in many ways.” He took a deep breath. “You’re my sister, Stella. I’ve been rough on you. I’m sorry. I do love you and hope you can forgive me.”

  The next thing Neil knew, Juliet, Stella, and Mr. Easton were standing and hugging, with tears in their eyes.

  So this man was not Stella’s ex-husband. He was her brother. Was Juliet’s middle name, or first name, Olivia? Had Juliet and Stella decided to use a name different from what Mr. Easton had called her so they could stay hidden from him?

  Now Mr. Easton was inviting them all to his wedding at his home in Davidson. Evelyn gave details and smiled at Juliet. “I would be so pleased if you would be my matron of honor.”

  Neil couldn’t figure it all out. He stared at his cup of tea, cold now. Juliet, whom he would like to be his wife permanently, was the one to make explanations.

  She was his wife, yes. . .but only for another two months. And she wasn’t obligated to tell him anything.

  That was not in the contract.

  ❧

  Olivia walked to the side window, watching as her father and Evelyn rode out of sight. She tried to concentrate on the trees outside, lush and green in the sunshine. The scenery became blurry, however, and there wasn’t even any rain.

  She wasn’t sure what Neil and Mama McCory were thinking, but she could guess some of it. All she did know was that her father had said his name was “Easton” and he had called her “Olivia.” What could she say?

  Suddenly, she realized she couldn’t tell Mama McCory anything. She was here in a binding contract with Dr. Neil McCory—her employer. She could offer no explanation to Mama McCory without his permission.

  She was not even his legal wife, contrary to what he thought. She was nothing more than a hired hand, making a weekly salary.

  “Juliet,” Mama McCory called.

  Olivia swiped at her eyes and turned. Neil and Stella had done the same, with concerned looks on their faces.

  “Thank you all so much for the party. It’s the nicest, most fun one I’ve ever had.” Mama McCory smiled. “And you certainly surprised me.”

  Olivia held her breath. Did she mean she was surprised that somebody had apparently not been truthful with her? She’d been gracious in saying she was glad to meet Olivia’s father and Evelyn. Was now the time for questions?

  “It’s been a long, interesting day,” she said. “But I’d like to rest for a while.”

  Olivia waited for the next words. What would they be?

  “If somebody would take my gifts to the parlor, we can all look at them after supper.” Mama McCory grinned. “And you two girls will have to sing and dance that birthday song for Neil. He missed it. Hedda,” she called, and Hedda stepped into the dining room.

  Olivia suspected Hedda had been near enough to hear everything from the time the tray crashed to the floor and the dishes broke.

  Mama McCory told Hedda, “I appreciate all of your help today.” The two women hugged.

  “Are you. . .all right?” Hedda asked her.

  “Never better,” Mama McCory said.

  Hedda looked as if she’d like to say something else, but Mama McCory turned to leave the room. Hedda then left the room herself.

  Right after Hedda left, Neil took a deep breath, then exhaled. “I need to check Grandmother’s vital signs.” He followed Mama McCory to her room.

  Without bothering with the dishes, Olivia and Stella went to their bedroom and propped up on the bed.

  “That was quite a family reunion in the dining room,” Stella said wryly. “You and I have finally gained Herman’s approval.”

  Feeling helpless, Olivia sighed. “Think how mad he’ll be when he learns the truth. He will never want to see me again.”

  Stella agreed. “He will blame me for this. I guess I am to blame. He always said actors were rogues and vagrants. Maybe I’ve proved that’s true.” Stella’s face clouded. “Not in being an actor, but in what I’ve done to you.”

  “What you’ve done to me, Stella,” Olivia said, “is given me the chance to save money for acting school. A chance to see what a real, loving family can be like. And a chance to grow up. I think I was a headstrong, rebellious girl. But so much has happened here. I’ve learned to care about other people instead of just what I want.”

  “I know what you mean. I’ve found a kind of meaning like I’ve never known when caring for Mama McCory, the inn, Stella’s Sweets, the Bible studies, and. . .even Danny.”

  “Oh, Stella, I know he’s crazy about you.”

  “He won’t be when he finds out what I’ve done. He thinks all this is legitimate and that I’m your mother. He thinks we’re a family—the kind he never had but would like to have.” She sighed. “I’ve really messed up this time.”

  There seemed to be no solution. Then Olivia remembered something. “Do you suppose this is one of those times when forgiveness comes into play? Pastor Whitfield preached about it. If we tell the truth and ask forgiveness, wouldn’t Mama McCory and Neil forgive us? They are good Christians, you know.”

  A sad expression crossed Stella’s face. “Not if the truth causes Mama McCory to have another stroke.”

  twenty-one

  The inn was filled for the next couple of weeks with tourists and vacationers coming to the mountains to escape the heat of the cities. Neil was busy, too, since a lot of his patients couldn’t come down the mountain during the winter and had their checkups in the summer. He deliberately made more visits to the hospital and house calls. He stayed later than necessary at the clinic, thinking and praying.

  This was a busy time for Juliet and Stella, but he had the feeling they were as tense as he. His grandmother, who usually picked up on everything, didn’t seem to notice that anything was different. Maybe her stroke had affected her brain. Or maybe she was ripe for another one.

  Finally, Neil had to scoff at himself. He’d wanted to make the last months of his grandmother’s life a happy time. He’d hired someone to do that, and that someone was doing her job well. He’s the one who was failing to contribute to his grandmother’s quality of life.

  Was it really his business whether Mr. Easton was Juliet’s father? Or her uncle? Stella’s ex-husband? Or her brother? />
  Or if Juliet was Olivia? Or both? Or. . .neither?

  He slammed his fists down on his desk in the clinic. Then, rubbing the sides of his hands, wondering if he’d broken a couple of bones, Neil berated himself. He had no right to harbor this attitude of having been betrayed by Juliet.

  She owed him nothing. He owed her everything.

  His actions should not be dependent upon what another person was or wasn’t. Only what he, himself, was.

  That evening he told Juliet he would accompany her to the wedding.

  “I’ll stay here,” Stella said. “And I’ll send Danny to ask Hedda to help out.”

  ❧

  “Are you worried about seeing Mr. Easton again?” he asked when they were on the train Friday morning, headed for Davidson. Both he and Juliet had hardly spoken to each other during the past two weeks, except for casual conversation.

  “No,” she said. “I’m worried about what you think.”

  “I have no right to think anything.” Immediately, he thought that might sound like she was nothing more than his employee. He looked over at her, so lovely in her tailored suit and pert little hat.

  “Juliet,” he began, wanting to explain, “I want to know all about you. Since we married, I’ve found out enough about you to know that you’re a fine person. You’re beautiful, you’re kind, you’re—”

  “No,” she stopped him. “I’m none of those things. I don’t know if I can even tell you the truth about me.”

  “Whenever you’re ready to confide in me, Juliet,” he said, “I want to listen.”

  She nodded, and he thought she wiped a tear from her eye before she turned to look out the window where trees were less dense and flatter land appeared.

  He’d called ahead so Mr. Easton would know when to expect them. What he didn’t expect was to be met by a driver in a roadster who took their bags and put them into the automobile.

  Neil climbed in after Juliet, grateful the three of them could fit in the two-seater. She pointed out various places as they traveled the roads and eventually along Main Street. He was somewhat familiar with Davidson. However, he had not been in this part of town.