Bella wanted to tell Philip about Marlow. She just didn’t know how. They’d returned to the dress shop and she’d picked out a pretty pink party dress to wear to the winter dance, then they headed home.
She put the boys to bed in their new beds and then went to sit by the fireplace and wait for Philip to come in from putting away the horses and the things he’d purchased at the general store.
What would he say when he found out Marlow Brooks, her ex-fiancé, was in town? Bella rocked and waited. Her mind spun around the things Marlow had told her. Did the sheriff really think she’d murdered Sam? Was Marlow correct in saying that if Philip found out, he’d take the boys away from her? Could he even do such a thing legally?
Philip entered the house and hung up his coat. His gaze moved to where she was sitting. He’d continued to sleep upstairs on a pallet, while she’d moved downstairs with the boys. Normally, when she put them to bed, Bella retired also. “You’re up late,” he said, walking over to the cookie jar and pulling out a sugar cookie.
Bella stood and joined him in the kitchen area. “Would you like coffee with your cookie? I think there is enough in the pot for a cup.”
“If it’s already made, sure.” He looked at the logs that they were still using for kitchen chairs. “Tomorrow I will start working on the kitchen chairs.”
She poured his coffee. “That will be nice.” Bella turned to hand it to him.
Philip had walked back into the sitting area and sat down in the rocking chair he favored. She followed. “I need to tell you something.” Bella handed him the coffee and sat down.
“Sounds serious.” He took a careful drink.
Bella shook her head. “Not really. But I think you should know that Marlow Brooks came by the other day and is staying in Dove Creek.”
“Who is Marlow Brooks?”
“The man I was going to marry.” She bowed her head. How much more should she tell him? Bella knew she’d never tell him that Marlow wanted her to go back with him. Or that she was suspected of murder.
He cradled the cup in his hands. “The one who broke off your engagement.” It was a statement.
“Yes.”
“Why is he here?” Philip asked.
Bella looked up. “He said he’s sorry he called off the wedding and wants me back.”
Philip tilted his head to the side. “Did you tell him we are married?”
“Of course. I told him to go home.” Bella didn’t want to tell him any more. If he continued to ask her questions, she knew she wouldn’t lie.
“Is he going home?”
Bella stood. “When he’s completed his business here, I’m sure he will.” She didn’t elaborate on the fact that Marlow’s business was with her. Faking a yawn, she mumbled, “I just wanted you to hear it from me. I’m tired and heading downstairs now.”
As she started to walk past him, Philip’s hand shot out. “Bella, do you still care for him?”
Had she seen pain flicker through his eyes? Bella shook her head. “I don’t love him anymore. I’m not sure I ever did.”
He released her arm. “Thanks for telling me. Good night.”
Bella walked from the room. She wanted to run, to hide her face from him and cry. Why did Marlow have to come to Dove Creek? Why now, when everything was going so well?
* * *
The next morning, Philip got up early and went to the barn. He’d had a rough night. His mind wouldn’t shut down as thoughts of Bella and Marlow raced through it. He felt sure she hadn’t told him everything.
What business did Marlow have in Dove Creek? How had he found her? Did the man truly realize that he loved her, after she was gone?
Philip fed and watered the horses, then began work on the chair he’d promised Bella he would start working on. She’d said she didn’t love Marlow and probably never had. Did she mean it? Would Bella realize she’d rather be married to a man who loves her than one who didn’t? And what about the boys? Was Marlow willing to take the boys along with her?
An empty ache gathered in his chest. Philip walked over to the water bucket and, using a dipper, took a long drink. He’d gotten used to having her around. She’d made the empty house into a home.
The barn door opened. Caleb entered with a big smile. “Aunt Bella said to tell you breakfast is ready.” He came inside. “What are you working on?”
“Chairs for the kitchen table. What do you think of this one so far?” Philip liked that Caleb had taken an interest in his furniture-making.
Caleb picked up one of the legs. He looked down the length of the board. “It looks straight.” He examined each finished piece. “It’s going to be nice and sturdy.”
Philip laughed. “Where did you hear the word sturdy?”
“Aunt Josephine told Aunt Bella that everything you make is nice and sturdy.” He laid down the chair leg. “This will be, too.”
“Well, thank you. We’d better get inside before Mark eats all our breakfast.” Philip pulled the big barn door open and then followed Caleb out into the morning sunlight.
They walked across the yard to the house. Philip looked at the outside of it and was glad that he’d bought whitewash the day before to paint the outside. He followed Caleb into the house, where the aromas of sausage and fresh bread filled the warm air.
“Good morning.” Bella smiled over her shoulder at him. Today her golden strands of hair were pulled back in a ponytail. She wore a brown house dress with a light blue apron covering the front of it.
He returned her greeting. “Good morning. I believe I could eat an elk this morning.” Philip went to the washbasin and cleaned his hands.
“I could, too,” Mark said from his place at the table.
While Bella set the table, Philip asked, “How would you like to help whitewash the house today?”
Her blue eyes met his. “Outside or in?”
She sat down and began filling the boys’ plates.
“Today, outside. If you want to do the walls in here, too, we can do that tomorrow or the next day.” Philip filled his own plate with sausage, eggs and two buttered biscuits.
Bella smiled at Mark. “I think that will be fun.”
Caleb frowned. “How can painting be fun?” He started to take a bite out of the biscuit Bella had just placed on his plate.
Philip cleared his throat and the boy stopped his hand halfway to his mouth. He waited for Caleb to set the bread back down on his plate. “I’d better say the blessing.”
Bella nodded and the boys lowered their heads.
After he said the prayer, Bella continued with their conversation. “We will be doing it as a family,” Bella responded. “That will make it fun.”
They all ate quietly for a few minutes. Philip chewed slowly, savoring every bite. Bella was the best cook in the territory as far as he was concerned. If she chose Marlow over him, he’d miss her cooking. And her easy smile. And the way her hair shimmered in the sunshine. He jerked his thoughts to a stop and focused on eating.
“Philip, are we going to Uncle Thomas’s to help with the chores today?” Caleb picked at his eggs with a fork.
He nodded and swallowed. “Yes, as soon as we get done with breakfast. Why do you ask?”
“Well, if we do chores at the relay station and then come back and paint the house, when are we going to have time to build the chair?” Disappointment filled his face. Caleb already realized that the chair would have to wait.
Philip understood the little boy’s unhappiness. He would rather be building than painting, too. “It may be a few days before we get back to that project.”
Mark frowned as he looked from Caleb to Philip. He turned his attention back to his eggs and shoveled them into his mouth. Philip wondered what was bothering the little boy but didn’t feel now was the time to ask.
“That’s what I thought.” Caleb began eating again, too.
Neither boy seemed happy with the prospect of painting the house. Should they let the boys go play while they painted? Philip’s gaze met Bella’s across the table. She shrugged her shoulders.
“Would you rather play while we paint the house?” Philip asked.
Bella spoke up. “No, they live here, too, and can help with the upkeep of the house.” She smiled at him. “But it is really nice of you to give them a way out of the work.”
Philip nodded. “Well, that settles it. We work on the house as a family.” He chewed and thought, would they be a family much longer?
* * *
Bella laughed at the look on Philip’s face. She’d just splashed him with paint. It had been an accident. At least she’d made it look that way.
“Oh, you think that’s funny, do you?” He aimed his brush in her direction and then flicked his wrist. Paint sprayed from the brush and covered her pretty blue apron.
Mark cupped his hand into the paint and slung it at Caleb. The watery white paint hit Caleb on the side of the face and ran down his neck. He yelped and Mark laughed.
Caleb retaliated. Bella, thinking to stop the paint fight, stepped between the boys only to find herself covered in more paint as they both slung paint at each other but hit her instead. “Stop!”
Philip roared with amusement. “You started it.”
“Well, I’m putting a stop to it now. Besides, it was an accident that I got you with my paint.”
“Sure it was,” Philip countered. He looked at the finished wall. “Hey, believe it or not, we’re done.”
Bella looked at the freshly painted house. It had taken all day, but Philip was right, they were finished. “I can’t believe we finished it.”
He chuckled. “Me, either.”
The sun was almost down. Bella laid down her brush and wiped her hands on the apron. “Give me your brushes, boys.” She took the offered brushes and laid them beside hers.
Philip put the lid on the paint can and gathered up the brushes. “Caleb, you come with me to clean up these, and, Mark, you can help Bella start dinner.”
Bella smiled. “That means we get to work in the house, where it’s warmer.” She took Mark’s cold, wet hand in hers.
Philip and Caleb headed for the river. Mark watched them. His jaw hardened, but he didn’t say anything. Bella knew the little boy felt slighted. She really needed to talk to Philip about spending more time with Mark.
“What are we having for supper?” Mark asked. He led the way to the front porch.
Bella followed. “What would you like?”
“Something hot.” Mark stopped at the door and pulled off his muddy boots.
“Well, I started a pot of soup at lunchtime. It should be ready by now.” Bella had checked on it earlier and knew the soup was ready. She sat down on the steps to pull off her own boots. “Would you mind getting me a damp cloth so I can wash this paint off my face and hands?” she asked him.
“All right, Aunt Bella.” Mark headed inside.
She smiled. The day had gone just as she’d hoped. They’d worked as a family and she’d almost forgotten about Marlow Brooks. But now that they were no longer working, Bella’s thoughts returned to him. How was she going to find out if he was lying to her? And if he was, why?
Mark returned with a dripping wet cloth.
Bella took it with a sigh. “Thank you, Mark.” She knew he’d trailed water from the back of the house to the front. After wringing out the cloth, she wiped her face.
Mark went back inside. Bella finished taking off her boots and followed him. He sat in her rocking chair and started rocking. She walked over to him and quickly scrubbed his face of paint, then she worked on his neck and hands.
By the time Philip and Caleb returned, Bella had dinner on the table and the floor wiped up of water. Mark played with his horse and the blocks by the fireplace.
Caleb joined his little brother. It was obvious that Philip and Caleb had used river water to wash the paint from their faces and necks.
After dinner, Bella pulled out her sewing. Philip sat down across from her and began reading from the Bible. Caleb and Mark played by the fireplace. The fire crackled, creating a warm, cozy atmosphere.
If only it would stay this calm, Bella thought. She worked her needle through the fabric of Philip’s torn shirt. The questions started flooding her mind again. How could she find out why Marlow was suddenly interested in marrying a murder suspect? And how could she do it so that Marlow wouldn’t find out?
Could she trust Philip? If she told him what Marlow had told her, would he help her? Or would he take the boys and leave? If only she could trust him. But Bella couldn’t. She’d trusted before and been rejected. She wouldn’t do that again.
She couldn’t.