The Unexpected Bride (The Unexpected Sinclares Book 1) Page 14

  Elthia stiffened. His accusation wasn’t fair and wasn’t exactly true. But the other children had arrived by this time, and she refused to argue with him in front of them.

  “You just go on back to whatever it was you were doing,” she told him. “The children and I will take care of this mess.” With that, she turned her back to him.

  “Zoe, you take these three to the bathhouse and help them wash up. Alex, go along and get Poppy cleaned up as well. And make sure you keep the door closed until he’s dry,” she warned. Then she turned to Peter. “I’ll start on the counters. While I’m doing that, please fetch a mop and bucket.”

  By the time she glanced back at the door, Caleb was gone.

  Good riddance.

  Elthia surveyed the mess, chewing her lip. She’d never done any serious housework, but surely this wouldn’t be too difficult.

  Peter was gone for quite some time. In fact, Elthia was beginning to wonder if he was going to return at all when he finally stepped through the open doorway.

  “Here’s the mop and bucket. I filled the bucket with water so it’s all ready for you.” He tilted his head, studying her doubtfully. “Are you sure you know how to do this? Maybe I should just fetch Zoe to take care of it.”

  Elthia stiffened. His tone had been an uncanny imitation of Caleb’s when he was questioning her ability to follow through. “That won’t be necessary. I’m sure I can handle it.” I hope.

  Peter shrugged and set a can down beside the bucket. “Suit yourself. This is the cleaning solution you’ll need.” At her questioning look, he rolled his eyes and elaborated. “Just spread it around on the floor over the mess first, then mop.”

  Elthia swiped the back of a hand across her cheek. “Thanks. You can run along now.” She’d rather not have any witnesses as she tried to teach herself the fine art of mopping a kitchen.

  Peter’s look told her she hadn’t fooled him, but he left without another word. She picked up the can of cleaning solution and looked around at the mess—there were unappealing blobs of mud and flour everywhere. If it would truly make the job easier, there was no point in being stingy. With a chore like this, it was probably better to have too much soap than not enough.

  Elthia started near the counter where some of the messiest clumps lay and tipped the can. Hmm, it was awfully thick. She carefully drizzled the solution around the room, concentrating on the muddy paw prints.

  Setting the can aside, she picked up the mop.

  All right, what now?

  Drawing on vague memories of watching a maid at work, Elthia dipped the mop in the bucket, then pulled it out and slapped it on the floor. She jumped as beads of water flew everywhere.

  Recovering, Elthia gave the mop a half-hearted push into a heavy tracing of the cleaning solution. Then she frowned. Something was wrong. Instead of aiding her in cutting through the dirt, the cleaning solution was only making things worse, turning the whole area she was mopping into a gooey mess.

  What was she doing wrong? Maybe there wasn’t enough water on her mop. She dipped it in the bucket and pulled it out, allowing water to slosh on the floor. Again she pushed the mop over the area in front of her, and again received the same results.

  Perhaps she just needed to try harder. Elthia took firmer hold of the mop handle and shoved it across the floor. With a startled squeak, she lost her footing on the wet surface.

  She lay flat on her back a moment, too stunned to move. Her first thought was that she was glad Caleb and the children hadn’t witnessed her latest attack of clumsiness. Her second thought was that she should have waited on that bath.

  Gingerly she sat up, relieved to find she didn’t seem to be seriously hurt. When she lifted her palm from the floor, globs of goo clung to her hand. She rubbed some of the nasty stuff between her fingers and then cautiously sniffed it.

  This was no cleaning solution!

  From the smell and feel of it, it was almost surely molasses. And her whole back half was covered in it, including her hair.

  Her head shot up at the sound of the front door opening and Josie speaking to someone. “Uncle Caleb’s out in his work shed, but Aunt Elthia’s in the kitchen. Come on, I’ll show you.”

  There was no time to try to scramble to her feet, much less hide. Josie threw open the door to reveal she’d been talking to an older gentleman Elthia had never met before. But even from her poor vantage, it was obvious this distinguished-looking man was a person of some importance.

  Both stared at her in wide-eyed astonishment. Then Josie brought a hand to her mouth, trying to hide her giggles. Elthia closed her eyes. This situation just couldn’t get any worse.

  A second later, she realized she’d been wrong. The screen door flew open and Caleb stood looking at her with brows drawn down. “Splinters and sawdust, what’s going on in here now?”

  Then he glanced across the room and stiffened, looking like he’d just taken a punch to the stomach. “Judge Walters!”

  She’d been very, very wrong.

  CHAPTER 12

  Caleb helped Elthia up. Why in the world had he let her take charge of this mess? It was clear she didn’t know her way around a mop and bucket. But he’d never imagined she would make matters worse. Was that molasses she’d spread on the floor?

  “Are you okay?” he asked, studying her closely.

  She nodded with a weak smile. “Yes, just a bit shaken up.”

  He frowned, noting a bit of blood on her arm. “You’re hurt!”

  “It’s only a scratch. I’m fine.” Then she turned to the judge. “I hope you’ll forgive the mess, sir. I’m afraid I’m still trying to learn a bit about how to do housework.”

  Caleb groaned inwardly at her artless confession. He mentally kicked himself. Why hadn’t he realized the old fox would come a day early, just to catch them off guard.

  But the judge gave her a gallant smile. The gray-haired gentleman sketched a bow, hat to his chest. “It’s I who should apologize, madam, for arriving unexpectedly. I’m Judge Loomis Walters, and you must be Caleb’s new wife.”

  She gave a ladylike curtsy, surprisingly graceful given her current state. “Yes, sir. I’m Elthia Tanner.” Then a dimple appeared as she flashed the judge a smile. “I’m pleased to meet you, though I wish it had been under less messy circumstances.”

  Elthia turned to Caleb. “Why don’t you escort our guest to the parlor and visit with him while I clean up a bit.”

  Caleb blinked, surprised by her poise. “Of course,” he agreed absently. How could she appear so composed, standing there with her hair all matted and her skirts soaked with the same gooey substance that covered the floor?

  She handed him a rag. “Here, make sure you wipe your shoes before you step into the hall.”

  He caught the piece of cloth she’d tossed, still confused by her unruffled air. What had happened to her clumsy tendencies? “Do you want me to send Zoe in to help you?”

  “That won’t be necessary.” She turned toward the back door where Peter stood just inside the room. “I believe Peter here will be able to give me all the help I need,” she said. “Won’t you, Peter?”

  Caleb saw their gazes lock, and a message flash between them. To his surprise, Peter nodded and picked up the mop.

  Was something going on here? But he didn’t have time to sort it all out now. He had to settle Judge Walters in the parlor and try to convince him that, regardless of what he’d just witnessed, Elthia really was going to be a good mother to the children.

  After Caleb escorted the judge out of the room, Elthia turned to Peter, who was industriously pushing the mop across the floor.

  She could tell from the quick, apprehensive glance he shot her way that he was expecting an angry dressing down.

  “You seem to be having more luck with that thing than I was,” she said mildly. “You’ll have to teach me your trick.”

  He met her gaze, his surprise evident. Then he turned back to his work. “There’s no trick. It just takes a lot of wat
er and a lot of muscle.”

  “And a bit of cleaning solution?” She moved past him toward the sink, picking up a clean rag to wipe the blood from her arm.

  He paused and slowly looked up. “I never meant for you to get hurt, honest.”

  “I know.” She believed him. Peter might have wanted to cause a bit of mischief, but he wasn’t malicious. “Don’t worry, it really is just a scratch. I didn’t even know it was there until your uncle brought it to my attention.”

  He nodded and resumed mopping. “You gonna tell him?”

  Elthia could hear the wariness beneath his attempted nonchalance. “This is something for you and me to settle between us. I don’t see any reason to involve your uncle.”

  He nodded without looking up, but she noted some of the tension eased from his shoulders.

  “Now, if I can trust you to finish up in here, I need to change clothes and get myself cleaned up. Oh, would you ask Zoe to brew some tea for our guest when she has a minute?”

  Fifteen minutes later, Elthia felt fit to join Caleb and their visitor. Her hair was still damp, but she’d twisted it into a prim bun on the back of her head, and it looked passable enough.

  She stopped in the kitchen first. Peter was nowhere to be seen, but the room was spotless. Elthia nodded in satisfaction, then squared her shoulders and turned to the parlor.

  This was it, the reason Caleb had been so determined to marry her. For the sake of the Tanner family, her family now, she had to help convince Judge Walters that he would have no cause to regret handing these children over to Caleb.

  She now truly did believe the temperamental Texan would be an excellent guardian for the children. Beneath his rough exterior, his dedication to their well-being was clearly evident.

  Telling herself this was no different than playing hostess to her father’s business associates, Elthia pasted a friendly smile on her face and entered the parlor.

  “Judge Walters,” she said, extending her hand as he and Caleb stood. “My apologies for the poor welcome I extended earlier. I trust Caleb has made up for my lapse.” The tea service was on the table between the sofas, and each man had a cup in hand.

  The judge set his down and bowed over her hand. “No need to apologize. You clearly had pressing matters to attend to.”

  She smiled as she sat on the sofa beside Caleb, across from the judge. The men took their own seats, Caleb with a guarded expression, the judge with a curious one.

  Regardless of what Caleb expected from her, she’d already decided it would do no good to pretend a competence she didn’t have. He’d have to let her handle things in her own way.

  She lifted a hand in disclaimer. “What a diplomat you are, sir. In case Caleb’s been too much of a gentleman to tell on me, I must confess that I am a novice when it comes to housework.”

  Caleb placed a hand on her dress at the knee. While the gesture might have appeared affectionate, the light squeeze he gave with it wasn’t. “My wife’s being a bit too modest. She—”

  “Caleb, please, there’s no need to spare my feelings.” She patted his hand, ignoring his warning look as she turned back to the judge. “I can’t tell you how supportive he and the children have been. They are all helping me learn my new role, each in their own way.”

  The judge raised a brow. “And that incident in the kitchen?”

  Again Caleb jumped in to respond before she could. “She was trying to clean up a mess the kids and the dog made.”

  Elthia laughed. “You should have seen the children chasing that dog around the room. Then I’m afraid I made matters worse. I mistook a tin of molasses for cleaning solution.” She sensed Caleb’s stiffening beside her. “But my father always said, the lessons we learn best are the ones experience teaches us.”

  The judge nodded. “Sounds like a sensible man. Now then, Mrs. Tanner, I can tell from your accent that you’re not from around these parts. Do you mind if I ask where you call home?”

  So, the inquisition was moving on to her background. She pushed the glasses up and sat a bit straighter. “My home is now here, of course. But if you’re asking where I come from, I was born and raised in Massachusetts, in a town called Harrelmore.”

  The judge tugged gently on his beard. “Massachusetts. That’s a far piece from Texas and in more than just distance. I imagine you must get a bit homesick now and again.”

  She lifted a hand. “I miss my Massachusetts family, naturally, but there’s been so much to do and learn since I arrived I haven’t had much time to dwell on it.”

  “I understand you and Caleb met only a few days before the wedding.” Her inquisitor flashed a sympathetic smile. “You’ve had a lot of adjustments to make in a short period of time.”

  Elthia leaned over to pour herself a cup of tea. “I imagine all new brides face the need to make some adjustments to their lifestyle when they first get married.”

  “But not all new brides face what you have.” He watched her closely, as if trying to read every nuance of her expression. “Six children and a husband are a lot to take on all at once.”

  She paused in the act of pouring her tea. “Yes, it is. But I love children. And these six are already very dear to me.”

  She finished pouring her tea, unsettled by the expression on the judge’s face. Did he think she was insincere? Lifting the teapot, she smiled. “May I refill your cups, gentlemen?”

  “Not for me, thanks.” Caleb’s stiffness was reflected in his voice. Had he seen the same flicker of disbelief in the judge’s expression, or was he just afraid she’d spill something?

  The judge passed her his cup, one hand raised again to stroke his beard. “I’ll take you up on the offer.”

  Elthia poured carefully, feeling Caleb’s taut watchfulness. She wished he’d just relax. He was making her nervous.

  She filled the cup without incident, then lifted it to pass to the judge. But somehow, in the process of exchanging it from her hand to his, the cup slipped, crashing to the table. Tea spattered as the fine porcelain broke into four large pieces.

  Elthia and Caleb sprang to their feet at the same time.

  She grabbed a napkin and began dabbing at the mess, horrified by what she’d done. “Oh, Judge Walters, I’m so sorry.”

  “As much my fault as yours.” The judge frowned as he dabbed at his pants with his own napkin, but his tone remained polite. “No harm done. I believe I escaped with just a drop or two.”

  “Here, let me do that.” Caleb’s voice was controlled, but she saw the look-what-you’ve-done-now exasperation in his gaze.

  Elthia relinquished the napkin and lifted the tray, which had captured most of the spill. “I’ll take this to the kitchen.” She was fleeing like a coward, but she needed time to regain her composure.

  Just before she reached the doorway, Josie entered the parlor, big teardrops trickling down her apple cheeks. Elthia immediately knelt in front of the girl, setting the tray on the floor. “Josie, what is it, baby, what happened?” She set one hand gently on Josie’s shoulder and pushed a lock of hair from the girl’s forehead with her other.

  The girl gave a hiccupping sob before she answered. “I got a big old sticker stucked in my finger, and it hurts.”

  Elthia felt a surge of relief that it wasn’t more serious but kept her expression solemn. “Oh my! Let me have a look.”

  The girl placed her hand in Elthia’s palm. Elthia gently examined the injured finger. She could see the small sliver of wood, lodged firmly in the pad of the grubby, child-pudgy finger. “You’re right, that is a big old sticker. How brave you are!”

  Josie’s eyes got a bit rounder. “I am?”

  Elthia nodded. “Of course. Now, would it be all right if I try to pull it out for you? I promise to be very careful.”

  The little girl nodded, her expression a mixture of trust and fearful anticipation.

  Elthia took a deep breath, then with her fingernails, grasped the protruding end of the sliver and drew it out. “There we go.”

/>   Josie studied the offending bit of wood, then beamed up at Elthia. “Thank you Aunt Thia.”

  Elthia returned her smile, feeling a lump form in her throat. Josie’s acceptance of her was a sweet, priceless gift. Clearing her throat, she tapped the girl’s nose. “You’re welcome. Now let’s wash that finger and make sure we got it all, shall we?”

  Caleb smiled. He’d lay odds that Elthia had forgotten her embarrassment and her audience until she reached for the tray.

  He caught the judge watching Elthia’s exit with a thoughtful expression on his face. Had he noticed her easy way with Josie? Had he seen the concern and motherliness in her actions? Surely that would make up for what she lacked in other areas?

  The judge met Caleb’s glance just then and set his napkin down. “Do you mind if we go outside and sit on the porch? It’s a fine day, and I’d welcome a chance to enjoy it up close.”

  Caleb nodded. “You go on out, and I’ll join you in a minute. I just want to let Elthia know where we’ve disappeared to.”

  Caleb entered the kitchen to find Josie sitting on the counter, examining Elthia’s watch broach. Elthia stood in front of her, studying the now dirt-free wounded finger.

  “How are you ladies doing in here?”

  They both looked up, and Caleb frowned as Elthia’s smile faltered. Then Josie claimed his attention. “Look, Uncle Caleb, isn’t it pretty? And it ticks, just like Poppa’s pocket watch.”

  Caleb drew closer, pretending to examine the expensive-looking bit of jewelry. “Very nice. But how’s your finger?”

  Josie shrugged as Elthia released her hand. “All better now, see? Aunt Thia says I’m very brave.”

  “And so you are.” Caleb lifted the girl, gave her a squeeze, and set her feet on the floor. “Now, give Aunt Elthia her watch, and you can go back out and play.”

  Josie handed Elthia the watch and raced on out the back door, calling for Poppy.

  Caleb watched Elthia try to pin the watch back on her bodice. She seemed to be having trouble with the clasp.

  Finally he took it from her. “Here, let me.”