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Chapter Ten
When Lewis walked into the big house at the end of the day, Sydney had three mostly completed dresses, two aprons, curtains, pillows, a tablecloth, and two nightgowns cut out, but not sewn yet. It had been an amazing day with fun and laughter despite the men knocking on the door in the middle of their party.
“Walter is back with supplies. He’s unloading them onto the table and work table, and you’ll need to put them away from there.”
She nodded. “That sounds good.”
He kissed her. “I think we eat with the family tonight, though. There’s safety in numbers.”
As much as Sydney wanted to disagree with him so they could start their life separately from his family, she knew he was right. “Did you see the men today?” she asked.
“No, I think they must have moved on.”
“They came here. I hid in the bathroom while Susan lied through her teeth.”
Lewis frowned. “Good for Susan.”
Mrs. Hackenschleimer called from the dining room that supper was served. They all moved to the table, and Sydney was sad to see roast beef. It was her favorite meat in Beckham, but she was enjoying chicken so much, it felt strange to not have it for a meal.
Of course the meal was delicious. Mrs. Hackenschleimer wouldn’t serve anything less. She observed the family as she ate, enjoying how the siblings spoke to one another. She never would have known all the children hadn’t had the same two parents if she hadn’t already been told.
The twins—both sets—argued good-naturedly with one another. Lewis just gazed at her as if she was a priceless painting, while Susan fed little Clarissa. The whole scene was crazy to her, but also wonderful. Every time she was with this family, she realized again how much she had missed out on by being an only child.
When supper was over, David, Walter, and Thomas, all agreed to walk her home along with Lewis. “Do I really need that many people watching out for me? It doesn’t sound like these men are dangerous!” Sydney protested.
Lewis shrugged sheepishly. “I’m afraid they’ll turn dangerous when they realize you’re already married.”
“Perhaps,” she said, shrugging. “I have no idea who they are.”
Once they were inside their house, David, Walter, and Thomas all went back to their own home, and Sydney couldn’t help but wonder if they would all be there in the morning to guard her. The whole thing just seemed like a mess to her.
By Saturday night, she still hadn’t cooked a single meal in her own home. She was guarded too well to do anything but go where she was told. It was worse than living with her mother. She had no choice about where she put her feet, let alone be able to ride her bicycle, even for a short while.
They had talked about going to the church social, but at the last minute, Lewis declared it was too dangerous.
Sydney had enough. “I’m going to put on my prettiest dancing dress, and I’m going to the church social with you. I’ll be safe, and you’ll be beside me the whole time.” She shut the bedroom door in Lewis’s face and dressed for the evening.
Lewis hurried to his parents’ house and let them know what was happening, so everyone could be there to watch his bride. Why were women so difficult when you needed them to behave?
Lewis decided to make the night as wonderful for her as he could, and he hitched up one of the courting buggies with his favorite team that had been both bred and trained there at the ranch. When Sydney came out of their bedroom, she wore a beautiful pink dress that was off her shoulders. He stopped where he was and nodded to her. “You look beautiful.”
Sydney smiled and walked to him, linking her hands at the back of his neck. “Am I dressed all right for the social?” she asked.
He swallowed hard. It was still difficult to believe she was his wife, and he’d be the one taking her home at the end of the night. “I think you’re a bit fancier than the other ladies will be, but you will definitely be the belle of the ball!”
“Fancy works for me. I’m tired of being cooped up. Tonight, I want to meet all your friends. I hope there’s dancing because I want to spend the night dancing in your arms under the light of the moon.”
He grinned. Maybe he had gone a little overboard with trying to keep her safe.
He offered her his arm, and they walked out to the buggy together, and he handed her up, and made sure she was settled in her half of the conveyance.
The whole way to the church, Sydney talked about how freeing it was to finally go somewhere other than his parents’ house. “You just don’t understand. I feel like I’ve been locked away my entire life, and I was waiting for my life to start. Sure, I’d get a few hours here and there on my bicycle, or with the orphans, but I truly felt life was passing me by. And then when I was hiding here, it was just as bad.” She shook her head. “I can’t be locked away anymore.”
Lewis covered her hand with his own. “I’m sorry I made you feel that way.”
“I know you’re just trying to protect me, but I don’t think the men will hurt me. My parents want me back safe and sound, not in a hearse.”
At the church, he helped her to her feet, and led her to where the pastor stood by himself. “Are you still missing your wife, Pastor?” she asked sweetly.
