Feeling at peace, she finished unpacking and drew up a simple skirt the color of a cranberry. After doing what she could with her appearance, she ventured down the stairs. Excitement penetrated her heart at the prospect of being a part of fellowship rather than being one looking in. Graham was her family now, and Seth, by extension. She knew Seth would need to return home to Texas after the New Year, which saddened her, but she chose to dwell on today and let tomorrow take care of itself.
Not finding anyone in particular, she let herself into Graham’s library and browsed the selection lining every wall.
She was absorbing the words in a popular book of poetry when Seth’s voice greeted her. “Finding anything of interest?”
She returned the book into its slot on the shelf. “His collection is admirable.”
“I have some tea coming into the parlor. Would you care for a game of chess?”
Mary blushed, realizing she would be in his company, possibly alone. “I’ve never played before, though your uncle has tried to coax me to learn many times.”
A satisfied smile spread over Seth’s handsome features. “Allow me to teach you, then you can elicit a game from him…and you can surprise him when you win!”
“You’re absolutely devious!” she said. “I wish I had thought of that myself.”
*****
Two days after Christmas, Seth conjured up the courage to ask Mary a question that had been on his mind. The weather had turned and the three of them spent most of their time near the fire, teasing, laughing, conversing and eating together. Graham left the room after being taken in a game of chess, but he was good-natured at being conned by Mary and feigned irritation. “I’ve had enough of you two!”
They laughed at his departure. Seth knew his uncle was providing them some time alone and he sobered. “Mary?”
Her eyes were already upon his and she raised a perfect eyebrow in silent answer—yes?
“What would you say to me moving here, with my uncle?”
“I would say that he would love that! He’s not getting any younger and knowing that you’re here to take over would be such a blessing to him.”
Seth nodded as slight disappointment entered his spirit. “Yes, I suppose that is true.” He couldn’t sit still, not so close to Mary. She stirred his heart in so many ways he feared he would lose himself if she wasn’t a part of his life.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
He turned to her then, unable to control his feelings. No one had such an effect on him before. He was incomplete. He prayed for guidance in having the correct words to say. “Nothing is wrong. I suppose you answered the question honestly, though I was hoping for a different response.”
“You wanted me to say you shouldn’t be here? That would not be right. I see how much your uncle adores having you around. He’s much more…well, shall I say pleasant?”
Seth chuckled. “You shall say that, yes.” He came to her side. Where had such boldness come from? Desperation to get what he desired before he lost it? “Mary, you look simply beautiful today.”
Surely he made her uncomfortable, but he couldn’t help himself. He had to tell her that he cared for her—he had to put something out there. If she didn’t receive it at least he’d know, at least then he would be put out of his misery.
“I thought of you often while I was in Texas.”
“I know, I received your letters. How kind of you.”
He sat in the chair across from hers. “It wasn’t kindness.”
“It wasn’t?”
“Well it was.” He struggled. “But it was more than that, you see…I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I know this is forward of me but after our last encounter…”
She sat forward. “I had forgiven you of that, Seth. Please don’t trouble yourself about it.”
She was misunderstanding completely. He stood and paced again. “Mary, I couldn’t stop thinking about you because I’ve fallen in love with you!”
He hadn’t meant to sound so passionate but this woman seemed to pull exasperation from him. His eyes locked upon hers. She looked shocked—surprised to say the least.
Kneeling before her, he gentled his tone. “I didn’t mean to startle you. I don’t want you to respond at the moment, but I needed to put it out there, and so it is.”
Daring a touch, he lingered his hand over hers, and as brief as the moment was, it impacted him beyond words.
***
Chapter Seventeen
How unfair it was for Seth to proclaim something so life changing, and then leave her presence! How could he?
With insides shaking with both awe and nervousness, Mary stood after his departure and stared at the door as if waiting for him to rush back in and explain himself. Who says they’ve fallen in love and then doesn’t wait around for a response?
Graham passed by the parlor just then and backtracked his way in. Her posturing must have alarmed him. “Is everything all right?”
She stared at him. “No, it isn’t. Your nephew…!”
Was he smiling?
“Your nephew is insufferable!”
“Whatever did he do?”
Mary walked right up to him and peered up, just so he could see how distraught she was. How distraught his nephew from Texas had made her.
“He waltzed in here and proclaimed all sorts of things to me and then he just…he just walked away.”
With a roughened hand resting upon her shoulder as one does while offering condolence, he said, “I wish I could help you. But I am not responsible for other people’s proclamations.”
Then he, too, vanished.
Left to herself, Mary sorted out her thoughts on the matter and smiled wide. Seth Hatchett loved her.
*****
The supper hour proved to be awkward but Mary would not allow that to continue after they had eaten. The servants cleared the last dish and Graham announced an early retirement to his room. How staged! she thought wryly. Every evening but this one he would head into the parlor with them and have tea and visit or play a game or two.
“Good night,” she said, holding back sarcasm.
At his departure she glued her eyes onto Seth’s. “Are we heading into the parlor, or are you retiring early as well?”
He looked somewhat abashed, as he should. “I would like that.”
No sooner then they entered the grandiose room, she turned on him. “I am going to the boardinghouse in the morning.”
He sighed, showing disappointment. “I am aware.”
“I want to begin a business in town,” she challenged.
Brows furrowed in confusion. His head cocked curiously. “What sort of business?”
She walked circles about him, slowly and steadily. He would not get away with stirring such things in her. She’d make him squirm, just a little. “I want to massage people, in town. No more secret treatments in the middle of my kitchen.”
There was silence, and she stopped stalking behind him, but she could feel him thinking, determining the weight of what she was saying. After giving him a few minutes to digest her forward thinking idea, she placed herself before him—she would wait until he responded.
“If that is what you want to do.”
“It’s not just what I want. I am called to do this. People work and work until their bodies ache. There is no rest for a farmer or a rancher or a laundress. Folks work themselves to the bone, and I can provide a respite, even if temporary. It is good work, Seth. I am sure of it.”
Lightly he placed both hands on her forearms. Never had a man touched her for this length of time before, and she nearly melted into the floor! He said in all sincerity, “I know this is your calling. I wouldn’t have you any other way. I will help you build your ministry, if you’ll allow me to.”
The emotion of happiness swelled within her. Was this really happening? Love and a public ministry? “Oh, Seth!”
“Does that mean I can stay?” he jested.
She sniffled. “I never w
anted you to leave.”
He placed his handkerchief into her hands. “I love you, Mary Kincaid.”
A soft kiss was placed upon her lips, and this time Seth did not disappear. They enjoyed each other’s company, visiting for hours upon hours, and the evening only ended when Uncle Graham came in and shooed them off to bed.
Epilogue
The scandal that provided the town with much to talk about had finally died down. Mary was now a Hatchett, and with a husband to stick up for her, which Seth was sure to do in any circumstance, she began to know respect. The June sun kissed her face as she walked toward her first day in the new office.
A rush of pleasure came over her from head to toe—it was the joy of serving others and a dream fulfilled that caused her steps to flow lighter than ever before. No longer was there the burden of being alone, of wondering where her next meal was to come from. Looking at her reflection as she passed by the shiny glass windows of the businesses on the boardwalk, she had to smile. Even with the attire of a woman in high society, a rancher’s wife, she was still Mary Kincaid. An orphan adopted by a man who obeyed his faith, the least likely couple to make a journey together, and be a family. Mary rested a hand upon the life forming inside her belly, and another wave of elation spread warmth within and through her.
Both she and Seth had a heart for little ones abandoned or in orphanages. Although the Lord was to bless them with their own child, Seth and Graham were turning her old farm into an orphanage. They would look past what folks believed traditional parents should look like and would prayerfully consider anyone wanting a child in their lives. If she had been in an orphanage herself, the guardians would have never placed her in Liang’s care. He’d loved her and provided for her the best way he knew. At one last glance in a reflection from the window, she had a laugh at her own expense. Gone was the young girl fighting for her meal in a chicken coop. She had faith first, and the love of a man who adored her. And all because someone had saved her and brought her to a wild town in Wyoming.
She halted in front of her very own building. Passersby still sent her curious looks, trying to ascertain this woman of queer treatments. But none had openly criticized her since the day Seth stood in the midst of a church service and shared the consequences of judging one another. All much to Reverend Palmer’s support and pleasure! She peered up. A sign above the door was painted in black calligraphic letters and read Massage Therapy.
She placed a lace-gloved hand over the handle and turned. Upon entering, she withdrew the bonnet from her head and greeted her first official patient. “Good morning, Millie.”
***
The Secret Touch of Mary Kincaid Page 6
