Page 10 of Mail-Order Tess (A Mail-Order Mystery #2)

Ten

M uch to Tess’s delight, Wade stayed for dinner and dessert. He even managed to take the broken pie home, and she hoped he enjoyed it.

For her, it had been a delightful treat. Though she wasn’t much of a cook or baker, the experience made her want to try her hand at it. Winnie assured her that Betsy would have no trouble teaching her.

Later, as Winnie helped her into bed, the subject of Wade came up. “Well,” Winnie said, fluffing Tess’s pillow, “Wade seemed to enjoy his dinner…and your company.”

Tess crawled under the covers. “It’s nothing, really. It’s just nice to have a man come to my rescue. But let’s face it, it’s not nice having to be rescued in the first place.”

“You said it,” Winnie agreed. “I could tell you stories about what’s happened with some of the brides around here. But right now, you need to rest.”

Tess agreed, and sleep claimed her in no time.

Several days later, she found herself seated in church beside Wade and Winnie as Pastor Adams stepped behind the pulpit. She sang a few hymns, listened to the sermon, and stayed quiet through the announcements.

As the service wound down, she let her gaze wander over the congregation, studying the faces of the townsfolk. Compared to the endless sea of people she’d been surrounded by in New York, this was…intimate. Calm. She could get used to this.

After the benediction, Pastor Adams invited Wade to Sunday supper. Tess tried not to giggle or let on just how excited she was by the invitation. Though she suspected Wade saw right through her.

She didn’t come to Independence to fall in love , she reminded herself.She came to marry Henry Bonner. And Henry is gone. Still, the idea of spending more time with Wade on a first name basis, no less, stirred something in her chest.

Back at the parsonage, Winnie disappeared into the kitchen, while Pastor Adams sat with her and Wade in the parlor. “So, Tess,” he began, “what are your plans?”

She swallowed hard. “Well, I’m working, of course. I can pay you for letting me stay in your spare room.”

“Don’t worry about paying us,” he said with a warm smile. “You can stay as long as you’d like. But I mean…” his eyes slid to Wade, then back again, “…are you planning to stay in Independence?”

“Oh. That.” She pressed a hand over her heart and glanced at Wade. “I…well, I’d like to.”

Wade looked at her and smiled. “Martha told me you can work at the mercantile as long as you wish. And in time, maybe you’ll find other work, too.”

“Oh yes,” Tess said quickly. “I was told I could work for Mercy, Maude, and Mahulda. Though Mahulda kind of scares me.”

Pastor Adams laughed. “Mahulda Brock scares everyone, so don’t feel bad. I think she even scares Wade.”

He arched an eyebrow at Wade, who chuckled. “That she does. Though I have to admit, when I first met Maude, I was rather frightened of her too.”

“Her voice is so deep,” Pastor Adams added. “And she’s so tall.”

Tess giggled. It felt good to simply sit and talk.

The smell of dinner drifted in from the kitchen, and she had a handsome man sitting beside her on the settee.

It was all so comforting.Like home. And she realized she wanted a home .

A family. Not just for survival, like when she’d first answered Henry Bonner’s advertisement for a mail-order bride. But something real.

Pastor Adams rose. “I’d best go check on Winnie,” he said, and left the room.

Tess folded her hands in her lap, suddenly nervous.Good heavens , why was she so tense? It’s not like she and Wade were completely alone.

Wade crossed his legs, relaxing into the settee, and turned to her with a smile. “How are you really doing, Tess?” he asked gently.

She tried to relax but couldn’t quite manage it.Did the man have to be so handsome? So… manly? “I’m all right,” she replied.

He uncrossed his legs and shifted slightly, leaning toward her. “I’m glad to hear it. And I’m also glad there’s been no other incidents since the wagon.”

“I try not to think about it,” she admitted. “But my offer to help you decipher those codes and symbols still stands, you know.”

He smiled. “I know.”

She gave him a small nod. Her head still ached faintly.

Talking with him…eased the pain. “I haven’t seen much of you outside the mercantile.

Except when I’m heading back here at the end of my shift.

” Tess looked at her hands. If she faced him, she feared she wouldn’t be able to look away.

Instead, she gave him a sidelong glance.

“Mr. Tindle said he spotted you nearby a few times. Were you…checking on me?”

Wade wiped his hands on his trousers. He looked incredibly handsome in his Sunday best. “I’ve been thinking,” he said.

“Oh? About what?” Her voice came out softer than she intended.

“Well…seeing as things have been quieter, thank goodness, I thought I might write some of the symbols down for you to study. But…” he hesitated “…it’s not good for you to be seen too often with me. If they think we’re working together, they might hasten their plans. Whatever they are.”

She gulped. “You mean…to kill me?”

“Oh, no, sweetheart. Not that.” He shook his head. “Smuggling. Sabotage. And I’m not making much sense.” He blew out a breath.

“It’s all right,” she said softly. “I know this has been weighing on you. And I know you’ve been watching over me. I feel guilty about that.”

“No,” he said, placing his hand gently over hers. “Don’t ever feel guilty about me protecting you. This is something I want to do.”

She looked into his eyes, saw the sincerity there, and her heart melted. “It’s…not out of obligation?” she said before she could stop herself. Oh, good grief,what was she doing? Was she hoping hecared?

He gave her a small, warm smile. “I want to watch over you, Tess. Ido . Even if I wasn’t some government agent, I’d be doing the same. Do you understand?”

She gulped again.Did she?What exactly was he saying?

For heaven’s sake,she shouldn’t be wondering if he had feelings for her. There werepeople trying to kill her.

“Thank you,” she said softly. “From the bottom of my heart, for keeping me alive.”

“It’s my pleasure,” he replied with a wry smile. “But maybe we should change the subject before Pastor Adams returns and asks questions we can’t answer.”

“Oh, yes. Of course.”

“Well then…what shall we talk about?” He looked down at their hands—still touching—and quickly removed his. “Why did you become a mail-order bride?”

She blinked, startled. “Oh. I guess I haven’t told you that yet, have I?” Her shoulders slumped. She didn’t like talking about what happened, but after all he’d done for her, he deserved to know.

“Well…I come from an upper middle-class family, you see. We had servants and did well. My father managed a bank.” She paused, her voice tightening.

“But Papa had a gambling problem. And that led to other problems. When he died suddenly…everything fell apart. Debt collectors came. So did other men he owed money to. I had to selleverything . Men even came to the house and started taking things before I could stop them. It was horrible.”

“Good grief. You lost everything?” Wade asked gently.

Tess nodded. “And it didn’t even happen that long ago.

” She took a deep breath. “The only thing I brought with me was a quilt my mother made. She told me before she died to never let it go, and that it was a family heirloom. I have it in my room. In a satchel.” Her voice softened to barely a whisper.

“It’s really all I brought…besides a few toiletries.

I even had to borrow a dress to wear. I sold all my nice clothes.

” Her voice cracked, and she stopped, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief pulled from her sleeve.

“Hey now,” Wade said softly, placing a hand over hers again. “It’s all right. Everything’s going to be fine. You’ll see.”

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean to get upset. But it’s just that…I’m alone. And I didn’t realize how alone until now.”

Wade gave her hand a gentle pat, then reached out, tucking a finger under her chin and turning her face to his. “Tess, listen to me. I’m not going to let anything happen to you. Okay? You’re safe. You’ve got a roof over your head and food on the table.”

“But for how long?” she cut in, panic rising. “I don’t know how long any of this will last. What will Ido?”

“It’s all right,” he said, pulling her into his arms.

She stiffened in surprise. But only for a moment before she melted against him as he rubbed her back gently. Before she knew it, he was giving her back a reassuring pat.

“Let’s just worry about keeping you with usfor now,” he whispered into her hair.

Tess nodded, unable to speak. How could she, wrapped in this man’s powerful arms? She’d never felt such safety before. It thrilled and terrified her at the same time.

Wade slowly pulled away and looked her in the eyes. “Better?”

She nodded. “Better. Thank you. I…guess I needed that hug.”

He grinned. “My mother used to say there’s nothing a hug can’t fix.”

“I guess it still holds true,” she said, a small smile tugging at her lips.

“But we better not dotoomuch of it, lest Pastor Adams walks in on us.” He winked, and another piece of her heart melted. She could get used to living in Independence. She could get used to being with Wade Atwood.

As if on cue, Pastor Adams entered the parlor, smiling. “Supper’s ready. Shall we head to the dining room?”

They both nodded, rose from the settee, and followed him. “Does Winnie need any help?” Tess asked. Before he could answer, she slipped quickly into the kitchen. She needed a moment. She was pretty sure ahorrible blushhad crept into her cheeks.

Winnie, at the stove, turned and gasped. “Tess, is something wrong? My goodness, you’re red as a beet!”

Tess shook her head. “Oh, no. Nothing.”

Winnie gave her a wry smile. “Are you sure? You and Wade were alone in the parlor for quite a spell…”

Tess fanned herself with one hand. “Is it hot in here?”

Winnie laughed and placed a fresh pan of biscuits into a bowl. “Here. Do me a favor and go set this on the table.”

“Gladly,” Tess said, taking the bowl.

Heavens!She needed to get a hold of herself. If she wasn’t careful, she’d stare at Wade all through supper. How would that look? Ogling a man over fried chicken and potatoes? What would Pastor Adams say?

She carried the bowl into the dining room and set it in front of the pastor, offering a bright smile before hurrying back to the kitchen. She didn’t dare look at Wade again. Because if she did, she might not be able tostop.

“So,” Winnie said casually as Tess entered the room. “How’s it going between you and Wade?”

Tess immediately started fanning herself again. “We’re fine. Just fine.”

Winnie laughed. “Oh, my goodness. If you don’t mind me saying so, you have it bad. ”

Tess feigned mock shock. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

“Oh, I think you do,” Winnie teased. “And you know what else? I think he has it just as bad as you do.”

Tess blinked at her in surprise.

“I’ve been watching him,” Winnie continued. “Every morning. Every evening. When he comes to take you to work or bring you home. I swear, that man can’t take his eyes off you.”

Tess stared at her, stunned. Was it true? And if it was…what on earth was she going to do about it?