Calum

by Diane Darcy

  “I’ve asked ye tae marry me, and ye needed some time tae think about it. For myself, I’m as sure as I’ll ever be, so let’s go in and ask the priest tae marry us. I’d hand-fast ye, tae give ye a little more time tae get used tae me, but where ye’re expectin’, I think a priest’s blessing is for the best.”

  Her mouth gaped. She could feel a bubble of hysteria rise within her and swallowed it down as she looked at Calum’s features clearly illuminated by the dashboard of her still running car.

  For a brief moment she’d thought perhaps he’d wanted to kiss her, but no, he just wanted to marry her.

  A giggle of hysteria tried to work its way out, but with firm resolve she shoved it down deep.

  “Calum, we barely know each other.”

  “I know enough. I know ye’re brave, determined, hard-working and so beautiful ye set my teeth to aching. Everything else I need tae know will come with time.”

  He glanced at her stomach. “I also know ye’re in a rough situation. Ye need me, and I want ye. I think tis as good a place tae start a marriage as any.”

  Any desire to laugh melted away as she reached out to take Calum’s hand. She ought to feel offended that he thought she needed him or anyone because of her situation, but all she could think was he wanted her. And if she was honest with herself, she wanted him right back.

  He quickly engulfed her hand with his own as she tried to think of a way to reason with him, or even reason with herself.

  “Calum, I like you too. A lot. But this is too fast. There’s no hurry, and we can get to know each other slowly, and if it works out, who knows? Maybe we will end up married.”

  “Nae hurry? Lass, I find ye tae be a reasonable woman in most areas. Kind, intelligent, and strong. Characteristics which will serve ye well as a mother.”

  “But?”

  He squeezed her fingers, looked away, and then turned more firmly in his seat to capture her gaze. “I was born a bastard.”

  Mandy flinched and tried to pull her hand away but he held fast.

  “Since I was old enough tae understand, I wasnae permitted tae forget it. I was called a natural son, a bastard, illegitimate, baseborn, a mongrel, misbegotten. I wasnae baptized by the church until just before I went to war, and I was considered something less than the other boys my age. I always knew it.”

  Pity filled her heart and she relaxed her hand within his once more. “I’m sorry, I had no idea that people felt that way in Scotland.”

  “Doonae fool yerself, people feel that way everywhere. Yer babe will carry the stigma of his mother’s shame. Tis just the way of it.”

  This time, fueled by anger, she did snatch her hand away. “Having a child out of wedlock is more common here than you might realize.”

  “That may be so, I cannae say. But yers need no’ be born under such circumstances.”

  She straightened in her seat, and placed her hands on the steering wheel once more. Calum seemed so earnest, so willing to help, and honestly, her attraction to him was messing with her mind as well. It was hard to stay mad when he was trying so hard to help her, to protect her and her unborn child.

  She wasn’t a very trusting soul, not anymore. She glanced at Calum, wanting to believe in him, all the while feeling foolish for doing so.

  His appeal was messing with her mind.

  Marry him, and live happily ever after? Wasn’t that what she was thinking, and tempted by?

  What woman wouldn’t be attracted to big, strong, gorgeous, honorable? He was hitting all the right buttons.

  “Can I trust you?” The words were out before she could pull them back.

  “Aye,” he said, and surprised her by not trying to convince her further.

  She turned to face him again and he took both her hands in his as she studied his face.

  He looked firm, resolute, a strong port against the storms of life.

  She swallowed, the sound loud in the enclosed car.

  “Say aye, lass, and I’ll be a happy man. And I swear tae ye, I’ll make ye happy as well.”

  She was weakening, she could feel it. “It might be too late to talk to Frank.”

  “Tis no’. The man’s a priest, so I’m sure this sort of thing happens with frequency.”

  She was wavering. “I don’t know …”

  “Take a chance on me, lass, ye’ll no’ regret it.”

  “I suppose we can see if he’s still up.”

  When Calum smiled at her, truly looking as happy as he claimed he’d be, something tight unfurled within her chest, a small bit of hope that she’d thought long locked away.

  She was breathing a little too fast as she settled back in her seat, checked for traffic, and turned the car around to drive down Frank’s driveway.

  As if in a dream, Calum rounded the car, gently helped her out, and walked her to the front porch.

  Calum knocked on the door, and it was quickly answered by Frank himself. “Hey, you two, what’s up?” he asked.

  “We are here tae marry,” Calum said decisively, hugging her tight against his side.

  Frank’s mouth dropped for a moment, and then he smiled and clapped his hands. “Well, then, come in, come in. Let me just call Red, and we’ll get this party started.”

  Chapter 11

  It seemed as if everyone was in a hurry, which suited Calum just fine. Frank called Red and Peter and both men were there within twenty minutes.

  While Frank’s wife, Connie, kept Mandy busy freshening up, the men pulled out some paperwork and had him sign it.

  “You do realize that in the case of a divorce,” Peter was pointing out some lines on the contract, “everything that belongs to Mandy, even if she inherits it after your marriage, will still legally belong to her.”

  “I understand.” This was nothing new to Calum. Men often married women for property, and so contracts often specified which future heirs would inherit said property. Divorce was almost unheard of.

  There would be no divorce.

  “It also states that anything that belongs to you, will also be retained by you, in case of a divorce,” Peter pointed out another section.

  “Fine,” Calum agreed.

  There would be no divorce.

  When the men had everything squared away to their satisfaction, they put the paperwork away and Red held up a ring for Calum’s inspection. “This ring belonged to Mandy’s grandmother and she wanted her to have it.”

  Calum reached for the ring, a beautiful piece of gold jewelry with a sparkling diamond and blue sapphires. “Thank ye. Tis lovely.”

  Red nodded, his eyes misting up a bit. “We had fifty-five good years before I lost my bride. I’m pretty sure that a ring with that much love tied to it will bring you good luck.”

  Calum was touched by the sentiment, and glad to have the beautiful piece of jewelry to place upon Mandy’s finger. “Thank ye.”

  They called the women into the room.

  Mandy looked scared to death and as if she might be having second thoughts.

  “Now, Mandy,” Red started in.

  But Calum was quick to hurry forward and take both her hands. “Tis going tae be fine. Ye’re no’ tae worry, all will be well.”

  Mandy clung to his hands. “I’ve got more than just myself to think about.”

  “Hush now, all will be well.”

  She glanced behind her at the men lined up and waiting, then gazed up at Calum. She finally gave a short nod. “I’m going to trust you on this, so don’t let me down. Don’t let us down.”

  “I will no’.” He tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow and they turned to face the three waiting men.

  “All right, you two, come over here and stand in front of me.” The priest lifted one hand in the air and gestured his wife forward. “Connie, how about you playing that song, Who Wants to Fall in Love?”

  “Now, Frank,” Red protested. “There’s no call for that, let’s just get on with it.”

  The priest turned to glare at his friend. “The
song, Connie, if you please.”

  The priest’s wife played a lovely tune, and Calum was glad for it. It added a nice touch to the proceedings and he could tell it pleased Mandy, as well.

  As the song ended the priest instructed that they should take each other’s hands. “I want you to look at each other. Mandy, this is the man that you will be able to rely upon in good times and in bad. He’ll be your steady rock, he’ll help carry your burdens, he’ll be a father to your children, and always someone you can depend on.”

  He turned to Calum. “Calum, this is the woman that will make your life worth living, give you children that carry your name, be a soft spot to land in times of trial, and be your ever loyal and loving companion.”

  He looked at them both. “Now, I know you’ve not known each other for long, and that the two of you will have a child right away. And that —”

  “Get on with it already,” Red said in an undertone. “Before she changes her mind.”

  Peter hit Red in the shoulder, causing the man to grimace, and Mandy to giggle.

  “And that,” the priest stressed once again, “there is still a lot to work out between the two of you. But I want to tell you, I have a good feeling about this. You’re young, you’re both hard-working, responsible individuals. I see the two of you coming together to have a good marriage full of love and laughter in both good and bad times.”

  The priest lifted the book in his hands, and said, “Let us begin.”

  “Finally!” Red said under his breath.

  Mandy giggled again, and Calum didn’t think it was a bad start to the proceedings.

  The priest had them repeat their vows, and Calum’s voice was strong and sure when he said, “Aye, I’ll have her.”

  Mandy smiled, and when it was her turn to repeat her vows, her eyes filled with tears, triggering a similar reaction in his own. “I do,” she said.

  And then, for the first time in Calum Milne’s life, he had someone who was his.

  Mandy belonged to him.

  After they’d signed a wedding certificate, were offered dessert and congratulations, and assured by her grandfather that he was staying at Frank’s house for the night, they were on their way.

  What had she just done?

  Driving, smiling widely, not necessarily from humor but from panic, she glanced over at Calum, who returned her grin and took her hand in his.

  She repressed giggles, because she was afraid she’d hurt Calum’s feelings by laughing, and was just relieved when they pulled the car onto the long driveway to the house.

  It started to rain and she hoped it wasn’t a sign of things to come and, oh gosh.

  She just realized this was her wedding night.

  She pulled the car to a stop in its usual spot. It seemed a very long time ago she’d been dancing with Calum, her body pressed to his, and after that display, perhaps he’d have expectations for their wedding night?

  Of course, he would.

  Suddenly, she was a bundle of nerves.

  What, oh what, had she done?

  They hurried toward the house together, Calum tucking her close, his big body protecting her from the rain. They went inside and at that point Mandy just stopped. She didn’t know what to do.

  “A cup of that cocoa ye made the other night would be most welcome right about now,” Calum said.

  Relief flooded her. “Of course!” She said brightly. “Let’s have some hot chocolate!”

  Oh, jeez, that came across as way too enthusiastic, and probably let Calum know exactly how nervous she was.

  Earlier, when he’d talked her into marrying him, their conversation in the car had felt so intimate that she’d felt close to him. Close enough to marry the man, apparently.

  Now she felt like there was a stranger in her house, and she didn’t know where to look.

  She went into the kitchen, retrieved two mugs, the hot cocoa, and started the water running on hot.

  She carefully removed two teaspoons from the silverware drawer, and quickly mixed the cocoa before placing one of the mugs in the microwave, and then she had nowhere to look but at Calum.

  She turned, and whatever he saw in her face had him smiling gently and moving forward to stand before her.

  “Ye’re not tae worry, lass. I can see yer full of nerves, but ye’ve no reason tae be.”

  “Right,” she said. “Of course not.”

  Of course, not? Who was she trying to fool?

  The microwave dinged and she was relieved to turn away and take one mug out and replace it with the other.

  She stirred the heated cocoa a little too vigorously, slopping some over the edges, and quickly grabbed a paper towel to mop up the mess.

  “Lass,” he moved up behind her, his arms going around her as he took both her hands, and pulled her away from the counter.

  “I mean it, ye’ve nae need tae worry, we’ve plenty of time to be married, in the conjugal sense, and I know now is no’ the time tae be concerned with such things. Not until we ken one another better, and ye feel comfortable with me.”

  Relief had her stomach unclenching. That was relief and not disappointment, wasn’t it?

  With an exhale of breath, she turned around and placed her hands on his chest as his went around her waist.

  “Wife?”

  “Yes?” She responded, her gaze flickering to his and then down to his chest again.

  “Tis naught, I just wanted tae say it.”

  She chuckled, and then impulsively slid her arms around him to hug him tight. He returned the hug, and they stood there like that for a long while as she soaked up the heat and masculine feel of him.

  She remembered Pastor Williams saying Calum would be her rock, and she enjoyed the sturdy feel of him, his strength, and a feminine thrill shivered through her as she hugged him tight, learning the feel of his body.

  The microwave dinged once again and she released him and took a step back.

  She gave him a shy smile and then turned away to get the mug out of the microwave, stir both cups of cocoa, and then place them on the table.

  They sat across from each other and she asked the question aloud that she’d been asking herself. “What have we done?” Only, instead of panicked, it came out humorous, and he smiled, two friends enjoying a joke.

  He reached forward to take her hand, the one that he’d placed her grandmother’s ring on, and his thumb slid over the piece, once, twice, and then he gripped the tips of her fingers.

  “Yer grandfather said they were happily married for fifty-five years. I’d be happy tae try and outdo them.”

  She looked down at the ring, and tears filled her eyes. She was simply a mess tonight, but who could blame her? “I’d like that.”

  Releasing her, he took a sip of the cocoa. “Mmm, tis good.”

  “Would you like some toast with that?”

  “I would.”

  She started some toast, glad to have something else to do, and then settled back across from him. “Well, husband.”

  He grinned and she could tell he liked that.

  “I guess we should get to know each other better.” Right after she said the words, she blushed, wondering if he would take what she’d said the wrong way.

  He smiled, and it seemed as if their roles had reversed. He was more confident now, and she, more flustered and unsure.

  “I’ll tell ye anythin’ ye wish tae know.”

  “Let’s start with your family. Tell me about them,” she said carefully, not wanting to upset him, but she did want to get to know him better.

  “Ye know my grandparents raised me.”

  “Yes. Just like me.”

  “Aye, I suppose our situations are similar, though I’ll tell ye straight out that I’ve no idea who my father is.” He looked uncomfortable with the statement, but she simply took a sip of cocoa and nodded for him to continue.

  “My mother abandoned herself tae shame. She was wayward, and called much worse than that. She seemed to revel in the bad opi
nion of others until the day she died.”

  “That must have been hard on you,” she said softly.

  He shrugged his large shoulders and glanced at the cup of cocoa in his hands. He looked up at her when he said, “Tis just as it was. I didnae ken any different.”

  The toast popped up and she was quick to butter it, glad for a moment to hide any pity in her expression. No wonder the man wanted to save her.

  She placed the toast on a plate between them as wind and rain gushed against the window, giving the room an intimate feel. So, he’d had to deal with his mother’s bad reputation and being labeled a bastard. She sat again and put her hands protectively over her stomach. “You grew up in a village?”

  “Aye. In Aberdeenshire.”

  “I imagine we have that in common as well. No one would call this a village, but it’s a small town and everyone knows everyone else. I had good times and bad growing up here. Do you have fond memories of the place?”

  “Aye. My best mate was a lass, Eleanor, though I didnae think of her as female. We roamed the countryside, knew every glen, loch, and meadow, climbed every tree, and begged for sweets from many a goodwife.”

  “Goodwife?”

  “A wife. Like ye now.”

  At the reminder, she blushed again. For goodness sake, she needed to get hold of herself. “It sounds nice, and as if you have good memories.”

  “I do.”

  “And you joined the military? Are you still active?” She couldn’t believe she didn’t know these basic things about him, and that she was asking these sorts of questions on their wedding night.

  “I was actually pressed to join the military, no’ something I’d have done on my own.” He glanced down. “I was labeled a deserter at one point, though I’d every intention of returning.”

  “How was it?”

  “Cold, lonely, and in the end, of a very long term.”

  The way he said it, she knew there was a story there, but he’d closed up a bit, and she didn’t want to press him. Plenty of time for that, later.

  When they’d finished their cocoa and toast, Mandy felt like she couldn’t put it off any longer. “I guess I’d better go to bed,” she said in a rush, unsure what his expectations might be, even though he’d tried to reassure her earlier.