Lassoing a Bride

by Gail L Jenner et al.

  Providing all the information the sheriff required left her exhausted. Refusing food, Rebekah cocooned herself in the blankets and covered her face. With any luck, she’d suffocate and wouldn’t have to face whatever came next.

  Chapter 4

  “How’s the girl doing today?”

  Franz led Matthew into his study and closed the door. “She’s hardly a girl as she admitted to being twenty today, but she is improving.” He poured them each a glass of whiskey. “I can say for certain God is good, Matthew, for that is the only explanation for her survival.”

  “Amen, to that, my friend.”

  “Got in himmel! She was not even sixteen when her father sold her to that man. How could a father do that?” Franz tossed back the whiskey, hoping it would wash away the reality of evil in the world.

  “Very easily, apparently. And definitely in character for him. According to the stories I heard, her mother brought an impressive dowry to the marriage, family jewelry, and property, but it’s all gone.”

  “All but his daughters. He is a monster!” When Matt drained his own whiskey, Franz refilled both glasses. If ever there was a justification to getting drunk, this was it. “At first, Redmann told her she could work off the debt and then he would let her go home.”

  Matt shook his head. “Not if they’re legally married. He’d have to divorce her and that would mean people finding out what really happened. Redmann would never risk it.”

  “As she quickly discovered. Rebekah wrote to her father, begging him to help her. Redmann intercepted the letter. He forced her before a preacher the same night.”

  “Hopefully, the Pinkerton agent I’ve contacted can find out what really happened and if their marriage is legal. If it isn’t, I’ll nail the bastard. You have my word.”

  “And if they are married?” Even saying the words out loud slashed Franz’s heart. He had grown to care for her so quickly. When Matthew didn’t reply, Franz looked up to find his friend watching him with sympathy in his gaze. “Don’t say there is nothing to be done! He nearly murdered her!”

  “Sadly, beating an unrelated woman is against the law. But a wife?” Matt shook his head.

  “Barbaric!” Franz spit the word into the silence between them. “I will not accept that. Not for Rebekah.”

  “I’ll do everything I can to be sure you won’t have to.”

  After Matthew left, Franz dropped into a chair facing the fireplace and stared at the kindling and logs laid out for use. Why did this woman affect him so? She was pretty, but he’d known others as lovely. She was vulnerable, but as a doctor, he’d encountered many in that state and not become attached. But something about Rebekah had captured his attention the moment her beautiful eyes had focused on him.

  He very much feared he was falling in love.

  Why wasn’t he nervous? Shouldn’t he be denying even the possibility of such a thing? After all, they’d only just met. He knew little about her, and she even less of him. He couldn’t love her so soon.

  Yet, even as the thought formed, he knew he did love her. With a sigh, he swallowed the last of his drink. At first sight, isn’t that what the poets said? Imagine him, a doctor, a man of science, as living proof?

  Now, he had to find a way to keep her.

  Chapter 5

  “This is the first time our little town has attempted such a thing. The Spring Dance was envisioned by Martha and her friend, Mary Hawken, and they’ve worked very hard on it. Would you like to attend this evening?”

  Rebekah stared up at Franz from her spot on the blue damask settee. “I don’t think I’m strong enough to dance.”

  “You don’t have to do anything more than sit and watch. I should attend, in support of my sister, but I will stay here with you, if that is what you wish.”

  “No, you mustn’t disappoint Martha. She’s been so kind to me. You both have.”

  When Franz’s gaze heated, she looked away. She may not know much, but she recognized his desire. She felt the same for him and it made her physically ill to know nothing could come of it.

  “Little one, we don’t have to go. I will simply ask someone to come and stay with us while Martha is gone.”

  “A chaperone?” Rebekah laughed. “That’s hardly necessary, given the circumstances.” When he remained silent, she tried to explain. “If I’m married, you’re safe. And the people here know you would never take advantage of me.”

  “But do you know that?” He crossed the room to sit beside her. “Do you believe you are safe alone here with me?”

  “Yes.” Though that wasn’t entirely true. She trusted him—but not herself.

  “That is good.” Franz patted her hand and rose. “Let us attend the dance for Martha. We will stay a little while, and when you are ready to come home, you tell me.”

  She nodded her agreement and he left, mumbling something about pressing a suit. He’d barely disappeared from sight when the front door opened and Martha breezed in, bringing a waft of cool, damp spring air into the room.

  Fear that her presence in Martha’s parlor would upset the woman ripped through her. “Franz said it was all right if I sat in here for a while. The sun felt so good and I sat right where he showed me. I didn’t touch anything else, I swear.” Her words trailed off when Martha only stared at her in silence before reminding her that she was welcome in this beautiful home. Martha went so far as to give her permission to rearrange the room to suit herself. “I don’t think I’ll find it necessary to move everything.”

  “That is good to hear. Are you up to eating a bite of supper? Then I have to get dressed for the Spring Dance.”

  “I’ve invited Rebekah to go with us.” Franz leaned against the doorframe, smiling gently at his patient.

  Rebekah couldn’t believe she was actually blushing as Franz smiled at her. When Martha enthusiastically supported her brother, she knew she was attending the dance. “I have nothing to wear.”

  Martha suggested Mary Hawken might have a dress that would fit and Franz immediately offered to go and ask, shocking both women. But the thought of wearing something that hadn’t been provided by her husband held incredible allure.

  Martha’s voice brought her attention back. “We’ll eat and dress before Matthew arrives.”

  “Sheriff Tate?” Rebekah couldn’t stop the wave of terror that swept her. She avoided lawmen. The scars on her back were from the one time she’d tried to involve the law to gain her freedom.

  Martha’s reassurance helped, though her fear was too deep-seated to be removed by a few words. But, she would never disappoint Martha or Franz. If going to the dance meant being in the company of Sheriff Tate, she would manage somehow.

  ****

  For the ride to the schoolhouse where the dance would be held, Rebekah sat close to Franz in the rear seat of the sheriff’s carriage. It might have been scandalous, but the heat of his body warmed her and made her feel safe. And the heat in his gaze made her helpless to resist. Glancing around, she smiled. “I haven’t been in anything like this since I left Boston.”

  “Did you grow up in such a lifestyle?”

  “Papa liked people to see how important he was. I didn’t care, really, but I enjoyed not having to walk everywhere.”

  “Ah.” Of course, he understood immediately. “Because of your hip.”

  Rebekah nodded. Her disfigurement used to embarrass her, but she’d survived so much in the past four years, the fact that she limped now seemed insignificant. “I was thrown from a horse when I was five. Mama tried to tell Papa I was too small to ride alone, but he insisted that any daughter of his would be a natural horsewoman. Funny, I actually remember their argument more than my fall.” She fell silent, her parents’ angry words replaying in her mind. “Papa shouted at Mama and startled the horse. I couldn’t hold on. Fortunately my head landed on his boot rather than the stone of the courtyard, but I wasn’t able to walk right after that.”

  “Then you must stay warm.” He leaned close to tuck the blanket
around her and she took the opportunity to enjoy the spicy scent of his soap. Franz spent the rest of the short ride pointing out the things he most liked about River’s Bend. When they arrived at the schoolhouse, he helped her from the carriage and introduced her to the couple who stood waiting on the landing.

  Mary Hawken was a sweet, bubbly, very pregnant woman. Next to her husband, Jericho, she seemed tiny. But the dress Rebekah wore fit perfectly and she knew she wasn’t small. Many times, Reginald had pointed out that he felt as if he had a clumsy giantess at his side. Pushing aside all thoughts of the man, she nodded at Mary and Jericho. “Thank you for loaning me your dress. It’s really beautiful.”

  “That dress looks much better on you than it ever did on me. You should keep it.”

  Rebekah was so stunned, she stopped walking. Even her own mother had never parted with a frock simply because it looked better on one of her daughters. Martha laughed and urged her forward, promising she’d get used to Mary’s way. Then they stepped inside the schoolhouse and all thoughts of gowns and gifts flew from her mind. She stared around her at the dozens of flowers and ribbons in a rainbow of colors. “It’s so beautiful.”

  Martha seemed thrilled. “How very lovely it is.” Then Mary ordered the men to open the shutters—actually told those three, huge, strong men what to do! And they did it with laughter and smiles and jokes, not with arguments and fists and… No, she wouldn’t go there tonight. Squaring her shoulders, Rebekah joined the women who were now flowing into the room to see if she could help.

  Franz left her alone for nearly an hour before he gently suggested she be seated. “You are not quite as healed as you feel right now.”

  “But I should help—”

  “You have already done your share. There are others who can do this now.”

  The women nearby assured her they would take over, so she allowed Franz to lead her to a chair away from the open door. When he leaned close in order to be heard over the musicians, a shiver that had nothing to do with a draft skittered down her back. He pointed out the mayor and the schoolteacher, the butcher and his wife, and a dozen others whose names she’d never remember. The musicians played a reel and her toes began tapping in rhythm.

  “You enjoy dancing.”

  “I do,” she admitted, “although I’m not very good at it because of my hip.”

  Rising, Franz held out his hand. “Will you try a few steps with me?”

  Oh, how she wanted to say yes. To take his hand and join the bouncing line of laughing dancers. But she had to work very hard at not showing her limp when she danced and she was too tired to do that. “I don’t think—”

  “I don’t care that you do not walk perfectly. I only want to hold you for a moment or two.”

  His gentle words stole her breath and sent her heartbeat racing. “I would love to dance with you, Franz.” Laying her fingers on his, she eased into the line of dancers. Pure happiness bubbled through her as they completed the first set. She wasn’t perfect and it didn’t matter. Losing herself in the dance, she turned to her next partner—and her leg gave way beneath her.

  “Whoa, easy there, ma’am. I’ve got you.” Sheriff Tate easily lifted her out of the way of the other dancers and held on until she regained her balance. Franz abandoned his partner and strode to her side, his worry apparent.

  “Are you all right, Rebekah?”

  “Yes, I’m just tired. Thank you, Sheriff.”

  “I’m honored to have served, ma’am.”

  She let Franz help her from the floor as the sheriff rejoined the dance, drawing the attention away from her, for which she was grateful. Rebekah eased into a chair and breathed through the pain.

  “What happened? Did you trip over Matthew’s big boots?”

  She tried to smile at his humor, but knew she’d failed to convince him when he left immediately to get the carriage. When he returned with her wrap, she rose and leaned on his arm, making her way outside with careful steps.

  “Deputy,” Franz called out to a young man leaning on the wall just inside the door.

  “Yes sir, Doc?”

  “Please tell Sheriff Tate I’m taking his carriage. Mrs. Redmann has had enough dancing and would like to go home.”

  “You betcha, Doc. I’ll go tell him right now.”

  Franz grabbed the man’s arm to stop his headlong rush back inside. “Wait until he stops dancing. Then, if he or my sister requires the carriage, you come and get it.”

  “Consider it already done, Doc. ’Night. Ma’am.” He tipped his hat and returned to his spot along the wall.

  “Will he remember to tell the sheriff?” Try as she might, she couldn’t keep the anxiety out of her voice. “Maybe we should just stay. I’ll be fine sitting here until they’re ready to leave. You could go back inside and—”

  Franz kissed her. With no warning, he wrapped her in his arms and pressed his lips to hers. She stiffened for an instant before realizing he didn’t mean it as a punishment. Relaxing a little, she leaned into his hold and just enjoyed. His lips were warm and soft, his hold gentle. The thought that this wasn’t proper fluttered in her mind like a bird battering the bars of its cage, but, oh, how she hoped he never stopped. She gasped in air when he released her, but couldn’t think of a thing to say.

  ****

  Taking up the reins, Franz clicked the horse into motion and turned for home. What was wrong with him, kissing Rebekah like that? He’d only wanted to calm her fears before she panicked completely, but he couldn’t get a word in for all of hers tumbling out. Now he’d probably frightened her so much she’d never speak to him.

  Casting about for something to say, he landed on his professional concern and tugged it on like a well-loved coat. “Are you all right?”

  Stupid, stupid thing to say. She’d think he meant the kiss. “I mean, did your fall hurt you?” How was this better, he derided himself silently, reminding her that she’d nearly fallen in front of half the town?

  “I didn’t fall, thanks to Sheriff Tate’s quick reaction. I’m sorry I ruined your evening.”

  Tugging back on the reins to stop the horse, he turned to face her. “You didn’t ruin anything.” Unable to resist, he slowly lifted his hand and tucked a loose lock of her hair back into place. “I apologize that I frightened you.”

  Rebekah slipped her hand into his, threading their fingers together. “I’m not frightened, Franz. I know it isn’t proper because of…because I’m married, but I liked being kissed by you. And I hope you’ll do it again. Soon.”

  Her breathless request nearly destroyed his control. “I would never dishonor you by asking something improper of you.” He slapped the reins lightly to start them forward again. “But I liked it, too. And I want to do it again.”

  He felt her sigh as she laid her head on his shoulder. “I know we can’t.”

  Arguments crowded his lips, but he gritted his teeth and held them back. Nothing would be served by pursuing his feelings for her. Mein gott, she was married! But even the reminder that she was unavailable didn’t cool his desire to taste her sweetness again. They needed to speak of something else. “Does it still hurt you? Your hip, I mean.”

  “A little. Dancing so much wasn’t smart, but it was fun.” She smiled up at him, before focusing on something only she could see. “That was why Reginald was so angry the night he hurt me. He’d spent money we didn’t have to purchase me a brand new dress and he wanted to show me off. We walked for hours through the parks and along the river and I began limping. Usually I can control it, but not when I’m tired. Finally, I asked to go back to the hotel, just for a little while to rest. He slapped me and dragged me to a boat instead. He rowed until dark, telling me all the things that he would do to me when we returned to shore. Only he never took me back to shore.”

  Franz wanted to stop her words, take away the ugly memories she was dredging up, the hurt she was enduring, simply because he asked.

  “I couldn’t tell where we were. There were a few lights, but
on both sides of the river, so I didn’t know which way would take us back. Foolishly, I turned my back on him.”

  Her eyes closed as she winced, giving him an idea of how hard that first blow was.

  “He kicked me first. In the back.” She shifted as if feeling it all over again. “Then, he hauled me up by the hair and used his fist. All I could do was curl into a ball and pray he didn’t kill me. When he finally stopped, I thought it was over. He always stopped as suddenly as he started. Then he ordered me to stand up. I didn’t move fast enough, so he kicked me again.

  “I managed to get my feet under me, but the boat was rocking and I was afraid to stand. I looked up to tell him I couldn’t keep my balance and…” She touched the wound on her cheek. “He hit me with the oar. It wasn’t until the water closed over my head that I realized he meant to kill me. I fought to the surface and grabbed onto the boat. He only hit me again.” This time she rubbed her right hand and her fingers touched a shoulder. With a shudder, she gripped her elbows, as if holding herself together.

  “I choked on water and lost my grip. Rather than get hit again, I struck out for the shore. I remember going under again and thinking I’m going to die. But I didn’t stop swimming. It seemed hours before my feet touched bottom. I don’t remember getting out of the water, but Reginald didn’t come after me.”

  Franz’s hand shook with rage and terror as he stroked her silken hair. “My God, Rebekah. I came so close to losing you before I even knew you were in the world.”

  Rebekah snuggled close to his side. “I didn’t realize there were men like you anywhere.”

  He brushed a kiss on the top of her head. “I am just an ordinary man.”

  “I disagree. My father and Reginald have been my only experiences, and you are nothing like them.”

  “Little one, you deserve so much better.”

  “So does my sister.” She grew silent, letting the sounds of the night surround them. “I wonder where Betsy is?”

  “We will find out.”

  She shook her head, knocking several long, golden strands loose from the twist at the base of her neck. “I wrote to her once, in secret. She never replied.”