My Mail Order Wife (The Value of a Man Book 1)

by Olivia Gaines

  He began to explain the layout of the townhome and she was amazed at how spacious it was. The formal living room was bare, with the exception of a couch, a coffee table, and lamp. The formal dining room held a table and six chairs. The kitchen was far larger than she had expected and held a table that seated four along with a small worktable in the corner. “There is a water closet on this floor,” he told her as he pointed to the bathroom.

  He went down the stairs first, telling her “This bottom floor is a family common area.” She loved the wood-burning fireplace. There was a craft room with large work tables and smaller tables that were kid-sized. “The laundry room is down here as well. Most of my clothing is sent to the dry cleaners, but I am certain with Douglas, there is a lot of laundry to do.”

  “Where is my room?” Douglas wanted to know. “I thought I got my own room?”

  “Of course you do. Climb up, I will show you,” he told the boy as he squatted down and let the child piggy back as they went back to the main floor to climb the stairs to the second floor. “There are four bedrooms upstairs with a converted room for a play area. It was used as a nursery.”

  There it was again. That look. The first bedroom was a guest room with nothing more than a bed and a dresser. The second bedroom held nothing and the third one held a kid-sized bed and dresser. “This one is mine!” Douglas said with pride. He opened the closet to find it full of clothes on a rack that was low enough for him to reach. “Momma, look at all the cool clothes!”

  “I see, sweetie,” she told him as she eyed the closet.

  “Come on,” Thurston told her as he walked across the hall. “This is the master bedroom with a separate bath and two walk-in closets. I think the one on the right is yours. She opened the door to find it also full of clothing. Nice clothes. Name-brand clothes in materials that felt rich and luxurious. Her mind was racing.

  Her eyes went to the bed. His face was blank when he told her, “I had the bed put in the guest room for you.”

  The look of relief on her face was so blatant, it made him feel bad. “TaeTay, you share my bed when you are ready.”

  “You sure it is okay for me to sleep in the guest room?”

  He slipped his hand into hers. “I hope not permanently. It would make it very difficult for me to get you pregnant.”

  She twirled her hair again with her free hand. “See…you oughta stop,” she told him as her nose crinkled.

  Douglas interrupted the sweet moment, “Daddeeeeee! I’m hungry.” Thurston’s fingers tighten around TaeTay’s while a rush of emotions covered him when Douglas walked into the room in a red shirt and purple pants that he had gotten from the closet.

  “Wow, look at you, son.”

  “I know; I look sharp don’t I?” Douglas asked as he started to pimp walk around the floor in a pair of black cowboy boots that he found in the back of the closet.

  “Yes, you do,” he said as he stared at the boy. He was a cute kid with a nice smile. Douglas was going to be a handful. Thurston was going to love every minute of it. “Let’s go downstairs and get some dinner; I am starved.”

  TaeTay was prepared to pull together a quick meal and cook something for them to eat, but when they arrived back in the kitchen, the counter was loaded with food.

  “Hold up! This wasn’t here when we walked in before was it?” TaeTay asked.

  “It must have just arrived,” he told her as he searched the cabinets for plates.

  “Somebody just let themselves into our house and left us food?”

  He laughed, “It was probably my sister. She sent the clothing for you two. This was her house. She left some of the furniture pieces for us to get started, but you will be able to start decorating this place to match who we are.”

  TaeTay was quiet as she opened the containers to see what they were having for dinner. She doled out servings for each plate, with just enough and not too much, arranging the food on the plate like she had seen on cooking shows.

  “I think Veronica—that’s my sister—also stocked the wine cabinet. Would you like some wine with dinner?”

  She needed all of her wits about her in case she had to fight him off tonight, so she told him, “No I am fine.”

  “I want some wine!” Douglas said.

  Thurston was really liking the kid’s quick wit, but TaeTay didn’t seem like the woman he had spoken to over breakfast in LA. Something was off with her.

  “What is troubling you, TaeTay?”

  Her expression was riddled with concern. “I’m just a little overwhelmed, that’s all. I mean once I get settled, I can get a job. I mean this is a big house and it is almost empty. It is going to take a lot to furnish it.”

  “Come here,” he told her as he pulled her into his arms. “Your job is taking care of Douglas and me. You don’t have to work outside of the home. There will be charities and boards that you can serve on when you are ready, or you can take art classes, cooking, needlepoint or yoga, but you don’t have to work.”

  TaeTay pinched him.

  “Ouch,” he winced. “Why did you pinch me?”

  “I just wanted to make sure you are real.”

  He kissed the top of her head, assuring her, “I am very real and we are about to make a very real life together.”

  She stayed in his arms while Douglas stuffed his face with something TaeTay did not even recognize. It was a wonderful feeling to be in his arms. She felt safe, which in her world was a new experience. There were no more bogeymen at her door trying to climb in her bed or cause harm to her son. Real. It was real. They had gotten away.

  Chapter 12. It was all coming together…

  Saturday was a family day. A day spent getting to know each other. TaeTay had been worried when bedtime approached last night as Thurston stood in the doorway and watched her tuck Douglas in. In the hallway, he told her goodnight before heading to the master bedroom and closing the door. He didn’t even try to kiss me or cop a feel. She didn’t know if she was happy about it or slightly put out. She blew into her hand to check her breath. Oh well.

  That morning, she was up early, raiding the fridge and pleased at the selections inside: Grain fed beef, organic bacon, and other items she would need to research how to cook. Bacon, eggs and pancakes were no problem; that she could do in her sleep.

  Douglas, bless his soul, had found a yellow shirt that he put on with a pair of green jeans. Thurston sat watching him with more than a mild curiosity as he strolled through the kitchen, wearing his new clothes with some pep in his step. He asked TaeTay, “Are you guys from the islands?”

  “No. Evidently, he likes bright colors. He has never really had anything other than blue jeans and tees, and maybe a pair of dress pants for Sunday, so having so many choices…” she told him.

  He eyed her choice from the selection his sister had left for her in the closet. She chose a conservative sundress and pair of low-heeled sandals. “You look lovely,” he told her while standing entirely too close.

  TaeTay swallowed hard, “Thank you.” She placed the breakfast plates on the table.

  Breakfast went smoothly, and then as she tidied up the kitchen, Douglas went to change clothes again, this time choosing a pair of plaid pants with a light blue shirt. “Daddy says we are going out for a walk,” he said with pride as he tied the shoelaces on a pair of Nikes he also found in the back of the closet.

  “We are going for a walk?” She asked Thurston.

  “Yes, there are a lot of local markets and merchants in the area. I thought it would be a great opportunity to show you the neighborhood as well as get a feel for each other’s style. You know, for decorating,” he told her as he handed her a set of keys to the house.

  She was grinning at him, “So, I can buy something other than framed Ronald Reagan pictures for the house?”

  “Of course, as long as you don’t get the collector’s set of Martin, Malcolm, JFK and the 44th,” he told her.

  She rolled her neck and put her hand on her hip, “I love my Pre
sident!”

  “I’m sure you do, but rule of thumb, from here on out is this: in that voting booth you can cast your vote for whomever you want; in public, you support your husband, and no other comments,” his face was stern.

  She asked with raised eyebrows, “Rule of thumb?”

  “Rule of thumb,” he repeated. “Once I throw my hat in the ring, our lives become about sound bites on news shows with talking heads. If you don’t say anything, nothing can be taken out of context. It is the rule of thumb, got it?”

  “Got it,” she said. “Let’s roll.”

  It was a pleasant outing as they entered small shops and businesses. Several people knew Thurston or his sister, and he shook hands and introduced his wife and son. The first time he said it, TaeTay bristled a bit. Well, we will be married tomorrow. She followed suit, stayed close by his side, smiled, and shook hands with neighbors and the people Thurston would be representing.

  She corrected her thinking by the afternoon. These are the people they would be representing. Over the course of the remainder of the outing, the new couple looked at art, discussed patterns, fabrics, music, and colors. She was surprised to find that they had similar tastes in music and were both moved by paintings in the same style. Big, bold brush strokes and strong patterns. He wasn’t as conservative as she thought or she was more conservative than she realized. As it neared 2:30, Douglas was worn out. Thurston had to carry him back home and tuck him into the bed for an afternoon nap.

  “Do you need one as well, TaeTay? Jet lag can sneak up on you,” he said.

  “No, I am okay,” she was fidgeting back and forth. “So what do we do now?”

  Thurston held up his finger as he rummaged through the bags of items they had purchased while they were out. He pulled out a jazz CD and put it in the player. He disappeared into the kitchen and came back with a bottle of wine and some fruit and cheese. He poured them both a glass of red and sat on the couch. “Come, sit with me,” he told her.

  Thurston’s arm was across the back of the couch. TaeTay leaned against him, holding her glass. Neither said anything as the CD played in its entirety. It was one of the nicest afternoons she had spent in a very long time. Especially in the company of a man. Usually by now, she would be fighting off her date and trying to get out the door. With him, she felt safe. Her mind wandered to winter in front of the fire prepping Douglas’ presents for Christmas.

  “I’m going to like being your wife,” she said softly.

  Thurston’s movements were purposeful as his steady hands removed the glass from her fingers and placed it on the coffee table. Warm, strong hands cupped her chin and turned her face to his. He lowered his head to kiss her. His lips were soft and the kiss was tender. “I am going to love being your husband.”

  Chapter 13. The Wedding…

  The morning of her wedding began with absolute chaos. Douglas was in a hurry to get downstairs and lost his footing, tumbling head over ass down the stairs and busting out his front tooth. The good news was that it was already loose and the replacement tooth had begun to poke through. The bad news was that he yelled and carried on so much that Thurston wanted to take him to the emergency room.

  “Thurston, it just scared him. He is fine. Put the tooth under your pillow, Douglas, so the tooth fairy can leave you a dollar,” she told him.

  “A dollar? I want a twenty! That nearly scared the poop out of me!” Douglas said as he checked the back of his pants. “Oh man, it did.” His little face was twisted as he went back up the stairs to change clothes and clean himself up. Thurston started to laugh as he saw the little lump in the back of his pants.

  “You need some help, buddy?”

  “Yes, please,” he said as he made his waddling way up the stairs.

  TaeTay found herself close to the same predicament when she headed down the stairs and found four strange people in her kitchen. There were two more in the living room under the direction of a rather attractive black woman.

  “Good morning TaeTay; I am Veronica,” the well-dressed woman said as she eyed her with a bit too much appreciation. “I see the clothes fit well. I also included two dresses in there for today, but just in case, I brought one more.” Veronica waved her fingers and a woman brought forward a dress bag that she handed to TaeTay. “I think you are going to like this one.”

  The people in the kitchen announced that breakfast was ready, while the other two started moving furniture and bringing in chairs. Douglas came back down the stairs in a pink shirt with a pink and blue necktie and deep navy pants. “Mommy, all of the bleeding stopped and Daddy helped me do this tie. I looked so smoove,” he told her as he mimicked Michael Jackson. Suddenly, he noticed Veronica. “Hi, I’m Douglas.”

  She accepted his handshake, “I am Veronica. I am your Aunt.”

  “Did you get me all of these cool clothes?”

  “Yes, I did. Do you like them?”

  He did a quick Michael Jackson spin, imitating the signature Ooh! As he tried to get up on his toes in the dress shoes and looked disappointed. He was frowning when he admitted, “I’m going to have to work on that one.” Veronica started to laugh in a most unladylike fashion.

  Thurston came into the kitchen. “I haven’t heard you laugh like that since we were kids,” he told his sister as he kissed her temple.

  “Douglas is something,” she told him as she returned his affection. Her eyes were on the boy as he accepted bacon and eggs. His little legs swung as he ate the food.

  “That is an understatement,” he replied, watching his fashion-minded son carefully throw the tie over his shoulder so he would not spill any food on it.

  “And he calls you Daddy?”

  “From the minute he got off the plane,” Thurston said with pride. There was a bit of discussion about the tooth and the plan of action for the day, and then one of the ladies announced that the living room was ready.

  TaeTay’s breath caught as she walked into the room that previously held only a sofa and a coffee table. The space had been transformed into a wedding chapel. There were fresh flowers on pillars, a white runner down a makeshift aisle between two rows of chairs, and a trellis where she would stand to become Thurston’s wife. She started to cry. It is real.

  All of it is real.

  “If only my mother could be here to see this,” she said while she choked back her tears.

  Veronica put her arms around her shoulders and told her, “She will be. We have her set up on the other end to Skype in so she can see the whole thing.”

  “You are all kinds of awesome. I am going to love having you as my sister-in- law,” TaeTay told Veronica.

  “I would rather you have me as a friend,” Veronica said.

  Her friend had been busy. The dining room was now reception central as random people popped in to drop off wedding presents and monetary gifts. There were presents on the floor, presents in the back corner, packages in the front corner, and more boxes. Thurston must have a lot of friends. She bounded upstairs to get ready for her wedding.

  TaeTay was getting dressed when Thurston’s parents arrived, along with the judge. She tried on the two dresses in the closet and out of curiosity opened the bag. More tears ran down her face at the beautiful white dress with pretty little pink bows around the neckline. She hurried and changed into the full-length gown and twirled in front of the mirror in the guest bedroom. Inside the bag were pretty pink bows on clips that she used to put her hair up. A knock came at the door as TaeTay told Veronica to enter.

  “You look fantastic,” she heard the voice say behind her. Veronica was standing in the door. “Here is something blue,” she handed her a dainty handkerchief. The borrowed item she loaned TaeTay was her favorite strand of pearls. “And I know you didn’t know his ring size, so I grabbed a simple gold band. You can replace it on your first anniversary.”

  “I cannot ever repay you for everything you have done. I am at a loss for words,” TaeTay told Veronica.

  “Just be a good wife to him.
My brother deserves some happiness. You two seem to make him smile,” Veronica admitted. “He is going to need that as he heads into Washington. It is going to be important that he comes home to joy.”

  “If I am nothing else, I am a bundle of joy,” TaeTay said as one of the ladies announced it was time.

  “Are you ready, TaeTay?”

  “As ready as I will ever be,” she said as she gathered herself.

  Veronica touched her arm, asking, “Do you mind if I ask? TaeTay is short for what exactly?”

  “It is short for TataLavisha,” she said as she shook her head.

  “Dear Lord,” Veronica said.

  “You telling me. My mother’s actual name is Cookie and my father was named Leviticus. I think it was a practical joke and they wanted me to grow up to be a stripper or something,” she said with a flat tone.

  Veronica burst into laughter. Her brother was right. This was a good choice of wife for him. She was a gust of fresh air.

  TaeTay stood at the top of the stairs, looking down at the small room full of people. She didn’t know any of them. TaeTay held her chin high as Veronica held the tail of her dress while the bride to be descended the stairs. A man, who looked like a big brother version of Thurston, was at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for TaeTay with his arm extended. Something was off about his eyes, but he seemed like a gentle man with a big heart. This must be Thurston’s brother. Two girls, about 6 and 8, stood in front of him, and as the music started, the girls headed down the aisle while dropping flower petals.

  When TaeTay stood at the end of the runway, the music started and everyone rose. They are all staring at me. She kept her eyes focused on Thurston, who was looking sharp at the end of the small runway. A black gentleman of about the same age stood at his side. The two men’s heads were shaped the same, so TaeTay figured it was a relative.

  Once they reached the makeshift altar, the judge asked, “Who gives the woman in marriage?”