Together Forever

by Jody Hedlund

  Marianne stepped hesitantly off the metal step onto the train platform. The slant of the late afternoon sun blinded her. Before both her feet hit the ground, a small figure shot against her. Little arms wrapped around her waist. The force pummeled her backward so that she lost her balance and would have fallen, except Drew caught her from behind.

  He stepped down behind her, his hands moving from her shoulders to her upper arms, steadying her and at the same time making her conscious of his chest brushing against her back. For an instant, she was tempted to recline against him and relish this closeness even if for a moment. But she hadn’t given in to temptation during the time she was with him over the past week and a half, and she couldn’t start now. She wanted to return to Reinhold with a clean conscience and with the knowledge she’d maintained integrity in their relationship.

  “Miss Neumann!” A freckled face topped with rooster-red hair peered up at her. With his wide eyes and impish gap-toothed grin, Jethro melted her heart. He released her and stood back to take in Drew behind her.

  “Hi, Mr. Brady,” he chimed. “I can see you still like holding Miss Neumann every chance you get.”

  “That I do, buddy.” His voice was tinged with humor and rumbled near her ear, making her neck tingle in response.

  “Oh, dear,” Marianne murmured, breaking away from Drew. Her cheeks felt suddenly hot, and as Mrs. Gray limped toward them from the depot, Marianne prayed the woman hadn’t heard Jethro’s bold statement.

  Marianne attempted to cover her embarrassment by busying herself, greeting Mrs. Gray and getting an update from her about how Jethro was doing in the aftermath of his measles.

  “I can’t thank you enough for taking care of him,” Marianne said.

  “It was my pleasure,” the kindly woman said with a smile aimed at the boy. “He was a good patient.”

  “Aunt Elise and Mrs. Gray have been letting me help in the kitchen,” Jethro said.

  Aunt Elise? Marianne’s heart sank even further. If he was already calling Elise his aunt, then he would be more devastated by the news than they realized.

  Jethro slipped his hand into Marianne’s and walked next to her as they made their way inside to the waiting room. His chatter was nonstop with all the things he’d gotten to do in the kitchen—washing vegetables, peeling potatoes, snapping beans, and more. “I get to eat the carrots that still have their green tails. And I bit into a tomato thinkin’ it were an apple.”

  “You were a saint for taking him under your wing,” Marianne said to Mrs. Gray as Jethro scurried to open the door for Drew, who was carrying her trunk. “I know he’s busy and talkative and full of energy.”

  “Oh, no worries, dear.” Mrs. Gray watched Jethro with shining eyes. “He’s been a bigger help than I imagined he would be.”

  “I’m stronger now,” Jethro was saying to Drew as he made a show of helping Drew place the trunk on a bench. “Can’t you tell?”

  Drew praised the boy liberally and then bent down and pretended to be impressed with Jethro’s muscles. Jethro strutted in response, his smile as wide as a prairie mile.

  Drew chuckled at the same time that Marianne did. But then just as quickly her heart panged with the realization they would have to hurt this precious boy all too soon.

  “Aunt Elise let me help her make a wedding cake for you,” he said with a proud smile.

  “A wedding cake?” Marianne’s voice squeaked a little too high, and she exchanged a glance with Drew. Of course, when she’d telegrammed Elise yesterday to confirm their arrival, she hadn’t told her sister she was marrying Reinhold instead of Drew. That wasn’t exactly the kind of information one could explain in a telegram. She’d planned to inform Elise in private later.

  Mrs. Gray smoothed a hand over Jethro’s frizzy hair. “The minute he heard the two of you were returning, he’s been busy planning your wedding.”

  “Mrs. Gray helped me make a gift,” Jethro said, this time jumping up and down with exuberance. “And we picked flowers for the tables.”

  She caught Drew’s gaze again. His brows cocked, revealing his concern. How would they be able to break the news to him now?

  “Maybe we should wait until tomorrow to tell him,” she whispered under her breath to Drew while following Jethro into the dining room.

  “It won’t be any easier then,” Drew replied.

  “Please,” she whispered, even as she pasted on a happy smile at the sight of the flowers beautifully arranged on all the tables. A few passengers from the train had come into the eating house, and Elise was busy serving them.

  Drew didn’t protest. Instead, he oohed and aahed appropriately over everything Jethro had done to prepare for their wedding.

  “And exactly when is this momentous occasion to take place?” Drew asked once they’d admired the cake in the kitchen.

  “Aunt Elise said the wedding will be tomorrow morning,” Jethro replied, reaching for both of their hands so that he was standing between them and beaming brighter than a full moon.

  Elise returned from the dining room with the coffeepot in hand. “I see Jethro’s been showing you all our wedding preparations.”

  “Yes, he’s quite excited.” Marianne tried to keep the dismay from her voice and was glad Elise was distracted making more coffee and couldn’t read her face. “I wasn’t expecting so much trouble for the wedding.”

  “It’s been no trouble at all,” Elise replied with a wave of her hand. “Jethro was so excited yesterday and today about your return that it actually gave Mrs. Gray and me a way to keep him busy.”

  Mrs. Gray added her agreement from the range where she was dishing up two plates with crispy fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. The scents would have tantalized Marianne if she hadn’t been so worried about the enormous hole she was sliding into with every tiny lie she told.

  “We would have been perfectly happy with a simple wedding,” she said weakly.

  “It’ll be simple enough.” Elise opened the stove door and shoveled in more coal.

  Marianne was at a loss for words, and she silently implored Drew to say something. He only lifted his shoulders in bewilderment. Since just a few minutes ago she’d asked him not to say anything tonight.

  “Besides,” Elise continued, “we wanted to celebrate the good news regarding Drew’s trial. Jethro was worried sick about the whole thing. So when we received Marianne’s telegram letting us know the real murderer had been discovered, we wanted to do something for Drew when he returned.”

  How could she protest, especially with Jethro smiling up at them with such radiance?

  Elise closed the stove door with a clang and then stopped to eye her with a look of confusion. “I thought you’d be happy that I’m supporting you.”

  Considering Elise’s hesitation regarding her marriage to Drew the last time she was in Quincy, Marianne should have been thrilled to have Elise’s support. If only she’d had the chance to explain all the events that had happened over the past month while she’d been gone. As it was, Elise had no clue that everything had changed. And now Marianne would have to find a way to tell Elise and attempt to get herself out of the awful mess she’d created.

  At present, though, she had no other option but to continue the charade. She took a deep breath and smiled at her sister with what she hoped was reassurance. “I’m happy. We’re happy.” She turned to Drew. “Aren’t we, sweetheart?”

  Drew nodded, and this time humor lit his eyes. She didn’t blame him for finding their dilemma silly. Part of her warned that she needed to simply state the truth. Even if it would hurt everyone for a few minutes, they’d adjust—at least Drew seemed to think Jethro would get over it quickly.

  But another part of her couldn’t disappoint anyone. At least not tonight. She needed more time to figure out how to gently deliver the truth to Jethro. Surely once she told Elise later about the predicament, Elise would help her figure out something.

  Drew released Jethro’s hand and tugged Marianne into the cr
ook of his arm. His expression had turned decidedly mischievous. “I agree, darlin’. We’re extremely happy.” He pulled her close. “Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.”

  She wrapped her arm around Drew’s back and attempted to look like the happily engaged couple they were supposed to be. “Thank you for going to all this work on our behalf.”

  “I’m just relieved for your sake everything worked out.” Elise paused with her dinner preparations and smiled at her. “After your last visit, and seeing how much you loved Drew, I admit I was worried.”

  Drew pulled her closer. “And exactly how much does Marianne love me?” he asked, his tone mirthful.

  Marianne bit the inside of her cheek and prayed Elise wouldn’t say too much.

  “She said she couldn’t function without you,” Elise said wryly. “And it was absolutely true. Marianne was a wreck. I thought I was going to have to pick her up off the floor and stitch her back together.”

  “Is that right?” Drew’s voice dropped, and his hand at her side splayed out possessively.

  Marianne didn’t dare meet his gaze. “Elise has a tendency to exaggerate.”

  “I’m not exaggerating,” Elise said.

  “Your sister said she’s not exaggerating,” Drew said innocently.

  “I heard,” Marianne replied just as innocently.

  Drew chuckled, and the sound wrapped warmly around Marianne’s heart. Even though she was embarrassed by their conversation, she couldn’t keep from smiling. When Drew hugged her tighter and pressed a kiss against her temple, the gesture seemed the most natural in the world. She was exactly where she wanted to be, in the shelter of his arms, by his side. And for that moment she could pretend it would last, that she truly did belong with him.

  With a grin, Elise returned to the coffeepot on the stove. “It was as clear then as it is now that the two of you are in love. So I decided that rather than stand in love’s way, I might as well do all I can to make sure you end up married this time.”

  “That’s very kind of you,” Drew remarked. “Don’t you think so, darlin’?”

  This time she made the mistake of glancing up into his face. His blue-green eyes were the color where the sky met the prairie. And they were filled with such tenderness she couldn’t resist when he bent down. With his attention fixed upon her mouth, she realized he wanted to kiss her. She needed to move away and break free of him. But when he hesitated, then dipped in a little further, she was already breathless with her desire for him.

  She lifted her lips just a fraction, and it was apparently the invitation he’d been waiting for. He closed the distance between them, sweeping his mouth against hers. The pressure was hard and urgent and full of longing, letting her know quite clearly that although he’d kept his promise to be her friend over the past week, he hadn’t liked it and wanted to be so much more.

  She wanted him to be more too. But how could she ignore her commitment to Reinhold?

  “Mr. Brady, I see you still like eatin’ Miss Neumann,” Jethro called.

  Elise burst into laughter, and Drew broke his kiss enough that Marianne felt his lips curve into a smile against hers.

  She started to smile in return, but his lips closed against hers again, softer this time, almost teasing, dropping a kiss and then pulling back out of reach and doing it over, not giving her enough time to respond except to leave her breathless and melted beneath his touch.

  “Save it for the honeymoon, you two,” Elise called.

  Somehow during the kisses, Drew’s arms had come around her, fully and completely. At Elise’s teasing, he refrained from his soft shower of kisses, but his hands pressed at the small of Marianne’s back, giving her no room to move away. “When did you say we were having the wedding ceremony?” he said over his shoulder to Elise. “Come to think of it, I’d like to have it tonight. Maybe right now.”

  Elise chuckled, clearly enjoying Drew’s banter. Marianne was too overcome with Drew’s nearness and the headiness of his kisses to think. His labored breath brushed her cheek and tantalized her already sizzling nerves.

  “The reverend is coming to my parlor tomorrow morning at ten o’clock. I realize that’s an eternity to wait,” Elise replied, her voice laced with sarcasm, “but I know how you can keep your hands busy someplace else besides my sister.”

  “Elise!” Marianne said, tugging free of Drew, having no doubt she was showing just as much mortification on the outside as she felt on the inside.

  Drew was grinning as he reluctantly released her.

  “Go over to North Second Street and pitch in with the home being built for Quincy’s new doctor.”

  “And leave my bride-to-be? I don’t think so.” Drew reached for Marianne, but she dodged out of his way.

  “Help me, Jeth,” Drew called, darting after her. “You go one way and I’ll go the other.”

  Jethro laughed with excitement and started toward Marianne until the two had her cornered near the pantry. As Jethro and Drew tickled her, Marianne squealed with laughter until finally Elise pulled her free.

  “Go!” Elise pointed to the back door of the kitchen and then at Drew. She was working hard to contain her smile. “You need to cool off.”

  Drew ran a hand through his tousled hair. Did he know how dashing he looked when he did that? When he winked at her, she realized he was enjoying her ogling.

  “Besides,” Elise said, “my husband would like the chance to meet you before he welcomes you into the family.”

  Drew’s grin dropped away. What would Thornton think of Drew? She was sure Drew was wondering the same thing. Thornton was a compassionate man, but he was also tough and business-minded. He was a large contributor to the Children’s Aid Society. What if he discovered Drew had been kissing and handling her even though they weren’t engaged? What if he got angry at Drew and decided to withdraw funding from the Children’s Aid Society?

  “He’s helping out over on the doctor’s home.” This time Elise propelled Drew toward the door. “Go see if you can impress him.”

  Within seconds she’d pushed Drew out the door. He seemed to take the sunshine with him. And as the door closed, a dark cloud settled over Marianne. What were they doing pretending they were still engaged? This whole charade was no good. One little lie had led to another and another until she was so tangled in the lies she didn’t know how she’d find a way out.

  She pressed a hand to her chest to calm her erratic pulse. But all she could think about was how her lying had been the source of her problems before—when Sophie had run away. She’d lied because she hadn’t wanted anyone to get hurt. And she was doing it again. If it hadn’t worked before, what made her think it would work now?

  She took a deep breath hoping to ease the pressure building in her chest, for she had the terrible foreboding that, one way or another, she would have to hurt someone and no matter how hard she tried not to.

  Chapter 27

  Reinhold’s back and shoulders ached from stooping all day, but he’d managed to finish hoeing his potato field. The bushy rows almost touched now, their white blossoms reminding him of snowdrops.

  Everything was growing well in the hot sunshine and humidity. The oats swelled a gray-green, and the wheat’s thin heads had shot up with husks where the kernels would grow. The corn was nigh to his shoulder with tassels forming.

  Mr. Turner had indicated they’d start an early harvest on the hay, and he’d spent the day with Higgins sharpening the scythes. Higgins was needed to turn the grindstone and pour a constant stream of water on it while Mr. Turner braced the steel edges against the whirring stone until the scythes were razor-sharp and ready for cutting hay.

  Reinhold kneaded his neck before stooping to dig in the spot where he kept his crock of money. He didn’t need to add more. Mr. Turner wouldn’t be able to pay him any more cash until after the haying. Even so, Reinhold liked to count his earnings to make sure it was all still there.

  He dug with his fingers into the thick damp soil. He liked the wa
y the dirt got into his fingernails and stuck there. He liked the stain that it made in the grooves of his hand. He even liked the soil’s strong aroma.

  As he pulled the crock out and began to brush away the dirt, he stopped abruptly at the angle of the lid. It hadn’t been screwed on correctly. It was crooked, as if someone had attempted to put it back on hastily.

  Reinhold dropped to his knees, ignoring the dirt that would now be engrained into the fibers of his trousers and the extra work that would cause Lucinda who washed the clothing. He was too panicked to think of anything but getting the lid off and assuring himself the past two months of income were still stashed safely inside.

  But even as the lid popped off and tumbled to the ground, Reinhold’s body sagged with defeat. He didn’t have to look inside to know it was all gone. Every last note and coin. But he looked anyway, tipped the crock over and shook it, pounded the sides, and blew into it.

  Finally he let it fall with a thud to the dark, upturned earth. Who could have known his crock was here? He’d been so careful to cover the spot. He’d tried only to check it whenever he was alone. But apparently he hadn’t been careful enough. Or perhaps someone had followed him out at a discreet distance and watched him without his knowing it?

  Reinhold scanned the area, stopping to peer in the direction of the house and barn. Higgins had said he was going out to fish yesterday. Maybe he’d backtracked to the potato field first. With a growl, Reinhold pushed himself up from the ground. He snatched up the empty crock in one hand and his hoe in the other and stormed across the fields. By the time he reached the barnyard, he was hot and sweaty and more than ready to confront Higgins.

  Luckily for him, Higgins was at the well, washing his hands and face in the bucket Lucinda kept filled.

  “Where is it?” Reinhold shouted without breaking his stride. Higgins was splashing water on his face and didn’t look up. But Mrs. Turner and Lucinda, who were both weeding in the vegetable garden nearby, stopped and watched him.

  Reinhold reached Higgins, grabbed him by the back of his neck, and jerked him to his feet.