Philip sighed with relief when the preacher said, “I now pronounce you husbands and wives. You may kiss your brides.” He bent down and lightly brushed Bella’s lips with his own. They quivered beneath his.
She opened her eyes when he pulled back. He placed his forehead on hers and breathed. “We did it.”
“Yes, we did.”
The family cheered around them. Philip lifted his head and looked to Andrew. His brother only had eyes for Emma. Emma’s smile spoke volumes as to her love for his brother.
Philip prayed they would be happy forever. He didn’t want to open his heart to his new bride because he didn’t want to be hurt. He also didn’t want her to be hurt.
His gaze moved back to Bella. She’d moved away from him and was hugging Caleb and Mark. They’d agreed to be friends and thankfully she felt the same way about love as he did.
Caleb pulled away. “Are we going to Philip’s house to live now?”
Bella smiled. “In a little while.”
Mark tucked his small hand into hers. “I want to stay with you, Aunt Bella.”
She picked him up. “I’m going, too, you little rascal.” Bella tickled him and held on while he squirmed in her arms.
Philip didn’t miss that his parents and other brothers were crowded around Andrew and Emma. They knew his and Bella’s marriage wasn’t a love match. He walked over to his new family.
Seth and Rebecca finished hugging Andrew and Emma and walked over to them. Rebecca hugged them both and touched the little boys’ faces. Seth slapped him on the back and said, “Congratulations.”
Philip smiled. “Thanks.”
The rest of the family hurried over and offered their congratulations, as well. Hazel and Fay began cleaning up and chattering about the sounds of pitter-pattering feet in the near future.
Seth put the other boys to work and soon the barn was back to its original state. They all headed back into the house. The women went to the kitchen and the men into the sitting room. Philip watched Bella join his mother and the others. Did she feel as uncomfortable as he did right now?
Caleb and Mark looked lost. Benjamin had gone to his room to change out of his Sunday clothes. Philip called the boys to him. “Why don’t you young men stay in here with the rest of us?” He smiled at them.
Caleb moved to his side, but Mark looked longingly toward where Bella had disappeared into the kitchen. Philip assumed the little boy was feeling unsure about his future. He walked to Mark and rested his hand on the little boy’s head, drawing his attention.
Mark looked up. “Will Aunt Bella come back?”
Philip kneeled in front of him. “Sure she will. She’s just going to help the women clean up.” He felt Caleb move closer to his brother.
Tears filled Mark’s eyes. “But she got married today. What will happen to Caleb and me?” he asked, with a crack in his young voice.
Aware of the other men in the room, Philip pulled Mark into his arms. “Your aunt Bella loves you very much and will never leave you.” He lifted Mark’s chin to look him in the eye. “And she married me. I’m now your uncle Philip. I’ll take care of you, too. You’re going home with us and we want you to live with us for as long as you want to.”
Mark sniffled. “Really?”
“Yes, really.” He smiled. “You’re family now. All these people are your family.” Philip indicated all the men who had gathered around them.
Seth laid a hand on Philip’s shoulder. “That’s right. You can call me Grandpa Seth, if you want to.”
Andrew nodded. “And we’re all your uncles.”
Philip felt a lump in his throat. He swallowed and stood. His family were accepting Caleb and Mark.
Mark looked up and he smiled. “I have a big family now, huh?”
Clayton laughed. “Yes, you do, and you might not like it all the time.”
Benjamin grinned. “I’m your uncle, too.”
Caleb frowned. “But you aren’t big yet.”
“Don’t have to be big,” Benjamin insisted.
Seth put a stop to the arguing. “All right, boys, let’s play a game of checkers while we wait for the ladies to join us.”
Philip watched Seth lead the boys to the game board. He realized at that moment that his times of silliness and freedom were over. Would he be a good stepfather for the boys? The seriousness of his circumstances hit him hard. Could he handle all the trials that were coming his way?
* * *
Bella joined the women in the kitchen. They were a bustle of activity. Unsure what she should do, Bella walked to her mother-in-law.
“What can I do to help?” she asked.
“Would you mind putting a kettle of water on for tea? We have coffee made, but I’d like a spot of tea.” She smiled at Bella as she set a pile of plates at Fay’s elbow.
“I’ll be happy to. I could use some tea myself.” Bella picked up the teakettle and headed to the back door, where the well stood a few feet away.
She sighed as the bucket clattered down the well. What a day. Thankfully it would soon be over and in the morning she, Philip and the boys would be headed to the relay station. To their normal life. She poured water into the kettle. Would life ever be normal for her again?
Bella went back into the kitchen. Women’s laughter filled the warm air. Maybe this was her new normal. She squared her shoulders and joined the others.
Within a matter of minutes, they had the kitchen clean and were sitting around the table sipping hot tea. Rebecca looked from Bella to Emma. “I truly am blessed. I have two new daughters.”
Bella felt heat fill her cheeks. She’d not thought of herself as being Rebecca’s daughter. The way her mother-in-law said it made it seem as if she was pleased.
Emma smiled. “We’re the ones who are blessed. I never dreamed I’d really be a part of your family.”
Fay smiled. “We are all blessed to be a part of each other’s lives.” She smiled at them all over her cup of tea.
Hazel raised her teacup. “I’ll drink to that.”
Giggles sounded around the table.
Little Joy watched as if fascinated at the activities around her. “I have two new sisters?” she asked.
“Yes, you do.” Rebecca hugged her youngest close to her side.
Bella grinned. It would be nice to have a mother again. Rebecca would never replace her real mother, but to have someone to talk to when the boys did things that she didn’t understand might be a good thing. Plus, sharing recipes and housekeeping tips might be nice. “I’m happy to be a part of the family, too,” she said.
Emma leaned over and put her arm around Bella’s shoulders. “You’ll get used to us soon.”
Bella leaned into her embrace. “I’m sure I will. It just takes me a little longer to get used to lots of people being around.”
Her mother-in-law nodded. “Would you mind telling us a little about yourself, Bella? That might make you feel more comfortable around us.”
Emma tightened her hand on Bella’s shoulder, offering a form of comfort.
“Um, all right.” She paused. What should she tell them?
Josephine spoke for the first time. She reached across the table and laid her hand on Bella’s. “When I first joined the family, I felt a little like you, Bella. I came from a loving home, but when my ma died, I felt alone in the world. My papa was busy trying to make a living and then he disappeared, leaving me in the care of my uncle. He had a gambling problem and thought I was a pawn he could sell to pay for his debts. To get away from him and his gambling partner, I answered Philip’s mail-order-bride ad to marry Thomas. That’s part of how I came into the family. I’ll tell you more once we get back to the house, but for now I hope knowing a little more about me will help you to share.”
Bella nodded. “It does.”
Fay set down her cup. “After my husband died, my landlord kicked me out of my home. He sold the house and it is being turned into a telegraph office. Thankfully Rebecca came by and rescued me. She moved me here with her family and has treated me like family ever since.” She smiled at her friend.
Rebecca returned her smile. “You are family.”
Fay nodded.
Hazel shook her head. “You folks sure are sappy.” She took a drink of her tea and tried to hide behind the cup.
Josephine laughed. “Don’t let her fool you. She’s a part of the family, too. Hazel here started taking care of Thomas and Philip the day they moved out to the relay station. They love her and so do I.” She removed her hand from Bella’s.
Emma sat up straighter. “When I first arrived here, I was a slave to a couple who treated me well but used me to take care of their basic needs. Thankfully Rebecca and Fay, with the help of the rest, purchased me from them and then gave me my freedom.”
Bella realized her story wasn’t nearly as bad as theirs. “I’m sorry that happened to you all.” She took a deep breath. “My story isn’t quite that bad. My parents died when I was fifteen. My sister was already married and living in Denver. I didn’t want to move to a big city, so stayed in the small town of Douglas City, California, where I got a job as a baker. My sister would send me news from time to time. She had a good life and two little boys. A couple of months ago, I got news that she and her husband had died in a train crash. I quit my job and hurried to claim my nephews. Only, when I got there, things weren’t as I expected. The nanny had to be paid, my sister and her husband owed more than they owned and the bank had taken over all their assets. I wasn’t allowed to take anything from the house other than Caleb and Mark.” Tears had filled her eyes and were clogging her throat. Bella stopped and took a drink of the sweet tea.
Josephine shook her head. “How did you come across the ad that Thomas had placed? It had been months since he’d done that. I didn’t think any more letters would be coming.”
“The newspaper was beside the fireplace. I saw the ad and tore it out. With the boys, I used the last of my money to get to the Turnstone station.” She set down her cup. “The rest you know.”
Joy came to Bella and leaned against her side. “I’m glad you married Philip.”
She smiled down at the little girl. “You are?”
“Yep. I always wanted a sister who was quiet like me. I’m glad God sent you.” She wrapped her little arms around Bella’s waist and hugged her tight.
Bella hugged her back. She looked up to find the other women wiping at their eyes. These women really did care about her. The thought was sobering. If only she and Philip could learn to love, this would be the perfect situation.
But Bella knew she’d never trust her heart to him. She’d been hurt before and he’d lost faith in himself to love without being hurt. No, she had to remind herself that theirs was a marriage of convenience.