***
John held the folded paper in his hand and watched as Bert from the Telegraph office, rode off. Puffs of dust rose in the air as the horses’ hooves pounded the dusty road.
“What was Bert doing here?” Sam asked as he ambled to John’s side.
Frank and Henry also loped up.
“He brought a wire out for me. Said it was marked urgent.” John unfolded the paper and read:
Mr. Franklin stop Have received your letter and references stop Arriving on 10.45 train Friday October 26 stop Look forward to meeting you stop Cora Ancelet stop
“Damn, that gal made her mind up fast,” Sam said. “Sounds mighty desperate.”
“She didn’t even give me a chance to make the arrangements and send her some money.” John was thoughtful. Why are you so anxious to get here? What are you running from? He pushed the worry from his mind, folded the paper and tucked it into the pocket of his blue cotton shirt. “Guess we’d better get everything in order. Friday’s only four days away and there’s still a lot to be done. He turned towards the house.
“We’ll get things moved into the new house and then give you a hand to clean up,” Sam said as he started towards the barn, Henry followed but Frank headed to the house to start supper.
“You want us all to come with ya on Friday,” Henry asked hopefully.
“Of course. I’ve asked Sam to stand up for me since he’s been my best friend since we were in diapers but I want you all at my marriage.”
“Ain’t ya worried we’ll scare her off with our ugly mugs?” Frank asked.
“I guess you’ve got a point. Maybe I should just go alone and you can meet her after we’re already wed.” John laughed.
“Yeah, she might turn tail and get the next train back to where she came from,” Sam said.
The men guffawed as they went their separate ways but despite their humor, they would present the ranch in its best light. They would not let John down.
***
Cora stepped onto the platform in Rapid City and glanced around. She searched for John amongst the milling crowd. Her hands shook nervously as she clutched her reticule. This is it. You’re about to meet the man who is to be your husband.
“Miss Brown. Miss Rose Brown?” the station porter asked.
“Yes,” she answered.
“Your luggage is by the waiting room for you,” the man said.
Before Cora could thank him and offer a coin, he scurried away. She returned to searching the thinning crowd for John’s face.
Then, not ten feet away, she saw him for the first time. He seemed to be searching for her but how he was ever expecting to find her, she didn’t know. Cora had never sent him a picture, only a description.
She took advantage of her knowledge to study her intended. His picture did not do him justice. This was the man who was to become her husband and wow, what a man! He was tall, really tall. His blonde hair showed signs of being bleached by long hours in the sun. His skin was golden brown, his lips full and definitely kissable. But, his eyes were what snared her attention. They were the brightest blue she had ever seen, bluer than the sky on a bright summer’s day.
Her eyes continued their perusal. His coat was unbuttoned, his shirt pulled taut against his broad chest. A belt with a large buckle cinched the jeans at his narrow waist. His legs were long but judging by how tight his pants hugged his thighs, they were also muscular. She sighed loudly. The man was more handsome than she’d dreamed despite the scar on his face. She swallowed hard and tentatively stepped towards him.
“Mr. Franklin, I’m Cora” Her voice was husky with nerves and she offered a shaky, gloved hand.
“But, the porter called you, Miss Brown.” John was confused, he ignored Cora’s hand and his beautiful blue eyes narrowed. “I assume you have an explanation. I can’t abide liars.”
The tone of his voice was more serious than angry but it still caused Cora to tremble and step back a pace. What if he didn’t understand and sent her back?
“Mr. Franklin, I promise I can explain if you give me a chance. Is there somewhere we can go and talk?”
John heard the pleading note in her voice and his annoyance settled. “Very well.” She was so beautiful it took his breath away. He couldn’t stay mad. He spun around and spoke to another man standing nearby. “Sam, can you get Miss Ancelet’s luggage to the wagon? I’ll take her to Lilly’s for tea so we can talk.”
“Sure thing, John. Henry, Frank and me will grab a drink at the saloon while we’re waiting.” Sam ambled away with the two other men.
John placed his arm on Cora’s elbow to escort her away. A jolt so powerful caused stars to dance in front of her eyes, she became breathless and stumbled. His arm whipped around her waist to steady her and he gazed into her eyes questioningly. Had he felt it too?
“Sorry,” she murmured. “I felt a little light headed. I must have been affected by the long journey.”
“No need to apologize.” His deep voice caressed her. “Maybe you need something to eat.”
They left the station arm in arm.
***
John had been watching carefully as the train drew to a stop. This is it. My wife is on this train. He scanned the carriage doors as they opened and passengers alighted. When a beautiful girl appeared in a doorway and hesitated, his heart skipped a beat. Was this her? The way she had described herself didn’t fit but he sure wished it was her. Cora had told him she was plain with dull brown hair. This gal was anything but plain and her hair shone in the morning sun. He couldn’t drag his eyes from her.
Her eyes were as grey as a stormy, winter sky. Her skin was ivory white, unprotected by a stylish but useless bonnet perched atop her head. Her hair was drawn up revealing her milky white neck. Could this vision be her? He noted she was searching for someone. Could he be so lucky? He stepped towards her. His heart hit his boot straps and he stopped when the porter addressed her as Miss Rose Brown.
He tore his eyes from her as she stepped onto the platform and continued his scanning. He was startled when a few moments later a voice with a musical lilt spoke his name.
He spun around and there she was. His spirits soared until he remembered she was either travelling under a false name or had given him a false name in her letters. Why? Annoyance settled over him. He hated liars. She assured him her real name was Cora and asked for a chance to explain. He felt he at least owed her that after she had travelled so far.
He would escort her to Lily’s for tea and if her explanation sufficed, he would take her to the hotel. If not, she would be on the first train back in the morning.
As his hand brushed her arm, John was almost bowled over by the strong surge of desire which zinged through him. Cora’s stumbling reaction confirmed she’d felt it too.
***
John eased out a chair and Cora seated herself. “Thank you Mr. Franklin.”
He settled himself opposite and ordered tea from the hovering waitress. The minute the girl disappeared, he asked – no demanded, to know why she was using a different name.
Cora explained about her father and his intentions to marry her off to Ernest Before she could continue, John spoke and his tone wasn’t pleasant.
“Do you mean to tell me you were promised to someone else and you ran out?”
“Please, let me explain,” Cora begged.
“The man my father wanted me to marry is thirty six years older than I am. I repeatedly told my father I wouldn’t marry him but he refused to listen. He locked me in my room and said I wasn’t allowed out until we married.”
“Why did your father want you to marry an old man?”
“Ernest is a Politician who could further my father’s career and he wanted me.” Her voice was quiet, tremulous.
“I still don’t understand why a father would treat his daughter that way?” He barely heard her answer.
“Because he hates me.”
“What?”
Cora lifted her chin as well as her voice. “Because he hates
me,” she repeated, making no attempt to hide her bitterness.
John remained quiet.
“My brother, Peter, feared for my safety if I stayed and he helped me escape. He booked my passage to my friends in Sioux City and gave me money to buy what I needed. He has no idea I have come here.”
“Would your father have hurt you?” John was starting to hate Cora’s father.
“I don’t know. But, Ernest has a reputation for being brutish and forcing himself on girls without their permission. Rumor has it they are often found badly bruised and with broken bones after being with him.”
“So you decided to answer my advertisement? Why didn’t your brother stand up for you?”
“My father wouldn’t have taken notice of him even though Peter has information that could destroy both his and Ernest’s careers. It was my brother who suggested I travel under a false name so I couldn’t be tracked.”
“If your brother has information which could harm your father then why would he follow you?”
“I doubt he would bother but Peter didn’t want to take any chances.”
Cora sipped at her tea. “I won’t return home even if you decide not to marry me. I would kill myself before going back there and marrying such a horrible man.”
John remained silent.
A tear slid over her cheek. “I’m sorry if I made you angry. I promise, I will never lie to you.”
John gathered her hands. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry. I understand now why you travelled under a different name and I believe you when you tell me you won’t lie to me.” His thumbs traced her palms. “Your father had best stay away from you now you’re my betrothed. He will be a very sorry man if he doesn’t.”
Cora smiled and watched as John’s face lit up.
“How about we discuss the plans I’ve made for us?”
Cora nodded eagerly.
“That’s if you still want to be my wife.”
“Of course I do. I’d be honored to be your wife.”
John relaxed into his chair. I can’t believe such a gorgeous gal wants to be mine! “I have two rooms reserved at the hotel tonight but only one for tomorrow night.”
Cora felt herself heat at the implication and the cheeky rise of his eyebrows.
“We’re to be married at ten tomorrow morning in the chapel where my family attends church. Preacher Mitchell has agreed to wed us. My friends, Sam, Frank and Henry will stand up for me and I have asked my three sisters to stand up for you. I hope that’s okay?”
“I don’t know anyone here and Millie was unable to make the journey, so it’s fine. Please tell me about your family.”
“They’ll be your family too after we’re married. I’ve booked a private dining room at the hotel for tonight. They’ll all be joining us for supper and let me warn you, it’s like a circus when we all get together. I don’t expect you to remember any of this but here goes.” John took a deep breath and Cora giggled. “I have three sisters, all older and they have mothered me to death. Pearl is 32, married to Charles and they have three kids – Jonas 8, Jane 4 and Joe 2.”
“How does she not mix their names up?” Cora asked.
“She does, we all do. Next is Ruby 30, married to Colt. They have five kids – Samuel 8, Matthew 7, Mark 6, Luke 4 and Rose 2. Opal is 2 years older than me. She’s 28 and married to Carson. They have 3 kids – William 5, Ellen 3 and Grace 1. Ma’s name is Sarah and Pa’s is Josiah. They own the Mercantile down the road from the hotel and live out back.”
Her eyes must have been glazed, showing the overwhelming confusion she felt. John squeezed her hand.
“You okay?”
“Um, I think so. I don’t know how I’ll ever remember everyone. You have such a large family.”
He laughed. “You have no idea how confusing it can get and to make it real interestin’, my sisters’ husbands are identical triplets!”
“My goodness. How do they not get them confused?”
“I have no idea because I still can’t tell ‘em apart.”
“There’s no hope for me then.”
John lifted her hand and gently kissed her fingers one by one. She shivered as every nerve in her body came alive. “Don’t worry, darlin’. I’ll take good care of you.” His blue eyes were intense as they studied her.
Heat raced through Cora until she felt like she was burning up. “Mr. Franklin, you’re staring at me like I’ve grown another head.”
He threw his head back and laughed. A deep, rumbling laugh from deep in his chest.
Cora moved uneasily in her chair as several people glared at them.
He noted her discomfort and quietened. “Sweetheart, first of all, I think seeing as we’re marrying tomorrow you should start calling me John. Secondly, don’t go worrying your pretty little head about my family, they’re real friendly and they’re gonna love you. And, I was staring at you, and I won’t apologize for it, because I can’t believe you thought you were plain.”
Cora dropped her head. Her eyes fixated on her fingers entwined with his.
He placed two fingers under her chin and tilted it until her eyes locked with his. “You really don’t know how beautiful you are do you?”
“Please, you’re embarrassing me.”
He kissed her fingers again. A warm fuzzy feeling spread over her. “I can’t wait to make you my wife.”
Excitement surged through her. I can’t wait either.
Chapter Seven
Cora stripped down to her chemise and released her hair from the pins holding it securely in place. It tumbled over her shoulders. She crawled onto the bed. She had a few hours to nap before John came to collect her for supper. She had wanted to stay with him but he’d insisted she rest after her long journey. He said it would help her feel relaxed and more able to cope with meeting his large family.
She tossed and turned, worrying and fretting, her mind refusing to still. How will I remember who’s who? What if they don’t like me and tell him not to marry me?
Doubts and fear caused her stomach to roil. She jumped from the bed and paced the floor, it didn’t help. I’ll go for a stroll around town. The fresh air will clear my head.
With her decision made she quickly dressed. After dragging a brush through her hair she left it loose to drape over her shoulders and flow down her back. She opened the door and peered out. After checking the hallway in both directions, she crept from the room. In a matter of minutes she had slipped down the stairs and was hurrying outside.
Frowning, the hotel manager watched as she disappeared through the doors. He signaled a porter and sent a message to John.
Cora weaved her way through people as they rushed to get to wherever they were going. She was curious as to why not many women appeared to be out and about. Rough men with guns holstered low on their hips leered at her before stepping out of her way. As she continued along the wooden boardwalk, she could almost feel their eyes boring into her back. Instead of calming her fears, her escapade and these encounters, had made her worse. She had made a huge mistake in sneaking from the safety of the hotel.
Stop being such a baby. She drew back her shoulders and attempted to focus on the variety of goods displayed in the shop windows. But, the hair on the back of her neck persisted in standing on end and, the feeling of doom she’d felt in Sioux City would not leave her.
***
John set down four beers, pulled out a chair and seated himself.
“So, that’s your gal.” Sam watched as John sipped at his drink. “She’s a beauty, a real head turner. It’s lucky ya gonna marry her tomorrow ’cause I can guarantee ya, if she weren’t spoken for, there’d be a whole passel of men sniffin’ around her before ya can blink.”
John glared at his friend. “If anyone goes near her, I’ll break their damn necks.” His vehemence shocked him. Why so possessive, you’ve only just met?
Sam placed his hands in the air, palms facing out. Henry and Frank followed suit. They were surprised with the anger in J
ohn’s voice. Their friend was usually the mild tempered one.
“We ain’t gonna go near her. Jeez, you know us better than that. Why so feisty?” Henry asked.
John sighed. These were his long time best friends. These men would never do anything wrong by him just as he would never wrong them. “Sorry. I guess I’m a bit on edge, nervous about tomorrow. I can’t believe she wants to marry me. Especially now she’s seen my face.”
“Hell, John. When someone cares about you, they look past something like a scar.” Frank admonished.
“But, we’ve only just met. She couldn’t possibly care about me yet.” John was thoughtful. “I can’t understand why she didn’t run in the other direction or catch the next train back to where she came from. A beautiful girl like her should have a handsome man by her side.”
Cora: Bride of South Dakota (American Mail-Order Bride 40) Page 6