Constance: Bride of Florida (American Mail-Order Bride 27) (10 page)

Chapter 13

Drake watched her walk toward the boarding house. She was laughing with Tess. For a brief moment, he considered scrapping his plan. Then a seagull called from the shore and reminded him of his dream of a life on the sea.

As a woman, Constance wasn’t the most beautiful. Somewhat plain as he had imagined she might be. It wasn’t as if a woman who had it all would resort to being a mail-order bride. She had to have been desperate, but she didn’t look so now.

A bright stab to his conscience attempted to thwart his plans. He shoved the annoying thoughts away and stood as they walked up to the porch.

She blushed as Tess called out his name.

He nodded at Tess but kept his eyes on her. “I’d like to talk to you. In private.”

Tess grinned. “I have to go in and help Aunt Alice. Will you be all right, Constance?”

“Yes. I’ll be fine.”

Her voice was throaty but strong. Drake almost let himself like her. She was no timid mouse. At least, that would mean no crying and whimpering.

He pointed to a chair next to the one he’d been sitting in. “Won’t you sit down?”

She went to the appointed chair and sat. “Yes?”

Drake remained standing. “I have a confession to make. I am E. Ferris. I am the one who sent for you.”

Her cheeks turned a deep red, but her eyes held his. “I see.”

He took a few steps, pacing as if he were composing a letter for his secretary to write. “Your ship came in early. I am sorry I wasn’t there to greet you.”

She sat up straight, braced as if for bad news, but remained silent.

“I thought we should get to know one another.”

Her breaths were rapid, but she still kept quiet, only staring at him.

He cleared his throat. “I want to marry you. Like we agreed in our wires…that is if you still want to.”

Rubbing her hands, she looked down briefly, then back to him. “I came all the way from Massachusetts. I haven’t changed my mind.”

Drake stared at her. Unsure about what should come next, he paced before her a few times. “I think we should get to know one another before we set a date.”

Constance nodded. “I agree. Where would you like to start?”

“Start?”

“What do you want to know about me? My story is short as there is not much to learn.” She picked at her skirt as if she didn’t have a care in the world.

“Would you like to go to dinner?”

She gazed at him with the hint of a grin gracing her lips. “Do you like picnics, Mr. Ferris?”

“Drake, call me Drake. I haven’t been on a picnic in some time, but if it is what you want, I’ll agree to it.”

She rose from her chair, walked to the end of the porch, and leaned against the railing. “Yes. Tomorrow for lunch. I’ll bring the basket. You meet me on the shore just over the rise.” She pointed.

“What should I bring?” He was clearly out of his element. How could she be so calm?

She turned to look at him. “Yourself and your story. I’d like to know what is behind your brooding eyes and the reason you signed all your correspondence as E. Ferris instead of Drake.”

Was she toying with him? A desperate woman, who accepted fares to come here in the hopes that he’d marry her, prying into places he didn’t even go. He straightened and nodded at her. “Tomorrow, it is then. Say 11:30?”

“Noon. I’ll meet you over the dunes at noon. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I believe Mrs. McCreedy has supper ready. Good day, Mr. Ferris.” She turned from him and went into the house.

Drake stared after her. Had she dismissed him? Yet, isn’t that what he’d considered doing to her? She’d handled him like a competent businessman. Much the way he handled others at work.

He stared toward the bay. Well, she wasn’t going to be an easy one to handle. He stared back at the door where she’d left him. “We will see tomorrow how you behave when I give you my demands. Take them or leave them, Constance Penny.”

Unsettled, Drake walked home. He really didn’t know how to handle women. He hadn’t been prepared to be talked to by Constance in such a way. Tomorrow, he’d put her in her place.

An annoying thought bored into his confidence. Constance had been the only woman to accept his proposal in the
Grooms’ Gazette
. The only one. He’d summarily ruined any chance of marriage with the women he knew in Apalachicola.

Why?

He was handsome. Smart. With his father’s promised money, he’d be well off. He swatted at a mosquito and for the first time in his life, doubted himself.

He scoffed. Letting a woman get under his skin like this was preposterous. He, Drake Ferris, was always in command. Everyone said so. His brothers. Employees. Even Mother. Kimberly had presented no problem for him when he’d told her of Constance.

He stomped up the stairs and was almost to the door when Kimberly came out.

Alarm, then hurt, registered in her eyes. “Dinner is ready. I came out to get the newspaper for your father.”

“I’ll get it. I should have picked it up on the way in.” He turned to go when her hand caught his.

“Drake, is there any chance for us?”

The pleading in her voice saddened him. “I don’t think so. The woman I sent for is here now, and we are to meet tomorrow.” He wanted to tell her he wouldn’t have been a good husband anyway.

“Well, your honesty, though blunt, allows me to go on with my life. Thank you for that. I’ll call the family to dinner.”

He watched her go in and shut the door. Kimberly needed a man who came home every night. He was not that man. What of Constance? What did she need? Could he be so hard as to not care?

Going into the house, he hoped Mother was doing well. He needed some advice from her. Then again, she might not understand. He glanced at the paper, folded it, and set it by his father’s chair in the parlor. Worry about Mother set in as his father hadn’t shown up at the office today.

Kimberly must have made roast chicken as the savory aroma permeated the home. The family was seated at the table when he walked into the dining room. A seat next to Drake’s remained empty. The one where Kimberly usually sat.

Edgar shook his head. “We spend more time waiting on you, Drake. Sit down so Father can say grace and we can eat.”

Drake sat. With relief, he saw that Mother looked well.

Mother must have seen him look at the empty seat and then to the kitchen. “Kimberly went home after making the meal.”

All eyes turned to him as unsaid questions rounded the table.

Drake unfolded his napkin. “I see.”

Father bowed his head.

“Lord, thank you for the abundance You have given us. We thank you for the food and the hands that prepared it. Bless all who sit here tonight. Amen.”

Drake forked a bite of the tender meat. While delicious, he didn’t enjoy it. Seems nothing was going as he had planned. He hoped that would change tomorrow.

###

With her heart slamming against her ribs, Constance leaned against the door. She couldn’t believe she’d spoken to Drake in such a way. He held her future, and yet, she’d stood her ground. She recalled how his blue eyes had sparked when she’d changed his plans.

Drake Ferris was apparently one who counted on getting his way.

“I am a jewel and a treasure.” The words didn’t come out with quite the authority she’d hoped, yet, she was determined to act accordingly. She’d not come all this way to resort to her mouse-like ways.

“Constance, is that you?” Alice called from the dining room.

“Yes, ma’am.” Collecting herself, she gave a moment for her heart to beat normally and joined her.

Tess grinned at her. “So, what did Mr. Drake Ferris have to say?”

Heat shot up her neck. “Oh, some things.”

Alice set down her fork. “Tess, honey. Constance doesn’t have to tell us anything.” The older woman turned and looked at her with a pleading gaze.

“I guess you both should know. Drake ordered a wife from a paper named
Grooms’ Gazette
. I answered his ad, and he sent me the fare to come here. We are meeting tomorrow. A picnic. I know how you told me you enjoyed them so, Mrs. McCreedy.”

Silence answered her.

Recovering, Alice smiled. “It’s Alice, and yes, just follow the path and you’ll come to a beautiful beach of white sand. I’ll make you a basket lunch. What time are you to meet him?”

“At noon. Thank you, Alice. And thank you, Tess, for showing me the town and telling me about its history.”

After a few spoonful’s of delicious soup, minutes of silence, and the two women’s questioning eyes, Constance set her spoon down. “I was lonely. I worked in a factory. It burned down, and Roberta, she kind of took over, found us the papers where we could choose a husband. No man had ever paid me any attention. That is good attention. So, here I am.”

Alice patted her hand. “Drake is a fine young man. A bit moody but a good man. He used to help me around the house. I’d tell him stories my husband told me about the sea. We even had picnics on the beach.”

“Well, I don’t know what will come of our meeting tomorrow. He doesn’t seem pleased with me.”

Tess grinned at her. “We would be sisters-in-law. Besides, I saw the way he looked at you. Drake Ferris may not know it, but he is smitten with you. He couldn’t take his eyes off you. Edgar says he’s always serious. But I think the right girl just might change that in him.”

Constance took a sip of her milk. “Well, he seemed happy with Kimberly.”

“Remember, Jenny said that was over.”

Alice clucked her tongue. “You shouldn’t listen to Jenny and her gossip, even if she is right most of the time.”

Constance patted her lips with her napkin. “I hope so. I mean, I did come all the way here to marry the man. I was rather strict with him. So unlike me.”

Alice tapped her hand. “The old you. I see a lioness where that mouse used to live. You make Drake understand that you’re not to be trifled with. He may have put an ad in the paper for a bride, but that does not mean you’re his property.”

Taking a deep breath, Constance let it out slowly. “Thank you both for not judging me. I have to admit; I am enjoying being a lion much more than a mouse. And I do have to say, Drake captured my attention from the very beginning. I see him as a powerful man. The kind that has always scared me.”

Tess picked up the plates. “Edgar says the same thing. Drake commands respect. I can’t wait to see what he does with a lioness.” She laughed and took the dishes to the kitchen.

Alice caught her hand. “Constance, be careful. Men, especially powerful men, need respect. I know they have to earn it, but beneath that bluster is a man who needs a woman that loves him. Drake needs to be loved completely. All these years, he has remained alone even with his family. Be that lioness, but listen to your heart.”

“Thank you, Alice. I’m learning that too. I ignored the Lord most of my life, but on the ship, I reconnected with God. I will listen.”

Tess walked back into the room. “I’m going to meet Edgar. Don’t wait up for me, Aunt Alice. I might be late.”

Alice shook her head. “Young lady, you know you’re to be in by ten.”

Laughing, Tess ran to the door. “Don’t worry. Edgar is deathly afraid of you and will see that I am home before my curfew.”

Constance excused herself and went to her room. A flood of emotions swamped her as she closed the door and considered Drake and the cold way that he’d announced he was E. Ferris. Did he have no emotions? Or was it her? Perhaps he was only going through the motions because he was an honorable man.

Alice’s words, “listen to your heart” thundered in her mind. Constance tried but could only hear the loud beating. She stared out the window at the big moon. Her journey was at an end. She’d found her E. Ferris. What tomorrow would bring was a mystery. The man she’d come to meet, a puzzle as well. Seems her future was no more secure now than it had been when she’d started her travels.

She readied for bed but didn’t expect sleep to find her. The lacy curtains filtered the moonlight. “Oh, Lord. Help me hear my heart. Help me know what to do tomorrow.”

Chapter 14

Constance stumbled through most of the morning. She made sandwiches, took some of Alice’s potato salad and Coleslaw, and added some of the sugar cookies she’d made that morning.

Finally, it was time to get ready. She put on the beautiful white lace dress she’d bought yesterday with Tess’s help. The sleeves were long and the day promised to be warm so she left her shawl in the room. Lastly, she put on the hat with the red ribbon trailing down her back. She was ready to meet Drake Ferris.

Alice brought out her picnic basket and packed the items for her. “I will be praying that your time together goes well.”

“Thank you, I’ll listen to my heart. So far it is just beating like a runaway clock.” She took the basket and walked out the door.

Glorious sunshine welcomed her, and she marveled how it could have been so cool the other day and so warm today. Perfect for a picnic. She went to the side of the big house and walked to the sandy beach. Grasses, still green, rose out of the sand. In the distance, the bay was light blue, the waves lapping at the shore as if kissing the land.

She found a nice spot near the water where a tree gave some shade. She spread the blanket on the sand, sat, and gazed at the mesmerizing waves as they made their way to shore and then swam back out to the sea that had birthed them.

Staring at the vast openness of the waters reminded her of Drake. Of what Alice had said about him not belonging. The sea was like that. Always in motion, looking for a place to land, but then always moving on. Forever in motion. She shuddered. The sea had no home. No place. Only boundaries of land that it roamed between. Was that how Drake felt?

A rustle of grass behind her caused her to turn. He had come dressed in navy trousers and a light blue shirt with sleeves rolled up. She got the feeling he’d been watching her.

She started to rise, but he put his hand up. “No, stay.” He came to the blanket and sat at the far end. His eyes searched hers. She wondered if they’d found anything they liked, for his face didn’t show one way or the other.

He smiled without breaking his noncommittal expression. “This is my favorite place to come.”

She smiled back at him, hoping she conveyed her pleasure at his arrival. “It is beautiful.”

His gaze broke over her and then to the sea. “I always believed I was born too late. I would have liked to have been one of the explorers.”

“Sounds like an exciting life but lonely for the wife and loved ones.”

His eyes narrowed. “Maybe. I see you have the picnic basket. I brought two bottles of soda from the store. Hope you like it.”

For several minutes, time was taken up by getting lunch ready. She wondered if he were a praying man. As she held her sandwich, she was about to take a bite when his deep voice interrupted the silence.

Head bowed, he prayed.

She said her amen and then took a bite and slowly ate. At least while eating, they couldn’t get into what needed to be said. He seemed to be taking his time too.

After a while, he put down his plate. “I want to marry you, but there are, well, conditions.”

“Oh, you have a condition? Is it contagious?” Constance tried to suck the words back in, but they’d erupted out of her before she could think. What was happening to her? Seeing the shocked look on his face, she shrugged. “I’m sorry. I’m nervous about what you’re going to tell me. I never act this way. Forgive me.”

He stood and paced before her on the sandy beach. “I love the sea. I will agree to marry you and provide for your needs on one condition.” He turned and faced her.

Constance braced herself. Drake held himself in power over her as if he were speaking to an employee.

“You must agree to let me go to sea. I am buying
The Sea Wind
, a sailing vessel, and want to sail her around the world.”

Now, she recoiled in shock. If he hadn’t been busy pacing the sandy shore, she’d have gotten up and walked it herself. Instead, she sat. Still. And somehow, remembered Alice’s advice to listen.

So she listened.

All she thought she heard was, “say yes, let him go.” She swallowed, straightened her back, and tilted her head so as to look up at him. Yes, she was below him, not as his equal, but she would meet his challenge. “I agree.”

He stopped pacing and stared hard at her as if he wasn’t sure what she’d said.

“I agree to your terms. I sailed on
Journeys end
to come to you. I will marry you and let you go.”

His jaw muscles flexed to the same rhythm as that of her wildly beating heart. He nodded. Then knelt before her, and took her hand. “Constance Penny, will you consent to be my wife?”

Warmth shot from him and into her fingers as if bolts of lightning had gone through her. She wondered if he felt it, although he indicated no change in his expression or eyes. “Yes, I do.”

He didn’t move for some time. Then he released her hand, stood, and brushed the sand from his trousers. “We will get to know one another and set a date. Do you have a preference?”

She tilted her head. She should be nervous, excited, fearful. She was none of them. Peace had settled in her heart. The touch of his hand over hers had said it all. She’d heard the one word she’d searched for,
home.

“I am agreeable to whatever date you desire.”

He rubbed his hand along the nape of his neck. “Next week?”

She licked her lips and nodded.

“Good.” He held his hand for her to rise. “I want to take you home to tell my parents and family. Say an hour before dinner?”

“I’ll be ready. Is this dress good enough? I bought it yesterday.”

He smiled a true smile. “It’s fine. You look very pretty. Brings out the green in your eyes.”

She returned his smile. “Thank you.”

“I’ll come by and walk you to my home. You’ll like my parents. My brothers, you’ve already met.”

The gravity of what she’d agreed to rested on her shoulders. What would his parents think? Suddenly, her courage gave way. She didn’t know this man. What was she doing?

“Tomorrow, I’ll take you to pick out a house, a small one for now but one that you agree to.” He spoke as if they’d made a business deal and he was finalizing the details.

She picked up the blanket and folded it.

He held the basket and waited, looking uneasy.

“Drake, I won’t hold you to the marriage if you want out.” She stepped beside him.

He gazed at her. “I want the marriage. My word is good.”

“This isn’t a business deal. I am not a shipment of goods you ordered. I will be all right if you have changed your mind. I mean, I know I’m not pretty—”

“No.” He took the blanket from her, set it and the picnic basket down, and took her hand. “I’m sorry if I gave you that impression. You’re a beautiful woman. There’s nothing wrong with you.”

She searched his face. For a fleeting moment, she saw fear. His power masked his weakness. He didn’t know how to relate to her. Possibly to others. And at that moment, she saw him. Alone and vulnerable despite the steel shield he kept between them.

Her heart went out to him. “Thank you. I look forward to meeting your family.”

“You’ll like them.” He picked up the basket and blanket and lightly took her elbow, guiding her over a small dune.

Soon they were back at the boarding house. He remained the perfect gentleman, seeing that she was safely back on the porch and even saw her to the door. “I need to get back to the store. I’ll be by here at six.”

“I’ll be ready.” Constance went inside, closed the door, and leaned against it. She would marry him.

###

Drake stared at the closed door. Well, he’d done it now. Bracing himself, he turned and walked to the store. First thing he needed to do was talk to Father. He’d said he’d be at the store today.

Another reason, Drake had left work early. Ferris and Sons might be the biggest store in Apalachicola, but it wasn’t big enough for two managers. He darted a glance at the water in search of the tall sails but didn’t see them.

Once he got his money, he’d buy
The Sea Wind
. Buy his dream. Then he wouldn’t have to worry about the store. Wouldn’t have to worry about what to do with a wife he really didn’t want.

His thoughts turned to Constance. On the beach, the picnic, she had caught his eye. She was pretty. He really didn’t know anything about her. Wasn’t sure he cared to. He’d be good to her, though. See she was provided for and lacked for nothing. When he was with her, he’d be kind and make sure she felt loved.

He stopped at the corner and stared at the old building. He really hadn’t minded working in his father’s place. In fact, he’d done a good job. Cleaned up the desk and ordered products customers had been asking for, and they’d appreciated him.

Now that his father was coming back, things would change. His brothers took care of customers and saw that the shelves remained stocked. Drake had always felt like the odd man out, never having a place of his own.

He walked to the store and into his father’s office. He’d thought about knocking but felt he’d earned a place by his hard work.

Father sat in his chair, leaned back, and watched him.

Drake bristled as the old rivalry, between himself and his father returned. “Mother is doing well?”

“Yes. Kimberly will stay and help her and watch how she is doing. Don’t want her to do too much. You know your mother.”

Drake sat in the chair opposite his father. “Yes, Mother has always kept the family running. I have something to tell you.”

Father’s brows went up. “Yes?”

“I’m getting married. I’m bringing my future wife to dinner tonight to meet the family.”

With a smile, Father rose to shake his hand. “I thought you and Kimberly might patch things up. Kind of sudden, though, isn’t it?”

Drake shook his hand. “It’s not Kimberly. Her name is Constance Penny.”

Sitting rather abruptly, Father stared at him. “Where did you meet her? I’ve not heard her name around town.”

“She’s from Massachusetts.” Drake braced himself. He only knew just a little more about her than his father did. Too many questions and he’d be out of answers.

“Her family, are they well off? Don’t get me wrong, but women go after men who have acquired wealth.”

“No. But I’m marrying her and hope that you’ll welcome her to the family.”

“Where did you meet her? I’m just concerned for you, son.”

“I’m marrying her. We’ll be at the house for dinner. I’ll let Edgar and Edwin know.” Drake rose to go.

“Ethan. I asked you a question. Where did you meet her? Why so sudden?”

Drake stared at him. How could he tell him it was to get out of this store and away from this town. From him. “I’m marrying Constance. As soon as she wants to. That’s final, Father.”

His father rose to his feet, fire in his eyes. “We’ve never seen things the same. You have fought me at every turn. Why?”

Staring at him, Drake wondered the same thing. “I don’t know why. You’ve opposed everything I’ve ever been interested in. Tried to keep me from the sea. Tried to force me to work in the store—”

“Everyone said you did a wonderful job in my absence.” He sat, looking old. “I don’t know, Ethan. You even hate the name I gave you. I dreamed of the store, worked hard to make it great, and hoped that someday it would be run by my sons. Now, Edgar is going to Jacksonville after he and Tess are married. You, I have never known what your plans regarding the store would be.”

“Why do you refuse to call me by the name I have chosen?”

“Because it is not your name. Your name is Ethan. Your silly notions of sailing the world. It’s already been discovered. You live here. With our family. A good family you have never wanted to be a part of. Why is that? I know I’m a good father.”

Drake ran a hand through his hair giving himself time to calm the anger inside him. “My dreams were never important to you.” He slammed a fist against the desk. “It is my life. You said you’d give me my inheritance once I was married.”

Looking beaten and tired, Father nodded. “All right, Ethan. If that’s the way you want it. For your wedding present, I’ll give you the inheritance you’re entitled to. I do hope you’ll be kind to your mother. I don’t want her upset.”

“Of course, I will. I’m sorry to be such a disappointment.”

Father looked at him. “Ethan, Drake, you are not and never have been a disappointment to me. I’m sorry you see it that way. You’re a born businessman. I guess I have never understood why you would want to run from what you’re good at.”

Drake paced the floor. “I just feel closed in. I want to see things, go different places. I don’t belong here.”

Father rose and placed a hand on his shoulder. “That part of you, I have always seen, and I hurt for you. Mother and I have tried to help you. Even Edgar and Edwin have tried. You push everyone away. Perhaps this Constance will be good for you. Mother and I will look forward to meeting her.”

Drake shrugged away from his touch. “Thank you for that. I do want her to feel welcome.” He prayed they’d take care of her when he was gone. He for sure wasn’t going to tell Father about his plan to buy
The Sea Wind
and sail away.