Page 48 of Hank and Elsie
Too stunned by the man’s abrupt leap from courtship to pronouncement, he couldn’t speak, all Hank could do was helplessly watch the horror and then betrayal play over Elsie’s face.
With painfilled eyes, she glanced at him, and then back at her father.
“Elsie, let me explain,” he said desperately.
Firming her jaw, she raised her chin. “I’mnotgetting married.” She shot the words at her father. “Not to Hank. Not toanyone.”
Hank opened his mouth to tell her that he’d intended a long courtship, that her father had jumped the gun. But the angry look she speared at him pierced his heart so deeply, he couldn’t think, much less speak.
Mr. Bailey frowned. “I’ve seen the way you look at the man. I thought you’d be happy.”
She glared at her father. “I’m perfectly happy with my lifeas it is. I have no desire to changeanything.”
“Spending the summer learning dressmaking skills and earning some money—” he glanced down at the new boots he’d donned for tonight and tapped a toe “—although much appreciated, isn’t about your future. You need a husband to provide for you and your children.”
“I’m too young to have children,” she stuttered out the words, staring at her mother in appeal. “We discussed the wisdom of waiting.”
Mrs. Bailey didn’t quite meet her daughter’s eyes. “Your father knows best.”
Elsie crossed her arms over her chest. “I’mnotgetting married. I’m going back to myhomeat Miss Taylor’s and will continue to work for her.”
With a stern look, Mr. Bailey held up a finger in admonishment. “You’ll do no such thing,” he thundered. “If you won’t take this fine man up on his offer, then you are coming home where you belong. Obviously, living in town has given you the wrong ideas.”
Elsie lifted her chin. The expression of stubbornness on her face matched her father’s. “I won’t. I’m staying in town!” She cast Hank a defiant glance. “With Miss Taylor!”
“You’re not of age, Daughter. You must obey me.”
“No! And you can’t make me. Even if you kidnap me.”
Mrs. Bailey gasped. “Elsie Anne Bailey!”
She stared daggers at her mother, and then her father. “If you drag me here, then I’ll run back to town.”
“You’re underage,” her father scoffed. “I wouldn’t need to resort to kidnapping. I’ll have the sheriff haul you back.”
Elsie let out a bitter laugh. “Do youreallythink Sheriff Granger would do that? Do you, Pa?Really?”
Underage or not, Hank was sure the sheriff would side with Elsie.
For a moment, her shoulders bowed, before she took a breath and straightened.
Hank couldn’t bear watching Elsie defend her position—part valiant warrior, part cornered, wounded animal. Even if he broke his own heart, he had to set her free. “I withdraw my offer of—” he gazed at Elsie, hoping she’d see the truth in his eyes. “Courtship.”
That night,Elsie tossed and turned on the hard pallet on the floor, too upset to fall asleep, but doing her best to not disturb Mary’s rest. She kept replaying the evening, in turns feeling the betrayal and hurt caused by her family and Hank and how trapped and isolated she felt.
From time to time, she wiped away tears and quietly blew her nose, hating how pain and anger made her cry. Her handkerchief was so soaked as to be almost useless.I was so happy. Now, Hank’s ruined everything.
But sometimes, too, in the middle of her bitter ruminations, she remembered the stunned look on Hank’s face after herfather’s announcement. How his expression changed to hurt, followed by blanking out any emotion when he rescinded his proposal.
Elsie thrust the image aside.It’s his own fault he’s hurt.
She must have dozed at some point, for the pearly gray light of dawn seeped through the windows. Her parents would be up soon. If she wanted to avoid Hank before he and Brian left and any more efforts on her parents’ part to force her acquiescence, she needed to be far enough away from the house for her not to be seen nor hear them calling.Thank goodness the men are sleeping in the barn tonight.
Silently, she slipped from underneath the covers and began to dress.
Mary stirred and opened her eyes.
Elsie leaned close to her sister. “I’m going for a walk,” she whispered. “I’ll be back after Hank and Brian leave.”
