Mistaken Bride

by Renee Ryan

  “Won’t you at least consider me for the position? I have experience. Your children and I already get along. It would be a great honor to—”

  “No.” His tone indicated the discussion was over. His children already adored Bridget. If she took a position in his home, then changed her mind, where would that leave Olivia and Caleb? Hurt. Confused. Devastated.

  The possibility of another upheaval in the twins’ short lives wasn’t worth the risk.

  “I have considerable background as a nanny,” Bridget continued. “And I could use the job. I would be willing to start immediately.”

  “I said no.”

  Her eyes widened at the vehemence in his tone. He hadn’t meant to answer so abruptly, or so harshly, but he didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up, not even his own.

  Bridget glanced over at Olivia and Caleb. “I don’t understand why you won’t consider my suggestion.”

  “I know. And I’m sorry.” But not sorry enough to explain himself further, his secret shame was his to bear alone.

  Bridget might be willing to care for his children, now, but she had no real obligation to any of them. She could suddenly change her mind. Perhaps even meet a man one day and wish to become his wife.

  Although…

  What if Will made a different offer than the one she’d suggested? What if he supplied her with a more permanent position in his home, one that would solve the problem of losing her to another man?

  “Bridget Murphy.” He captured her hand in his and held on tight. “Would you consider becoming my wife?”

  Chapter Six

  His wife?

  William Black was asking her to marry him? With only the benefit of a two-day acquaintance? This wasn’t the first time Bridget had found herself rendered speechless by this man. She doubted it would be the last.

  There was more to his story. Something terrible had happened, something that had left him feeling as though he had no other choice but to hire a bride.

  What Bridget didn’t understand was why a man like William Black, one with many obvious qualities to recommend him, would settle only for a wife and nothing else? He had to be holding part of the story back beyond the explanation he’d already given concerning his children.

  The children. Poor little Olivia and Caleb. They were so sad, so lonely.

  What sort of trauma had they endured? Perhaps the trouble had something to do with their mother, as did Will’s refusal to consider anything but a wife. Bridget could practically feel the tension rolling off him as he waited for her answer.

  “Oh, Will. Surely, you can’t be serious.”

  “But I am.”

  Bridget opened her mouth to decline his offer, politely as possible, but he spoke over her. “You said you needed a job. What I’m offering is a much more permanent solution. I don’t see the problem.”

  Where to start?

  She stared at him, stunned by his words, but even more by the realization that part of her wanted to accept his proposal. “There are considerable problems with your request, but the first one that comes to mind is that we don’t know one another.”

  “Most couples don’t know one another on their wedding day.” The way he said the words—with a clenched jaw and narrowed eyes—Bridget had to wonder what had happened in his first marriage to make him so cynical, so jaded.

  Not that she didn’t agree with him, at least in part. Her experience with Daniel had taught her that many men and women walked down the aisle with half their story hidden.

  What had she really known of her fiancé? Not enough to predict that last, hurtful conversation with him.

  A hot tingle of shame tried to steal her breath. She swallowed the sensation away.

  “You said you weren’t married when we met yesterday,” he pointed out.

  Will’s tone as much as his words had her lifting her head to meet his gaze. “Yes, that’s what I said.”

  “Has that changed?” he asked.

  “No.” She actually felt a smile tug at her lips. “My marital status has not changed in a day.”

  “Then I don’t see the dilemma.” He lifted a single eyebrow. “Our marriage would be a formal arrangement only, if that is what concerns you.”

  As though realizing he’d said quite enough, he clamped his mouth shut and waited for Bridget to speak.

  Again Bridget had no idea how to respond. He offered a marriage of convenience, one in name only, as if there were no real difference between a nanny and a wife other than an exchange of vows in front of God and a handful of witnesses.

  Sadly enough, had he presented his proposal in a more romantic manner, had there been hope of something more between them, at least in the future, Bridget might have been tempted to accept his offer.

  Unlike Daniel, Will was a man of his word. Or so he claimed. She leaned toward believing him. She even trusted he would never hurt her intentionally. After all, his actions spoke for themselves. He’d withheld the news of his future bride from his children in case something happened. Which, of course, something had.

  Bridget knew firsthand the pain that came from broken promises, the disappointment and humiliation. Will had wisely spared his children.

  There was no doubt he loved Olivia and Caleb. And they adored him in return. All three of them needed someone to bring joy into their lives.

  Bridget wanted to be that person. She wanted to erase those haunted expressions in their eyes, the look that never seemed to go away. But she would not do so as Will’s wife. Ever since Daniel had left her at the altar—literally—she had promised herself only the greatest of love would induce her into matrimony. Surely she wasn’t ready for that kind of love yet. Not with her heart still healing. And definitely not with a man who wanted a marriage in name only.

  No. No matter how much she wanted to help this family, she could not accept Will’s offer of marriage.

  “I’m sorry.” The words were hard to say. Bridget was not one to turn away people in need, especially children. “I simply cannot become your wife.”

  His jaw clenched tight. So tight, in fact, that she could see the pulse ticking in his neck.

  Wanting to soothe him, Bridget reached out and touched his arm. A jolt of awareness took hold. She quickly dropped her hand. “If you ever change your mind, I would still consider a position in your home as the children’s nanny.”

  “No.” He shook his head, his mouth a grim slash. “I won’t have them grow to love you if you don’t plan to stay permanently.”

  She had to appreciate his conviction, even if she didn’t completely understand what motivated his decision. “Then I’m afraid we are at an impasse.”

  “So it would seem.”

  Bridget lowered her head again. What terrible pain had Will and his children suffered that made him want a marriage in name only? Why was he so bent on taking a wife that he would settle for nothing less?

  She had no idea how to continue this strange, intimate discussion.

  Thankfully, Olivia stepped into the conversational void. “Look, look, Miss Bridget, I found another dolly. And she has hair just like yours. See?”

  “Well, isn’t that something?” Bridget fingered the doll’s pretty lavender dress, the same color as her own, then ran a hand down the brown curls that were a close match, as well.

  Will reached out to the doll just as Caleb swerved past him and skidded to a stop inches short of colliding into Bridget’s legs. “I found it, Miss Bridget. I found the perfect boat for you.”

  Smiling at the little boy’s eagerness, she focused on Caleb next. In his tiny hand he held an exact eight-inch replica of the ship she’d disembarked only yesterday. The toy was made out of wood and string and had remarkably accurate detail, all the way down to the individual
sails.

  “Why, Caleb, that looks just like the Annie McGee.”

  He turned it over in his hand. “Truly?”

  “Oh, yes. Look. Right here—” she pointed to a spot on the ship “—those small round white dots are windows. On a ship they’re called portholes.”

  “Portholes,” he repeated, chewing on the word a moment before turning the boat around to face her. “What’s this called?”

  “The wheelhouse. And this is…” She thought for a moment, decided to go simple. “The main deck.”

  “More,” he demanded. “Show me more.”

  Like most boys his age, Caleb Black had an eager, inquisitive mind. He would be a joy to teach, if only his father would give her a chance. For the next few moments Bridget busied herself explaining various points of interest on the toy.

  Caleb stayed alert throughout. Olivia, however, watched them with dwindling interest, the doll cradled in her arms pulling her attention away quite effectively.

  As each moment passed, Bridget experienced a pang of regret. Both children were utterly charming, even in their reserve. Sensing their father’s eyes on her, she turned and noted the disappointment radiating out of him, a feeling she shared.

  Oh, Lord, if only…

  No, there could be no if only in this situation. Bridget would not wed William Black, no matter how much she liked his children. Marrying a man like him, with his desire for a wife in name only, could only end in heartache for her. And for his children, as well. Possibly even for Will.

  She glanced at him. His posture said it all. He’d finally accepted defeat. “Children, we should be on our way. Tell Miss Bridget goodbye.”

  In unison they swung to face him. Caleb spoke for them both. “But we were just starting to have fun.”

  “We need to check on Nene before we head out to the river.”

  “Nene?” Bridget asked before she could stop herself. She usually wasn’t quite so curious, but this man had asked her to become his wife. Didn’t that give her certain rights?

  “Nene is my mother,” Will said, his tone full of quiet gravity. “Caleb gave her the name when he first started speaking.”

  Confused, Bridget cocked her head. “I don’t understand.”

  “Her given name is Naomi Esther Black. She usually goes by Esther but Caleb must have heard her full name and tried to say it and—”

  “Nene was what came out.”

  “Precisely.”

  A moment of understanding passed between them. And then, William Black smiled. He actually smiled. The gesture revealed a hidden dimple in his left cheek and Bridget’s heart stuttered. She’d never met a more handsome man. For a moment she considered accepting his offer of marriage right there on the spot.

  She kept her mouth firmly shut.

  Farewells were said far too quickly, purchases were made for the twins, and with more sorrow than she would have expected Bridget watched the Black family troop out of the store.

  At the last moment Olivia looked over her shoulder. Bridget waved. The child returned the gesture.

  And then…

  They were gone.

  They need me. The realization slammed through her so plainly Bridget stumbled back a step. It took every ounce of willpower not to chase after them and accept Will’s proposal.

  Instead she took a large pull of air and went to introduce herself to the store owner.

  * * *

  A quarter of an hour later Bridget made her way back to the boardinghouse, her heart troubled. Hattie James, the sole proprietress of Faith Glen’s general store, had been a kind, if somewhat severe older woman with iron-gray hair, weathered features and an infectious laugh. Bridget had liked the woman well enough, but her mind had been too full of William Black and his children to engage in a lengthy conversation.

  If Will would just give in and accept Bridget’s help, on her terms, maybe those children of his would smile more often.

  Lord, surely something can be done.

  No solution came to her, not even when she squeezed her eyes shut and prayed harder.

  Head down, she rounded the last corner to the boardinghouse and nearly collided into Cameron Long.

  “Oh.” She reared back, nearly losing her balance. “Pardon me, Sheriff.”

  “My fault.” Although he appeared to be leaving he changed direction and joined her on the boardinghouse’s walkway, matching her step for step as they commandeered the stairs together.

  Bridget couldn’t help but wonder what business had brought him here on a Saturday.

  Then she caught sight of Nora’s face. Her sister looked very pleased with herself, happy even. Perhaps the sheriff had told her the house was theirs and they could move in right away. There was no need to travel to the County Clerk’s Office after all.

  For the first time since arriving in Faith Glen, Bridget let excitement settle over her. Her feet barely hit the porch as she hurried to Nora’s side.

  “You’ve had news about the house.”

  “Sadly, no.” Nora shook her head, her gaze sweeping past Bridget a moment to land on the sheriff. She lowered her eyelashes.

  “Oh.” Bridget tried not to pout like an unhappy child who hadn’t gotten her way.

  To her surprise, when Nora lifted her head she was still smiling. “Now don’t look so down, dear sister. Sheriff Long has brought other news almost as exciting.”

  What could possibly be as exciting as finding out they owned Laird O’Malley’s house? Bridget looked from the sheriff to Nora and back again.

  Neither seemed willing to take the lead in the conversation now that the subject had been broached.

  “Well?” she prompted. “Won’t someone tell me the news?”

  “Cameron has agreed to hire one of us to cook and clean for him and his deputy on a regular basis.”

  Cameron was it? Nora was on a first-name basis with the sheriff already? How…intriguing.

  And completely beside the point.

  Bridget smoothed her hands down her skirt, unsure why she wasn’t more pleased by this new bit of information. Perhaps she was still sad over the situation with Will and his children. If matters had gone her way Bridget would be bearing good news, as well.

  Nevertheless with their money draining away faster than expected due to their boardinghouse stay, this job offer was a blessing, an answer to prayer. “That’s very kind of you, Sheriff.”

  “Not so kind.” He shrugged off her compliment, looking oddly embarrassed. “More like selfish. My deputy and I have been sharing the duties these past few years, to disastrous results. It’s a wonder one of us hasn’t killed the other.”

  He smiled, as though he’d told a rather funny joke.

  Bridget couldn’t help but smile back.

  “The duties would include cleaning the living quarters and jail cells, as well as feeding any prisoners that might spend the night behind bars. Of course that’s a rare occurrence,” he said when Nora gasped. “There’s a no-saloon ordinance and a strong Christian presence in Faith Glen. We’re a peaceful community.”

  Bridget had already come to that conclusion after her walk this morning. But she was happy to hear her assumptions confirmed from the sheriff’s own mouth.

  “I’ll pay a fair salary.” The number he mentioned was more than fair. “But the hours will be long, sunrise to sunset.”

  “That’s only to be expected,” Bridget said, chewing on the information.

  As wonderful as the offer was she had one main concern: the sweet bundle sleeping peacefully in the bassinet beside Nora.

  If Will decided to change his mind and hired Bridget as his children’s nanny—oh, please, Lord—she wasn’t sure the offer would include Grace, as well. And even if it did, N
ora would never give up the child for any great length of time. She’d grown uncommonly attached.

  Under the circumstances it was best to make certain the matter was settled before her sister’s first day of work. “Would Nora be able to bring baby Grace with her?”

  The sheriff stared at her as though he didn’t understand the question.

  Nora looked at her with the same glazed expression in her eyes.

  Bridget glanced from one to the other, wondering at their odd reaction to a simple question. Was she missing something? Had she struck some unknown point of contention between them?

  Seconds ticked by. Neither Nora nor Sheriff Long would look at one another. Or Bridget for that matter.

  What had happened while she’d been at the general store?

  “Nora?”

  Her sister moved a small step away from the sheriff, enough to make her point without appearing rude. “I was thinking you would take the job.”

  “Me?” Bridget didn’t bother hiding her surprise. “But you’re the better cook.”

  “You are competent, as well.”

  Competent, yes, while Nora was exceptional. The sheriff and his deputy deserved the best cook possible. After all, they were the reason this peaceful community was, well, peaceful.

  “Bridget, we have to consider what’s best for the baby. Considering all she’s been through, Grace—”

  “Can come with you during the day,” Cameron Long said, putting an end to the rest of Nora’s argument.

  Before either could change their minds, Bridget spoke first. “Then it’s settled. Nora will start Tuesday.” The day after they met with the county clerk and discovered the truth about Laird’s house—their house.

  “That’ll be fine.” The sheriff stuffed his hat on his head. “I’ll see you both bright and early Monday morning.”

  He turned and started down the steps.

  Bridget called after his retreating back. “Sheriff, wait.”