The Engagement Charade. Karen Kirst

      “Consider it payment for room and board.”

      “I did pay you, Nadine.”

      Ralph walked around the cabin, a box of tools in his hand, the sun shining on his balding head. His initial surprise turned to wariness.

      “Ellie.” His gaze slid to Alexander. “Who did you bring with you?”

      She made the introductions. Neither man moved to shake hands.

      “Ralph, I don’t want her here,” Nadine implored her husband. “Make them leave.”

      Alexander stepped forward. “We’ll do as you ask as soon as you grant Ellie’s request.”

      “This is none of your business,” she snapped.

      “She’s made it my business.” A vein ticked in his temple. He looked even more forbidding than usual. “Now, you can act in a reasonable manner or you can continue this foolishness, in which case I’ll be forced to involve the sheriff.”

      Ralph hastened to his wife’s side. “He’s right, you know,” he ventured in a gentle voice. “It’s not right to keep Ellie from taking her belongings. She’s family.”

      Nadine jerked away. “That woman has never been part of this family, and you know it! If not for her, my brother would still be here...” she choked out, tears threatening.

      Ralph attempted to console his wife. Alexander angled his body toward Ellie, partially blocking her view of the pair. She hoped her expression didn’t tell the story of her deep dismay and the sense of failure that cropped up in her weakest moments. She hadn’t been good enough for Nolan or his loved ones.

      “Let’s go for a walk.” Curving an arm about his wife’s waist, Ralph directed her toward the forest, surreptitiously signaling for them to hurry about their business.

      When they were out of earshot, Alexander touched Ellie’s sleeve. “Let’s not delay.”

      Upset by Nadine’s outburst, she didn’t speak as she climbed the steps and entered the cabin. The smell of Nadine and Ralph’s breakfast lingered in the close air, bacon and eggs cooked in animal fat, mixed with the strong hint of disintegrating firewood. Breathing through her mouth, Ellie walked to the far corner where her bed and dresser were situated. Alexander remained in the doorway, a silent guardian. She placed her clothes and a handful of books inside a small crate she’d stored beneath the bed. A framed photograph of herself and Nolan was wedged between her keepsake box and a mirror and brush set. Picking it up, she experienced a rush of sorrow at the reminder of the naïve girl she’d once been.

      “You should take that.” Alexander’s rumbling voice behind her made her jump. “If you want to.”

      She traced her image. “I’m glad that girl didn’t know what lay ahead.”

      “Were they always this hostile?”

      “Not in the beginning.” She placed the frame with her other things—her baby would wish to see what her father looked like. “Nolan developed a marked mistrust of my loyalty. His doubts spread to the others. While not ideal, life was tolerable in Kentucky. The cross-state move put tremendous pressure on us all. The trip was arduous and the living conditions once we arrived were strained.” Living in canvas tents in the height of spring had been fraught with multiple challenges. “After his death, I believe their grief exacerbated their already poor opinion of me.”

      He studied the ring on her finger. “How long were you married?”

      “Four years.”

      “I’m not sure how you endured it.”

      “I wasn’t in any physical danger. They weren’t nice to me, it’s true, but God saw to my needs. I had a roof over my head and clothes to wear. Food to eat. In my lowest points, I reread the account of Job. He lost everything, and still God sustained him.”

      His blue eyes went flat. “I commend your fortitude and generosity of spirit.”

      His demeanor hinted at his own troublesome trials. His past was a complete mystery, and he preferred to keep it that way. Why? What terrible wrong had he committed or had committed against him?

      “Mr. Copeland—”

      “I believe we’ve passed the formality stage, don’t you? Call me Alexander.” His gaze quelling any questions she might pose, he inventoried the room’s contents. “Do you have everything?”

      “The furniture Nolan and I shared is being stored in the barn, but I don’t have need of it.”

      Replacing his bowler hat on his head, he lifted the crate. “Then let us not tarry.”

      Outside in the yard, Ellie scanned and rescanned the woods. When he’d secured her things behind the seat, he turned to assist her. She placed her hand in his strong one. To take her mind off his heated skin and the tingle of pleasure the contact wrought, she said, “I’m glad Howard and Gladys aren’t here. The scene would’ve been much uglier.”

      He lifted the right panel of his suit jacket. “I came prepared.”

      Ellie plopped onto the seat. “I’ve seen you with your hunting rifle, of course, but I had no idea you owned a six-shooter. That’s a nice model. My grandfather owned one, only his had a pearl handle.”

      Alexander circumvented the horse and, once in the buggy, took hold of the reins. “I had quite the collection back home. You never know what or who you’ll encounter on the vast range.” He uttered a low command, and they were on their way.

      Ellie tried to imagine him in cowboy gear. It was a stretch. His austere business attire fit his personality and role as café proprietor. “Tell me about Texas.”

      His features shuttered. “I don’t like to discuss my—”

      “Past. I know. I’m not asking you to divulge your secrets, Alexander.” It felt good to voice what she’d been calling him in her head. “I’d simply enjoy hearing about a place I’ve only read about in books and newspapers.”

      He sent her a brief, considering glance.

      “It’s only fair,” she tacked on. “You’ve had a front-row seat to my sideshow.”

      A sigh gusted out of him. Once they were on the lane leading to town, he obliged her. “I grew up on a cattle ranch smack in the north central frontier of Texas. My father bought the land several years before he met my mother. He built the barns and workers’ quarters first. He didn’t bother with a proper house until later, when he found his bride and realized he’d need a place to raise a family. I was the first to come along. Next was Thomas, then Margaret.” He fell silent, his brow knitted in deep thought.

      “How wonderful to have siblings. I always lamented my lack.”

      Remembering her childhood longings, she wondered if her own child would ever have a brother or sister. For that to happen, she’d have to meet a man worth taking a chance on. Her marriage to Nolan had been such a disappointment. A trial, even. Ellie wasn’t sure she could take the risk.

      “Yes.” He roused himself from his musings. “It has its advantages.”

      “How long has it been since you’ve seen them?”

      “Several years.”

      “Any plans to make a trip home?”

      He cast her a sharp look. “Texas is no longer my home. I will not be returning.”

      “I see.”

      Only, she didn’t. Whatever trouble he’d endured was linked to his home state. Ellie doubted he’d ever open up to her, but that didn’t stop her from wishing he would.

      * * *

      Sundays were Alexander’s only days of true solitude. The café was closed for business. Most of Gatlinburg’s residents