Baby Kisses (14 page)

Tooty turned a few more pages.

Thursday, June 19, 1868

I have planned a devious scheme and my sisters are helping me. They have always known my feelings for Eli. After I told them about my discovery and my plan, they said they think it might work. Of course, we're all afraid that it could backfire. But if I don't do this, I may regret my cowardice for the rest of my life. Tomorrow, I will follow through with my plan.

Friday, June 20, 1868

My plan worked and the beautiful outcome will happen on the morrow. Of course, I must share in my diary what happened. When it was dark, I walked to Eli's cabin and knocked on his door. He was very surprised to see me and I stepped into his cabin without invitation. He asked what I needed and said it wasn't good for a young woman to be in the company of a man at night without an escort. He said if my father came by, he would get the wrong impression. While he talked, I summoned my courage and reached to pull the pin from my hair and let it hang over one shoulder. Then I unfastened my long cape and let it fall to the ground. I was wearing only my chemise and slip, exactly like the carving. I slipped the chemise off one shoulder. Eli's eyes got really big and he sounded like he wanted to cry. He begged me to leave but I bent over him, placing my arms around him and whispering how much I loved him. He started trembling and told me I deserved better. He said he was only half a man and I should run from him. Then I kissed him and he tried not to, but he kissed me back. After that he kept telling me how much he loved me and I pushed his chair to the bed. When I lay on it, he joined me and we kissed so passionately I forgot about the plan until the door opened and Pa stood there with my sisters. He didn't say anything except that he'd have the preacher there tomorrow and I should get back to the house to start preparing for my wedding. Then he turned and left and my sisters giggled. I was scared to look at Eli, but when I did, he didn't look angry. He just said he couldn't deny his heart any longer and asked me to marry him. I squealed yes and started kissing him all over again. If he hadn't insisted I leave, I know I would have stayed with him and Pa would have come looking for me. Tomorrow I will marry the man I love. My heart is full to bursting.

Leaning back and closing her eyes, Tooty repeated a portion of Beatrice's letter that she had memorized over the years.

There is a treasure within that I discovered, but too late to make reconciliation with the love of my life. Sadly, he died before I could make things right. If only I had found this treasure even two years sooner, it would have made a difference in my decisions. But it is what it is.

Tooty put the diary away, switched her lamp off, and closed her eyes. Before she fell asleep, she whispered, "Thank you, Annabelle and Beatrice, for showing me the way."

Miles parked his van and Tooty waited on the front porch for him. He noticed she'd never removed the ramp. She said, "Why don't we sit out here? Can I bring you some iced tea or lemonade? I also have coffee brewed."

"Iced tea would be nice."

"I'll be right back."

Miles watched her enter the house and then turned his wheelchair around to gaze at her property. She had done much to improve it. Besides the picnic and play area he had seen the day before, she had a larger garden than the one she'd planted when he lived there. She also had a newer looking shed and the driveway was graveled. Beautiful red and yellow tulips grew in the flowerbeds. She had been right in believing this home was perfect for her. Miles felt a sudden wave of homesickness for this humble home. Unable to prevent himself, he looked at the place he and Tooty had conceived Eli. The grassy area had been expanded and children's toys lay scattered across it. In his mind's eye, he watched the past play out, and again felt the ecstasy she had given him.

The screen door opened and Tooty exited carrying a tray. She set it on a small table and handed him his tea. She'd brought a plate of cookies and asked if he wanted one. He declined. After selecting a cookie for herself and picking up her own tea, she sat calmly on the porch swing. He was surprised by her composure.

Clearing his throat, he said, "We need to come to some sort of agreement about Eli. I want to spend time with him."

Tooty nodded. "And so you shall, but it will be on my terms."

He wrinkled his forehead. "What do you mean?"

"What I mean is that we'll do it my way, or I'll fight you tooth and nail in the courts, if need be."

"What the hell are you talking about? I'm trying to be civil, Tooty. You're making this more difficult than it has to be. I don't like ultimatums. Besides, you don't have the money for court battles."

Just so you know how serious I am about this, I'll exhaust every penny of the trust funds you set up for Harris and me if you don't agree to my condition. I may not win in the end, but I'll tie you up in court for a long time."

Miles ground his teeth, "What's your condition?"

"It's very simple, really. We get married."

"What!" Miles heart slammed against his ribs. "I don't understand."

"What's not to understand? We. Get. Married."

"Tooty, you don't want to marry me. You're young and there's a fine man your age waiting for you out there."

 She looked at him over the rim of her glass. "That's my condition. Take it or leave it."

Miles was beginning to see red and his pulse raged out of control. Before he could respond, she continued, "Of course, you're welcome to live here with us for as long as you want. If you choose not to spend time here, then I'll come to New York a few months out of every year so you can be with the boys. You can carry on with your lifestyle—absent Monica, of course—and I can carry on with mine—absent any eligible men. We'll not cheat on each other. As far as sleeping arrangements, unless you initiate differently, we'll maintain separate bedrooms, but if you desire me to sleep with you," she looked directly into his eyes, "I will. If not…" she shrugged as if it didn't matter.

Miles mouth gaped and he couldn't form a coherent thought.

Her gaze never waivered and he knew she meant business. She would fight him mercilessly in court and he would miss precious time with his son. Again, he glanced at the place where Eli had been conceived. Turning his flinty gaze back on her, he said, "I accept your proposal. When do we tie the knot?"

* * *

Tooty watched Miles drive away and lifted a shaking hand to her mouth. Her whole body trembled. He had accepted her marriage proposal. It had taken all of her willpower not to jump in the air with a raised fist and shout, "Yes!" when he'd agreed.

Tonight he was making reservations for a flight to Las Vegas. In a couple of days she would be Mrs. Miles Brightman. After that, she would plan her strategy for winning what she believed was already hers, his love. It was time for Miles to find his happily-ever-after.

Tooty set the place settings at the supper table and thunked a plate down. She'd gotten what she'd demanded, she was now Mrs. Miles Brightman and she was pissed. Miles had flown them to Las Vegas, tied the knot, and immediately flown them back to Colorado all in the same day. That was two weeks ago. He'd moved into his old room and only ventured out to play with the boys. She and Miles weren't exactly falling into each others arms like she'd hoped.

The boys, rambunctious as ever, had strewn toys across the living room and were now playing train, with all the accompanying noises. If Miles thought he was going to avoid being a real father and just participate in the easy times, well, it wasn't going to happen.

"Eli, stop pulling your brother's hair. You boys start picking up your toys; supper's almost ready." She stormed down the hall and pounded on Miles' door.

He had his cell phone to his ear when he opened it and held up one hand when she started to speak. "Okay, cancel that meeting. I'll call my publisher and let them know I approve of the changes. I'll talk to you again in the morning." He clicked off. "Yes, Tooty."

God, he looked delicious and his eyes shone bluer than usual. Her knees went weak before she remembered her resolve. "If your highness can deign to return to the land of mortals, I could use some help. Your sons are going wild in the living room and I'm trying to prepare supper." She turned and stormed away feeling like the wicked witch of the west.

A few minutes later she heard him in the living room. "Hey boys, can I play your game, too?"

Shouts of, "Yes! Yes!" echoed throughout the house. When she returned to the dining table carrying a crock pot of stew, she saw the boys crowded around Miles while he explained about trains. He patted their heads and looked up. "Tooty, since I'm now living in Colorado for the unforeseeable future, I have to organize my affairs in New York, which means I'm on my phone a lot. It takes time. I'm happy to help, just be patient."

Great. Now he'd made her feel guilty. She called them all to the table and almost cried when Miles lifted Eli into his highchair and ruffled Harris' hair.

Harris innocently asked Miles, "Why didn't you marry my mommy when I asked you to at Julie and Jacob's wedding? I could have had a daddy for a long time then."

Tooty paused in dishing stew into her sons' bowls. She couldn't bring herself to look at Miles.

He said, "I don't know if you can understand this, Harris, but sometimes, timing is everything."

Harris shrugged, "You're right. I don't understand. I'm just happy to have a daddy now, and so is Eli. Ain't that right, Eli?"

Eli nodded his head in a big motion and pointed at his plate. "I don't wike gween beans."

For the next month Tooty watched the developing relationship between Miles, Harris, and Eli. It was evident by his every action that he loved the boys dearly. Why he couldn't turn some of that love on her, she didn't know. Many nights, she lay in bed willing herself to have the courage to barge into his room and make passionate love to him. But forcing herself on him held no appeal. She'd done that once before. She just knew he loved her—right? She'd been so certain of it when she'd issued her ultimatum that they marry. However, as each day passed and he shied from her presence, she began to wonder if it had only been wishful thinking. He was a New Yorker, a powerful man in his field of work, a sophisticated person who hob-knobbed with other sophisticated people. She was a country girl, born and bred, and got tongue-tied around the kind of people he hung out with. Maybe she'd done him a great disservice and needed to free him. The thought of not being married to him, however, even in this miserable state, broke her heart.

A week after their one month anniversary, Miles announced that he had to return to New York. "My editor is having a heart attack over some changes I've made to my manuscript. I need to take care of this in person. I also want to visit my parents. My marriage came as quite a shock to them."

"Why, because I'm not Monica?" Tooty regretted the hasty words as soon as she'd said them.

"Tooty, that's not what I meant and you know it. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were jealous. Besides, my parents may be difficult, but they're still my parents."

She shrugged and turned away before he could see the pain in her eyes.

Two weeks later he was still in New York, although he called everyday to speak with her and the boys. She sat on the porch and watched her children playing with their toys in their sand box. Her cell phone rang and she looked at the ID. Her heart started its usual pounding. "Hello, Miles."