Hunter and Alec had some sort of argument before the Mayor had stormed off. Melody had seen the look of anguish that had crossed Alec’s face and Hunter had appeared furious as well. Before the Mayor had ridden out, he had flung something from his pocket at the younger man’s feet. Melody now wondered what in the world it could have been.
There hadn’t been time to ask Hunter as he had collapsed and was rushed to bed himself. Melody had hoped that Mathias encountered the Mayor out on the road to let him know that Lily was found alive.
The joyful news of Lily’s return quickly spread and all of the rescue party came to see for themselves that all was well now on the ranch. The last two days had held a constant stream of visitors in and out of the house. Everyone proclaimed their elation that everything had turned out all right, but Melody was not so sure.
As Lily had yet to confide in Melody as to what had happened during her capture, she could only guess at the horrors the girl had suffered. For the past two nights the child had screamed in her sleep. She lay wailing and shaking for hours as nightmares racked her. Gabriel had brought the girl to sleep in their bed in hopes that she would feel safe enough to at least get a few hours of rest, to no avail. Doctor Fisher had said that it was to be expected and that it would take time for the child to feel safe again. Melody prayed that Doc was right.
“Pop’s says he and Ms. Lawrence are going to stay here with Lily. So we’d better get going, if we are going to get that little one in your belly something to eat before all the food is gone.” The strong hand cupping her belly caressed the slight bump where his child lay safely nestled. Covering his hand with hers, Melody paused to enjoy the moment.
“Let me finish getting these packed up, then I will be ready to go.” Standing on tip toe she kissed the side of her husband’s jaw. She quickly moved away before he could offer her more. Melody knew that if Gabriel had his way, they would be up those stairs in a minute and spend the rest of the night in bed. Which would be wonderful, but then she would miss all of the excitement of the bidding and she was not willing to do so.
“Do you think Mr. Sinclair will sign up to be auctioned? Serena said no, but I’m not so sure.” Placing the last pie into her picnic basket Melody turned to find her bonnet. Locating it on the peg by the door, she rushed to don it. She was in a hurry to meet up with her friend and participate in the festivities.
“Mathias? Hell no. There is no way that hombre would make that mistake twice.” Gabe chuckled.
“Mistake?” There was no misconstruing the rapid tap of her tiny boot, as his wife arms folded, glared his way. Judging by the raise of her brow she apparently did not find his amusement appropriate.
“Not mistake, no. Mathias doesn’t know what he is missing.” Adjusting the ribbons of her frilly blue hat for her, Gabriel back peddled nicely. “He is not as lucky as I am to have such a sweet tempered, beautiful woman to call his own.”
“So, you consider yourself lucky?” Skepticism crossed her features
“Of course. You, the kids’ and Pops are everything to me. Everything I love in this world is in this house. There is no luckier man on the face of this Earth.”
“Love? You love me?” Melody searched his eyes in disbelief. In all the months they had been married, He had never said those words to her. She had waited so long to hear them, that it felt almost dreamlike when they did come.
“Melody O’Malley, how could I not love you?” Lifting her into his arms, Gabriel crossed over to the counter top and placed her gently upon it, so that she could sit almost eye level with him.
Whenever Gabriel thought about how close he had come to losing this woman and the child currently feigning sleep up the stairs, he could barely breathe. The fact that they came so close to death made Gabriel realize that in all the years since the death of his parents, he had been afraid. Afraid that opening his heart would just lead to loss, but it was just the opposite. Loving someone added fullness to your life. He had been such a fool.
“You are a strong, loving, brave woman. You will be a wonderful mother to our baby.” Cupping her face in his palms he continued on. “Everything about you makes me love you more and more. If I had lost you I know without a doubt that I would have lost part of my soul, because that is how deeply I do love you.”
“I love you too Gabriel.” Tears sparkled against her lashes and her whole face lit with joy. “Now kiss me and how me how much you mean those words.”
“If I do that woman, I will have to take you upstairs and do it properly.” He roughly warned her.
“So? We will be a little late, but it will be worth it.” Melody winked, laughing as with a whoop he scooped her up and made for the stairs.
True to his words, Gabriel had shown her in every kiss and every touch just how much he loved her. He whispered the words as he had pushed deeply inside of her. Their love making took on new meaning and nothing in the world had ever felt so right.
Epilogue
Later that night.
Just in time for the bridal bidding
The lovers barely made it to town that night. Most of the food was gone and the dancing was over. The small band of musicians packed their fiddles away and a hush fell over the crowd. Blankets spread out around the grounds in the center of town as families and sweethearts cuddled upon them, waiting for the entertainment to begin. Single ladies crowded around the makeshift stage that had been built.
Gabriel fed Melody plump bites of apple pie, as she reclined within the comfort of his arms. The night air was warm and filled with a hint of roses.
“Mm... I love apple pie.” She moaned heavily around a tart bite.
“I’d love you covered in apple pie….Maybe we should save some of this for later baby, because I would enjoying licking it off of…”
“Gabriel!” covering his mouth she cast a nervous look around, hoping no one had heard his scandalous words.
Chuckling Gabriel kissed her palm and tucked her hand in his. “Alright, I will behave.” He solemnly promised. “For now.”
“May I have your attention everyone?” A shout came from atop the stage as Josiah Brown stepped up to the podium. The hotel owner greatly enjoyed as the crowd quieted and he became center stage.
“As the rules have been stated before; each bachelor has a ledger that will be placed upon that table over yonder.” Pointing out a small, round table situated on the ground level to the right of the stage, Josiah continued on. “I will bring each man up and say a few words about him. As I do so, ladies in an orderly fashion please place your name if interested into the gentleman’s personal ledger.”
“Bring on the Mayor!” An anonymous cry came from the center of the grouping of single ladies. Laughter erupted from the crowd as the ladies shifted nervously closer towards the stage.
“Enough of that, young lady… whoever you are.” Casting the crowd a stern look, Josiah once again went about laying the ground rules, just in case anyone had forgotten his importance on this night.
“Remember that each woman will bid on a number of courting nights. She may decide to cook a meal for her gentleman or make arrangements with the hotel dining room. As the hotel owner, I would be glad to help you make your reservations.”
“I bet you would!” Snickers erupted from the audience as the heckling continued.
“As I was saying, each couple will be chaperoned by one of the council members, so no funny business ladies or gentlemen. After the gentleman has courted each of the ladies in his ledger, for the number of meetings she has paid for, he will make his choice for a bride. A tax will then be due to the city and the couple will say their vows. Ladies you may “court” more than one gentleman, but remember for each evening that you mark in a ledger it will cost you a penny.”
“I’ve got fifteen cents saved up, the Mayor is mine…”
“Like hell! Pardon my language Reverend.” Another unknown voice rang from within the huddle of women.
“Alright, I can see the crowd is ready to begin. If everyone understands
my rules… let the bidding begin. Mayor Wentworth, will you please step on stage?”
The riot that ensued for the Mayor’s ledger became something of a town legend after that night. Hair pulling and unladylike behavior was exhibited and a few ladies not surprisingly ended up in tears. In the end, the Mayor had enough names in his ledger to keep him busy until Christmas Eve. The seven other bachelors who had been brave enough to put themselves up for auction did not make out too badly as well. Since the women chose to place their money on a backup groom as well, there would be plenty of courting to go around.
As night fell, mother’s rushed to put their exhausted children to bed leaving the town to pick up on their festivities. Couples sought out hidden spots for some alone time, while most of the single men decided to immerse themselves in drink and games of horseshoes.
Melody and Gabriel headed off to their ranch ready for another bout of lovemaking as the whiskey was starting to pour freely. Happy to have a good start on his family, Gabriel snuggled his wife close on the seat of his wagon as they drove toward home. The moonlight bright enough to travel by made a romantic setting as he let his free hand roam down the top of her unbuttoned bodice. Chances were they would not make it home before they had to stop. Gabriel was not sure he could wait that long.
“Did I mention I packed extra blankets for our trip home?” Melody batted her eye lashes coyly. She was not at all fooled by her husband’s intentions.
“Did I mention how much I love you woman?”
“Not in the last hour or so, but you can mention it again.” Casting Gabriel a carnal glance Melody began to let her own hands roam his body freely, unbuttoning his shirt as she did so.
“Well then, I will just pull this wagon over yonder to that copse of trees” Mimicking Josiah Browns self-important tone, Gabriel suggested. “I will show you just how much I do love you.” Kissing her deeply, he warned. “It just might take a while.”
True to his words he took a long time showing Melody just how much he loved every single inch of her. When he settled his mouth over her sweet core, she wept. When he teased the small nub with his tongue she screamed his name. Thankfully they didn’t spook the horses with the way he made her cry out when she came. Afterward, in the back of his wagon bed, Gabriel and Melody lay gazing upon the stars.
Melody felt so blessed. Who would have thought that the luckiest thing to happen to her would that day that she fell on her bottom and found Fergus’s advertisement?
Talking long into the night, they began making plans for their future. Luckily, life had just started for them and they had many years to look forward to. Happily they had many, many moonlight wagon rides for them to enjoy together as well.
The end.
Coming soon…Alec and Serena’s story.
Due out July, 2013
Join the town of Liberty, Texas as the saga continues and the Mayor is forced to choose a bride. With the horde of marriage crazed ladies fighting over him, could it possibly be that he desires the only woman who wants nothing to do with him?
Table of Contents
Copy Right
Dedication
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
CHAPTER THIRTY THREE
CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR
CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE
Epilogue
Coming soon
A Bargain Bride (Brides of Liberty, Texas) Page 19