Brides of Ohio Page 12

  The train ride back to Delaware was crowded, and they were both happy to get out into the fresh evening air. Jeremiah was waiting with the carriage and Scioto at the station, and they drove him back to Professor Harris’s home before going on their way.

  Dusk was setting in as they journeyed home. It was nearly an hour between Delaware and the farm, plenty of time to talk.

  Katherine buried her hands in the folds of her dress, clenched tightly so Daniel wouldn’t see how they shook. Her heart felt like a drum. It wasn’t that she was afraid of Daniel—far, far from it—but this was a situation she had never faced in all her life. What was she supposed to do? What if she was wrong? What if she was right? The latter thought caused a thrill to run straight through to her fingertips. As her mind whirled in nervous confusion, Daniel spoke and she nearly jumped out of her skin.

  “You can probably take off the bonnet now,” he said.

  Her heart raced so fast she began to feel ill. She glanced at him. “Don’t—don’t you think I should wait until after Bellepoint?”

  Bellepoint was east of the farm, and Elijah Carr did a good deal of business in the town. When they had rode through that morning, Daniel told her to be sure to keep her face hidden. He now gave her a funny look and shrugged. “Most people will be turned in by the time we ride through. And I’m sure Carr is home by now. His farm isn’t even within sight of the road.”

  “Well, best be safe than sorry,” she murmured.

  He gave her a slightly bemused, knowing look but said nothing in reply.

  Even when they were well past Bellepoint, Katherine couldn’t bring herself to even lift the bonnet’s veil, much less take it off. She fussed and fidgeted, avoiding Daniel’s gaze. Fortunately, he said nothing, and they rode the rest of the way home in silence.

  It was dark by the time they reached the house. When Katherine attempted to get out of the carriage, the thickness of the veil nearly caused her to fall out. She felt Daniel take her by the arms and settle her safely on the ground.

  His voice was filled with tender amusement as he spoke to her. “Katherine, take that silly thing off before you break your pretty little neck.”

  With shaking hands, she removed the pins and untied the hat, laying it aside on the carriage seat. She turned around to find him standing very close to her, and it was difficult to keep a straight thought in her head. Looking past him, she noticed the house was dark. “Oh,” she breathed. “They must have turned in.”

  His eyes never left her. “Well, it is late.”

  Katherine stared at the ground. Her heart had begun its furious pounding again, and she hid her hands in the folds of her skirt.

  Daniel lifted her chin with a gentle finger, and she was forced to look at him. Moonlight danced in his green eyes as his hand cupped her face. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you.” His voice was deep and soft.

  As his thumb stroked her cheek, Katherine found herself reaching out to hold on to him. Her legs had suddenly become quite weak. She felt his hand slide around her waist, pulling her closer still. “What did you want to say?” she murmured.

  “Only this,” he whispered as his lips brushed hers.

  Katherine’s hands quickly wrapped themselves around his broad shoulders, and the kiss deepened. This was what she’d been dreaming about.

  Of course! This was all a dream. She’d wake up within the next few seconds like she always did and find nothing in her arms but a pillow. But instead of waking up, she found Daniel had lifted his head to look at her with such tenderness it was all she could do to not cry.

  “Now do you understand why you can’t go?”

  She nodded. Breathless, she buried her head in his chest for a moment. “Why … why did you call me pretty?”

  His lips brushed the top of her head. “Why shouldn’t I?” he whispered.

  Her voice shook as she answered. “Oh, Daniel, I’m not. I’m just this drab little … nothing.”

  “No. Don’t even think that.” The firmness of his voice caused her to look up and meet his gaze. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, and not just here,” he said, brushing his thumb across her cheek once more. “Your sweet spirit shines through everything you say and do. Especially through your incredible eyes.”

  “Incredible? My eyes?” she gasped, unable to believe what she was hearing. “You’ve seen my eyes, haven’t you?”

  “On more than one occasion.” He smiled.

  “You must have taken leave of your senses then, Daniel Kirby! My eyes are the least—” Before she could say more, he was tenderly kissing her again.

  “I could lose myself in your eyes for the rest of my life,” he finally murmured, making a point of gazing into them for a long while before he spoke again. “I love you, Katherine Wallace.”

  She stared at him. “This is one of the nicest dreams I’ve ever had.”

  “You think you’re dreaming?” he asked incredulously.

  “I must be. In half a minute it’ll be morning, and I’ll wake up to have you tell me you’re really in love with Adele.”

  “Adele?” He laughed. “Adele is like a sister to me. What I feel for her is nothing like what I feel for you.” Daniel bent his head to kiss her once more when they both caught sight of a soft light coming from the parlor window. “I guess Aunt Mary waited up after all.” He placed a lingering kiss on her forehead before stepping away to lead Scioto and the carriage to the barn.

  Katherine watched him, dazed, before remembering herself. Since this was all a dream, she might as well tell him how she felt. She’d woken up too soon all the other times. “Daniel!”

  He was back beside her in an instant. “What?”

  “Oh … I know I’m only dreaming. I love you.”

  “You’re not dreaming.” He smiled and reached up to stroke her cheek. “I’ll prove you wrong in the morning.”

  “I dearly hope so.”

  Chapter 16

  Daniel stepped out of the barn the next morning, having finished the chores and dressed for church, when he caught sight of Katherine on her way to the henhouse. She walked in before he could get her attention, and he decided to wait for her.

  He leaned against the whitewashed clapboard with a pounding heart. He remembered how deeply Nate had loved Adele and the affection his parents had for one another, but he never really expected to find love himself. Instead, he had seen himself remaining a bachelor like Professor Harris. Not for lack of prospects of course. A number of girls from Ohio Wesleyan’s female college had chased after him, and he had courted a couple of them. But the relationships hadn’t lasted; he’d been far too interested in his studies and the young ladies too interested in catching a husband.

  But Katherine was different. Daniel found in her someone who would willingly join him in his studies. She didn’t sigh and look bored when he spoke of poetry or mythology. She had a passion for learning and, more importantly, a passion for the Lord.

  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small leather pouch, tipping the small gold ring it contained into his palm. Aunt Mary had given him his mother’s wedding ring the day after he’d come home, and he’d carried it with him ever since. The morning sun glinted off the golden crisscrossing lines along the band, an Irish pattern. It had been in the Kirby family for generations.

  Just then one of the cows lowed and he frowned. You’re a farmer now, he thought as he returned the heirloom to his pocket. What right did he have offering her that kind of life? Oh, she seemed contented enough, but could he be satisfied knowing she would be far better suited as a professor’s wife?

  The henhouse door opened, and Daniel deliberately pushed the thought aside. He was eager to prove to her that his declaration last night hadn’t been a dream.

  Katherine set down a heavy basket of eggs, and as she turned to close the door, he grasped her hand and pulled her into his arms. Before she could say a word, he was kissing her, slowly and deeply.

  “Daniel Aaron Kirby!” she gasped w
eakly. “Mary will see.”

  “Right now I don’t care if the entire state of Ohio sees us or hears me telling you how much I love you.” His arms tightened around her. “Still believe it’s a dream?”

  Her eyes softened and she bit her lip as a shy smile crept over her face. “No,” she whispered.

  It was all he could do to not kiss her again. Instead, he let her go and, picking up the basket of eggs, took her hand. “Come on. I’ll walk you in.” He relished the feel of her fingers entwined with his, and as they walked he caught her glancing at him. “What?”

  “You’re wearing your uniform again.”

  The admiring look in her eyes gave him such a rush he almost forgot to answer. “I thought it was only proper to wear this to services until the president is laid to rest later this week.” He stopped, and she looked at him questioningly. “Come to church this morning.”

  “Daniel, I shouldn’t,” she replied, looking away.

  “You’ve never really explained why you feel you have to do this,” he said. “You know it’s only going to take longer for them to heal and accept you.”

  “Is it? Seems to me the less they see of me—”

  “The less they’ll think about what they need to be doing, which is accepting you because you’re their sister in Christ. Being Southern should have nothing to do with it.” He pulled her forward and kissed her on the forehead. “Do you know what Adele told me?”

  “What?”

  “She said being around you is helping her let go of the pain and anger she’s been feeling.”

  “She blamed me for Nate’s death,” she murmured.

  “She did. But your example has shown her what she needs to do. Don’t you think that’s what you should do for the people at Mill Creek Church?”

  She opened her mouth to answer, but Mary called to them from the kitchen door. “Will you two be joining us for breakfast?”

  Inside, as they sat down at the table, Daniel noticed that Adele was wearing a dress of pale blue, the skirt being held out by numerous petticoats. Her hair was pulled neatly back in a chignon, and she looked almost like her old self. “Are you coming with Aunt Mary and me this morning, Adele?” he asked.

  Adele and his aunt looked at each other. Mary was dressed in simple work clothes. “No, Daniel,” Adele replied calmly. “I intend to go to church with you and Miss Wallace this morning.”

  He heard Katherine drop her fork and looked to see her staring wide-eyed at the young widow. “Oh, Mrs. Stephens, I’ve promised—”

  “Katherine, this staying away from services is nonsense,” Mary said firmly. “If you eat quickly, you can get yourself into something suitable before you three need to leave. I’ll stay and tend to Jacob. He needs a few days more yet.”

  Daniel could tell by the sound of his aunt’s voice she was going to brook no refusal. And from the stricken look on Katherine’s little face, he knew she knew it as well.

  She rose. “I’m … not really hungry. I think I’ll change now,” she muttered, sweeping from the room.

  He looked after her, frustrated he couldn’t go hold her and tell her everything would be all right.

  A warm hand found his, and he turned to see a sweet, knowing smile on Adele’s face.

  “Let me go speak with her,” she said gently before rising from her seat and following Katherine.

  Katherine sat on her bed, still dressed in her work clothes and staring at her dresses hanging in the simple walnut wardrobe. She couldn’t quite decide which dress was proper for a lamb being led to the slaughter to wear. The swish of petticoats caused her to look up and meet Adele’s gentle smile.

  “Such lovely dresses,” Adele said as she swept over to the wardrobe door.

  “Thank you,” Katherine muttered. “Mary and I altered a few of hers. There’s only one that’s new.” She and Mary had only managed to make one dress for her since their arrival. It was a pretty day dress with a rosette print and a background of deep blue.

  Adele immediately reached for it. “I will tell you a secret. In spite of how I felt, I always liked this on you. You must wear it, and we will be a pretty pair as we sit together this morning.” She saw the terrible look on Katherine’s face, and becoming more serious, the young widow sat down beside her. “This is not right. They will not come to accept you if you are not there.”

  “That’s what Daniel said.”

  “He is right, you know.”

  “I know, it’s just …” Katherine paused and looked back up at Adele. “Am I truly helping you to heal?”

  A strained look crossed the young widow’s face, and she placed her hand over Katherine’s. “If you had not come here, I would have drowned in my hate. I would have grown into a bitter old woman and died far from God.”

  “But you’ve been attending church.”

  “Only for the sake of my son.” Adele squeezed her hand. “And going to church does not make you close to Him, you know.” She placed her free hand over her heart. “You must have and know Him here.”

  Katherine nodded. She had attended services many times with her family, but it had only been for the sake of appearances. The words of their reverend had not touched their hearts as they had hers. “But how could I have possibly been an example to you? I’ve hardly seen you.”

  “But I have seen you. You treated my son with much kindness, and I would watch you during services, and I knew how patiently you accepted how people treated you. May would tell me.”

  “May?” Katherine asked hopefully.

  “Yes, she is a dear young lady, and she likes you very much.”

  “Her parents certainly don’t,” Katherine replied sadly.

  “They are good people,” Adele reassured her. “Do not think too badly of them. I hope you will come to know them as I do.” She smiled. “Now you must get dressed. Your Daniel is waiting for us I am sure.”

  Katherine blushed, happy and shy at the same time. “Mrs. Stephens—”

  “If we are to be friends, you must call me Adele.”

  Katherine’s throat went tight. “Then, I hope you will call me Katherine.”

  Adele’s smile broadened, and she leaned toward her. “We will go together and sit side by side. If anyone wants to say something, they will say it to me.”

  Whatever courage she had taken from Adele’s words melted away at the first shocked look she got when the three of them walked up to the church door.

  Daniel seemed to sense her discomfort and looked down at her. “It’ll be all right.”

  Her heart flipped at the look he gave her, and she squeezed his arm tighter. She had no notion how she had managed to win the heart of such a good and handsome man. Katherine pressed her lips together at the sweet memory of his kiss this morning. No, last night hadn’t been a dream.

  A great deal of murmuring and pointing went on as they sat down in a pew near the front. Adele smiled calmly and greeted a few people who answered her back in stunned voices. Katherine sat down beside her and immediately reached for a hymnal. She didn’t look up until the end of the opening song when she felt Daniel slide away from her. Startled, she saw none other than May Decker daintily stepping in front of him, settling herself next to her with a barely suppressed smile. Katherine began to panic. May’s parents would be furious that she had not returned to sit with them after playing the opening hymn.

  Adele took her hand then, and Katherine turned to see Reverend Warren step up to the lectern. A small smile was on his face, and he gave her the barest of winks as he bid them all to open to the book of Galatians.

  The service slipped by more quickly than Katherine had ever remembered. May rose all too soon to play the closing hymn, and afterward the room was deathly quiet. Within a few minutes, people began to stand awkwardly yet still not saying much of anything.

  Unabashed, Adele rose, pulling Katherine along with her. Linking her arm through hers, the young widow started to walk her down the aisle, Daniel and May not far behind. Katherine nearly gasped when
she saw Mrs. Warren approaching them with Ruth Decker quickly coming up behind her.

  “Adele,” Mrs. Warren exclaimed, “how nice to see you.” She glanced hesitantly at Katherine.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Warren. It is good to see you as well.” She smiled pleasantly. “Is it not good that Miss Wallace was able to come this morning?”

  Mrs. Warren seemed to hesitate, and Ruth Decker now spoke up. “Adele Stephens, you can’t be serious. She’s a secesh.”

  Katherine felt Daniel move behind her, and she reached back to lay a hand on his arm. His eyes were dark with anger, but he took heed of her imploring look and said nothing.

  “Miss Wallace is not a secesh,” Adele declared calmly. “She is a sister in Christ. I am ashamed to say I have not always seen her that way, but over the past month she has shown me that God tells us to love our enemies, not so we can heap coals upon their heads but so we might learn to love them.” She looked around at the other members of the congregation who stood watching the little scene play out. “We have all lost much. Brothers, sons … husbands.” Her voice shook on the last word, and Katherine squeezed her hand in sympathy. “But I will not allow myself to lose my faith as well. I will accept Miss Wallace as my sister in Christ.”

  “And so will I,” May declared.

  Ruth Decker seemed completely thunderstruck, but Mrs. Warren stepped toward Katherine and took both her hands in hers. Her face was awash with shame, and tears began to fall from her eyes. Reverend Warren came to stand next to his wife as she spoke. “Miss Wallace, I am so sorry. When Paul told me we needed to accept you, I couldn’t …”

  Katherine gently squeezed her hands. “Mrs. Warren, please don’t give it another thought. Your husband told us about your nephew, and I am so terribly sorry.”