Val felt so sorry for him.
Julianna added, “He’d named the ducks Josephine and Napoleon.” She went silent again before continuing quietly, “When I received word that my Francois’s ship had gone down and all hands were lost, I had to tell the boys their Papa wasn’t coming home. They took it hard, but Drake refused to believe it. Told me, he was going outside to wait because Papa always came home. He sat out by the road and refused to come in. Sat there for days. All day. All night. He didn’t care that it was winter or that it was raining or cold. He knew his Papa was coming home.
“It snowed one of those days. I looked outside and saw him covered and shivering. I made Rai and Gerrold bring him inside. He fought them, kicking and screaming the entire way.”
Val saw the sorrow in her eyes. “How old was he?”
“Eight.”
Val now had more pieces of Drake to add to the ones that had already woven their way into her heart. “I wish I’d had time to think about his question before answering, but he caught me so off guard. I tried to make amends, but he walked away.”
“When his feelings are hurt, he can close himself off, but that big heart of his always reopens. You two will work things out, and for what it’s worth, I think your plan to sidestep your father is a good one. What happens after is up to you and my son.”
“Would you want me for a daughter-in-law?”
Julianna smiled and stood. “Until death do us part.” She gave Val’s shoulder an affectionate squeeze. “Good night, Valinda.”
“Good night.”
Lying in bed, Valinda thought about his question again. Would she remain married to him if it were left up to her? Being around Sable and Julianna showed her that not all marriages had a detrimental effect on a woman’s spirit. Julianna had her business interests. Sable did remarkable charity work. Both women seemed fulfilled in both life and love. Could she have that with Drake? Instinctively she knew she could. He was fun, caring, and passionate. He was a man of conviction and honor. He’d supported her aspirations and built her a school. She didn’t see him suddenly forbidding her to use it once she took his name. Again, she wished she’d had time to think about his question, so she could’ve given him an honest, measured response. As it stood, things had gone off the rails and she didn’t know if they’d be able to go back to the way they were. She wasn’t sure if he’d gone to his room when he left her, but she was tempted to go see, so she could apologize again. However, she wasn’t sure of her reception, so she turned over and hoped she could sleep.