A Bride for Cameron Read online

  Cameron caught her hand. “Wait—what about us, Hannah?”

  She shrugged. “What about us?”

  “If you haven’t noticed, I’m trying to court you, but you refuse to go to Parker’s for dinner or lunch. You’ve been refusing rides in the country. What can I do to make you see that I’m trying my best to... to... at least win some affection.”

  Hannah squeezed his hand. “I know you’ve been trying, but I’ve been so busy with my visits, the children, and running the household that I’m exhausted.”

  Cameron could do no more than simply shake his head sadly.

  “Why does courting have to be away from our home? I love our nightly walks.”

  “You do?” He felt hopeful.

  “I look forward to them. I enjoy our conversations, and that’s a good start to any relationship.”

  Her words made Cameron bold, and he kissed her forehead lightly. “I enjoy your company, too.”

  On Sunday, they all piled into the buggy and went to the church service. Cameron felt more comfortable on his third time at church. Last week, Reverend Hollister had explained three more commandments in detail. Cameron felt relieved that he wasn’t guilty of dishonoring his parents—he hadn’t killed anyone or stolen anything. He liked the services because they made him feel like he wasn't such a bad guy after all.

  That week; however, Hollister hit him hard. “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” Hollister explained that neighbor didn’t mean the guy that lived down the lane; it meant another person. Had he been guilty of that sin while defending people in court? Didn’t he sometimes know the person was in the wrong, but he twisted the facts to win the case?

  He left the church feeling somewhat depressed. His dishonesty in sneaking Hannah into town as his wife and faking that he had two children just to win an election had been so wrong. He’d broken a commandment. Was he doomed to eternal damnation?

  He always had a difficult time hiding his emotions, although, when Hannah asked if he was all right on the way home, he faked a smile and assured her that he was fine and just thinking about his present case. How could he continue to be a lawyer who got paid for helping people get off without punishment? Not all of his clients were guilty, but he knew that some were. Most of his cases were not serious crimes like murder, though. He’d feel a lot better if he knew that Wilson was innocent for sure.

  What bothered him most was that he’d deceived the woman he wanted to make his true wife. How could he possibly tell her now that the children were only his by adoption? And to make matters worse, if that were possible, he’d forced the children to go along with the lie.

  Usually, he felt good after attending the services, but that day, he felt depressed and doomed. There is no way out once you begin to lie. Joe had advised him to tell Hannah everything, but how could he, now that he’d finally started getting some encouragement from her?

  The preacher had said that people needed to confess their sins to God. He supposed that was done by prayer. He’d never prayed outside of the church service. Reverend Hollister also said that God’s son, Jesus, had died on the cross for man’s sins, and all we had to do was ask, be truly sorry, and the sins would be forgiven, but how could he be truly sorry if he continued to lie to Hannah and the whole town when election time came? Oh, what had he done?

  Cameron continued to sulk, but when he felt Hannah’s worried eyes on him during dinner, he would smile.

  During the children’s bedtime, Annabelle begged him to tell her another story. “Honey,” he said, “I don’t remember all the stories my aunt told me.”

  Annabelle sat on the edge of the bed and said, “Then tell us a story about things that happened in your life. Mama often tells us stories about things that happened when she was my age. Those are the best stories.”

  She looked so eager that Cameron hated to disappoint her. He was sitting at the foot of Georgie’s bed as he tried to think of a story. Georgie crept up and put his head on his lap. Without thinking, he patted the boy’s head. He was a cute little child, and Hannah had taught him to talk. His vocabulary was still limited, but he looked up and said, “Please, Fadder?”

  Without thinking, Cameron swept the child up onto his lap. “I’ve got a story that you’ll love.”

  Both children clapped their hands and looked at him eagerly. Hannah gave him a big smile that made his heart skip a beat. He loved his little family.

  “I was just about your age, Annabelle,” he said, giving her a wink, “I went to a small schoolhouse where there were children of all ages. I was scared. I’d never been around any other children. I thought I was doing very well with the schoolwork, but the teacher sent a note home with me for my mother. It was written in cursive, so I couldn’t read it,” he saw Annabelle frown.

  “What’s cursive?”

  “It’s writing adults use. Your mother can show you later.”

  Annabelle smiled again. “What did the cursive note say?”

  “It said the teacher was worried about me because I hadn’t spoken a word in the first three months of school.”

  Cameron noticed that he had the rapt attention of the room.

  “My aunt gave me a friendly lecture. She told me to speak up like the other children.

  “Well, about a month later, the teacher gave me another note to give my aunt. I was worried, but I couldn’t figure out what I’d done wrong this time. My aunt laughed when she read it, and then had to lecture me again.”

  “What did the note say this time?” Annabelle asked.

  “It said I was talking during class even after she’d scolded me for it.”

  Annabelle giggled, and Hannah clapped her hands in glee. “Good story, Cam.”

  She’d finally called him Cam.

  Cameron looked down and noticed that Georgie had fallen asleep. He gently put him back in bed, covered him up, and kissed his forehead. “Goodnight, Georgie.”

  He did the same for Annabelle after she’d said her prayer.

  Hannah kissed them, turned out the lamp, and they backed out of the room.

  “Oh, Cam! We can’t walk tonight—it’s raining.”

  “So it is,” he said as they entered the sitting room. “We can chat in here, can’t we?”

  Hannah sighed. “Of course we can, but I so enjoy our walks.”

  She sat beside him on the settee. “Have you noticed Georgie’s talking more?”

  “Yes, and he hardly sucks his thumb anymore. I think he’s happy here.”

  Hannah swung her head toward him. “What do you mean, here?”

  Cameron, practiced lawyer that he was, had a good answer all prepared, but instead, he shook his head and rubbed his face with his hands. No more lies.

  “Hannah, I’m growing fonder of you every day, but I’m not the man you think I am. I left church today, feeling like the lowest man alive. I don’t deserve you.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Your church and minister got into my rotten, sinful head, and I just can’t continue being the man I was. I need to pray to God for forgiveness and beg yours as well.”

  “Cam, what on earth are you talking about?”

  Cameron spread his arms wide to indicate the room. “All this is a lie.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Hannah’s heart beat so hard in her chest she was afraid she’d pass out. Her new-found happiness was about to fall around her feet. She wondered what Cameron meant by, “All this is a lie.”

  Cameron sat with his elbows on his knees, holding his head in his hands.

  Hannah finally found her voice. “You’d better tell me what this is all about, Cameron Hart. That is your name, isn’t it?”

  “I should have told you this from the start, but I was afraid you’d leave. Now, I wish I had because parting with you now will break my heart.” Cameron took both of her hands in his. “Yes, I’m Cameron Hart, the biggest fool in the world. Here’s what happened. My partner, Joe Simmons, suggested I run for the Sena
te, and I loved the idea. He said I had to have a wife and children in order to become elected. Like a fool, I got a wife... a wife I am truly fond of... but I’ve not been honest with you.”

  “Go on,” Hannah said. “I know all this already.”

  “I was never married before you, and the children aren’t really mine.” He covered his face with his hands again, as if he couldn’t bear to see her face.

  Hannah stood. “For goodness' sake! Whose children are they?”

  “I got them from the orphan train just before you arrived. I bribed them with new clothes and toys to keep my secret.”

  “Oh, Cameron!” Hannah cried. “How could you?” She turned and ran up the stairs.

  .

  Cameron heard Hannah’s bedroom door close.

  He sat there for about an hour, feeling relief that he’d finally gotten it off his chest but also sick to his stomach. Was she upstairs packing her suitcases? Would she leave him?

  Before Cameron got into bed that night, he did something he’d never done before: he knelt by the bed and prayed. He hoped he was doing it right. He talked to God just like the minister had at the service. The first thing he did was apologize for having ignored God for so many years. Then, he prayed for Him to forgive his sins for he was truly sorry for all of them. He then pleaded with God to allow him to keep his lovely family. He told God he’d even drop out of the election. The only thing that was important now was keeping his family.

  Cameron left for the office early the next day. He didn’t want to watch Hannah coming down the stairs with her suitcases. He went directly to Joe’s office and closed the door. Cameron stood in front of Joe’s desk and said, “I’m not going to run for the state senate.”

  “What?” Joe replied. “Why not?”

  “All of my lies have caught up with me, and I can’t lie to the voters. I won’t.”

  Joe shook his head, then held up a bunch of papers. “Since you announced your candidacy, I’ve received lists of endorsements and supporters. The people want you.”

  “I’m not going to run, Joe.”

  “Think about it for a few days. You only have one case this week, and I’ll take it so you can go home and think this through.”

  Joe got up, walked over to Cameron ,and pushed him out of the office. “C’mon—home with you.”

  Cameron went to the general store. Maybe Hannah would forgive him if he bought a gift for her and the children. He walked all through the store and only found one item that interested him: a gold wedding band. He hadn’t given Hannah a ring yet.

  He walked away from the showcase. Of course, it was too late now. He’d have to stall in town for a while as he didn’t want to go home to find Hannah gone.

  Hannah hadn’t slept well, so when Annabelle and Georgie jumped on the bed, she sighed. For the first time ever, she wasn’t thrilled to see them. She wanted to roll over and fall back asleep. However, when her vision cleared from sleepiness, she saw their happy faces and had to hug them both.

  “I love you, Mama,” Annabelle said as she pulled from Hannah’s hug.

  Hannah choked up. No one had said that to her since her parents had died.

  “I love you, too, Annabelle,” she said, kissing her cheek.

  “Me, too,” Georgie said as he jumped up and down on her bed.

  “I love you, too, Georgie. Now, you two angels go and get dressed and wait for me in the dining room.”

  “All right,” Annabelle said as she scampered off the bed and out of the room, pulling Georgie with her.

  Hannah had tossed and turned all night, trying to decide her next course of action. At first, she’d planned to leave, but she couldn’t leave the children behind. Cameron had the paperwork for adopting them, so she couldn’t just take them with her. That left only one thing for her to do. She decided to stay, but she hadn’t made up her mind how to get over her anger and disappointment at Cameron. She’d married a truly dishonest man.

  She was thankful that when she walked into the dining room, only the children were sitting at the table. Hannah wasn’t ready to deal with Cameron yet, and she had no idea of how she would.

  “Bessie’s making us pancakes,” Annabelle said excitedly. “I love pancakes.”

  “Me, too!” Georgie chimed in.

  Hannah took a seat and inhaled. “They smell heavenly.”

  “Father went to work already,” Annabelle said.

  “Yes, I suppose he has loads of work to do at his office.”

  Bessie came in then with a plate full of steaming hot pancakes. “Good morning, Mrs. Hart. I hope you slept well.”

  “I’ve slept better. I think I missed that evening walk. It tires me out.”

  “Well, it’s warm and sunny today. I’ll bring your drinks out.” Bessie disappeared back into the kitchen.

  “What will we do today, Mama?”

  Before she could answer, Cameron walked in. “We’re going on a picnic!” he said before even closing the door behind him. “Your nanny can’t make it today.”

  Both children squealed with delight.

  Hannah wasn’t sure how to react, so she sat staring at Cameron, unsure of what to say.

  “Mama, should I tell Bessie to pack a basket?”

  “That’s an excellent idea, Annabelle. Take Georgie with you.”

  When the children disappeared into the kitchen, Hannah said calmly, “I imagine this picnic will begin at noon?”

  Cameron nodded.

  “Make sure you have them back by half-past one. Georgie needs a nap, and Annabelle has schoolwork to do.”

  Cameron sighed loudly. “So, you won’t go on the picnic with us.”

  Hannah shook her head.

  Cameron sat down at the table across from her. “What can I do to make amends for what I’ve done? I’ll do anything. I know that together we can get through this.”

  Hannah bit her bottom lip as she wondered if now were the time to tell him how she felt. She’d just formed the words when the children burst into the room.

  “Bessie said the basket will be ready by noon.” Annabelle and Georgie sat back down at the table to finish their breakfast.

  Hannah had lost her appetite. She pushed from the table and said to the children, “You can go to your playroom before your picnic, but when you get back, it’s naptime for Georgie and schoolwork for you, Annabelle.”

  “You aren’t coming on the picnic, Mama?” Annabella asked.

  ““No, sweetheart. Mama has a headache and needs to rest for a few hours.”

  Once upstairs in her room, Hannah lay on her bed and wept. The hurt she'd seen in Cameron’s eyes had gotten to her. She had to remain strong, though, because she knew she could never trust a man who lied as he had.

  Still, how could she leave the children, especially when she truly loved them?

  Hannah pounded her pillow. Just when she’d begun to like Cameron Hart.

  Chapter Thirteen

  After Cameron and the children had left, Hannah told Bessie she was going visiting. “If Cameron doesn’t mind the children, Georgie needs a nap, and I have schoolwork set out for Annabelle in the playroom.”

  “Yes. I’ll keep my eye on them. Don’t you worry,” Bessie said.

  When Chloe Wilson opened the door, she smiled. “I was hoping you’d stop by again.”

  “I happen to love your tea,” Hannah said.

  Chloe led her to the kitchen. “I’m not much of a cook or baker, but my neighbor brought over a coffee cake yesterday, and it’s very good.” Chloe cut a piece for Hannah and poured them both a cup of tea.

  “That worthless sheriff was here this morning. I don’t like that man,” Chloe said.

  “Asking questions about the murder?”

  “No,” Chloe answered. “He wanted to know why you were visiting both Mrs. Monroe and me. I told him you and I were friends, and it was none of his business.”

  Hannah shook her head. “Now, why would he care?”

  Chloe shrugged. “Does Mr. Hart—
I mean, Cameron—mind you visiting me?”

  Hannah sipped the hot tea as she thought about her answer. “Oh, you know how men are. He’s worried about my reputation. I told him that I liked you, and I’d pick my own friends.”

  “Good for you.” Chloe’s face grew serious, and she fingered her cup nervously. “I’m not as bad as people think.”

  “Tell me about you and your life, Chloe.”

  “Are you sure you want to hear it? It’s not a happy tale, and I don’t want to spoil a happy visit.”

  “I want to know all about you. I sense a very good person inside of you that has somehow just gotten off on the wrong path in life.”

  Chloe’s lips trembled. “Where to start? I grew up in an orphanage and haven’t an inkling who I am or where I’m from. I left there at eighteen. The home got me a job in a hotel in Kansas City. I washed dishes and scrubbed floors. One of the maids there, Peggy, told me she was leaving to take a job in Hunter’s Grove, and that the pay was a lot more than what I was making. She said it was a saloon job.

  “When we arrived, the woman who’d offered Peggy the job, Lilah, said the saloon wasn’t hiring, but she was. Somehow, naïve as we were, we ended up at Lilah’s. At first, I cleaned the house, but Peggy went right upstairs, and she’d show me all the money she’d made. Then, one day, Lilah offered me a job upstairs. I was afraid, but what else in life did I have to look forward to, and who was there to be disappointed in me? There was no one, so I took the job.

  “My first customer was an older man, and I got scared at the last moment and screamed at him to get off of me. He was so angry, and Lilah warned me if that happened again, I’d be out on the street.

  “But Hannah, the man was rude, he smelled, and he just grabbed me and started pushing up my dress. I was so scared.

  “Well, later, Lilah was understanding, and she soothed me by promising to send me a gentle customer for my first time.”