The Caregiver - By Shelley Shepard Gray Page 0,47

that was in God’s hands.

But when Paul heard the other women and had caught sight of her smile, his dark look told everyone present that he didn’t share their amusement with her “easy” life.

He’d stopped. “Yes, Lucy is a disappointment, to be sure,” he’d said coldly. “I would’ve never married her if I had imagined that she was barren.”

Everyone present had been shocked. Then her friend Marta had dared to look Paul over and mock him. “It takes two, you know,” she quipped before Lucy could stop her. “You don’t know it is Lucy’s fault. Maybe the problem lies with you?”

The girls had giggled.

And Lucy’s spirits had plummeted as Paul’s expression turned thunderous. “Lucy, you will meet me by our buggy in four minutes.”

Marta and the others had stared at her husband, wide-eyed. “But Lucy was going to eat lunch with us!” Krista protested. “Surely you wouldn’t make her leave right now?”

Silently Lucy had tried to stop the girls from saying another word. The damage had been done—nothing was going to make Paul’s temper cool. Putting him off would only make things worse.

But instead of falling silent, other girls had joined in. “You’ll have to take her home later, Paul. We were going to talk about plans for a charity quilt we’re going to be stitching.”

“And we haven’t seen her in ages,” another added.

Paul cleared his throat, a sure sign that he was holding in his temper. Barely.

Because she didn’t want to upset the girls, or embarrass herself any further, Lucy stood. Tried to smile. “It’s all right. Really, it is. I’ll be ready in four minutes, Paul,” she’d said, her voice hardly shaking at all. “I promise I will.”

“See that you will be.”

Marta hadn’t wanted to give up, though. “But, Paul, what about lunch?”

“She can cook our lunch at home.” Eyes frosty, he turned her way. “Do you understand, Lucy?”

“Of course.”

The other girls had gathered around her as soon as Paul marched off. Marta had been terribly contrite. “I’m so sorry, Lucy. I never would have been so bold if I’d thought Paul really was so sensitive about your childless state. After all, it’s only been a year.” With a comforting smile, she’d patted her arm. “Before you know it, you’ll have a boppli on the way.”

Lucy had done her best to act as if she believed Marta. She’d shaken her head and tried to pretend that she wasn’t disappointed. Or afraid of being alone with Paul.

But there was nothing she could do. Paul was her husband, and she’d wanted to marry him. It didn’t matter if he turned out to be nothing like the man she’d fallen for.

No, all that really mattered was that she couldn’t get away from him. She was his wife now. For better or worse.

And that day, when they’d gotten home, it had been one of the worst, indeed.

“Lucy? Is that you?”

Startled from her memories, Lucy turned and blinked. And then, there he was—the man so different from her current nightmares. “Calvin,” she murmured, taking in his dark pants and cornflower blue shirt. The black suspenders and his straw hat. His smooth, tan cheeks, and the bump in the line of his nose.

And suddenly, her head cleared of old memories. “Hi. I mean, hello.”

“Hello, to you, too.” Moving closer, he looked her over. “I never expected to see you here.”

With relief, she pushed the rest of her memories away. “I’m looking for a blackberry patch. What about you?”

“Oh, my brothers and I like using this trail. We take it when we don’t feel like hitching up the buggy.” Eyes sparkling, he added, “This path links our two houses, did you know that?”

“I didn’t.”

“Well, you’ll see Graham on it more often than not. He does enjoy visiting Mattie, you know.”

“He can’t seem to stay away.” Feeling vaguely conspicuous, Lucy swung her pail. “Well. I had best go pick berries. I promised my aunt that I would.”

“A useful project.”

They were standing close now. Lucy noticed faint dark flecks in the blue of his eyes. Noticed a scar near his eyebrow. And suddenly, the last thing in the world she wanted was peace and quiet and more time to dwell on the past. “Care to walk with me?” she asked. “Or do you need to go on your way?”

“I’ll accompany you, for sure.” For a few minutes they walked along the path, the thicket of vines growing heavy on their left, tall oaks and maples reaching to the heavens on their right.

“It’s lovely here. A true blessing.”

“It