Angel Moore - Conveniently Wed

“James, I’m not trying to take your papa’s place.” Tucker said, as Daisy put an arm around James’s shoulder.

John started to whimper at the table. He put his head down on crossed arms and began to cry in earnest.

“Oh, boys, don’t cry. Tucker is here to help us. Not to take your papa’s place.” Daisy steered James to the table and sat on the bench between them, gently rocking with an arm of comfort around each son.

Tucker sat at the head of the table. “Your momma’s right. I’m not here to take anyone’s place. Only to help.”

“But now you’re sitting in Papa’s chair,” James wailed. “And you whispered in Momma’s ear while we were in town. You’re doing all the things our papa did!” John continued to weep, but didn’t say anything. Daisy looked at Tucker over the tops of their small heads. He saw the pain in her eyes.

“Look at me, boys.” Tucker’s tone was gentle, but firm. Two blond heads tilted upward. Tears still flowed, but they were silent now. “No one can take your papa’s place. He was a fine man.” James sniffed loudly and wiped his face with the sleeve of his nightshirt. “I knew your papa. I met him years ago when he started courting your momma.” John dried his eyes. Tucker had their complete attention.

“You did?” This quiet question came from John.

“I did.” Tucker nodded. “I remember the first day he came to see your papa Warren and ask if he could come calling on your momma. He was tall and lean. A handsome young fellow, about twice your age, I’d say.” The twins sat up to listen. Daisy’s arms fell to her sides, and her eyes misted over as he continued telling his story.

“He was wiry, but strong. Went right up the front steps, took off his hat and rapped with the knocker. Your momma came to the door, all shy and sweet. Her hair was down and full of curls. She was wearing a blue dress the color of the sky in springtime. Her eyes sparkled, and her face went all pretty and pink when she saw it was your papa on the porch.” Daisy’s eyes widened in wonder. Tucker knew she’d been unaware he’d stood just inside the barn door watching the events unfold that day. She only had eyes for Murdock then.

“Really? Tell us more!” James was intrigued.

“Well, I couldn’t hear what he said, but I saw your momma go inside and come back with your papa Warren. He walked outside, and him and your papa took a walk down by a stream that runs by your momma’s old home place. They were only gone a few minutes. I could see your momma peeking through the parlor curtains trying to see what they were doing. She was trying to be all sneaky and hide, but I could see her. She never has been much for waitin’ and seein’. She always wants to know what’s happening right when it’s going on.”

Daisy’s mouth dropped open as if to refute him, but closed when he met her stare and raised his eyebrows. The twins chuckled. Tucker figured they knew this firsthand, but that no one had ever described her like this.

“What happened next?” John asked quietly.

“Seems like I remember your papa whooping out loud and slapping his hat against his leg. Then he turned and started to trot up the hill back to the house. But he stopped real sudden like and hollered down the bank at your papa Warren. ‘Thank you, sir!’ he said. Then he broke out in a run and took the porch steps two at a time. You would’ve thought the knocker was gonna break right off the hinge the way he beat on that door.” Everyone laughed at that.

“What did Momma do?” James interrupted, again showing his inherited impatience.

“James, your momma’s a lot like you, I think. She’d seen your papa celebrating and must have figured out her papa had permitted their courting. She was at that door swinging it open so fast your papa almost fell in when she opened it. She was grinning from ear to ear. I’ve never seen her look happier. Except on the day she married your papa.” Silence settled over the small group as they each absorbed the sweet memory he’d shared.

“So you see, I know how special your papa was to your momma. And I know what a good man he was, or your papa Warren would never have let him court your momma. I watched them court and saw their relationship grow into a deep love. That’s something special. Not everybody gets to love, or be loved, like that. Your papa was always good and kind to your momma. It was obvious to me, and anyone else who took the time to notice, that your momma and papa were meant for each other.”

Seeing her true love for Murdock had prevented Tucker from declaring his own love for Daisy back then. He had loved her so much he wanted her to be happy. Even if that happiness came from her being with Murdock. He remembered the ache in his chest that day. His heart had started to grow a protective shell as his hope of having Daisy for his wife had been extinguished.

“Out of respect for their relationship, I promise I won’t try to take your papa’s place. But I’m your momma’s friend—have been for many long years. I came here because I care about her, and I care about you boys. Do you think you could grow to respect me as your momma’s friend and someone who cares about all of you?” Tucker waited while the boys thought. He looked at Daisy. Tears slid down her cheeks.

“Yes, sir. I believe we can.” James answered for both twins. John nodded his agreement. “But what about Papa’s hat peg and his chair at the table?”

“Well...” Daisy spoke for the first time since Tucker had started his story. “Since Mr. Tucker and your papa were friends, do you think Papa would be okay with letting Mr. Tucker use things that he used, since Papa’s in heaven and won’t be needing them for himself?”

“It hurts so much that he’s never coming back, Momma.” John’s broken heart seemed to cry out for the papa he could no longer see and touch.

“I know, John.” Daisy pulled him close. “Papa didn’t leave because he wanted to, but we know he’s safe with Jesus. He’d want us to be happy and make new friends and build new relationships. Mr. Tucker has been my friend for a long time. I’m sure your papa’s glad he’s come to help us. I think it would be okay with your papa for us to share his things with Mr. Tucker.”

“If you’re sure,” James said.

“I’m sure.” Daisy hugged both boys close.

“Okay,” John added.

Daisy stood up and patted her hair smooth. “I think it’s time for the two of you to get to bed. Tell Mr. Tucker good-night.”

Watching the three of them go into the boys’ room, Tucker almost wished his heart hadn’t frozen over when Daisy married Murdock. But experience taught him that Daisy would never love anyone the way she had loved Murdock. His heart was better left cold, rather than warming only to be rejected yet again.

Chapter Four

Daisy joined Tucker in the front room after settling the boys for the night. She sat in her rocking chair near the fire. The night had cooled to a chilly temperature. Tucker sat on the other side of the fireplace in Murdock’s chair. The warm glow of a lamp cast the room in shadows.

Her family had happily shared this small space for many years. This morning it had seemed cavernous without Murdock. Tonight it felt suddenly cramped. Tucker was a big man. His presence and person would be impossible to ignore in the confines of the room.

“They are finally asleep. It was quite a day for them.” Daisy stared into the fire. She noticed Tucker had added more wood to it and stacked several logs on the hearth to be used during the night, if necessary. His act of kindness made her realize how bone tired she was. Carrying the load alone for almost a month had taken a toll on her body and mind.

“It was quite a day for all of us, Daisy.” Tucker leaned forward and placed his elbows on the arms of the rocker. “You’ve got to be as exhausted as those boys.”