by Vanessa Vale
“You overheard me and Abel,” I said, remembering what she’d said when she’d first stopped.
She replied with a curt nod. “You married me out of honor.”
“What is wrong with that?” I asked.
She swiped at her face, a tear escaping. “Nothing. But it’s not enough.”
“You heard Abel, but did you hear what I said to him?”
Her gaze turned in every direction but at me.
“Abel, as you heard, was angry I wed. Surprised because I have had no interest in marriage. You see, he is not my child.”
She frowned, but I continued on. It was important she understood.
“I was twenty and saw Victoria at a dance. We walked out together twice. I found her… not to my liking and had no intention of pursuing her further. But she announced that she was with child. Mine.”
Tennessee gasped.
“It was not mine, but I couldn’t tell anyone that. I would either paint Victoria a less than virtuous woman—which she was—or I appeared to be a philanderer, using a woman and then turning my head to a burden I’d put upon her. I did the honorable thing and married her.”
“Just like with me.”
I shook my head. “No. It’s not the same at all. I didn’t like Victoria. I didn’t desire her. I never touched her. Ever. She died in childbirth.”
“Abel.”
“Yes. I was a widower with a newborn son. I moved west within the year. I couldn’t have done it without Mrs. Tunbridge.” I grinned, thinking of the woman who’d been nanny, housekeeper and mother-figure in one.
“But Abel said—”
“He’s not a child who has a new mother to raise him,” I said, speaking over her. “His opinion isn’t relevant. While I would like him to accept you… us, he is an adult. But no matter his feelings, he had no right to disrespect you, or what we have. I told him that. Told him that I had been trapped, but not because of your virtue, but because of love.”
Her eyes flared with surprise. “Love? All you’ve done is scold and punish me.”
I couldn’t help the way my mouth tipped up at that. “Kitten, I remember quite a few other things we’ve done besides punish you.”
Her cheeks, while full of color already, darkened even more. “I have never sought out another bride. Never wanted one. One look at you and I was done for. I’ll admit, I was surprised at first when James suggested it, but am damned glad he did.”
“Love?” she repeated, as if the idea was preposterous.
I took a step closer to her. When she didn’t move away, I advanced again until I stood directly before her. Reaching up, I carefully stroked her cheek, then wiped another tear away with my thumb.
“Kitten, you wouldn’t be this upset if you didn’t care. If you didn’t have feelings for me, for James, for our marriage, then nothing Abel said would have bothered you.”
Perhaps I should heed those words as well. I wouldn’t have been riled by Abel’s words if I’d only had a quick tumble while in Butte. While I didn’t discuss such activities with my son, he knew I was not a monk.
She blinked. Thought. Then burst into tears. I pulled her into my arms, held her tightly and let her cry. I kissed the top of her head, ran my hand up and down her back, did everything I could to comfort her. A crying woman was hard to take, especially mine.
“Shh, Kitten. You’re a good girl. So good. I’m proud of you.”
I held her to soothe her, but I had to admit, for me as well. She’d kept this to herself, let us believe she was different than we imagined. While she was definitely impetuous, she was also kind. Caring. Thoughtful.
She wasn’t driven by money. Wasn’t frivolous or flighty. She was… Tennessee.
The tears abated and she looked up at me, all splotchy and red-eyed. “I’m sorry,” she replied, sniffling.
Pulling a handkerchief from my pocket, I dried her cheeks, but kept one hand about her waist. “No. I’m sorry. If James were here, he’d apologize, too. You should have been punished for what you did in Butte.” She stiffened in my hold but I didn’t release her, only continued. “However, James and I should have taken into account why you did it.”
When she didn’t say anything to that, I pushed on. “You said your sisters are in danger. That you need to go to Fargo to save them.”
She nodded. “But I don’t have any money, and the man has been travelling a week.”
“I do.”
A little V formed in her brow, and I smoothed it away with my thumb. I wanted to take away all her problems with so simple a gesture.
“You have cows,” she countered. “Mr. Grimsby wanted money. Cash. Abigail told him she didn’t have any, that while her brother’s ranch was vast, she couldn’t bring him a cow.”
I smiled, for I pictured Abigail Carr leading a cow down the sidewalk in Butte.
“Kitten, we have cows… and cash. While I can’t speak in detail of James’ finances, I can estimate they are vast. As for me, I have enough money to get to Fargo. France, even.”
She stared at me, wide-eyed. “Oh.”
“And you intended to win the money? That was why you were at the saloon in Butte and now, were headed to Travis Point?”
“Yes. I’m quite good. It was the one thing my father taught me.”
That was a telling statement. No wonder she craved my attention and acceptance.
I smiled. My bride was quite the enigma, and I was eager to learn even more. “All right. You will go and win the money you need.”
Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open. I would have laughed at her expression if she wouldn’t have started crying again if I did so.
“You’ll allow it?”
“Allow it? I doubt I can stop you.”
She pursed her lips, but she gave me a small smile.
“Then you will let me go to Fargo?” She didn’t seem too pleased with the idea of letting her leave. She wanted me to want her to stay.
“Of course not. We will send a telegraph from Travis Point for the sheriff in Fargo. As you said, the man Grimsby sent has quite an advantage on us. The sheriff can see to your sisters promptly. Today.”
She bit her lip. “I didn’t even think of that.”
“Kitten, you must tell us your problems. They belong to us now, and we are strong enough to handle them.”
“Then why are you allowing me to play poker if all we’re doing is sending a telegraph?”
I leaned down, kissed her lips. “If you were a man, you would have earned the money you wanted quickly and without any problem at any establishment in Butte. I will not deny you the opportunity to do this just because you are a woman. You playing poker in a saloon, besting men out of their hard-earned coin? This is something I wish to see.”
10
TENNESSEE
“I did it!” I all but shouted as we walked out of the saloon into the bright sunshine.
Jonah took my elbow and escorted me down the boardwalk, tipping his hat at two ladies whose eyebrows were so high they were hidden beneath their hats because I’d come from a saloon… and with such exuberance. Nothing was going to ruffle my feathers at a moment such as this. Besides, they should be pleased a woman had entered, played cards and won from a bunch of men.
Ha! I was so pleased I could burst; the heavy weight of the money I’d won in my pocket. For the first time, I was thankful for something my father taught me. I could understand how he had become addicted to the practice, for winning felt… incredible. Unlike him, though, I had no intention of playing in a saloon again and wouldn’t lose my winnings like he did. And then some. “I can’t believe it.”
“I can’t believe I didn’t punch any of them in the face for looking at you the way they were. And I was sitting right beside you.”
His tone was that of a poked bear. I patted his forearm to comfort him. We’d entered the saloon an hour earlier, and while the men within—as well as the saloon girl—eyed my presence suspiciously, they remained silent. Especially when Jonah had sa
id his wife was going to play cards in a tone or bearing that brooked no argument. They’d humored me, at first, especially when I lost the first hand intentionally. But when I raked in the pot from the second, their placating stopped. And when I won again, and again, they eyed me with anger. Jonah had been my protector when the men could have changed their minds and taken the money right back.
“Yes, but I won.”
He quickened his pace, and I all but ran to keep up.
“Which means they may be following to get their money back.”
I looked over my shoulder and almost stumbled. Jonah gripped my arm to keep me from falling.
“Will you slow down?”
He stopped and I bumped into him. “Jonah”
He considered me to be the recalcitrant one.
His pale eyes met mine, then lowered to my lips. A growl rumbled from his chest. “We are hurrying because I want to fuck you. Watching you in there made me hard.”
I glanced down and sure enough, the thick outline of his cock was evident through his pants.
My nipples hardened in reflexive response. I’d become quickly attuned to that deep voice, the telling need in his pale eyes. I nodded because I could not refuse. I didn’t want to. I wanted to find a dark corner somewhere and let him have his way with me.
“Telegraph office first, then home,” Jonah practically growled. “James will not wish to be left out.”
We turned the corner and headed north, I assumed in the right direction. I’d only been to Travis Point once and that… oh dear Lord, had been short-lived and scandalous. I glanced around, hoping the minister wasn’t about for I didn’t think I’d ever be able to meet his eyes. Across the street was a stage unloading, and I noticed the passengers disembarking, but paid them no mind.
Then I looked again. My feet stopped, Jonah yanking my arm as he took another step.
“Ginny!” I shouted, my heart beating frantically. “Georgia! Jonah, my sisters are here.” I reached out and smacked his belly to get his attention, but my shouting had surely done that.
I tried to run toward them, but Jonah hooked an arm about my waist and pulled me back so I wasn’t taken out by a man on a horse. “Easy, Kitten.”
I didn’t have the patience to wait. Once the thoroughfare was clear, Jonah escorted me over to them.
“Tennie, I can’t believe you’re here!” Ginny cried.
When only a few feet separated us, Jonah dropped his hold, and I ran at them, hugging them both at the same time. “Me? What are you doing here?”
I laughed, cried and hugged, stunned by their presence.
I was the middle child, Ginny two years older than me, Georgia two years younger. We all looked quite similar with pale hair and petite frames, often being thought as triplets.
“We came to be with you,” Ginny began.
“But you weren’t in Butte,” Georgia finished excitedly.
“The finishing school told us someone recently came for your trunk and shared his destination. We are on the way there,” Ginny finished.
I hadn’t seen them in two years. While Ginny hadn’t changed all that much, Georgia looked older, a woman grown now.
I couldn’t stop smiling, so thrilled to have them before me. My emotions were so overwhelmed. I never, ever expected to see them here. And I’d been so worried, so scared for them with Mr. Grimsby’s henchman somewhere in North Dakota.
“You came to be with me? I… I don’t understand.”
Ginny looked over her shoulder, then reached out her arm, a man smiling at her and taking her hand, stepping right beside her. He was much taller than she, with dark hair and a suit that fit him well, but was travel weary. He was handsome and only had eyes for Ginny. “This is Tom, my husband.”
Tom tipped his head to me and smiled. “I have heard so much about you and am glad to be able to put a face to all the stories.” He appeared kind and the way he set a hand on Ginny’s shoulder showed of their affection.
“I am not the only one with stories,” I told him. “Your wife has quite a few of her own.”
Ginny rolled her eyes.
“I… this is wonderful,” I sputtered. “When… I mean—”
She laughed and I couldn’t help but join her. “A month ago, after father left.”
Our smiles slipped at his mention.
“We knew his intentions, Tennie, but could do nothing about it. Until Tom.” Ginny looked over her shoulder at her husband and smiled.
“Once we wed, I was able to escort them here,” Tom said. “I refused to allow them to travel alone.”
I couldn’t miss a rumble of either amusement or agreement from Jonah, who stood behind me.
“We were worried about you, about Father’s overbearing nature,” Georgia said. Even now, she looked a little fearful just admitting that. “His gambling.”
“He’s dead,” I blurted.
I bit my lip, studied my sisters, whose eyes widened as they stared at me. I hadn’t meant to be so forthright about it.
After their initial surprise, they looked solemn, not upset.
“To be honest, I am not surprised,” Ginny said finally. “He was… reckless. You will tell us what happened?”
I nodded. “Later.”
Most of the eagerness had bled from all three of us, but Tom was able to pick up the thread of conversation. “I’m glad we’re here then.” He squeezed Ginny’s shoulder. “We talked and decided a fresh start would be good. I am a lawyer and hopefully can hang my shingle in the area. Someplace new.” He looked about, as if Travis Point was a possibility. “But not Butte. It didn’t seem all that appealing.”
Georgia vehemently shook her head. I knew how much she hated city life, much more content in the country and the quiet it offered.
“But the stage driver spoke of Bridgewater,” Tom added.
I stared at him for a moment, then started to laugh. Turning, I looked up at Jonah. He found Tom’s words to be equally amusing. “I am Jonah, Tennessee’s husband.” He leaned forward, shook Tom’s hand and tipped his head to both Ginny and Georgia.
Georgia gasped, grinned and eyed Jonah with keen interest. “Tennie, your manners are terrible! I can’t believe you didn’t say something sooner. A brother I’ve never had.”
“I thought that was me,” Tom replied, his words laced with amusement.
“I can have more than one,” she countered, setting a hand on her hip.
Yes, and if she settled in Bridgewater, she could have more than one husband.
“Speaking of more than one,” I replied, then looked to Jonah, who nodded. “I have much to tell you.”
“Let’s collect our horses and a wagon for your things,” Jonah said, and I realized standing on the boardwalk in Travis Point wasn’t the place to share. He herded us all in the direction of the livery. “You will stay at my ranch until you are sorted. I am sure you are tired after your long journey and wish to be settled.”
It wasn’t long before we were heading out of town. Ginny and Georgia sat on either side of Tom on the wagon’s high seat. They peppered me with so many questions—about school, Father, Abigail, whom I’d written about in letters, how I met Jonah—I hadn’t had the opportunity to tell them about James. That I was married to two men. Jonah rode beside me and didn’t push, for which I was thankful. I wasn’t ashamed of James or Jonah, but telling someone who wasn’t used to the concept of two men marrying one woman, wasn’t an easy task.
Perhaps that was why the Bridgewater families didn’t do so frequently.
I doubted Ginny or Georgia would judge, but it would take an adjustment to think of their sister with two men. I was just getting used to the idea of them being here, let alone having to explain something so… different. I was thankful Jonah was allowing me to share in my own time.
Tom was asking Jonah questions regarding crops and cattle, weather and if there were lawyers already in the area as a rider approached.
Abel. He was in the same clothes from this morning, but hi
s face was shielded from the sun in a wide-brimmed hat the same as Jonah’s.
Worry twisted in my belly as he came up on us and brought his horse to a stop. He hadn’t said two words to me, and I knew of his unhappiness toward his father about our marriage. Abel tipped his hat. “Ladies.”
“My son, Abel,” Jonah shared, then introduced my sisters and Tom.
“I saw you in the distance and wanted to get to you right away,” he began, then looked to me, nodded. He didn’t look angry. He looked… concerned. “You need to go to the Carr ranch right away. Someone came earlier for you both. There is something wrong with James. The doctor’s been called.”
Panic filled me. “Jonah,” I murmured, then bit my lip as I reached out toward him.
His jaw clenched and he swore under his breath as he moved close enough to take my hand. Squeezed. “His heart.”
Everything within me stilled. I didn’t hear the wind, the birds, Abel’s horse snorting after it’s dash across the prairie. “What’s wrong with his heart?” I whispered, not able to get the words any louder.
Jonah’s eyes were serious as he met mine. “He’s sick, Kitten.”
Sick? Oh god. He’d been fine this morning, eager to have me home so he could do naughty things to me. I remembered his smile. His kiss. His last words. Hurry home, wife. I have plans for you.
“I’ll see to your sisters,” Abel said, breaking me from my thoughts. “Go.”
“Tennie, who is James?” Georgia asked.
I glanced at Jonah, and swallowed hard. I would not cry. Now was not the time to fall apart. James needed me to be strong. I looked to my sister.
“My other husband.”
11
JONAH
We rode at a breakneck pace to James’ house. Our house. I had to hope Abel’s mood had changed and he would be a congenial host. While Tennessee had boldly stated she had two husbands, I also hoped Abel wouldn’t speak poorly of a Bridgewater marriage to the sisters. They were just like Tennessee, curious and overeager. But that wasn’t a problem right now, especially since it could all be moot.