Their Tempting Bride by Lacey Davis
15
When Daniel reached home, he knew trouble had arrived. Martin and their wife were in the kitchen and his father sat in the parlor staring off into space in that way that let him know he was not happy.
As he strolled into the house, he frowned. “Papa, I thought you were coming to my business.”
“Change of plans,” he said. “I decided to come out here so I could arrange for a buyer for your property.”
Anger rushed through Daniel and he knew the man was furious.
“Imagine my surprise when this young woman is at the door and she claims she is your bride.”
“She is,” he said not ashamed at all that he married Georgia.
His father stood and began to pace the floor. “What is wrong with you? I have the perfect woman waiting in Philadelphia. Beautiful, wealthy, from a great family, and you instead decide to marry this girl from the uncivilized part of the country?”
Daniel clenched his fists. Wouldn’t most family members greet you with a hug, a hello and an it’s been so long. I missed you? No, not his father. Instead, he went right in on him not marrying who he wanted him to.
And he hated that girl. He’d known her since school and they'd fought. Why in the world would his father think she was perfect for him? Except for the wealth. For his father, it was always about the money.
“Do not speak of my beautiful wife, Georgia, that way,” he told his father. “We’re married. I’m happy and I have no plans of returning to Philadelphia with you."
The man stopped in the middle of his pacing. “What are you talking about? Of course, you’re coming back with me. The family business is going to be yours someday. You have a family there. This,” he said waving his arms, “is just you rebelling. Your place is back in Philadelphia. Bring your wife with you, I don’t care.”
The memory of Philadelphia, the busy city, bustling people, smoke and noise was not an enticement. Especially when all he had to do was open the door, breathe in the fresh air, gaze at the mountains, and know he was home. This was where he belonged.
Bridgewater.
Georgia, Martin, and he were hoping to start a family. And how would his father react to the knowledge that Martin and he shared a wife? The urge to shout it to him was strong, just to get him to leave.
“I’m not leaving Bridgewater,” he said softly. “I don’t want the family business and you’re not going to force me.”
The man turned and glared at him. “Oh, I’m not going to force you?” The man took a deep breath. “You’ll be cut out of the will. Your next brother will inherit the business. You will get nothing.”
At this, Daniel started to laugh. “You know, Father, I looked forward to seeing you. It’s been three years since I left Philadelphia. I do miss my family. My brothers and sisters and my dear, sweet mother who you have not mentioned even once. But when I walk into my home and you’re sitting there with a chip on your shoulder ready to attack me and insist that I sell and come home, why would I want to?”
The man sighed and walked away. “This was not how I planned this visit. It was just such a shock learning of your marriage. You never once mentioned her in your letters.”
“And that’s because the marriage was sudden.”
“Did you get her with child? If so, we have the money to take care of it.”
It took everything Daniel had not to scream at the man. “No, Father, I didn’t. And I’m not ending my marriage. I will be married to Georgia until death.”
The man shook his head. “So you’re really not coming home with me?”
“No, I’m not and if you decide to remove me from the will, I’ll be fine. If you had come to town, like I asked, I could've shown you my business. Martin and I have cattle out here, and eventually, we’ll be full-time ranchers. My net worth is enough that I don’t have to ever work again. So I don’t need your money.”
A deep sigh left the man and his shoulders slumped. “We were hoping you would come home. Your mother does not like her children scattered across the country. Your brother August just left for Texas. Some place called Blessing. Your oldest sister is engaged and we wanted our family back together.”
For a moment, Daniel wondered if he would feel this way when his sons and daughters began to leave the house.
“Papa, I know it must be a terribly unsettling time with everyone growing up and leaving. But I never liked Elizabeth Wister. In fact, we never got along as children. There may come a time when we come home to visit, but I’m happy here. This is where I will be living. I’m not going back to Philadelphia to live permanently or to run your business. I have my own.”
The man deflated at the knowledge and Daniel felt sadness. No one liked to see their parent hurting. But the man had handled this the wrong way. Always in his life, his father was a take charge, get it done his way or no way. You couldn’t argue with the man and win.
And yet, Daniel just had.
The door to the kitchen opened and Martin and Georgia carried out steaming dishes. “Dinner is ready.”
“Papa, I would appreciate it if you would apologize to Georgia. Whitmore’s wife told me you were very rude to her.”
“Well, she didn’t exactly open the door and invite me in.”
“She couldn’t, sir,” Martin replied. “She is not allowed to have strange men in the house. She did exactly what she was supposed to do until I arrived.”
The man shook his head. “I apologize, Georgia. I didn’t know my son had married and it was quite a shock to learn he had a wife.”
“Apology accepted. Please be seated and let’s have dinner. I’ve made up the guest room for you and you’re welcome to stay the night.”
Her husbands both frowned at her. Daniel knew the man had to stay here, but his presence would keep them from taking advantage of their wife. Hopefully, tomorrow, he would be gone. Home to Philadelphia alone.
