The Hand-Me-Down Family (12 page)

This time it was a solemn church ceremony instead of a rushed civil one.

This time there was a community of neighbors and friends to witness her big day rather than just a few family members.

And this time, instead of some disinterested stand-in, the actual groom stood beside her, gazing intently into her eyes, vowing to honor, cherish and provide for her, as long as they both should live.

And to her surprise, he had a simple but beautiful gold band to slip on her finger as he said those vows. That gesture alone added a special touch to the ceremony.

It might all be for the sake of the children, with no real affection between the two adults, but for the space of time it took to repeat their vows, Callie felt a shiver of emotion.

What would it be like to have someone truly love and cherish her, not as a matter of convenience, but as a matter of the heart? She yearned for that experience with every fiber of her being.

As they turned back to face Reverend Hollingsford, regret sliced through her as she realized that that one brief, mirage-like moment would likely be her only taste.

T
hey didn't leave for the farm immediately as Callie had expected. When she and Jack stepped outside, they found several tables set up on the church grounds, most of them laden with food. Ida Lee approached them, her generous smile broadcasting that she was pleased with the surprise she'd had a hand in.

“Well, Mr. and Mrs. Tyler, seeing as how you've had to plan this wedding all quick-like without much time for celebrating, the members of the Sweetgum Ladies' Auxiliary decided to throw you this little shindig. Just our way of letting you know we're tickled pink to have you as part of the fold, so to speak.”

At the sound of “Mr. and Mrs. Tyler,” Callie felt that shiver. Even after her proxy marriage to Leland, most everyone had continued to address her by her first name rather than as a married woman.

It took her a moment to realize Jack was leaving it up to her to respond. “I—I'm certain Jack shares my appreciation for all of this.” She stumbled over the first few words, then saw all the friendly, smiling faces beaming at the two of them.
That made it easier to speak from the heart. “You've made our special day so much brighter with your outpouring of support and kindness. I know now why Julia always wrote of Sweetgum and its people with such affection.”

“Well done.” Jack spoke so low she was certain no one else heard him. But the compliment added an extra bounce to her step as they descended the church stairs.

They stopped at the bottom and stood there while a parade of townsfolk came by to offer well-wishes. The faces and comments swirled about her like schools of fish.

“Wouldn't be right for the new bride to have to cook her own supper on her wedding day.”

“We want to make sure you feel welcome here.”

“Just wait until you taste Helen Beaman's peach cobbler.”

“It's what Lanny and Nell would have wanted for you.”

It was all so overwhelming. First the gathering at Mrs. Mayweather's yesterday, then the wedding itself, and now this. Who would have thought she'd feel more hemmed in and crowded in a small town than she'd ever felt in her big city home?

Callie resisted the urge to fidget, or worse yet to bolt and run. Being on display this way was excruciating, but she didn't want to appear ungrateful when these folks had worked so hard to make her feel welcome.

Finally, the last of the wedding guests shook their hands and she and Jack were free to lose themselves in the crowd. They became separated almost at once, drawn into different groups as they began to mingle.

Callie felt some of her tension ease. Better to be part of a milling crowd than to be the center of attention. But after five minutes, she found an opportunity to slip into the church unobserved. Sitting in one of the pews, she closed her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief.

Thank You, Father, for setting me among such neighborly people. Help me remember that it truly is a blessing. And give me the strength and fortitude to accept with good grace their outpourings of friendship, even when it isn't comfortable to do so.

She sat there for a few more minutes with her eyes closed and her head resting against the back of her pew. Muted sounds of conversation drifted in from an open window, punctuated now and then by the drone of insects. She really should return to the reception before her absence was noted. But it was so nice sitting here unobserved, drinking in the peace.

Callie let the serenity of the small country church refresh her spirit a minute longer, then she straightened. The murmur of conversation was drawing closer. It was time she rejoined the others before she was discovered hiding in here like a coward.

Then one of the conversations sharpened, as if the speaker stood right under the window.

“…sakes. Did you see her face yesterday?”

“That poor thing. I suppose it's understandable why she'd rather hide behind those frumpy bonnets.”

Callie froze.

“Bless her heart,” the voice continued. “No wonder she came all this way to marry a man she'd never met. I wonder if Lanny even knew about that birthmark when he proposed.”

“Well, Jack's the one I feel sorry for. I mean, at least Lanny had his time with Julia. But Jack, well, all I can say is, it's very noble of him to go through with this, for the sake of the kids and all.”

Callie's face burned with mortification. This was the sort of thing her family had always warned her about, had tried to shield her from.

And she recognized the voices. How could she face these women now that she knew how they viewed her?

Heavenly Father, I know I should turn the other cheek, but sometimes it's so difficult.

“You know Jack. He might not have been as gentlemanly as Lanny, but—”

“Ladies.”

Callie stiffened. That was Jack's voice. And she'd thought this couldn't possibly get any worse.

“Uh, hello, Jack.”

Callie heard the caught-in-the-act tone in the woman's voice.

“Have either of you seen my bride in the last few minutes?”

“Why, no.”

“I'm quite a lucky man to have found such a fine woman to marry, don't you agree?”

“Yes, of course.” There was the sound of a throat clearing. “Why I was just saying what a wonderful thing the two of you are doing for those children.”

“I'll tell you ladies a secret. Callie took a bit of convincing. Why, I'm almost embarrassed to admit how much arm-twisting it took to convince her to have me.”

“Is that so?”

“Yep. But it was worth it. In fact, I'd be mighty put out if I learned someone said something to make her sorry she decided to stay in Sweetgum.”

“I'm sure you have nothing to worry about on that score.” The rustling of skirts filled the short pause. “Well, if we see her, we'll let her know you're looking for her.”

“Thank you kindly, ladies.”

Callie's heart warmed at Jack's defense of her. Whatever else he might be, Jack Tyler was an honorable man with a good heart.

 

Jack watched Alma Collins and Jane Peavey hurry away. It had been all he could do to keep his tone pleasant while he dealt with them. If they'd been men…

That pair didn't seem to have changed much from the adolescent babblers he remembered. They thrived on gossip and were always on the lookout for ways to stir things up. Hopefully he'd managed to nip in the bud any further attempts to target Callie.

Thank goodness Callie wasn't that sort of woman. She might have some less than docile qualities that got under his skin, but at least she was forthright and fair-minded.

Just where was she anyway? He glanced around, his gaze honing in on Ben Cooper heading for one of the food tables. Time for a quick detour.

“Hey,” he said as he clapped Ben on the shoulder, “I've been meaning to talk to you.” Virgil had informed him it was Ben, the town's young undertaker, who'd seen that everything was done all right and proper for the funerals after the fire.

“Well, hi there, Jack. Is there something I can do for you?”

Jack shook his head. “You've already done more than expected. I wanted you to know I appreciate your taking care of the three burials for me. And that I intend to pay you back for every bit of your time and expense. Just let me know how much.”

Ben shook his head. “I just did what needed doing. And your wedding day is not the time to be talking business. You can stop by my place one day next week.” Ben glanced up past Jack's shoulder. “Right now you have a bride you should be tending to.”

Jack followed the direction of Ben's gaze just in time to see Callie step out of the church. So that's where she'd dis
appeared to. Truth to tell, he didn't much blame her. He could do with a bit of peace and quiet right now himself.

Then he frowned. Something wasn't right, though he couldn't explain how he knew. She wore a serene smile and her stride was unfaltering.

And then it hit him. If Callie had been in the church, she may have heard the conversation between Alma and Jane. And if she had, she'd no doubt be feeling pretty low right now.

“Excuse me, Ben, I do need to speak to Callie for a minute.”

Ben gave him a knowing smile. “You go right ahead.”

Jack rolled his eyes at the implication. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Could it?

He caught up to Callie before she'd reached the thick of the crowd and took her arm. “Are you okay?”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “Of course.” She glanced back at the church. “Sorry for slipping off like that. I hope no one noticed. It's just that I'm not used to crowds and so much attention.”

“No need to apologize. I'm pretty sure no one else noticed.” He studied her face, or at least the part of it he could see. Had he read her wrong? “Are you sure you're okay? We can leave now if you like.”

“I'm fine, really.”

That little tug she gave her bonnet said otherwise.

She laid a hand on his arm. “Please don't break this up on my account. Everyone has been so neighborly and they worked hard to put this together.” She made a shooing motion. “Now go on back to our guests and I'll do the same.”

Jack watched her walk away, more certain than ever that she'd caught at least part of the conversation.

He raked a hand through his hair as he moved toward the
food tables. If she'd heard his defense of her, he sure hoped she wasn't reading anything into it. He'd merely been doing what any decent man would do—taking care of his own.

And like it or not, that included her now.

 

Callie had mixed emotions later that afternoon as she stood on the porch and watched the day draw to a close. They'd left the reception a little over an hour ago, the buckboard loaded down with not only the luggage from Mrs. Mayweather's, but also with the choicest leftovers from the reception.

Now everything had been taken into the house, at least as far as the front hall, and the sun was just kissing the horizon.

Jack was somewhere inside. Emma and Annabeth sat on the porch swing playing with Annabeth's doll. Simon was out in the yard, throwing sticks for both dogs to retrieve.

Callie wrapped her arms around herself. She'd always liked this pre-dusk moment. It was a restful time of day, one that usually brought her a sense of peace and a renewed appreciation for her many blessings.

But the events of
this
day, and the fact that she'd been on display for most of it, left her drained. Overhearing that bit of conversation hadn't helped much.

But Jack had defended her, and so deliberately. That was almost as disquieting, though in a different sort of way. It turned all her ideas of him upside down.

But most of all, the thought that she was now responsible for these children, and that she not only shared that responsibility, but also this house, with Jack Tyler—a man she was beginning to see in a new light—left her unsettled and jittery.

No, she wasn't in any frame of mind right now to appreciate the quiet majesty of the day's close.

Enough of that kind of thinking. Callie pushed away from the porch rail. There was unpacking to do, and food to sort
through and put away. And this being their first night together as a family would mean dealing with everyone getting used to a new routine and new sleeping arrangements.

She turned to the front door, but before she could move further, Jack stepped onto the porch. “I'm going to get the animals settled in for the night.”

“Yes, of course.” She tugged on her bonnet. “I've some chores to take care of myself.”

He paused and gave her a long, considering look. “You've had a busy day,” he said gruffly. “Whatever you have to do will likely wait until tomorrow.”

His concern surprised her and she smiled. “Thank you, but I'm fine. And I'll sleep better knowing things are in apple-pie order, as my mother used to say.” She clasped her hands together. “When you come back inside, we can select a Bible verse to read before we get the children ready for bed.”

He merely nodded.

“And you do remember that tomorrow is Sunday?” She didn't want to be a nag, but it was important that they get off on the right foot in this matter from day one.

An annoyed furrow creased his forehead. “I know what day it is. That's all the more reason for me to get as many chores done this evening as possible.”

As she watched him cross the yard in ground-eating strides, Callie nibbled at her lower lip. Was she being too pushy? Was there some other approach she should use with him?

It was just so important that they set the proper example for the children. On the other hand, if it was obvious that his heart wasn't in it, that could do more harm than good.

 

As promised, Jack read from the family Bible that evening. He asked Callie to pick the verse, and she selected Isaiah
43:18-19. A passage about new beginnings seemed appropriate.