Chapter 28
June 1873Thomas
Thomas glanced over at the raw, red hands moving in Teddy’s lap to the beat of the horse’s hooves. She’d not said a word to him, but she was different somehow. “Did you finish the corn?”
“Yes.”
“Pickles tomorrow?”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“Sweet or sour?”
“Right.”
“Marry me?”
“Of course. What?” Teddy’s head jerked up. Her confused expression turned to shock.
“You agreed. Might want to start planning,” he teased.
Teddy breathed a sigh that could be resignation, but she shook her head before playfully hitting his arm.
She looked straight ahead. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
Thomas pulled the carriage onto a side road.
“Where are you going?” Her voice shook, and all playfulness evaporated.
“You’ll see.” He watched her spine straighten and her hands tighten. It hadn’t occurred to him a detour might make her nervous. “Just up there. I want you to see something. Do you mind?”
“No, of course not.”
Thomas stopped in front of a small building with a large red cross on the front. “That’s the medical facility for this side of town.”
Teddy looked horror-struck. “One could barely call it a shed.”
“These people are just thankful for educated medical care. Back home, I have an office waiting for me. The current doctor expected my return. That didn’t happen, and he’d already moved south. My people need me. And I need them.”
“You’re doing the right thing.” She turned away from him. “Do you think they’d hire me?”
“I already inquired.”
“You did?” She swung back around.
He saw the excitement in her eyes. “They have no funds. The doctor works a full-time job to survive and provides care on weekends.”
“I see.” There was little inflection in her statement.
“Go with me to Missouri, Teddy. Be my nurse. We’d make a great team.”
“It would be improper.”
“Not if we were married.” He let the words sink in. “I wasn’t jesting. I have the means to provide for us. As my wife, you wouldn’t be my employee. We’d share ownership and decision-making responsibilities. I respect you, Teddy, and admire your work ethic.” He watched her eyes lose their sparkle with each word.
“How romantic.” She lowered her gaze.
“I can do romantic if that’s what it takes.” He stood and put one hand over his heart and raised the other high. “I, Thomas—” The horse sidestepped.
“Sit down. Good grief, Harriet was right.”
He plopped down and took the reins, stilling the horse. “About what? My good looks? Charming demeanor?”
“You’re crazy and nearly took a year off my life.” She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
Thomas sobered. “I understand your desire for a home of your own. Once we find a place, you can personalize it however you like to make it truly yours.”
Teddy looked up, then at her folded hands. “The reality of owning a home dwindled months ago after losing several months of pay from my serving position. Now, with the loss of my nurse’s job . . .”
“Resigning on your behalf without your permission was wrong of me. I’m sorry.”
“I appreciate you saying so, but it was the right thing, and I thank you.”
Thomas rubbed his thumb over the leather reins. “The problem now is I’m not sure you’ll find a job close by, and I don’t think Dr. Whitaker will give a favorable recommendation.”
Teddy raised her eyebrows, a playful glint in her eyes. “So you’re bullying me into going to Missouri?”
Relief at her teasing flooded Thomas. “I’m asking. I know you don’t love me, but I believe we are a good match.”
“Better than Emmaline?”
A mixture of curiosity, amusement, and perhaps a hint of skepticism shone on Teddy’s face. And despite the lighthearted tone, Thomas noted a subtle undercurrent of vulnerability or perhaps insecurity.
“Anyone is better—sorry, that didn’t come out right. Emmaline and I were not well suited for many reasons, the biggest being our faith.”
She stared as if seeing something he could not. He watched her eyes move as if reading. She worried her lips, making her dimples deepen. Thomas nearly melted as she closed her eyes, and a single tear fell.
He was a fool. “Teddy, I’m sorry.”
“When do we leave?” She lifted clear, bright eyes.
“What?” Had he heard correctly?
“I accept your proposal. But with stipulations.”
A hesitant smile tugged at his lips at the mixture of joy and apprehension within him. “Anything.”
“We marry before we leave but have a wedding when we arrive in Missouri.”
“That’s a wonderful idea. My parents—”
“Let me finish, please.” Teddy once again folded her hands and squeezed them tight.
Thomas reined in his emotions. Teddy may have agreed, but the weight of the commitment they were about to undertake together was nothing to enter into lightly. “Of course. My apologies.”
“I don’t care where we live, but I want a garden, a horse, and a dog.”
She was full of surprises. “Done, done, and big or small?”
“Big.” Teddy’s hands flew out, showing the enormity of the animal.
“Indoor or outdoor?”
“Both.” She stared at him as if this was a deal breaker.
The twinkle in her eyes and matter-of-fact tone nearly did Thomas in. “You may reconsider when you see Missouri mud.”
She raised her eyebrows in continued challenge.
“Done. Anything else?”
“My family. I’d like to stop on our way west and say goodbye.”
“Where’s home?”
“Western Pennsylvania. Farm country. Lots of dogs.” The corner of her mouth lifted.
“Done. Anything else?” He was thinking he should have drawn the line at the dog.
Her playfulness turned serious. “Yes. I require a chaperone. Married or not, I—” She hesitated. “I need time.”
“Would David do?”
“David? I don’t understand.”
“I’ll explain on the way back.”
July 23, 1873Judge Horace Pennypacker’s House
The heat of the day pressed in on Thomas as he stood in the judge’s library. Even with the windows open, sweat trickled down his back, soaking his fresh shirt.
Judge Pennypacker wiped his brow, then ran the handkerchief under the high collar of his long, black robe. “Warm day for a wedding. Are you sure about this?”
“Absolutely.” Thomas was hot, yet his toes and fingers felt cold.
“I suppose you are. Unusual circumstances, but your actions have kept that dear girl from scandal. You don’t regret losing Emmaline?”
The man’s eyes held something Thomas didn’t comprehend. “No, sir. Emmaline is a wonderful young lady. Just not the one for me.”
“Glad to hear it since Addison seems to have already laid claim to the spoils.”
Thomas snorted, then wiped his nose. “I’m guessing you’ll see more of Addison. I believe he aspires to politics since doctoring isn’t his first love.”
“The boy has connections. I’m just not sure Emmaline will have the same.” The judge wiped at the sweat on his palms.
Thomas calmed his heart. “Is something going on?”
“Dr. Whitaker has resigned his post. I figured you would be aware of this, but since it happened the day after you left, perhaps not.”
Thomas kept his voice steady. “Any idea what he’ll do? Where he’ll go?”
“Extended vacation to Europe, I believe. I’m not certain past that bit of information going around the gentleman’s club.” Harmonica music flowed through the window. “That’s our cue.”
The judge led the way to the garden, where the boarders sat on stone benches surrounding a rock waterfall that spilled into a small pond. Thomas looked across the yard. “Have you seen David?”
The judge blotted beads of sweat forming on his balding head with his nearly saturated handkerchief. “He’s waiting for Harriet, who’s in the parlor with your bride. There he is now. Well, doesn’t he clean up nicely.”
The haircut and bath had done wonders for the boy, but the clean cotton pants and white shirt that fit his lean frame made him look less like a street urchin. The boy waved and pointed to Harriet on his arm.
Harriet looked resplendent in blue. A black lace bonnet covered her head. She’d honored him and Douglass today. She lifted a white hankie and waved it gently before dabbing her eyes, which shone.
Thomas moved to greet them. “You look lovely, Harriet.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “You’re not bad yourself.” He reached to muss the boy’s hair, then thought better of it and squeezed the thin shoulder.
David beamed. “Thanks. Mrs. Douglass made this for me.” He pulled at his crisp shirt.
“How very kind. You look quite handsome.” Thomas conveyed his thanks to Harriet with his eyes before looking back at David. “Please take Mrs. Douglass to the bench closest to the front. When she’s seated, Judge Pennypacker will tell you where to stand.”
Thomas took in the scene. He couldn’t imagine a wedding back home being any better than this, but he’d honor his agreement. He greeted each of his friends as he moved to the front, then took his place.
Yellow fabric peeked out from the bottom edge of a set of French doors on the back of the house. Flowing white curtains kept the figure hidden from view. His heart raced, but an absolute peace covered him as his chest filled with emotion. He only hoped one day this woman might return his deep affection.
Mrs. Jones, who had abandoned her usual attire of somber black, emerged from the doors in a navy-blue dress with a cream collar. A softer hairstyle from her usual tight bun gave her a look of youthfulness, but it was her radiant smile that transformed her countenance, making her almost pretty.
The woman extended her arm, and Teddy stepped out from the threshold. A burst of yellow enveloped her form like a ray of sunshine breaking through clouds. Her dress, the color of sun-kissed daisies, danced around her.
Teddy’s hair hung in soft waves over the modest dress with small blue flowers imprinted on the fabric. Thomas willed himself to breathe. She was beautiful. He stood mesmerized, each step closer making his heart beat more wildly.
Mrs. Jones offered a smile, and he prayed the tenderness he felt for both the women before him showed in his.
Judge Pennypacker cleared his throat. “Dearly beloved. . . .”
Thomas marveled at God’s goodness, this unusual group of friends supporting them, and the gift of the woman he was about to marry. God ordained. God had sifted every wonderful, difficult, traumatic, and blessed moment through His hand to land him at this spot.
“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”
Mrs. Jones turned to Teddy. “In lieu of her blood family, her adopted family has this honor.” The woman kissed Teddy on the cheek and placed the girl’s trembling hand in Thomas’s.
He waited to speak until she looked into his eyes. He expected resignation or even acceptance in her depths of blue, yet his heart registered something different. “Are you certain?”
“Yes.”
Her firm reply relieved Thomas’s jitters, and he squeezed her hand.
He was getting married.
A warm breeze blew a strand of Teddy’s hair. He longed to touch it but knew giving into his desires would be a long time coming.
“Do you, Thomas . . .”
Thomas marveled at the depth of love he felt for this woman as they exchanged vows. Her response to the judge and the words she said were strong with conviction and certainty. He pulled a dainty gold band from his pocket and placed it on Teddy’s finger, noting her trembling had vanished.
“You may kiss your bride.”
She looked at him with what he could only hope was at least anticipation, since it could not yet be love, and marveled as she offered her lips to him. Despite the applause and laughter from the onlookers, Thomas was oblivious to it all, his focus entirely consumed by the woman before him. A surge of desire coursed through him, prompting him to press a second kiss gently upon her forehead, lingering there for a moment longer. As he withdrew, he watched Teddy’s eyes flutter open, her serene expression filling him with hope.
In that suspended moment, the clamor of the crowd faded into the background, replaced by a spark that crackled between them. It was as if the world had paused, and God had granted them a private oasis amidst the chaos of the celebration. He felt her breath on his face before she pulled back and offered a tender smile.
Thomas knew this moment was just the beginning of a love story waiting to unfold. He would be patient and allow God to work out the timing.
“By the power vested in me by the great state of Pennsylvania, I pronounce you Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Shankel.”
As cheers erupted around them, David let out a hearty whoop that echoed through the air. Thomas, sensing the moment was right, gently pulled the enthusiastic boy to his side.
“Are you ready?” Thomas asked.
David’s eyes widened in surprise. “Now?” David looked to Teddy as if for approval.
Teddy offered her hand. “No time like the present,” she replied.
With a determined nod, David agreed. Thomas guided him in front of him and his new wife and turned the boy to face the expectant crowd. Raising his hand, Thomas signaled for silence. The chatter gradually subsided as quizzical eyes watched them.
“We have a special announcement to make,” Thomas declared, his voice carrying across the gathering. “Please join us in welcoming our son, David Yander Shankel, into our new family.”
The announcement elicited a chorus of congratulations among the guests.
Cook, her eyes widening in disbelief, clasped her hands under her chin, a radiant smile spreading across her face. “When did this happen?” she exclaimed, her voice tinged with astonishment.
Thomas nudged David, who eagerly ran into Cook’s waiting embrace. “This morning, but it’s official now that we’re married. Instant family,” Thomas explained, a mixture of excitement and joy evident in his tone.
Feeling Teddy’s hand brush against his own, Thomas eagerly grasped it, intertwining their fingers with a gentle squeeze. She leaned into his side, a warmth spreading between them.
She tilted her face to him. “Family. I like the sound of that,” she murmured softly.
His heart swelled with emotion, overwhelmed by the goodness of God and the promise of a future with this woman. “So do I,” he whispered, his gaze moving to their intertwined hands.
With God as their foundation, Thomas knew their new little family could weather any storm that came their way.