To Honor and Trust (30 page)

There seemed nothing Callie could do but give in. Still, this wasn't going to be the type of wedding she desired. Had her own mother remained a member of society and been living in the country, what would she have wanted for Callie's wedding? Callie couldn't even imagine what her own mother might suggest. They'd been apart for too long, and they'd never spoken of weddings. Although the letters from her mother helped a bit, they didn't create the closeness that Callie had developed with Mrs. Bridgeport over the past years. If her grandmother were still alive, there was little doubt what would have happened with the wedding plans. Grandmother would have sat her down and asked what Callie wanted—and then she would have set about making certain her granddaughter's wishes were fulfilled.

“And that's what I should do, as well.” Callie whispered the words into the quiet of her bedroom, where no one else could hear. She would need to gather her courage if she was to have the wedding ceremony she desired. Most of all, she would need an ally, and there was only one choice: Wesley. He could help her explain to his family, while she hoped she could handle any objections from the Bridgeports.

With her thoughts settled on the possibility of taking control of the ceremony, Callie sat down at her desk and penned a letter to her parents. She doubted they would receive the letter before her wedding, but she wanted to tell them of her engagement and approaching marriage. Her excitement mounted as
she told them about the wedding. She waited until the very end of the letter to tell them that God was directing both her and Wesley to join them in Africa.

I hope you will consider all of this joyous news. I know it was your earnest desire that I join you, and I hope you will feel the same about Wesley. He is a wonderful man, and although he has experienced great difficulty since beginning his medical career, he now believes God plans to use his talents and abilities in Africa. We are excited at the prospect of joining you and lending our assistance and skills to the Lord's work.

I only wish you could be here for our wedding, but if this letter should reach you prior to our marriage, I know you will be with us in thought and spirit.

Your loving daughter
and soon to be son-in-law,
Callie and Wesley

She hadn't gone into the details of Wesley's problems in Texas. There would be time enough for that once they arrived in Africa. For now, she simply wanted her parents to know of her impending marriage and their plans to go to Africa. She reread the pages she'd written on both the front and back of each sheet. There had been so much to tell them. A flutter of excitement filled her as she sealed the envelope. Callie tried to imagine what her parents would think and feel as they read her letter. She hoped they would feel the same excitement and joy that she'd experienced while writing her letter to them.

Callie, Mrs. Bridgeport, Thomas, and Lottie were on the front porch the following day when Mr. Bridgeport returned to Fair Haven. He waved a letter overhead as he approached and spoke to them. “I picked up the mail at the clubhouse on my way.” A slight frown creased his forehead. “Where is Daisy?”

Mrs. Bridgeport gestured to the chair beside her. “No need for concern. She's taking a nap. Wesley said he'd stop by to remove the bandage and look at her leg. She still tires easily, and the doctor in Biscayne said rest was the best cure at this time.”

“I recall what the doctor said, Eunice.” He grinned at his wife. “After all, I was there at the hospital with you.”

Ignoring his comment, Mrs. Bridgeport pointed to his hand. “I see we've received mail.”

“A full report on the damage from Samuel. I asked him to go to our house, and even though we had an earlier report, I asked him to check on your grandmother's house, too, Callie.” He leaned forward and looked at Callie. “Samuel Broderick is one of my business partners. I think you've met him at the house, haven't you?”

“Yes, I remember him quite well. Tall with a long nose and dark mustache?”

Mrs. Bridgeport chuckled. “That's a very good description, Callie.”

“I don't think Samuel's nose is particularly long. Do I have a long nose?”

“Goodness, Luther. Let's not spend our time talking about your physical attributes. What does Samuel's letter have to say?”

Callie folded her hands in her lap. The servants had already sent word that her grandmother's home had been destroyed, and Callie had accepted the loss. There was no reason to send someone to survey the area once again and tell her what she already knew.

“He says there is water damage in the basement, but it didn't reach the upper floors of the house. Our losses won't be as substantial as many have suffered.” He glanced at Callie. “The news regarding your grandmother's home remains the same. It's a total loss, but Samuel says in his letter that the folks who were renting the house managed to save some of your grandmother's personal belongings that were stored in the attic.”

“That was most kind of them. I know there were several trunks that contained some of her china and silver service, but I don't think I'll have need of those items in Africa. Perhaps I should consider selling them. I'm sure the money could be put to good use by Mother and Father.”

Mrs. Bridgeport gasped. “You don't want to do that, my dear. You don't know—one day you and Wesley may return to live in this country, and you'll be glad to have a few of your grandmother's belongings.” Mrs. Bridgeport tapped her husband's arm. “When you write to Samuel, tell him to have the trunks taken to our house. We can store them for you, Callie. There's no telling what may be in those trunks.”

Callie conceded. Perhaps Mrs. Bridgeport was right. One day she and Wesley might have children of their own, and it would give her great pleasure to share those items with her children and tell them stories about her grandmother. Callie's thoughts returned to the special teas her grandmother would prepare for the two of them, using her silver tea service and one of her many lace tablecloths. Callie smiled. One day she might do the same with a daughter of her own.

Mr. Bridgeport nodded his agreement. “No need to worry yourself over the trunks, Callie.” He handed the letter to his wife. “Samuel says it's good we didn't attempt to come home. Train service is at a standstill in and out of the city, and many of the roads remain closed.” He leaned back in the chair. “I intensely dislike the circumstances that have kept us here, but it would seem this is exactly where we should be right now.”

The older woman agreed and patted Callie's hand. “And it has proven best for Callie, as well. We're having great fun planning the engagement party and wedding, aren't we?”

Callie forced a smile. “I'm not sure I would call it fun, but—”

“Oh look! Wesley's coming.” Mrs. Bridgeport pointed toward the road. “I'll go tell Jane to make some lemonade. Once Wesley has seen to Daisy, I'm sure he'll want to remain and visit a while.”

Callie hoped so. If not, she'd accompany him to the golf course. They needed to talk. If she was going to have the kind of wedding she preferred, they needed to assert themselves to both Wesley's mother and to Mrs. Bridgeport as soon as possible.

The moment Wesley approached the front porch, Callie stood and greeted him. “I'll go upstairs with you, and we can see if Daisy is awake. She's been taking a nap.”

Wes shook hands with Mr. Bridgeport before following
Callie inside. He caught her hand before she started up the steps. “You appear unhappy. Is something wrong?”

“It's about the wedding. We'll talk after you see to Daisy.” She tugged on his hand and moved toward the steps.

“Wait! You're not changing your mind about marrying me, are you?” His forehead creased and apprehension shone in his eyes.

She gently pressed her fingers against the creases that lined his forehead. “Of course not. You can stop frowning.” Glancing about, she lowered her voice. “I want to change some of the plans your mother and Mrs. Bridgeport have made, that's all. Nothing to cause you alarm.”

He loosened his hold so that she could ascend the steps. “You may think it's nothing to cause alarm, but I don't think those two women are going to agree.”

She glanced over her shoulder. “That's exactly why we need to talk.”

Daisy roused from her sleep as the two of them entered her room. She smiled at Wesley. “Mama says I get to wear a special dress when you marry Miss Callie. As soon as my leg gets a little better, she's going to take me and Lottie to Biscayne to the dressmaker.” Daisy looked up at Callie. “Isn't that right?”

“It is, so you must continue to get your rest so your leg will heal. Mr. Wes is going to take off your bandage, and we'll see how it looks. Would that be all right with you?”

Daisy bobbed her head and extended the bandaged leg. “'Cept he's a doctor now, so he's Dr. Wes.”

Callie nodded and Wesley chuckled. “Dr. Wes at your service.”

Daisy's cheery expression changed to a frown. “My dress got all wrinkled while I was sleeping.”

“When a little girl is as pretty as you, no one notices a
few wrinkles.” Wesley carefully unwrapped the bandage. An indentation remained in Daisy's leg, but the wound had ceased oozing and had healed over. “It is looking much better, Daisy. You are an excellent patient.”

The child beamed at him, caring not at all about the lingering irregularity in her leg. “Can I go outside now?”

“
May
I go outside now?” Callie said.

Wes chuckled. “You both have permission to go outside as soon as I put a fresh bandage on your leg.” When he finished, he lifted Daisy off the bed. “Can you make it down the stairs or should I carry you?”

“My leg is good enough to walk and go down the steps, but I can't skip yet.” Daisy grasped Wes's hand and walked beside him while Callie followed behind.

“I think Jane is making some lemonade if you can stay, Wes.”

“A new guest arrived at the lodge and has signed up for an afternoon lesson, so I don't think I'll have time. Want to walk along and we can talk?”

She nodded. “Absolutely. I'm not letting you out of my sight until we make a few plans of our own.”

He winked at her. “I like the sound of that. And I like the idea of planning our honeymoon even more.”

As they walked down the porch steps, Callie slipped her hand into the crook of his arm and laughed. “We can make those plans later. Right now, we need to plan our wedding, and I need your help.”

“What do you have in mind?”

While Wesley listened, she explained her ideas, pleased when he nodded his agreement. “I think it sounds perfect. Now you need only convince Mother and Mrs. Bridgeport.”

Callie shook her head. “
We
need to convince your mother
and Mrs. Bridgeport. I told you I need an ally, and that ally needs to support me both in word and deed. You will be right alongside me when I speak to them.” She hesitated a moment. “Won't you?”

“How could I say no to someone as beautiful and sweet as you?” He took her hand and tugged her off the path until they were hidden by the low-hanging branches of a huge live oak.

“Then why don't we plan to meet with them later this afternoon when you're done with your golf lesson? I'll send a note to your mother and ask her to come over to Fair Haven at three.”

He pulled her close, and she gazed into his eyes. That was all it took. One glance, the slightest touch, and her heart raced. She lifted her arms and placed them around his neck. The butterflies in her stomach took flight. She'd never been so forward in her life. “Why don't we seal our agreement with a kiss?”

His lips curved in a slow, rakish smile. “I'd like nothing better.”

The moment she returned to the cottage, Callie went in search of Mrs. Bridgeport and suggested they host a private tea with Mrs. Townsend later in the afternoon. Gaining Mrs. Bridgeport's agreement hadn't been difficult, since she'd been slow to fill her social calendar following their return to the island. With Daisy still recuperating from her spider bite and the unexpected wedding plans, Mrs. Bridgeport declared she had more than enough to keep her busy without attending card parties and afternoon teas with the ladies.

Callie penned a quick invitation to Mrs. Townsend, and one of the gardeners agreed to deliver it to the clubhouse and
wait for her future mother-in-law's response. Fortunately, it didn't take long before he'd returned with a note saying she'd be delighted.

As the time for the tea approached, Callie's bravery wilted like a vase of week-old flowers. She watched the road, hoping Wesley would arrive before his mother. Callie's invitation had stated she wanted to discuss the wedding plans further. Knowing Mrs. Townsend and Mrs. Bridgeport, they wouldn't want to waste time with polite conversation. They would want to talk about the wedding. If this conversation was going to go as she hoped, she needed to take control immediately. But without Wesley by her side, she doubted she'd be able to ward off the objections that were sure to come from both of the older women.

Callie's stomach tightened at the sound of an approaching carriage. Where was Wesley? She stepped onto the porch as the carriage came to a halt in front of Fair Haven. The driver jumped down and assisted Mrs. Townsend. Callie glanced in the opposite direction and sighed with relief when she caught sight of Wesley loping toward the cottage.

He lifted his arm overhead and called to his mother. Mrs. Townsend stopped and looked at him and then at Callie. Confusion shone in the older woman's eyes when Callie walked down the porch steps toward her. Mrs. Townsend remained by the walkway leading to the house.

Wesley slowed his gait to a long stride as he approached his mother. “It's good to see you, Mother. I'm glad you're able to join us for tea.”

She narrowed her eyes, obviously attempting to calculate what was happening. “I didn't realize you were in the habit of taking tea, Wesley.” She gave Callie a sidelong glance.
“And my invitation didn't say that you would be attending our discussion.”

He chuckled. “I thought that since I'm an important member of the wedding party, it might be time for me to get a bit more involved.” Without giving his mother a chance to voice her opinion, he offered his arm. “Sorry, but I didn't have an opportunity to change after my last golf lesson.”

His mother didn't immediately take his arm. “I don't think any of us would object if you went back to the clubhouse and cleaned up. Grooms don't usually take part in the wedding arrangements.”

Callie inhaled a deep breath. “I asked him to attend, Mrs. Townsend. Wesley and I have agreed upon some changes, so I thought he should be present.”

Mrs. Townsend's shoulders stiffened. “Then I suppose we should go inside so that I can hear exactly what the two of you have come up with.” She grasped Wesley's arm. “And is Eunice already aware of these possible changes?”

“No. That's why I suggested we have this tea. So Wesley and I could explain to both of you—together.”

Callie swallowed the lump that had lodged in her throat. Had Mrs. Townsend noticed the tremor in her voice? If she didn't gain a bit of courage, the two older women would win the upper hand before the tea was served.

The moment the threesome entered the house, Mrs. Bridgeport descended the stairs and greeted Mrs. Townsend. “I'm glad you were free this afternoon, Blanche. There are always so many activities at the clubhouse, I worried you might have another engagement scheduled.” Mrs. Bridgeport directed them into the parlor.

Mrs. Townsend approached one of the wing chairs and
sat down. “Even if I'd had prior arrangements, I would have canceled them. Nothing is more important than the wedding, though I'm surprised to hear that these two have been doing a bit of scheming behind our backs.” Her lips stretched in an exaggerated smile.