Thea glanced at the bedside clock and bolted upright in her bed. Nine o’clock! She had an appointment to meet Mack in the hallway outside of Judge Wakefield’s chambers at two. There, the judge would marry them and sign the reworked adoption papers, which Red would file with the court this afternoon. In a few short weeks, Sarah would legally be their daughter. She lay back on the mattress, her heart bursting from the joy of it.
A family of her own!
But not if she didn’t get moving. Thea pushed back the heavy quilts, her toes curling up against the cold as she sat up on the side of the bed. Mrs. Thea Worthington. Mack’s wife. A tiny thrill ran through her.
In name only, remember?
The thought tempered the excitement she felt. Okay, so maybe she and Mack wouldn’t have a full and complete marriage, but the past couple of days, working on their makeshift wedding, they’d drawn closer, rebuilt the relationship that had cracked under the strain of Thea’s desertion all those years ago. And she’d be Sarah’s mother in every way that mattered. That would be enough to make her happy. A heavy knot tightened in Thea’s midsection. It would have to be, wouldn’t it?
A soft rap drew Thea’s attention to the door as Maggie peeked her head around the corner. “Oh, good. You’re awake.” She nudged the door open with her elbow, a small tray in her hands. The scent of fresh coffee, warm blueberry muffins and shortbread cookies filled the small space as she crossed the room and sat the tray down on the nightstand next to Thea’s bed. “I thought you could use a little pampering this morning. It’s not every day a girl gets married.”
“That’s so sweet of you to do this.” Thea grabbed her robe off the end of the bad and threw it around her shoulders. “I don’t know how I can ever thank you enough.”
“You haven’t tasted the muffins yet. Mine aren’t as moist as Merrilee’s and I can’t for the life of me figure out why.” As if to demonstrate, Maggie picked up one of the small muffins and peeled back the paper, bringing bits of blueberries and crumbs along with it.
“You’ve still got me beat, though I do make a killer grilled cheese sandwich.” Thea pulled a coffee cup toward her, splashed a small amount of milk into it, then reached for the coffeepot.
“If you want more milk, don’t mind me. Most everyone around here drinks it black. I only brought some up because Mack said you liked a lot in your coffee.”
“Well, thank you.” Thea poured in a generous splash then filled her cup. The porcelain cup warmed her fingers as she took a long sip. How sweet of Mack to remember such a small, insignificant thing as how she took her coffee. What other little habits of hers had he remembered? Just the thought that he’d made a note of it made her feel unique and special.
“Thinking about Mack?”
Thea’s cheeks grew heated as she glanced over the rim of her cup. “Just wondering how he talked you into letting me stay with you on such short notice.”
“Mack thought you wouldn’t have to rush trying to get to the courthouse if you were staying in town.” Maggie grabbed a shortbread cookie from the plate and broke it in two. “A wise man knows a woman needs a little bit more time to get herself ready on her wedding day.”
“That was kind of him.”
“He’s a sweet man, just as good as they come.” Her friend gave her a smile before popping a small portion of cookie into her mouth. She covered her mouth as she spoke. “But a two-day engagement! What’s the rush?”
“That’s exactly what I said,” Thea muttered over the rim of her cup. “But Mack was determined.”
A giggle escaped Maggie’s covered mouth. “I’ll say he was. Planning the whole wedding. Arranging for your mother to stay with Ms. Aurora until after you’re able to take Sarah home. I guess when Mack met you again, he didn’t want to wait longer than he absolutely had to.”
It would have been nice to carry that thought around in her heart, but it was nowhere near the truth. “Is that how it was for you and Wesley?”
Maggie pushed a crumb at the corner of her lips into her mouth and chuckled. “Oh, no. When I first met Wesley, I thought he was this hotshot pilot who couldn’t bear the thought of a woman flying one of his precious planes. But as I got to know him—” her voice softened, her hand resting against the soft curve of her swollen belly “—I couldn’t help falling in love with him.”
Thea smiled against the rim of her cup. It was wonderful that Maggie had found contentment and happiness with her husband. In fact, it appeared most of the Danielses had made marriages based on love and trust. A tiny pang of envy sobered Thea’s mood. This marriage she was about to enter into may not be the kind she’d dreamed of when she’d been a little girl. But dreams changed, didn’t they? The opportunity to raise Sarah alongside Mack, to grow as a family, to put down roots, was far more than she deserved.
“You’d better get moving if you want any hot water for your bath.” Maggie stood, brushed a stray crumb or two off her skirt then arched her back, resting a fist near the base of her spine. “Grandpa mentioned the weather being warm enough to wash the windows today, though why he’d want to do that right before winter sets in is beyond me.”
Thea replaced her cup on the tray, then stood, belting her robe at her waist. “From everything I’ve heard about Wesley’s grandfather, he’s always been an active man. Maybe he’s bored.”
“I hadn’t thought about that. I wonder if he’d want to help me work on the nursery. The room could use a new coat of paint, and we haven’t put up any decorations. Wesley won’t let me near a ladder to hang curtains, much less paint.”
“Of course the man won’t,” Thea teased. “He adores you too much to see you get hurt.”
“There’s adoring, then there’s annoying.” Maggie flashed Thea a knowing smile as she picked up the service and headed for the door. “But you’ll find that out soon enough.”
Would she ever know that feeling, of being so loved it was annoying? Both she and Mack had agreed Sarah would be their focus, at least for the foreseeable future, but what about later? Mack had always wanted a large family. If they could find their way to loving each other, there might be a chance at more children. To have his child nestled right under her heart started an ache deep in the pit of her stomach.
“There’s bath salts and body cream in the bathroom in case you want to use them. I also put some extra towels out, just in case.”
How sweet of Maggie! “That’s really very nice of you.”
Her friend opened the door before turning and looking back at Thea. “Mack deserves all the happiness the world has to offer this side of heaven. You do, too.” She gave Thea a watery smile. “I’ve always thought the two of you belonged together, even back in high school. You’re going to make each other very happy.”
How could Maggie be so certain? Thea almost asked but the door had already clicked shut before she could get the question out. The mattress sank beneath her as she sat at the foot of the bed. Marrying Mack might make her happy, but what about him? Didn’t someone so good and decent deserve more than a bride thrust on him because of cruel gossip? A woman whose family carried more baggage than the Union Pacific railroad? She vowed never to give him a chance to regret this decision. Because at this moment, Thea knew what choice she’d make.
She chose Mack.
Excitement thrummed through her veins as she rushed over to the dressing table, grabbed her vanity case and headed down the hall to the bathroom. Warm, moist air perfumed with the scent of ginger filled the tiny room, swirls of stream rising from the tub, a trickle of water coming from the faucet. Another gift from Maggie. Setting her case on the vanity, Thea slipped out of her nightclothes and into the fragrant water.
Less than an hour later, Thea emerged from her room, powdered and primped, feeling more like a woman than she had since shipping out to Sheffield four years ago. Looping the strap of her purse up her arm, she tugged on her chocolate-brown gloves, the perfect match for the pale gold dress she’d splurged on for the ceremony. She was still chasing the last button on her glove when she became aware of someone watching her. Thea glanced up to find Maggie and Beau waiting at the bottom of the stairs.
“My word! Mack won’t know what hit him when he gets a look at you!” Maggie exclaimed as she took hold of Thea’s hands and held them slightly out to her sides to get a better look at her dress. “You’re absolutely gorgeous!”
Thea knew her friend was exaggerating a bit but couldn’t deny the compliments helped boost her confidence. “Thank you.”
Beau nodded. “My friend is a very blessed man.”
Thea hoped Mack viewed their marriage that way. “You don’t know how much Mack and I appreciate your help with this.”
Beau glanced down at his wristwatch. “He won’t be so grateful if I don’t get you to the courthouse on time. We need to get going.”
“Hold on just a second.” Maggie gave her cousin a look of mild annoyance. “A bride is supposed to keep her groom waiting for a few extra minutes, at least long enough for us to say a quick blessing for the new couple.”
Both Danielses looked at Thea. She nodded. “Mack and I could use all the help we can get.”
They each lowered their heads, clasping hands as Maggie began. “Dear Lord, we’re coming to You today to ask for Your blessings on Mack and Thea as they begin their lives together. Guide them as they become parents to little Sarah, and take their hearts and shape them into one guided solely by You. In Christ’s name, Amen.”
As Thea lifted her head, a peace that wouldn’t have been possible even five minutes ago flowed through her. Now she felt certain that God would bless this marriage and this new family they were forming today. A bubble of happiness lifted the corners of her mouth as she glanced at Maggie and Beau. “I guess it’s time to go and get me married.”
“One more thing.” Maggie waddled across the foyer to the hall table and came back with a small bouquet of deep burgundy-and-gold mums, sunny daisies and baby’s breath. “Mack brought these by this morning. Said he wanted his bride to have flowers on their wedding day.”
“He did?” Thea whispered into the bouquet as she took it from Maggie, a slight dampness seeping through her gloves. Mack had thought of even the smallest detail, almost as though this was a real marriage.
Maybe it would be, Thea thought, following Maggie out the front door. In time.
* * *
Mack read over the first page of the case file for what seemed like the fourteenth time, then tossed it to the side, unable to concentrate on the finer details of Officer Sydney’s report. His recent bout of chicken pox had left him with a mountain of paperwork and correspondence that needed to be addressed. A good way to pass the time until the nerves he’d been outrunning all morning finally caught up with him.
He was getting married today.
He glanced up at the wall clock that hung over his door and smiled. Maggie would have given Thea the flowers by now. Had she noticed, as he had, how the gold mums matched the color of her hair in the sunlight? Or that the ribbon holding her flowers was the same vivid shade of blue as her eyes? Red had thought it nonsense standing in Wilson’s Flower Shop as Mack picked out the blooms. Said his brain must have been attacked by chicken pox for Mack to throw money away on flowers for a marriage in name only. But to Mack’s way of thinking, this wedding needed flowers to let Thea know that what they had was special, no matter the circumstances of their marriage.
A rap on the door lifted Mack’s head just as his secretary, Nell Jamierson, peeked inside. “Judge Wakefield is expecting you in twenty minutes.”
“Thank you, Nell.”
“Have you got the ring?”
Leave it to a woman to remember that kind of detail. Mack opened his desk drawer, took out the small box he’d picked up at Mr. Friedman’s just this morning and opened it. A slender and delicate band of gold, decorated with a light blue stone, it had instantly reminded him of Thea, as if it had been made especially with her in mind. He held it out to his secretary. “What do you think?”
Nell stepped forward. “I don’t know any women who’d turn that rock down. Your Thea is a very lucky girl.”
His Thea. Something about the phrase pleased him, maybe because after today they’d be bound to each other, as friends, as parents raising Sarah. As husband and wife. Mack gave himself a mental shake. Maybe Red was right, maybe the chicken pox had muddled his brain, though truth be told, he’d been in a tangled mess since he’d spied Thea peeking out from underneath that oak at Merrilee’s wedding. At first, it had been only because she’d threatened the hopes he’d built around raising Sarah as his own, but that had all changed. Lately, he’d found himself thinking about her all the time—wondering what she’d done during her day, whether she’d had a good day with her mother. Not to mention the time he spent thinking about kissing her, holding her close. The need to comfort and protect her from the crazy world they lived in just about drove him mad.
“Now, you don’t worry about anything. I’ll hold down the fort while you’re gone. Don’t want to keep your bride waiting.”
“Right.” Mack stood, straightened his tie, then grabbed his suit coat off the back of his chair and put it on. Once he had the coat buttoned, he reached for the ring box and, with one last look, closed and dropped it into the safety of his coat pocket. He came around the desk and headed for the door.
The walk to Judge Wakefield’s office usually took five minutes, but the news of his impending marriage had traveled around town as if Betty, the operator at Marietta Telephone Company, had made it her personal job to be the town crier. Folks all along the square stopped him with congratulations and well wishes, so the short trek from his office took three times as long as usual. As Mack rounded the corner on Main Street and hurried up the courthouse stairs, a horn honked behind him, and he turned to see Beau pull up to the curb with his cousin Maggie riding shotgun in the front seat.
Where was Thea?
Mack’s heart jumped into his throat. Had she changed her mind? Had she decided marrying him wasn’t worth the opportunity to raise Sarah?
Beau waved to him as he rounded the front of the car and opened the door for Maggie. She stood, then, seeing him, hurried across the brick sidewalk toward him, her green eyes flashing with happiness, her wide smile as big as the skies she loved. She playfully pointed her finger at him. “You, Mack Worthington, are a very blessed man.”
He was? Being blessed wasn’t something he’d felt much over the years, at least not since the accident. “Why do you say that?”
“Just wait. You’ll understand in a minute.” She turned back toward the car and Mack followed her gaze.
And felt as if all the oxygen had suddenly been sucked out of the atmosphere.
Thea stood next to the car, her full skirts swirling around her legs, a tiny bow belted at her trim waist and another at the neckline of her bodice. Her blue eyes were hidden by a wisp of a veil, her hair restrained by a band of dark chocolate brown. A cloud of curls gathered about her delicate shoulders, giving him a tempting glimpse of her long, elegant neck.
“Breathe,” Maggie whispered to him.
Easy for her to say. Her heart wasn’t racing a million beats a minute. Thea had to be the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, and she was about to become his wife.
In name only.
Disappointment lanced through him, and he sucked in a much-needed breath. Mack couldn’t expect their union to be anything but a way to adopt Sarah, to share in raising the little girl, not with the baggage he carried. He still hadn’t told Thea about his bad ear, or the part she’d played in the accident that caused it, but he would. Ms. Aurora was right; Thea needed to know the entire story about the night she left town. Just not today.
Mack started toward her, but Thea met him halfway, her skirts brushing against his legs. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
“You look...so beautiful.” The words tumbled out in a husky whisper.
“You think so?” Thea glanced up then, her gaze meeting his, a faint hint of skepticism clouding their blue depths. Did the woman have any doubt as to how lovely she truly was? Had no one ever bothered to tell her?
Mack took her free hand and held it in his. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
A ghost of a smile danced in the corners of her full lips. “You clean up right nice yourself, Sheriff.”
The simple compliment warmed his heart. “Well, thank you. I try.”
“And thank you for my flowers.” She lifted the buds to her nose and drew in a deep breath. “It was very sweet of you to think of it.”
Heat crawled up the back of his neck as if he were some schoolboy going to his very first dance. “Couldn’t have my girl walking down the aisle without her bouquet.”
“Still, it was sweet of you.” Her cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink that matched the mums in her hand.
He threaded her gloved hand through his, his heart crashing against his breastbone at the touch of her slender fingers against his forearm. “Ready to do this?”
Silky curls fluttered against her shoulders as she nodded. “How about you? Any second thoughts?”
Oh, yes. Second, and third, and fourth and...but looking at Thea now, feeling the warmth of her hand against his arm, all the reasons they shouldn’t marry dissipated like the morning mist on Sweetwater Creek. “Not a one.”
“I don’t mean to interrupt,” Beau broke in. “But it’s warm out here. Mind if we move this indoors?”
“I didn’t even notice,” Thea whispered to her flowers, almost as if she hadn’t meant to be heard.
So she’d felt the same thing he had, as if the world had faded away, leaving them completely alone. Her eyes widened when she finally looked up and met his gaze. She lifted her hand from his arm as if to retreat, but he gently kept her there, pressing his fingers against hers. Mack leaned closer, the faint scent of ginger and tea imprinting itself on his memory, growing stronger as her hair brushed against his cheek. “I’d forgotten Beau and Maggie were even standing there.”
She pursed her lips into an impish grin, and he had to force himself not to focus on the temptation of her mouth, instead holding her close as they started up the stairs. “Let’s get inside.”
Not more than a minute or two later, the group stood outside the massive doors that led to Judge Wakefield’s chambers. Mack knocked on the door, then waited until it opened slightly, a young man Mack recognized as Wakefield’s clerk lodging himself in the opening as if guarding the gates of the city of Oz. “Mr. Lemmon, we’re here to see the judge on a private matter.”
The young man nodded. “I’ll let him know you’re here. It will be just a few minutes.” He gave Thea a long look, then smiled. “I’ll come and escort you into his chambers when he’s ready.”
Mack’s stomach twisted. Little runt had a lot of nerve, eyeing Thea like that. He tightened his fingers over hers. Didn’t the man know she was about to become Mack’s wife? Just proved he had more brains than common sense.
Why am I getting so worked up over this, anyway?
The steady clip-clop of work boots against the marble floor drew Mack’s attention to the stairwell where a tall, lanky man stood, the leather bag on his back almost as brown as his weather-worn face. Judson Marsh was the town’s mailman. He was tall and lean, and some folks thought he looked the spitting image of Jimmy Stewart, but Mack didn’t see the resemblance.
Maybe a string bean, but nothing like the Hollywood actor who had fought in the Army Air Force, and risen to the rank of Colonel.
“Well, howdy folks. Miss Maggie, Dr. Daniels, Sheriff.” He gave Thea a speculative glance. “Don’t reckon I know you, Miss.”
“This is my fiancée, Thea Miller. Thea, Mr. Marsh, our mailman.”
Mack felt slightly deprived when Thea let go of his arm and held out her hand to the older man. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Marsh.”
The older man took her hand in his and shook it. “Getting married, are ya? I’ve heard what people are saying around town, about the two of you being out at Ms. Aurora’s, and I’ve got to tell you, I find the whole situation shameful, just shameful.”
Thea tensed beside him, but the expression on her face was resigned. It infuriated Mack. Was this what she’d dealt with when people use to talk about Eileen? Or had she heard some of the rumors that swirled about her, guilt by association? Well, government employee or not, he’d deck the postman before he’d let him bad-mouth his future wife. “Mr. Marsh...”
“I know how bad it can be, taking care of a houseful of youngsters who’re sick.” He leaned close to Thea as if he wanted to share a secret only with her. “Me and my wife had eight girls and a boy, and when they were down with the measles or the chicken pox...” He shuddered. “Besides, anyone with eyes in their head can see why the sheriff decided to marry this little lady.” A toothy grin split his weathered face. “Married my Edna just so I’ve have someone that pretty waiting at home for me.” Marsh slapped Mack on the back. “You’ve done good picking this one, Sheriff.”
“I think so,” Mack answered. Thea relaxed against his side, and without even thinking, he dropped a kiss against her hair. For Marsh’s benefit, and for Thea’s, he told himself.
The man swung his bag around, lifted the leather flap and rifled through the contents. “Seeing as how you’re here, Sheriff, mind if I give you your mail now? It’ll save me a trip to your office this afternoon.” Marsh gave them a cockeyed grin. “My daughter-in-law is bringing our grandbaby home from the hospital today, and I sure would like to be there when they get home.”
“Of course you would.” Thea glanced up at Mack. “We both understand how you feel.”
Mack felt for the man. He’d lost his only son in the liberation of Paris and his grandchild was his last link to the lanky boy Mack remembered from church. The stack of letters needing to be stamped and sent from his desk could wait until tomorrow. “Sure, Mr. Marsh. I can take them back to the office.”
The door opened. “The judge can see you now.”
Mr. Marsh handed a small pack of envelopes tied with string to Mack, then closed the flap on his bag. “Well, good day to you, Miss Thea. Miss Maggie. Doc.” The older man gave Mack a sly smile. “And congratulations to you, Sheriff. You’ve got yourself a mighty sweet lady here.”
For once, Mack agreed with the old coot. “Thank you, Mr. Marsh.”
“Mr. Marsh,” Thea added. “You have a good visit with that grandbaby of yours this afternoon.”
“I’m going to try, ma’am. Thank you.” He tipped his hat, then turned and headed back toward the stairs, giving them one last look before walking down the hallway.
“Sheriff Worthington.” The impatient edge in Mr. Lemmon’s voice grated on Mack’s nerves. “Judge Wakefield doesn’t have all day.”
This scrawny kid was just begging for a lesson in manners. But Mack pushed back his temper. “Would you please tell the judge I’d like to have a few minutes alone with my bride before the wedding?”
Lemmon pursed his lips as if he’d been sucking on an unripe persimmon, then nodded. “Please be advised that the judge has another appointment on the hour.”
Mack glanced down at the woman beside him, then back at their friends. “Could you give us a moment?”
“Sure.” Maggie reached out and hugged him as best as she could, turning to one side to accommodate her growing midsection. “Be happy, my friend,” she whispered on a sniff.
She turned then and hugged Thea while Beau walked over and shook Mack’s hand. “You’re doing the right thing by Sarah, giving her a mom and a dad. Remember that.”
Mack nodded. Yes, he needed to remember that every time he thought of Thea, of the tumble of emotions she caused just being near him, of the attraction that made him wish this was something more than a marriage in name only. He waited until his friends had stepped into the judge’s chambers before turning back to his bride.
She looked so lovely, standing there in her dress made of gold, nibbling on her bottom lip in that nervous way he found endearing, the little bouquet he’d brought her this morning clutched between her hands.
She pushed a loose curl behind her ear, another nervous habit that he found equally appealing. “Is everything okay?” she asked.
No, but then he hadn’t been okay in almost two weeks, not since he’d seen her at Merrilee’s wedding. His mind felt muddled, his feelings tangled up in knots all because of this woman. But that night eight years ago still remained unresolved between them, and until Mack had laid all of that to rest, he had to keep his feelings in check.
Mack reached out and pried one of her hands free of the bouquet. “I thought I’d give you a minute. Figured you might need a breather before all the excitement.”
She tilted her head to the side. “Maybe you wanted to take a breather yourself?”
Thea always did know how to read him. Mack chuckled softly. “Things have been going at a record speed.”
“Mack, if you’ve changed your mind, I’ll understand.”
“No,” he barked, then cleared his throat. “I mean, no. What about you? I just sprang all this on you a few days ago. Any misgivings?”
Her smile widened, her blue eyes taking on a glow that enveloped him in its warmth, made him feel as if he’d finally come home. She slipped her hand into his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “None.”
His heart collided with his ribcage, his senses punch-drunk. That Thea—wonderfully smart, assertive Thea—had no qualms about marrying him gave him hope. “Beau’s going to be crowing about this for years.”
“Beau?”
“He’s the one who thought it would be a good idea if we got married.”
Thea tilted her head slightly to the side, her eyes glittering with mischief beneath the lacy veil. “So we should thank Beau for this mess we’re in now?”
“Yeah, let’s blame Beau,” he answered, pulling her arm through his. Mack glanced down at her once more, his heart quivering like a jar of Merrilee’s apple jelly. “Ready to get married, Miss Miller?”
For a brief instant, all her lingering doubts clouded those expressive eyes of hers, but then a smile that seemed to come from the very depths of her heart bloomed across her face as she pressed into his side. “I’m ready.”
In fifteen short minutes, he’d have everything he’d dreamed of most of his life: a wife and child, a family to come home to in the evenings. Everything he’d searched for over the last eight years.
Well, almost everything.
Becoming Sarah’s father, being Thea’s husband in name only would have to do for now. Mack turned the knob and opened the door, standing to one side, waiting, watching as she walked into the judge’s chambers.