A Bride For Bode (The Proxy Brides Book 21) by Marisa Masterson

Author:Marisa Masterson [Masterson, Marisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance, Women's Fiction, Victorian Era, 19th Century, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Love Possibility, Frontier-Pioneer Era, Cowboy & Western Romance, Hearts Desire, American West, Clean & Wholesome, Christian Stories, Faith Based, Inspirational Reads, Love Inspired, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small Town & Rural Area, Beautiful & Feisty, The Proxy Brides Series, Multi-Author Collection
Publisher: Marisa Masterson
Published: 2019-07-25T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Bode heard Violet gasp. He turned his head from side to side, denying the woman’s unspoken accusation. “You don’t think that I…It can’t be my…” He couldn’t bring himself to complete those sentences.

Miss Andersen’s body bristled with indignation. “An improperly dressed French woman left a baby here. She told me that your new wife could have it since you didn’t plan to make an honest woman of the child’s mother.”

Before he could respond, Violet stepped in front of him, acting as a buffer between him and their frosty hostess. “Whatever you might think about my husband, I can guarantee he did not father that child. Have no doubt of that.” His wife’s haughty demeanor and reserved tone instantly cowed the other woman.

Sniffing with disapproval over the situation, Miss Andersen took on the role of the injured party. “What was I to think? And really, why should I be expected to care for a baby, especially at my age?”

Nodding regally, the younger woman stepped forward to pat her arm. “Of course we can’t expect that of you. Please take me to the child and I will take over. Its wails sound quite distressed.”

Within the wicker basket that sat on the dining room table, a small red face stared up at Bode. He’d never been around children and had no desire to change that. Violet, on the other hand, didn’t hesitate to reach in and pick up the unhappy creature.

“Oh, you poor dear. You’re soaked. Did that woman leave you any diapers?” She looked at Miss Andersen as she asked that. The woman indicated a negative response with a shake of her head.

Bode felt the trap closing around him. From the mention of a French woman, he knew Fifi was behind this. Why did she want to damage his marriage? Until Violet arrived, the woman had only occasionally even noticed him. “She probably didn’t leave a bottle either. Fifi must want us to have to hurry to the mercantile to purchase those things and set tongues wagging.”

Squaring her shoulders, Miss Andersen took charge of the situation then. “I refuse to be a party to this woman’s plot. The neighbor’s children are just past infancy and I am sure she’ll have the items we need.”

An hour later, kind Mrs. Myerson supplied them with clothes, diapers, and bottles. She also sold them her baby buggy and crib, saying how happy she was to no longer need them. Buying the furniture made the situation seem very permanent and Bode hoped that Violet would be able to keep the baby. It would be just like Fifi to arrange for the real mother to show up and say they’d kidnapped her baby boy.

If Violet didn’t need him, he decided to visit the sheriff as well as return to the mayor’s office for legal advice. Whatever plot was afoot, he was glad of two things: Violet believed him and he had a chance to head it off before the town gossip crucified him.

Explaining his intent, he kissed his wife goodbye.

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