Rose took his hand and kissed his cheek. “Of course, my dear husband.” He wrapped his arm around her waist, and Rose waved. “See you ladies later. Good luck!” They disappeared into the crowd, joining the dancers in the street.
Caroline sighed and stood beside Josie. “They’re a different couple, aren’t they?”
Josie turned her gaze to Caroline, who was watching the dancers. “What do you mean?”
“Their affection,” Caroline explained. “I highly assume you’ve never seen a minister and his wife behave that way in public. There’s no denying their marriage is legitimate.”
Josie folded her arms over her pink cotton dress. “I’m not following. Are you implying they aren’t married?”
Caroline gasped with her hand over her mouth. “No, dear. I meant none of that at all. I meant how their marriage isn’t based on convenience—it’s based on love.”
The wordconveniencemade Josie’s core tighten. She swallowed hard and adjusted her lace collar. Could Caroline see through Josie’s facade?
“Ladies believe ministers are perfect and will never break their hearts, but a heartbreak from them is the worst kind. They have a habit of seeking out women for their own benefit. In order for a minister to be respected, he has to be married. The woman must master such etiquette and skills that will benefit her husband in the church.”
“How do you know about this?” Josie asked sharply, but she recovered with a soft voice, hoping Caroline wouldn’t take offense. “I mean, if you don’t mind my asking.”
“I grew up in Boston,” Caroline explained. “I hope you don’t hold it against me because I’m a Yankee. I can tell by your accent you’re originally from Dixie.”
Josie shuddered. She didn’t mind Caroline being a Northerner, but the term “Yankee” had another connotation in Josie’s book. Yankees were her enemies—killing her brothers and causing her family to crumble.
“The war is over, Caroline. I haven’t judged anyone because of their location. Here I am out west. I guess you can say I left it all behind.”Left it all behind?The lie left a bitter taste on her tongue.
Caroline’s lips curved. “Well, I assume you can say that. Thisisneutral ground.” Caroline sucked in a breath then exhaled.She turned her body towards Josie, leaning in closer. “I was engaged to a minister once, Reverend David Fortenberry. More intellectual than he was handsome. My mother and he said it was God’s will for me to be his wife. I knew nothing of love, but I believe I loved him because it was God’s will we were to wed.” Caroline lowered her head, clasping her hands in front of her. “Then one day I realized the reverend was using me. He needed a piano player, and I was the perfect choice.”
Josie gasped. “I’m sorry. I had no idea.”
“No one expects this behavior from ministers. That’s why you should watch Ivy and Lillian when a preacher comes calling on them romantically.” She straightened her shoulders. “I have nothing against the man of the cloth, God forbid, but they can be just as terrible as any man, especially one who uses God’s name to manipulate you to do what he wants.” Caroline sighed as another song began. “You’re lucky to have Travis, though. He fell in love with you over letters. That’s once in a lifetime.”
Knots coiled in Josie’s stomach again, but this time she was afraid she’d faint or vomit. She looked at her shoes, breathing in and out steadily. Her marriage was as much a sham as it could have been for Caroline and Reverend Fortenberry. She was using Travis. She was the “reverend” in this story, seeking out a man who could father her child. Her cheeks heated, and the world around her became cloudy.
Caroline turned around, handing Josie a cup of water. She smiled warmly. “You look like you need it. Your face is turning red.”
Josie’s skin prickled, placing her hand on her cheeks. “Oh, it is a little warm out.” She took the water. “Thank you,” she said before taking a sip. The cool beverage soothed her mind, and she turned about from the dancing romance before her. “How did you meet Ronan?”
Caroline chuckled, her hand on her chest. “Oh my, where do I begin? He wasnotthe man my parents wanted me to marry. He was an Irish boxer and fought weekly at the saloon across from the church.”
Josie nearly choked on her water. “Really? Ronan was a boxer?”
“Yes! He tried to find work, but no one would hire an Irishman, so he became a star.” Caroline smiled, looking towards Ronan near the dunking booth, carrying the twins in both arms. No doubt he had the strength of a boxer.
“Ronan wanted me because he loved me. He never tried to change me, and I never tried to change him. That’s the kind of man I want my daughters to marry.”
Josie smiled. “No doubt he’s a wonderful man from what I’ve heard and seen.”
When Ronan turned, Josie noticed Travis beside him, laughing as the children jumped up and down, pointing at the man in the dunking booth who had just been knocked down by six-year-old Liam Walsh. Travis met her gaze with a smile for a sharp moment, then turned his attention to Jonas who patted Liam’s back.
A lump of sorrow formed in Josie’s throat. Travis deserved more. The children deserved an honest mother. Josie would never forget Caroline’s story. How could she be friends with this woman and be a deceiver in her heart? Caroline had once been hurt by the same type of person Josie was.
As the sun set over the snow-caped peaks, Travis watched Josie dancing with Jonas. The sight of Josie in messy curls and a colorful flower crown made her stand out, like a fairy from the children’s storybooks. Her ringlets bounced and her light pinkpetticoat twirled around her as she danced. Travis wiped the sweat on his forehead.What are you doing to me, Josie?
Josie was young, but so lively as she spun in circles with Jonas. Travis had never possessed the confidence to dance openly in front of the town or behave so playfully. Josie was fitting right in, just like the couples and children having the time of their lives, letting the music move them.
Who could exclude such a lovely woman as she? Her soul was sweet as a honeycomb and her heart was bigger than any woman he met since Sophie. Josie cared for the children like her very own, and she treated Travis respectfully. Travis peered at the ground. He didn’t deserve her at all.
The music stopped, and Travis felt a tap on his shoulder. He looked behind him. Aunt Polly held Gideon on her hip.
“She’s a lovely thing, ain’t she?”
