Part 26 (1/2)
The Muths moved forward to congratulate the Nortons, and then their turn arrived.
Maggie took Delia's hand and leaned to kiss her friend's cheek. ”I know without a doubt that the two of you will be happy together. May G.o.d bring you many blessings.”
The sparkle in Delia's hazel eyes made them look jewel bright. ”Thank you, dearest Maggie. Your friends.h.i.+p has been a blessing, indeed, and I look forward to that deepening.”
Maggie moved on to Reverend Joshua and extended her best wishes.
Reverend Joshua gave her a serious look. ”I know life has been hard for you these last few years. You will have my prayers for your happiness.”
Feeling moved by his words, Maggie pressed his hand. ”This is your day,” she playfully scolded. ”You aren't supposed to be thinking of me.”
”What better time than when we are face-to-face, and I am filled with love and grat.i.tude. How much poorer would I be if I could not extent those feelings to others?”
Her throat tightened, and she could only nod and press his hand before moving on to greet his parents and Andre Bellaire.
In the same way as Reverend Joshua had expressed, Maggie's heart was filled with grat.i.tude for the kindness and love she'd received since moving to Sweet.w.a.ter Springs. She took several steps away to bring her emotions under control before turning to look at Caleb holding her daughter. The comfort of loving friends.h.i.+p will have to be enough.
After greeting everyone in the wedding party and receiving knowing looks from others around him about Charlotte cuddled in his arms, Caleb searched for Maggie and found her standing about ten feet away. He saw Michael and Prudence Morgan heading her way and moved to meet them, knowing he owed an apology for not showing up when he'd promised to be in Morgan's Crossing.
Knowing the formidable Mrs. Morgan, Caleb also wanted to be at hand in case Maggie stood in need of his protection. He moved quickly to flank the trio.
Charlotte awoke and wiggled, sending a sleepy glance his way.
Caleb stopped within earshot just to the side of the three of them.
Mrs. Morgan greeted Maggie with a hug. She was a plain woman, who carried herself with an air of a.s.surance. Her previously thin body and bony face had filled out from bearing four children. Her pale blue eyes were her only interesting feature, changing color depending on what she wore. Today, they'd darkened to match the periwinkle color of her dress.
Mrs. Morgan peered into Maggie's face. ”You poor thing! I heard what happened. Oh, dear me. How very dreadful. I heard you were horribly cut and bruised. But you seemed to have healed well.”
Maggie lifted the bangs from her forehead to expose the cut. ”Better than before.”
”I've always thought you had a strong streak of resiliency.”
Maggie pulled up her lips in a wry smile. ”I had to in order to survive Oswald.”
”Exactly.” Mrs. Morgan nodded.
Michael Morgan, a canny business man with graying dark hair and handsome features, frowned at Oswald's name. ”We will, however, express condolences for your loss. Oswald was a hard worker and a good miner. . . .” He obviously searched for something else positive to say. ”I'm sorry,” he said with genuine sympathy. ”That day we argued over his mistreatment of you, and he lost his temper and tried to attack me, only to have some of the miners grab him.”
Maggie shook her head. ”You had to fire Oswald. I'm surprised you allowed him to work in the mine for as long as you did.”
He smiled at his wife. ”I wouldn't have. But as you know, my wife lacks tolerance for bullies, one of her most appealing qualities. While we know from experience with a few other couples that we can't stop husbands from abusing their wives, we do what we can to protect the women. Mrs. Morgan wanted to keep you in Morgan's Crossing under her eye. Her wishes prevailed until I could no longer condone Oswald's behavior.”
”Thank you both. I am well, and so is Charlotte, and that is due to Mr. Livingston.”
Mrs. Morgan glanced at Maggie's empty arms. ”But where is your baby?”
”Mr. Livingston has appropriated her.” Maggie turned to glance around, obviously looking for him.
Time for my entrance. Caleb strolled up. ”Are you looking for us?”
Seeing him carrying Charlotte made Prudence Morgan raise an eyebrow. She leaned over to view the baby. ”Oh, she's delightful.” She straightened. ”Now, tell me, Maggie. . . . Do you want to come back to Morgan's Crossing with us when we leave?”
Maggie inhaled a sharp breath.
Caleb's stomach tightened. Absolutely not! He held in the words. This wasn't the place to talk to Maggie about the future he envisioned for them.
Mrs. Morgan tapped her chin. ”You could work with Mrs. Rivera at the bathhouse. Then, too, with all our miners, there are plenty of opportunities to remarry.”
”Oh, I couldn't possibly-”
Caleb stiffened in protest.
”Of course, it's too early to imagine yourself married again. But you do have to keep your future in mind. Your daughter should have a father. A good father.” She glanced up at her husband with a loving smile that softened her face and made her look almost pretty. ”I can't tell you the comfort and the. . .joy of watching your dear husband with his children.” She turned back to Maggie. ”I wish that for you, my dear.”
So do I.
Prudence eyed Caleb, and a speculative expression crossed her face.
Caleb could see the matchmaking wheels turning in the matron's mind. Good to know the woman is on my side.
Mrs. Morgan patted Maggie's arm. ”You can think about it. We're staying at the hotel tonight, and tomorrow, we're traveling on the train to Crenshaw. We'll be staying in the city for a few days. Shopping for the family-” she made a moue ”-the whole of Morgan's Crossing really, for we have a long list for the store. We've brought along the children's nanny. Mr. Morgan and I hope to have some time to ourselves, as well-see a show, dine out. . . . You can give us an answer when we return.”
”Thank you,” Maggie murmured.
Caleb waited, hoping she'd turn the woman down flat.
But Maggie said nothing more.
Her silence worried him. Very well, I'll have to act. Caleb started to make plans. He would have preferred to wait and give Maggie an extended courts.h.i.+p, but Mrs. Morgan had just forced his hand. By the time the Morgans return from their shopping expedition, Maggie's future with me will be settled.
CHAPTER NINETEEN.
After breakfast the following morning, Maggie sought out Caleb before he left for the bank. Everyone had slept late because the festivities-dinner, Sophia and Blythe's performance, chatting with friends-had lasted well into the night. She found him in his study, sitting at his desk, pen in hand, and frowning at a ledger and some papers.
Her pulse quickening, she paused in the doorway, taking a minute to soak in the sight of him. Once she left the house, such opportunities would be few and far between. If they ever come at all. The thought made her heart ache.
Even looking tired, with lines furling his brow, he was handsome enough to make any maiden swoon. And I'm not immune to his masculine charm.
Caleb looked up, and his frown cleared. ”No Charlotte?” He jabbed the pen back into the inkwell.
”Yesterday must have worn her out. She's still asleep.”
”I think yesterday wore us all out.”
”In a good way, of course.” Maggie looked at his papers. ”Do you have a few minutes, or am I disturbing you?”