“All right, Mama. You told us about a hundred times.” Mark groused.
Angel’s heart leapt, and tears flooded her eyes. My goodness, I’m a watering pot these days. She still hadn’t gotten used to the boys calling her ‘Mama.’ She touched her stomach, wondering how they’d take the news of another baby in the house.
Lucy sat in sulky silence throughout the wedding ceremony and the breakfast. Angel gl
anced in her direction several times to see her glaring back with hate in her eyes. The young woman downed glass after glass of champagne, until it became obvious she was getting very drunk.
Afraid of Lucy causing Eli embarrassment, Angel nudged Nate and whispered in his ear. “I think you should try to take Lucy home. It looks like it may become awkward for Eli and Sylvia. I would hate to see their day ruined.”
“Oh, honey, no.” Nate groaned. “The last thing I want to do is be alone with Lucy.”
“Take Matt with you.” Angel nodded in the direction of the children’s table. “If she makes a scene, it will embarrass and upset Eli. He doesn’t deserve that.”
Nate stretched his neck muscles. “You’re right. I’ll try.”
He pushed his chair back and headed to the table where the children sat. He bent and whispered to Matt, who stood and left the room. Then he walked over to Lucy, and sat alongside her. She immediately beamed at him, and grabbed onto his arm. They talked for a few minutes, and then they both rose to leave.
Angel carried Julia-Rose, who had fallen asleep in her lap, over to Sylvia.
“Nate’s taking Lucy home,” she said quietly, sitting alongside her.
Sylvia nodded. “Thanks. I worried about where that was headed.”
Angel shifted the baby from one arm to another. “Something has to be done about her.”
“I know. Once Eli and I return from our trip to San Francisco, we’re going to see about hiring a companion for Lucy. Eli spoke with Dr. Penrose a few days ago. He thought that might be for the best. With all of this,” she waved her hand around the room, “it got pushed aside.”
“Good luck with that.” Angel sighed.
Nate had his arm around Lucy, half carrying her. He hoped no one noticed her condition. A few heads turned their way when he helped her up. If someone didn’t rein her in soon, he could see disaster on the horizon.
He got Lucy to his buggy and lifted her. Matt jumped in the back, and after making sure Lucy was settled, Nate went around the buggy and climbed up. Sitting as far away from his passenger as he could without falling over the other side, he slapped the reins and the buggy lurched forward.
Lucy immediately slid over to his side and laid her head on his shoulder. Matt gasped. “Papa?”
“It’s all right son, Miss Benson is a little tired. We’ll let her sleep.”
“I’m not tired. I want to snuggle.” Lucy slurred the words. Turning to Matt, she added, “I should be the one who’s your mama, not Angel. Did your papa ever tell you that?”
“Lucy, don’t say that to the boy,” Nate snapped.
“Why not? It’s true. If everything had gone as I planned I would be your wife, not that whore from New York.”
“Papa!”
Anger shot from his gut to his head where the blood pounded. “Lucy, if you were a man I’d beat you to within an inch of your life for that remark. I’m allowing you’re a lady, or at least you used to be, and you’ve had too much champagne. I’m warning you to hold your tongue.”
Nate kept his eyes on the road and almost jumped off the seat when Lucy’s palm settled on his thigh. She ran her hand up and down, causing Nate to break out in a cold sweat. He pulled the buggy over and stopped.
He turned to his son. “Matt, come on up here in the front with us.”
“But, Papa, I don’t want to.” His gazed darted from him to Lucy. “We’ll be squished.”
“No, it won’t be so bad, and it’s not much farther to Miss Benson’s house.”
Nate jumped down, and practically dragging Matt over the seat, plopped him next to Lucy, who had to move over. Nate climbed back up and started the buggy again. Lord, would this ride ever be over?
“I know what you’re doing.” Lucy’s voice rang out. “But it won’t work forever, you know.”