The mystery was…no, there were several mysteries, he mused as they stood, frozen, acutely aware of one another. First—what was this girl’s story? He knew she was with child by a man his sister had labeled a blackguard—which means Pebs knows who he is—and he was obviously someone Mary hadn’t wished to discuss. The thought had occurred before and now it was rearing its ugly face once more…had the man forced himself on her? She had emphatically declared that she wasn’t a loose woman and that she hated subterfuge. If the man had, indeed, attacked her, forcefully taken her innocence, and left her with child…the thought made Dwight’s hands automatically curl into tight fists in want of connecting with the cur’s face.
Second—who was the man? Where was the man? Was there a chance that he would come back into Mary’s life, or the baby’s life, and if so—would she welcome him? Would he come and try to make trouble for them?
Third—how was she feeling and what was she thinking? Could she be feeling an attraction toward him as well? He’d never given a large amount of thought to appraising his appearance—he wasn’t one of those vain mirror gazers who checked his hair and straightened his clothing every time he passed a looking glass—but he felt confident that he wasn’t a bad looking fellow. Although he’d never been in love, he’d had a few girlfriends, so he knew the ins and outs of romancing a woman… Well, maybe he could use a few pointers in that regard, but still, he wondered if Mary truly felt an aversion to the man who was the father of her child, or if she was harboring an affection toward him. If so…did Dwight even stand a chance with her?
At that moment, before he fled the room to go placate his sisters, he gave Mary his most sincere smile and mumbled, “Guess I’d better go see what she wants. Sisters, you know.”
A sad look came into her eyes, but she merely allowed a slight nod to send him on his way.
As he headed down the hall, he determined he would learn each and every one of his proxy bride’s secrets—and explore this attraction that might possibly bloom into something much more. And he would do it without either of them getting hurt in the process.
He was up for the challenge.
Oh my goodness, what just happened?
Mary brought a trembling hand up to smooth her hair back as she moved a few steps to lower herself down onto the bed. She pressed a hand to her chest, where her heart was galloping like a racehorse toward the finish line.
Dwight almost kissed me! I know he was about to! If his sister hadn’t called out to him at just that moment, he would’ve pressed his lips to mine, sure as the sun rises in the east…
A shiver of pure nerves rippled down her body from head to toe. What had she gotten herself into? And oh, why did he have to be so doggone gorgeous? That wavy, brown hair, swept back off his forehead, and that widow’s peak like an arrow pointing to those honey brown eyes of his, so warm and yet so intense as they sought and held her gaze, she hadn’t been able to look away.
Could he see how much he was affecting her? It was as if she couldn’t hide her feelings from him, no matter how hard she might try. She shook her head ruefully. Oh, I’m gonna to have to be careful around him—a girl could sure lose her heart to Mr. Dwight Christiansen, and then where would I be? I’d be up the river without an ounce of steam to even run the calliope, much less the paddle wheel! That’s where I’d be—floating downstream like a log heading for the falls…
Hearing the laughter of the girls from down the hall, Dwight’s voice, and the voice of their mother, Mary turned her head toward the doorway and listened. A soft smile lit her face. They sounded so happy together. Pauline and Dwight had such a close family; something Mary had always wished for.
Sure, Papa and Hank loved me and I loved them. But, for us it seemed to always be about making ends meet, getting them off to work, doing the washing, mending, cooking…we hardly ever just sat around together enjoying life… And now, they’re both gone… What will the future be like for me, once the baby gets here, Dwight leaves, and I’m alone to raise my child…
Squeezing her eyes shut and holding up a hand as if to physically stop the bombarding thoughts, she reminded herself that she was not alone anymore. She was a child of God now, and she could pray for help. So, bowing her head, she whispered, “I’m sorry for agreeing to lie, God. Please help everything work out. And please…help me not to be hurt, or hurt anyone else. Amen.”
Taking a slow, deep breath and resolutely shaking off her sudden melancholy, she glanced around her room and spied Dwight’s portmanteau on the floor by the wardrobe. Before she could think much about it, she rose from the bed and walked to it, wondering if she should go ahead and put his things away, like a wife would...
Pauline came down the hall just then and stuck her head in the door. “The twins are having so much fun with that trundle bed,” she laughed. “I’d forgotten how much I missed my little sisters. Children always find joy in the smallest things.” Coming into the room, her friend glanced down to see what held Mary’s attention and spied her brother’s portmanteau.
“That’s my brother, always leaving his things lying around,” she chided with a fond shake of her head. “I don’t envy
