Hunter's Prize (43 page)

He waved, but she didn’t respond, intent on serving another bowl of soup to Theo. He must’ve been mistaken. She hadn’t seen him yet.

Dread was layered like ice around Pearson’s heart. He had to hurt Pearl, break her heart, and he’d rather sever an arm. “Listen, Rosie … there’s something I need to tell you.”

“You can tell me anything, darlin’,” she bellowed in her usual boisterous tone.

He shushed her. “I’d rather say this to you first. I may need your help breaking it to Pearl.”

Interest flashed in her eyes. “That serious, is it?”

“Just the happiest news of my life.” He glanced toward Pearl. “But not everyone in this room will think so.”

“Oh,” she whispered. “You mean Addie.”

“Theo told you?”

She nodded. “He told us both.”

Pearson cringed. “Pearl knows?” It explained why she hadn’t returned his wave.

Pearl swept past, and he ducked behind Rosie. “I despise the thought of hurting her. Was she very upset?”

Rosie snickered behind her chubby hand. “She’s trying to be strong, honey.”

Returning to Theo’s table with a saucer of bread, Pearl giggled with delight at something he said.

Pearson took another peek. “Well, she’s putting on a brave face, that’s for sure.”

Rosie patted his arm. “I hate to disappoint you, sweetheart, but Pearl’s fickle heart has moved on.”

“What?” Pearson gaped at her. “In just a matter of weeks, she’s already tossed me aside for someone else?” He grinned. “My ego is getting a lashing lately.”

Rosie chuckled and slapped his arm. “I thought you knew. Pearl falls for a different fella every week.” Leaning in, she fought a smile. “It gets worse.”

He shook his head. “How could it?”

“Her new interest happens to be a friend of yours.”

Pearson touched his chest. “Of mine? Rosie, I don’t have that many friends around here, except for—” He spun to stare at Theo, sopping up Pearl’s attention along with the soup. “Theo?” His voice grew shrill at the end. “It can’t be.”

Rosie nodded, her eyes twinkling. “Not a week after you left, she realized it wasn’t your absence she grieved. Pearl couldn’t get Theo out of her mind. She missed his constant smile and teasing ways.” She made a face. “His full lips and dreamy eyes … Her observations, not mine.”

“Not a word about me?”

“Um, yes, there was the one thing. It seems Theo has much nicer hair.”

Pearson’s head reeled. “Well, I’ll be. I suffered terrible pangs of guilt for nothing?”

Rosie patted his back. “Sorry, honey. I suppose you did.”

Sobering, she lowered her voice and tilted her chin at the flirting couple. “I sure hope Theo feels the same. Just between you and me, this time, I think it’s serious.”

Hours later, Pearson stood on Broadway Street outside the big house where he’d been born. His heart pounded and his mouth felt dry, but memories of the good times he’d shared with his family swirled in his head, dulling the pain he’d dreaded.

Staring down the sidewalk, he saw his brother, shouting with laughter over learning to pedal a bicycle. His dapper father strolling home with his walking stick. His smiling mother pushing his sister in a pram.

He saw a Christmas tree in the window, a wreath on the front door. Busy Saturday mornings raking leaves and painting fences. Lazy Sunday afternoons sipping lemonade together on the portico.

These things he could look forward to again, only this time shared with Addie and his own rowdy brood, beginning with Ceddy. The promise of such a future filled him with hope and a great sense of expectation.

Pearson had an odd sense of his family drawing near, surrounding him with loving arms to celebrate new beginnings. Such thoughts might be fanciful, but God’s presence, urging him toward a life filled with blessings, was achingly real. The time for crushing grief and the burden of guilt had passed. At last he could move on.

Drawing a deep, refreshing breath, he began by taking the wide front steps two at a time and striding confidently across the broad front porch.

At the door, he smiled and patted his front pocket. If the extensive list inside was what it took to make Addie happy, he’d make sure to furnish her new home with every item. He only hoped it wouldn’t take long. His heart yearned for Marshall and his wedding day. The day he would finally make Addie his bride.

T
he minute Tiller McRae’s boot heels touched the station platform in Marshall, Texas, he wanted to snatch up his eldest daughter and book passage home to Canton.

As if she’d read his mind, Mariah gripped his arm and held on tight. Was she anxious to see Addie, or were her thoughts running similar to his?

“Do you see her?” Mariah shouted over the huffs of the steam engine and the other shouting voices.

Tiller shook his head. “Hard to see anything in this churning mob.” He glanced at the smallest of their wide-eyed traveling companions. “Hold tightly to the girls, Mariah.”

Gathering them under her shawl, she shaded her eyes and peered in the distance. “She said she’d be here.”

“Then she will,” Tiller said.

Thomas and Hope Moony appeared in the passenger door behind them. Holding tightly to the rail, Dr. Moony stepped to the ground then turned to help his granddaughter.

Tiller offered his hand as well then scowled at Dr. Moony. “This is your fault, you know.”

The doctor shot him a good-natured smile. “I should by now. You’ve reminded me often enough.”

“Credit where credit is due, sir. If not for you passing Miss Whitfield’sletter to my Addie, I’d be home in the garden, not waiting to meet the stranger who’s marrying my daughter tomorrow.”

Hope gave a merry laugh. “I’m the one who should be angry, Mr. McRae. With my wedding planned for months, I’m appalled that Addie will beat me down the aisle.”

Tiller snorted. “She wouldn’t be if I had my say-so.”

Carrie tugged on his coattail. “Father, where’s Addie?”

He leaned close to her ear. “She’ll be along, ladybug. You just stay close to Mother. And hold your sisters’ hands.”

Drawing his friends and family away from the noisy train, Tiller allowed his gaze to sweep the crowd. His heart stilled when he saw her, disbelieving what his traitor eyes were telling him. “I sent my baby to Marshall and got back a woman.”

Mariah clutched his sleeve. “Where?”

Struggling against the lump rising in his throat, he pointed. “There.”

Addie hurried across the platform, reminding him very much of her mother at that age. Mariah once had the same youthful spirit, the same happy smile—he cringed—the same glow of a woman in love.

The man trailing behind her didn’t seem quite as happy.

Tiller grunted. “He’s much too old for her, Mariah.”

She nudged him.

“What happened to his hair?”

“Tiller McRae! Lower your voice.”

Squealing, Addie rushed to him, his little girl again for just a moment. “Father, it’s so good to see you.”

“You, too, honey.”

Too quickly, her arms slipped from around his neck and she moved on. “Mother, I missed you so.”

Mariah held her for as long as Addie stayed still but stepped back and smiled while she leaped in circles with her sisters and then Hope.

“How could you, Addie?” Hope said, beaming. “It’s ill mannered to steal my thunder.”

“I’m ever so sorry! I never planned it, I assure you.”

Dr. Moony touched her arm. “Let me have a look at you, child.”

She turned into his embrace. “Hello, Dr. Moony. I’m so glad you could come.”

“My, but you’re lovely, Addie. You’ll be a beautiful bride. I’m so grateful Priscilla invited me to share your happy day.”

A cloud passed over her face. “She didn’t exactly invite you, sir. You’re meant to be a surprise.”

His bushy brows shot to the sky. “Come again?”

Easing free of him and the topic, Addie returned to the tall stranger standing awkwardly off to the side. Hooking her arm through his, she walked him over and presented him proudly. “Dear ones, this is my Pearson.”

Looking a little surer of himself after Addie’s enthusiastic endorsement, he offered Tiller his hand. “Mr. McRae, it’s nice to meet you.”

It took all of Tiller’s grit to be cordial. “Likewise, young man. I’ve been eager to get a look at the man who’s about to run off with my daughter.”

Mariah cleared her throat. “Pay no attention to him, Pearson. He still sees her in pigtails.”

The line of his shoulders relaxed, and his tight smile became a hearty grin. “Mrs. McRae, how nice to see you again.”

“Likewise, dear.” She caught his hand. “If I told you I knew from the start that you were the one for my Addie, I don’t suppose you’d believe me.”

He gave her a little wink. “I certainly would. I suspected the same myself.”

Tiller suppressed a groan. “If you two are done with the reunion, I’d like to get the girls away from this throng.”

“Of course,” Pearson said. “Come right this way. Miss Whitfield sent her carriage.”

Herding the little ones, Tiller and Mariah fell into line behind Hope and the doctor. Tiller leaned to whisper in Mariah’s ear. “I’m not sure I like him. Too swaggering for my taste.”

Her mouth twitched. “I seem to remember a cocky young rogue who didn’t pass muster with my family at first.”

Tiller sniffed. She’d struck below the belt, as usual. “All right. I’ll give him a chance.”

Dr. Moony touched Addie’s elbow. “Do you mean to say Priscilla doesn’t even know that I’m coming?”

She gave him a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. I promise you’ll be fine. She’ll be positively thrilled at the news.”

Addie tucked her lips and took a calming breath through her nose. It would be fine, wouldn’t it? Truthfully, she’d had misgivings all morning about meddling. A great many years had passed since the two were close friends. Dr. Moony had enjoyed a successful marriage. Seen the birth of his children and grandchildren. Lost a wife. Suppose the things they shared in common so many years ago they’d long since outgrown? Glancing at the fretful man in the backseat of the carriage, she reminded herself it was too late for second thoughts.

At the mansion, she and Pearson led their guests through the great hall and into the parlor. While they took their seats, Addie stood at the threshold, watching for their hostess.

Delilah pushed out of the kitchen with a tray of coffee and her special scones, and Addie hurried to meet her. “Where’s Miss Priscilla?”

“She still upstairs. Told me to fetch these refreshments.”

“And Ceddy?”

“He’s napping.”

Dashing by Pearson at the parlor door, she pointed inside. “Entertain them,” she whispered, “while I go for Priscilla.”

“What?” he said hoarsely. “Addie, no.”

Ignoring his frantic expression, she waved him inside. “You’ll do fine. I’ll be right back.”

Feeling she’d left him alone to face the gallows, she hurried upstairs to a reckoning of her own. She knocked at Priscilla’s door and waited for her soft-spoken invitation to enter.

Priscilla turned from straightening her sash in the mirror. “Your parents are here. I saw them from the window.” She smiled. “You must be so happy to see them.”

“Oh yes, I am. Aren’t you coming down to meet them?”

“Of course, dear. I’m on my way now.” She took Addie’s arm. “From the window, your sisters looked like precious little ladies stepping down from my carriage. And that red-haired father of yours cuts a handsome figure.” A tiny crease gathered between her brows. “But I’m curious … who was the older gentleman and the pretty young girl?”

A chill coursed the length of Addie’s back. “Priscilla, um, that was Dr. Moony and Hope.”

Her steps faltered and she froze, one hand on the doorknob. “No, it’s not, Addie. Don’t tease.”

Addie swallowed. “I’m afraid it’s true.”

She shook her head. “Impossible.”

“I hope you don’t mind. I invited them as a surprise.”

The truth dawned on her in waves, slowly eroding the doubt in her eyes. “That stoop-shouldered old geezer downstairs is Thomas Moony?” She touched her forehead. “The man with thinning hair?”

Addie nodded.

Spinning, she hurried across the room to her mirror and gaped at the pale image staring back. Trembling fingers lifted a lock of her white hair. “My heavens, it’s true. We really are that old.”