The Proposals - Resolution: The Proposals, #3

By LK WOLLETT

Though Rachelle received many warnings about her pursuit of Douglas, no-one could have predicted the extent of the consequences.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LK WOLLETT
• Release date: Oct 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223973614

Book preview

Chapter 1

It was a cold January when Ivan and Sally got off the stagecoach with their two children.  LT could hardly believe they had finally arrived.  Ivan stepped out of the coach and, seeing LT, rushed to embrace him, completely forgetting that anyone else had come with him.  They exclaimed their greetings with a bear hug, pounding on each other until Sally yelled for Ivan to help her.

Such behavior, Sally fussed as she took Ivan’s hand.  Two nannies followed Sally, each carrying a small child.

Sally, you remember LT? Ivan began then he turned to LT.  And these will be the first of my many sons, Stefan, two years old, and Milan, one year old.

Though Ivan’s hair showed a little grey of a 38-year-old, he looked good in his stylish black coat and Stetson hat.  Sally had not changed much since LT saw her last, except she no longer looked like a maid who cleaned lavatories.  She could rival any wealthy woman in her narrow gray skirt, matching knee-length jacket, and Bollman hat.

Such a trip! Ivan wailed.  Captured on a transport ship is better than traveling with small boys and an unhappy wife!

Ivan! Sally exclaimed angrily.

LT led them to an open carriage to get the women and children settled, then returned to help with bags and trunks.

Whose fancy carriage is this? Ivan marveled as he climbed into the driver’s seat with LT.

I got it for my wife, LT explained. 

Not a wagon girl, huh, Ivan teased.

You know, LT shrugged.  A small thing that makes her happy.

I know, believe me, I know, Ivan wailed, nodding, glancing back at Sally who was frowning.

The carriage passed the clinic, now setting beside the framework of the 30-bed hospital. 

Stop! Ivan cried, standing up.  Sally! Sally!  This is the exercise room!  And my wheelchair!

Sally glanced up and nodded.  Ivan turned to LT.

Am I seeing a hospital?  Ivan marveled.

LT grinned with a nod.  The carriage traveled another 50 yards.

Whoa!  Whoa! Ivan exclaimed.  What is this house?

LT stopped the carriage and stared at the house before them, a three-story, dark red-brick Victorian, with a wrap-around porch.

I couldn’t live in my grandparents’ house.  It was too painful, LT explained.  Rosa and I tore it down and rebuilt.  I copied many of the features in Grandpa Theodore's mansion.

With a snap of the reins, the carriage bolted forward.

We also tore down the barn and built the house closer to the woods; we wanted indoor toilets and baths, LT continued.  We managed to re-route a stream that the toilets can drain into.  We now have plenty of room for guests like you who bring a herd with them.

LT chuckled at his reference to the herd his Grandmother Martha once called his family.  Ivan didn’t notice.

You re-routed a stream! Ivan exclaimed.

I didn’t, LT quickly corrected.  You need to meet Tobias and his family.  They live in those houses.

LT pointed west to several log homes.  LT also pointed to the sheriff’s office that Tobias had built, plus his grandfather’s church that Tobias expanded to 200 seats.

Tobias builds fabulous structures, LT commended.  He has his own business now and builds all over the county.  Today, he is on a site a hundred or so miles from here.

Ivan and LT helped the women and children into the house and brought in their baggage.  Rosa greeted them graciously and introduced their toddler, Alden, now two years old. 

A fine boy! Ivan exclaimed, looking at LT.  One fine boy!

Yes, you win, Ivan, with your two fine boys! LT easily conceded, laughing.

Don’t worry!  You have time to catch up, Ivan consoled.  Maybe you have twins like your mother.

One fine boy is all we need for now, Rosa joined in laughing.

DA, Alden blurted, looking up at LT and pounding his calves.

LT scooped him up and took him to Kimberly, who they had hired to help.  Rosa showed Sally and the nannies to their rooms.  Ivan and LT brought in the bags and trunks.  When Rosa went downstairs, LT followed because she looked upset; she was fretting about supper and the extra guests.

Can I help? LT suggested, hopefully.

I think we agreed that your gift is not in the kitchen, Rosa reminded him.  Would you invite my parents?

Of course, LT responded, embracing her, wanting her to rest on his chest for a few minutes.

I thank God every day for you, LT murmured as he gently rubbed her back.

And I, you, Rosa replied softly.

We need some alone time, LT suggested.

Rosa sighed her agreement when they were interrupted by a woman yelling from the second floor.  LT hurried to the stairs, and Rosa followed.  Ivan came out of one room and was heading into another. 

Ivan! LT called.  What’s wrong?

Ivan waved him off.  Rosa and LT looked at each other. 

I guess he’s handling it, LT stated.

Then Ivan yelled again.

Or not, LT finished with a shrug.  I’ll go invite your parents.

Jeffrey and Melanie were happy to be invited and didn’t hesitate to walk back with LT.  Melanie immediately entered the kitchen; Jeffrey and LT sat in the sitting room with Kimberly and Alden where Ivan eventually joined them.

I want to have a letter of credit burning ceremony, Ivan announced.

Sure thing, LT smiled.  Congratulations!  I was happy when you wrote that you have an agent who now manages all the invitations.

But, if I only knew, Ivan declared smacking the side of his head,  I would have been a waiter!

Ivan described the hardships of opera life; traveling, hotels, costume fittings, make-up, and all the rest.

I’m never home! Ivan wailed.  It makes My Little Sally crazy.  She gets lonely, and she’s so jealous!

Rosa invited everyone to come to the table for supper and everyone filled their plates except Sally.

Are you not feeling well? Melanie asked.

I’m a little tired, Sally whined.  It was a long trip.  The children were restless.

I can bring you something later, Melanie offered.

She will be staying here and not pouting, Ivan insisted.  If she doesn’t eat at this meal, she will eat at breakfast.

With that statement, Sally took a biscuit and bit off a small piece.

Good choice, Ivan stated flatly, not looking at her.

Did you find your parents? LT wondered, wanting to change the subject.

Ivan shook his head.

I didn’t realize opera travels on a very tight schedule, Ivan explained.  You can imagine making connections from coach to train to boat.  I must leave here in time to take Sally home, then go on to New York for the next performance.

With her head down, Sally whispered sharply to Ivan, I want to be excused!

Alright, Ivan answered with a sigh, as he picked up another biscuit.  Take another biscuit.

Sally took the biscuit and rushed from the room.  Rosa got up to follow, but Ivan stood up to stop her.

Don’t, Ivan warned.  You’ll make it worse.

Make what worse? Rosa demanded with irritation.

She is pouting, Ivan repeated.  She can pout alone.

Rosa looked at LT who shook his head slightly.  Rosa returned to her seat, glancing angrily at LT.

Can’t Sally go with you to New York? Kimberly suggested.

I’d love for her to go with me, Little Kimberly! Ivan declared.  I think she would love it!  Especially New York!

But having the children and the nannies with you isn’t alone time, LT added, watching Rosa.

Exactly, Ivan agreed, pointing to LT with a smile.

Are Sally’s parents... Melanie began.

They can’t take care of themselves, Ivan stated shaking his head, and I’m not sure I want my boys left with those nannies alone.  These nannies seem to be alright, but...

Human nature is unpredictable, LT concluded again.

You are on a roll tonight, Doctor LT! Ivan laughed.

LT and Rosa looked at each other like they were reading each other’s minds.  LT kept his eyes on Rosa as he spoke.

Leave the boys here, LT suggested, with the nannies.  It won’t be extra work with the nannies.

Rosa nodded approval.  Ivan was speechless, and he looked to Heaven for a minute.

Let me ask her, Ivan said as he rose and bounded up the stairs.  Sally!  Sally!

In a few minutes, Ivan appeared in the doorway to the dining room. 

We’ll be back by the end of the month, Ivan promised, grinning widely.

In the sitting room, Sally joined them to watch Ivan burn LT’s letter of credit that had been Ivan’s financial support before the opera could pay enough.  Ivan decided to sing one of his favorite arias, Largo al factotum, from The Barber of Seville[1].

LT marveled at what he was hearing.  Ivan’s vocal system was like a fine-tuned piano, and he had perfect control.  It was like his very being became the words and music he was conveying.  LT had never seen an opera with an orchestra, but he remembered Ivan singing with Ronda as she accompanied him on the piano.

The next day, Ivan helped Sally into