Page 47 of Spilling the Tea

“So, there will be a wedding,” Kurt said, assuming as much.

Jantzen crossed his arms over his chest, met Kurt Satterfield’s gaze, and then, to not be misunderstood, spoke in a loud voice.“Milton says he is not the father of Charlotte’s baby, and I believe him. There won’t be a wedding either.”

***

Jantzen Madaris’s words were not what Charlotte had expected, and by the shocked look on her parents’ faces, it was apparent they weren’t what they had expected either. Indeed, they would do the honorable thing and order Milton to marry her. Right away. Tonight.

“What do you mean there won’t be a wedding?” Kurt roared, lifting his shotgun as if ready to aim.

“Gentlemen, please,” Reverend Potts implored, rushing to stand between the two men and the shotgun. He then turned to Jantzen. “Mr. Madaris, why do you not believe Miss Satterfield?”

Jantzen met the pastor’s stare. “Because my son swore upon our family Bible that he’s not the father of Charlotte’s child. That’s good enough for me.”

“Well, it’s not good enough for me,” Kurt Satterfield snapped. “Charlotte has no problem swearing upon our family Bible as well.”

All eyes turned to Charlotte. She lifted her chin. “Yes, Pa, I will do that because I am telling the truth. Milton is my baby’s father.”

All gazes shifted to Jantzen. “It doesn’t matter if she does place her hand on the Bible. My boy is not marrying your daughter. If he does, it will beafterthe child is born, and I’m convinced it’s a Madaris baby.”

“And just how will you know that?” Penny Satterfield asked snappily.

“The child will have a certain birthmark. All Madarises are born with it.”

Charlotte swallowed deeply as she tried to retain her composure. Was that true? Were all Madaris babies born with a birthmark? When her father turned to look at her as if allowing her to recant her accusation, she knew there was no wayshe could. “Then my son or daughter will be born with that birthmark. You’ll see.”

Emboldened by his daughter’s words, Kurt bit out, “You want my daughter to bear her child as an unmarried woman? Just because you refuse to accept her word that Milton fathered her child? Do you not know the shame that will cause her?”

“No more than the scandal it will cause my family when people in these parts accuse my son of not doing the right thing by her.”

Charlotte knew she had to make them see reason. She was determined that Milton marry her. “Milton is engaged to marry someone at the end of the summer, Pa. What happens when I give birth to a Madaris baby in seven months, but Milton has married someone else?” Charlotte wailed.

Reverend Potts turned to Jantzen before shifting his gaze to Milton. He refocused on Jantzen. “If your position is that Milton won’t marry Charlotte until it’s proven the baby is his, Jantzen, then it’s only fair that Milton not be allowed to marry anyone until after this issue is resolved.”

“Fine,” Jantzen snapped.

“No! That’s not fine, Pa,” Milton said furiously, turning to his father. “You want me to postpone my wedding to Fee because of her lie?” he said, pointing a finger at Charlotte. “I won’t do it!”

“Listen, son. Like Reverend Potts said, it’s only fair,” Jantzen said with regret.

“No, Pa, it’s not fair to me or to Felicia.”

“What about me?” Charlotte demanded. “You were engaged to her and slept with me. Besides, chances are she won’t marry you when she hears you deceived her.”

“Is that what you’re hoping, Charlotte?” Milton snapped.

She placed her hands on her hips. “I am hoping you do the right thing like you said you would do and not cause me any shame. All you told me were lies.” She had to play this farce for all she could. The last thing she wanted was to be exposed.

Reverend Potts felt it was time to intervene again and address Jantzen. “Mr. Madaris, why can’t there be a wedding tonight? If it is discovered after the baby is born that it’s not your son’s child, as the pastor, I will annul the marriage as long as it hasn’t been consummated.”

Both Jantzen and Milton said simultaneously, “No!”

Kurt then said, “If your son won’t marry my daughter, then my son won’t marry yours either. I am officially calling off any union between a Satterfield and Madaris. I am taking back my blessing.”

“No, Pa!” Waylon, who’d been quiet all this time, said, coming to stand before his father. “Leave me and Victoria out of this.”

“Our families are now in a feud with the Madarises since they won’t force their son to do the honorable thing. There is no way I will accept one of them as part of our family,” Kurt said bitterly.

“I love Victoria, and we will get married as planned,” Waylon said forcefully, looking at Victoria, who had tears clouding her eyes. “I won’t give her up.”

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