by Lynn Wolfe
“Let me see, Oh I remember what I wanted to say next, Andrew, Matilda, I think you might like to know, contrary to what your father thought, that Lightning and Star are behind the barn in the small corral. This is my gift to you for being such wonderful children, who I love very much.”
Andrew couldn’t wait any longer. He jumped up and ran to Mary. He cried and thanked her over and over. Little Matilda was right behind trying to push her way in between them. She cried tears of joy and couldn’t even speak.
Mary leaned down and hugged them tightly. “Since you’re through with dinner, I think this would be a fine time to go see how your animals are doing. They’ve missed you. But, Tad and Cynthia have taken wonderful care of them. They’ll take you to see them.”
Andrew and Matilda were out of the dining room before anyone could tell them congratulations on their wonderful gifts. And Andrew and Matilda were not the only ones who shed some tears over Mary’s news.
“Miss Mary, Lizzie and I will tag along and keep an eye on things,” Taylor offered.
“Thank you, Taylor.” Mary glanced down at James. She saw the tears in his eyes. But she also saw his jaw was clenched. Was that to control his emotions of happiness or anger? She couldn’t tell. She decided it would be best to continue.
“James, I knew you’d never accept any help because of your pride. Pride can be a good thing. But too much pride can be harmful, to you and to those who love you. My thought of buying your plantation was that Thomas and Anna might consider changing their living quarters to overseer our second plantation. The details of this offer can be worked out at a later time.”
Thomas, who had been trying to take in everything Mary was confessing, shook his head in disbelief. “Mary, I don’t know what to say,” he muttered.
“You can thank me later once we see how things work out.” Mary said, with a wink. She was pleased she could do something for Thomas and Anna.
James was trying to put his thoughts in order. He pulled Mary down to her seat as he stood to take his turn to address the remaining people at the table. The room became instantly quiet the minute he stood. He saw the look of concern on everyone’s face but Edwards. Edward was sitting quite comfortably in his chair just smiling at him. James smiled back and nodded to Edward, but he wanted to wipe that smile off of Edward’s face. Yet, deep down, he knew everything Mary and Edward had done was out of love for him, his children and his parents.
“As much as I’d like to throttle my wife, your daughter, Edward, I’m too overwhelmed at the moment by her wonderful generosity. I’m very grateful and thankful to have someone like her in my life.
“However, in the future, let it be known to all who are seated here tonight, that I’ll certainly take notice every time I see my wife and her father speaking alone in the future.”
Everyone broke out in applause and laughter as Mary came to tears knowing James had accepted, rather graciously, what she and Edward had done.
Once things got quiet, James continued. “I take it, Mary, that you’ll allow me to have some say on the plantation business?”
Everyone again laughed. Mary noticed the whole room was now in a festive mood and drinks were flowing.
James grabbed Mary’s hand and kissed it. “Mary, I hope you’re done with your surprises and secrets.”
Mary smiled and whispered so only James could hear, “I’ve one more secret, but that will be for later, when we’re alone.”
James was puzzled. What on earth could Mary be keeping from him, after all of this. But he knew it would do him no good to press her. One thing he’d found out about his new wife, she had a stubborn streak and could be very determined about having things her way.
“Mary, I’m assuming, by the size of this house, that we have more than one bedroom?” Again, laughter erupted and continued for some time.
Mary was glad and relieved to see James teasing her. “Why, James, there are six bedrooms upstairs, plus Agnes has her bedroom downstairs. You must be made aware; I’ve invited everyone to spend the night, that is, if you don’t object.
James shook his head and laughed, for he knew it wouldn’t do any good, even if he had.
It was now Clayton who wanted to speak. “How did Lightning and Star get to Washington? That’s the question I want answered, Annabelle and I were the last to leave the plantation the day of the auction. Edward, you left right before us. Thomas was to look after the animals until the new owner arrived. I noticed, tonight, that Thomas was as surprised as the rest of us that the colt and pony were here.”
“I can answer that,” Edward offered. “I waited until you and Annabelle was out of sight, then I returned to bring Lightning and Star to Washington. I’d told Thomas; right after the auction, that I was moving the animals to his neighbor’s who lived to the south of him. I explained they had offered to watch them until the new owner moved in. That way, Thomas didn’t have to go twice a day to take care of them. I was counting on Thomas being too busy to check on them.”
“Edward, you do know that no one in this room will trust you again, don’t you?” Clayton teasingly asked.
“Sometimes, you have to do things one wouldn’t normally do, to help out a friend.” Edward responded, looking at James.
Mary smiled. Everything was going perfectly. “Minnie, I hope you understand that you’ll be staying the night with us,” Mary chimed in, trying to change the topic. “I’ve so much I wish to tell you.”
“Miss Mary,” Agnes answered before Minnie could, “I have her room taken care of. Minnie and I’ve become fast friends since you’ve been gone. She’s spent much of her time here, with your father.”
Mary and Thomas both glanced at Edward, who appeared as if nothing unusual had been said.
“I see,” Mary remarked, as she smiled at Minnie. She couldn’t help but think, how perfect it would be, if Minnie and her father ended up together. Mary would have to see what she could do about that.
Chapter Ninety-Six
After the dinner dishes were done, Mary gave James a tour of the house as everyone else headed for the Veranda to watch the children play in the yard. James was not only amazed at the size of the rooms and attic, but noticed the attic floor was made with oak. He wondered if it was to have been a ballroom at one time. He loved the widow’s walk and the view of the land he and Mary now shared, for it was breathtaking.
James pulled Mary to him. “Mary, I love you so very much. You’ve made me happier than I thought possible. You could have had any man you wanted, but you chose me.”
“James, you are the only man I ever loved. No one could have ever replaced you in my heart.”
They lingered there and stole some passionate kisses before heading outside to get a glimpse of the barn and the outbuildings. Edward had promised to take James a tour of the property in the morning. He shared with James, in detail, his part of the plot regarding the auction.
James assured Edward that all was forgiven and he was very happy to be his son-in-law. James knew deep down, Edward and Mary had no choice but to go behind his back if their plan was to be successful. For the first time ever, James was glad someone had betrayed him.
Epilogue
The night finally came to a close with everyone exhausted from an evening full of love and sharing not to mention their day of travels. Mary and James were glad to be alone as they snuggled close. They knew how fortunate they were to have a second chance.
“Mary, what did your father have to say about his relationship with Minnie? I think even you were surprised at that bit of news.”
“He tried to be evasive, but I gather they may have deep feelings toward one another. Wouldn’t it be great if they married?”
“Mary, I suggest you worry about you and me. Let’s allow Edward to take care of his own life.
“Now, my lovely wife, I want to change the subject. What about your money? I know the exact amount you spent at the auction since I was the recipient. Are you sure you’ve managed to account for everything a
nd that you haven’t overspent your funds in your concern for my state of affairs? It takes a lot of money to run a plantation, let alone two.”
“Well, as you know, it did take a considerable sum, James. But Nettie left me a substantial amount. In fact, there’s enough to last our lifetime. And I’d like to make sure Andrew and Matilda learn the horse breeding business. So, if they wish to continue to be on our plantation, they’ll have the capability to do so. We have enough land to easily accommodate them.”
James thought about how much money Mary had spent in total. He hoped she was accurate in her handling of the funds.
“I would like to go over the ledgers tomorrow. I think it’s a wonderful idea to teach Andrew and Matilda about running a plantation when they’re old enough.” James murmured, as he blew out the lamp.
Then something just occurred to him! “Mary, you said you were keeping one more secret. Tell me the last secret, so we’ve nothing else hidden between us. And let it be that way from now on, no secrets!”
James could feel Mary’s body shaking with laughter. “Mary, you’d better be quick and tell me! I think I’ve waited long enough.”
“Oh James, I’ve saved the best part of my inheritance, till now. Since you’ve accepted everything I’ve told you with such grace, this should be seen as the topping on the cake. The only other people who share in this secret are father and Agnes.
“After Nettie passed, Agnes and I found some unopened chests upstairs. To our amazement, one of the chests was full of old gold coins and the other full of beautiful jewelry, the likes I’d never seen. I believe it came from a pirate’s ship. In truth, Agnes and I believe Jackson Powell, was a pirate!”
“Mary, please don’t tease me. What’s your secret? I hardly think your friend, Nettie, could have been married to a pirate.”
“James, I swear, I told you the truth!” Mary exclaimed after she turned to face him. “Father took care of exchanging the gold coins to currency. Then I asked him to help me choose a few pieces to keep. He sold the remainder of the jewelry a little at a time, so no one became suspicious about where it came from.
It was with that money, James; I was able to purchase what I did at the auction. We may very well be the wealthiest couple in Maryland. Although, my lawyer informed me it would be close between father and I, who might be the wealthiest.”
“I don’t know what to say. What an incredulous story. Mary, how can I ever thank you for all you’ve done. I don’t deserve you.”
“James, I feared you might feel obligated to me, but please, do not feel that way. Although, there is something I want.”
“Mary, for the life of me, I can’t imagine after everything you’ve told me this night, you could want or need of anything. But whatever it is, I swear, I’ll do my best to get it.”
Mary laughed lovingly. “James, you’re right when you say I don’t need anything. But I do want something, James; I want to have a baby, our baby. I was hoping you might feel the same.
She was praying James might want another child, but they’d never discussed that possibility. She kept waiting for him to answer, wondering if he’d want another child, after all he’d been through
“I can’t think of anything I could want more than to have a child with you. Do we have to stop at one?” James teasingly whispered, as he kissed her neck
“Oh, James, we can have as many as I’m able to carry,” Mary told him, through tears.
“Mary Parker, I predict nine months from now, you’ll be giving Andrew and Matilda a little brother or sister,” James whispered in her ear, as he thought of how much he was going to enjoy making her wish come true.
The End
About the Author
Dear Readers, I consider myself a storyteller. I love to read a book that contains romance with an element of suspense and I like the story to flow quickly. A story that contains many characters and plots, one you can read on a rainy day or when you’re curled up next to a soft, glowing fire. I hope my stories take you to a different time and place where you can put your worries aside.
For years, I’ve wanted to write novels. Then one day, I started a story and shared my first few chapters with my daughter. She’d asked to read the rest of the story––well, that was a problem, since the remainder of the story was in my head. Once I finished writing the first story, with my daughter’s encouragement, I agreed to have it E-published. Then, I decided it was time to share the other novels I have written.
I’m currently editing two other Historical Romance/Suspense stories for E-publication and writing a new Historical Romance/Suspense novel.
My husband and I love spending time with our grandchildren. We grew up in northwest Ohio and recently moved to central Ohio, where we enjoy the rolling hills and the opportunity to explore the numerous attractions around us.
I’ve been a member of Romance Writers of America for several years.
I’d love to hear from you! You can contact me at www.lynnwolfebooks.com.
Lynn Wolfe
