“It wasn’t your fault.”
Mack’s words drew her gaze to him, seeking out if he truly meant what he was saying.
“It’s true. I think you blame yourself for his actions. He left you and that was his wrong choice. Not yours.”
Mack’s words acted like a balm on her heart. This whole time she’d been angry—at Ronald, at her situation, at the world—and it had come out in anger against Mack, but now she could see that he didn’t deserve any of it. He was kind, generous, and understanding, likely to a fault.
“I don’t know how you can say that.” She looked down.
“You think that it was your fault, somehow. It’s not. Yes, you lied to me and I don’t like that fact, but I can also see the circumstances that led you to make that choice. And I—” he swallowed then drilled his gaze into hers, “I forgive you.”
She filled with warmth at his words. She didn't deserve his forgiveness and yet he was bestowing it on her. “Thank you.”
“Effie, I don’t just want you to live here with me. I don’t want us to be at odds like this—to fight and bicker and argue. I want us to discover what it’s like to be a family.” He looked at her abdomen before his eyes flickered back to hers. “I want to be a father to your child. If you’ll let me.”
Her heart leapt in joy. This was what she wanted. Granted, Mack was nothing that she’d expected nor would she have picked him out of a crowd in Boston, but his patience and calm demeanor drew her to him. When he’d almost kissed her—before she passed out, likely from lack of breathing—she’d wanted to experience his lips on hers. She had wanted to be close to him.
“I want that too,” she finally said.
“Really?” he asked.
Effie looked away, not wanting to be swayed by the look in his eyes or the feelings jumbling inside of her because of his nearness. She knew it would take time. They wouldn't become close overnight nor would they understand each other right off either, but she felt certain they could come to an understanding. That they could learn to maybe even love one another someday. That thought caused her to smile and she looked up at him.
“Yes. Really. I want us to be a family.”
***
Mack felt a surge of joy course though him. She wanted what he did—they just went about it in different ways. But the fact that she wanted to try was the important thing. It gave him hope and calmed some of the nerves at the thought of being a father to a child he hadn’t known existed. Together, if they both fought for the same things, they could accomplish much.
“Good,” he finally said, stepping closer. On impulse he reached out and took her hands in his. They were delicate and soft, smooth without the wear and tear of everyday use for difficult tasks. They were different in every way from his.
He looked into her eyes and saw openness in her. It was beautiful and drew him toward her. He wanted to be close to her.
“Mack,” she said, her voice almost a whisper. “I’m scared.”
He frowned. “About what? Me?”
“No,” she said, laughing, “About being a mother.”
“Well good.” His words drew a sharp look from her. “I'm scared about being a father. We can learn to be parents together.”
“But first, let’s learn to be friends.”
Her words surprised him but he nodded slowly. “I think that’s a good idea.”
“You do?”
“Yes.” He lifted one of her hands up and kissed the knuckles. “I know we’re as different as night and day. I’ve grown up in the West. You in the East. And we are trying to merge together a lot of thoughts, feelings, and emotions, but I want you to know right off the bat that I'm determined to do my best by you,” he paused, “And the little one.”
“I am sorry,” she said. Her voice was even softer this time. Filled with regret. He knew she was saying sorry not for just deceiving him but for everything—for how she had acted up until this point, for the anger she had sent his way, for it all.
“All is forgiven,” he said, then leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.
He wanted to press his lips to hers, but he would wait. They were a long way from being comfortable with one another. Sure, they might get along now that the lies were out in the open and nothing else would be in the way, but it would take time before they fully trusted one another.
“And we can look at it this way,” he added, “God has brought us together for a purpose.”
She smiled, nodding her agreement.
Then, standing next to his wife pregnant with what he would claim as his child, he thanked the Lord for His gracious provision. It wasn’t what he’d expected, but as Pastor Tobias had said, God had greater reasons than he, a mere man, could ever fathom.
Chapter 6
Several months later
The pain came sharp and intense, shocking Effie. Her hand flew to her stomach as she stood at the stove mixing up hotcake batter for breakfast. Mack was out at the barn doing chores as she got ready for the day. It was a routine they had slipped into and she like the familiarity of it. The comfort of knowing how things would go each morning.
She was still shy around him, but the months had taken away the fear and the difficulty of not knowing one another. Each and every day Mack proved to be kinder, more gracious, and more loving that any man Effie had ever known. In comparison to Ronald…well, she couldn’t compare the two because there was almost nothing similar about the men. Where Ronald had sought out what he wanted, Mack was more concerned with what she wanted.
Doubling over in pain again, she let out a cry. The baby was coming and she wasn’t ready. Or maybe she was, but it was hard to know. She felt confident that Mack would be a good father, but would she be a good mother?
The door flew open and Mack stood there looking shocked. “Effie, what’s wrong?”
“The…baby—” she managed.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s coming!” she shouted out the last part as another contraction clenched her midsection.
“I’ll send Hank for the doctor.” And he was gone.
Part of her wished he hadn’t left, but there was nothing she could do, at least not immediately. Instead of sitting down and waiting for the pain to come she continued what she was doing. She felt foolish, but when she was cooking or cleaning or doing anything other than waiting for the excruciating pain, her mind was kept busy.
Mack came back in soon and tried to get her to sit down but she wouldn’t listen. He stood, watching her, wringing his hands, and jumping to her side when the pains came, but then stepping back to let her be until she called for him again.
It all flew by in a blur once the doctor showed up, his calm and confident manner making her feel assured. He sent Hank out to pump more water and they got down to the business of having a baby.
***
Mack paced back and forth, the reality that his child was coming into the world sending jolts of excitement and terror though him in equal parts. It was amazing that, over the last several months, he had started to think of the child as his own.
It didn’t matter that the father was someone else. It only mattered that he would love the baby as if it was his own and he would always think of the child as his. A scream came from inside and he ran a shaky hand through his hair. It felt like ages since Effie had gone into labor. Just how long would this take?
In answer to his unspoken question the door flew open and the doctor motioned him inside, a grin on his face.
“Congratulations.” His kind eyes sparkled up at Mack. “It’s a boy.”
Mack’s entire body felt like it was on fire from exhaustion and excitement. A son? He had a son!
He rushed to the back of the small home to see Effie propped up on pillows, a small bundled held in her arms. She looked up at him and, when their eyes met, he saw genuine happiness written there.
“It’s a boy,” she said. She sounded tired, but happy. He couldn’t imagine the pain she’d gone through, but h
e was just happy to see her healthy and hear that their baby was all right too. “Come and see him.”
Carefully, almost tiptoeing up in case he would wake the child up, he came forward and sat down on the bed next to her. She lowered her arms and the wrinkly head of the small baby came into view. His little eyes scrunched up then relaxed as if he’d struggled against unseen forces and then won the battle.
“He’s beautiful,” Mack said, feeling the moisture of tears in his eyes.
“He is isn’t he?” Effie said.
One glance told Mack that she was just as enamored with the child as he was—probably more so.
“How are you?” he asked.
Her eyes met his. “Tired. But all right.”
They held each other’s gaze for longer than necessary and he felt the pressure of words he needed to say. Things he had wanted to say for months now but that he’d held back. He hadn’t wanted her to think he was just saying them because he had to. But now was the perfect time, their son in her arms between them.
“Effie,” he began, swallowing with the force of the emotions he was feeling, “I have to tell you something, and you need to know that I mean it with all of my heart.”
“All right,” she said, a small smile lifting the corner of her mouth.
Before he spoke, he reached up and tucked a stray curl of hair behind her ear. She was exhausted, pale, and her hair still held the remnants of sweat, but to him she was beautiful.
“I want you to know that, no matter what, I will always love our son and,” he paused, making sure she could see the truth in his eyes, “And I love you. Very much.”
Now she had tears in her eyes, but they were from joy, that much he could tell. This time she wasn’t going to run off in a torrent of emotions, she was going to sit there in front of him and let him see all of her.
“I love you too, Mack.” She cupped his face with her hand. “You have been so kind to me—to us—and I can never repay you. I know I don’t need to. I hope that my love can be enough.”
“It is more than enough. It’s all that I want.”
Then he leaned forward, careful not to crush their son between them, and he kissed her with passion, showing her he meant everything he’d said and so much more.
When they broke apart she was ginning. “There’s one very important thing left for you to do.”
“What’s that?” he asked with a frown.
“Name your son.”
He felt the weight of responsibility at her words but knew it was an honor she wanted to give him. To show him her trust and the fact that they truly were a family.
Looking down at the little on in her arms he thought back to how God had provided for them. Then it came to him and he knew exactly what he would name the boy.
“Let’s call him Nathan. It means ‘gift of God’ and I think that is exactly what he is.”
She smiled, the tiredness momentarily gone from her features as she nodded in agreement with him.
“It’s perfect.”
Mack shifted on the bed so he was sitting next to her and could warp his arm around his wife as she held their son. And they rested there, Mack thanking the Lord for his provision and of a family that he could not only provide for, but love as well.
THE END.
Unwilling Father
Mail Order Bride
CHRISTIAN MICHAEL
Chapter 1
New York
“You get us the money, or else.”
Shona O’Malley leaned as far back as she could from the ugly, smelly man who had her arm in a viselike grip.
“Let go of me you oaf.” She tried to struggle away but he pulled her closer.
“One month’s time or I come for you and your children. Ya hear me?”
Her children? Was this man insane?
“I’ve got no children, you fool. Let me go.”
He squeezed harder, staring her down then released her with a shove to match. She went stepping backward, nearly falling but catching herself just in time. The man turned and stalked off but Shona stood still in shock. Who did he think she was? She had no children and she owed no one money but—
Reality crashed in upon her like a wave upon the shore. He thought she was Shannon. Her sister, who looked almost like her twin, had indebted herself to save her children more times than Shona could count on one hand. That had to be it. But that meant…
Shannon had moved away not but two weeks before. She’d married some man who had a house in the country and could take her away from it all. And now Shona was in danger of being harmed for debuts she hadn’t incurred.
Feeling sick she placed her hand on her stomach. The feeling soon turned to anger, as it usually did. How dare Shannon leave without telling her of the possibility of this? What was worse was that the man had caught Shona leaving the house where she worked. He obviously knew her habits to have found her there. Did that mean he knew where she lived as well?
Nell walked out from the side of the house and Shona had an idea. “Nell?”
The woman looked startled to hear her name but quickly joined Shona in the shadows of the alley. “What is it, dear?”
“I know this is a lot to ask, you’ve got a family of your own, but could I stay with you for tonight?”
“What’s wrong?” Nell’s brows drew together and Shona knew she could see how shaken she was. “You’re as pale as a Mrs. Grey’s fancy, white cotton sheets.”
“I just…there was a man…” she couldn’t bring herself to shame her sisters name. “He may know where I live.”
“Come home with me, dear,” she said, wrapping a warm arm around Shona’s shoulder. “You’ll have to sleep on the couch though.”
“’Tis fine,” she said and fell into step easily with the woman.
The feeling of dread didn’t leave though. The man knew where she worked, likely knew where she lived, and would be back. He’d given her a month. How could she escape in a month?
Her mind flew to what her sister had done. She’d gotten married. Maybe that was the answer? Shona bit her lip as they crossed a busy street. She’d seen the mail order bride advertisements many times but hadn’t found the courage—or the need—to publish her own. Until now.
***
Golden Hills, Nevada
Calvin Wilkes ground his teeth as he watched yet another governess leave, her back ramrod straight indicating just how much she would miss her position. Not at all.
“Levi!” his tone left no room for argument and his son stepped warily around the corner.
“What did you do to poor Miss Sneed?”
“Nothing, honest.” His bright blue eyes looked upward in what the boy hoped was an innocent look, but Calvin knew better.
“Was it frogs or worms?”
Levi dropped his gaze. “Frogs.”
Calvin let out a defeated sigh. “Son, what have I told you about your pranks! Ladies do not find them humorous. What will I do with you? Go to your room.”
The boy turned, his little shoulders slanted in penance, and trudged up the stairs. Calvin felt a twinge of regret for his harshness but then he remembered that his son had effectively pushed away not one, not two, but five governesses in the span of six months. Calvin had lost count of how many had left before that, but it had been nearly a constant turnover the past two years since his wife’s death.
Calvin ran a hand through his hair, at a loss of what to do next. His housekeeper had suggested marrying again, as if he could somehow just up and pick a wife out of thin air, but that type of commitment was possibly the only thing that would guarantee someone would stay despite Levi’s little-boy affinity for reptiles, rodents, and bugs.
He paced the hallway then stopped short.
Maybe that was it. If he brought a woman from the East out to the West, wouldn’t she feel obligated to stay? He wouldn’t necessarily have to marry her, just hire her to take care of his son. It seemed like a reasonable assumption. Though it would mean bringing someone out on
false pretenses, but if he chose someone with few other options, maybe it would be worth it to them. Besides, it would almost be less expensive bringing out a woman from the East knowing that she would stay longer than a month. His time was precious and he needed every ounce of it to run his ranch successfully.
Calvin nodded, his mind made up.
Walking into the kitchen he asked if Mrs. Otero, the housekeeper, would watch out for Levi while Calvin ran into town. She frowned at him, one hand stirring the soup on the stove and the other resting on her hip. “Will that child behave?”
He cringed, but assured her that he would make sure. Levi usually did fine with the housekeeper, it was only when Calvin announced a new governess that the child acted crazily.
After a stern lecture to his son and the promise they would talk more later, Calvin rode into town and straight to the general store that also acted as the post office for the town. He picked up the matrimonial journal and, as soon as he was outside, sat on a beach beneath a tree and began to thumb through, stopping to read every few entries.
Then he came across an entry he thought might just work. It was for a Miss Shona O’Malley. She had housekeeping skills and mentioned that she was good with children. It almost sounded like an advertisement he would look at to hire a governess.
He would write to her that night and have it in the post by the morning. The question remained: should he mention that it was for a governess position or for marriage? Which was she most likely to respond to? He needed her to come as quickly as possible…
Pushing the decision off, he climbed back on his horse and set off for home. When he sat down to write the letter he’d make the decision. He was sure it would come to him then. Now, the most pressing thing was figuring out what to do with his son until he could get this new governess here.
[2016] My True Love Page 52
