A Groom for Ruby

by Laura Ashwood

  Lotty raised her eyebrows. “That is wonderful news! Amos will be happy to hear that, as well as half the town I’m sure. When is the wedding?”

  “Sunday, at the church,” Ruby murmured. The idea of getting married in front of the entire town had her nerves pulled so tight, she could hardly function. Getting married to Cullen was one thing, but to do it in front of so many people….

  “Oh my, that’s just a couple days away. Hope you don’t mind,” she reached for the paper-wrapped bundle and handed it to Ruby. “But I took it upon myself to bring you a dress to wear,” she glanced at Ruby’s worn brown dress and hesitated.

  Ruby watched her gaze shift and felt heat rise up her neck. She only had two dresses, and both were of the same plain brown, now threadbare fabric. She’d been eyeing some fabric at the mercantile, but couldn’t bring herself to spend the money on something for herself. Not when she had a growing boy to feed and clothe.

  “I wasn’t sure if you had something special to wear,” Lotty said carefully, “and every woman should have something special to wear at their wedding.”

  Ruby slowly unwrapped the package, trying to blink back the tears that burned in the back of her eyes. She let out a soft gasp as she lifted out a beautiful calico dress. The fabric was covered with delicate blue flowers, and Ruby ran her fingers along the shell buttons that went up the front of it.

  “Oh Lotty,” she breathed. “It’s beautiful,” she gazed longingly at the dress, then shook her head and slid it across the table. “I can’t possibly accept such a fine gift.”

  Lotty slid it back. “Nonsense. Besides, it’s not new, but it is clean,” she eyed Ruby up and down. “Of course, we’ll have to take it in some.”

  Ruby held the dress to her chest while tears streamed down her face. She’d never had anything so beautiful to call her own before. “Thank you, Lotty.”

  Lotty wiped her eyes. “Now stop that nonsense, and put it on before that man of yours gets home. We need to make it fit.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Cullen rode back into Last Chance a happy man. He’d gotten a premium price for his gold at the assayer’s office in Grand Platte, and was hoping his luck would carry forward when he met with Judge Bringegar. He guided Ghost up Stagecoach Road and looked at the businesses and people he passed with different eyes than he had a month ago when he’d first ridden into town. This was now his home. A lightness filled him at the thought, spreading a warmth through him that couldn’t be permeated even by the cold northwest wind.

  He tethered his mare to the post in front of a building next to the Sheriff’s Office with a sign that read Judge J. Bringegar on it. He gave Ghost an affectionate pat on the neck before walking up to the door and stepping inside. A heavy-set man with white hair and a white beard sat behind a large wooden desk, and greeted him when he came in. He had an authoritative look about him, and Cullen was suddenly reminded of the judge that had sentenced him to San Quentin. His stomach rolled and his mouth suddenly went dry. He wasn’t the same person anymore. He’d changed.

  Cullen removed his hat and cleared his throat. “I’m looking for Judge Bringegar.”

  The man leaned back in his chair and made a steeple out of his fingers. “That would be me, what can I help you with?”

  “I’d like to inquire about purchasing the Henzel’s property, including the sawmill.”

  Judge Bringegar’s eyebrows shot up. “And who might you be?”

  Cullen extended his hand, “Cullen Parker, sir.”

  “You’re not from Last Chance, are you?”

  “No, sir, but I intend to make it my home.”

  The judge narrowed his eyes. “Well, Mr. Parker, I’m sorry but Gideon and Ida Henzel had a son. As their sole survivor, the estate would pass down to him.”

  Cullen ran his fingers along the brim of his hat. “Everett.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Everett. That’s the name of their son. I wanted to talk to you about him, too.”

  “How so?”

  “I’d like to adopt him,” Cullen smiled. This was going to work out better than he thought.

  Judge Bringegar leaned forward and spread his hands on the top of desk. “That’s a might bit convenient, isn’t it?”

  Heat rose up Cullen’s neck and into his face. “No, sir, it’s not like that at all.”

  He spent the next thirty minutes explaining the situation to the judge. The only part he left out was that his marriage to Ruby was to be in name only. He didn’t figure that was anyone else’s business.

  They finally agreed that after his marriage to Ruby was final, Cullen and Ruby, as a married couple could adopt Everett. Cullen would then pay the agreed upon price for the property, and its contents, including the saw mill. That money would be put aside for Everett in a trust until he was of age. The amount was far less than Cullen expected to pay, and he walked out of the office with an extra swing in his step.

  He climbed back in his saddle and continued through town, turning at the livery. He stopped at the mercantile and, after securing Ghost, stepped inside.

  “Mr. Parker,” the man behind the counter greeted him. “Good to see you again. I hear congratulations are in order?”

  Cullen’s brows furrowed for just a moment before he realized what the man was talking about. His face broke into a wide grin. “Yes, thank you.”

  Christmas was only days away, and Cullen wandered through the aisles, looking for something he could give Ruby as a gift. He’d already decided, once they were married, he would bring her here and let her pick out what she wanted for some new dresses and shoes. It was clear that Cyrus couldn’t care less if his wife was dressed in rags. Cullen pushed the thought aside. It didn’t matter anymore. She was going to be his wife to care for now.

  He saw the stack of parchment paper and remembered the drawing of the twin infants she’d been working on. Seeing no other paper, Cullen took two new graphite pencils and went to the counter.

  “Do you have a sketch book, by chance?” he asked. “I didn’t see anything that looked like one, but I don’t know that I’ve ever seen one.”

  The man brought his hand up and twisted the end of his long moustache. “No,” he finally said, “I don’t believe we’ve had one them in for quite some time.”

  Cullen’s shoulders sagged. He’d have to find something else. He was just about to turn to look through the aisles again when the man snapped his fingers.

  “Wait just a minute, let me run to the back and look. I might have something.”

  Cullen watched him disappear through a swinging door and said a quick prayer that he’d find one. He frowned while he tried to remember what the man’s name was. While he was waiting, the door to the mercantile opened and pretty woman with light brown hair walked in. She placed a pile of mail on the counter and gave Cullen a curious glance.

  The swinging doors parted and the man stepped through them, a triumphant smile on his face. His glance slid to the woman.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Thornton.”

  “Do you have anything to go out, Mr. Talley?” she asked.

  Mr. Talley. That was it!

  “Not today,” Mr. Talley gestured to Cullen. “Have you met Mr. Parker?”

  Her eyebrows raised and a warm smile crossed her face. “No, I haven’t had the pleasure. You’re marrying Ruby Fulton on Sunday, right?”

  Their marriage seemed to be the talk of the town. Cullen returned her smile and nodded. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

  “Ruby is a fine woman,” Mrs. Thornton said. “She deserves better than what she had.” She cast him a pointed glance.

  Cullen rubbed the back of his neck and nodded again. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Her mouth curved back into a smile and she gave a little wave as she opened the door. “See you Sunday then.”

  Cullen watched her leave, then turned back to Mr. Talley. He held up a leather bound sketch book. It was perfect.

  “Is this what you had in mind?”

  “Y
es, I’ll take it. Can you wrap it, along with these?” He handed Mr. Talley the pencils. “I’ll also take a bag of gumdrops and a peppermint stick.

  “Yes, of course,” Mr. Talley replied and wrapped the sketch book in paper, tying it with a string. “That is a fine gift, if you don’t mind me saying so.”

  “I hope she thinks so,” Cullen smiled and gathered his purchases. He was anxious to get home to see Ruby and Everett. Even Ghost picked up her pace as the familiar barn came into view.

  Cullen hid the sketchbook in the barn, along with the gift he’d been making for Everett, and made it into the house just in time for supper. He sat across from Ruby at the small table, while Everett perched on the side of the wood box, and closed his eyes while Ruby said Grace. He had so much to be thankful for.

  While they ate, Cullen told them about his trip to Grand Platte, and that he’d worked out a purchase deal for the Henzel’s property. They’d be able to move there right after the wedding.

  Everett went still and a crease appeared above his eyebrows. “Will I have to stay in my room all the time again when we go back?”

  Cullen and Ruby exchanged glances, and Ruby brought her hand up and covered her mouth.

  “No, Everett,” Cullen said. “In fact, I was thinking that we could make a ladder and make you a new room in the loft. How would that be?”

  A wide smile appeared on Everett’s small face. “I can help you?”

  “Of course you can.”

  Everett lifted his hands and clapped. In his excitement, he bumped his plate, which bumped his glass, spilling milk all over the table. Everett jumped off his seat and backed away from the table, his eyes filled with tears. Cullen watched in disbelief as the boy backed into the wall and sunk to his knees, putting his small arms protectively over his head.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it,” he sobbed. “I’ll be more careful.”

  Ruby had leaped out of her chair, and was frantically wiping the milk off the table, her face pale and pinched, and her eyes glassy with unshed tears. Cullen’s gaze traveled back and forth between the two of them. He felt a sharp pain in his chest and a heaviness settled over him as he witnessed the damage the past had inflicted on the two people he cared about most.

  He reached forward and stilled Ruby’s frantic scrubbing. Their eyes met and he could see apprehension etched in her face. Cullen gave a slight shake of his head and gestured toward the chair.

  “It’s all right, sit,” he said gently, and rose to his feet. “It’s just a little milk. We have more.”

  Ruby sat and stared as he walked over to where Everett sat hunched over in a little ball, and pulled the boy into his arms. Cullen said nothing, just held the child close and let him cry. As his sobs subsided, Everett’s muscles began to relax and his little arms slipped around Cullen’s neck. His heart swelled and warmth spread through his limbs. He glanced at Ruby, who held his gaze, her cheeks glowing and her eyes bright, and he knew he’d found love. He only hoped she would one day love him back.

  Cullen stood at the front of the church in his best clothes, and shifted uncomfortably under the stares of what had to be the entire population of Last Chance. Nearly every bench in the church was full, and all eyes were on him. His heart pounded in his chest and he drew in a deep breath to steady himself, and tried to inconspicuously wipe his sweaty palms on his pants.

  When Pastor Collins insisted they marry at the church, Cullen thought they’d just have a quiet ceremony after the service on Sunday. But when Lotty Gruby showed up to collect Ruby hours before the service was scheduled to start, he knew that’s not how it would play out.

  The organist played a few notes to get everyone’s attention and Pastor Collins moved to his spot just behind Cullen. As music filled the church, movement in the back attracted Cullen’s attention. A beautiful woman in a pretty blue dress stepped into view and Cullen drew in a sharp breath when he realized it was Ruby.

  Her brown hair, which she always wore pulled back in a tight knot, was loose and flowed down her back nearly to her waist. It softened her features somehow, and the flush in her cheeks made her face positivity glow. Butterflies danced in his stomach as she hurried down the center aisle and came to a stop next to him, her uncertain gaze meeting his. He wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked, but when he opened his mouth nothing came out.

  “We are gathered here today to join these two souls in the holy vows of matrimony,” Pastor Collins proclaimed. Cullen stared at Ruby and tried to pay attention to the words coming out of the preacher’s mouth. His only focus was on her, but somehow, he managed to hear enough to know when to say I do.

  “You may now kiss the bride,” Pastor Collins proclaimed, and Ruby dropped her gaze, her face blushing furiously. Cullen lifted his hand and gently lifted her chin with his finger until she was once again looking into his eyes. Recalling his promise to her, he leaned forward and brushed the softest of kisses against her lips. It took every bit of self-control he had to pull away, and when he did, the look on her face gave him hope that maybe, just maybe she felt the same way he did.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Ruby stared at the thin gold band on her finger and admired the way it shone in the light of the lantern as she turned her hand this way and that. Cyrus hadn’t given her a ring and, to be honest, she hadn’t minded. It made this one all the more special. She thought about their wedding. It was hard to believe just a day earlier, she’d been Ruby Fulton, widower. Now she was Mrs. Cullen Parker. She liked the way that sounded.

  There were far more people at the church than she’d expected. She’d been grateful for Lotty’s help getting ready and while she hadn’t liked being the center of attention as she made her way down the aisle, she felt elated at the surprise and admiration she’d seen in Cullen’s eyes. The blue calico dress made her feel almost pretty and she’d received so many compliments, she was filled with an unfamiliar sense of confidence. She found herself relishing in everyone’s happiness and well wishes, and it was hard not to believe she’d welcomed a newfound hope of a life she never dreamed she could have.

  Cullen had moved into the house from the barn when they’d come home. He’d reiterated that he would keep his promise and should anything change between the two of them, it would be up to her to make that happen, even going so far as to place a pillow between them so she might be more comfortable. She’d lain awake most of the night, listening to the quiet sounds of his deep breaths as he slept next to her, and wondered if a man like him could ever love a woman like her.

  “Is it almost time?” Everett’s voice pulled Ruby out of her reflection. The child looked up at her with such hope and anticipation in his eyes that she could hardly bear to make him wait any longer to open his gifts.

  “Soon. We need to wait for Cullen to finish chores.”

  “I hope he hurries,” he glanced at the two small packages on the table. One for him, and the other for Cullen.

  “Why don’t you practice your letters while we wait?”

  Everett’s brow furrowed. “I don’t think I can.”

  Ruby’s gaze slid to the slate laying on his pallet. “Why not?”

  “My fingers are too excited to make letters.”

  Ruby laughed and pulled him in for a quick hug. The door opened and Cullen stepped inside. Ruby could see snow swirling all around outside behind him, and gave a quick prayer of thanks for the blessing of shelter and warmth on this cold Christmas day. Cullen had two large, paper wrapped bundles in his arms and he carefully placed them on the table next to the other two. The back of Ruby’s throat tightened as she watched Everett practically burst with excitement. Cullen was good for the child. He’s good for you too.

  He shrugged out of his coat and hung it on the pegs, then took a seat at the table. Ruby poured him a cup of coffee and he gave her a grateful smile. She loved the way his eyes crinkled at the corner when he smiled. It’s a marriage in name only, she reminded herself, and averted her attention to Everett, who by now had climbed
onto the side of the wood box, his elbows propped on the table and head resting on his hands.

  “If you stare at those packages any harder, Everett, your eyes are going to fall out of your head,” Cullen chuckled. Ruby bit back a smile as Everett turned to Cullen, a sober expression on his face.

  “Can that really happen?”

  Cullen ruffled the boy’s hair. “No, it can’t really happen. It just means you’re looking at something too hard.”

  Relief washed over Everett’s face and he let out a little giggle. “That would be a little funny though, eyeballs rolling all over,” he giggled again and slid a glance at Ruby. “Don’t you think so, Miss Ruby?”

  Ruby raised her eyebrows and tried not to smile. “I think that’s enough talk about eyeballs.”

  Everett looked at Cullen and shrugged, a mischievous grin on his face. “Is it time now?” he asked.

  Cullen glanced at Ruby and raised his eyebrows. While she didn’t want to make the child wait any longer, she felt it was important to honor the true meaning behind Christmas. “I think we should read the story about when baby Jesus was born first. After all, that’s what Christmas is really about.”

  Disappointment flashed across Everett’s face, but was quickly replaced with anticipation as he ran to retrieve the Bible. He stopped in front of Cullen.

  “Can Cullen read it this time?”

  Ruby looked at Cullen and raised her eyebrows. Cullen nodded and Everett handed him the Bible. He walked past the wood box and stood next to her. “Can I sit with you and listen, Miss Ruby?”

  She pulled him onto her lap and wrapped her arms around him, relishing in the warmth and comfort his little body provided as they listened to Cullen’s deep baritone tell the story of how Jesus was born. Ruby couldn’t remember a time in her life when she felt more at peace.

  “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men,” he finished and closed the book.