Moonlight on the Millpond (35 page)

“Maybe you'll want to decorate a bit,” Jace mentioned.

“You won't mind?”

“No. Your room in Boston certainly was nice. Do what you like.”

Maddie nodded.

“Will you go see Doyle and Cathy tonight?”

“I think I'll wait for morning.”

“I'll take you in.”

Maddie nodded, more than a little amazed to be in Tucker Mills but not in town. And the man next to her was her husband! How many nights had she dreamed of that very thing, only to find herself confused and almost lonely now that it was reality.

Jace saw the look on her face and misread it.

“I'm sorry about the house. I know you're used to better.”

“No, Jace.” Maddie was swift to stop him. “It's a fine house, but I didn't expect to be here in this way. I'm still not used to—” Maddie hesitated, looking for words. “I'm not used to us, I guess.”

“That might take some time.”

They looked at each other, and Maddie thought Jace might reach for her, but noise in the downstairs reminded them they were not alone. And on top of that, Maddie wasn't sure if she wanted intimacy yet. She was frightened of the physical side of marriage but didn't know how to tell Jace.

“Jace?” Clara called from the bottom of the stairs, and he went that way. “Where do you want things?”

“In the spare room for now. I don't want Maddie tripping over her trunks in the room she's sleeping in.”

Maddie heard this from the other bedroom and had one question answered. Hers was not the spare room.

“How many times are you going to adjust your pillow?” Doyle asked of Cathy, feeling her move for the fifth time.

“I can't sleep. I thought we would have heard from Jace or Maddie by now.”

Doyle didn't comment. He hadn't taken time to figure out how long it would take for Jace to arrive back but now wished that he had.

“I can't believe you're not thinking about them,” Cathy said next.

“I am thinking about them; I'm just not worried.”

Cathy didn't believe that for a second, but she didn't comment. Neither one did. Sleep finally came, but it took much longer than usual.

Not until Maddie took a candle and carried it upstairs to retire did she think about how accustomed she was to oil and Argand lamps. Even Doyle and Cathy used oil lamps. Maddie was used to candles as well, but one had to be slightly more careful with hair and clothing.

Maddie took herself into Jace's room where she had laid out some of her things earlier. She was extremely tired, emotionally and physically, and wanted nothing more than to sleep. She had just climbed beneath the covers and settled on the pillow when Jace walked in.

“What are you doing?”

“I'm coming to bed,” Jace told her.

“In here?”

“Yes.” His voice was patient. He did not want to fight with her tonight. “What's the matter?”

“I don't know if I want you in here.”

“Maddie, we shared a bed in Boston,” he pointed out.

“I didn't want Sherry and Beth to talk.”

“We're not going to start out in separate beds, Maddie. Not here.”

“I just thought you would sleep in your own room tonight.”

“This is my room.”

“I thought this was your uncle's room.”

“No,” he said, his voice showing how weary he was.

“Fine.” Her voice wasn't angry, but she still wanted the last word. “You just keep to your own side.”

Jace didn't comment. He readied for bed, Maddie's back to him, and climbed beneath the covers. It was odd having someone in the bed with him, but he didn't mind. He knew he just had to be patient and Maddie would move toward him. It had happened every other night; he was sure it would happen tonight.

A full ten minutes passed before she fell asleep. Jace was relieved that his willingness to wait paid off when he felt her shift. As on the other nights, she rolled toward him, seeking his warmth. Jace pulled her close while she slept, his head pillowed near her own. Only when she was warm and soft against him did Jace relax enough to fall asleep. He certainly hoped things would not be this strained every night, but for now he would take whatever closeness he could get.

Dear Eden…
Jace had risen very early to write the letter she was watching for.
I found Maddie, and we were married in Boston. It's
a rather long story that I won't try to explain right now. I hope this finds
you well. Thank you again for coming and telling me the truth. It means
more than you know.

Jace read the letter over, debating whether he should tell her to visit soon, but he didn't write the words. He wasn't angry with Eden anymore, just sorry for her, but the main reason he did not invite her was his current relationship with Maddie. It was on thin ice, and he figured that the last thing they needed was a visitor.

Feeling as if he'd done the right thing, Jace sealed the letter and readied it for mailing. He and Maddie would be going to see the Shephards right after breakfast.

It was a quiet couple who headed into town a few hours later. Maddie had no idea how her aunt would react to the news, and Jace knew he would have to face Doyle at the store. Jace had gone to Boston to see Maddie. There had been no talk of marriage.

“I'll put the team in the barn,” Jace said, heading that way.

“I'm going right over to see Cathy,” she explained. “Should I look for you in the store?”

“I'll come to you unless Cathy doesn't want to see me.”

Maddie realized then that she'd been much too involved in her own feelings. The look on Jace's face was hard on her heart. He looked vulnerable, dread filling his features. She had wanted to stay angry, but that wasn't fair to him. Maddie put her hand on his arm.

“Come over when you want. Cathy won't send you away.”

“She will if that's what you want.”

“I don't want that,” Maddie told him. “I wish I knew what I wanted, but I don't want you to be hurt or cast off.”

Hoping it was true, Jace nodded and moved toward the store. He stepped inside the rear door and came through the back room to see Doyle talking to a man who looked as though he was only seeking information. By the time Doyle turned and shut the door, Jace was standing by the stove.

“I have to talk to you,” Jace said. “Maddie's at the house with Cathy.”

“All right,” Doyle agreed, feeling more relieved than he let on. The older man was ready to give Jace the benefit of the doubt, so he motioned him to a seat by the stove and took one himself.

“Did Maddie ever tell you about the picnic we went on last summer?”

“Nothing specific.”

Jace sat back a little, his eyes on the hot stove, wondering how this was going to go over, but he still began, telling himself to keep to the facts.

“I was nervous that day so I grabbed a flask of liquor. Maddie got cold and drank some of it, not knowing what it was.” Jace couldn't look at Doyle. “Your niece is a very loving drunk.”

“Are you trying to tell me…” Doyle began.

“No. All we did was kiss, but that's not the worst of it. She remembered nothing. When I tried to kiss her later, she was furious with me because she didn't remember a thing from the picnic.”

Doyle waited, knowing more was coming.

“I didn't think wine or champagne would affect her in the same way. We were at dinner in Boston, and we had a bottle of champagne brought to the table. The stuff in that flask had been the real thing, but after the champagne, Maddie seemed fine…” Jace paused, knowing he had to finish. “I married her, Doyle, but she can't remember a thing.”

Jace's eyes flew to the older man when a small laugh escaped Doyle.

“You think it's funny?”

“I guess I do. It wouldn't be if you didn't love each other, but it is rather amusing.”

“I wish Maddie thought so,” Jace grumbled.

This really caused Doyle to laugh. The older man knew all about unhappy women. He waited on them weekly and at times was married to one. It delighted him to no end to learn that Jace was having a taste of that very thing.

“I still can't believe you're laughing.”

Doyle made himself calm down.

“Is she all right?”

“I think so. She naturally feels cheated, and I can't say that I blame her.
I
feel cheated! I just hope she'll get over it sooner than later.”

“You'd better hope Cathy does too,” Doyle decided to add.

Jace's head fell back. He didn't even want to think about what was going on over at the house.

“If you can't remember a thing, how do you know you're married?” Cathy demanded, hoping with all her heart that Jace was not playing games with all of them.

“I talked with Sherry—both she and Beth were there. Evidently we got back to the house right after dinner and told them we wanted to be married. Beth went for her reverend, and we were married in the main parlor.”