LITMIR.BIZ

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nod in his direction, Daisy said, “Thank you, Tucker,” before turning to her sons. “Well, boys, let’s go. Hop up into the back of the wagon.” Daisy set the boys into motion with her no-nonsense tone. Hands in his pockets, James kicked at the dirt as he walked. John scampered ahead of his brother and vaulted into the wagon.

      Daisy cautioned her eldest. “James, mind your manners and do as you’re told.”

      His “Yes, ma’am” was muttered so quietly Tucker almost couldn’t hear it. Tucker walked down the steps ahead of her and turned to offer his hand as she followed. He didn’t meet her gaze. He took her small gloved hand in his calloused one and assisted her down the steps. She immediately withdrew it when her feet touched the ground. He watched her twist the drawstrings on her reticule around her fingers as they slowly walked to the wagon.

      Again Tucker offered a hand to steady her as she climbed into the wagon. Again she permitted only the briefest of contact and settled into the seat while he walked in front of his horse to climb up beside her. He was a bit surprised by how quickly she’d agreed to marry him. When it was all said and done, he was a friend from so far in her past she had not recognized him when he rode onto her land a mere hour ago.

      Grabbing the reins and sending the horse forward, he said, “I’ll see about getting a couple of horses next week. We’ll need them for working the farm. Mack here is more for riding than pulling a wagon. He’s a ranch horse.”

      Daisy kept her eyes straight ahead and her voice low so James and John wouldn’t hear her above the sounds of the wagon on the narrow lane leading to the main road. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to keep to the topic of the day. We can talk about such business later. I don’t want to remind the boys of the loss of their papa and our horses.”

      “Good idea.” Tucker matched her volume. “I’m sorry I brought it up.”

      “It’s not a problem,” she said between taut lips. “It’s just that so much is happening today. I don’t want to add to the weight of all that’s already on their minds. They’ve had a rough go of it.”

      “I understand.” He turned the wagon onto the main road and signaled his horse to pick up speed as they headed toward town. They traveled in silence for a few minutes.

      “If you don’t mind, I’d like to be married in the church, not the parsonage.” Daisy began to rattle off details for the afternoon’s agenda. “We can have a nice supper at the local hotel. It’s a very impressive establishment for a town as small as Pine Haven. The food is very good. I’d also like to stop in at the general store. The boys haven’t had a treat in a long time. I think this is just the occasion for it.”

      “Whoa, Daisy. Seems like you’ve got this all planned out in your head already. Mind if I interject some thoughts?”

      “Interject away.” She lifted her arm in a sweeping gesture. “It’s not like any of this was my idea in the first place. I was just trying to make the most of it.”

      “Oh, good. That’ll help.” Tucker kept his eyes on the road ahead. “Sarcasm will be just the right spice to add to today. Keep it up and James will be back to kicking dirt by the time we get to town.” He grinned to let her know he was teasing her the way he had when she was a teenager. He turned and winked at her. He saw the corners of her mouth tug into a smile before he looked back to the road.

      “You always had a knack for getting me out of a mood.” She settled her hands in her lap again and looked up into the bright sky, appearing to relax for the first time since he’d ridden onto the farm just after lunch. She took in a deep breath and let it out in a whoosh. The boys had curled up on the hay in the back of the wagon and fallen asleep in the sunshine. Their clothes would be wrinkled, but he was glad to see they’d settled down.

      “How are you, Daisy? Really?”

      “I’m better now. Not over it by any means, but better. Working the farm will take the stress out of you if you let it.” The underlying sadness in her voice revealed the true depth of her pain.

      “If you ever need to talk about it, I’ll listen.”

      Daisy put one gloved hand on his arm and he felt her gaze on him as he drove. “I remember many times when you did just that. Thank you, Tucker.” She cleared her throat. “Not just for being a friend who’s willing to listen, but for everything. I know what a sacrifice it is for you to give up your life to help me and the boys.”

      “Don’t you worry about that for one minute. I’m sorry those little fellows lost their papa. I know what it’s like to grow up without a father. You might remember mine was gone before I was old enough to know much about him. Tuberculosis took him the winter I turned five. I want to be to your sons what your father has been to me.” He tried without success to cover the gravel in his tone. She gave his arm a slight squeeze of comfort, and he continued. “I also hope to be there for you in a way my momma needed when she was trying to raise me alone. It was a hard life. One I hope to spare you from.” He cleared his throat and snapped the reins, effectively ending the conversation. “Get up, Mack. We need to get to town.”

      His mother had done her best but life without a father had been difficult.

      Daisy’s dad had raised his daughters with the help of a housekeeper who came during the daytime. Mr. Warren had made it seem so simple. Tucker knew that wasn’t true. Parenting was a difficult job for two parents. It was more than double the work when one parent was left to do the task alone.

      He knew Daisy was strong. She’d managed to care for her boys and the farm since her husband’s death. The spiritual comfort of God and those precious boys had probably bolstered her courage. But she couldn’t survive on courage alone.

      He stole a glance at her. He knew in his heart that she still loved the man in the grave at the top of the hill behind her cabin. Tucker had been her friend all those years ago. He’d come here as her friend. Would she ever see him as more that?

       Chapter Two

      Tucker pulled the wagon to a stop and set the brake in front of the general store. He called to the boys. “James and John, come with me. How would you like some candy?” Sleepiness evaporated at the promise of the treat, and the boys tumbled from the wagon.

      Walking to the side of the wagon, Tucker offered his hand to Daisy. She moved to accept his help, and he could see she was surprised when he grabbed her by the waist and set her on the ground. He wondered if it was because he lifted her. Did he make her skittish? He’d have to be careful not to make her uncomfortable.

      Tucker leaned close so the boys wouldn’t hear. “Do you want a few minutes to speak to the pastor before I come to the church? I can take the boys into the store and meet you later.” He knew she must be overwhelmed with the day’s events. He could see the strain on her face ease at his suggestion.

      “Thank you.” Daisy gave him a slight smile. “I’ll go there now and meet you at the parsonage in a half hour. That should give me plenty of time.”

      “Are you okay with all of this?” Mr. Warren had insisted the wedding take place on the day of his arrival, but Tucker was concerned about Daisy’s peace of mind.

      She didn’t look at him when she answered. “Papa’s right. This really is for the best.” Was she trying to reassure him or convince herself?

      “I think so, too, but I could get a room in town and stay for a few days. If that would make you more comfortable.” It would delay his start on the work he needed to do at the farm, but if it helped Daisy, he could make that small sacrifice.

      “No. Thank you, but that won’t be necessary.” She shook her head, and he saw the resignation in her eyes. “There’s no need to spend money on a hotel when you’d just be coming to the farm in a few days.”

      The sadness of her circumstances struck him anew. Thinking of the weight she must be under had been a driving force in his agreement to this arrangement.

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