White River Brides

by Frances Devine

Motioning behind her for Jack not to follow, she walked into the parlor with the hulking boy. Lowering her voice, she looked at Billy Joe, who was giving her a worshipful look. She wondered if the look would remain after she spoke. “Billy Joe, were you here one day while I was gone?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I came over one day to ask you about learning me, but no one answered my knock, so I came inside to wait. After a while I had to go, so I left.”

  “I see.” Lexie knew the Maxwell boys hadn’t had much training in manners. She’d add that to her lesson plans.

  “Miss Rayton, I’m sorry I skeered you at the barn-raisin’ that time. Your hair is the color that my ma’s used to be ’fore she died. I jes’ had to touch it to see if it felt the same.”

  Understanding and sympathy rushed through Lexie. “It’s all right. But you mustn’t ever do that again. And by the way, Billy Joe. I teach and you learn. You must learn to say it right.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ll learn what you teach me real good.”

  Lexie watched as he climbed on the old mule and rode away.

  Lexie spent the morning helping the girls complete the lessons they’d begun this week. After lunch, when they went out to play, she turned to Jack. “I’ll get my things together. How long will you be here this time?” She felt strange now that they were alone in the house. The subject of the proposal lay on her mind, and her whole body was numb with nerves.

  “Lexie, there’s something I need to talk to you about.” The look he gave her was serious but tender. “Shall we sit on the porch, or would you be comfortable in the parlor? It is cold outside.”

  “The porch will be fine. It’s a little stuffy in here.” She put her hand to her collar as though to loosen it then dropped her hand into her lap.

  He placed his hand on her elbow and they stepped outside. Clouds had gathered and blotted out the sun that had shone so brightly an hour ago.

  “Perhaps we should call the girls in. It looks as though it might rain any moment.”

  “Tuck! Addy!” He called and the girls came running.

  “Are you leaving, Miss Lexie?” Addy asked.

  “Not yet, dear. But it looks like it might rain.”

  “Girls, I need to talk to Miss Lexie in private,” said Jack. “Why don’t you go find a puzzle, and we’ll put it together in a little while.”

  “Aw, can’t we play a little longer?” Tuck pouted.

  “Abigail…,” Lexie said.

  “Oh, all right.” Tuck grabbed Addy by the hand and ran inside, dragging her sister along.

  “Have you considered my proposal since I’ve been gone?” His deep brown eyes looked worried as he scanned her face.

  She swallowed past the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat. “Yes, I have.”

  He took a deep breath. “And what have you decided?”

  “I will marry you, Jack.” Had she really gotten the words past her throat? Suddenly she felt faint. She’d just agreed to a marriage of convenience. One without love. Years and years of living with a man who didn’t love her.

  His face lit up. “You will? That’s wonderful.” He grabbed her and swung her around, then set her down and pulled her close. “I can’t believe it. You won’t regret it, Lexie. I promise I’ll take care of you and make life as good as I can for you and the girls.”

  Confused, she pulled away. She could almost think he was happy to be marrying her. Well, of course he was because of the girls but—“Yes, I’m sure you will, Jack. I know you’re an honorable man.”

  “I also wanted to tell you that I’ve sold the Julia Dawn and my freight business.”

  “You have? So soon?” Oh no, this was worse. She’d thought she’d have time to get used to a loveless marriage before she had to live in the same house with the man, constantly reminded that he didn’t care for her that way. How could she go on seeing him every day, loving him and not letting him know?

  “Yes, one of the crew offered to buy it, and since he had the money, I didn’t see any sense in waiting. We should have a crop of sorts next year, but after that it’ll get better. There is plenty of money until the farm starts producing enough to support us.” He sounded eager, happy. Didn’t he care that he was marrying a woman he didn’t love?

  She sighed. He was thinking of the twins. That’s why he was so excited that she’d said yes. They were his priority and they needed to be hers as well. It was time to grow up and put her childish fantasies aside.

  He grew silent, and she glanced up at him. His face looked strained. Had he asked her a question that she didn’t hear or had he suddenly decided he was making a mistake?

  “I’m sorry, Jack. I became a little distracted for a moment. Did you ask me something?”

  He hesitated then smiled. “Have you considered a wedding date?”

  “What did you have in mind?” Did every girl spend her young years dreaming of her wedding day? Lexie had. She blinked back the tears that started to form.

  “I thought it would be best to marry soon. Then we could see an attorney about adopting Tuck and Addy.”

  “Yes, of course you’re right. The Christmas dance is in two weeks. It’s on a Saturday night, and we’ll have a church service the next day. Reverend Allen will be here all weekend. We could talk to him then.”

  His eyes brightened. “That sounds fine. Let’s plan on that.”

  She gave him a tremulous smile and stood. “I suppose I’d better get my things, so you can take me home and get back before the rain starts.”

  He stood and reached for her. She stiffened and he stepped back, a hurt look on his face. Did he expect…?

  “I’m sorry, Jack. I need a little time to get used to the idea.”

  “Of course. I should have realized. I’m the one who should apologize. I’ll just go hitch up the wagon.”

  She stared after him, wanting to call him back. Longing to throw herself into his arms. With heaviness on her heart, she went inside.

  Chapter 21

  Jack scooped up another pile of straw and tossed it down to the girls.

  Addy raked a portion of it into one of the stalls and began spreading it.

  Tuck peered up, her hand shading her eyes from the sun that burst through the open window of the loft. “Mr. Jack, you’re awfully close to that edge. Maybe you should move back a little.”

  Jack had plenty of room, but at the worry in her eyes he stepped back a couple of inches. “I think that’s enough straw for now. Help your sister spread the rest of it in Champion’s stall.”

  Relief appeared on her face, and she grinned and went to help Addy.

  A pang of sympathy shot through Jack. He knew what it felt like to lose both parents the way Tuck and Addy had. Still, since he’d been home this week, he’d noticed a concern almost bordering on fear in Tuck that something might happen to him. He planned to talk to Lexie and see if she’d noticed anything similar. Was the poor kid living in fear she’d lose the two of them, too? Funny how Tuck was usually the tough one of the twins, but Addy didn’t seem to be worried at all. Or maybe she was hiding it better.

  Jack sighed. Or maybe the whole thing was his imagination. In spite of the bad start they’d had with the girls lying to them both, they seemed to be doing well. He credited Lexie and her aunt with that.

  He climbed down from the loft. “I’m going to do some repairs on the henhouse. After you girls finish up here, go check the woodbox.”

  “Checked it after lunch,” Tuck said.

  “Oh, all right. In that case”—he squinted one eye and appeared to be in deep thought—“I guess you’ll just have to go play for a while.”

  Squeals of laughter exploded from both girls as Jack grabbed a hammer and a sack of nails from a shelf and ducked out the door.

  Halfway to the chicken coop, he heard hoofbeats and turned to see a one-seater buggy pulling up in front of the house. He squinted against the sun as he walked toward it. A woman he’d never seen before stepped out.

  At that moment, Addy flew ac
ross the yard and grabbed Jack around the waist. “Mr. Jack! That’s Bella. Don’t let her take us.” Addy’s voice verged on hysteria.

  “I ain’t going nowhere with her.” Tuck stood with her hands on her small overalls-clad hips. She pressed her lips together and glared at the woman.

  A high-pitched laugh emitted from the woman’s large, painted mouth. “Oh you girls, you always were kidders.”

  The woman was around forty. Her bright orange hair was probably a failed attempt at dyeing it red. Her dress, tight across her stomach, bore stains across the chest.

  “I ain’t kidding!” Tuck stomped her foot, and Jack reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder.

  Bella’s eyes narrowed and cruelty darted from her eyes. But a moment later, she’d smoothed the expression off her face. “Now Abigail, you mustn’t talk to your ma like that.”

  “You aren’t our ma!” For the first time, Addy spoke directly to the woman.

  Anger crossed Bella’s face, but she took her eyes off the girls and looked at Jack. “I only just recently heard about their pa’s death, and the first thing I thought about was those poor girls and how I must get on back and take care of them.”

  Jack frowned. “I’m sure you mean well, but Tuck and Addy are fine. Since you aren’t their mother, you’re really under no obligation.”

  “Obligation?” She threw her hands up. “But I love the twins. As soon as I found out where they were I went to a judge and showed them my marriage license to their pa. Here. I have papers ordering you to turn them over to me. And I insist you get their things right now.”

  Jack glanced over the paper she handed him, and nausea roiled inside his stomach. It was legal all right. A raised stamp was affixed at the bottom. And it ordered whoever was holding Abigail and Adeline Flanigan to release them into Isabella Flanigan’s custody immediately.

  He took a deep, rasping breath and licked his lips. “Addy, Tuck, I’m afraid she has a legal right to take you with her. Please pack your things.”

  “No, Mr. Jack,” Addy pleaded, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Please don’t make us go. I promise I’ll be good.”

  Tuck took her sister’s hand, her face frozen. “He can’t stop her, Addy. Didn’t you hear? The law gave us to her. He’ll go to jail if he tries to keep us.”

  Addy gasped. Then with tears still streaming down her face, she followed Tuck inside.

  “Where will you be taking them?” Perhaps they’d be near enough so that he could at least keep watch and make sure they were safe.

  “Why, to our cabin, of course. And I do appreciate your taking care of the precious angels for me. You know their pa and I had a little squabble, and I’m such a silly old thing I just upped and left. But I always knew I’d come home.” She dabbed at her eyes with a soiled handkerchief. “Oh, but to find out my poor husband was dead.”

  Yes, what about the huckster? Jack nearly said the words aloud. Something was wrong here. Jack felt it. This wasn’t the end of it. He’d go see the judge at Forsyth. He headed for the house to change out of his soiled work clothes. If the judge couldn’t be swayed, how would Jack tell Lexie?

  Lexie tried to keep up a happy smile as she stood on the stool while Aunt Kate held the skirt pattern against her lower half. Her aunt had chattered with excitement ever since Lexie told her about her upcoming marriage.

  “I say again, Alexandra, people might talk about you getting married on such short notice.”

  “I don’t see why. Will and Sarah only announced theirs two months ahead of time.”

  “Yes, but they had been courting for over a year. That’s why.” She gave a short nod and stuck a pin in the paper pattern.

  “Well, then they can just talk.” Lexie didn’t really care. If they knew the truth, they’d have a lot more to talk about.

  Aunt Kate stopped pinning for a moment and looked intently at her niece. Then she nodded again. Only differently this time. “You’re entirely right. Let the old gossips talk. But they’d better not let me hear them, or I’ll give them a piece of my mind.”

  Tenderness and love rose up in Lexie. Aunt Kate might not be overly affectionate, but she loved Lexie and Will and had always stood up for them against all comers. “I’m sure once I tell them the reason, they’ll understand. I don’t believe even one of them would want to see Tuck and Addy have to go away.”

  Aunt Kate smiled and resumed her pinning. “I’m glad you can see the good in people.”

  “Ma and Pa taught me that. And you reinforced it.” Lexie grinned down at her aunt.

  “Now be still before you make me stick you.” Aunt Kate fussed then stopped, her head tilted. “Is that a horse I hear? Oh my. Company’s coming. I only have you half pinned. Stay right there. Don’t move. Let me see who it is.” Aunt Kate’s heels clicked across the floor on her way to the door.

  “Well hello, Jack. Wasn’t expecting you this time of the day.” How could Aunt Kate be so cheery when Lexie was sick inside? But of course Aunt Kate didn’t know.

  Jack’s voice came clearly from the hallway. “Aunt Kate, I need to talk to Lexie. And is Will in the house?”

  “No, he’s getting wood. He decided we didn’t have enough to satisfy him. Amazing the change a new bride can make in a man.” She chuckled. “Sarah went along with him. She hasn’t learned to let him out of her sight yet.”

  By now, Lexie was down from the stool, dropping pins as she went. Jack’s voice didn’t sound right. Was something wrong with the girls? She threw the pattern off and grabbed her robe. She headed for the hallway, tying her robe as she went.

  “Now Lexie, I’ll have to do that all over again,” Aunt Kate protested. Couldn’t she see something was wrong?

  “Jack, what’s wrong? Where are the girls?” She laid her hand on his arm, and he covered hers with his, gripping tightly.

  Aunt Kate frowned. “Oh dear, something is wrong, isn’t it, and I’ve been carrying on like an old hen.”

  “You’d both better sit down.” He guided them both into the parlor.

  Panic enveloped Lexie. “I don’t want to sit down. Tell me, has something happened to Tuck or Addy?”

  “No, no. Well, in a way. But they aren’t hurt or anything like that.” He tried again to lead her to a chair, but she swatted his hands away.

  Finally, he sighed. “Their stepma came and got them. She had a document signed by a Forsyth judge giving her custody of Tuck and Addy.”

  Lexie froze. Through a haze, she heard him say they were at the cabin.

  “Sweetheart, I promise I’ll do what I can to get them back. I plan to see that judge tomorrow morning.” He twisted his hat in his hand, agony on his face.

  “Tomorrow? That might be too late. Why aren’t you there now?”

  “I tried. As soon as they left, I rode over to Forsyth, but the judge’s office was empty, and they said he wouldn’t be back until the morning. No one knew where he was, or if they did they wouldn’t say.”

  Lexie’s thoughts spun. The idea of Addy and Tuck with that woman caused Lexie’s stomach to tighten. They’d never said anything about her mistreating them, but the woman had loose morals, and who was to say she hadn’t taken to alcohol or something? And what if she decided to leave and take the girls with her? “We have to do something. We can’t wait until tomorrow.”

  “I agree. I had a strange feeling about that woman. I don’t know what she’s up to, but I can’t believe she’s here because she cares about Tuck and Addy.”

  Aunt Kate had sat silently, her hand on her throat throughout Jack’s story. Now she stood. “You’re right. Something must be done. Let me call Will. He can get some of the neighbor men to go with you.”

  “That’s a good idea, Aunt Kate,” Jack said. “But not just yet. First, I want to check on the twins. Then I’m going to scout around and try to find out what her true purpose is.”

  “I’m going with you.” Lexie narrowed her eyes. He’d better not dare try to prevent her from going.

  “Lexie, I kn
ow you’re worried.” He took her hand again. “But I think it would be best for me to go alone. Besides, I rode Champion.”

  “And I think it’s best for me to go with you.” She placed her hands on her hips, then realizing it, let them fall to her sides. “And I can saddle up Jolly.” Aunt Kate stepped over to them and put her arm around Lexie. “You may as well let her go, Jack. She’ll just follow you if you don’t. But first, we need to ask God’s help and place Tuck and Addy in His hands.”

  “Thank you, Aunt Kate.” Lexie nodded. “You’re exactly right.”

  They bowed their heads, and Lexie was surprised when Jack began to pray out loud. “Heavenly Father, we love Tuck and Addy. But we know You love them more. You know things about this situation that we don’t. We want them back, Lord. But only if it is Your will. Now we place our girls in Your loving hands and ask You to give us peace. In the name of Your Son, Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

  “Thank you, Jack,” Lexie whispered. “That was beautiful.”

  “All right, Lexie. You can go. But I suggest you put on heavy skirts and bring a coat. We’ll need to stop at the farm for the wagon. And we’d better wait until near dark.”

  Lexie nodded, glad he hadn’t argued any more about her going along. “Whatever you say, Jack. I’ll go change and get my coat and scarf.”

  As she slipped out of her robe and put on a wool dress, her heart suddenly lurched. Had he called her sweetheart? Yes, she was sure he had. Maybe…

  Oh nonsense. She was imagining what she wanted to hear. And even if he had, it was simply a name he called the girls all the time.

  Chapter 22

  Jack put Champion and the Raytons’ Jolly in the barn and hitched his mules to the wagon. The work horses would be faster, but they had thick woods to go through and some rough ground to cover. The mules would be better. After he’d tied them to a post in front of the house, he joined Lexie on the porch.

  “How long do we need to wait?” Lexie looked up at the sky.

  “At least another hour. We don’t want to get to the cabin before dark.”