Page 30 of The Drifter's Bride
“I know, but it is an important day, Addison.”
She relished the feel of his hand surrounding hers. She felt safe, as if nothing would harm her if he were around. “How so?”
“I want to talk to you about something very important when we have lunch today.”
She felt a brief rush of butterflies in her belly. “What is it?”
“I can’t talk to you about it until we get to the creek.”
“You are horrible for making me wait, Lukas Arkin,” she giggled.
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I promise it will be worth it.”
“I know it will be.”
Her heart raced in her chest at the possibilities of what he might ask her. It consumed her throughout services that she couldn’t even concentrate on the closing hymn. When the services were finally over, Lukas escorted her to greet the preacher, and then back to the gig where they made their way down to the creek for the afternoon picnic.
“I brought a blanket,” Lukas said. “And Bet made a berry cobbler.”
“She shouldn’t be cooking,” Addy gently chided. “How are the little ones?”
“They are doing good. I think she just wanted something to do.”
“I didn’t think to make dessert.”
“Pick a spot and I’ll put the blanket down.”
Addy walked over and picked a spot underneath a large tree. “There doesn’t appear to be any rabbit holes under this one,” she giggled.
Lukas put the basket on the ground and snapped open the blanket, laying it on the lush grass. “I’ll be right back if you want to put the food out.”
Addison kicked off her leather slippers and took a seat on the blanket, pulling the basket into her lap. She pulled out thick sandwiches filled with roasted chicken, and several pieces of fried chicken. There was also a jar of Aunt Ingrid’s pickles, some cheese, and two jars of lemonade. Addy wasn’t much of a cook, but she didn’t think she’d done too badly for never putting a picnic basket together before.
Lukas returned with a second basket containing Elizabet’s berry cobbler and a small box.
“What’s this?” Addison asked, pulling the box out of the picnic basket.
“That’s what I wanted to ask you about.”
“Alright.”
“You know how I asked your Aunt Ingrid to find me a wife?”
Suddenly, the butterflies stopped fluttering in her belly, and they went silent. “Yes?” she said hesitantly.
“I was wondering if you’d do me the honor of…”
Before he could finish, a shrill voice interrupted his proposal.
“Get away from him.”
Addison turned to see the woman from the mercantile standing next to the tree. Her matted hair was coated with dirt, as if she had been sleeping outside. Her clothes were torn and there was a swelling around her belly.
“Lolly, what are you doing here?” Lukas growled, scrambling to his feet. He put a restraining hand on Addison’s arm, signaling she should stay where she was.
“I came to find you, Lukas. To tell you about the baby. Instead, I find you out here with this strumpet.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about, Lolly. There is no baby. I thought Mrs. Chapman told you to get back on the stage and go home.” He tried to keep his voice even, but Addison could hear the anger simmering underneath it.
