Rose patted Paul’s shoulder. “We hated to leave, but coming here has been a great blessing for church settlements out west.” Rose crouched down. “Boys, you are excused. Go play with the children.”
They bolted out the door. Josie turned her attention to Travis speaking with Reverend Levingston. A warm, tingling sensation settled over Josie.So, this is my family now.Her new reality almost didn’t seem real. Not only was she carrying a child in her womb, she had children outside it. Blood didn’t matter. She was a mother now, like she had always dreamed of being.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I have spent the morning preparing refreshments at my home,” Rose said with a friendly smile. “The parsonage is just next door.”
Josie gasped, her palm to her mouth. “Oh, Rose, you didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to,” Rose replied cheerfully. “I wanted you both to have a proper ceremony.”
Proper. There was hardly anything proper about her life anymore. Josie looked down at the golden ring on her left hand. Could she do this? Would her life ever feel proper again?
Travis stiffly settled onto the Levingstons’ sofa while Gideon slept peacefully on his chest. It had been months since he’d been this close to the child. When Aunt Polly went outside to monitor the children, Travis had no choice but to step up and be a father. The child nuzzled against him, making Travis long for these moments more, but with every breath, every tiny snore, he was reminded of why Miss Callahan—Josephine, to him now—was here in the first place. Today was her wedding day, and he wouldn’t burden her with caring for Gideon.
He pressed his lips together, swallowing down the sorrow as he looked over at Josephine, seated at the parlor table in the corner, sipping tea with Rose. Sophie and Rose had never been particularly close; Sophie was always busy running the homestead and caring for three children, leaving little time for socializing. But here was Josephine, taking advantage of female companionship. Travis knew this would be Josephine’s last chance to connect with a woman her age until after the harvest, yet the sight of her laughing softly with Rose eased him.
Travis glanced down at his left hand, where a simple metal band now rested around his ring finger. That hand once wore a gold band that Sophie bought him after selling ten dresses she had sewn one summer. He had grown accustomed to the bare finger over the past few months, but now he would have to adjust to wearing a ring again. Except this wasn’t his usual one. Thisone came from the mercantile and cost less than a third of the price Sophie had paid for his gold band.
During the ceremony, Travis expected Josephine to be somewhat cheerful because it was her wedding day, but she acted skittish as a mouse. Knowing this wasn’t a dream wedding every woman hoped for made Travis sick to his stomach. He wanted to look into Josephine’s eyes during the ceremony and admire her like a star-struck groom should, but each time he tried, she looked away.
When he took her hands in his, she quivered beneath his touch. Perhaps Josephine was nervous about what she believed would come next—the wedding night. The thought made him cringe. He remembered Sophie’s own nerves on their wedding day, her every attempt to avoid coming home with him. But after a long talk, she had come to realize she had nothing to fear. They were husband and wife—two people who loved each other and would never harm one another. The thought of comforting Josephine in the same way made his gut twist. Travis wished he could reassure her that she was safe, but their circumstances were different.
He considered talking to Josephine about her expectations, wanting her to know she didn’t have to feel obligated to be a traditional wife. But the idea was too awkward; how could he look that beautiful woman in the eyes and reject her? He gulped, closing his eyes. Why would he think about rejecting her at all. He wouldn’t dare put himself in that position. Travis would avoid her at all cost—including even thoughts of the marital bed—so she wouldn’t expect anything from him.
“Mr. and Mrs. Blythe.”
Travis looked up to see Reverend Levingston peeking through the door that led into the kitchen and dining area.
“Would you two like to cut your cake?”
Travis looked at Josephine the same time she looked at him. Travis shrugged. “Why not?”
He stood slowly, careful not to disturb the sleeping baby in his arms. Even though an ounce of him liked the fact he was holding his son, he was anxious to hand him over to his aunt. He made his way into the dining room, where Aunt Polly was gathering the children. The cake before him wasn’t as grand as the one he and Sophie had shared ten years ago, but the guest list was nearly the entire town. This cake was simple and white, adorned with delicate pink roses from the Levingstons’ garden, beautifully arranged at the top.
Travis held Gideon securely against him as he glanced at Josephine, who gazed at the cake with wide eyes, admiration etched on her face.
“This is beautiful, Rose,” she said.
Rose pressed her hand to her reddening cheek. “Thank you, dear. You are too kind.”
Reverend Levingston wrapped his arm around his wife, wearing a playful smile on his face. “I keep telling my wife she needs to open up a bakery here. Don’t you think?”
“Darling, don’t embarrass me,” Rose giggled, her cheeks flushing even more as she playfully swatted at him.
Soon enough, Aunt Polly returned with a trail of excited children following closely behind her. Travis gently handed Gideon over to her, and she cradled the hefty baby in her arms with surprising ease, despite him weighing at least twenty-five pounds.
As Josephine picked up the cake knife, Travis hesitated, unsure if he should help her like he had with Sophie. Before he could ask, Josephine cut into the cake. The Levingstons and Aunt Polly clapped while the children cheered and licked their lips, eager for the sweet treat. Josephine picked up a plate andput the piece on top. Travis’s eyes rounded in surprise as she handed him the slice with her warm, curved smile.
“Thank you,” he said, but she barely acknowledged him, turning to face the crowd gathered in front of them.
“Who else wants a piece?” Josephine called out, her voice light and cheerful as she lifted the knife again. The children erupted with excitement, raising their hands and shouting eagerly as they surrounded her.
Travis stepped away and joined Aunt Polly in a corner. He dug his fork into the cake and watched as his new wife interacted with the children.I don’t know why she said she didn’t have experience. She’s a natural.Yet as much as it delighted him, it hurt just as much. He dipped his head, chewing the inside of his cheek.You should be here, Sophie. You should be holding your son and visiting with the Levingstons in their kitchen.
There was no doubt that Josephine would make a wonderful mother. Perhaps he had made the right choice for his children. Despite her youth and lack of experience, Josephine seemed perfectly suited for the role. Travis managed to gaze in her direction, watching while Lillian and Jonas wrapped their arms around her legs, hugging her tightly, their smiles bright and full of affection.
Aunt Polly rocked Gideon from side to side and elbowed Travis. “She’s a beauty.”
Travis nodded, taking a bite of cake. “That is so.”
