Anna: Bride of Alabama (American Mail-Order Bride 22) (7 page)

Chapter Seven

Julia had been right. She loved the river. Anna stood on the bank watching the water as it swirled by the rocks near the bank. The river stretched for miles along the northern edge of the plantation.

They’d stopped and picked up a basket of food and Anna had been confused when they went all the way back to Laurel Haven, except they didn’t stop at the house. Gabriel had guided the horse down the road in front of the tenant cabins and kept going. The road ended at the river.

“Isn’t it wonderful?”

Anna smiled as Julia stopped beside her. “It is.”

“Papa used to bring me swimming here once a week but this is the first time we’ve been here since my mother left.” Julia grinned up at her. “Come on, kick your boots off. Neither of us are dressed for swimming but we can wade in the shallows.”

“You go ahead. I’ll join you in a little bit.”

“Suit yourself.”

Julia shucked her shoes and jumped in, the hem of her skirts getting wet in the process. Anna turned back to the Surrey. Gabriel released the horse from the carriage and was hobbling him close by. She grabbed the basket the restaurant had made for them and turned to find a nice spot to set out their picnic. A grassy area under a large shade tree was perfect.

She turned to Gabriel. “Do you have anything we can sit on?”

“Yes. I’ll get it.”

He dug around the back of the surrey and carried a quilt to where she stood, then spread it out on the ground.

“Thank you.” Anna set the basket down, then sat on her knees and began pulling things out. The restaurant had packed an assortment of cheeses and fruits, fresh rolls and even a bit of fried chicken that was still warm. “Looks good.”

Gabriel called Julia from the water and they shared the meal while Julia tried to convince her father they should put a swing in one of the trees closest to the river. Anna listened to them while she ate and couldn’t help but feel a bit melancholy. She’d been a guest at Laurel Haven long enough for Gabriel to change his mind about marrying her but she was no closer to a proposal than she was the day she arrived. The man proved to be as stubborn as his daughter.

Julia was the first to finish eating and excused herself to head back to the water. Anna put away the rest of the food and repacked it in the basket.

“How did you get that?”

Anna looked at Gabriel to see what he was talking about. Her dress had ridden up her leg farther than it should have and exposed her calf. She grabbed the material and jerked it back down.

“Was that a burn scar?”

She nodded. “Yes. I was in a fire.”

Gabriel grew still, looking between her face and her leg. “How bad?”

“The fire or the burns?”

“Both.”

“The fire was—“ She closed her eyes and in an instant was transported back to the factory in Lawrence. “Most everyone got out but there were some who didn’t. A few were burned badly but I was lucky.” She looked to her leg and reached out to touch it. “A burning beam fell and caught the hem of my skirt on fire.”

She tried so hard to forget that day but the smallest reminder brought it all back as if it had happened yesterday. She could hear the screams, smell the smoke and her hands were shaking by the time Gabriel touched her.

She smiled and shook her head, trying to get the images out. “I’m sorry. It doesn’t take much for the memories to come back.”

“You don’t have to talk about it. I shouldn’t have asked.”

“Its fine.” She focused her gaze on Julia as she played in the water. There were several large rocks near the bank. She was trying to jump from one to the other and doing a fine job at. “I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen her play like other children do.”

“She had to grow up too fast. When Evelyn left us Julia felt it her duty to take over the roll of Lady Montgomery.” He laughed and leaned back on one arm. “She was a tyrant. She loved giving orders and expected everyone to follow them precisely as she instructed. She was seven and walked around as if she were seventeen. She’d just lost her mother. I didn’t have the heart to make her stop so we all played along.” He nodded to where she splashed. “And that bossy little thing is the result of me letting her have her way.”

“She’s a good girl,” Anna said. “She has your best interest at heart.”

He looked over at her and grinned. “You being here is proof of that.”

Anna looked away and bit her lip to keep from smiling. “You do realize she may do this again, don’t you?”

“What? Send off for another bride?”

Anna laughed. “Yes. She’s persistent. If her plan didn’t work the first time, I imagine she’ll try again.”

“That would be awkward, don’t you think?”

She met his gaze, noticing how green his eyes were when he smiled. “How so?”

“Ordering me a new bride when I already have one living under my roof.”

“Well, I don’t imagine I’ll be there forever. Julia will eventually outgrow the need for me and I’ll have to find another groom.”

He locked eyes with her and something moved past those green iris’s that looked a bit like jealousy. She dismissed the notion the moment she thought it. Gabriel Montgomery had little to no feelings for her. He proved it the day he refused to marry her.

She shifted, pulling her legs out straight when they started falling asleep. “I’m twenty-four years old and I’d like to have what most everyone else has. A husband, children, a home of my own and the security that comes with it.”

“You have time for all that.”

“Do I?”

They stared at each other and Anna wanted so badly to ask if he would ever want to marry her but never got the chance. Julia screamed and both of them jumped and ran toward the water.

* * * *

“She’ll be fine.”

Gabriel let out the breath he was holding in and sank into the chair next to him. If he lived to be a hundred, he’d never forget the sound of Julia screaming. His heart had leaped into his throat and lodged there. He still couldn’t swallow without feeling as if he were choking.

“It looked worse than it was. Ruth is stitching her up.”

He braced his elbows on his knees and bowed his head. He could still see the blood, hear her cries of pain and his stomach tightened.

A soft touch to his shoulder brought his head up. Anna was there, a comforting smile on her face.

“I’m overreacting, aren’t I?”

She shook her head. “No, you’re acting like a concerned father who saw his child get hurt. Its understandable.”

He reached up and took her hand in his, pulled it to his mouth and kissed the back of it. “Thank you, Anna.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

He folded her hand in both of his. “You were the calm one when it should have been me. If it weren’t for you, we’d still be on that riverbank with Julia screaming and bleeding and me running around like I’d lost my head.”

“Has she never been hurt before?”

“Nothing like that.” He sighed and released her hand. “When I find out who threw all those bottles out there against those rocks…”

Franklin cleared his throat and they looked toward the door. He was carrying Julia, her foot now cleaned, the deep gashes in her foot sewn closed and bandaged.

Relief washed over him so fast, he was dizzy with it when he stood. He crossed the room and took her from Franklin’s arms. “You scared me half to death, young lady.” He placed a kiss on her forehead and carried her to the stairs, then up to her room, placing her on her bed.

“I’m sorry, papa. I didn’t mean to scream. It just hurt so bad.”

“I know, love. Its okay.” He smiled and brushed her hair away from her face. “You had a nice time before stepping on the glass, didn’t you?”

“Yes.” She rubbed her hand across her quilt. “Did you and Anna have a nice talk before I ruined it?”

“You didn’t ruin anything and yes, we had a nice talk.”

She tilted her head and smiled. “Do you like her?”

“Yes, I like her very much.”

“Then why won’t you marry her?”

He sat down on the edge of the bed. “Marriage is a little more complicated than just being fond of someone. There’s other things to take into consideration.”

“Like what?”

“Like things you’ll find out about one day soon,” he said, poking a finder into her side until she laughed. “Now stop trying to manage my love life.”

She got her giggles under control and said, “But if you like her, what’s the problem? She’s sweet and kind and prettier than Francesca Grant and so lovely in the gown at the Elliot’s dress shop today it nearly hurt my eyes to look upon her.”

Gabriel laughed. “You’re getting very dramatic in your old age.”

“But she was lovely. Didn’t you think so?”

“Yes, she was a vision.” The look on Anna’s face when they came out of the dress shop nagged at his memory. “Speaking of the dress shop, Anna looked a bit upset when you came out. Did something happen after I left?”

She lowered her brows as if thinking then said, “Oh! Yes. She tried to get the sisters to lower the price of the dress. When they wouldn’t she tried to get me to change my mind about that dress and go with the green one, the cheaper of the three she tried on. She was worried about the cost.”

“She shouldn’t be.”

“I know. I told her that. She didn’t want to accept the dress but I refused to let her go without. That’s probably why she looked so unhappy so if she mentions it to you tell her its already been paid for.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Goodnight, Julia.”

“Goodnight, papa.”

He left her to get ready for bed and headed to his room. It had been a long and exhausting day and he felt every bit his age as he trudged down the hall.

He paused by Anna’s door. A dim light shinned underneath it. He raised his hand to knock, to thank her for being so level-headed today when he clearly hadn’t been, but decided against it. He was supposed to be avoiding her, he reminded himself. Every moment he spent with her was just a reminder of the fact she was his for the taking, all he had to do was say, I do, and for some idiotic reason, he wasn’t ready to do that yet.

Chapter Eight

It took three fittings with the Elliott sisters to get the gown they made to fit perfectly. Anna was the first to admit it was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen but the price still bothered her. Julia told her it had already been paid for but she didn’t think she was telling the truth.

Anna admired the gown where it hung in her room. The sisters had used the beautiful blue fabric with the roses they’d shown her and embellished it with white lace around the neckline and the sleeves. They even produced a pair of matching silk slippers. She hated to ask what those had cost.

The Grants party at Winter Place was all anyone in town talked about. Excitement seem to linger in the air and the more people talked about it, the less Anna wanted to go. She knew no one in town except Gabriel and she didn’t expect him to stick by her side all evening. Julia would be there but knowing she would be near did little to ease her anxiety.

She hadn’t found much to be happy about today and was so ill at heart she’d wanted to hide in her room but knew no one would leave her alone if she had. It was the anniversary of the factory fire and she hadn’t been able to get the memories of it out of her head.

Anna grabbed her brush and walked out to the balcony and sat on the railing. She stared toward the pond while brushing her hair and listened to the frogs and crickets serenade the night. Although things hadn’t gone as she’d expected them to when she arrived in Alabama, she couldn’t find it in her to be completely sorry. She loved it here and even if Gabriel never wanted to marry her, she didn’t see herself going back to Massachusetts. Surely someone in town was in need of a wife.

She went back inside and shut the double doors to the balcony and climbed into bed. The day had been too stressing and it would take forever to find sleep.

* * * *

Gabriel opened his eyes, his heart pounding. Gooseflesh raced across his skin as another scream echoed through the house.

He jumped from the bed and searched the darkness for his pants. He snatched them from the chair and put them on quickly and realized it was Anna he heard screaming. He ran to the wall by the fireplace, pushed on the secret door and crossed into her room. She was still bed, but she was kicking at her quilts and sobbing.

Crossing to the bed, he grabbed her by the arms and tried to hold her still. “Anna. Anna what’s wrong?” She was dreaming, the screams of agony tearing at his composure the more she thrashed. “Anna! You’re just dreaming. Wake up!”

He gave her a shake, watching as her eyes shot open and she gasped. She stared up at him, her eyes wide with fright as the door to her room was flung open. Julia and Franklin both stood there staring in.

“It’s okay,” he told them. “She’s just having a bad dream. Go back to bed.”

Julia looked as if she wanted to argue but Franklin nodded and laid a hand on her shoulder, guiding her out of the room.

Looking back down at Anna, Gabriel saw she was still dazed. “Anna? Can you hear me?” She blinked, fat tears rolling from her eyes to slip down her cheeks. He lifted his hand and brushed them away with a finger. He smoothed her hair away from her face, released the tight hold he still had on her arm and knew the second she was aware of what was happening. Clarity shined more brightly in her eyes before they filled with tears again. When she started sobbing, he was lost for what to do. He grabbed her and pulled her to his chest, stroking her hair as she cried. He wasn’t sure what her dream had been about but from the way she was trembling, it had to have been terrifying.

“Don’t let go,” she said through hiccupping sobs.

“I’ve got you. I’m not going anywhere.”

By the time her cries subsided and her tears had dried, Gabriel was loathe to move. Her head was nestled under his chin and he’d combed every inch of her hair with his fingers. The flowery scent that lingered on her skin filled the air around him and he could have been content to sit there all night holding her.

Sniffling, she snuggled in closer. Gabriel smiled and buried his face into her hair.  “Are you all right now?”

“Yes.” She lifted her head but she wouldn’t look at him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cry all over you.”

“I don’t mind.” Gabriel hooked a finger under her chin and lifted her head. “What was it? A bad dream?”

She nodded. “Yes. The fire.” She closed her eyes, the anguish on her face telling him she was reliving it all over again.

“Hey, that was a long time ago. You’re safe now.”

“I know. It was just so real.”

Her shift slipped off one shoulder exposing more flesh than was right for him to see. Gabriel pulled it back into place, his finger sliding across her skin. Her thrashing had the material bunched up underneath her, her long legs bared to his hungry gaze and he swallowed. “I should go.” He let go of her and went to stand but she reached out with both hand and grabbed hold of him.

“Don’t.” Her pleading eyes locked with his. “Can you stay? Just until I fall asleep?”

He nodded, not sure it was a good idea but didn’t want to refuse. She smiled and slid over on the bed, pulling her shift back down and pulling the blankets up. As much as he wanted to crawl under those quilts with her he knew he’d be in trouble if he did. He pulled them up and laid on top of them but didn’t resist the need to feel her close. “Come here.” He held out his arm, pleased when she came to him, her head on his bare chest.

 Wrapping her in his arms, he settled in, stroking her hair as her breathing evened out. He breathed in the scent of her skin, memorized the texture of her hair. He had no intention of falling asleep when he closed his eyes to savor the feel of her in his arms but the morning sun peeking through the curtains on the double door woke him at daybreak.

Anna was still nestled close, her sweet breath warming the skin on his neck. He was loathed to move. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d woke with a woman in his arms. Evelyn hadn’t been affectionate with him long before she left. He should have known she was giving her attention elsewhere but people are blind to things they don’t want to accept.

He slid away and pulled his arm out from under her, guiding her head to the pillow. He lingered, brushed his lips across her forehead and inhaled the scent of her skin again, then stood and crossed back over into his room.

It was still early but he dressed and took the back stairs to the kitchen. Ruth hadn’t come down yet so he grabbed an apple and left the house. The sun was just cresting the trees to shine down over the crops. He still had a lot of things to think about. He needed to make a decision on what to do about the land and the investors who wanted it. Either he stayed and tried to make it work or he had to sell and move on. He hated the last option but wasn’t sure he had much of a choice anymore.

And then there was Anna. He wasn’t sure why he thought he could have her in the house and not eventually give in. Maybe that's why he came up with the idea of having her stay on as a governess. It seemed like a good idea at the time but now that he thought back, maybe it was just an excuse to hold on to her. If he didn’t marry her, she’d marry someone else. But not if she were here. If she lived in his house, she’d stay as long as Julia needed her. But it was unfair to her. Unfair to hold her back from what she wanted, which was a family of her own.

He finished his apple, his thoughts a jumbled mess in his head. Turning back to the house, he stopped when he saw Anna. She was on the balcony in her shift, the breeze blowing her hair. She was so beautiful—and he was an idiot. She’d traveled so far to marry him, sight unseen, and when she saw him, he was the one who said no. He refused her. He was surprised she was even still there. That she hadn’t gone into town and married the first man who offered.

The thought caused his chest to tighten. He couldn’t imagine her with anyone else. A jealous spark caused his temper to rise just thinking about it. She was his. All he had to do was take her.

He smiled, finished off his apple and tossed the core away, his gaze never leaving the beauty on his balcony. She’d come to marry him and he was through disappointing the women in his life.

Anna Davis may not love him but she would. By the time he was through courting her, she’d fall head over heels in love with him.

* * * *

Gabriel was standing near the field staring out across the horizon. The previous night flashed in her minds eye. Embarrassment should have been the first emotion she felt but the memory of his arms around her outweighed the need to be sorry her nightmare brought him to her room.

She wasn’t sure how long he stayed but she’d been disappointed to wake and find him gone. It was probably for the best. What would they have said to each other? How do you act once you’ve spent the night in someone’s arms?

He turned and started walking but stopped and stared up at the balcony. Was he was looking at her? She smiled and brushed her hair behind one ear. He tossed something away and started for the house. When she could no longer see him, she went back inside to dress.

The blue ball gown the Elliott sisters made her was still hanging near the bureau. She’d been dreading the party for weeks but perhaps it wouldn’t be quite so bad now. With what happened last night, surely something had change. Or was that just wishful thinking on her part?

She looked toward the hidden door panel that separated their rooms. Julia had told her the room she was in once belonged to her mother. Her parents hadn’t shared a room. Anna had done nothing but fall asleep in Gabriel’s arms and couldn’t imagine sleeping without him were they married. She wasn’t sure she would want to even though they weren’t.

A knock at the door drew her from her thoughts. “Its open,” she said, buttoning the last button on her blouse.

Julia opened the door and greeted her with her usual cheery smile. She limped into the room, followed by Ruth who carried a tray. “Good morning, Anna.”

“Good morning.” She smiled at the duo. “What’s all this?”

“Well, we know you had a bad night and since the big party is this evening, we thought you could use a bit of pampering.”

“Oh, well that's not necessary.”

“No one said it was necessary,” Ruth said, setting the tray on the table by the windows. “But this being your first big society party, you have to have the royal treatment. Franklin will be up with the bathing tub in a bit and we’ll get you shined up and smelling like a new flower in no time.”

“Franklin is too old to be carrying a tub all the way up here.”

“I think so too,” Julia said. “Maybe you can talk father into building us one of those fancy bathing rooms like the Grants have.”

Ruth scoffed. “Franklin isn’t a feeble old man and it cost a fortune to get those new tubs and boilers to heat water. Mr. Montgomery has better things to spend his money on than something frivolous like that.”

“Like purchasing expensive dresses and shoes that aren’t really needed.”

Julia and Ruth stopped and stared at her, their mouths open to speak. She didn’t give them a chance. “I don’t need a fancy gown or shoes. Do you think Gabriel would ask the sisters to take it back?”

“No, I will not.”

Anna looked around Ruth to see Gabriel just inside the bedroom door. He held the bathing tub, one so large she wasn’t sure how they’d ever manage to haul enough water upstairs to bathe in it.

He sat the tub down by the fireplace, the muscles in his shoulders rolling as he did. Anna remembered those same muscles beneath her hands, her cheek, the night before. She looked away from him, focusing on the breakfast Ruth had brought to her. “What I have on is fine for a summer party.”

“Maybe a summer party in Massachusetts,” Julia said, “but not here. You’d look like part of the Grants hired staff if you showed up in that dress.”

Anna looked down at herself. Okay, so maybe her clothes were a bit too practical. What did she need fancy things for anyway?

“I’m not returning the dress,” Gabriel said. “I’ve waited weeks to see you in it. You’ll wear it tonight at the party.” He smiled and left the room without another word.

“Don’t worry, Anna. Its just one dress. Once you get to the Grant’s party you’ll be glad you have it on. You’re going to be the envy of everyone there!”

Julia had had a flair for exaggeration and Anna didn’t want to argue about something obviously out of her hands. She thanked Ruth for the tray and sat down in the chair to eat as the woman left, promising to return later with hot water. Julia stayed behind, sitting in the cloth chair by the fireplace.

“How is your foot today?”

Julia lifted her leg a bit to look at the bandage. “Its a bit sore but I can walk on it.”

“That’s good. You should be healed in no time, then.”

“That's what papa said too.”

Anna finished her breakfast while listening to Julia talk about everything that popped into her head. Gabriel had been right when he said Julia wanted a companion. It didn’t take much to realize how starved for attention she was. Not that Gabriel ignored her, but unlike most men of his station, he worked outside most of the day and there wasn’t much a twelve year old girl could do but sit alone in the house or help Ruth with her chores.