Mail Order Pearl (Widows, Brides, and Secret Babies #12)

by Cheryl Wright

  To be fair, she’d already promised Alex to marry him, but that was before either of them knew there was a baby involved. She didn’t want to force him into a situation where he felt he had to support them.

  It was already too late for that. They were married, so she had to live with that. At least for now.

  Her plans for the future were sketchy at most. Once she’d recovered completely, she could leave and take Maude with her. She would get a job and support her daughter herself, instead of relying on a man who only married her out of pity.

  At least that’s what she’d thought. Then he went and bought half the Mercantile to look after his new daughter.

  “This is delicious,” she said pulling herself out of her wayward thoughts and taking a mouthful of the stew. “Mrs Baker is a great cook.”

  He grinned at her. “It’s why the diner is so popular.” He filled his mouth again.

  Reaching for another bread roll, Alex glanced across at her. “We need to talk about the sleeping arrangements,” he said, a worried expression on his face. “I know it’s early days, but the situation has changed. We’ll have to share a bed from now on.” He said the last words quickly, as though perhaps he thought she wouldn’t notice or understand them if he rushed.

  She shook her head. “They don’t need to change.” She wasn’t ready to sleep with him – a stranger – even if he was her legal husband. She’d already been forced by one man, was this marriage going to be no different?

  “I, I can’t sleep in the spare room now that Maude is in there,” he said firmly. “I promise not to touch you.” He glanced up and studied her. “You have just given birth after all.”

  She swallowed hard. The more she knew him, the more she liked Alex. She thought this would be so easy. Have the baby, then leave. But he had been nothing but caring and thoughtful. Plus he had a real affinity with Maude. If you didn’t know, you would have no idea he wasn’t her natural father.

  Emotion threatened to overtake her. Perhaps she would stay for a week or two and then make her decision.

  Yes, that’s what she would do. Pearl finished eating, then sipped her coffee. Alex finished up and dished up Apple Pie, also made by Mrs Baker. Tonight, they were spoiled. Starting tomorrow, she would start acting like a wife.

  Her decision made, Pearl picked up her spoon and began to eat the equally delicious pie.

  THE NIGHT WAS CHILLY despite it being Spring. Alex had lit a fire in the sitting room, as well as their bedroom.

  Their bedroom.

  It sounded strange for Pearl to be thinking that way, but the two were to share a bed starting tonight.

  Alex had been a total gentleman. He sat in the sitting room reading his bible, allowing her to change into her nightgown in complete privacy. She was pleased that he had. The whole situation was awkward and undressing in front of him would have been even more difficult.

  She hadn’t said a lot, but she’d been grateful and overwhelmed at Alex’s generosity. He didn’t have to go out and spend so much money on her daughter.

  She mentally corrected herself – their daughter. Now they were married, Maude was also his daughter, and watching them together, you wouldn’t know he was not her natural father.

  He stared at Maude with nothing but love in his heart. Perhaps he was after all the decent man she’d always dreamed of marrying? She certainly hoped so.

  After undressing and donning her nightgown, she began to fold her clothes and placed them on a chair. She hadn’t thought to ask Alex where she should put her clothing. It seemed strange to be standing in his bedroom waiting to climb into bed. This, despite having slept there the past couple of nights.

  The change of dynamic, the two of them sleeping there instead of just her, had put a whole new perspective on things.

  She threw the covers back and scurried across the bed. It was then she heard the bedroom door open. She pulled the covers up to her face, with only her eyes showing.

  What she’d endured in Joseph’s bed was beyond comprehension. Not once had she agreed to his so-called lovemaking. Forcing himself on her night after night did not make for a happy marriage.

  She stiffened as he got closer to the bed and was shaking. Would he be true to his word? She certainly hoped so.

  “Everything alright?” he asked quietly, glancing across at her.

  She nodded. “Yes.” It wasn’t true and she knew it but had no intention of telling him so.

  Alex pulled his shirt up over his head, and for the first time she saw the extent of his muscles. He was certainly a good-looking man, dressed or undressed.

  He pulled off his belt, and then his breeches, laying them on the chair on top of her clothes. “We’ll sort out the cupboard space tomorrow,” he said. “I know you have some gowns in the wardrobe, but you’ll need space for your, er, delicates too.”

  Heat rose in his cheeks. It took all her effort not to laugh.

  “I’m getting in now,” he said, standing there in his drawers. Pearl couldn’t help but stare. Any other time, and any other situation...

  No, she couldn’t think like that.

  He turned off the lantern, and without warning, he was in the bed and lying next to her. “Goodnight, Pearl,” he said quietly.

  “Goodnight.” She rolled over to face the wardrobe, and he rolled over too. His cool skin hit hers, and they were lying closer than she was comfortable with, his hard body up against hers.

  “I’m glad you came, despite my silence,” he said gently. His hand slid around her waist and settled on her still swollen stomach. She stiffened. “How are you feeling tonight? You had a real time of it.”

  She wriggled about, hoping he would move away. He didn’t. “I’m tired, but apart from that I’m fine.”

  “That’s good to know. The doc is happy, so that makes me feel better. He wants you to rest up though.” His voice was a little stern this time, and although it rankled a little, she appreciated his concern.

  He pulled her even closer, and this time she didn’t mind. It felt nice to have someone concerned about her, to not hold her for only one reason.

  As much as she tried to block the memories of her former marriage, it was hard. Really hard.

  As if on cue, the baby began to wail. “I have to feed Maude,” she said, trying to climb over him. She felt his breath against her cheek as she did so, and sensed his lips were ever so close. Pearl’s breath hitched in her throat.

  She fought against her need to kiss him, and felt his hands go up around her waist. “You stay,” he said gently. “I’ll change her and bring her in here for you to feed. It’s warmer in here.”

  He lay her back down, and she felt nothing but gratitude for this caring and considerate man she’d married. She was beginning to think she’d done the right thing marrying him after all.

  Chapter Seven

  PEARL AWOKE WRAPPED in Alex’s arms. She’d slept better last night than she could remember sleeping since the day she was kidnapped.

  Having no idea of her future may have been the reason. With her valise on the floor on one side of her, and Alex on the other, she was stuck. At least she felt as though she was. She decided to climb across him, but could she do it without waking him?

  She half sat and analyzed the situation. It would be tricky, and she was sure it would hurt a little, but she would try. As her leg stretched across his belly, pain filtered through her. Of all the stupid ideas she’d had, this would have to be the worst.

  She tried not to cry out, endeavoring not to wake Alex, but the pain was so intense, she couldn’t hold it back.

  His eyes flew open and he suddenly frowned. “What on earth are you doing?” He looked thoroughly annoyed. Tears trickled down her face at the agony she was enduring. He grabbed her by the waist and lay her back down.

  “I, I was going to check on Maude,” she said quietly. “Then prepare breakfast.”

  He looked even more annoyed. “You’re supposed to be resting. I’m not working at the moment, so it
’s no hardship for me to do those tasks.” He sat on the side of the bed, his back to her, then pulled on his breeches.

  As he stood, he pulled the covers back up to keep her warm.

  He leaned forward and gently kissed her lips. “You look so cute with your hair all disheveled and that just awake look on your face.”

  She stared at him in disbelief.

  “I could get very used to it,” he said, then left the room.

  When she thought about it, she knew he’d meant it in the best possible way. But she was so used to being abused and wasn’t used to compliments. It was time to change her outlook on life.

  She could hear Alex talking to Maude in the next room. He’d become very proficient at changing her diaper, and dressing her, and had even helped bath her yesterday. He was an absolute natural and she wondered why he hadn’t married before.

  The answer was obvious – his job kept him away from home far too much. She swallowed. Was that going to be the case with her? Was she going to get so enamored with the man she would miss him when he was away?

  She didn’t intend to stay around long enough to find out.

  That thought caused her heart to skip a beat. She was getting far too comfortable with Alex Farley for her own good.

  Pearl glanced up as he entered the room with her baby. She lay gently over his shoulder, covered in a wrap for warmth, and his expression was one of love. When he held her, Maude rarely cried – it was as though she knew he had saved her life.

  A lump formed in her throat. She owed so much to this gentle giant. More than anyone would ever know.

  He glanced up and stared at her. He looked at her the same way he looked at Maude, and she liked the feeling she got when he did.

  She admonished herself. She was becoming far too soft and put it down to hormones. Having a baby messed up your whole body. Thankfully things would go back to normal in the months ahead.

  Alex handed baby Maude to her. “She was far drier this morning, thanks to the soaker, I’m sure.” He smiled at her, and her heart fluttered.

  Her bottom lip suddenly quivered, and she felt like crying. How could she have been so lucky as to land herself this man as a husband? After what she’d been through, it seemed impossible.

  He sat next to her on the bed, still holding the baby. He gently caressed her cheek, while keeping the other hand on Maude. “Tell me what’s wrong,” he said softly.

  Tears flooded her cheeks, and she wasn’t sure how to answer. “Why are you so nice to me?”

  He frowned. “You’re my wife, for one, and the mother of my daughter.” She held out her hands and he handed the baby over to be fed. “Besides, I really like you.”

  He wiped her tears away and handed her a kerchief. “I’ll leave so you have privacy,” he said gently, then left the room.

  She really had won the jackpot with him.

  Maude was fed and sound asleep again.

  Pearl dressed and headed to the kitchen to make breakfast, but apparently Alex had beaten her to it. The aroma of bacon and eggs drifted down the hallway. The closer she got, the stronger the smell.

  He spun around as she entered the kitchen. “Good,” he said. “You’re right on time. Coffee’s on the table, and I was about to dish up.” He turned back to the stove and she stepped toward him, then slipped her arms around his waist.

  “Thank you,” she said quietly. “For everything.”

  He spun in her arms and was suddenly facing her. He stared down into her face, his eyes gazing at her lips. “You don’t have to thank me,” he said quietly, a quiver in his voice. He leaned down and claimed her lips.

  His kiss was ever so gentle. Right now, she wasn’t sure how she felt toward him, but his kindness overwhelmed her. If she was truthful with herself, she wanted to kiss him too, and that’s exactly what she did.

  They stood entwined for some time, her head resting against his chest, until he pulled back. “Darn it,” he said. “The food is burning.” He snatched up the frying pan and dumped it in the sink.

  She laughed and he joined her. “I’m taking over the cooking. You sit and have your coffee.”

  He frowned but did what he was told.

  Was this the start of some sort of relationship? She certainly hoped so.

  FOUR WEEKS HAD PASSED since Pearl had given birth and they were all settling into a routine.

  Alex had gone back to work, but not until he was certain she could cope on her own. Maude was such a good baby and was never any trouble.

  Pearl felt she was recovering well, and her check up with Doc Spencer today had proven that. She knew Alex would be pleased too.

  He was like a mother hen clucking over her chicks. The thought brought a smile to her face. She stood at the center counter making biscuits. She had always loved to cook and was glad to be back in a kitchen.

  Her kitchen.

  She glanced about. This place felt like home. She didn’t know why except perhaps there was love here. That thought made her pause.

  Did she love Alex? To be honest she hadn’t thought about it before. But all thought of leaving him and taking Maude had left her over the past couple of weeks. She’d grown very fond of him and missed him when he was working.

  Thankfully, his work had not taken him away since Maude was born. She added the biscuits to the floured tray and put them aside, ready to go in the oven when Alex got home.

  It had been in the back of her mind to tell him about her ordeal with her first husband, Joseph. She didn’t want him to find out in other ways. Being a Sheriff, he had the resources and the means to find out anything he wanted to know about her.

  She glanced up as she heard the front door open. Alex was home. If he stuck to his usual routine he would stop in the nursery and check on Maude, then join her in the kitchen.

  He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, then pushing her hair aside, kissed her neck. Her heart zinged.

  She turned around in his arms and stared up into his face. “There’s something I have to tell you,” she said, feeling guilty for not telling him sooner.

  “I know.” He leaned in and kissed her, and she pushed him away.

  “You know? What do you know?” She glared at him and shoved him aside so she could stir the hearty soup that was cooking on the stove.

  Her heart beat rapidly. She wasn’t sure if it was because he might know everything about her, or because she had to tell him.

  “I know what happened to you,” he said softly. “Why didn’t you tell me?” He didn’t sound accusing, rather curious.

  She shook her head gently, then began to back away. He reached out and pulled her close. “You don’t have to feel ashamed or guilty,” he whispered in her ear. “None of it was your fault.”

  “I was a fool to trust him,” she said against his chest. “I’m glad he’s dead.” She spat the last words, feeling relieved she’d finally said them. She glanced up at him. “Is that so terrible?”

  He lifted her chin with his fingers. “Not terrible at all.”

  She relaxed against him again.

  Her next words were difficult, and she kept her eyes averted. “Maude was not made of love,” she told him quietly, her voice quivering.

  She wondered if he’d guessed, because he didn’t appear surprised. Alex lifted her chin with his fingers and stared down into her face. “That must have been horrible,” he said. “I want you to know she is loved very much – by both of us.” He tightened his grip on her as though he needed to do so to protect her, and they stood there for a very long time.

  Finally his next words broke the silence. “I know we haven’t known each other long, but I want you to know I have feelings for you. Strong feelings.” His fingers caressed her cheek, and his arm around her was comforting. “In fact, I’ve fallen in love with you.”

  She glanced up at him. “I feel the same way.” She got up on her toes and kissed him softly. “Perhaps tonight we can make it a real marriage?”

  “I’d like that
.”

  Pearl would too. All thoughts of running away had long left her. Alex was her forever man, that had become blatantly obvious almost from the beginning.

  His head shot up suddenly. “That’s Papa’s girl,” he said, as Maude began to wail. He gave Pearl a quick hug and headed toward the nursery.

  Pearl watched his retreating back. What had she ever done to deserve such a wonderful man?

  Epilogue

  TWO YEARS LATER...

  Alex paced the road outside their little cottage.

  Pearl had been in labor for some hours now. His thoughts went back to the day he’d met her. At least this time she wasn’t lying on his cold bathroom floor for hours without assistance.

  Doc Spencer was with her this time, and they’d called in Doc Pendleberry from the Apothecary for back-up. After her last birth, they simply couldn’t take the chance. Alex wasn’t prepared to risk the life of mother or baby.

  Standing outside the front door, he heard the unrelenting screams. He couldn’t bear it and moved further toward town. This was to be their last baby. At least that what he thought. He couldn’t stand the screaming, and the uncertainty.

  He couldn’t allow Pearl to go through this with each pregnancy. It broke his heart just listening to her now.

  Maude was at the diner with Mrs Baker, so he headed down there. It would be hours before the baby would arrive, and they wouldn’t let him inside, so there was no point him hanging around.

  He was halfway there when he turned back toward home. What was happening? Was Pearl alright? And what about the baby?

  The thoughts flooded his mind and he tried to chase them away, but they kept coming back. What if he lost them?

  His heart pounded and a lump formed in his throat.

  “Sheriff.”

  He turned around on hearing Mrs. Baker.

  “Papa!”

  Maude ran to him on her chubby little legs. She was such a blessing, and he treasured every moment they spent together. “Give Papa a kiss,” he said gently, pointing to his cheek. She complied.