Mail Order Bride: Westward Winds by - (children's books read aloud .txt) đź“–
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No, this was a whole new ball of wax and Dean wasn’t sure what to expect. He knew from what Tessa had told him that their family was close and if the roles were reversed and this was Sadie, he knew how he’d react. He rounded a curve in the drive and saw Tessa and the man who was her father.
Sadie’s description of Tessa’s father was apt. He was tall with dark hair like Tessa’s. His gray suit was made of fine cloth and expertly cut. Even from a distance, Dean could tell that he was physically fit. Dean hastened his pace but not too much. Though he was anxious, he wanted to appear confident when he met his father-in-law.
Geoffrey watched as Dean got closer. He knew without Tessa telling him that this was her new husband. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the man. Geoffrey could see why Tessa had been attracted to him. Dean’s blond good looks and powerful physique would attract any woman. But Geoffrey knew his daughter well enough to know that there had to be more to the man than good looks. In Pittsburgh, she’d had her pick of many handsome men, but had chosen none. Good looks were not enough for her and for that he was glad.
“Papa, this is my husband, Dean Samuels. Dean, this is my father, Geoffrey O’Connor,” Tessa said as they all came together.
Dean held out his hand and said, “Pleased to meet you, Mr. O’Connor. Tessa’s told me a lot of nice things about you and your family.”
“Good to meet you, Dean. I’m afraid I haven’t had the pleasure of hearing anything about you,” Geoffrey said honestly as he shook hands with Dean.
Dean gave Tessa a questioning glance. “You didn’t send a letter home?”
“No, she didn’t,” Geoffrey said. “We didn’t even know where she went. It’s a good thing I know some top notch investigators.”
Tessa saw anger flash in Dean’s eyes and felt a moment’s shame.
“I’m sorry about that, sir. I had no idea,” Dean explained.
Tessa gave him a haughty look. “We can discuss this later,” she said. “I’m sure you’re tired from your travels, Papa. We should get you settled and give you some refreshments.”
“Yes, that sounds like a good idea,” Geoffrey agreed. He knew he didn’t need to say anything more about Tessa’s wayward behavior. The way Dean had looked at his wife told him that it would be addressed.
He began walking toward the house again. Tessa hung back and put a hand on Dean’s arm.
“Dean, I can explain,” she said.
“You bet your sweet behind you will,” he said. “Seems like dishonesty is going around. I’ll keep him busy while you get your stuff packed and move back into our room. I’m not putting a man like that in one of the bunkhouses.”
“No, I’m not ready to do that yet,” Tessa said adamantly.
Dean looked down at Tessa with an unyielding expression. “You better get ready. I can sleep on the floor. I’ve slept outside enough and it’s no problem for me.” He pulled his arm away and began walking after her father.
Tessa took another couple of moments to gather her wits and then went after the two men. If ever there was a time she needed her mother’s calming influence, it was now.
“So you’re our new grandpa, huh?” Jack said to Geoffrey.
Geoffrey wasn’t sure how to answer the boy. “Sort of, I suppose.”
“But you’re Tessa’s pa, right?” Jack said.
“Yes.”
“So that makes you our grandpa,” Jack told him.
Geoffrey smiled. “Right.” He looked into Jack’s eager blue eyes and couldn’t tell the boy no.
“Good. So are you gonna live with us?” Jack asked.
“No, no. I’ll be going back to Pittsburgh after a while,” Geoffrey explained. “But I wanted to meet all of you.” He looked up at Dean, who gave him a grateful smile.
“We’re glad you’re here,” Dean said truthfully.
Sadie sat a glass of lemonade in front of Geoffrey and he drank it down. The journey from Wolfe Point had been long and hot, and the cold drink was just what he needed. He asked Sadie for another glass and she readily complied.
Before Dean could stop him, Jack sat down on Geoffrey’s leg and said, “So, Grandpa, tell us about Tessa when she was little.”
Dean laughed. “Yeah, Grandpa, tell us all about Tessa.”
Geoffrey gave Dean a sharp look but then relented because Sadie and Jack were looking at him expectantly. He settled Jack better on his lap, thinking that the boy was certainly well fed. “All right. Ah, yes. Here’s a story you’ll like,” Geoffrey began.
Tessa packed her clothing and other things up again, thinking that she couldn’t believe her father was here. She should have known that he would look for her and that he had enough money and clout to hire people who would find her. She hoped that he hadn’t discovered that Edwina had been involved.
As she carried the cases down the stairs, Tessa was glad that things in the kitchen were noisy so that they wouldn’t hear her taking them into her and Dean’s room. She put them around the other side of the bed so they couldn’t be seen. She would unpack again later that night when everyone was in bed. Using the training she’d received all her life about hiding her true feelings to get through a social engagement, Tessa put on a smile and entered the kitchen.
Dean looked at her when she came in. There was no smile on his face. Tessa saw hurt and anger in his eyes. She tried to ignore it, but it was difficult. It hadn’t been her intention to hurt him, but she had. Dean had been right when he said deception was going around. Even though she’d had good reason to do what she had, Tessa knew that it would be hard for Dean to see it from her point of view.
Geoffrey watched Dean and Tessa and could see that there was trouble between them. He hated to be the cause, but he had been bound and determined to find his daughter. He planned to dispatch a letter home right away so that the rest of their family knew that Tessa was safe. Though he was angry with Tessa for what she’d done, Geoffrey knew he should hear Tessa out more before judging her too harshly.
As Tessa prepared supper, Geoffrey watched her. Watching her cook and do menial labor was a strange experience for him. He’d never wanted his girls to do that kind of work, but it seemed as if Tessa enjoyed it. She hummed as she worked and seemed very contented in her task.
“Who taught you to cook?” he asked her.
Tessa turned to look at her father. “Lydia Benson, a good friend and neighbor of ours. She’s a wonderful cook and has given me valuable lessons. I’m a fairly good cook and I’m always striving to improve my skills.”
“You’re doing great, Tessa,” Marcus said as he came into the kitchen.
“Papa, this is Dean’s younger brother, Marcus. This is my father, Geoffrey O’Connor,” Tessa explained.
Marcus held out a hand. “Pleased to meet you, sir.”
Geoffrey shook Marcus’ hand and said, “Likewise, Marcus. Pardon me for saying so, but you do not resemble your brother very much.”
“I take after our mother. She had dark hair and gray eyes. My brothers take after Pa with their blond hair and blue eyes,” Marcus explained.
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