The Brides of Chance Collection (40 page)

“Oh, Mr. Worthington.” Tears burned her throat and eyes. “Have you spoken with Jonesy yet?”

“No. First I wanted to see how you felt.”

“But why?”

“I’ve denied you—my flesh and blood—the right to a father for twenty years. I would spend the rest of my life making it up to you if you want me to. Devoting all of my attention to you and any grandchildren you give me.”

“You mean you want to be sure I don’t mind sharing you?” Alisa laughed.

He reddened. “I understand. It was a ludicrous thing to even suggest you might want a relationship with me. Forgive my presumption.”

“No, that’s not it. I’m amazed by all of this. Really.”

“So am I, to be honest. Now to get down to business matters. I assume you will live on your husband’s ranch?”

“Oh, well, Titus and I do need to speak of matters now that things have changed.” And she wasn’t going to jail. Joy welled up inside her and curved her lips into a smile. There was nothing keeping them apart now. It was all she could do not to jump back on Raven and fly all the way home to the man she loved.

“Will you be selling the house?”

“Sell Titus’s house? There are several cabins all together. It wouldn’t be right to sell one of them to a stranger. Besides, Titus would never leave his family.”

His mouth twisted to one side in a smile. “I meant this house,” he drawled.

“How could I? I mean, why would I sell your house?”

“Alisa,” he said, keeping his gaze steady on her. “It’s your house. Mother left it to you.”

“Oh.” Was it really true? She hadn’t been dreaming it all this time? Even in her wildest imagination, it never occurred to her that anyone would actually let her have it.

“Do you want it?” she asked her father. Something flickered in his eyes.

“I am preparing to buy my own home. The company brings in much more than I realized, and I am financially secure.”

“But wouldn’t you rather stay in the home where you grew up?”

“I must admit I would. But the house is large. Much too large for a man alone.”

Alisa smiled as understanding dawned. “You’ve offered Mrs. Perryman and the children a place to stay for as long as they need.”

“Yes.”

“Would you object if I turn the house over to them for good?”

He expelled a breath and smiled as though relieved. “I had hoped you would consider that an option.”

“D–do I have enough money to maintain the house for them?”

He chuckled. “My dear, you have enough money to maintain a hundred houses for them. You are an extremely wealthy young lady. Not to mention the fact that twenty-five percent of the shipping company belongs to you, as well.”

Alisa’s eyes widened. “Oh.” If she hadn’t already been sitting, she would certainly have felt the need to do so. She remembered the conversation between Robert and Mrs. Worthington before the horrendous scene that followed. All the inheritance talk had been eclipsed by the appalling aftermath.

“You’re remembering.” He said the words as a statement, not a question. “I’m so sorry.”

“Mr. Worthington, I forgive you for accusing me. I know your mother sprung the news on you as suddenly as I heard it myself.”

“I want to know you, Alisa. You’re so much like your grandmother.” He squeezed her hands. “I know I don’t deserve the opportunity to know you. But I’ve changed, and I pray God will give me the chance to prove it.”

“I…I would like the chance to know you, too.” It was too hard to say “ ‘Father’ ” just yet. She wasn’t ready. But someday she hoped their relationship would be such that her children would have the benefit of a real grandfather.

“Where is she?” A roar from the foyer interrupted them. Robert shot to his feet, releasing Alisa’s hands. The door burst open, and Titus strode through.

Alisa gasped. “Titus!”

“Why did you leave?” he demanded. “I thought I told you I’d be coming back.”

“If you’ll excuse me,” Robert said, coughing into his fist. “I’ll leave you two alone to talk things over.”

“Well?”

Alisa frowned. “If you’ll calm down, I can explain.”

His breathing slowed a bit, and he looked into her eyes, tenderness replacing the hard edges of only a second ago. Alisa smiled. This was the Titus she knew.

“I was worried sick about you riding alone to San Francisco. When Mrs. Meyers told me you’d ridden here, I thought you had come to turn yourself in.”

“There’s no reason for me to.”

“I know. I talked it over with the sheriff yesterday.”

“Robert said you came to see him, as well.”

Titus nodded. He stepped forward and gathered her around the waist, pulling her close. Alisa didn’t resist. On the contrary, she willingly stepped into his embrace and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Why did you come to see Robert?”

He brushed her upturned lips with his. “I wanted to be sure no one else was going to be coming after my wife.”

Alisa grinned. “Have you a wife, Titus Chance?”

“I will have before the day’s out, if you’re willing to marry me before we go home.”

“So soon? Won’t your family be upset?”

“We can throw a barbeque for all the neighbors to celebrate. But if we wait, there’s no telling when Parson Abe’s coming back. If weather keeps him from his appointed time next month, it could be another three months.” He dipped his head and brushed her lips again. “I don’t want to wait that long to marry you.” His husky voice sent a shiver down Alisa’s spine, and she found herself nodding in agreement when he said, “Let’s go find a preacher.”

“Perhaps we could find one to come here? I’d love to have Mrs. Perryman and the children in attendance.”

“And your father?”

She nodded. “Yes. Him, too. And Titus, before I become your wife, I would like to ask a favor.”

“Anything, my love.”

“I want to sign this house over to Mrs. Perryman.”

“The house?”

“My grandmother left it for me.”

His eyes grew soft and thoughtful. “I think it’s a wonderful idea to leave it to the children.”

“There’s more. I…I, well, we’ll never have to worry about money, Titus.”

“I’ve never been worried about it.” He grinned and kissed her. “But I have the feeling you have more news.”

“According to Mr. Worthington, I’m apparently quite wealthy. Please say I can share it with you.”

“My brothers are pretty determined to make the ranch a success on their own. But I’m sure if we get in a bind, they’d agree to take a little help. At any rate, the money will be there for our children.”

“Yes, our children.”

His gaze captured hers, revealing all the love she could ever have imagined possible. When he lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers, his arms tightened about her. Locked in his embrace, Alisa returned his kiss, knowing that God had truly taken the horror of the past few months and turned it into something good.

Epilogue

A
lisa’s eyes misted with tears as she and Titus waved good-bye to the group at the doorway. Her father and Mrs. Perryman and all of the children, including Jonesy, were on hand to wish them well.

Titus grabbed the reins, then hesitated. “We could stay one more day if you want.”

Alisa smiled at her new husband and leaned her head against his shoulder. They had been married for a little over a week, staying at one of San Francisco’s finest hotels during most of that time. She’d met with Mr. Chadwick, the lawyer handling her grandmother’s estate, and had settled everything so that Mrs. Perryman would never have to worry again. Best of all, with the new home, they could accommodate up to ten more children. Alisa had loved every moment of her time with them all, and a seed had been planted for a loving relationship with her father, but she was eager to begin her life as Mrs. Titus Chance in their own home. She squeezed his arm. “No. It’s time to go home.”

“I agree,” he said, taking his attention off the road for a moment to kiss her soundly. “It was generous of your father to insist you take a few things of your grandmother’s.”

Alisa twisted in the seat and eyed the pile of furniture she was taking back. Two beds, one for her and Titus to share and one for Miriam and Gideon—a belated wedding present. Poor Miriam’s back was beginning to hurt her from the uncomfortable straw mattress she’d had to endure. Then there was the pie safe she’d fallen in love with from the moment she entered the kitchen, and the Turkish rug from the library. Some chairs. She loved the idea of being able to contribute to the home somehow.

“Did you mention the furniture we’re bringing back when you telegraphed the family?”

Titus grinned. “Nope. Just told them I was bringing home my bride and to move my things back into the cabin.”

Alisa’s cheeks warmed, but she snuggled closer to her husband. “Good. Then it will be like Christmas all over again.”

“That reminds me.” Titus stopped the wagon and reached into his pocket, producing the box he’d offered her at Christmas. “Merry Christmas.”

“Oh, Titus.” She opened the box, and a soft gasp escaped at the sight of the lovely cameo pin inside. “It’s beautiful. I love it.”

Despite the fact that they were stopped on a crowded street, Titus pulled her close. “You’re beautiful, and I love you.” He lowered his face to hers and kissed her. As they resumed their journey, Alisa’s heart sang with thankfulness to God. Though she’d been raised an orphan, He hadn’t left her fatherless forever. He’d sent her to a large, loving family and, more important, to a man who would love and cherish her for the rest of her life. She knew she’d never be alone again.

TAKING A CHANCE

by Kelly Eileen Hake

Chapter 1

Reliable, California, early spring 1872

S
top your squawking, Dan. You know she’s staying—just like the last two.” Bryce brought up a good point, Paul reflected. The family did have a history of keeping unexpected females.
Wonder who’ll get hitched to this one
.

“Dibs!” Apparently Logan’s thoughts followed along the same line. All six brothers turned toward the window where the woman in question could be seen from a distance.

It was no mystery why Logan claimed her. No one could mistake the curves beneath her travel-worn clothes. Glorious hair, darker than midnight, gleamed as the soft waves captured the last rays of the setting sun—along with the interest of every man within a square mile. Paul almost wished she didn’t have her back turned, so he could see her face. Almost.

“She’s taller than you, Logan,” Bryce contested. That wasn’t exactly true, though her slender build did bring her closer to heaven than any other woman Paul had seen. That presented a welcome change. Paul always felt a little awkward around bitsy Miriam, and Alisa wasn’t much better. He didn’t see how Gideon, the only one of his brothers to top him in size, managed being married to the pretty pipsqueak. Even Logan, the youngest and smallest of them all, knocked her over the first time they met.

“Why’s she here, Gideon?” Paul’s question stopped the beginnings of a squabble. The heavy sigh that came before the response wasn’t encouraging.

“She’s in a fix.” The enigmatic comment set off a new round of exclamations.

“With the law?” Logan bolted upright. “What’d she do?”

“And she knows Miriam?” Titus couldn’t quite keep the incredulity from his tone.

“I’ll bet she’s expecting. I told you if we kept taking in strays we’d end up regretting it.” This from Daniel, who hadn’t quite gotten over the bitterness of losing his own wife, Hannah. Personally, Paul didn’t see how anyone with a set of eyes could think that slim waistline concealed a baby.

“You hush. Even I know the difference ’tween ladies and strays.” Bryce, who boasted the least social graces of them all, took a stand. At last the clamor subsided, and they all stared expectantly at Gideon. He’d explain. Then they’d vote on whether or not the mysterious woman would stay.

Delilah Chadwick kept her back to the house, trying not to reveal how anxious she felt.
I don’t have anywhere else to go if the men don’t let me stay
.

“Don’t worry, Delilah,” Miriam said in a reassuring tone. “They’re good men who’ll make the right decision.”

“Maybe the right decision is to say no. I don’t want to be a burden, but I don’t see how I can contribute to a place like this….” Who could want more than the beauty of the surrounding land? Blue sky stretched on forever over the rich, solid earth beneath her feet. The well-crafted house and barn built near it promised a cozy haven—and a garden. She’d always wanted a garden.

But Papa chased other dreams. He’d gambled his way from town to town all the way across the country until they’d finally ended up in California. He’d always said they’d get some land of their own as soon as he won a big enough pot, but then he’d turn around and “invest” his winnings in another game. She’d come along to take care of him, but she’d failed miserably.
Oh, Papa. I miss you so much
.

Miriam’s voice interrupted her reverie. “But there’s plenty to do around here, I’ll tell you that much! With the baby coming, I need more help than Alisa can provide. Cooking for and cleaning up after six men isn’t as easy as you’d think!”