Undaunted Love (PART TWO): Banished Saga, Book 3.5 (38 page)

***

GABRIEL LED JEREMY into their uncle’s study while Colin sprawled on the living room floor, playing toy soldiers with Nicholas while Melinda played with Nicholas’s marbles.

“A word to the wise,” Gabriel said as he shut the door. “I wouldn’t let Nicholas know you were in the army unless you want to be barraged with questions. Almost daily he has one of us act out Teddy Roosevelt’s charge up San Juan Hill, with Nicholas, of course, always the victor.”

“That happened years ago. Why’s he focusing on that now?”

“One of Rissa’s semisenile friends got to talking about the army and told Nicholas about it one day when they visited them at the depository.”

“Don’t they have a library here?” Jeremy asked.

“Not yet, although they’re starting to build one. Missoula’s best architect, Mr. A. J. Gibson, is to design it. Another word to the wise, never confuse the architect, A.J., with Clarissa’s friend, A. J. Pickens. They couldn’t be any more different.”

Jeremy nodded as he filed away the information.

“It’s hopeful the new library will be finished sometime early next year.” Gabriel sat in one of the two leather chairs in front of his uncle’s desk, and Jeremy took the other.

“I’m sure you understand how glorious it feels to sit on something that isn’t moving.” Jeremy closed his eyes as he rested his head against the top of the chair for a moment.

Gabriel smiled, his eyes continuing to rove over the brother he hadn’t seen in years. “You look different, and yet I’d recognize you anywhere.”

Jeremy rubbed a hand over his closely trimmed beard.

“It’s not just the beard,” Gabriel said with a shake of his head. “It’s how you hold yourself. With an air of command, of responsibility.” His smile held a touch of regret. “You’ve grown up, and I wasn’t there to see it.”

“I missed you and Richard every day I was away,” Jeremy said. “I needed to go on my adventure, become the man I was meant to become, but I always knew I wanted to return to Boston. Naively I thought we’d all live near each other. Raise families together.”

“I couldn’t remain in Boston any longer, Jer. Besides putting you on that train, or watching our home burn, leaving was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.”

“Although you seem happy,” Jeremy said as he watched his older brother, a look of wonder passing over his face to be in the same room as him.

“I am now. Clarissa was brave enough to travel to me. We are to have our first child soon. You are here.” Gabriel’s brow furrowed. “With Savannah.”

Jeremy huffed out a laugh. “You don’t have to act like the older brother anymore, Gabe. I can take care of myself.”

“You’ll always be my baby brother. I had the raising of you for too long not to worry.”

“I know.” Jeremy sighed as he settled his long legs in front of him. “The moment I saw Savannah again, I knew I wanted her. At first I tried to tell myself it was because she had been abused, and I wanted to help her as a friend. I think I knew all along I was deluding myself.” He smiled a half-mocking grin to himself as he stared at a point in the distance.

Gabriel took a deep breath. “I always imagined that’s why you were attracted to Savannah. The damsel in distress.”

Jeremy bristled at Gabriel’s raised eyebrow. “There’s much more to it than that.”

“I should hope so if you’re going to last for longer than a few months.” He held up a hand to forestall an argument. “Before you become righteous in your anger—which Clarissa says we McLeods thrive at—I’ve always suspected there was more to her than she was willing to admit while she was under the control of her grandparents. I want you to know that I’m very happy you’re content with her.”

“Content? Do you remember what Mr. Smithers said when you used that word as your goal for your future life?” He raised an eyebrow.

“’A namby-pamby word,’” Gabriel said with fond affection, as he recalled his old mentor and friend.

“I feel a hell of a lot more than content with Savannah. The extraordinary thing was that, the more time I spent with her, the more I genuinely liked her. I never saw her as damaged. She’s always been the strongest woman I know.”

“I may have to argue with you, as Clarissa’s the strongest one I know.” He shared an amused grin with Jeremy. “Why don’t we agree they’re tied and forgo an argument?” Jeremy laughed and Gabriel relaxed further, seeing the echo of his youngest brother he’d fought so hard to safeguard from harm.

“Tell me about Florence and Richard,” Gabriel said as they settled in for a long conversation.

***

I KNOCKED TWICE on the study door before poking my head in. I heard loud laughter and saw Gabriel wiping his eyes and Jeremy doubled over, holding his stomach. Even though I had no idea what was funny, I giggled due to their infectious laughter.

“Ah, my darling, is it time for supper?” Gabriel asked as he swiped at his eyes.

“No, not quite yet. I thought I’d come to see how you were after I left Savannah. She’s fallen asleep, and I think she’ll remain abed through supper.” I moved toward Gabriel but didn’t sit on his lap. I wasn’t sure if his uncle’s furniture was as sturdy as ours and didn’t want to test it with our combined weight. Gabriel rose, pulling out the chair behind the desk, and I sat in it at Gabriel’s side.

“She didn’t sleep well on the train. Never dosed for more than an hour,” Jeremy said as he recovered from his laughing fit.

“What had you laughing so hard?” I asked, unable to stifle a sigh as I settled, rubbing my belly. Gabriel reached over to lay a hand there too, smiling as the baby kicked where his hand lay. After a few forceful kicks, the baby calmed, and I relaxed into the chair.

“Oh, just stories from when we were younger,” Gabriel said, dropping his hand to clasp mine.

“I thought you lived with your aunt and were miserable,” I said.

“Not every moment of our lives was devoid of happiness, Rissa.” Gabriel lifted my hand and kissed it. “Aunt would have wished it so, but she wasn’t able to destroy our sense of humor or our ability to find joy.”

“I worried she had for you, Gabe,” Jeremy said. “Always so serious, taking care of Rich and me. I can see you’ve stopped dwelling on the past, as Uncle Aidan recommended.” Jeremy nodded to the two of us.

“His favorite advice, I think,” Gabriel said with a wry smile.

“Jeremy, who’s Araminta?” I asked. “Savannah and I spoke of other things, and then she was exhausted and fell asleep.”

“She’s a young woman who was going to age-out the orphanage with nowhere to live or work. Mrs. Maidstone was very worried about Araminta because she had injured her leg when she was younger. I think she broke it, and it didn’t mend properly. At any rate, she can walk short distances, but she can’t run or stand for long periods of time. She’ll have that limp for the rest of her life.”

“How is she going to care for Melly? For I assume she’s come here to help with Melly,” I said.

“In a way. She’s here to help Savannah, help with Melly, act as a maid to Sav, cook or clean as she can.”

“She seems a nice young woman,” I said.

“She is, although she’s afraid she’ll be turned out once Melinda is older. I think finding Mrs. Egan was a shock for her,” Jeremy said.

“I will need help soon.” I paused as I thought of the distance between Uncle Aidan’s house and our home. It had always seemed a pleasant walk to me when it wasn’t the middle of a blizzard, but, for Araminta, it might prove too long. “Does she ride a bicycle? They’re the rage here, and she would have much more freedom of movement.”

“If she doesn’t, we can teach her,” Gabriel said.

Jeremy smiled. “You’re as generous as I remember, Clarissa. Thank you.” Gabriel grunted his agreement, and I flushed.

“Jeremy, there is a small problem that needs to be addressed,” I said. “I don’t know if Amelia will speak with you or not.” I bit my lip, and Gabriel raised his eyebrows at me.

“What is it?” Jeremy asked, leaning forward in his chair.

“There aren’t enough bedrooms for all of you here, not with Araminta and Melly,” I said on a rush.

Gabriel sputtered out a laugh before attempting to calm it at my glare. “Jer?”

“I … that is, Savannah and I are going to marry,” Jeremy said.

“Yes, but, until you do, you shouldn’t be causing more gossip than will already surround Savannah,” I said. “I imagine Savannah dreamed of escaping Boston and the scandal surrounding her actions, but people gossip no matter where you go.”

“I know, Clarissa, and you are correct,” Jeremy said with a deep sigh. “How soon do you think we could marry?”

“Not soon enough, by the looks of you,” Gabriel teased. “And, as you aren’t married, you shouldn’t be staying here. We could fix a cot up in our apartment.”

“I agree,” I added. “It’s what will be best. And you can work with Gabriel again, in his workshop here.”

“Gabe, would you mind?” Jeremy asked.

“No, I could use the help. It will give us a chance to catch up after all these years.”

“How long does it take to arrange a wedding here?” Jeremy asked.

“Not long,” I said with a broad smile as I squeezed Gabriel’s hand. “We’ll have to see if we can convince Amelia to cook a feast to welcome you and to celebrate your wedding. It shouldn’t be too difficult, for she loves to cook, and there’s no better reason to celebrate.”

We laughed, rising for supper in the dining room.

CHAPTER 29

I SAT AT AMELIA’S KITCHEN a few weeks after their arrival, listening to Savannah’s stories as she prepared the dinner and Amelia tended her children. I arched my back, trying to find a comfortable position, but nothing worked.

“How are you and Jeremy adapting to married life?” I asked as I rubbed my lower back.

“Life has only improved with marriage to Jeremy,” Savannah said with a bright smile. “I no longer have to hide our relationship from inquisitive eyes, and we are free to spend as much time together as we like.”

“I’m sorry the sisters made a fuss when they found out about Jonas.” I grimaced as I remembered their pronouncements about being misled by too many from the East Coast.

“I’ve survived worse. Besides, I think the townsfolk are intrigued, and they like you and Gabriel. For the most part, we’ve been well received.” Savannah finished kneading the dough and set it in a bowl to rise.

“You didn’t mind the simple ceremony and feast here?” I arched an eyebrow as I watched her ease in the kitchen. “It was a far cry from your first wedding.”

“And far more enjoyable,” Savannah said with a laugh as her eyes became distant. “You can’t imagine the joy I felt walking down the aisle to meet Jeremy, his eyes glowing with love rather than disdain. Or the delight in hearing the organist play one of Lucas’s songs as we marched down the aisle as husband and wife. Or later when we were back in the house, listening to the children squabble, or Mr. Pickens wheezing out his sage advice, or Ronan’s and Colin’s whispered plans for the chivaree. It was magical, and all I’d hoped for in a wedding day.” She looked at me with wondrous eyes, blinking tears. “Thank you, Rissa, for standing beside me again.”

“With no unfortunate fall off the altar,” I said with a smile, causing Savannah to laugh. “Melinda seems very happy to be here with you. When I heard her call you
Mama
, I knew this was where she belonged.”

Savannah blinked away tears and nodded. “Jeremy loves her too. Thank you, Rissa.”

“It was a family decision, and all I want is for her to never doubt she’s loved.” I paused for a moment as I heard Amelia’s soft voice speaking with Nicholas. “I imagine she’ll find it difficult when Amelia and the children leave.”

“She will. She already thinks of Nicholas as an older brother and Anne, her sister. They’re more her age. She considers you and Colin her aunt and uncle.”

I smiled, thinking of the age difference between Melinda, Colin and me. Savannah sat across from me, a bowl of potatoes in front of her to peel. “You’ve become proficient in the kitchen, Sav,” I commented.

“I prepared many of the meals at Richard and Florence’s after the baby was born and before that terrible evening with Jonas. I wanted the practice, and I enjoy the entire process of cooking.” Savannah smiled as I grimaced.

I squirmed in my chair again, unable to find a position that brought relief to the building tension and pressure I felt.

Savannah watched me with thinly veiled concern, but I smiled, hoping to allay her fears. “The baby’s getting too big. It’s hard to imagine I have a few weeks to go.” I gave a gentle pat to my stomach.

“I doubt you really have that long, Rissa,” Amelia said, entering the kitchen. “It seems about time for that baby to meet all of us.”

“Well, the doctor says it should be mid- to late June.” I heaved myself to my feet and began a slow walk around the kitchen and then the dining room. I stopped with a pain to my side and placed my hand on the wall until it passed. “Oh!” I gasped.

“How long have you been having pains?” Savannah asked, setting down her paring knife.

“A few hours,” I whispered.

“And how often are they coming?” Savannah asked.

“About every ten minutes or so,” I said. “But it’s too soon.”