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She teased. “Whew. I really did dodge a bullet. Better count myself lucky.”
    “I would. Many women in this town would agree with you.” Humor brought out his dimples. “Please come tonight. You would be doing me a favor.”
    “How? I would think you’d want me to keep a safe distance from your daughters.”
    “Oh, no. First, it wouldn’t hurt them to have a good example of what a fine lady should be. And second, they run wild. I could use the moral support or, better yet, someone to marshal them into behaving, even for one night.”
    “When you say it that way, why would I come?”
    “Hattie promised chocolate cake for dessert.”
    “How can I say no? Wild twins couldn’t keep me away.”
    And then she was laughing, trying hard not to be charmed by him.
    “You say that now, but you haven’t seen them at their worst.” He raked his fingers through his thick hair, amused. His reserve fled, and this lighter side of him made her see how he must have been before loss changed him.
    She knew exactly how that could affect a person. “Maybe I have. Finding themselves a mother is pretty bad.”
    “True. I can’t believe you’re being so gracious about this. Other women would have been screaming and throwing things at me right now.”
    “It was tempting and whapping you in the head with that lampshade might be satisfying, but what about Mrs. O’Hurley? She’s fond of that lampshade.”
    “It’s nice you think of others, Miss Parks.”
    “I try.” She gave a comical shrug. “And from now on, please call me Clementine. But I have a confession to make.”
    “I’m almost afraid to ask what.”
    “I haven’t been a Miss for a long while. I’m a widow. Maybe I should have said something when we first met, but I just didn’t.”
    “I see. Maybe it was just too painful.”
    “Yes. I didn’t mean to mislead you.”
    “I understand. The girls called you Mrs. Clementine. Now I know why. It’s interesting they chose a widow.”
    “Oh.” She swallowed hard, fighting to keep the past firmly buried. The twins knew about her other loss, too.
    “This concept of a mail-order bride is very fascinating.” He had a nice voice, deep and resonant, like melted dark chocolate, smooth and rich. “My marriage was no fairytale, and I knew my wife. I knew what I was getting into. But marrying a complete stranger? That’s a gamble.”
    “A big risk. That’s why I took time exchanging several letters with the man I intended to marry. He turned out to be your father pretending to be you, but still. I tried to be cautious.”
    “Clearly not cautious enough.”
    “True.”
    His chuckle was as pleasant as his voice, friendly and cozy. A sound you could never get tired of hearing. Clementine could imagine the kind of husband he’d be—steady, unflappable, earnest. Just like Jeb had portrayed him to be. Caleb was the kind of man who’d do everything he could to make his marriage a good one.
    Was she a little wistful? Her heart twisted. She could not hold back warmth for him.
    A commotion rose from somewhere farther down the street. A pony neighed. A woman squealed. Caleb didn’t bat an eye. “I’ll send a driver by for you. I’d take you myself, but I have one more house call to make.”
    “Fine, then I’ll see you soon.” She tried to pretend she wasn’t sad as he tipped his hat to her and strode away.
    His duster trailed behind him, as his long-legged strides took him quickly from her sight. Only when she returned to the sofa did she realize he’d left the envelopes of money behind. No doubt intentionally.
    Resigned, she plopped down on the cushion, hurting in a way she couldn’t explain.

-Chapter Four-
    A widow. Caleb tromped down the boardwalk, dodging shoppers as he went. No wonder his father had chosen her. Pa would have guessed he would have a soft spot for someone who’d been through burying a spouse. Of course, the girls had been an easy sell.
    “Heard about your new bride,” Mrs. Sutmeyer said as