A Marriage of Necessity
Widow Abby Carter hopes to find love againâunlikely with a man like Caleb Gentry, who doesnât even believe in it. Their marriage isnât ideal, but Abbyâs two young children need security, and Calebâs daughter needs a mother. Perhaps this is one of the Lordâs more mysterious answers to Abbyâs prayers.
When Caleb Gentryâs wife passed away, he knew heâd need help to raise his baby girl. Abbyâs loving spirit, strong faith and warm heart make Caleb want to be a better man. It wonât be easy. But Calebâs never had things come easy in his life, and making this new family work will be his most important challenge yet.
âIâve thought about things all night,â Abby said at last. âThe only solution is for me to quit. You can hire someone else.â
âWho?â Caleb challenged. âWidows with infants arenât all that plentiful in Wolf Creek, and if I hired someone else it would just spark the same gossip weâre dealing with.â
Abby chewed on her lower lip. âI could take Betsy to my place,â she offered.
He shook his head. âWeâve already discussed that. She belongs at home. Winter will be here before we know it, and getting back and forth will be a nightmare when the weather gets bad. Besides, I already know how hard it is for you to manage things at your place, and I donât think you can make it through the winter alone with three children.â
She sat down in her chair and rested her elbows on the table, regarding him with tear-glazed eyes. âWhat other choice do we have, Caleb? I canât think of any other way.â
The full force of his silvery gaze met hers. âThe only way I can think of is for you to marry me.â
PENNY RICHARDS
has been writing and selling contemporary romance since 1983. Confronted with burnout, she took several years off to pursue other things she loved, like editing a local oral history project, coauthoring a stage play about a dead man (known fondly as Old Mike) who was found in the city park in 1911, got a double dose of embalming and remained on display until the seventies. Really. She also spent ten years renovating her 1902 Queen Anne home and getting it onto the National Register of Historic Places. At the âbig houseâ she ran and operated Garden Getaways, a bed-and-breakfast and catering business that did everything from receptions, bridal lunches, fancy private dinners and âtastingsâ to dress-up tea parties (with makeup and all the trimmings) for little girls who liked to pretend to be grand ladies while receiving manners lessons. What fun!
Though she had a wonderful time and hosted people from every walk of life, writing was still in her blood, and her love of all things historical led her to historical fiction, more specifically historical mystery and inspirational romances. She is thrilled to be back writing and, God willing, hopes to continue to do so for many years.
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife.
â1 Corinthians 7:14
This book is for Mom, my biggest cheerleader. I owe all my creativityâcooking, writing, art, all of itâto you. You were a great example. Wish you were here to help me in the garden. I miss you.
As always, thanks to LaRee and Sandy for your input and encouragement.
Chapter One
Wolf Creek, Arkansas
October 1885
The faintest sound of a babyâs crying was carried on the brisk October breeze. Dr. Rachel Stoneâs buggy pulled to a stop in front of a large, rambling farmhouse, which was located west of town, three miles down the road that led to Pisgah.
Forest-green shutters framed the front windows and contrasted with pristine white clapboards. A porch, complete with a green swing, spanned the front of the house. Autumnâs chill was slow to arrive in southwest Arkansas. Blue morning glory climbed up posts toward the roof, and blankets of native clematis rambled onto the lawn, hundreds of tiny white flowers bobbing in the gentle breeze.
Abby Carter made a sound of disbelief, and her wide-eyed gaze found her friendâs. On some level sheâd known the Gentry family was one of the most affluent in Wolf Creek, but until now, she had never given it much thought.
Smiling at Abbyâs astonishment, Rachel climbed down and looped the reins over the hitching post. Rounding the carriage, she reached up to take baby Laura from Abbyâs arms.
âMind your manners,â Abby reminded six-year-old Ben as he scrambled down. Still wearing an expression of amazement, she jumped to the ground, and they all started up the broad steps of the porch.
They had barely reached the top when the front door crashed open. Abbyâs startled gaze flew to the face of the man who would be her new employer. Caleb Gentry. Wealthy gentleman farmer. Father of newly born Betsy. Widower, as of a few hours ago. He was a big manâtall, broad-shouldered and narrow-hipped, his features too chiseled and angular to be considered handsome. His clothes looked as if heâd slept in themâwhich he no doubt had, if heâd managed any sleep the previous nightâand he was in dire need of a shave. His thick, coffee-brown hair stood on end, and there was a wild look in his steel-gray eyes.