The Unexpected Bride (The Unexpected Sinclares Book 1) Page 24

  Such a complex man, the kind of man who would keep a woman on her toes, who would never be boring, and who would draw out the best in the people in his life. And he wanted her.

  True, he’d had little choice in the beginning. But lately she’d begun to see signs he wasn’t unhappy with that choice.

  She hadn’t gotten an answer yet as to what had bothered him that night in the barn, but she wasn’t as worried about it now. He’d likely felt some misguided guilt, no doubt believing he’d taken advantage of her. Hopefully she’d made it clear today that he had nothing to feel guilty about.

  She hummed a light tune. Here, in this rustic community, she’d finally found her place. A place in life that offered her something more than a role as the clumsy little bluestocking, accepted by her circle only because she was a Sinclare heiress. Here she was a wife and a mother figure, accepted and valued for what she brought to the family as an individual.

  It was a heady feeling.

  Then she sobered. He wanted her, but he didn’t love her. Was it selfish of her to want it all?

  Maybe she should start by showing him how truly committed she was to staying. She’d hand over the contract, the one detailing their intent to annul the marriage. Hopefully such a gesture would erase any lingering doubts he might have.

  Climbing the stairs, she smiled, imagining the look on Caleb’s face when she handed it to him. Of course, being Caleb, he’d pretend it wasn’t anything significant. But there’d be that warmth in his gaze that would tell her his true feelings.

  Or so she hoped.

  Elthia opened the lid of her trunk. She lifted out the blankets and pillows, smoothing the bed linens absently. Would she be sleeping in her alcove tonight, or was it time to join her husband on that wickedly large bed across the room?

  Just the thought of the pleasures they could share there set her face flaming and her skin tingling. Should she wait for an invitation or dare she invite herself? What reaction would she get if he found her there waiting for him tonight?

  Elthia shivered pleasurably, then turned back to dig through her trunk. Where was it? It should be right under her books.

  Elthia took everything out of the trunk, one item at a time. She opened every book, fanning the pages to see if it had somehow found its way between the covers. Then she methodically sorted through the whole pile again, holding her panic at bay. Surely it was here, she’d just overlooked it was all.

  Finally she stared at the bottom of the empty trunk, feeling the same emptiness creep into her soul.

  It wasn’t here. And Caleb was the only other person who even knew the document existed.

  When had he taken it? Had he waited until after they were safely wed? Did he worry she couldn’t be trusted not to use it against him, or had he never planned to let her get an annulment?

  She wasn’t the kind of woman men fell in love with.

  How could she have forgotten that hard-learned lesson so quickly? What a self-deceiving fool she’d been, seeing softer emotions where none existed.

  Her dreams of someday claiming Caleb’s love crumbled like a sand castle at full tide. Elthia sat on her heels, jabbing her glasses up, trying to push back the heart-crushing hurt at the same time.

  A rush of anger came to her rescue. He had no right to go through her things and steal what he’d agreed to leave in her keeping. As far as she was concerned, everything had changed.

  This time she wouldn’t take the coward’s way out and run. This time she would confront the Judas, face him with her knowledge of his betrayal.

  A part of her hoped he’d show remorse, would protest that his feelings had changed and ask her forgiveness. But she ruthlessly squelched that thought, telling herself it was just such optimism that led to the kind of heartache she was feeling right now.

  Caleb sat in his office, the invoices he’d planned to review lying ignored on his desk.

  She wanted to stay. It’s what he’d hoped for since he’d stopped her from running away that morning in the barn.

  He didn’t need to feel guilty anymore. She’d made it plain she didn’t regret the loss of her virginity. In fact, she seemed happy and eager to make their marriage permanent.

  Everything seemed to be working out perfectly.

  He still suspected she was hiding something about her background from him. When he’d mailed off that letter to Annie today, he’d also sent a telegram to a friend who knew how to make discreet inquiries into this sort of thing.

  But he no longer cared what secrets were uncovered. What did her past life matter, so long as she was happy in this one?

  His thoughts drifted to their exchange in his workshop this afternoon. She’d been so sweet and warm and right in his arms.

  Later on the porch, when she’d looked at him with gratitude and admiration, he’d felt like a storybook hero. Right then he would have tackled any problem, braved any danger for her.

  A movement near the door caught his eye. Elthia stood in the doorway, watching him. He sprang to his feet as he took in her strained expression.

  “What is it?” He moved toward her. “Is something wrong with one of the kids?” Then Caleb halted as he noticed her subtle stiffening and withdrawal from him. What was going on here?

  “Where is it?” Her voice and expression were strained.

  “Where’s what?”

  “Our annulment agreement.”

  Why had she been looking for that thing? And so what if it was lost? She’d said she wanted to stay. He tried to make sense of it as he watched her fists turn white-knuckled at her sides.

  “It’s not in my trunk.” Her control cracked, but she took a deep breath and started again. “Did you take it because you didn’t trust me not to use it against you, or did you have no intentions of living up to it from the very beginning?”

  Surely she didn’t mean that? “Whoa there. Are you saying you think I stole that hangman’s noose you had me sign?”

  Her expression wavered for a second, then she squared her shoulders again. “Do you want me to believe you didn’t? That contract didn’t move by itself, and no one else knew it existed.”

  Thunderation, she was calling him a thief and a liar. He’d been a fool to think she’d be different, would stand by him no matter what. He fought the pain of her accusation with anger. “Listen Miss High-and-Mighty, you can just believe whatever you want. But I don’t steal and I don’t lie.”

  He marched to his desk, grabbed a pen, and scratched words out for several minutes. Once done, he snatched up the paper and pinned her with a glare. “This ought to give you something to hold over my head again. I just hope it keeps you warm at night. And see if you can keep a firmer hold on it this time.”

  He left the room without a backward glance.

  A few seconds later, Elthia heard the back door open and then slam shut. Slowly she focused on the piece of paper he’d thrust at her.

  I Caleb Tanner swear by all that I hold dear that I will release Elthia Sinclare Tanner from all obligations of marriage to me just as soon as I can do so without endangering my chances to adopt my six nieces and nephews.

  His signature, scrawled across the bottom in large angry letters, mutely admonished her.

  CHAPTER 21

  Elthia rolled on her side and punched the pillow a couple of times, trying to fluff it into a more comfortable arrangement. Never had the chaise seemed so confining and uncomfortable. No question now of her joining Caleb in the big bed across the room.

  If he ever came up to lie in it.

  Where was he? He’d insisted everyone go to bed early, reminding them they’d be leaving at sunup for the barn raising tomorrow. But he himself had stayed downstairs.

  What was he doing? Whittling in the moonlight again? Or was he planning to sleep in the parlor tonight?

  The way he’d avoided her all afternoon and the icy politeness he’d treated her with in front of the children, had made it clear the last thing he wanted was to be alone with her.

 
What was she supposed to make of the contract he’d scratched out? She could still see the look on his face, the intense anger that had to be a mask for something else. Was it guilt or the hurt of an innocent man whose honor had been questioned?

  Had she been wrong? Had she let her experience with Baxter color her judgment? Caleb wasn’t Baxter, wasn’t even close to the same.

  But who else would have a reason to take it?

  Elthia had no opportunity to speak to Caleb alone the next morning. Though he chatted easily enough with the children during the thirty-minute ride to the Hagar’s place, he had not a word, not a smile, not even a glance to spare for her. Elthia devoutly hoped none of the children noticed the tension simmering between the adults.

  To her surprise, they weren’t the first arrivals. Granny was there, as was Mrs. Johnston and her husband.

  Caleb quickly strapped on his worn carpenter’s belt, grabbed his toolbox, and set to work. Elthia wasn’t given time to brood though. Granny introduced her to Sally Hagar, the farmer’s shy young wife, then put her to work.

  Within a half hour, another fifteen men had arrived, four with families. Peter and two older boys joined the men at work.

  Elthia started off helping with the cooking, but at Granny’s suggestion she turned to keeping the younger children entertained and out of the men’s way. That kept her outdoors, which was fine with her.

  Though Caleb was by no means the oldest or brawniest of the workers, it soon became obvious to Elthia that the others deferred to him in dozens of subtle ways. Granny hadn’t exaggerated when she said his skill was highly respected. Elthia felt a quiet sense of pride for him warm her from the inside out.

  Then she remembered the breach between them, and her spirits fell again.

  Elthia took a turn at passing the water bucket and ladle among the workers. All of them greeted her with a smile and a word of thanks, all except Caleb. Not that he was rude. He did thank her, but there was no warmth in his tone and only ice in his gaze. It was as if he were the injured party, not her.

  The men broke from their efforts when the sun reached its peak. They ate the lunch the women had prepared, then relaxed for another hour, sitting out the hottest part of the day.

  Caleb sat apart from the others, lounging with his back against a tree and his hat pulled over his eyes. Whether he just rested or actually slept, it was evident he didn’t want company.

  Once they returned to their work, the men kept at it until near dusk. Elthia was amazed by how much they’d accomplished in just one day. The walls were nearly finished, and the roof was framed.

  After a quick supper and promises from some, including Caleb, to return tomorrow, everyone began gathering tools and children.

  Somehow, in the midst of all the activity, Elthia found herself alone with Granny for a few minutes.

  “That man of yours is one hard worker,” the older lady observed, waving a hand in Caleb’s direction.

  Elthia nodded, taking pride in the accomplishments of “her man.” “Yes ma’am, that he is.”

  “I reckon you’ve done a good day’s work yourself, gal.”

  Elthia’s face warmed at the praise. “Why thank you, Granny.”

  Granny’s cane thumped the ground resoundingly. “So why are you two walking around with chins low enough to bump your knees?”

  This time Elthia’s face warmed for an entirely different reason. Had they been so obvious? “Why, I don’t—”

  Granny raised a hand imperiously. “Tell me to mind my own business if you want, but don’t go telling me there’s nothing wrong. I may be old, but I ain’t blind. Both of you look like grounded birds, wounded and missing the heights.”

  Elthia managed a weak smile. “Mind your own business, Granny,” she said softly.

  Their gazes held for an endless moment, then Granny shook her head. “I said you could tell me to mind my own business right enough, but I never said I’d listen.” She patted Elthia’s arm. “All married couples have problems from time to time. The best way to work through them is to always listen to your heart. And never, ever, let your pride get between you and your mate.”

  Elthia nodded, swallowing past the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Granny patted her arm. “It’ll work out, don’t you worry none. You two have something worth fighting for.”

  “You coming?”

  Elthia turned to see Caleb standing a few feet away, Josie’s hand in his. The picture they made symbolized love, family, trust, acceptance—everything she desired for herself.

  Her chest constricting painfully, she nodded and followed them to the buckboard. As Caleb handed her up, she tried a let’s-call-a-truce smile. “Thank you,” she said.

  But he merely nodded and turned to lift Josie up.

  The ride home passed quietly. Josie nodded off, her head cradled in Elthia’s lap. Caleb and Peter were visibly tired. The rest of them, when they spoke at all, did so in whispers.

  When they pulled into the yard, Caleb sent Peter to the bathhouse while he and Alex unhitched the wagon. Elthia carried Josie inside, then helped with the evening chores.

  She couldn’t take it anymore. She and Caleb had to talk, had to work through the feelings of betrayal. Being physically near yet emotionally distant hurt too much.

  After putting the children to bed, Elthia turned to the master bedroom. Her hopes of working things out tonight, though, were dashed when she stepped inside. Caleb was already asleep.

  She climbed into her sterile bed and listened to his even breathing across the room. Granny had said to listen to her heart. Despite the fact that logic dictated only Caleb had the knowledge or motive to take that contract, her heart insisted he would never have done something so underhanded.

  Suddenly her doubts disappeared. He hadn’t taken it. It was as simple as that. Tomorrow she would apologize.

  But would that be enough to set things right?

  Elthia woke to the sound of someone calling her name.

  “Aunt Thia,” Josie repeated, a whiny, hoarse quality to her usually soft voice.

  Elthia sat up as she noted the unhealthy flush coloring the little girl’s face. “What is it, darling?”

  Josie climbed up on Elthia’s lap. “I don’t feel so good.”

  A quick check of the child’s forehead confirmed that Josie had a fever, albeit a mild one. “I’ll tell you what,” Elthia said, using her I’ve-got-a-treat-for-you voice. “Why don’t you lie in my bed while I get dressed? Then I’ll fix you up a nice spot in the parlor and get you something to drink.”

  Josie nodded, but she watched Elthia dress with troubled eyes. Finally she blurted, “Are you gonna leave me by myself when you go back to the barn raisin’?”

  Elthia hugged the child. “Of course not, sweetie. I’m going to stay right here with you all day.” Elthia reached down to pick her up, and Josie trustingly lifted her arms, wrapping them around Elthia’s neck.

  After Elthia made Josie comfortable on the sofa, she hurried to the kitchen, where she met Caleb coming in from the barn with two large pails of milk in hand.

  He raised an eyebrow. “You’re up extra early this morning.”

  “Josie’s sick.”

  He set the pails down, his expression immediately registering concern. It made his indifference toward her all the more evident. “What is it? Not a relapse of the measles, I hope?”

  She almost reached out a hand to reassure him, but the fear of rebuff held her back. “No, at least I don’t think so. She’s just feeling out of sorts and is running a slight fever. I don’t think it’s serious, but she should probably stay in bed today.”

  Caleb nodded. “There’s no need for any of you to come today anyway. With luck, we’ll finish right after lunch. Whatever’s left, Billy can easily finish on his own.”

  He moved toward the hall. “Is she still in her room?”

  Elthia tried to gather her courage. She had to face him with her apology this
morning before he left. “No, she’s in the parlor. I promised her a glass of something cold to drink.”

  She entered the parlor a few minutes later to find Josie seated on Caleb’s lap.

  “And here’s Aunt Elthia with your water,” he said, kissing the top of his niece’s head. He settled her back down and stood. “I’ll check on you when I get back this afternoon. Now you rest up and do just what Aunt Elthia says so you can get all better.”

  At least he still trusted her with the children.

  Josie gave a wan smile and nodded. Caleb gave her head one last tousle, then turned to Elthia, the warmth in his smile cooling immediately. Oh, but she did miss his smiles. Even irritation or anger would be preferable to this cold, emotionless regard.

  Elthia handed Josie the glass and followed Caleb into the hall. She took a deep breath and touched his arm. “If you have a minute, I’d like to speak with you before you leave.” She smiled, hoping to see some softening in return.

  But Caleb’s expression didn’t change. He glanced at her hand on his arm as if she’d presumed an intimacy she hadn’t earned.

  Elthia drew her hand back, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks. Would she ever be able to get past this wall he’d erected? The one she’d helped him fortify.

  “Is there some kind of emergency, some problem with the kids I need to know about?”

  “No, but—”

  “Well then, sorry, but I want to get going while it’s still early.” He shrugged. “It’ll have to wait until I get back.”

  Elthia nodded mutely and watched him leave. Somehow she had to make him listen. But even then, would he forgive her?

  By the time Caleb returned, Elthia had armed herself with a steely resolve. He was going to listen to her apology, if she had to tie him to one of his rocking horses to make him do it.

  After that, if he still insisted on treating her as if she were to be merely tolerated, then she would have to decide whether or not she still wanted to stay beyond the original three-month agreement. Having gotten a taste of what real intimacy felt like, she wasn’t sure she could spend a lifetime living together with only icy politeness between them.