Eternity (Montgomery/Taggert 17)

Carrie looked at her husband. ’Ring was a bit taller than Josh, but he wasn’t built better than Josh, and Carrie thought that Josh was about a thousand times handsomer than her brother.

’Ring looked at the two of them, at the way Josh held Carrie’s arm, at the way Josh’s mouth was set, as though he were ready to do battle with ’Ring if ’Ring so much as touched a hair on Carrie’s head again. He saw the way Carrie’s eyes looked at Josh, as though he were the bravest, finest man in the world, and ’Ring knew all that he’d wanted to know. He’d traveled all the way from Maine to see if his sister loved this man and if he loved her, and now he had his answer. For his part, he could have stepped back on the stage

and gone home to his own wife and children.

’Ring smiled at his little sister, and Carrie gave him a tremulous smile in return. It was that smile that let ’Ring know that something was wrong, for Carrie had never been able to keep a secret. He’d tried his best to teach her to play poker, but when she had a good hand, she was delighted and showed it. But ’Ring had an idea that nothing serious was wrong. After all, what was important was that the two of them loved each other, and he could see that they did. They were standing together as though they thought ’Ring was an evil force who was going to try to break them apart.

“Let me introduce myself,” Josh said, extending his hand to ’Ring. “Joshua Greene.”

As ’Ring shook his brother-in-law’s hand, he realized that he’d seen him before, but couldn’t remember where. “Have we met before?”

“I’m sure we haven’t,” Josh said smoothly.

He can play poker, ’Ring thought. You’d never know what cards this man held. Not by the merest flicker of his eyes would he give away a secret. He’d let people know only what he wanted them to know.

“Perhaps not,” ’Ring said in a tone that he hoped was as smooth, but he doubted that it was. “Is there somewhere I can get a bath?” ’Ring asked as he turned to Carrie.

“Of course. I have reserved you a room at the hotel, but it’s not what you’re used to.”

’Ring would have kissed his sister’s cheek and laughed at her nervousness, but Josh was hovering over her like a bird of prey. ’Ring wondered if he acted in the same proprietary way with his own wife.

“I’m sure that I’ll manage,” ’Ring said. “Perhaps this evening we could dine together, and tomorrow I’d like to see these children of yours.”

Carrie’s stomach was beginning to hurt. She couldn’t stand the suspense any longer. “Why are you here, ’Ring? I’m not going back no matter what you say.”

’Ring wouldn’t have thought it possible, but Josh moved closer to her. “Is that what you thought? That I came all the way out here to make you go back with me?”

“I thought maybe because of the papers, well, you know…”

“The ones you tricked Father into signing?”

Carrie looked at her shoe.

’Ring looked at Josh. Where had he seen the man before? “What an ogre you must think me. I came because, yes, your marriage was illegal, but Mother wanted to know if you’re happy. She also sent her own wedding dress to you and asks that you be remarried in it, and she wants a photograph of her daughter and new son-in-law. I hoped there would be no problems with that so I took the liberty of arranging for the ceremony to take place tomorrow afternoon. I chose pink roses for flowers. I hope that’s all right. I do need to return home as soon as possible.”

“Yes,” Carrie said hesitantly. “I think that’s possible.”

“Good,” ’Ring said, picking up his bag the driver had thrown from the top of the coach. “Shall we go?” he asked, sweeping his arm aside so Carrie could lead him to the hotel.

“I’ll say this for him,” Josh said. “The man’s got—”

“Don’t say it,” Carrie groaned. “He’s got my life in his hands is what he’s got. Knowing ’Ring he has power of attorney from my father, and he is my legal guardian. I sure hope your—” she swallowed, “your wife shows up early tomorrow so we can get married when ’Ring thinks we should.”

Chapter Fifteen

“He’s going to make me go back with him,” Carrie said gloomily. She and Josh were in ’Ring’s hotel room, waiting while ’Ring bathed.

“Would you mind not saying that again? It’s beginning to bother me. What do you think he’s going to do? Wrap you in a blanket and kidnap you? That’s what he’ll have to do if he means to take you away from me, and even at that, I’d come after you.”

Sitting on the sofa, Carrie looked at the worn, dusty carpet. “We just have to make him believe everything is all right. We can’t let him know there are any problems between us.”

“There aren’t any problems between us.”

Carrie glared at him. “Merely that you have a wife and I am carrying a child conceived in sin. You don’t know ’Ring as I do. He has a high moral character, and he would be horrified if he found out the truth.”

Josh groaned. “I think you’ve misjudged your brother. I think he’s all too human.”

“Ha! If ’Ring has any human emotions, he keeps them hidden.”