Shelter in Seattle by Rhonda Gibson

right. The box had been facing the other way. He stood up and positioned it just the way it had been, and then settled back down in the rocker with the baby.
    Would she tell him where she’d gotten the money? He prayed she would.
    He didn’t have long to wait. Julianne brought the bucket of milk through the front door.
    Her eyes darted from him to the oak box. Caleb’s heart sank as she sat the milk on the counter then picked up the box and carried it into her room.
    She chattered as she did so. “How was your day, Caleb? When I left, Jonathan was asleep. I hope you didn’t find the little tyke crying?” She left the bedroom and hurried back to serve the evening meal.
    Caleb listened and watched her move about their home. In disbelief, he realized she wasn’t going to mention the money. “No, I think I woke him when I came in.” He stood to his feet.
    Julianne finished setting the table. “Here I’ll take him.” She held out her arms for the baby.
    “I’ve got him.” Caleb pulled his nephew closer.
    Suddenly, he didn’t trust her, and the knowledge pained him. He’d thought they were growing closer, but how could he trust her when she revealed nothing of herself to him?

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 13
     
    Over the next few weeks Caleb watched the money grow in the little wooden box, and with it grew distrust of his wife. Where was the money coming from? What did Julianne do to get it?
    Didn’t she understand the meaning of the box and the carving he’d etched into it? If they were ever to be a real husband and wife, she would have to be honest with him. Why didn’t she understand that?
    Julianne acted as if nothing was out of the ordinary. She fixed meals, took care of Jonathan and kept their home clean. But could it really be called a home?
    Caleb finished dressing and headed downstairs. His gaze landed on Julianne. She stood in a blue calico dress with small blue laces at the front. The blue brought out the sky color in her eyes. He’d never seen the dress before. Where had she gotten it?
    “You look handsome this morning.”
    Her compliment took him by surprise. He watched the color fill her cheeks before she turned back to preparing breakfast.
    He listened as she hummed happily. Funny, the more the money grew, the happier Julianne became, and the more miserable he became. They needed to talk. Caleb decided that after church he and his wife were going to discuss the contents of that box.
    Caleb walked over to where Jonathan played in the crib. The baby smiled up at him happily. He couldn’t stop himself from looking toward the box.
    The box he wished he’d never made; the box that held the money and filled his heart with doubt.
    “Breakfast is ready, Caleb. Would you bring Jonathan with you when you come?”
    “Come on, little fella.” He scooped up Jonathan into his arms and went to the table.
    After he said grace, Julianne asked. “Do you think one apple pie and one peach cobbler will be enough dessert, Caleb?”
    “It’ll be plenty. Those men will just have to be happy with what they get.”
    Julianne took Jonathan from him. “I know, but they do so love my pies and cobblers.” She sat down with the baby and gave him his bottle. “I should have baked more.”
    “Why didn’t you?”
    He watched a gamut of emotions cross her features and there was a slight hesitation in her eyes before she answered him.
    “I was busy with the baby and lost track of time.”
    A frown marred her delicate features. Caleb could tell the lie tasted bitter in her mouth. He wondered what the real reason was for her not baking more. Did it have anything to do with the money that plagued his thoughts night and day?
     They ate in silence. The food tasted like sawdust in his mouth. He finished the meal then picked up his Bible and led his little family to church.
     Julianne hated the silence that surrounded her and Caleb. She hated lying to him. But she hadn’t known what to say. It