The Substitute Bride (21 page)

God, if this Call is truly from You, give me a sign.

W
ith the library hours over, Elizabeth turned the key in the door of the ladies’ club, anticipating the meal at the café Ted had suggested that morning. The prospect of a rare meal out put a bounce in her step as she headed toward the familiar team and wagon hitched to the rail in front of the mercantile.

Her breath caught. Could the harmony between her and Ted be too good to be true? Her parents’ marriage had taught her not to rely on feelings that could change in the blink of an eye. But Ted was different from her father. She trusted him.

Yet deep inside, in a place she’d learned to heed, she waited for…

For what?

Trouble.

The thought shot through her, landing in her midsection, a cold lump of uncertainty. Her eyes misted. In less than two months, could she really know Ted? Hadn’t she glimpsed a hint of guardedness in his eyes, in his manner, as if he held something back? Even last night she sensed he was under some strain.

Lord, please let this relationship be real.

Up ahead Ted emerged from the store with Henry perched
on his shoulders, Robby and Anna walking alongside. When the children saw her, Henry’s face lit up like a starry sky on a cold winter night. An odd little hitch took Elizabeth’s breath away.

Oh, how badly she wanted the love and solidarity of a family. This family. No other would do. Yet, wanting so much terrified her, seized her throat and squeezed until she felt she’d choke.

No, she’d rely on God and ignore the uneasy feelings churning inside.

Anna ran to her. “Look what Mr. Sorenson gave us.” She held out a candy stick, already pointed in the shape of her mouth.

“I’m saving mine.” Robby looked pleased with his decision. Did he hang on to the good, thinking he might not get another?

Elizabeth forced a smile. “How nice. Did you thank him?”

Anna popped the candy stick out. “Yes. He said, ‘You two are mighty sweet, but it can’t hurt to add a little sugar.’”

As Elizabeth took in their beaming faces, her smile relaxed and grew. The transformation in the children bordered on amazing. Since Robby had tried to save her from Mrs. Atwater’s wrath, he and Anna appeared joined at the hip. Robby now helped with chores, eager to please and do his part. They’d settled into the normal routine of family life.

Anna still had a stubborn streak, but most days she accepted Elizabeth in a mother’s role. Most days Elizabeth loved her role. On other days, she wanted to scream. But Rebecca had assured her that was perfectly normal.

Ted stepped toward her, his gaze warm, intimate, only for her. At the tender longing in his eyes, her mouth went dry. What in the world had she been worrying about earlier? This man cared for her. He may not have told her he loved her yet, but maybe tonight…

Oscar and Cecil tromped out of the mercantile. “Howdy.” They doffed their hats to Elizabeth. “We’re off on our evening constitutional then heading to the café…for supper.”

“What’s a constitutional?” Anna asked.

“Means, little missy, that we’re taking ourselves on our daily walk. Cecil here is checking the condition of the streets but I’m doing it for my health.” Oscar patted his stomach. “I’m getting a paunch. Been eating too many of your mama’s biscuits.”

Elizabeth smiled at the Moore brothers, good friends and an enormous help around the club. “I’d hate to lose my best biscuit eater.”

“I believe that’s my position, Mrs. Logan,” Ted said, running a teasing fingertip along her jaw.

At his slight touch, Elizabeth’s heart thumped wildly in her chest. “I thought you were the one who turned that job over to Oscar.”

A flash of frustration crossed Ted’s face.

Chortling, Oscar slapped his hat on his thigh. “Elizabeth don’t mince words.” He plopped his hat back on his head. “See you soon…er, later.”

The two men shuffled on as they did every evening. They might not have speed but they made up for it with endurance.

“I’ve got to agree with Cecil. I like a woman who speaks her mind,” Ted murmured in her ear before tugging playfully at Anna’s pigtails. “Ready for supper at the café, Anna?”

Too excited to stand still, Anna and Robby ran around Elizabeth’s skirts. Henry squealed and clapped his hands at their antics. “Looks like we’re more than ready,” Elizabeth said, knowing full well that she withheld all the confusing feelings reeling in her head. But how could she harbor these doubts when all she had to base them on was the feeling Ted kept a secret?

“Then let’s go.” Ted shoved his purchases under the seat of the wagon then returned to the boardwalk.

In front of the café, Rebecca, Dan and their brood pulled up in their wagon. Their children scrambled down, two of the boys swatting at each other along the way. Rebecca clutched
the baby to her bosom as her husband helped her down. “Sorry. We’re late.”

Elizabeth looked at Ted. “Late for what?”

“Why, ah, late for…spring. Here we’ve come to town to celebrate the first day of spring and we’re a week late.”

Elizabeth didn’t believe a word of it. “What’s going on?”

“Good job, wife,” Dan mumbled, as he whisked Henry off Ted’s shoulders, then herded his wife and all the youngsters into the café.

Alone on the street, Ted’s large hand swallowed up hers and tugged her close. The gaze he turned on Elizabeth was tender, filled with hope and dancing with excitement. Lost in his silver-blue eyes, she held her breath, waiting for what he had to say. But instead he lowered his head and kissed her until her heart rat-a-tatted in her chest.

“Today is the two-month anniversary of our marriage. We didn’t have a proper wedding so I invited our friends and neighbors to the café tonight to share in the celebration.”

Tears gathered in Elizabeth’s eyes. Ted had done this for her? How could she have doubted him? “I don’t know what to say…” She rose on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Except thank you.”

“You deserve a party for all you’ve done for us, for all we’ve put you through.” He grinned. “For the pain of flopping, pecking chickens, for a smart-mouthed daughter and damaged silk shoes—to name just a few.”

He hauled her to the café door and opened it. A cheer went up. Half the town had gathered in the café, grinning and clapping. Robby and Anna darted toward them. The Moore brothers had cut their walk short, the Sorenson, Sumner, Wyatt, Radcliff, Johnson and Harper families—everyone who’d befriended her, gathered round, thumping Ted on the back and giving Elizabeth a hug. Lois Lessman and her husband stood
on the fringes smiling. In the far corner, Lily and Richard even beamed their approval.

Elizabeth pressed a hand against her mouth. “I can’t believe this!”

Ted touched her cheek. “I know how hard it’s been, being away from the city, away from the polite society you’ve been accustomed to.” He tucked a curl behind her ear. “I want to show you how much…” He paused. “How much—”

“You’ve become an important part of this town,” Lydia Sumner broke in. “Not just by marrying Ted and giving that man some joy, but by starting our library and rallying us ladies to make changes in town. And you know what? That’s made some lovely changes in us, as well.”

“Oscar brought his fiddle and I got my harmonica,” Cecil said, and both produced the instruments to prove it.

Like a mother hen with outstretched wings, Rebecca shooed the children in front of her to a table along the back wall. The group dispersed, moving toward their seats, laughing, no doubt, at the shock still lingering on Elizabeth’s face.

“And I knew it wouldn’t be a proper celebration without your family,” Ted said, and then opened the door. There in the opening stood Papa and Martha. “Your father wired me while you were staying at the club and asked to come here.”

Her heart leaped into her throat. She ran to them, throwing her arms around them, nestling into the warmth of Martha’s girth, drinking in the love in their eyes, inhaling the familiar scent of Papa’s aftershave on his handsome, smiling face.

“Princess, I’ve finally grown up.” Her father’s smile faltered. “I’d like to start over in this town if it’s all right with you. To give you and Robby the love I was too…preoccupied to give.”

“Only if you stop calling me princess!”

When she finally disentangled herself, Elizabeth noticed Martha had stepped back into the circle of Papa’s arm and the
two of them stared into each other’s eyes, like love-struck youngsters.

That’s why Papa finally understood love. He shared it with Martha. Elizabeth couldn’t stop smiling. She hoped the temptation to gamble wouldn’t take Papa over and ruin what he and Martha had.

Bubbling over with joy, Elizabeth introduced Papa and Martha to Ted.

Her father extended his hand. “Good to meet you at last, Ted.”

Ted shook hands with Papa then took a step away. “We should get seated. Agnes has lots of food waiting on us.”

But Papa hadn’t released Ted’s hand. “I know you from somewhere.”

“Me? No.” Ted pulled his hand out of Papa’s. “Let’s—”

“I remember now.” The friendly look dropped from Papa’s face. An ominous huff slid from his lips. “You’re that gambler.”

People pivoted their way, quieted. Watching. Listening.

“Sir, I’m—” Ted didn’t finish.

Elizabeth grabbed hold of her father’s arm. “You’re mistaken. Ted’s no gambler. He’s a farmer.”

Papa snorted and draped a protective arm over her shoulders. “Then he’s bluffed you. You’re not married to Ted Logan, farmer.” He paused, his gaze connecting with Ted’s—cold, hard, accusing. “You’re married to Ted ‘Hold ’Em’ Logan, a no-account riverboat gambler!”

A collective gasp rose from their neighbors. Rebecca gathered the children and ushered them out of the door, shooting one last glance at Elizabeth.

The words tore through Elizabeth with the impact of a gunshot. The blood drained from her head and she staggered. Papa kept her on her feet.

Ted took a step back, his face pale beneath his farmer’s tan. Their gazes locked. The repentant look in his eyes said it all.

Bile rose in Elizabeth’s throat, choking her as hope for their future drained out of her.

She’d been right. She couldn’t trust this man.

Will Wyatt scratched his head. “Ted’s a riverboat gambler? You must be mistaken. Why, he’s a pillar of the community.”

Jim Johnson slapped his hat against his leg. “Ted’s lived in New Harmony for what, nine years? Never left except’n to pay a visit on Rose’s folks and that ain’t near no river.”

A knot of pain settled in Elizabeth’s chest, squeezing against her lungs until she fought for air. Her husband, the man she’d given her heart to, was just like Papa. Ted might not have gambled in the past two months while she’d lived in his house, but what did that mean? Two months was nothing.

Her father had stopped on occasion, each time promising a new start. But in the end, he chose the thrill of risking everything over his family. That craving had killed her mother. Ruined their lives. Driven her to marry Ted.

At the irony, a harsh laugh left her lips, the sound bitter, defeated. Ted reached for her. She slapped his hand away.

“Elizabeth, you have to believe me. That’s in my past.”

“Why should I believe you?”

“I thought you knew me,” Ted said.

“I thought the same.” Tears spilled down her cheeks. “After everything I told you, how could you hide this from me?”

His pale blue eyes filled with misery. A calculated bluff, no doubt, to win her sympathy. Well, she wasn’t stupid.

“I was afraid of your reaction. Afraid of what it would mean for the children if the truth came out. Please believe me. I’m not the man your father remembers.”

Seymour gave her shoulder a squeeze. “I wasn’t the father I should’ve been, but I won’t let you remain under this man’s roof. You and Robby are coming home with me. I know better than anyone—a man like that can’t be trusted.”

“Just where would home be, Papa?”

Her father looked as if she’d slapped him, gnawing at her conscience. But Elizabeth was sick of all this posturing. Papa. Ted. They’d both caused her enough pain to last a lifetime.

“I’d thought it would be here in New Harmony. But home will be wherever we make it. Martha, Robby, you and me,” he said.

Richard Stevens pointed a finger at Ted. “Did Rose have to live with that burden? It must have hastened her death. Lily and I aren’t inclined to leave our grandchildren with a gambler.”

Soon neighbors surrounded them, all taking sides. Pastor Sumner waved his hands, trying to calm the crowd while Lydia’s lips moved in silent prayer.

“Stop it! This isn’t your fight.” Elizabeth turned on Ted. “I’ve been such a fool, worrying that a
godly
man like you, a man called to
preach
wouldn’t understand my father’s compulsion.”

She snorted. “You told me once that the truth sets a man free. Every word out of your mouth was a lie!” She pounded her fists on his chest, watched him flinch, but he made no attempt to stop her. “Did you find deceiving me amusing?” Her hands fell away. “Well, I won’t be fooled again.” She wheeled on her father. “Not by any man.”

She looked around the room, so quiet she could’ve heard a pin drop. “I’m sorry for flinging our dirty laundry in your faces. There will be no celebration, but please, stay, have dinner. It’s all part of the show.”

With that, Elizabeth strode out of the café on wooden legs, holding herself together with her fury, and walked the short distance to the ladies’ club. Her hands shook so badly, it took three attempts before she could get the key in the opening. Once inside, a moan escaped her lips. She clamped her jaw, then sank into a chair, numb, sick to her stomach.

Tears slipped past her cheeks. She swiped them away with
a hand. Why cry? Why mourn the loss of a man she never knew? Even as she thought it, her heart shattered. She thought she’d found love, home, family.

Why had she fallen in love with her husband?

Look where love had gotten her. She knew better. She knew the risks. She knew she couldn’t trust him. But no matter how much she’d kept expecting that shoe to drop, the reality hurt. Hurt more than she’d ever imagined.

Now she lived Mama’s life.