[2016] The Precious Amish Baby
Page 49
“Are you feeling tired, or would you like to have a nightcap in the library or drawing room?”
She pulled in a deep breath, swallowing the last of her sandwich. “I would love to see your library. I saw many books when I was coming in. I would like to explore what you have.”
“You would be surprised by the titles I have in there.” Teddy stood up, then reached over and picked up the baby basket. She pressed her lips together and grinned affectionately. He was quite a man.
“It must have taken you years to collect so many,” she said, as they walked out and into the main hallway that led back to the foyer and the library.
He nodded. “It certainly did. I began to collect them, oh, I’d say about fifteen years ago.”
“How long have you lived in this house?”
“About twenty years. You are very young, aren’t you?”
“I am nineteen.”
“I am a lot older than that,” he laughed.
“I don’t mind,” she replied, trying not to sound as shy as she knew she did.
He gave her a big smile. “I’m glad to hear that. You had a nice upbringing with your Amish family? I assume you have a lot of brothers and sisters?”
“I just had my one sister, Deborah, Andrew’s mother. I also have three brothers, one who is younger and the other two older. I have several nieces and nephews from my older brothers.”
“Did you live in a large community?”
“Yes. There were quite a few people at our services. We had to build big barns to have our Sunday services and any other gatherings!”
They both laughed at that.
They entered the library and Teddy stopped, letting her walk around the room, gazing at the various books on the shelves. She named off a few with surprise in her voice. “You have a huge variety here!” she exclaimed in delight.
“You can come in here and read any of them as often as you like,” Teddy said. He set the baby down on the floor next to a red velvet sofa and sat down to watch her. “So you are here to search for your brother-in-law?”
Elisabeth had pulled one of the books from the shelf and was flipping through the pages. It was a compilation of three Shakespeare plays. Her eyes devoured the words the way she had devoured the food she’d been given earlier. She tore her eyes from the pages to look at him. “Yes.”
“Do you think you will find him?”
“I don’t know.”
“I will help you,” he said. “As long as you are not trying to find him so that you can leave with him and go back to your home.” He said the words lightheartedly, but she could tell that he was at least half-serious. His eyes were gentle and longing. She had never been looked at that way, but she could tell what it was right away. Her heart skipped a beat and she prayed she wasn’t blushing to the roots of her blond hair.
“I had no plans of what I would do once I found him. I really only thought that it would be improper for me not to find him and let him know about Andrew.” She pushed the book back into its slot and came to sit next to Teddy on the sofa. “To be honest with you, Teddy, when Stephen left so close to Deborah having her baby, I just didn’t think it was the right thing to do. I wanted him to stay with her, to see his little child. He…he chose money over the welfare of his wife and baby. I didn’t like that.”
“Yet you are anxious to find him to reunite him with the child?”
She nodded. “It’s not about how I feel about Stephen and his actions. It’s about reuniting the boy with his father. He has the right to be raised with his father and to know him. Stephen has that same right, even if I think he made a bad decision.”
Teddy sighed. “You are a very loving woman.”
“I try to do what’s right.”
“So wise for such a young age.”
“I just feel like it’s about what’s best for Andrew. And when I find Stephen, or if I do, I will decide then, based on his reaction, what is further best for Andrew.”
“Do you expect him to be…welcoming of you and the child?”
“In my mind, he has to know that the baby has been born. It is past my sister’s due date. He knew when the child was to arrive and he still wasn’t back. He wasn’t back in the days after Andrew was born. I hope that I did not cross paths with him as he was going back to Virginia. But somehow I just don’t think that happened. I doubt it very seriously, to tell you the truth.”
“You don’t have an address for him?”
“I only know that he came out here to California.”
“How long has he been here? Do you know where to look for him?”
“I am going to…I would like to go to town in the morning and ask around. He was here about three weeks ago.”
“Really? Here?”
She smiled. “Yes. That’s why I got on a train and came here. I didn’t come here at the agency’s calling, remember?”
He laughed. “That’s right. You didn’t. You know that means that I don’t even know you. You are not the young lady I was writing to and who wrote to me.”
She shook her head. “I’m not, that’s true. But you can ask me anything you like and I will answer you truthfully.”
“Of that I have no doubt.” Once again he showed her his gorgeous smile. “I am glad that the other lady didn’t show up. She was older than you but, since you don’t seem to mind the age difference, I think we will get along just fine.”
“I have lived quite a sheltered life with my Amish family, Teddy. I don’t have much to tell about myself.”
“You are strong-willed and determined, I can see that already. You are loving and kind and willing to care for a tiny baby who isn’t yours. That speaks a lot about your character.”
She blushed. “Thank you.”
“I like to call it like I see it, young lady. And I’m very glad you are here. You must be getting tired after your long ride, though. Let me show you to your room. In the morning, I will have Andrew’s room set up in an adjoining room to yours. Tonight he can sleep in your room with you, if you like.”
“That would be lovely, thank you.”
“I take it you brought all of his furniture and anything you wanted to keep for yourself?”
“I had no furniture of my own and did not take anything of my sister’s. I only have my clothes and personal items.
“The rooms are furnished, of course. I will have the baby’s room cleared of the furniture that he will not need. We can go into town in the morning and purchase any items that you want for him. We will also put out a call for your brother-in-law. What was his name again?”
“Stephen Baker.”
“Yes. Stephen Baker.” Teddy looked thoughtful. “I wonder if I met him while he was in town. I truly don’t remember meeting a Stephen. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t. I meet a lot of people.”
“Do you live off your wealth? Or do you work at a job?”
Teddy licked his lips, then stood up and leaned to pick up the baby basket. “Mustn’t forget the little guy,” he said. He looked at her, holding his arm out crooked at the elbow so that she could slide her hand into it. She did, biting her bottom lip and smiling. “I don’t have what you might call a ‘job’. But I do take care of the people in town, help them when they need repairs and things like that. And I know everyone, all of the residents. It is a fast-growing town, many say because of my influence. I don’t disagree with that. I want to see the people thriving there.”
“You would make a good president.”
“You mean of the country?” He laughed. “That job sounds much too hard, with way too many people involved. I am not sure I could stretch myself that far. I do have my limits, after all.”
“You don’t seem to.”
“Well, thank you, dear lady. Now, let’s get you two to bed for the night.”
As they walked out, Elisabeth’s heart was lighter than air. She already knew how she felt about this man she had met only hours ago. It was love at first sight.
Chapter Nine
“You will have a city going on before you know it,” Elisabeth said, gazing at the store fronts as they passed them by.
“Yes, you are correct about that.”
“How will you maintain your wealth if you continue to help these people?”
“I have my money invested in many businesses as well. I have stocks and bonds and other things that continue to generate money for me. In addition, the three gold mines are still providing for me on a daily basis.”
“Oh my, that is really something!” Elisabeth said.
“I know. I’m very proud of it. I really feel that if the earth is going to make me rich, I’m going to spread that wealth around to others who might need it.”
Elisabeth was proud for him. She felt blessed that she had landed in such a great opportunity to help others.
“What would you like to do first?” he asked.
She thought about it for a moment. “You know, I’m really not sure. I…I guess I hadn’t thought it through very well.”
“I’ll tell you what. First thing, we’ll go to the post office. They have paper and pencils there. You can send a letter to your family telling them that you’ve arrived safely, or you can send a telegram if you wish.”
“What a wonderful idea!” She could write to Rosie. That would be perfect. “I won’t send a telegram. I’m not sure they would be very receptive to that. You see, I didn’t really tell them that I was leaving.”
He raised his eyebrows. “You didn’t? Well, here I thought I knew you better than that. After all, I met you yesterday, I should know everything about you by now.” They laughed. “Is it because of being Amish?”
“Yes.” Elisabeth nodded. “They were very harsh on my sister, Deborah. She was shunned over a year ago for marrying a man from town and moving out of the community. My parents were heartbroken that she would choose a life outside our community. They refused to speak to her.”
“But you never gave up, did you?”
She shook her head. “I never did. I missed my only sister. I visited her without their knowledge.”
“Oh, I bet they wouldn’t have liked that.”
“No. They never found out. I don’t know if they’ve found out now.”
“If you left without their knowledge, surely they would be looking for you.”
“I don’t know if they would or not. I would like to think that they would be worried about me. But I don’t know what course of action they would take. They will probably have asked my best friend, Rosie, about it. She had gone with me several times to visit Deb. I don’t know if she would have told them or not. If she did, they will not be as quick to look for me. Also, they may have assumed that I chose to leave the community like my sister did. I do not think they would try to come find me in that instance.”
He shook his head. “I don’t understand it all but I will not say anything disrespectful about your family. It is the life they have chosen. I do have to say that I am glad you made the decision you made. I would not have met you otherwise.”
“I am glad, too, Teddy.”
They smiled at each other.
When they got to the post office, he came into the building with her, carrying the baby basket with him. He greeted several of the people in the office. Elisabeth noticed that many of the people they passed would wave to Teddy, giving her friendly looks on the side. She noticed only one or two looks from women who didn’t look at her as pleasantly as the others. She didn’t mind. She was used to being looked at strangely because, until she had arrived in California and begun wearing dresses like the townswomen wore, she had dressed in the Amish style of dress, apron, tall boots and black bonnet over her prayer kapp.
She wrote a quick letter to Rosie and slid it into an envelope. She jotted down the address from memory, but didn’t put a return address on it. When she knew what it was, she would let Rosie know so that she could write back. She did want to hear back from her. But for now, she would be satisfied that Rosie would know she was safe and, for once in her life, happy.
For their remaining time in town, Elisabeth followed Teddy around as he introduced her to various people. She met the men working in the bank, the local doctors and some of the most prominent townspeople. Teddy told her that it wasn’t that they were prominent because they had money or wealth. They were prominent because they were liked and respected. The mayor, Alfred Cox, was one of those people and invited them all for lunch that afternoon in his restaurant.
It was a long and satisfying day for her. She was able to spread the word about Stephen and ask if anyone knew of him. During their lunch with the mayor, she overheard several of the men questioning Teddy about the situation. He tried to be respectful but she could tell that it irritated him to have to keep explaining what was going on.
She wished that she could claim Andrew as her own and not bother with finding Stephen. But she was torn between what she felt was her duty, and her growing love for Andrew and the man who would be her husband. It felt right to have a family atmosphere, even though they were not a true family.
On the way back to the ranch, Teddy was still a bit annoyed. It came through in his voice when he spoke to her.
“I am sorry that you didn’t get any leads to finding Stephen,” he said. She thought it didn’t sound like he was sorry, but she didn’t say anything to that effect. She didn’t know him very well. She wondered if he was having second thoughts about having her stay with him.
“Me, too,” she replied.
“Do you really think you will find him? California is a big state.”
“Yes, I know. It truly is. I don’t know if I will ever find him.”
Teddy tried to suppress a sigh but it came out anyway, sounding strained.
“It feels like you are a little annoyed, Teddy. Is everything all right?”
Teddy was quiet for a moment and, when she looked at him, she could see that his jaw had clenched tightly.
“I am…I am just wondering if you are…I wonder if you are planning to leave with Stephen when you find him.”
Elisabeth swallowed. He was questioning his decision to let her stay. He was questioning her motives.
“I…I don’t plan to leave with him, Teddy.”
“But will you be able to give up Andrew so easily? It is obvious how much you love the child. You have a strong bond with him even though he is so very young.”
“Yes, I feel very close to him. I…I have thought many times over the past week that I wish he was mine, that I could keep him as mine.”
“I can see that. It…it is what makes me wonder if you think you might leave and go back to Virginia with Stephen. I…I don’t want to let myself feel…I don’t want to develop feelings for you if you are not going to stick around. If you are not going to return my feelings.”
She wanted to throw her arms around him and hold him to her. But her upbringing prevented her from reaching out to him. “No, Teddy. I really don’t want to go back to Virginia. I am hoping that Stephen…if I ever even find him…will decide to stay here.”
He was quiet. She could tell he was thinking about it. “That would be a good plan. I…I would like to keep you here with me. I would like to have Andrew here, as well. He is a delightful little baby.”
“He’s so quiet.” Elisabeth looked down at the baby. She had taken him out of the basket and was holding him close to her chest. “You’re right. He’s wonderful.”
“I’ve had my guys build up his room today.” His voice sounded emotional. Elisabeth looked over at his profile. He was such a handsome man. She felt her heart pounding and unintentionally gave Andrew a tight squeeze. “I…I do hope
that you won’t leave and take him with you.”
“I don’t want to, Teddy.”
He looked at her. “I don’t want you to, either.”
Chapter Ten
It was somewhat tense for the next week, as Elisabeth continued to send out messages through the townspeople, looking for Stephen. With every day that passed, she sent fewer and fewer messages, and became more and more reluctant to find him. She could feel her resolve waning quickly. She and Teddy got along very well. She knew she wanted to marry him. And she could tell he wanted to marry her.
But there was still that tension. Every time she sent out new messages, she could see that it irritated her future husband. She didn’t like that. She wanted him to be happy.
The day came when Andrew would celebrate being one whole month old. Tensions had eased, as time passed and Stephen was not found.
Elisabeth was delighted that Teddy had Ethel make a cake and blow up balloons. He hung streamers all around the house and allowed the staff to throw confetti all over her and the baby when they came downstairs that morning.
It was laughter from the first moment, laughter that lasted all morning long. Teddy had made sure that Elisabeth knew the people who worked in his house were not his servants but were his employees. He never allowed them to refer to themselves as servants. For seven years, he’d tried to get the butler, a distinguished man named Carl Baggendish, to stop calling him master. But Carl had been with them since they first became wealthy and, as the junior Mr. Porter, Teddy had been called Master. After Teddy’s father passed away, Carl could not get used to calling Teddy anything other than Master. Finally, Teddy had given up.
When the door knocker sounded just a little after noon, Teddy, Elisabeth and Andrew were in the dining room having lunch. Carl went to open the door. He returned with a man who was familiar to Elisabeth but not to Teddy.
Elisabeth sat in stunned silence when Carl introduced him.
“Master Teddy, Miss Elisabeth, Mr. Stephen Baker.” He stepped to the side to allow Stephen to come in.