Hunter's Prize (42 page)

Addie squirmed with pleasure. “I feel sure the change in his diet was the key.”

“I wholeheartedly agree, but how did you know that simply removing dairy and sweet foods would bring about such a change?” “Well, I—”

“It’s a gift, Addie, the incredible instincts you have.”

Addie’s cheeks warmed from the undeserved praise. “Yes, it’s exactly that … a gift. So I can’t really take the credit. I pray over all my charges, and I truly feel God gives me special insight into each child.” A sweet smile stole over her face. “However, it’s different with Ceddy. God has also given me a special love for him.”

Priscilla sat quietly for a minute then adjusted her skirt and swiveled toward her. “I was going to wait to bring this up when both you and Pearson were present, but if you’re going to provide me with such an ideal opportunity, how can I delay?”

She gripped Addie’s hands. “What would you say if I asked you to take Ceddy with you?”

Addie studied her face. “You mean to Galveston?”

“Yes.”

Confusion crept over her. “Well, of course. We’d love to take him for a visit.”

Gnawing the side of her mouth, Priscilla squeezed Addie’s fingers. “I don’t mean for a visit, dear. I mean permanently.”

Addie felt doused with cold water. “You’re not serious.”

Priscilla stared at their hands. “Ordinarily, I’d never ask, never intrude upon your new life.” Her dewy lashes fluttered, and she looked up. “But we both know Ceddy is no ordinary child. He needs special attention. You and Pearson are so good with him, dear. So good
for
him. He’s blossoming under your nurturing care.” Her bottom lip trembled. “I love him desperately. And I’ll miss him terribly. But I want the best for him.” She tightened her grip. “Naturally that would’ve been his parents, but Ceddy was cheated out of a life with them. The next best thing is you and Pearson.”

Addie took a moment to probe her heart. She wouldn’t accept without knowing her true feelings about taking on such a responsibility. What she found within her soul was pure joy.

“I can’t think of anything I’d want more, but I’ll have to speak to Pearson before I give my answer.”

Priscilla’s eyes lit up. “I understand.”

Addie angled her head. “What about the rest of your family? Won’t they object?”

She waved her hand. “Let me handle the wolf pack. I’ve learned how to manage them over the years.” She shrugged. “Besides, I have legal guardianship, left to me by both parents. With that comes the right to make important decisions on Ceddy’s behalf.”

Patting Addie’s knee, she stood and walked to the window. “If I decide to assign his custody to a trusted teacher to further his education, who can argue the point?”

Addie followed her to the window seat and gripped her frail shoulders. “I’m honored, most of all because I know what a sacrifice you’re making. You’re going to be lost without him.”

A sob shook her. “More than you know.” She caught Addie’s hand. “But we must face reality. I’m not getting any younger.” She laughed through her tears. “And that little scamp is more than I can handle alone.”

Pointing down at the yard, she chuckled. “And here he comes. You’d better ask Delilah to draw his bath.”

Addie sighed. “I’m surprised he’ll go near water after his close call.” “So am I, dear. So am I.”

Pearson chased Ceddy onto the porch, swatting him just before he jerked open the screen and barreled inside.

Delilah met them with a smile. “Whoa there, Little Man. Where you be to go?”

Giggling, Ceddy slipped behind her skirts to hide from Pearson.

She twisted around, tried to pull him away, but then gave up with an indulgent smile. “How you this afternoon, Mista Pearson?”

He grinned and stretched out his arms. “Couldn’t be better, Delilah. It’s a beautiful day.”

“Yessuh. That old sun be shining bright.”

Peering behind him, he frowned. “It is? I hadn’t noticed. I’m so happy, this day would be beautiful in a downpour.”

Her laughter echoed in the foyer. “I reckon it would, what with you and Miss Addie planning your nuptials and such.”

He ducked his head to peer down the hall. “Where is my bride? I’ve come to call on her.”

Herding Ceddy, Delilah led Pearson into the downstairs foyer. “Go on and sit in the parlor. I’ll fetch her.”

Pearson took a seat on the sofa and ran his hand along the padded arm. The last time he’d been in the room, he’d almost told Addie he loved her. Stunned, he realized that though they were engaged to wed, he’d still never told her. Chuckling to himself, he determined to correct the grave oversight the minute he saw her.

“There you are, Delilah,” Addie said from somewhere in the hall. “Priscilla wants you to draw Ceddy a bath.”

“I’m two hops and a jump ahead,” Delilah said. “Me and Little Man on our way right now.”

“Good. Mr. Pearson didn’t leave, did he?”

Pearson’s insides warmed at her anxious tone.

“No missy. He waitin’ for you right there in the parlor.”

With no further ado, the door burst open and his breath caught.

Addie stood on the threshold, as fresh and radiant as the day she stepped off the train in Marshall. A wide ribbon in a dark coffee shade cinched her middle, setting off her tiny waist against the beige dress. The neckline plunged lower than he’d ever seen on her, a large bow in the center adding a touch of respectability. Dangling strands of pearls crisscrossed the top of her bodice, swinging each time she moved. Gracing him with a broad smile, she crossed the room with a pleasing swish of layered skirts. A fragrant cloud of magnolias reached him before she did.

He rose to meet her. “Honey, you’re beautiful.”

She paused then stretched out her hands. “I give you permission to greet me that way from now on.”

“I’m certain I will. I won’t be able to help myself.”

She giggled like a girl. “Can I expect this sort of flattery when I’m old and gray?”

“I promise.”

Gazing into her bottomless brown eyes, he remembered the vow he’d just made. “I love you, Addie. Did you know that?”

She stirred in his arms. “I should hope so, since you asked me to be your wife.”

He kissed her nose. “I didn’t want there to be any misunderstanding on that score.”

She beamed. “I love you, too. I have for weeks and weeks.”

He nodded. “I knew it all along.”

She swatted his arm, and he jumped back, laughing. Recalling the main reason he’d come to see her, he reached into his vest pocket. “I almost forgot. I took the sheriff with me to the rooming house where Denny and Charlie stayed. The sheriff informed the landlord they’d paid him in stolen goods, a fact I’m sure he already knew. It wasn’t hard to convince him to surrender Priscilla’s things.”

He held out his hand. In his palm lay Ceddy’s stolen gems. “Can you see that these get where they belong? I know how upset he’s been at their loss.”

Addie ran her finger over the dazzling stones, a topaz, a sapphire, an emerald, an amethyst, and … a small but brilliant diamond sparkled in their midst. “Oh Pearson, he’ll be so pleased.”

He grinned. “It’s not as big as his last specimen, but it’ll fit better in his collection box.”

She picked up the gem. “Where did you get it?”

Lowering his eyes, he toyed with the buttons on her puffy sleeves. “The landlord of the rooming house has a collection of his own. I saw the diamond and offered to trade him.”

Catching his eye, she lifted her brow.

He shrugged. “I had no more use for a couple of rowboats, oars, and a sturdy lift rig—a Yale & Towne hoist and pulley to be exact.”

She melted against him and pressed her cheek to his chest. “You’re the dearest man in the world.”

He smiled against her hair. “Not really. I just care a lot about that little guy.”

They swayed in silence for a blissful bit, and then Addie raised her head. “Do you, Pearson?”

“Do I …?”

“Care about Ceddy.”

His brows dipped in the middle. “Very much.”

“Enough to raise him as our own?”

He held her at arm’s length, dread dampening the excitement he felt. “Oh honey … get that notion right out of your mind. Priscilla would never allow it.”

“It was her idea.”

He gave his head a little shake. “I don’t understand.”

“She’s decided we’re the best thing for him. She wants us to take him to Galveston.”

He gripped her arms. “Really? Oh Addie, it’s a wonderful idea. Galveston is a great place to raise a boy. I’ll take him fishing, teach him to sail a dinghy, we’ll search for treasure together.” He finally inhaled. “He’ll love it there.”

Addie laughed. “May I take that as a yes?”

He hugged her to his chest. “Absolutely yes! Tell her we accept.”

Grasping his hand, she squeezed. “I’m so glad you feel that way. I was afraid you might say no.”

He pulled back enough to peer into her face. “Why would I even consider saying no?”

A spark of humor lit her eyes. “Well, he
can
get into trouble on occasion.”

“That’s all right. So can I. Just ask Theo.”

Addie turned. “Maybe I’d better. Where is he?”

He sobered. “He’s taking Charlie to Reverend Stroud’s house. The reverend’s taking him in.”

“Oh, I’m glad.” She took his hand and pulled him toward the sofa. “Come sit down and tell me all about it.”

Seated next to her, Pearson found it hard to concentrate, but he gathered his thoughts and continued. “Since Priscilla decided not to press charges—”

“Once you persuaded her not to, you mean,” she interrupted, smiling proudly.

“Charlie’s not a bad person at heart. He’s a follower. With the reverend agreeable to mentoring him, it seemed the perfect plan. Let him follow a good man for a change.”

“It’s a wonderful idea.” She picked up a pad and pen from the low table. “Speaking of ideas, I need some from you on the wedding preparations. There are a thousand little details to attend to.”

He placed his hand over hers. “I’ve been meaning to tell you. You’ll have to plan without me for a few days. I have preparations of my own to make.”

She blinked her confusion.

“I need to prepare you a place to live. To do that, I have to leave for a few weeks.”

She leaned back and stared. “You’re leaving Marshall?”

“Yes, honey. You see, my parents’ house”—he swallowed hard—”my house now, I suppose, was repaired and remodeled after the storm, but it hasn’t been lived in since. I have no idea what condition it’s in. I’m sure it needs to be cleaned and aired out at least.”

She pouted her lips. “I don’t want you to go.”

He squeezed her hand. “I’ll be back before you can miss me.”

“Impossible. I miss you already.”

Laughing, he drew her close. “Keep yourself busy planning our wedding. I’ll just show up and say ‘I do.’ “He took the pad she’d scratched in and flipped to a clean page. “Right now I need a list of everything you want laid in stock in your new home. I want everything perfect for my new wife.”

P
earson slid off his boots and socks and walked to the edge of the rolling surf. The pull of the ancient tide stirred the sand between his toes, drawing it away in a rush. With the same force, Galveston Island had drawn him to return to his childhood home, a lure he could no longer resist.

Turning his face to the wind, he breathed deeply. The pungent salty air smelled like home.

More than anything, he longed to have Addie standing by his side. There were many things to show her, things to teach her about life on the coast, and he felt anxious to start.

He had two challenges yet to face before he could relax and enjoy the promise of a new beginning. First, he had to tell Pearl he’d be bringing a wife to the island. Second, he had to overcome the pain of walking into his house for the first time since the disaster. The thought of either confrontation had kept him lingering too long on the shore.

Theo, hungry and eager to see their friends, had gone ahead of him into the café. Brushing the hair from his eyes, Pearson picked up his boots, squared his shoulders, and walked up the beach. Time to brave the first hurdle.

Drawing a steadying breath, he pushed open the door and stepped inside.

Rosie squealed from across the room and rushed at him. Throwingher fleshy arms around his neck, she peppered kisses on his cheek. “If you’re not a pleasant sight! I told Theo if you didn’t come through that door soon, he’d have to leave my soup alone and go find you.”

Pearson gave her a crushing hug. “I missed you, Rosie.”

Pulling away, she propped her hands on her hips in mock indignation. “You did not, or you would’ve come home before now.”

He leaned close to whisper. “I wouldn’t have left in the first place, but somebody sent me on a treasure hunt.”

She winced. “Theo told me the outcome. Sounds like a bigger dead end than Lafitte’s gold.”

He slung his arm around her neck. “Don’t worry. I don’t regret going.” She didn’t know it yet, but it was the best decision he’d ever made.

Theo sat at a table across the way, dipping thick-sliced bread in a steaming bowl.

Pearl flitted around him, filling his glass, passing the salt, laughing and talking the way she always did. When she glanced toward Pearson, her dimples flashed briefly in a quick smile.