Bid for a Bride Read online

  “But she couldn’t charm you into doing things.”

  She looked up at Brian, surprised by his comment. “I didn’t care to switch with her once we turned fifteen. I didn’t see the point, and she wanted to do it for the silliest reasons. One time she wanted me to go to the post office and pretend I was her. Another time, she wanted to be me and pick up some parsley from the store. I didn’t understand any of it and told her so. She claimed it was all in good fun but…” She shrugged. “It was pointless.” Or at least that’s how it seemed. Maybe it wasn’t as innocent as she assumed, but who was to know for sure?

  “So what happened?” Brian gently pressed.

  “Nothing for a long time. Like I said, she was nice to me on the surface most of the time. There were times when she’d slip. If I caught her unawares, she’d snap at me or glare at me. About six months ago, my brother was about to get married, so we went to St. Paul to attend his engagement party. It was a big affair, and Meredith seemed to be having a good time.”

  “You’re tense,” he noted. “You’re gripping me around the waist.”

  “Sorry.” She relaxed her hold. “Um…that’s where I met Adam. He claimed he was one of those long distance relatives on the bride’s side, but I suspect he was lying about it.” Clearing her throat, she continued, “Adam asked me to dance and I accepted. Meredith didn’t like it. That was the night everything changed. She no longer hid the fact that she hated me.”

  This was the part where she hesitated. For a moment, she was back in Minnesota asleep under her favorite tree by the lake when someone jolted her awake. She screamed but no one heard.

  “Lucy?” Brian asked, breaking her out of her thoughts.

  Blinking, she forced her mind back to the present. “Anyway, I knew I had to get away from there. Living in the same house with her was impossible, especially once my brother wasn’t around. So when Adam came by to see me, I hoped he would marry me and get me out of there. The fact that he said he lived out west and would have to take me far from Minnesota appealed to me. The further away I was from my sister, the better.” She laughed again, but there was little humor in it. “She was furious when Adam didn’t pay her any attention. She wanted Adam for herself, but if she knew the secret he was hiding, I’m sure she wouldn’t have been so eager to try to take my place.”

  They stepped out into the sun and she took a deep breath, feeling a strange sense of relief in telling someone this part of her life that she’d kept secret for a long time. She hadn’t told him everything, but it was enough for now. She couldn’t bring herself to go into the night before her wedding to Adam. Some wounds were a little too fresh—a little too disturbing—and she didn’t have the strength to go into it. Not now. Maybe later when enough time passed.

  “I married Adam to get out of there, Brian. He happened to be there at the right time. That’s why I told you I didn’t love him. I would have done anything to get out of there.” She sighed. “I like it here. I like being with you and your parents. I like being out here where it’s quiet and peaceful. I like feeling safe.”

  Brian kissed the top of her head and pulled her closer to him. “Everything’s alright now. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

  She stopped walking and rested her head on his chest. Coming out here the way she did might not have been in her plans, but she wouldn’t complain about the way she got here. The point was she was here with a man she could give her entire heart to, and that was something she couldn’t do with Adam. She didn’t know if it was too soon to love Brian, but she suspected she might and she fancied it to be the most wonderful feeling in the world.

  Chapter Thirteen

  With August came hot days that were followed by thunderstorms, but as long as Lucy remained in Brian’s arms, she had no reason to jump when the thunder boomed in the night. She never knew being with a man could be such a wonderful experience. On some days when he didn’t go to work, they spent the day in bed, sometimes talking and sometimes making love. But she enjoyed being with him regardless of what they did.

  There was a gentle quietness in being with him, and falling in love with him was much the same way. One day she woke up in his arms and knew that she loved him. He whispered the sentiment a few days later after they woke up from a nap, and it was with joy when she replied in kind. The lovemaking that followed seemed to be a little sweeter than the times before.

  Sometimes the days he worked on the furniture dragged on too long, and she’d find a reason to go visit Eliza so she could slip in and see Brian with any excuse she could come up with. More often than not, she’d bring him and John something to drink. On one such day, Brian had whispered in her ear that he couldn’t wait to be alone with her and spend the night making love. She was sure her entire face turned a deep shade of red since John wasn’t too far away when Brian whispered those words to her. If John overheard or suspected what was going on, he didn’t give any indication of it, and for that, she was grateful.

  It was the middle of August when she went to town with Brian, Eliza and John to collect materials to sew baby quilts and to buy lumber so John and Brian would have it on hand to work on baby furniture.

  “After Pa and I return from Sioux Falls, we’ll start on the bassinet and dresser,” Brian told her on their wagon ride into town, his hand squeezing hers.

  Eliza clapped her hands and said, “It’ll be so much fun to see a bassinet. Why, March will be here before we know it.”

  Lucy laughed. “It’s hard to know who’s more excited about the baby. Me or you.”

  John waved his hand and pointed to Eliza.

  That made Lucy laugh even harder. “Your pa thinks your ma is more excited,” she told Brian.

  Brian chuckled. “He’s probably right. She talks of little else but baby things.”

  “Well, what is there to talk about?” Eliza asked with a shrug. “It sure beats talk of staining furniture.” She gave an apologetic look in Lucy’s direction. “It’s even better than cooking with you. I’m sorry, Lucy, but I really don’t care for cooking, even if I do enjoy spending time with you. I’d much rather do what we’re doing today and shop for the baby.”

  “I don’t mind, Eliza,” Lucy assured her. “I’d rather shop for the baby too.”

  John drove the wagon into town and parked it in front of Frank and Addy’s house. While John helped Eliza down, Brian helped Lucy. Lucy turned and handed him his walking stick.

  Eliza glanced at them and smiled before she went up to the front door and knocked on it. The rest followed behind, and when Addy answered it, Eliza waved her forward. “We need to buy some things from the general store before your husband closes it up for the day.”

  “Well, Frank will be glad for the business,” Addy replied and grabbed her bonnet from the hook by the door. After she shut the door behind her, she turned to the others and said, “It’s a fine afternoon, isn’t it? I’m glad you could make it to town.” She gave Lucy a smile. “How are you feeling? Is morning sickness bothering you?”

  “Not really,” Lucy said, slipping her arm around Brian’s. “I get a little tired from time to time, but other than that, I feel great.”

  “I’m glad.” Addy turned to Eliza. “Remember when Charity was expecting? She was stuck in bed for days.”

  “I think that’s because she didn’t keep something in her stomach,” Eliza said. “An empty stomach is the worst thing an expectant woman can do for herself.” She stopped and looked at John and Brian. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to bore you men with women talk. Why don’t you two go on and get that lumber? We’ll do some shopping and be back shortly.”

  Reluctant to part from Brian, Lucy let go of his arm.

  He reached for her hand and gave it a light squeeze. “Have a good time.” Then he tapped his stick on the dirt road and headed with John in the direction of the lumber shop.

  Addy clasped her hands together. “Eliza, I can’t recall a time when your son’s been happier than since he’s been married to Lucy.” She glanced
at Lucy. “Not that he wasn’t happy before. He’s always had a sweet disposition.”

  “It’s true, Lucy,” Eliza added. “Brian’s never been happier than he is now.”

  Lucy beamed, pleased by their words, and joined them as they walked down the road.

  “You’re staying for supper, aren’t you?” Addy asked. “I prepared a roast.”

  “We said we would when we saw you in church,” Eliza replied. “Frankly, I wouldn’t miss one of your roasts for anything. Do you need our help with anything?”

  “No. I have it in the oven with the vegetables baking around it, and the cake is already done. I just want you two to relax and have a good time. And Lucy, if you can’t eat everything on your plate, don’t worry. When I was expecting my daughter, I didn’t have much of an appetite, so I won’t take it personally.”

  As they crossed the street, Lucy caught sight of Annabelle entering the general store with her son and mother. She figured she shouldn’t feel uncomfortable whenever she saw Annabelle, and being in a small town, she had more occasion than she cared to admit where she saw the other woman, whether it was on her way to the general store or at church. But she couldn’t help but remember that, at one time, Brian wanted to marry Annabelle.

  When Lucy followed Eliza and Addy into the store, she was glad to see the materials to make the quilt and baby clothes were on the other side of the store than where Annabelle stood.

  “Oh, look at this!” Eliza said as she ran over to the small display of toys. “A wooden train! Isn’t this perfect?”

  Addy laughed. “Let the baby grow into a child first.”

  “You’re right.” Eliza sighed as she picked it up and inspected it. “This is quality work. Who made this?”

  “Richie Steward.”

  “Little Richie?”

  “Richie’s not so little anymore. He’s seventeen now.”

  “Oh my goodness. Whenever did he grow up?”

  “The older you get, the quicker time passes,” Addy said with a shrug.

  “Isn’t that the truth?” Eliza agreed and looked at Lucy. “You just wait. You’ll be holding your baby one day and the next, your baby will be married. Cherish the time while you can.”

  Addy picked up several designs of fabric for the quilt and showed them to Lucy. “What do you think?”

  Lucy inspected the different colors. “I’d like to do pink and yellow, but it’s hard to do that if I don’t know whether I’m having a girl or a boy.”

  “What about neutral colors?” Addy sorted through the fabrics. “Here’s a dark blue one with moon and stars on it. It’s perfect for bedtime. Of course, that won’t help the baby sleep any. You’ll still be woken up in the middle of the night.”

  “I’ll be happy to help,” Eliza said. “I’ll watch the baby so you can rest up during the day.” She picked up the fabric with the sun and clouds on it. “What about this one? It’s nice and cheery.”

  “But it’ll just encourage the baby to stay up.”

  “Oh Addy, be sensible. The baby won’t be able to tell the difference between the moon and the sun.”

  “But the moon says night.”

  Amused by the conversation ensuing before her, Lucy chuckled and took both. “I’ll do day for one side and night for the other.”

  Addy looked at Eliza. “Now why didn’t we think of that?”

  “Because my daughter-in-law is smarter than us,” Eliza replied, grinning.

  “Do you have any sewing supplies?” Addy asked Lucy.

  “I have a small sewing kit,” Lucy said as she turned her attention to the shelf of supplies. “I could use some more things.”

  “I’ll get a basket,” Eliza replied as she headed off to do just that.

  Frank called out to Addy to help him in the back, so she excused herself. “I’ll be right back.”

  Lucy ran her hands along the other soft cloths, trying to decide which ones she’d like to use for the baby’s clothing. Behind her, someone called out Eliza’s name, so she glanced over her shoulder to see Daphne and Charity entering the general store with a few children in tow. She smiled as the children surrounded Eliza and seemed to fight over who got her attention. It seemed to Lucy that Eliza would make a wonderful grandmother. For a moment, she felt a sense of despair in knowing her own mother and father wouldn’t get to see their grandchild. Well, not as long as that grandchild came from her. They would see any children Phillip or Meredith had. She closed her eyes and fought the nagging sense of regret. She couldn’t go back. She couldn’t write. She couldn’t do anything. If only Meredith had been content to be who she was…

  Sighing, Lucy turned back to the cloths and decided to make one pink outfit. Maybe she’d have a boy, but she might have a girl next time. Given how quickly she got pregnant with Brian’s child, she had no reason to doubt they would have a large family. Surely, there would be a girl among one of their children. Then she chose a blue and green cloth for the boys they would have.

  She knelt down and examined the contents of the lower shelf. Her fingers brushed a rattle with a sun painted on it and she smiled. Well, considering the blanket would have a day theme on one side, she had to get this rattle. As she picked it up, a child ran over to the toy area next to her.

  She glanced up and saw Annabelle’s son who’d just turned three a week ago. He picked up some wooden blocks and started stacking them. Her gaze went to Annabelle and her mother who were asking Frank and Addy a question. When she looked back at the boy, he stared at her.

  “Hello,” she shyly greeted.

  Though she would soon be having a child, she had no idea how to relate to one, not like Eliza who was chatting with the other children as if she’d done it all of her life.

  The boy studied her with unbridled interest, something which made her uneasy so she continued to speak.

  “I’m Mrs. Evans. You’re Charlie Carter, correct?”

  He nodded and turned back to the blocks.

  Figuring that was the end of it, she placed the rattle on the materials she’d selected.

  “You marry blind man,” he said.

  She glanced at him and nodded. “Yes, I did.”

  “Ma says she sorry for you.”

  Furrowing her eyebrows, she pressed, “Oh?”

  “No decent man marry you.”

  Her smile faltered. Is that what Annabelle told her son? She wasn’t sure exactly what made Annabelle say that so her child would repeat it, and for a moment, she couldn’t decide on the proper course of action. The comment seemed to be a double insult, one directed at her and another directed at Brian.

  Considering other men didn’t want to marry her for fear of having to raise an illegitimate child, she wasn’t overly surprised Annabelle thought what she did about her, but considering Brian’s gentleness and how he once cared very much for Annabelle, the notion Annabelle thought so little of him made her flush with anger. Just how great was Tom, the man Annabelle chose to marry? Lucy’d seen Tom and wasn’t overly impressed with the potbellied scruffy man who didn’t appear to know what a washtub was for.

  The boy stacked another block and added, “I like blocks.”

  “Uh…” Lucy stood and smoothed the cloth in her arms. “Yes. Blocks are nice.”

  Annabelle ran over to her son and offered an apologetic smile in Lucy’s direction. “Charlie, honey, let’s not bother other people, alright? Now, put those blocks down and go to your grandmother.” Once Charlie headed off, Annabelle let out an uneasy laugh. “Children have a habit of running all over the place and talking to everyone. I’m sorry. I hope he didn’t bother you.”

  “No, he didn’t,” Lucy said, trying to decide how to word what she wanted to say. Finally, she hugged the woman. “Thank you.”

  Annabelle tentatively hugged her back and quickly pulled away. “All I did was tell my son to leave you alone.”

  “No. I meant thank you for marrying Tom instead of Brian. I’m a fortunate woman to be Brian’s wife. I can’t think of a m
ore giving and caring man.”

  Annabelle appeared uncertain as to what to say but managed a bewildered, “You’re welcome” before she offered an obligatory smile and rushed to her mother.

  Feeling better for at least catching the woman off guard, Lucy went back to the shelves and gathered everything else she needed. Just as she got done, Eliza came up to her with a basket.

  “Sorry I was delayed,” Eliza said.

  “I didn’t mind,” Lucy replied and placed her items into the basket. “I decided to pick one pink cloth for a dress. Even if I don’t have a girl this time, I might next time.”

  Eliza clapped her hands together. “I know more than one child is a lot of work. Well, I suppose even one can be. But I can’t remember a time when I’ve been more excited. I was an only child, and Brian was the only child John and I had. It’ll be nice to have more than one child on the property. I’d like to hear lots of laughter.”

  Lucy picked up the basket, glad to see Annabelle had left with her mother and child. “I’d like to hear that too,” she told Eliza, and the two women went to the counter to make their purchase.

  Chapter Fourteen

  September came and Lucy was surprised by how hard it was to see Brian leave for Sioux Falls with John. She knew he’d be back in a week, but she couldn’t recall a time when a week seemed like such a long time. John had hired additional men to help haul the furniture to the nearest train station, and before Brian left, she made sure to give him a hug and kiss good-bye.

  As John and Brian slipped out of sight, Eliza put her arm around her shoulders and sighed. “We’ll have to make a couple of trips into town this week to make time pass faster.”

  Lucy nodded, fighting the urge to cry. She had no reason to cry. Not really. It wasn’t like Brian wasn’t coming back. And it was just a week.