The Unexpected Bride (The Unexpected Sinclares Book 1) Read online

  “Excuse me.” Elthia shoved her plate at Caleb. “I believe I need to see to one of the children.” Leaving the women standing there with mouths agape, she marched toward her stepsons.

  It was a poor excuse, and she’d undoubtedly pay for it later. But she had to get away, had to find a bit of privacy before she embarrassed herself and Caleb. That line of trees just past where the boys were playing was her best bet.

  Please, please let her make it there in time.

  “Elthia!”

  She heard Caleb’s call but didn’t stop. No doubt he wanted to take her to task for running off, but it would have to wait. “I’ll be back in a minute,” she said without turning. “There’s just something I need to take care of first.”

  Oh Lord, even speaking threatened her control. The tree line seemed to be getting farther away instead of closer. The dusty Texas heat had become unbearable. Surely that was the reason everything was shimmering out of focus.

  She reached the edge of her goal just as Caleb caught up with her. He took her arm. “What’s wrong. You took off like—”

  He stopped as a moan escaped her. Taking a look at her face, he abruptly put his arm around her shoulder. “Come on.” Swiftly but gently he led her into the blessed cover of the trees.

  A second later she doubled over and emptied her stomach all over his boot.

  CHAPTER 10

  Caleb held her head while a few additional spasms shook her and then supported her as she straightened. He wanted to do more but wasn’t quite sure what. “Feeling better now?”

  She nodded, not meeting his gaze. “Yes. I’m sorry.”

  He gently shushed her and led her away from the smelly mess, tamping the toe of his boot on the ground as he went.

  He hated that defeated slump to her shoulders. Better to have her riled at him than looking so miserable. “No need to apologize, you couldn’t help it.” He pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her mouth. “Why didn’t you tell me you were sick?”

  She took the cloth, and a touch of her fire returned. Wiping her face, she flashed him an exasperated look. “I did say I wasn’t very hungry.”

  “And from that I’m supposed to figure out you’re sick?” He shook his head at her makes-no-sense reasoning. “Why in blue blazes did you try to eat if your stomach wasn’t up to it?”

  “Why?” She stilled, looking at him as if he’d lost his mind. “Why?” she repeated in a louder tone, shoving her glasses up.

  Caleb straightened warily. Oh boy, if riled was what he’d wanted, it looked like he was about to get it in spades.

  She poked his chest. “After you gave me that lecture on how I was insulting the whole town.”

  Another poke. “After those three very prominent citizens came up and admitted to having been personally responsible for half the items on my plate. What was I supposed to do?”

  Poke. “Tell them I was so nervous about being the object of a whole town’s curiosity that my stomach was doing flip-flops?”

  Poke, poke. “Tell them that you’d made me so aware that I held the almighty Tanner family honor in my hands that even the thought of food made me queasy?”

  She jabbed a finger at his chest one last time. “Is that what I was supposed to do?”

  His back to a tree now, Caleb lifted his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. Maybe I could have been a little more sympathetic to what you were going through.”

  Her anger evaporated, and she fidgeted with a tendril of hair that had fallen across her forehead. In the sudden silence Caleb could hear kids playing in the churchyard, but it only heightened the sense of being hidden, concealed by the canopy of trees.

  She glanced up at him, her chin still tilted down. “I really messed up, didn’t I? I’m afraid I didn’t make a very good impression with those three ladies we were speaking to.”

  Caleb grinned and gave a dismissive wave. “Those old biddies? Don’t give it another thought. You probably made their day, giving them something to talk about for the next week.”

  Elthia groaned, lifting her face. “That’s not much comfort.”

  He laughed. “I told you, Granny’s on your side, so don’t worry.” Her color was better, and she seemed to have regained her composure. “We should return to the grounds, or we’re really going to be the subject of some interesting gossip. If you’re not up to socializing though, we can make an excuse to leave.”

  She’d reddened at his reference to their disappearance. “No, I’m fine. There’s no reason for us to leave right away. Just don’t look for me to eat anything for a while.”

  He nodded, slipping off his soiled boot. “Let me clean this up. Is your dress all right?”

  She examined her skirt. “Yes, I seem to have avoided that much at least.” She looked back up, chewing on her lip. “I’m sorry about your boot.”

  He shrugged. “Nothing a bit of dirt and a few leaves won’t take care of. See, all better now.” He stepped back into the boot and extended his arm. “Ready?”

  Her chest rose prettily, but she managed a smile as she placed her hand on his arm.

  Elthia felt more than a little self-conscious as she and Caleb walked out of the cover of the trees.

  But her attention was immediately diverted by the simple fact that they stepped right into the middle of the boys’ game of tag. One of the young sprinters barreled into her before he could stop. He was closely followed by a second boy, Keith she thought, who finished the job of totally oversetting her. The end result was that all three of them ended up with their rumps on the ground.

  Recovering from her momentary surprise, Elthia studied the boys, looking for signs of injury. “Are you two all right?”

  Both of them nodded, and she was relieved to see their expressions were free of pain. Instead, both faces registered nothing more than a boy-are-we-in-trouble-now wariness.

  Caleb knelt at her side, his expression reflecting a concern that warmed her. Behind him, she could see the other boys gathered around, studying them with avid interest.

  “Are you all right?” he asked. “Does anything hurt?”

  “Only my dignity. Would you help me up, please?”

  Before he could comply, Poppy came racing up and took advantage of her seated position to jump on her lap. Her pet propped his front paws on her chest, vainly trying to stretch high enough to lick her face. She lifted the animal, giving him the access he wanted. “It’s okay, Poppy, I’m fine, really.”

  She spied the irritated look Caleb shot at the dog and started laughing. And it felt so good to laugh she kept it up.

  Keith and his friend, looking hopeful that they’d escaped a dressing down, scrambled to their feet.

  Caleb only shook his head in disgust. “If you’re through playing with that wretched excuse for a dog, I’ll help you up.”

  Noticing several of the adults had begun to gather around, Elthia smothered her laughter with a smile and extended her hand to Caleb. As she stood, she spied a tall, gingham-clad woman making her way purposefully toward their little gathering.

  “Johnny Cooper,” the woman said, confronting Keith’s partner in crime. “What mischief have you been up to?”

  “It was an accident, Ma, honest. I didn’t see her.”

  “And why not? Weren’t you looking where you were going?”

  The boy hung his head and scuffed his foot in the dirt as the woman turned to Elthia.

  “My apologies, Mrs. Tanner. I hope he didn’t hurt you none.”

  Elthia waved a hand with a smile. “No need to apologize. No harm done. And it was as much my fault as his. I stepped right out in front of him.”

  Some of the stiffness eased from the woman, but she didn’t return the smile. “Look what he’s done to your beautiful dress.”

  Elthia looked at her skirt. Smudges of dirt decorated it now, and a small portion of the lace edging had torn. She smiled back at Johnny’s mother. “Please don’t give it another thought. It’s nothing that a good washing and a needle and thread c
an’t take care of. And I think maybe Poppy is responsible for some of this.” She gave a little laugh. “Puppies and boys, they just naturally attract dirt and mischief.”

  Mrs. Cooper did return her smile this time. “I reckon that’s the truth. It’s good of you to be so understanding.” She turned to her son. “Come on. It’s time we got you some vittles.”

  Elthia turned back to Caleb. His look of approval surprised her and sent a warm glow shimmering through her.

  After that, she felt more at ease mingling with the crowd. Even when she and Caleb were separated again, she strolled around the churchyard on her own, stopping to chat here and there, thanking everyone she met for the reception.

  Finding herself by the church steps, Elthia decided to slip inside to escape the heat for a few minutes. What she wouldn’t give right now for a touch of a cool ocean breeze, the kind that kept Harrelmore summers so pleasant.

  But Elthia discovered she hadn’t been the only one to seek refuge inside. Someone was playing the piano, very softly, very expertly. Elthia softly shut the door behind her, then got her second surprise. The piano player was Zoe.

  Slipping into a pew near the middle, Elthia had a clear view of the girl’s profile. Zoe seemed immersed in the music, deaf to all but the beautiful sounds she created. There was a glow about her, a look of happiness that Elthia hadn’t seen there before.

  Why hadn’t Caleb mentioned how talented his niece was? And did he have any idea how important the music was to her?

  When the piece was ended, Zoe sat with her head bowed for a moment, then with a heartfelt sigh, she turned to rise. Spotting Elthia, she sat back with a thud.

  “That was beautiful, Zoe,” Elthia said, smiling her appreciation. “You’re quite talented.”

  Zoe shrugged and stood. “Thank you,” she said offhandedly.

  Elthia fell into step beside her as they moved toward the door. “Does your uncle know you play?”

  Another shrug. “I don’t know. But it’s not important.”

  Elthia withheld additional comment. Caleb, however, would get the full benefit of her thoughts on the subject.

  It was late afternoon when they finally returned to the Tanner home.

  Her home now, however temporary.

  After her conversation with Zoe, Elthia had realized she was actually hungry. She discovered the plain country fare was quite delicious. Which was a good thing, because a heaping basket of food had been packed for them by their well-wishers. Enough to take care of supper tonight and lunch tomorrow.

  As the children climbed out of the wagon, Caleb stopped Alex. “Hold on, son. What do you have there?”

  Guiltily Alex pulled a ball of fur from his shirt. It was a cat, gray brindled and just past kittenhood. Elthia’s fingers itched to stroke the soft-looking creature.

  “Her leg’s hurt, Uncle Caleb.”

  Caleb leaned an elbow on the wagon, but his expression remained stern. “I thought we’d agreed to limit the stray critters you adopted to those that showed up on our doorstep?”

  Alex scuffed a toe in the dirt, facing his uncle earnestly. “Some of the other boys were poking at her and being mean. They might have hurt her more. I had to take her home with me.”

  Well, of course he’d had to. Surely Caleb saw that? Elthia stepped forward, ready to intervene, but then Caleb sighed.

  “Now that you’ve got her here,” he said, “I guess you can keep her. Another mouser for the barn, I suppose.”

  Elthia relaxed. This man just continued to surprise her.

  Caleb turned to the other children. “Off with you. Your evening chores are waiting.” As they scurried away, he turned to Elthia. “Well, Mrs. Tanner, what did you think of Foxberry?”

  She gave him a rueful smile. “I’m not sure what sort of impression I made with your friends.”

  He shrugged. “I think you managed well enough. And you’ll have lots of other chances.”

  Not the resounding reassurance she’d hoped for, but at least he didn’t seem unduly upset with her. “Did you know Zoe could play the piano?” she asked, changing the subject.

  He twisted his neck, as if easing stiff muscles. “I remember her mother was good at it. Probably taught her how.”

  “They would have had a piano in their home then?”

  Caleb nodded. “A small one. But it got sold, along with just about everything else. Tom had built up some debts that needed paying off.”

  Elthia worried at her lower lip. Caleb apparently didn’t realize how important music seemed to be to his niece. “That’s a shame,” she hinted, “because I think Zoe really misses it.”

  Caleb used his hat to shoo Poppy away from the horse. “If it means that much, maybe I can work something out by Christmas.”

  Christmas! That was six months away. Surely they could do something before—

  “Now,” he said, interrupting her thoughts, “I need to take care of the horse. Do you think you can move your things into my bedroom on your own, or do you want to wait until I can help you?”

  All thoughts of Zoe and the piano fled. Had he tricked her? Had her trust been misplaced again?

  Remain calm.

  Take a deep breath.

  She assumed her most haughty demeanor. “I believe we agreed that this would be a platonic arrangement, did we not?”

  He frowned, as if suspecting her of some duplicity. “That’s right. But you agreed to help me convince everyone that we have a normal marriage. And that means sharing a room.” He leaned closer. “Remember that contract you insisted we both sign?”

  Elthia abandoned hauteur for indignation. “Of course I remember. I wrote it. There was nothing in there about sharing a room.” She shivered, wondering if she’d find that contract mysteriously changed, just like the one from the Pembroke Agency.

  He nodded. “It says you won’t do anything contrary to the kids’ best interest. Well, it sure as thunder wouldn’t be in their best interest if folks got the idea we were only playing at being married, now would it?”

  She shook her head, not quite sure how to argue with his logic. Instead, she addressed the heart of her concern. “You can’t possibly be expecting me to share your bed.”

  His lips curled in a humorless smile. “Believe me, lady, I don’t. There’s a chaise in the room. You can sleep there if you don’t trust me.” Then his grin turned cocky. “Or maybe it’s yourself you don’t trust.”

  Elthia gathered her control before responding. She would not get into an emotional exchange with him. “It is not an issue of trust, sir, but of propriety. And yes, I will most certainly be taking advantage of the chaise.”

  He shrugged those broad shoulders again. “Suit yourself. It doesn’t make one bit of difference to me. Now, excuse me, I have work to do.” With that he turned the horse toward the barn.

  Elthia realized that somehow, in the midst of that maddening conversation, she’d agreed to share his room. Slowly she entered the house and climbed the stairs. It would be best if she took care of moving her things while he was occupied outside.

  Foolish to worry about amorous intentions on his part, she told herself. She was hardly the sort of woman men lusted after. And he’d made it plain from the beginning that not only was he more interested in a mother for the children than a wife for himself but also that she was not the sort of woman he held much admiration for.

  Somehow those thoughts did very little to comfort her.

  Gathering some miniatures of her family and a hatbox, Elthia marched across the hall to the master bedroom. She paused at the threshold, suddenly feeling like an intruder. Then, tilting her chin at an I-have-every-right angle, she opened the door.

  Her gaze focused immediately on the bed. A four-poster, solidly built of polished mahogany, it looked wide enough to sleep three comfortably and was so tall she’d probably need a short step stool to climb into it.

  Not that she harbored any intentions of ever doing so.

  Quickly she turned away to survey the re
st of the room. It was nearly twice the size of her previous accommodation across the hall. The wood floor was bare of rugs, and the furnishings were built along the same solid, substantial lines as the bed.

  Elthia set the hatbox down on the floor, set the other items on top of it, and went immediately to the chaise. She sat on it, running a hand across the velvety-soft fabric. She bounced a couple of times to test its sturdiness and was pleased with the results. It was large enough to accommodate her, with even a bit of room for moving in her sleep. Yes, this would do nicely.

  She looked around again, trying to identify personal touches, things that would reveal the character of the man who lived here, the man she would share this room with for the next three months.

  With a prickling of gooseflesh, she pushed that last thought aside.

  There were a few surprisingly feminine touches in the room—the curtains with small yellow-and-green flowers, the delicate ivory china pitcher and basin on the washstand. These were no doubt leftover from his aunt Cora.

  She had to look harder to find signs of Caleb’s occupancy. There was a pair of work boots on the hearth, a shirt thrown over the back of a chair. A polished wooden wolf howled silently from the mantle. That was it. Few clues there, other than to reinforce her impression of how orderly he was.

  Elthia moved to the wardrobe and opened it. Shirts and pants hung neatly to one side. More than half the space sat empty, no doubt awaiting the arrival of her gowns. Impulsively she fingered the sleeves of one of his shirts and drew it up to her face. The cotton fabric was soft with wear, and she inhaled the clean, subtle fragrance of sunshine and soap.

  Her gaze fell on a wooden screen in a corner of the room, and she closed the wardrobe and moved closer. The polished wood, four-paneled device almost matched her in height. She looked from the screen to the chaise.

  Yes of course, it would be just the thing. But first she needed to get the rest of her belongings moved in.

  Elthia recruited Peter and Alex to help her and in no time at all had her belongings moved to her new sleeping quarters. Then she dismissed the boys to finish her unpacking in private.