“So enlighten me.”
He crossed to the window and stood with one arm against the frame, his back to her, head lowered. “I don’t tell a lot of people about my life, but you need to know so you can understand why your—rather our—child needs a father.
“My mother was fifteen when she gave birth to me.” He turned toward her. “She was a prostitute.”
Tori swallowed her gasp.
“You have no idea how cruel children can be.” He held up his hand before she could speak. “Don’t. I know you’re a teacher and think you know, but you can’t imagine the life of a bastard. Especially one whose mother is the local whore.”
Not wanting to interrupt what he seemed determined to tell, she stood in silence. Her heart clenched with sadness for the little boy he’d been.
“The trip I just took was to bury her.” His mouth curved into a sad smile. “Do you know who showed up for her funeral? Some of the whores she worked with. All the men who’d paraded through her life had better things to do.” His head dropped and he placed his hands on his hips. “I even had to bribe a drunken preacher who didn’t even know her to say a few words at her grave.”
He rubbed his fingers across his forehead. “I swore to myself years ago no child of mine would be shunned or picked on because of something I did or didn’t do.” His eyes closed briefly. “Can you understand?”
Tori dragged in a breath. “But I told you many times, I have no intention of getting married.”
“This is no longer about you. Or me, for that matter. This is about a baby. A baby we made, whether we intended to or not. We will do the right thing.” He lifted his chin. “You and I are getting married today.”
“I want to think about it.” She narrowed her eyes.
A soft shuffle came from the other room. Rachel entered the kitchen. “What’s all the arguing for? You woke me up.”
“Sorry, honey.” Tori glared in his direction. “Jesse was just leaving.”
“Excuse us, Rachel.” Jesse took Tori by the arm and pulled her to the front door.
“We can’t continue this discussion now,” Tori whispered furiously and glanced beyond his shoulder to the kitchen.
“You’re right for once, darlin’, because there is no discussion. You will go to your bedroom and get ready for your wedding.”
“I will not. First of all it’s way too early. The sun isn’t even up yet. Second, I have a classroom full of children to teach today, and baking to do for the restaurant.”
He leaned in close, nose to nose. “You’ll be back here this afternoon at four. I will give you exactly one hour to prepare yourself to go with me to see Pastor Dave. Do I make myself clear?”
She opened the front door. “Get out.”
He pointed his finger at her. “I’m not giving you a choice in this, Tori.”
“I said get out.” She pushed on his shoulder, but he didn’t move an inch. Like a brick wall.
“I’m going. But I will be back.” He pointed to the clock on the wall. “Five o’clock on the dot, one hour after you get home.”
She walked to the kitchen.
Rachel tightened her wrapper. “What was Jesse doing here so early?”
Tori’s stomach gurgled, and she raced to the chamber pot in the bedroom.
Chapter 10
Tori checked her watch. Ten minutes to four. No point in delaying any longer. Time to leave. Not hurrying, she locked the school and walked home. It felt like a reprieve when she didn’t spot Jesse hanging outside.
Breathing a sigh of relief, she opened her front door. Before she even had one foot over the threshold, Rachel and Ellie pulled her into the house, all smiles. Both dressed in their Sunday best, they’d taken baths as well. Ellie’s hair was still damp and tiny water droplets clung to the skin beneath her ears.
“Come on, Tori, time to get ready for your wedding!” Rachel threw her arm around Tori’s shoulder.
Ellie tugged at her hand. “We have your dress all ready for you.”