Forever in Love (Book One of the Armstrong Series)

by Rita Hestand

"So Sam gave up more than I imagined, didn't he?"

  "Yes, he did. However, we talked about all the possibilities and he still wanted to do it. He said it wasn't such a price for happiness."

  "That's my Joe. I mean…Sam. I guess if we have to live with this lie, I better get used to calling him Sam, hadn't I? And, if both of you agree…perhaps you should never tell your father. It might kill him."

  "I've thought of that too. And I believe you are right, but when Sam is better, we'll discuss it."

  "And does Melanie care for you? Like you'd hoped."

  "Very much, we are so happy…but…of course she thinks I'm Joe."

  "You must find a way to tell her, Joe, so you can be happy."

  "I know…and you…?"

  "It's a daring plan, but the love I feel for him…makes it all worth it. Still…he gives up so much!"

  Joe smiled. "Then it was a good plan?"

  "Yes, I think it was. Someday, perhaps it will all come to light, but by then we will all be very happy." Carmen smiled sadly.

  "I hope you are right."

  "So, how is your father?"

  "Cantankerous as can be. Carmen…I'm doing my part to try to make him understand the love you share. I promise you that."

  "That's kind of you…but I doubt it will sway him."

  Joe touched her hand, "It will work out, somehow."

  "Yes…it must."

  Carmen directed him to his brother and Joe was shocked to see him in such shape. He was clean-shaven and Joe attributed that to Carmen's good care of his brother.

  But he did recognize him.

  "Joe!"

  "Sam." Joe said weakly grabbing a chair and coming to sit beside his bed.

  "We've been worried sick about you. Since dad sent money to those pirates for your release. I've been home a short while myself." Joe explained.

  Sam smiled but he was very weak. He grabbed Joe's arm and hung on.

  Sam looked at him. "So…how's the plan working?"

  "Excellent. Melanie and I were married just over a week ago. We honeymooned on the Sara Belle and we are very happy."

  "Splendid. And have you told her yet?" Sam asked.

  "No…not yet." Joe hung his head. "It's different for Melanie and I, I've loved her from afar so long. You know I'm worried about how she's going to take it."

  "She loves you doesn't she?" Sam insisted.

  "Well yes…she does. But…"

  "Then no worries." Sam turned his head and wiped at his eyes. Joe saw blood on the bandana he used.

  "So…how long are you going to be here?" Joe asked him. "It's not like you to give into something like this."

  "Until I'm over this, I guess. I was doing fine at first, got over the initial disease but then something happened that set me back again. Have you seen Carmen?" Sam asked a slight curl to his lips.

  "Yes, she looks wonderful. And have you two…"

  "No, I've got to get well before I can think of asking her to marry me. She's doted on me…and I'm not sure she knows who I am yet."

  "Of course. Well, I'm sure that won't take long."

  "I hope not. But I'm hesitant as you. This charade isn't as easy as we first thought it might be, is it?"

  "No…I guess not." Joe lamented. Did his brother know that Carmen knew? It didn't sound it.

  "Are you happy with Melanie?" Sam looked concerned for his brother.

  "More than I ever dreamed. We are perfect together." Joe smiled in reflection. "As I knew we would be. I only hope she can come to forgive me for deceiving her."

  "Then perhaps it is worth it after all." Sam sighed heavily. "I want your happiness above all. You deserve it."

  "And you brother, what of you? I must tell you father wants Melanie and I to live at Golden Manor."

  "I'll have what I want. I'm sure of it. I've seen the look in Carmen's eye. I think I've already won her over. And I'm glad you are at Golden Manor. You know I never cared about running that place. It just isn't in me. Father never realized it. I tried to tell him many times. Carmen and I can live comfortably with her folks until we get our own place. There is no worry there."

  "Yes, but Golden Manor should be yours…you know that."

  "I once thought that too. However, I was wrong. I'll get along fine, without Golden Manor as long as I have Carmen."

  "You've got to get well. I won't hear of you expiring. You can fight this and win. You have so much to be happy for." Joe encouraged.

  "I've had much time to consider our plan. Carmen…she has been so dutiful to me. I owe her, Joe. I've fallen even deeper in love with her, if that is possible. For now, I know her soul too. And I love her to distraction. I couldn't go back to Golden Manor and live. I've had enough of it all. Don't you fret, I'll be fine."

  "That's wonderful…" Joe began. "But…you are coming home first, aren't you?"

  "I don't know about first, but I'll come for a bit."

  "But…I don't want to hurt her. I fear I must confess it to her before I offer her marriage. I cannot imagine hurting her." Sam said and coughed again, this time the blood more pronounced. "She deserves the truth."

  Those words echoed in Joe's mind and heart. It was his own lies that bothered him.

  "I know you are right. Melanie deserves to know the truth too. I wanted to make sure she understood just how much I love her. I wanted to make her so happy that she could never leave me…"

  Sam nodded. "And is she happy?"

  "Very…She thinks you've changed a lot."

  Sam chuckled.

  "And father, does he suspect?"

  "No, but Ole Jen….I could not fool her. She knows."

  "Of course, if anyone knows us, it's Ole Jen. Has she said anything to anyone?"

  "No, she wouldn't. She loves us both, you know. And I think deep down she understands, but she nags me to tell Melanie."

  "Yes, I think of her often, how much she did for us as children. I couldn't love her more if she were my blood mother." Sam confessed. "And not to be cold and unfeeling, I like Melanie a lot, but I just didn't love her…especially enough to marry her. Once she knows the truth, and she sees the difference in our feelings for her, she's bound to accept it."

  "Yes, but I'm afraid every time I look at her, I see my own guilt festering."

  Sam nodded. "She always could make you fess up. I must tell you now. You are going to have to be strong around father. Don't let him brow beat you. You must stand up to him at any cost. Otherwise all is lost. If you need any tutoring, come see me. When I leave here, I hope to be going to Carmen's. Her father actually likes me."

  "I'm glad of that. Do you think he'd put you to work?" Joe snickered.

  "I'm sure of it." Joe smiled.

  "I've learned I must be stronger if I want this to work."

  "You will be. I'm sure of it. And remember, it's the end result that counts. You can handle Golden Manor because you have the heart I've never had for it."

  "What shall I tell father then?"

  "That as soon as I'm well enough I'll be seeing you all. Although, if our plan is to work, I must tend to it first. If I can. She's been so wonderful…And even if you don't tell Melanie right away, it won't matter. This is a wonderful excuse for me falling in love with Carmen…the illness you see."

  "You do love her, don't you, Sam?"

  "Indeed!" Sam hastened to confirm it. "More than I ever dreamed and it is so worth the lies…Just to be free to love her, means the world to me. Father would never have put up with this. He would have disowned me, if he knew I wouldn't honor my betrothal to Melanie."

  "Alright, now get well. I can't stay long, but I'm so glad I found you. Father will be relieved and even Melanie has asked about you. She thinks very highly of you, you know. Of Sam I mean."

  Sam reached for Joe's hand again and he stared at him for a long moment. "It's a good plan Joe, and it's for the best. I know that. But the guilt lays heavy. Set yourself free and tell Melanie the truth. But whatever you do, don't tell dad. He'd never get over it."
>
  "I know…" Joe nodded; rolling his shoulders he shrugged it away. "Are we doing right, Sam? By keeping this from him?"

  "It was the only way, and you know it…" Sam concluded. "Just remember to stay strong. You can do this, I know you've got it in you. And we'll both be happy in the end."

  "But…father wants me to run Golden Manor…"

  "That's to be expected…I knew he would, and you must not think anything of it." Sam nodded. "It's time for you to show him what you are made of. Gain his respect and love."

  "Perhaps, but I feel I am cheating you of so much…"

  "Fear not. I'll make out, and I'll be happy to have my Carmen in my arms…that is if she'll have me when this is over."

  "I saw such a look of love in her eyes when I asked of you. Get well, brother…I miss you."

  Sam nodded.

  Joe left the hospital with regrets. He had hoped he could take his brother home, but Sam's condition was critical right now. However, he gained faith that Carmen would see him through his darkest moments and they would be stronger for it.

  This wasn't the kind of news he wanted to bring home.

  Chapter Fourteen

  "You didn't bring him back?" George boomed at his son as he finished his breakfast. Joe knew his father would be upset with the news, but last night he arrived late and only woke Melanie.

  Trying to control his temper Joe shrugged. He stood up, and pushed the chair to the table, then stared at his father. Sam's words echoed in his ears. 'Be strong'.

  "He couldn't come back yet, father. He wasn't fit for travel. It will be some time yet before he can sit a saddle." Joe insisted. "You'll have to be patient. He is mending but slowly. He has jaundice, and he's very weak yet."

  "I sent you to bring him back!" George wiped his face with his napkin and stood up. "What's happened to you son. You used to command things. Now…"

  "And I tell you he's too ill to be moved. Even Carmen said so." Joe blurted without thinking. Dear God, when would he learn to control his mouth!

  "Carmen?" George's voice raised a notch with disbelief. He moved closer to his son, his eyes flaming with anger. "You saw Carmen? I might have known. So it isn't over…is it? Did you go there first, or after…?"

  "Yes, I saw her father. But it's not as you fear. She's a nurse, she's been helping Sam." Joe defended. "She's his nurse; she's devoted herself to making him well."

  "Has she now? And what of you son? Have you already betrayed your beloved wife?" George accused getting in Joe's face to do so.

  "Of course not, father. I love Melanie, just as I told you. I'd never hurt her in any way."

  Joe had slipped. In his attempt to defend his actions, he had blurted out about Carmen. Now things were quickly festering and changing.

  Especially since Melanie walked into the room.

  She stood like a breath of sunshine in her beautiful morning coat of peach silk. Her hair streaming over her shoulders, her face paling from the conversation she had just overheard.

  Her face was ashen. Never mind that they had made love into the night, the mere mention of Carmen's name threw Melanie into a state of shock. However, Joe had to admit, she recovered well. He admired how she remained stoic.

  "Father…you must understand, she's a nurse. She went to Galveston with Dr. Pruitt to be of help to the people. They have a plague of yellow fever going on down there. People are dying…"

  Melanie listened and came to stand beside her husband, her shoulders tight, her lips pursed. She quickly looped an arm in his.

  "Did you hear your husband? He's been with Carmen." George boomed walking about the room at an unthinkable pace.

  "I have not been with Carmen. I merely spoke with her about Sam." Joe defended wrapping his arm around Melanie as he spoke.

  "Did he tell you he'd spoken with Carmen?" George asked Melanie suddenly.

  "No but…" Melanie tried to explain only to be cut off by a raging George Armstrong.

  "Of course he didn't. He blurted it out just now, to both our astonishment." George raved.

  "Will you listen to me?" Joe stood up to him like Sam had told him. "I went down there to find Sam. I searched the City Hospital with no luck, then someone directed me to the St. Mary's and I went there. Although it's a Catholic hospital run by nuns, they have accepted as much help as they could get. Sam has yellow fever, he's very sick, as he's had a second infection of it. It's a miracle he's still alive, father. If you could see him, you'd understand. Carmen has trained under a doctor and when the fever broke out, she went to St. Mary's to help. While she was there, she ran into Sam. He was very sick, had some kind of relapse they said. She's taken him completely under her wing. And I must say he's on the road to recovery now, thanks to her nursing." Joe explained. "I seriously doubt anyone else there gets the attention he does."

  "You would say something like that about her," His father said over his shoulder.

  "Only because it is the truth."

  "After all these years you still cater to that woman. I cannot believe you would do this to Melanie…I cannot believe you would have the audacity to defend her in my presence."

  "I've done nothing but what you asked. I saw Sam." Joe felt the old angers stirring and tried to stay his temper, if for no other reason than Melanie.

  Melanie squeezed Joe's arm. "I believe him, father."

  George turned furious eyes on her. "You've always believed him. I don't expect that to change. However, I am not that taken in. I thought he'd grown up. I thought he was ready to take over this place. Now this…"

  Nose to nose, he looked him in the eye.

  "I swear by almighty God, that I had nothing to do with her except to ask of Sam. Sam told me himself, if it hadn't been for her, he might not be on the road to recovering. I admire her for her dedication. That is all, father. I love Melanie and I took our vows as sacred. I told them both that we were married."

  The way he approached him, had George stepping back a moment to reflect. He studied him a moment. "Could you possibly have grown up that much?"

  "Father, I swear!" Joe scrutinized his father now.

  "By God, if you are lying you will lose Golden Manor to your brother…"

  "Don't threaten me father. I won't do battle with you, not over this. And I won't let you walk all over me either. I've done nothing wrong. I'm not lying, in fact; Sam is quite taken with Carmen, himself." Joe announced. "He plans to ask her for her hand in marriage."

  "Marriage! Outrageous! I don't believe he'd be that stupid."

  Melanie seemed shocked at this news. "Sam?"

  "Yes, well, he's been gravely ill, and it is thanks to Carmen that he is on the mend." Joe explained, turning to face Melanie now. "It's not unusual for a man to think highly of his nurse."

  "Has the woman no shame at all!" George fumed. "First you, now Sam?"

  "You hardly know the lady, how can you judge her?" Joe asked turning back to his father, his face angry at his father's presumptions.

  "I know what she's after, the Armstrong fortune." George boomed.

  "The Armstrong fortune?" Joe practically laughed in his face. "Father what is that? All we have is this place…"

  "Exactly, Golden Manor!"

  Melanie went to his father now and put her hand on his arm, looking into his eyes. "Perhaps she's changed too. Joe is right, Father George, when one is nursed proper, and it would be hard not to be grateful. I can understand that."

  "I'm trying to protect you, Melanie, of all people from this witch…"

  "If a woman knows anything, it's when a man loves her. I know that Joe loves me…" Melanie proclaimed.

  Joe's heart leapt. He could not love her more than this moment.

  "You’re a fool, but a beautiful one." George patted her hand. He turned to stare into Joe's eyes. "If you ever hurt this woman, I'll kill you myself. As Melanie is as close to me as blood. Do you understand me, son?"

  "Yes father, I do. And I would never intentionally hurt Melanie." Joe assured him. "I love her to
o much."

  "When will Sam be able to travel?" His father lit a pipe and drew on it.

  "I don't know for sure. He has no strength yet. And to bring him home now might make him worse." Joe informed him. "That's the main reason I didn't bring him home. He was still spitting up blood and very yellow."

  George hung his head in thought. "That bad?" He murmured.

  "That bad." Joe answered.

  "Very well. I have no choice but to leave him to Carmen's charms for now. But the minute he is well enough, I want him home."

  "Of course, we all do." Joe assured him.

  "Perhaps the little whore will remain in Galveston." George smirked.

  Joe frowned it was on the tip of his tongue to defend Carmen, but Melanie might not understand, so he remained silent. "I'd appreciate it if you could refrain from name calling, father. Sam really cares for her, greatly. I for one want his happiness, as I have been witness to his torture aboard the ship and now the fever. He deserves to be happy, and to have the woman of his choice."

  "As I recall you felt the same about her at one time."

  "I told you father, that was folly."

  "It better be. I want no more mention of her name in this house, do you understand?"

  Joe nodded. "You could run Sam off, if you aren't careful father. He's a man now, not a child. You've always wanted us to grow up to be strong men. Well, I can tell you we are both much stronger than you ever imagined. Sam is strong when he's healthy and nothing will keep him from marrying her. Nothing."

  "He's that smitten?" George frowned.

  "He is."

  George firmed his lips, and pulled on the cigar once more. "I thought once you'd come home, it would be the end of it."

  "Father, why do you hate her so?" Joe asked coming toward him. "What has she ever done to you?"

  George glanced from Joe to Melanie. He was standing at the edge of the dining room, a cigar unlit in his fingers. His expression changed to one of pain, and sorrow.

  "I was at San Jacinto when Houston took Santa Anna. I was one of them that cried, "Remember the Alamo." I fought the Mexicans and hated them for what they did at the Alamo, my Uncle died there. An uncle I loved dearly. She's part of that. And that's why she'll never be part of this!"