Irene

by Linda Ford

  He lifted his hand as if to detain her, but she slipped away. She couldn’t face him right now.

  “Come on, boys. I need you to help me with something,” Zach said.

  Irene was grateful to hear them all traipse outside. As soon as they left, she fled to the bedroom, falling on her knees beside the bed. Scalding tears poured down her cheeks. She dashed them away. “Oh, God,” she whispered, “I wanted so much more than anyone offered. And I’ve let my feelings get in the way. Help me be able to show my love in the way I care for Zach and the boys. Help me be satisfied with that.”

  Zach and the boys didn’t return until dinnertime. By then Irene had settled in her mind that her love would find its satisfaction in serving generously, in giving love without expecting it to be returned, and she was able to greet their return with a warm smile. “What have you been doing all morning?” she asked.

  Harry and Donald exchanged looks. “Can’t tell you,” Harry said solemnly.

  Irene grinned. “Is it a guessing game?”

  The boys shook their heads.

  “I see.” She tried to catch Zach’s eyes, but he seemed terribly interested in buttering a slice of bread. “Very well. Ask me what I did this morning.”

  “What?” The boys were obviously curious. Even Zach’s hands grew still as he listened.

  “Well. I had a very interesting day.” She drawled the words out. “I picked a bouquet of flowers.” She pointed to the jar on the counter. “I discovered that our roses are thriving.” She grabbed the jar. “See, these roses are from our bushes.”

  Harry jumped from his chair. “I want to see.”

  “After dinner,” Zach ordered.

  Harry settled back to his meal.

  “Roses are blooming, huh?” Zach gave her a long, steady look.

  Irene nodded. “The bushes are loaded.”

  “That must be a good omen.”

  “I suppose.” She had no idea what he meant and turned away from his dark gaze, determined to keep a tight rein on her emotions.

  As soon as they were done eating, Zach stood and waved the two boys to his side. “Come along. We have work to do.”

  “Can I see the roses first?” Harry asked.

  “We’ll go by them before we go back to work.”

  Irene watched as the trio traipsed to the bushes. Despite their scrawny appearance, the plants were covered in various shades of pink blossoms, some almost white, some as dark pink, almost red.

  The three of them stood talking and gesturing for a few minutes then marched off toward the barn. Irene smiled, content that they were enjoying each other, then turned her attention to the beets she had boiled early in the day intending to pickle them.

  She had poured the hot, spicy vinegar solution over the sliced beets and set them to seal when Zach and the boys burst into the house. They were fairly bouncing with excitement.

  “We have a surprise for you,” Harry announced.

  “You do?” Her gaze slid from one to the other, and she almost tripped at the intensity in Zach’s eyes.

  “Yes,” Donald announced, his eyes sparkling.

  “Sit down.” Harry led her to a chair. “Now wait here.” He turned and rushed outside, Donald hot on his heels. Zach leaned against the door, his arms crossed over his chest, a slow easy smile creasing his face. Irene tore her gaze from him to watch the doorway.

  The boys returned, holding a large, flat object between them. “We made it,” Harry announced and set the object on her knees.

  Irene gasped. Tears sprang to her eyes. It was a wooden picture; the words “Irene-Mommy” carved across it were encircled by a collection of buttons in all shapes and sizes and bows made from an assortment of ribbons and yard goods. “It’s beautiful.” She could barely speak around the tears clogging her throat, and she dashed away one that trickled down her cheek.

  Donald and Harry leaned against her, one on either side. “It’s all buttons and bows,” Harry said. “To show you we’re glad you’re our new mommy.”

  She drew them to her. “I am, too.” She kissed each head. “I love you both. Very much.”

  “I love you, too,” Harry said.

  “Me, too,” Donald echoed, planting a wet kiss on her cheek.

  Her eyes blurred with tears. She looked to Zach, her heart overflowing. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “No. Thank you.” He leaned forward, using his thumb to wipe a tear from her face. A shudder of pleasure and longing swept over her. She hoped he would think it was only a sob.

  His face close, he spoke low, his deep voice shivering through her. “I praise God He sent you into our lives. Remember when you said you wanted to live up to your name—bringer of peace?”

  She nodded.

  “Well you have. You’ve brought peace. I am grateful to you and God.”

  She couldn’t speak.

  “Where will you put it?” Harry demanded.

  She gave him a tremulous smile. She glanced around the room then nodded toward the wall next to the hall. “How about right there where I can see it every day?”

  Zach straightened. “I’ll get the hammer and nail.”

  A few minutes later the picture was hung and they all stood back to admire it. “It’s the nicest present I ever had,” Irene said.

  “Really?” Harry demanded.

  “Really.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek then Donald’s. Donald’s arms wrapped around her neck and held her tight while he kissed her.

  “We better let your mommy finish her work.” Zach led the boys outside.

  “Thank you,” she called after them.

  But she didn’t go back to work. Instead she stared at the picture, knowing this was reward enough for loving Zach in secret. At least she could love the boys openly. Then, smiling, determined to give her love freely, she turned to prepare the evening meal.

  Yet, despite her resolve, as she prepared for bed, she wished for more. Under the cover of darkness, Zach crawled into bed. She ached for him to take her in his arms, to pull her close. To say he loved her even a little. . . She longed to be more than a mother for his boys, a keeper of his home, and a wife in name only. But he lay on his side of the bed. In a few minutes his breathing deepened, and she knew he was asleep.

  And so it remained day after day. He was kind, attentive even, and profoundly grateful. But nothing more.

  A week later, Addie drove into the yard. “I’ve come for the boys.”

  “What?” Irene stared.

  Addie raised her eyebrows. “Zach didn’t tell you?”

  “Tell me what?”

  “He made arrangements on Sunday for me to come and get the boys and keep them overnight.”

  “He did?”

  Addie grinned. “I guess it’s a surprise. Where is he?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  Addie glanced around. “Here he comes now.” Zach strode up the side of the hill. “So, big brother, what is it you’ve got up your sleeve?”

  Zach shot her an annoyed look. “None of your business.”

  Addie laughed. “I see. Never mind. I’ll go find the boys.”

  Zach intercepted her. “I’ll get them.” He strode to the back of the house where the boys were playing, returning a few minutes later with the pair.

  “Aunt Addie!” Harry yelled. “Dad says we can stay with you tonight.”

  “Won’t that be fun?”

  Harry nodded.

  “Well, Donald,” Addie said.

  “’Lo,” he said.

  Addie stared at him. “He said hello.”

  Zach laughed. “What you expect him to say? Good-bye?”

  She shot her brother a you-know-what-I-mean look. “It’s nice to hear your voice again.”

  “Yup,” Donald agreed.

  Irene laughed. “He’s still a man of few words.”

  Zach and Harry chuckled at their little secret.

  “Come on, then.” Addie loaded the boys into the wagon. Then she grinned down at Zach and Ir
ene. “You two have a good time, now.” Laughing, she drove away.

  Irene stared after her, suddenly feeling very vulnerable.

  Zach took her hand. “Come with me.” He led her down the slope to the bottom of the valley, holding her hand to help her keep her footing on the steep slope.

  She longed to ask what his plans were, but her heart forbade her. She wanted it to be one thing; perhaps he had something else in mind.

  At the bottom of the hill, he led her to a small copse of trees. He parted the branches and led her to the clearing in the middle. Wild roses, harebells, and fragrant sweet clover had been cut and scattered around. She halted, staring at the scene, feeling like she’d stepped into space, not knowing where her next footstep would land.

  “Don’t be frightened,” he whispered, pulling her into the clearing.

  The scent of the flowers stirred her senses as did his warm hand.

  “I only wanted a chance to be alone without two curious little boys interrupting so I could tell you how I feel.” He grasped her chin between his finger and thumb, forcing her to meet his gaze. “I hope I’m not rushing you.” His gaze slid down her face, lingering on her lips. “I thought maybe you guessed how I felt.”

  Irene blinked. “You’re grateful.”

  “Grateful?” He seemed puzzled. “Of course I’m grateful, but that’s not what I mean.” He seemed befuddled as he stroked his thumb over her lips.

  “What do you mean, then?”

  He gave her a slow, lazy smile. He gazed deep into her soul. “Surely you’ve guessed.”

  Not daring to hope, she shook her head. “You’ll have to tell me.”

  “If you insist.” His voice held a bemused tone. For a moment, he was again distracted by his searching study of her face. “Irene, I’ve wanted to tell you this for ages, but every time I try, you turn away or the boys butt in. That’s why I sent them to visit Addie for the day.”

  She stood as still as the sun in the sky, willing him to continue, allowing herself a tiny glimmer of hope.

  “Irene, what I want to say is, I love you.”

  She sniffed as tears stung her nose.

  His eyes narrowed. “I know we agreed on a marriage of convenience, but it didn’t take me long to discover that wasn’t enough.” He stared into her eyes. “Irene, say something.”

  She couldn’t speak. Her heart was too full. A chuckle began low in her throat and escaped, swelling into a shout of laughter.

  Zach drew back an inch, puzzled by her reaction.

  “Do you know how long I’ve thought the same thing, hating the words ‘marriage of convenience’?” she chortled.

  His eyes widened. “Are you saying—”

  “That I love you?”

  He nodded.

  “Yes, yes, yes!” she shouted, throwing her arms around his neck. “I love you, Zachary Marshall.”

  His expression filled with wonder. “I love you, Irene Marshall.” The smell of wild roses filled her senses as his lips covered hers, at first gentle and sweet, then more demanding.

  She snuggled against him, silently thanking God. Now she had it all.

  “All buttons and bows,” he whispered against her lips.

  “Indeed,” she murmured before he kissed her.

  Sneak peek of Grace

  Twenty-year-old, Grace Marshall waited as her husband helped the liveryman unload the wagon. It didn’t take long to pile the trunks, the bed frame, and the stove in the middle of the yard, and then the liveryman tipped his hat back and scratched his forehead and studied the house. “I ’spect it looks better inside than it does out.”

  His dubious tone did nothing to relieve the sinking sensation in Grace’s insides at the enormity of what they faced.

  Billy, never one to admit a difficulty, handed the man a fistful of coins. “We’ll have it right soon enough, you’ll see.”

  “Don’t know.” The other man shook his head. “No one has lived here since the Martin family moved out. What was left of them. Poor folk. Flu pretty well wiped them out. ’Course they weren’t the only ones around here to be struck hard.” He wagged his head sadly. “We were hit hard by the flu. Over three thousand Albertans died of it. On top of Canada losing more than sixty thousand in the war. It was bad.”

  “War,” Billy said in his matter of fact way, “is hard on everyone. I heard over eight million people died in the war and two, three, perhaps even four times as many in the Spanish flu that struck around the world.”

  “Say, didn’t I hear you’re a veteran?”

  Billy smiled. “I flew in the war.”

  “Ya don’t say! Shoot down many of them Huns?”

  “Thirteen planes and two zeppelin.” Billy’s chest expanded until Grace wondered how his buttons stood it. Not that she minded. She was proud as could be of her war hero.

  The man shoved his hand toward Billy. “We need more young people like yourselves.” He pumped Billy’s arm. “If you folks be needing anything, you just give old Len at the livery barn a holler. I’ll be right glad to help you out.” He studied the pile of belongings. “Don’t look like much for starting a new life.”

  Billy laughed. “We don’t need much.”

  Grace studied the stack. It had seemed so much when Billy organized its delivery to the train. Now it looked pitifully inadequate. She resolutely turned to watch her husband as he spoke to Len. Billy never failed to see the possibility in a situation—a chance for adventure. Not for the first time, she wished she could so readily view the future. But she dismissed her anxieties. As long as she had Billy, she’d be just fine. “I’m sure we’ll manage,” she assured the wagon driver, fearing his face would crumple in with worry. “But thank you for your kind offer. We’ll keep it in mind. Won’t we, Billy?”

  “Certainly. It’s most kind of you.” But already he had turned toward the house, his eyes running up and down its length, seeing, no doubt, the possibilities, whereas she viewed it with the same sensation she’d have if she swallowed a stone.

  “Well, I’ll be on my way then.” Old Len clambered onto the wagon. “All the best to you folk.”

  Billy barely let the wagon begin to rumble away before he took Grace’s hand. “Well, here we are. What do you think of it?”

  Warmth raced across their joined hands, driving away the doubts. Grace laughed at her worries. “To be quite honest, I’m surprised the place is still standing. Are you sure it’s liveable?” She said it jokingly, although her heart quivered inside her chest. This dubious house was all the protection she could look forward to.

  “The man who rented it to me said it would take some work. That’s why he gave it to us so cheap. But he assured me it was nothing major.” He grinned at Grace. “How bad can it be?”

  She drank in the confidence in his dark eyes, letting it drive deep into her soul and soothe her. She gave a quick grin as she thought of how her sister would react if she knew Grace was moving into a rundown house, miles from the nearest city, in the wilds of western Alberta. “If only Irene could see me now.”

  His grin tipped up on one side. “She’d be surprised at how adventuresome you’ve become.”

  “I should say she would. So would Father. To think they didn’t think I could even manage to cross the ocean by myself.”

  A frown flitted across his face. “It still rankles that they didn’t trust me to take proper care of you.”

  “I’ve told you before not to take it personally. They’ve always coddled me. I think Father would have refused to let us marry if he’d known we weren’t staying in Toronto.”

  “You won’t be needing any more coddling.” Without giving her a chance to reply, he pulled her toward the house. “Let’s have a look at what we have.”

  She ignored a shiver of apprehension as they picked their way across the yard over scattered shingles, bits of wood, and a pile of ashes that seemed to have been flung from the doorstep. Billy lifted the padlock, and it fell away in his hand. “Guess I won’t need this.” He pocketed
the key and flung open the door. “Behold your new home.”

  Grace gasped. “It’s a ruin.”

  Also by Linda Ford

  Contemporary Romance

  Montana Skies series

  Cry of My Heart

  Forever in My Heart

  Everlasting Love

  Inheritance of Love

  Historical Romance

  War Brides series

  Lizzie

  Maryelle

  Irene

  Grace

  * * *

  Wild Rose Country

  Crane’s Bride

  Hannah’s Dream

  Chastity’s Angel

  Cowboy Bodyguard

  Copyright © 2017 by Linda Ford

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.