Restless Heart (19 page)

She stared at the coffee, swallowing repeatedly. Sam realized she was swallowing tears. The unflappable, unmovable Lettie had been reduced to tears at the memory of what her supposed husband had done to her.

“You have no idea how much he took.” Her voice had sunk to a whisper.

“I’d be pleased if you would consider moving in with us after the wedding.” The words had jumped out of Sam’s mouth before he realized he was even thinking of them.

Her head snapped up and surprise danced across her face. “What did you say?”

“You and Angeline are closer than sisters. I know she loves you and would want you to be safe.” Sam began warming to the idea the longer he spoke. “I desperately need help with my father and the newspaper. We could all live here together as a family.”

Lettie sipped the coffee and that’s when Sam realized
her
hands were shaking. He was truly surprised by how much she hid beneath the gruff, hard exterior she showed the world.

“A family?”

He nodded. “A family ain’t just bound by blood. Look at you and Angeline. You two are family with no shared blood. I’d be right pleased if you would consider yourself my new sister and this as your home.”

She glanced around the kitchen. “If I’m to live here, we’re going to have to fix this place. It’s in terrible condition.”

Sam grinned. “Does that mean yes?”

Lettie took another sip of coffee. “It means yes, but I’m going to warn you, Carver. If you hurt either one of us, nobody will ever find your body.”

He would have laughed, but he knew she was serious. Instead, he held out his hand to shake hers. “Agreed.”

Her handshake was firm, with the calluses born of a woman who worked too hard. Sam thought he even saw a hint of a smile hidden somewhere in her fierce expression.

“I can’t wait to tell Angeline.” Sam gazed around the room. “Then I’m going to need to buy some more wood and nails.”

This time Lettie actually chuckled, and Sam joined her. They would definitely have a unique family, but the one thing it wouldn’t lack was loyalty and love.

A
ngeline’s wedding day dawned bright and sunny, a perfect spring morning in May. She laid the dress on her bed and stared at the ivory material. It was softer than anything she’d ever felt and would be her only wedding gown. In only a few hours, she’d be Mrs. Samuel Carver, a wife in truth to the man she loved.

She hugged herself and twirled in a circle, too happy for words. If she could find her voice, she might have even started singing.

Her first wedding was only a dim memory. On that day she’d worn a raggedy dress and tears. This wedding was as different as day from night. She was filled with hope and love, a far cry from fear and loathing.

“I guess you’re excited to get hitched.” Marta chuckled as she came into Angeline’s small room. She’d never felt closer to Marta and Pieter than when she realized she was more important to them than their restaurant. In fact, the ceremony was taking place downstairs; they’d closed the restaurant and set it up for the guests. It was a gesture that humbled Ange-line.

“Yes, this time is, I mean, today is perfect.” Angeline pushed away the dark memories and focused on Sam.

“Good, now let’s get you in that gown and downstairs. The preacher is here and so is your anxious bridegroom.” Marta touched Angeline’s hair. “Never was blessed with children, so I hope you don’t mind me filling in as your ma.”

Angeline’s eyes pricked with tears. “My mother died a very long time ago. I never really knew her, but I do know I’d be blessed if she was anything like you.” She hugged Marta, immediately enfolded in the older woman’s embrace.

“Ah,
Liebchen
, you will make me cry now.” Marta laughed and held her at arm’s length. “Let’s make you a missus.”

Angeline smiled, unable to speak since her throat was tight with emotion. Marta helped her put on the dress, then brushed her hair and twisted it into a lovely bun at the back of her head.

“Come look at yourself in the looking glass in my room.” Marta took her hand and led her to the larger bedroom at the end of the hallway.

When Angeline stepped in front of the mirror, she gasped at the image. The woman standing there was a stranger, a vision in ivory and lace, shining in the sunlight like an angel. For the first time in her life, she saw what others did. She had never considered herself pretty until that moment, until she was ready to marry the man who had claimed her heart.

“You are a sight, Angeline. Sam will likely fall on the floor when he sees how beautiful you are.”

“Oh, he certainly will.” Pieter stood in the doorway, a wide smile on his face. “She is beautiful.”

Angeline turned and curtseyed to the older man. “Thank you, kind sir.”

Lettie appeared behind him. Her gaze sought Angeline’s.

“Can you give me a few minutes with Lettie?” Angeline looked at the Gundersons. “I know we’re close to the time to go downstairs, but I need to speak to her.”

“Of course, of course.” Marta herded Pieter out into the hallway and closed the door behind her.

Lettie looked Angeline up and down. “You look stunning.”

“Thank you. The dress is, well, it’s amazing. You are a gifted seamstress.” Angeline fingered the lace on the sleeve, never having owned anything even half as lovely.

Lettie waved her hand in the air. “It was my pleasure. I know I don’t always show it, but you mean a lot to me.”

Angeline sat on the chest and patted the spot next to her. Her friend lowered herself slowly beside her.

“I came to confess something to you. I hope you won’t be angry with me.”

Angeline frowned, wondering what Lettie could have done to make her angry. “Confess what?”

“I helped Jonathan escape from jail.”

At first Angeline could only gape at her friend. It was more than shocking news, it was simply unbelievable.

“Lettie, why would you do that without asking the sheriff first? Or me? Did you know he tried to choke me?” Ange-line’s voice rose and she had to take a deep breath to calm herself down. She had no doubt Lettie had a good reason for what she’d done.

“I went down there at first to talk to him. He was a shadow of the young man he used to be, before he left on his mission. I’ve never seen a man so low before. We started talking and he told me what he’d done.” Lettie took Angeline’s hands. “When he was here a few weeks ago, he sent a telegram to Tolson.”

Angeline’s mouth dropped open. “What?”

“He sent a telegram to Tolson and told them he’d found us here in Forestville.”

This time Angeline’s heart stopped beating. She couldn’t find enough air to even form a sentence or get a breath in.

“He was truly sorry he’d done it, but the deed was already
done. Jonathan begged me to let him go so he could put the wrong to rights. He was going to find a way to tell them he was mistaken, starting with a telegram from another town.” Lettie rubbed Angeline’s back. “I know this isn’t what you wanted to hear today, but I had to tell you. You need to know what you and Sam are up against.”

Angeline finally was able to breathe again. “Jonathan did what he thought was right, just as I am about to do. I know you were trying to help and I appreciate your telling me.”

“You’re still going to marry Sam?”

“Yes, I’m still going to marry him. I love him, Lettie. That doesn’t change because I think Josiah will come after me again. He no longer has power over me. I refuse to let him.” Angeline got to her feet and smoothed out the front of her dress. “I am living my own life now.”

Lettie stood and hugged Angeline tightly. “Someday I want to be as strong as you.”

The door opened and the Gundersons peered inside at them.

“Are you ready?” Pieter held out his arm.

Lettie kissed Angeline’s cheek and left the room. Angeline wiped her eyes and stepped forward to take Pieter’s arm, Marta right behind her.

Angeline was about to change her future.

Sam was nervous. He didn’t need to be, but that didn’t seem to matter. There were only about a dozen folks there for the wedding, including his father and Jessup, who were currently conversing quite avidly in the corner.

He glanced at the pocket watch he’d borrowed from his father. It was two minutes after ten. Angeline would be downstairs any moment. He could hardly wait to see her.

Lettie came down the stairs and walked over to one corner of the room, watching him with her steady gaze. It was a bit
disconcerting. She didn’t appear angry or disapproving, yet she unnerved him with her unblinking stare. He knew he’d get used to her in time since she was important to Angeline. That definitely made his embarrassing discomfort worthwhile.

“Here she comes!” Jessup announced like a proud uncle.

Sam stepped beside the preacher, Will Baker, a young man currently living as a boarder with an older couple in town. He had no permanent church, but with his friendly open face, light brown curly hair, and warm brown eyes, the young minister was already a favorite in town.

Will smiled at him. “Are you ready, Mr. Carver?”

“More than you know.” Sam watched the stairs as Marta came down, grinning widely.

He saw a flash of ivory and his stomach jumped. Suddenly there Angeline was, his angel with the sun shining on her, surrounding her with a halo of goodness.

She got to the bottom of the stairs on Pieter’s arm and turned into the room. In her hands she carried a bunch of wildflowers, their colors bright against the creaminess of her gown. She smiled at him, a radiant expression of pure joy.

It went straight through Sam’s heart, reminding him of just how much he loved her. He’d never felt such overwhelming happiness. Tears actually pricked his lids and he had to blink rapidly to clear them. He didn’t want to miss a second of his wedding.

Angeline seemed to float on air until she arrived beside him. Pieter kissed her cheek and put her hand on Sam’s arm.

“Take good care of her.”

Sam nodded, simply unable to speak as he turned to face Will with Angeline on his arm.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join together Samuel Carver and Angeline Hunter in holy matrimony. Marriage is a holy union, blessed by God and sanctioned by
man.” Will looked at both of them in turn. “Are you both prepared to pledge yourselves to each other for the rest of your lives as husband and wife?”

They both nodded as Sam squeezed her hand on his arm.

“Do you, Samuel, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, for better, for worse, in sickness and in health, ’til death do you part?”

“I do.” Sam’s voice was hoarse with emotion.

“Do you, Angeline, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, for better, for worse, in sickness and in health, ’til death do you part?”

“I do.” She laced her fingers with Sam’s.

“Do you have a ring?” Will asked Sam.

He nodded and pulled the ring from his pocket. The gold winked in the morning sunshine.

“Repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”

Sam repeated the words and slipped the ring on her finger. She stared down at it, rubbing it with her thumb, then met his gaze. He saw his future in the depths of her blue eyes.

“I now pronounce you man and wife.” Will smiled widely. “You may kiss your bride.”

A chorus of whoops filled the air as Sam leaned down and kissed Angeline. It was the absolutely perfect moment. One he would remember, pull out, and review again throughout the rest of his life. He pulled her close and breathed in her scent.

“Happy?”

“More than happy. I just married the man I love.”

The celebration continued throughout the day with drink and food. Sam had never realized he could find such joy. He was anxious to get his wife alone and start their marriage, though. After an hour of eating strudel and other delicious delights, he went up behind his new wife and pulled her back against him.

As he felt her soft bottom, his entire body came to life. He was sure she felt the movement in his trousers because he saw her smile widely.

“Are you ready to leave, Mrs. Carver?”

“Yes, I believe I am, Mr. Carver.” She giggled and leaned against him.

Sam looked around and saw a few knowing glances, a couple of winks, and a dozen smiles. The one face he didn’t see was his father’s.

“Where’s my father?”

Angeline stiffened and pulled away from him, her brow furrowed in concern. “When was the last time you saw him?”

“He went out back a while ago. Said the coffee was making him fart.” Jessup forked more strudel into his mouth.

“How long is ‘a while ago’?” Sam’s voice took on an edge that made everyone stop and stare.

“I dunno. Mebbe twenty minutes.” Jessup seemed to understand that Sam was worried. He set down the plate, although he looked at the strudel with longing. “I’ll go look for him.”

“We’ll go too.” Angeline took Sam’s hand.

“I’ll head toward the north end of town.” Booth put on his hat and went out the door, followed by Jessup.

Everyone else stared at Sam with questions in their gazes. It was time he confessed to them what was happening.

“My father gets confused. He’s, ah, well, he doesn’t remember things like he used to, even what year it is or who I am. I’ve been watching him with Angeline’s help just about every hour of the day.” Sam squeezed his new wife’s hand. “He already disappeared one night into the woods by the lake—”

Angeline gasped, her eyes wide. “The lake.”

They ran out of the restaurant as fast as they could, heading south toward the lakeshore. Sam prayed to every god
who was listening to save his father. There was no need to take a doddering old man yet. He still had grandchildren to spoil.

Sam had felt fear before, but this kind made his mouth go completely dry and his heart thump so hard he could hardly catch his breath. Somehow he knew they would find him, he just knew. Perhaps his mother was guiding him, or maybe he was imagining it.

Either way, they arrived at the lake breathless and started calling Michael’s name. The leaves had grown in fully so it was harder to see through the trees. With each passing minute, Sam’s stomach grew tighter and tighter.