“Speak up, Stone. I think your friends and family would like to hear you.” Pastor Tyson smiled nervously toward their audience.
Stone blinked, then opened his eyes wide. “I do!” he stated firmly. “I do take this woman as my wife.”
Juliette breathed out a quick sigh, as did the pastor.
Pastor Tyson placed his hand over theirs as they cupped them over the family Bible. “By the power of God, and in His sight, I now pronounce you husband and wife. What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. You may kiss the bride.”
The newly united couple stood gaping awkwardly at one another. Stone glanced around with a nervous expression, his free hand fidgeting with his string tie. Finally he bent and gently kissed Juliette’s cheek.
“You’re married now. Kiss your bride properly,” Pastor Tyson whispered with a grin.
Juliette lifted her face toward Stone’s. She realized, if Stone took the pastor’s instructions to heart, this would be the first time he’d ever kissed her.
Stone turned to Pastor Tyson, his face flushed, and whispered back, “I’d prefer giving Juliette our first kiss as husband and wife in private, if it’s all the same to you.”
Pastor Tyson nodded his agreement, signaled the pianist, and the “Wedding March” began.
Stone grabbed his wife’s hand, and they bolted back up the aisle and through the double doors.
“Sorry,” he whispered after they’d reached the privacy of the foyer. “I just couldn’t bring myself to kiss you in front of all those people. It just—well, you knows. We’ve—I’ve—I’ve never kissed you before. Somehow it didn’t seem proper to have our first kiss in front of an audience.”
She smiled. “I know. It felt that way for me too.”
“None of them, except your family, know why we really got married. I’d just as soon keep it that way, if that’s agreeable.”
She managed to whisper a quick yes as the many well-wishers crowded into the foyer to congratulate the happy couple.
When all hands had been shaken and everyone had gathered around them, Juliette climbed up to the fifth step of the lovely oak stairway, turned, and tossed her bouquet over her shoulder. It fell into Caroline’s hands.
Stone laughed as he whispered in her ear, “Ah, Caroline caught your bouquet. One of these days, maybe you’ll have some little nieces around to pamper.”
Juliette sent a quick glance over the crowd. “Which reminds me. Where is your sister? I haven’t met her or your boys yet. I’ve been looking for them.”
He quit smiling. “She had a headache. I sent her and the boys on home with Moses. You’ll meet them later.”
His reaction upset her, although she didn’t know why. It did seem odd that he wouldn’t at least introduce his children and his sister to her before sending them away; but if his sister hadn’t been feeling well and the boys were tired and cranky from their trip, she’d just have to wait. There’d be plenty of time for that later. For now, they’d enjoy the company of their neighbors and friends.
“Got yourself a beautiful woman for a bride, you ugly old man,” Doc Meeker teased as he shook their hands. “Don’t strain that shoulder on your wedding night.”
Juliette flashed a look of surprise at Stone.
“Don’t worry about that, Doc. I’ve married me a lady. I intend to treat her as such.”
She appreciated his evasive answer and gave him a look of approval.
“Well, I’d say Juliette got herself a fine gentleman. You leave this nice young couple alone now, do you hear me?” Mrs. Meeker told her husband as she pushed him toward the refreshment table.
“Sorry,” Stone whispered in his bride’s ear.
“It’s all right. They meant well,” she mumbled back as she turned to greet their next guest with a smile.
“I’m so happy for you and Stone,” Ethel Benningfield told her as she smiled back. Then, leaning forward, she whispered, “I’ve been watching you since that day we spoke in the lobby of your parents’ hotel. You’ve blossomed into a fine Christian woman. I can see the change in you, and I’m sure our Lord is pleased.”
Juliette’s heart was touched by her words. “He’s brought our family through some real trials lately, but I’ve become much closer to Him through it all. Without God to turn to, I don’t think any of us could have made it. But He answered our prayers. Mother is feeling much better. Father was able to purchase the hotel—”
“And you’re marrying a fine, upstanding Christian man. My, but God has been good to you. Just keep your eyes on Him, and you two will do fine.”
Juliette bent and kissed the woman’s cheek. “I want you to know I appreciated your advice about my parents. Because of you, I’m learning to think twice before speaking.” She leaned close so no one else could hear, then whispered in the woman’s ear. “I still have trouble with my mouth. Words still seem to slip out when they shouldn’t. Please pray for me. At times, I still have trouble with my temper too.”
“I have been praying for you and will continue to do so.” Ethel reached out and gave Juliette’s hand a squeeze. “If you ever need someone to talk to, Dear, I’m always available.”
Juliette watched as the woman walked away, remembering their prior conversation. Somehow, to her, it almost seemed that conversation had been a turning point in her life.
By three o’clock the cake and cider on the reception table had been enjoyed, and America and Caroline started cleaning up the wedding mess.
Juliette handed Stone the valise with the few remaining things she’d need in her new home. She’d prepared before leaving her father’s house this morning. The rest of her belongings, along with Andrew’s, had been taken to Carson Creek Ranch the day before. They were waiting for her in the room she’d occupy. “I’m ready.”
“Where’s Andrew?”
“Father will bring him out later. He was getting cranky.”
Stone took her hand, and they headed for their buggy, which Moses had left parked by the door. The crowd of well-wishers cheered wildly when Juliette and Stone stepped hand-in-hand out of the mission.
After he waved, Stone gently lifted his new bride into the buggy, then climbed in beside her and took the reins.
Juliette snuggled close beside him, thinking that was what all new brides would do. But she didn’t feel like a new bride. She felt like a traitor. They were deceiving all their friends.
Stone seemed to feel the same way. He leaned awkwardly toward her before whipping the reins and starting the horses toward home. “Guess we’ve gone and done it, Juliette.”
“Yes, I suppose we have. Are you sorry?”
He leaned toward her, planting a kiss on her forehead. “Not one bit.”
“Neither am I.”
❧
There was no one to greet them when they reached the ranch. America had stayed behind to help Caroline clean up and put the mission house back in order. Moses had gone back after her. Juliette had been sure Alice, Stone’s sister, would meet them at the door with open arms, but she didn’t.
Her new husband assisted her as she exited the buggy, then whisked her up in his arms and held her close.
“Are you sure you should be doing this? With your shoulder?” she asked, genuinely concerned, knowing lifting her must be causing him a great deal of pain.
“I may not be the husband you wanted, Juliette, but I am going to carry you over the threshold like a proper husband would.”
She wrapped her arms about his neck. “Just be careful, please. I wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself because of me.”
“I’m almost as good as new. Let me worry about that.” He climbed the steps easily and pushed open the door before ceremoniously stepping across the threshold and depositing her on the other side. There, sitting on three chairs lined up in a row, were Alice, his oldest son, Eric, and a darling boy with tightly curled dark hair who had to be Will.
Juliette hurried to them, her hands extended. “Hello! I’ve been so eager to meet you.
I’m Juliette. You must be Will. Eric, you look just as I thought you would. And you have to be Stone’s wonderful sister, Alice.”
The woman reached out her hand with a warm smile. “Hello, Juliette. It’s nice to meet you too. Stone has told me so much about you and your wonderful family.”
The older boy, Eric, stood. “Nice to meet you, Miss—”
Juliette hurried to his rescue. “Why don’t you call me Juliette for now? Would that be all right with you?”
The child smiled, obviously relieved. “Uh huh.”
She tousled the smaller boy’s curly hair. “Will, you have no idea how excited I’ve been to meet you. I have a son too, only he’s not as big as you are. I think you two will get along just fine. He’ll be here before long, and you can get acquainted.”
The boy didn’t say a word, just stared at her with big, blue eyes topped with long curly lashes like his father’s.
“Sorry I didn’t get to meet you before the wedding, but we were a mite tired when we got in yesterday,” Alice told her.
Juliette pulled up a chair and sat down beside the woman. “I was looking forward to meeting you. I’d hoped we could spend some time together before the wedding. I have so many questions for you because I want to make the boys feel at home. I want to know about their favorite foods, what games they like—all sorts of things like that. I hope you’re going to stay long enough to tell me everything before you have to go back to St. Joseph.”
Alice gestured toward the two boys. “Those are fine children—obedient, thoughtful, and very responsible. Eric looks after Will—”
Stone stepped in, breaking into her sentence before she could finish it. “She has to go back tomorrow. I’ve arranged transportation for her.”
“Oh, no!” Juliette grabbed Alice’s hand. “You can’t leave so soon. I’m sure it would be much better for the boys if you were able to stay a few weeks—at least until they get used to me and their new surroundings.”
“Impossible,” Stone answered for his sister. “She has to get back to St. Joseph.”
“But since you’re not feeling well—” Juliette began.
Alice seemed confused. “Me, not feeling well? I’m fit as a fiddle. Whatever gave you that idea?”
“Your headache? The reason you couldn’t stay for the reception. Is it gone now?”
Alice looked surprised. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t had a headache in years.”
“She was tired from the trip. I guess I just supposed she had a headache,” Stone explained awkwardly.
“Well, I didn’t! I feel fine. I brought the boys back to the ranch before the reception because Stone wanted me to.”
Juliette flashed a questioning look toward her husband, which he ignored as he extended his hand toward her.
“Come with me, Juliette. I want you to see what America and I have done to your room, and I’m sure you’ll want to get out of that wedding gown and into something more comfortable.”
Juliette refused his hand and stepped away from him. “I’d rather visit with Alice since she’s leaving so soon.”
“Come, Juliette,” he said in a firm voice that irritated her. He was her new husband, but he had no right to make her decisions for her. “I said I want to show you your room. Now.”
She offered Alice a feeble smile, then followed him down the hallway. As soon as she was sure they were far enough away that his sister couldn’t hear them, she turned to him with a glare. “Don’t you ever do that to me again! I don’t appreciate being ordered around.”
“I–I only wanted to show you your room. Don’t you like it?” He gestured around the newly arranged room. “America put your things in the chest, and I moved this rocker in so you could rock Andrew.”
“Stone, this is all well and good, and I appreciate it. But what I’m interested in right now is spending time with your sister and your boys before Father brings Andrew.” She pushed him toward the door. “Now, give me some privacy, I want to change my clothes.”
He moved awkwardly out the door, gently closing it behind him.
Within a matter of minutes, she was back in the living room, dressed in a calico frock. “Now, let’s visit,” she told their houseguests. She turned to the oldest boy. “Eric, tell me about your trip. Did you see any buffalo on the way?”
His eyes filled with enthusiasm. “Yes, Ma’am, a lot of them. Some coyotes too.”
She leaned over and took Will’s hand. “Did you see any buffalo or coyotes?”
The boy just stared at her.
“Will, did you see any buffalo?” she asked again, this time impatiently dropping to one knee in front of the lad.
Again, he simply stared at her without answering.
Alice shot a sudden look at Stone that Juliette couldn’t interpret.
“Will,” she said firmly, looking directly into the boy’s face. “Did you see any buffalo?”
“He can’t hear you, Juliette,” Stone finally said, coming to stand by the boy. He’s nearly deaf.”
Eight
Juliette felt faint. “Deaf?”
“Yes,” Stone confessed in a nearly inaudible voice.
“How—how long has he been deaf?”
He shut his eyes, letting out a long sigh. “Si–since birth.”
Juliette rose and beat her fists on his chest. “And you didn’t tell me? Is this why Alice and the boys didn’t arrive until just before the wedding? So I wouldn’t know about this until after we were married?”
“I–I was afraid you wouldn’t marry me.”
“Because of Will’s deafness? I’m not that kind of person!”
“I’m sure he thought he’d lose you, Juliette,” Alice interceded in her brother’s behalf. “Most women wouldn’t want to take on a child with a hearing problem.”
Stone nodded as if echoing his sister’s comment. “Alice is right. That’s exactly what I thought.”
Alice stood and motioned to the boys to come to her. “Why don’t I take the boys in the kitchen. I’m sure America can find something for them—a glass of milk or something.”
Juliette searched her heart as she watched them go. The last thing she’d want to do was hurt those innocent little boys. Toning her voice down a bit, she continued. “I would’ve wanted some answers from you, Stone, and from Alice, since she’s the one who has been caring for him. But I think I would have said yes. After all, you accepted Andrew and me with very little knowledge about us.”
“I—ah, couldn’t take that chance, Juliette. Before I could bring them home, I had to know I had a woman committed to help me with my boys. I knew I’d have a difficult time convincing any woman to take on the added responsibility of a deaf child.”
What she wanted to do was scream at him; but for the sake of his children, she restrained herself and kept her voice on an even keel. “So you decided to trick me into it by keeping this a secret until after I’d married you? What kind of a man would do that? Are there any other surprises I should know about?”
“I didn’t—”
“That’s absolutely right. You didn’t do right by me, Stone Piper!” She fell down onto the chair with a thud, frowning and crossing her arms. “Do you honestly think it was fair? To lie to me?”
“I didn’t exactly lie, I—”
“No, you just didn’t tell me the truth! Is that supposed to make it better?”
“I’m sure he meant no harm, Juliette,” Alice said, coming back into the room again. “He’s wanted to bring his sons home for such a long time. Perhaps he—”
“No harm? Of course, he meant no harm—no harm to himself! But what did he do to me? While he goes off to work in his fields, he expects me to perform miracles with his deaf son.”
He shook his head. “I—didn’t see it that way. Exactly.”
“Well, that’s the way it is. Exactly.”
He reached for her hand. She drew it away. “Does this mean that—”
“That I’m walking out? Even before
our marriage starts? I should! I’d have every right!” Juliette thought about the sweet face of the innocent, motherless boy she’d met only minutes before. His questioning eyes had broken her heart. He’d seemed so lost and in need of love. Her mind went to her baby. If Andrew had been born deaf, I would never have turned my back on him.
Alice remained silent.
Stone stood gaping, a look of defeat on his face. “I’ll drive you back to the hotel, if you want.”
She turned to the man with fire in her voice and tears in her eyes. “I’m so glad Will can’t hear this conversation. He deserves so much more than this. I have no intention of running away and turning my back on him. That child needs love and a mother, and I intend to give him both.”
Stone smiled gratefully, his eyes filling with tears. “I can’t thank—”
“You’re right!” she retorted sharply. “You can’t thank me enough, because I don’t want thanks. I want cooperation. Treat me like an adult, Stone. I may be young, but I am not a child and will not be treated as such.” She rose, her hands on her hips. “And no more ordering me around. Do you hear me? I refuse to take orders. If you want me to do something, ask. If I decide to do it, I will. But don’t order me to do it unless you want a rebellious woman on your hands. Now,” she said, brushing her hands together and taking charge of the awkward situation. “Go get your boys and take them for a walk. Show them the horses or something. Just keep them busy while Alice and I have a woman-to-woman discussion.”
“But I—”
“Stone.”
“Yes, Juliette. Whatever you say.”
Once he and the boys were out of the house, Juliette turned to her sister-in-law. “Now, I want to hear all about the boys—especially Will, and don’t hold anything back. Tell me everything.”
❧
At the first hint of dawn, Juliette climbed out of bed, careful not to waken her sleeping baby. She pulled her robe about her, then hurried down the hall to see if the woodstove needed another log added before Alice and the boys came down for breakfast. Only a few remaining embers penetrated the darkness, casting a dim glow. As she moved toward the stove, she tripped and nearly fell over something on the floor. It was something big and furry, and it was alive!
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