Free Mail Order Melody by Kirsten Osbourne Page A

scared about what would happen if they realized she was singing.
    Calvin found her there several minutes later. He forgot all about being angry with her and put his arms around her, holding her close. "Everything's going to be okay. Whatever it is, we'll work through it together." Would she ever open up to him about whatever it was she was hiding? He wasn't certain how much longer he could support her without knowing what was happening.
    Eliza buried her face in his shoulder, needing to tell him everything. She couldn't there, though, so she gulped and sobbed out, "Let's go talk somewhere. I need to tell you something." She knew she couldn't put it off for another minute.
    Calvin kept one arm around her as he led her to the wagon, leaving all their supplies they'd selected with a promise to be back for them. He drove to the edge of town and pulled to the side of the road where they wouldn't be seen. "What have you been hiding from me?"
    She told him her story in gulping sobs, explaining about how her parents had died, and her sister had married. She revealed how when Sebastian had heard her sing, she'd agreed to travel with him and begin her career. She talked about the long hours on the road and of how little she'd been allowed to see her family.
    "In November, we pulled into a small town in Massachusetts, and I was at the end of my rope. I was tired of Sebastian treating me like a child and making all my decisions for me. I escaped from him toward the women's waiting room, but on my way, someone gave me a note. I didn't see who it was in the crush of the crowd waiting for the next train." She told him what it said, and he stared at her with surprise.
    "Is that why you agreed to be my wife? To try to save your sister and nephews?" It suddenly all made sense. She hadn't been hiding it from him for herself but instead, it was to save her sister. He wished she'd trusted him, but he understood wanting to save her family.
    She nodded. "I didn't know what else to do. When I heard the conversation between Elizabeth and Dorothy, all I could think was that God had provided me with this opportunity to save my family. So I took it. I didn't know what else to do." She stared off into space for a moment. "I got here and everything seemed so wonderful. I love being your wife. You have always treated me so well, as if I was a lady and not a performer. Well, until a few days ago." She glared at him, remembering just then that she was angry with him. Did he think less of her now that he knew she'd been on the stage singing for thousands?
    He slipped his arm around her shoulders, holding her close.
    "I had no idea you'd once performed. No wonder you reacted so strongly to me saying that. I'm very sorry, Eliza. I don't think of you as a performer. I promise." Knowing she'd been on the stage at one point made him feel ashamed. Eliza had done nothing wrong, but still Calvin had added to the shame she'd felt for doing what she was good at.
    She nodded, her head down. "I know you don't." She handed him the letter she'd just received, watching him read it. She said a silent prayer for his support and help with the man who was threatening her family.
    "They found you? Whoever it is?" His brown eyes met her green.
    "Yes, and I don't know what to do. All I can think of is bringing her and the boys here so I can make certain they're all right, but I've been found. What am I supposed to do now?"
    He studied her for a moment. "Do you have any idea who it is who's threatening you?"
    She shrugged. "I think it's probably another singer. The profession is fiercely competitive and the others would do just about anything to get me out of the way." She hated to point fingers at other women who had been her only friends and colleagues for years, but she knew it had to be one of them .
    "We have to find out who it is. You can't spend the rest of your life being afraid to sing."
    "I know, but I have to make sure my family is safe first. I can't risk them." How