Page 470 of Conveniently Wed
“May I?” The stranger didn’t wait for an answer, but swept in like the flow of the Shenandoah on a spring day. With determination in her eyes, and the bustle of fine silk, she carried a look of well-bred confidence.
“My, you were not easy to find and my parents were no help at all. You must be Katherine, for you’re as beautiful as I was at your age. I’m dreadfully sorry to barge in on you like this after all these years,” the woman said, “but I just had to see for myself if my daughter is healthy and well.”
This couldn’t be happening. Could it? “Are you?—?”
“I’m your mother.”
Katie’s chest tightened. Not after abandoning her. Giving her away. “I know my mother. She lives across the orchard. I was going to ask if you’re Emmaline.”
The stranger’s face fell, and she looked down. “I more than deserve that. I never mothered you, but I was hoping to getto know you as an adult, and hopefully reconcile with my dear sister.”
Katie’s heart panged. How could she turn this woman away and call herself a Christian? And what would Ma say? She and Katie were just getting to the point they were friends, and this would hit her hard.
She inhaled a breath for strength and forced a smile. “This is a bit of a shock, to say the least, but do come in.” She led Emmaline into the parlor on wobbly legs. “Would you like an afternoon tea?” She lowered her body to the edge of a chair and extended her hand for the woman to sit.
“I was thinking more of a bed. I’m exhausted from hours of traveling. I swear I shall not surface until at least tomorrow morning.”
“You…you want to stay here?”
“If that’s all right with you. I was hoping to spend some time and get to know you.” Her hands swept around the room. “But only if you have space for one wee guest.” She smiled, but the look didn’t reach her eyes.
Katie sighed. She didn’t need this right now. Why would God allow more drama when she was already stretched to the limit?
“I’ll have to discuss a longer stay with my husband,” Katie said, “but I’ll get a room made up for you for a night or two. That should give you more than enough time to surmise that I am fine.” Although she was anything but fine. A ripple of unease came over her. Why did she distrust this woman? Was it merely the coloring of her past? Was it fair to judge her without knowing her?
Emmaline’s brows rose as if she were carefully choosing her words. “I will be ever so grateful for whatever time you share with me, dear daughter.”
“I’m not your daughter, nor your dear.” Katherine purposely projected a firmness in her voice. “You made quite sure of thatwhen you gave me away at birth and never looked back. So, please don’t call me that.”
Emmaline’s gaze dropped to the floor.
“Follow me.” Katie climbed the stairs. When she reached the upper landing and should’ve offered the guest room beside Josiah’s room, she turned to the opposite wing of the house and chose a chamber as far from their personal space as she could. At the very least, this would pacify Ma. Emmaline would not be treated as an honored guest.
The door to the dust ridden room creaked open at their entrance, and Katherine waved Emmaline inside the cold bedroom. “Excuse the dust.”
Emmaline’s eyes swept the room with a look of surprise.
“We don’t typically get uninvited guests.” Katie hated that her words sounded curt, but was she supposed to feel something for this stranger who had the nerve to show up unannounced?
“Annie will be in with some water so you can freshen up.” Katie stayed in the doorway. “She’ll light the fire and freshen the room, but don’t expect to be waited on. We all do our part around here. This is a working ranch.”
Josiah had not even had time to hang his hat when Katherine rounded the corner. There she stood with her long hair flowing, the rosy glow that pregnant women carry, and her haunting eyes. He longed for the day when he would harden enough to no longer pick up on every nuance, every detail, every worry line etched on her face.
She was definitely worried now.
“Can we please talk privately?” She approached him with uncertainty swimming in her eyes.
Something must have happened. Or maybe she had something to confess. The thought churned bile in his belly, but he pushed it back. “Meet me upstairs in my room.”
Her eyebrows lifted.
“Supper is on, and I have to freshen up. You know how Delilah gets when my tardiness spoils her hard work.” He took the steps two at a time. Maybe he shouldn’t have invited her into his personal space.
As he splashed water on his face and picked up the towel to dry his torso, hands, and neck, the door opened and closed. He didn’t turn.
“Go ahead, talk. I’m listening.” He pulled a fresh shirt from his armoire and slipped his long arms into the sleeves. When she still hadn’t said a word, he turned toward her. This must be bad.
But the sight of tears pooling in her eyes as she looked around the room wasn’t what he expected. “I’m sorry.” She swiped at her eyes. “I’m so emotional these days. Ma says it’s to do with the baby.” She motioned around. “But I haven’t been in this room for so long. All the wonderful memories…the moments of… Goodness me I’m blubbering.” She walked toward the window and stared into the darkening sky.
