Tabitha: Bride of Missouri (American Mail-Order Bride 24) (11 page)

“She said she loved me too much to see me suffer,” he mumbled.

“Well, can you accept that and move on? We know what happened now, and we’re together. Isn’t that the important thing?”

Thomas nodded, pushing down his irritation. Ivy was incredible. How many girls would be so understanding? “You’re right. Let’s have a nice lunch, get to know each other, and put this behind us.”

She laid her hand on his arm. “There is one more thing I need to apologize for. I’m sorry I didn’t write for so long. I was so busy getting ready for school to start that many important things slipped by me.”

“That’s what I figured. It’s all right.” He patted her hand and gave it a little squeeze. “May I escort you to the dining room?”

“I’d be delighted.”

They entered the hotel dining room and were shown to a table by the smiling Mrs. Davis, who didn’t make a scene, but her eyes definitely twinkled. Thomas grinned at her behind Ivy’s back, proud to have this beautiful woman at his side.

The meal was excellent, as always, and Ivy seemed to appreciate it too. They chatted about this and that, mostly casual things, and Thomas couldn’t wait to take her for a buggy ride or some other such thing where they could be alone and really talk. He wanted to find out what was in her heart, what she was thinking, what she enjoyed. He very much liked what he’d discovered about her so far—her warm, forgiving nature—and he knew that each day would bring more discoveries and revelations.

“Let me take you for a buggy ride after we’ve eaten,” he said, leaning across the table and touching her hand. “I want to show you the town, the property—it really is a nice area.”

“That sounds lovely.” Ivy looked down at her plate. “I believe I’m ready, if you are.”

They stood and wove between tables to the doorway, where they ran into Pastor Reed, who was just coming in.

“Mr. Scott,” he said jovially. “A pleasure. And who is this?”

Thomas put his hand on the small of Ivy’s back. “This is Miss Ivy Wayne, my fiancée.”

“Miss Wayne, I can’t tell you how pleased I am to meet you.” The pastor gave her a little bow. “You’re marrying a fine man.”

“I believe I am,” Ivy replied with a smile. “What was your name, sir?”

“I’m sorry. I’ve forgotten all my manners. Ivy, this is Pastor Reed.”

“Oh, you’re the pastor?” Ivy seemed very interested to hear this. “My uncle is a clergyman.”

“Where is his congregation? Perhaps we’ve met.”

“He preaches in Dover, where I’m from.”

Pastor Reed shook his head. “I’ve never been out that way, but I’ve heard it’s beautiful country.”

“It is. I’ll look forward to hearing your sermon on Sunday, Pastor, and it was a pleasure to meet you. Thomas is taking me for a buggy ride now.”

“Then I won’t keep you. Have an enjoyable afternoon.” The pastor nodded to each of them, then entered the dining room.

Thomas didn’t own a buggy, but he had a friend who worked at the livery stable, so within minutes, he and Ivy were on their way.

“I like this town very much,” she said as they rolled down Main Street. “It’s neat and tidy, and everything feels like a home. I believe I’ll be happy here.”

Thomas’s heart warmed at hearing this. “The whole community is friendly, and I think they’ll welcome you right in.” He threw a sidelong look her way. “And what do you think of me so far?”

She contemplated him. “I think you’re rather nice-looking, and you seem very kind. May I return the question? Am I what you hoped for?”

“I can honestly say, Miss Wayne, that you’re
more
than what I hoped for.”

She smiled and settled back into the seat, well pleased with his answer.

Thomas pointed out the stores and other buildings of interest, including the post office—even though he would have preferred to leave that one out of the discussion—and showed her where the doctor lived. Then he drove her out to his property. This was the moment he’d been dreaming about for months, and now that it was here, his stomach roiled. What if his humble home was
too
humble? He’d told her in his first letter that it needed some work—he’d wanted to be completely open with her.

“Is this your house?” she asked as he pulled the buggy to a stop in the yard.

“This is it. I know it’s not much to look at now, but let me show you around and tell you my plans for it.”

He led her over to the gardening shed first, wanting her to know that he was forward-thinking and already making improvements. Then he took her inside and all but held his breath as she looked around.

She nodded as she examined the kitchen, then stepped across the hall and into the sitting room. She only gave the bedroom a brief glance, then rejoined him in the kitchen. “I think this will be a very nice home,” she said. “It’s definitely missing a woman’s touch, though.”

Thomas grinned. “I thought I’d let you handle that.”

“I’ve already got a million ideas. Curtains, for starters.”

“Curtains you shall have.” Thomas then grew serious. “Listen, Ivy. We never really got to know each other through our letters, like we’d hoped. I’d like to spend as much time as possible with you over the next couple of days and give you the chance to get to know me before we tie the knot. I don’t want you to have any reason to regret making this choice.”

“Oh, Thomas, I already know I wouldn’t regret it. I can see your kindness shining in your eyes.” She reached out and caught his sleeve with her fingers. “But I can see that you’re saying this because of that kindness. Yes, I agree. Let’s court for three days, and then set the date. But let’s not put it off any longer than that. I’m eager to start my new life, and I’m eager to start sewing those curtains.”

He laughed. “It’s a deal.”

Chapter Fourteen

Tabitha took Mr. Hansen’s envelope and coins from his outstretched hand, thanked him, and wished him a good day. It was all routine, nothing exciting. Ever since Thomas had left the post office the day before, she’d felt empty inside. And she knew she deserved it.

Clara had been remarkably calm when Tabitha admitted what she’d done. Perhaps the toll Herbert’s health had taken on her had worn her down, but all she did was nod when Tabitha apologized. “You’re punishing yourself enough as it is. I probably shouldn’t be doing this, but I’ll let it go if you promise you’ll never do it again.” That was a promise Tabitha had been more than willing to make, and she was grateful beyond measure that Clara hadn’t contacted the main post office to report her.

She’d seen Thomas and Ivy go riding past in a buggy the afternoon before. Ivy was a lovely girl, no doubt about it, and Thomas should be proud to show her around town. Now what remained was for Tabitha to decide what she was going to do. Her first inclination was to leave town again, but Clara and Herbert still depended on her, and she needed to overcome her persistent desire to run away. That wasn’t how she should handle this. She needed to live it down, take her punishment however it came. The biggest punishment of all was losing Thomas’s friendship, and that would hurt no matter where she lived.

She mailed a few letters for one elderly lady who lived on the next street over, grudgingly helped Mr. Parker—who seemed a bit nervous to enter the building at all, as he should be—and wrapped up a package for Mrs. Smith. The next time the door opened after that, she looked up to see Ivy standing there.

The girl tilted her head to the side and looked at Tabitha curiously. “Oh, I see,” she said, almost to herself. “Now it makes sense.”

“May I help you?” Tabitha asked, beyond curious to know what Ivy was talking about, but forbidding herself to ask.

“Hello. My name is Ivy Wayne. I believe you’re a friend of Thomas Scott’s.” She came all the way into the office and set her bag on the counter.

“Yes, that’s right.” Tabitha held her chin a little higher. If Ivy had come in here to yell at her, she was prepared to take it. It was Ivy’s right, after all.

“I’d like to mail a letter to my parents.”

That wasn’t at all what Tabitha had expected her to say. “I . . . beg your pardon?”

“I’d like to mail a letter. I have wandered into the post office, haven’t I?” Ivy smiled—there was only humor in her voice.

“You have. I’m sorry—I was distracted.” Tabitha accepted the envelope and the money, then rested her hands on the counter. “Thomas told you what happened?”

“Yes, he did.”

“And did he tell you how sorry I am?”

Ivy looked down, and then up again. “He didn’t yet, but I’m sure he will. And I’ll understand.” She gave another smile and then walked out of the building, leaving Tabitha to wonder what had just happened.

Chapter Fifteen

Thomas spent the next three days showing Ivy all over town, taking her on drives out into the woods and the most beautiful nature spots he’d discovered since moving here. She seemed entranced by everything and never had a negative word to say. He appreciated that about her, but at the same time, he wished she had a little bit of spark, a quick retort or occasional acerbic comment. Then he realized he was comparing her to Tabitha, and he brought himself up short. That would simply never do.

When he took her to the lumber yard, Hoss blinked several times when he caught sight of them. He swept off his hat and bowed in one fluid motion. “Well, Miss Ivy, you’ve come at last. And here I thought this man had been imagining you all along.”

Ivy laughed merrily. “I’m real, and yes, here I am. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“And you.” Hoss caught Thomas’s attention and winked.

They ran into Pastor Reed again while strolling through town on Saturday afternoon, and he offered to unlock the church and show Ivy the stained-glass window behind the altar. She would, of course, see it the next day during services, but this way, he could explain the story behind it and how it came to be placed in their humble church building. She readily accepted, so they followed the pastor’s lead.

“Oh, what a beautiful building,” Ivy said as they entered. “You’ve maintained it so well.”
“A few ladies from the church come in and clean it every Monday, then dust it every Saturday,” Pastor Reed explained. “They left a few hours ago, so you’re seeing it as fresh and tidy as possible.”

“I can almost feel the love your parishioners put into caring for this place.” Ivy walked up the center aisle, her fingers trailing along the backs of the pews. “Oh! And the window is gorgeous!”

Thomas took a seat on the front row and listened while the pastor told Ivy about the donor who had paid for the piece. It was a very nice depiction of the prodigal son, with the father clasping his child in his arms.

“Every time I hear that story, I can’t help but relate it to all of us,” Ivy said as she gazed on the scene. “How eagerly God must want each of us to turn away from the swine and come back to Him.”
“It truly is one of my favorite scripture stories,” the pastor agreed.

Thomas nodded, vaguely recalling the tale. He’d have to dig out his Bible and read it again—it had been a long time.

“Thank you for showing us around, Pastor,” Ivy said, holding out her hand.

He took it and pressed it warmly. “I enjoyed every moment.”

Thomas didn’t know why, but a flash of irritation passed through him. “Yes, thank you, Pastor. We’ll see you tomorrow.” He hustled Ivy out of the church a bit more abruptly than he intended, but she didn’t seem to notice. At least, she didn’t mention it.

***

Thomas escorted Ivy into the church building the next morning. She had almost taken his breath away when she entered the hotel lobby in a pink ruffled gown. He couldn’t help but feel proud of his lovely fiancée as he showed her into the pew and sat beside her.

There was something amiss, though. As he looked around, he couldn’t see Tabitha anywhere. He had expected Clara and Herbert to stay home—Herbert was far from well, after all—but he’d thought Tabitha would be there. Maybe she was hiding, licking her wounds. Then he scolded himself for the thought. That wasn’t like him.

Ivy seemed positively transfigured as she listened to the sermon. Thomas tried to put even half that much energy into listening, but his mind kept wandering, and he finally gave it up for a lost cause. He believed in God and appreciated chances to attend church, but he doubted he’d ever be as pious as Ivy, and hoped she’d be all right with that.

After the sermon, Pastor Reed stood at the door to bid everyone a good Sunday, as he apparently always did. Ivy was just entering a discussion with him about the book of Thessalonians when Mrs. Smith came bustling up.

“Pastor, you’re needed,” she said, panting and out of breath. “Herbert Wilcox has taken a turn for the worst, and Clara’s asking for you.”

“Of course.” Pastor Reed turned back to Ivy. “I’m so sorry, Miss Wayne. Please excuse me.”

“Of course,” she echoed.

Thomas took Ivy’s arm and led her down the steps of the church. He tried to steer her back toward the hotel, but she planted her feet and wouldn’t budge. “You’re going the wrong way,” she said.

“What do you mean? The hotel is over there.”

“You shouldn’t be going to the hotel. You should be going to the post office.”

Thomas looked at her incredulously. “But why would I go there?”

Ivy smiled. “That girl loves you, and I know you have unresolved feelings as well. Go to her. Talk to her. And then come find me and tell me what you’ve learned.”

Thomas shook his head. “I don’t want to talk to her. I want to spend the afternoon with you.”

Ivy reached out and tugged on the lapel of his jacket. “I’d rather spend the afternoon with you
after
you’ve spoken to her. Please, Thomas. For me.”

He pressed his lips together, the two sides of himself warring. Finally, he nodded. “All right. But only because you asked me to. Let me see you to the hotel first.”

He left Ivy in the lobby, at her insistence, and walked back toward the post office. What could she possibly want him to say to Tabitha? What unfinished business did he still have? He thought he’d said everything, made himself perfectly clear. But Ivy didn’t think so, and he had to figure it out.

He glanced up toward the post office as he approached and saw Tabitha run out of the building and around to the back. Without realizing what he was doing, he picked up his pace. He rounded the building as well and found her leaning up against Herbert’s tinsmith shed, holding her stomach and sobbing.

He walked up behind her, then hesitated. “Tabitha?” he said after a moment.

“He’s gone.”

“I . . . I’m sorry.”

Tabitha turned around, wiping her cheeks with the palms of her hands. “He woke up just long enough to tell Clara that he loved her. She said that’s the only time he’s told her that the entire time they’ve been together. I . . . I just . . .”

Thomas tentatively reached out and touched her shoulder. She all but launched herself at him, throwing herself into his arms.

He was finally holding her like he’d wanted to, like he hadn’t realized he wanted to. And he hated himself for feeling this way. She’d betrayed his trust. How could he possibly love her?

Then he took a step back, pushing her away. He loved her? Where had that thought come from? No—he was going to marry Ivy. That had been the plan all along. But why wouldn’t Ivy spend the day with him until he’d spoken to Tabitha?

It was because Ivy knew.

She knew what he had just realized.

Tabitha wrapped her arms around her stomach. “I’m sorry. I know you’re angry with me—I shouldn’t have thrown myself at you like that. I just needed . . . I just needed a hug, I suppose.”

Thomas shook his head. “No, it’s not that. I’m confused. I don’t know whether I’m coming or going anymore.” He looked around, spied a stool, and sat down on it, placing his head in his hands. “Ivy thinks I should talk to you.”
“I met Ivy the other day. She seems like a wonderful girl.”

He glanced up in surprise. “You met her?”

“Yes, she came by to mail a letter.”

“Hmm. Must have been while I was getting checked out by Dr. Gideon.”

“Oh? What did the doctor say?”

“I’m doing well, and he thinks I’ll make a full recovery.”

“I’m so glad for you.”

Thomas nodded. “So, listen. Since I can’t go back to the hotel until we’ve spoken, talk to me. What is it you want me to know? What am I supposed to be learning or gaining from this?”

“Mostly that I’m sorry. I don’t know what else I can say or do beyond that—I was wrong. I have no excuses.”

He lifted his head and looked at her. “Ivy says you love me.”

“I do.” Tabitha shrugged. “I do, but it’s no excuse. I should have trusted you to handle your own affairs. I think . . .”

“What?”

“I think I just wanted to do something that would bring me closer to you.” She chuckled, shaking her head. “I really should be quiet now. Everything I say just makes me sound as though I’ve lost my mind. I promise, I’ve never followed you or watched you through windows. I’ve just tampered with your mail and pretended to be your fiancée.”

Thomas had to laugh too—the whole thing was so ridiculous. “I have to admit that in a way, it’s flattering. I don’t think anyone has ever broken the law for me before.”

“Well, I’m never doing it again. You want the law broken, you’ll have to find someone else.” Her smile faded away. “But then again, you already have.”

He shook his head. “No, Ivy wouldn’t break the law.”

“That’s why she’s better for you.”

“Better, maybe, but not as exciting.”

“You don’t need my kind of excitement.”

Thomas looked at her, the way her hair was tumbling around her face, her shawl brushing the ground. He stood, gathered up the end of the shawl, and brought it back into place on her shoulder. “I’m starting to wonder,” he said.

She met his eyes unblinkingly. “Wonder what?”

He didn’t step back, even though he ought to. Instead, he took one step closer until their toes touched. “I wonder about this.”

He slowly lowered his lips to hers and kissed her. At first, it didn’t feel right—like he was trespassing on private property or something. But then, as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back, the very rightness of it exploded through his mind, heart, and soul simultaneously, and he knew it. He knew it entirely. He was in love with Tabitha Phillips, lawbreaker.

***

Thomas walked into the hotel lobby and found Ivy sitting in a chair in the corner, engrossed in a book. She looked up when she saw him coming, and the expression on her face was nothing but peaceful.

“It’s all right, Thomas,” she said before he had a chance to open his mouth. “I know, and it’s all right.”