Page 555 of Conveniently Wed
“I don’t think Marvin ever loved me as he said he did. He was just so jealous of you. He wanted everything you had, even me.” She paused and blinked her eyes, a lone tear making its way down each cheek. “I was in love with the idea of marriage and starting my own family. His lies led me astray, because I wasn’t really committed to you.”
Franklin nodded. Lorinda couldn’t see the expression on his face, but she didn’t want to move and call attention to herself.
“If Ihadbeen, his words wouldn’t have enticed me.”
Maybe her words were meant to ease Franklin, but Lorinda didn’t think they did. She saw the way the muscles in his lean jaw compressed and released, over and over. That was no surprise. She had often wondered if he was still in love with his first fiancée.
“Go on.” He gave Miriam a nod.
“He promised we would be married as soon as we reached a place he had picked out for the wedding. He never told me where it was. We must not have ever reached it, because he never said we had arrived.” She turned her face away and stared off into the distance. “He convinced me we were as good as married, and I held him off for a long time. But eventually, I succumbed to his expressed desires. After that, he never mentioned marriage again.”
Lorinda realized that must have really hurt the woman. But she did make the wrong choices herself. Lorinda was pulledbetween feeling sorry for her and thinking she got what she deserved.
Miriam turned her eyes back toward them, the pain in her glance making them glacial. “We stayed together until after I told him I was...with child. Soon after, he left me with the horse and a small bag of gold coins. I haven’t seen him since.”
Lorinda couldn’t keep quiet any longer. “How did he get Mike’s horse?”
Miriam turned toward her. “He knew Mike had quite a bit of gold on him when he left for Denver.”
“How could he know that?” Lorinda realized her question sounded harsh, but she didn’t care.
“I don’t know how he found out things. He just did.” Miriam twisted her fingers together and held them close to her chest. “I’m so sorry.” Tears poured down her cheeks now. “He came home very angry. I had to stay out of his way for a few days. He ranted about Mike not having the gold he planned to steal. In his anger, he killed the man. He took the horse, so he would at least get something for all his trouble.”
Her shoulders shook with sobs, and she seemed to wilt with what little strength she’d gained melting right out of her.
Lorinda stepped forward. “I think we’ve done enough talking for today.”
She helped Miriam scoot back down in the bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. Miriam’s eyes slid shut. Lorinda took a hanky and wiped the tears from her cheeks.
Franklin stood and waited for her to finish. Then he ushered her from the room with his hand on her lower back. She leaned into that touch. She needed it right now. In the foyer, he pulled her into his arms. She rested her head against his chest, and he pressed a kiss atop her curls. Had she imagined that?Surely not.The gentle touch reminded her of what she was missing in their marriage.
“I’m so sorry, Lorinda. I know that was hard to hear.”
Yes, it was. Very hard, but she couldn’t stop herself from feeling sorry for Miriam. The woman made her own decisions, but she had been influenced by a very bad man...like the two Lorinda had grown up with. Raising her head from his chest, Lorinda gazed at his handsome face.
“It was hard for you, too, Franklin, wasn’t it?”
Miriam’s words had to add to the pain and betrayal he already felt.
“But we’re far better off than she is. We can thank the Lord for that.” His comforting words reached her heart.
Was the Lord still listening to them since they were living the lie? She hoped He was.
30
Lorinda followed Dr. Winston to the front door. “Thank you for coming to check on Miriam.”
He settled his hat on his head and picked up his medical bag. “You’re doing a good job, Mrs. Vine, helping her to regain some of her strength. But she’s not out of the woods yet.”
“She’s been sitting up for over half an hour now.” Lorinda hoped it was an indication Miriam was getting stronger.
“I’ll be back out here in a couple of days...unless the baby comes sooner.” He headed outside.
Lorinda closed the door behind him, then leaned against it. Memories of when Lorinda’s own son was born were still fresh in her mind. It was hard. It hurt so much, and she’d been much stronger than Miriam was.Dear Lord, please help Miriam regain her strength before the baby decides to make an appearance.If she didn’t, Lorinda wondered how Miriam would be able to push the baby out.
When she went back into the bedroom where Miriam sat in the rocking chair, the woman raised her head and glanced at her. “Mrs. Vine, I really need to talk to you and Fr—Mr. Vine this evening.”
“Okay.” Lorinda wondered what she might want to talk about. Her voice sounded so serious. Hopefully, she just wanted to ask for their help. Surely, she didn’t want to rekindle her romance with Franklin now that he was married to someone else.
