Chapter 10

Around of giggles brought Alexandre’s head up from the conversation with the boy named Thomas.

Sunshine poured in through the windows, illuminating Josette’s dark hair as she sat among the little girls. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes shining as she spoke in a language foreign to him. She said something, and all the girls laughed again. Clearly, she was mispronouncing her words, and the girls thought it great fun.

Alexandre couldn’t help but smile himself.

Mrs. Greenfield stood off to the side with Miss Smith, but Alexandre couldn’t take his eyes off his wife.

Wife. It was still a strange and wonderful word to him.

Mrs. Greenfield walked over to Alexandre, a bit of wonder in her eyes. “Your wife is a natural with the children, Reverend Dugas. The Lord knew what He was doing when He brought you together.”

Josette laughed, and Alexandre realized it was the first time he’d heard her laughter. He liked the way it made him feel—warm and content, like a heavy quilt on a cold winter night.

He could hardly believe he would be blessed enough to hear that sound every day, for the rest of his life.

“God never makes mistakes,” Mrs. Greenfield said, laying her hand on his arm. “Don’t lose sight of that truth, no matter how hard life may get.”

Alexandre looked at the older lady, seeing the years of hardship behind her wise words.

He hated to interrupt Josette, but they needed to let the children get back to their work. He crossed the room and touched her shoulder. “It’s time to leave.”

Her smile fell, but then the little girl named Claire wrapped her arms around Josette’s neck. “Baamaapii.” She looked at Josette, her brown eyes enormous. “Until later, Mrs. Dugas.”

Josette’s eyes shimmered with tears, but she managed to smile at the child’s broken English. “Good-bye, Claire.”

They said farewell and stepped outside. He helped her into the buggy, and then he climbed inside and snapped the reins. The horse trotted off across the prairie.

The nerves Alexandre had been feeling earlier in the day had dissipated. There were so many things they hadn’t had time to discuss, but when he saw Josette with the children, he knew she was meant to be here.

The sun beat down on the prairie, reminding him that it was close to lunchtime. He pulled the horse off the road and parked the buggy under the shade of a large willow tree, along the banks of the Mississippi.

Josette hadn’t spoken a word, and he could see she was still overcome with emotion. “Shall we eat?”

“There is something we must discuss.” Her grave voice surprised him.

His mind raced with all the possible things she might tell him, and his heart thudded hard within his chest. “Très bien. Shall we walk along the riverbank?” He didn’t wait for her to answer but stepped out of the buggy and helped her down.

A flock of ducks landed nearby, their wings splashing the sparkling water as they found their resting place.

She finally spoke. “There’s been a terrible misunderstanding.”

Was that all? “It can’t be that bad.”

She swallowed and looked down at her hands. “Last night—before you agreed to marry me—I thought you understood that we would stay in St. Louis.”

Stay in St. Louis? What—?

“I have my father’s business to run.” She looked at him, desperation in her eyes. “Didn’t you realize this?”

Alexandre stared at her. “Stay in St. Louis? It took me a year to get here—I’m not going to move to St. Louis and run a business—I left all of that behind—”

“What did you think I was going to do with my half of the business?”

Alexandre opened his mouth to respond, but what could he say? He hadn’t thought about what she would do with her inheritance.

He ran his hand down his face to try to clear his thoughts. “Everything happened so quickly last night. I just assumed you were willing to come back to Belle Prairie with me.”

“And I assumed you were willing to stay in St. Louis with me.” She looked like she might cry. “I can’t leave my father’s business in the hands of my brother—I just can’t.”

Alexandre fumbled for his clean handkerchief and put it in her hand. “Don’t cry, Josette.”

Surely, after spending the afternoon with the children at the mission, she couldn’t deny that she belonged there. He’d seen it in her eyes, sensed it with every fiber of his being.

The water flowed by, moving driftwood and dead leaves with it. Hadn’t he fought against this very river, pushing himself northward for over a year? How easily it could take him back to a life he didn’t want to live.

He tore his eyes from the river. “I’ll return long enough for you to secure your inheritance.”

She swallowed. “But you will not stay?”

He had married her with every intention to live as man and wife—but he couldn’t give up his calling, no matter how great the misunderstanding. “I will not stay in St. Louis, Josette.”

She was silent for a moment, but when she looked at him, there was resolve in her face. “And I cannot return to Belle Prairie.”

Frustration welled up in his chest. A part of him wanted to remind her that she was his wife and that she must go where he led. But the other part of him, the more rational part, knew that he could never force her—or anyone else—to do something against their will.

They watched the water flow by, each deep in thought. Alexandre had stayed awake most of the night and allowed himself to imagine his life with Josette. He had counted himself a blessed man when he said his vows. Josette carried herself with elegance and grace, and she exhibited a gentle spirit, which he prized far above other qualities. Seeing her with the children had been the final confirmation that he had made the right choice.

He wanted to share his life with her.

He picked up a stick and tossed it into the water. The current grabbed it and pulled it away, and out of sight. He couldn’t let the same thing happen to his calling.

He wouldn’t force Josette to return … but maybe he could persuade her. They had a week’s journey ahead of them—perhaps in that amount of time, he could convince his wife to return with him to Belle Prairie.

The ride back to Little Falls was painfully quiet for Josie. Alexandre didn’t speak until they had finally stopped in front of the Northern Hotel.

“I imagine you and your maid have things to attend to this afternoon.” He alighted from the buggy and tied the horse to the hitching post. He came to her side and offered his hand. She placed her hand inside his and felt it drown in the immensity of his palm.

His touch did strange things inside her stomach. Somehow, in less than a day, she had grown fond of the idea of having him in her life. There had to be a way to convince him to stay in St. Louis. She had a week with him on the steamboat—anything could happen.…

With renewed determination she stepped out of the buggy, and even managed to smile. If she was going to convince him to stay with her, she would need to muster all the charm she possessed.

She put her arm through his and they walked into the hotel lobby.

Ruth sat on the floral sofa near the potted ferns. She wore her hat and gloves, and her valise was at her side. She stood when Josie and Alexandre entered, her cheeks flushed. “Oh, I didn’t think you’d arrive in time, Miss Josie.”

“In time for what?” It was then that Josie noticed the man who had been sitting near Ruth. He looked vaguely familiar. Had he been in the ballroom the night before? He rose by her side.

Ruth’s movements were awkward. She took a step forward but then stopped abruptly. “Miss Josie, th–things have transpired since you left this morning—things I didn’t anticipate.”

Josie still held Alexandre’s arm, thankful for his steady presence.

“What’s happened?” Josie eyed the strange man. He was pale and painfully thin, but he wore a well-pressed suit and a top hat.

“After you left, I came downstairs for breakfast, and this gentleman, Mr. Ashcroft, approached me. H–he made an offer I couldn’t refuse.” She lifted her hand and showed Josie a beautiful ruby ring. “He works at the land office, and owns a new house. We were married just an hour ago.” Her lips quivered as she smiled. “I’m married now.”

Josie blinked several times but couldn’t say a word.

“Congratulations.” Alexandre extended his hand to Mr. Ashcroft.

“Thank you kindly,” the gentleman said with a bob of his head. “Never hurts to ask, is what I always say.”

“I know this is a bit of a shock, and I apologize for the inconvenience,” Ruth said to Josie. “I realize this puts you in a bind—not having a lady’s maid for your return to St. Louis. But now that you’re married, I hoped Mr. Dugas would help you.”

Josie thought of all that Ruth did—everything from tying her corsets to styling her hair. How could Alexandre possibly help with those things? But none of that mattered—she’d find a way to manage. She was more dismayed about losing her friend. “I’ll miss you, Ruth. You’ve been the very dearest friend in the world.” She reached out and pulled her maid into an embrace.

Ruth hugged her back, and Josie could feel Ruth’s heart beating wildly in her chest.

“Are you nervous?” Josie whispered.

“Terribly.”

Josie pulled back and tried to offer some encouragement in her smile, though her voice shook with emotion. “Thank you, for everything. You’ll be sure to write?”

Ruth nodded as Mr. Ashcroft took her valise in hand.

“We must be off, Mrs. Ashcroft,” he said.

Ruth offered Josie one final smile. “Good-bye, Miss Josie.”

The pair left the Northern Hotel, and Josie stood motionless. “I can hardly believe it.”

Alexandre held his hat in hand and studied her. “It looks like we’re on our own.”

Josie tried to hide her sudden anxiety.

“I don’t think it’s safe for you to sleep alone tonight,” he said slowly. “This town is full of criminals who would do anything to take what they want. A small lock won’t stop them.”

Josie’s eyes grew large. She didn’t know what frightened her more: the criminals … or her attractive husband sleeping in her room.