“Why the doubts, John?” Henry asked. “Ask yourself, why hasn’t a beautiful doll like her already been spoken for? Why did she have to come all the way out here to nowhere, South Dakota, to marry a man she didn’t know? What’s she running from? Maybe it’s her you should be questioning, not yourself.”
All questions you have asked yourself since you saw her. But, she told you. She’s running from an arranged marriage. But is that all? Are there any other secrets?
“I asked her a little about it especially after I heard she was travelling under a false name. She explained her father is a brutish man who had arranged her marriage to a man old enough to be her grandfather. Apparently, this man is known for his cruelty to women. Her brother helped her to get away which is why she had the money to fund her travel. I believe she has told me the truth. She sounded very sincere.”
The other men finished their beers. “Lot of forced marriages happening out there. Damn shame women can’t say no and be listened to. Makes me feel a whole lot better about things now you’ve explained.” Sam said. “I’ll get us another beer. His chair scraped the floor as he pushed back and stood. Before he had a chance to leave the table, a porter from the hotel where they were staying, rushed up.
“Mr. Franklin. The hotel manager sent me to tell you, the gal you’re marrying tomorrow snuck out of the hotel and into the street. He’s worried ‘bout a pretty gal like that bein’ alone with so many liquored up miners in town. Some of ‘em can be mighty rough when they see a lady like that by herself.”
John stood and clamped his hat on his head. “I’ll see you in the hotel dining room at seven. Seems me and my wife to be need to have a chat about her wanderin’ around town on her own.”
He swiveled, thanked the porter, pressed a coin into his hand and headed for the street in search of his wayward fiancée.
***
Cora was staring at some beautiful dresses in a store window when a breeze stirred the back of her hair. The stench of tobacco, liquor and body odor assailed her senses. She felt both nervous and sick. She froze, too afraid to turn around. You really are becoming a baby. Afraid of your own shadow.
“Well, well, looky here boys. We done found ourselves a lady and it seems she ain’t got nobody with her,” one man said as he stroked her hair.
Cora stiffened and trembled, willing someone to help her.
“Hey look, boss. She’s shakin’ with expectation,” another man said.
“Yeah, she’s wantin’ us, boss. Let’s take her somewhere private where we can play with what’s under that pretty dress.” The third man gave an evil chuckle.
Cora expected her legs to fail her they were shaking so badly. She refused to turn around and give the men threatening her, the satisfaction of seeing the fear she knew would be reflected in her eyes. When one man ran his hand down her arm, she jerked away with revulsion. She opened her mouth to scream but no sound came out.
***
John glanced up and down the street and caught sight of Cora being crowded by three scruffy men. He drew his gun from its holster and rushed across the street. His heart pounded when he realized they were probably threatening her. She’d be terrified.
As he moved closer he saw one man run his hand down her arm. He watched as she jerked away. Rage, like he had never felt before, consumed him. He stepped onto the boardwalk in time to hear one of the men ask for a kiss. A loud, distinctive click sounded as he cocked his gun. The three men spun towards him and reached for their guns.
“Don’t even think about it,” John roared.
The men lifted their hands away. “We were just talkin’ to the pretty lady. She was all alone and we thought we’d keep her company.” One man whined. “Why don’t ya join us?”
John’s anger rocketed. “This lady is my fiancée. You’ve got about ten seconds to step away and go about your business or I swear to God, I’ll put a bullet in the part of your body you wanted to abuse her with.”
The men glanced at each other before slinking off. As soon as they had put some distance between themselves and John, they took off down the boardwalk, running.
John holstered his gun and approached Cora. She hadn’t moved. He placed his hands on her shoulders as he spoke. “It’s okay darlin’, it’s me.”
Cora dropped like a dead weight. He swept her into his arms before she could hit the ground and, hurried back to the hotel.
***
Cora awoke in the bed of her hotel room. John sat in a chair beside the bed, studying her. She moved slightly and he tightened his grip on her hand. Their eyes locked.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
Cora noted the concern in his eyes. She attempted to sit up.
He stood, lifted her into his arms as if she weighed no more than a feather and, propped her up on pillows. He reclaimed her hand, his thumb stroking her fingers.
“How’s that, better?”
“Yes, thank you. What happened?”
“You don’t remember?”
“I remember three men accosting me. I was very frightened. And, now I’m here.”
“Those men were from one of the mining camps outside town. They mine for gold in the hills. Once a month they come into town for a couple of days, cash in the gold they’ve found, get liquored up and cause trouble. It’s not the place for a lady to be alone when they’re here.”
That’s why there were no other women or children on the streets. How could I have been so foolish?
John’s eyes searched her face. “Why did you go out? I thought you were going to nap before tonight?”
“I was weary but I couldn’t sleep.” She chewed at her bottom lip.
“Are you anxious about meeting my family?”
Very perceptive. “Terrified.” She clutched his hands. “What if they don’t like me? Father always said I’m so fat and plain I’d never attract a man. He said I would only ever be good for being a whore, no man would want me otherwise. I guess that’s the reason he wanted me to marry, Ernest. He knew I’d end up an old maid.” Tears streamed over her cheeks. Her voice cracked with emotion. She gazed into John’s eyes. “I promise I’ll be an obedient wife. I’ll cook, clean rub your aching muscles after your hard day’s work and do whatever else you tell me to. Please don’t send me away. I can’t go back.” Her chest heaved as she sobbed.
What in God’s name has her father done to her? He lifted her from the bed and onto his lap. She buried her head in his chest as he stroked her back and attempted to soothe her. He was far too angry to speak. For a man who was known for his docile temperament, he was shocked at how easily his temper spiked when it came to this little gal in his arms. He waited until her sobs lessened, giving himself time to regain his calm. When she had quieted, he eased her head up so he could speak with her. He brushed at her tears with his handkerchief. The look of desolation in her eyes wrenched at his heart.
“First of all, your father is a pig. Not all men are like him. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever clapped eyes on. You have the perfect curves in all the right places from what I can feel with you sitting on my lap.”
Cora felt her face heat as she blushed.
“Secondly, I am going to marry you tomorrow. You are not going anywhere except to my ranch. I’m sure we’ll have our disagreements, but you ain’t going anywhere. Thirdly, I would love you to cook and tend our home but you’re not my slave. You’ll be my wife. We’ll work together inside and outside the house. On the subject of massages, that sounds right nice and I won’t be sayin’ no to those. Lastly, my family are gonna love you. I can already tell you are sweet and caring. But, even if one of ‘em happens to be plumb loco and they don’t like you then, it doesn’t matter. We like each other and that’s all that counts. Are we clear now?”
Cora nodded as more tears trickled from her eyes. Not only a baby but a crybaby too! She liked this man a whole lot. He was even better than she’d hoped for and she’d only known him for a few hours.
“Cora?”
“Yes?”
“Why do you say your father hates you?’
“Because he does. He’s told me over and over he hates me because my mother died giving birth to me. He said I took away the love of his life, denied my brother the love and nurturing of his mother and, took away his chance of having more sons.”
Hell and damnation! What kind of man treats his child that way? John hugged her close. “I’m sorry for the life you’ve had up until now. I promise you, I will never, ever treat you in such a manner. I can’t begin to understand how unhappy you must have been.”
“I was unhappy but I had my best friend, Millie and her family. At least I had them until they moved to Sioux City a year ago. Her parents tried to protect me. They even asked father to let me live with them but he refused. He said I had no right to be happy after the way I’d destroyed his life. I didn’t have any other close friends I could turn to after Millie left so I had to put up with whatever he dished out.”
“Is that why you were in Sioux City? Did your brother help you to go to Millie?”
“Yes. He doesn’t know I’m here. He doesn’t know I’ve become a Mail Order Bride. Until recently, we would barely speak. I was surprised when he offered to help me.”
“John surprised her by gently caressing her lips with his own. A feeling of want that she didn’t understand, rippled through her.”
“I promise you’re safe now. No-one will ever hurt you again. Now, how about that nap before you face my curious family tonight?”
She nodded.
He lay her back on the bed and covered her with a blanket.
“Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?”
“Of course, I will.” He placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
Within minutes, she had drifted off.
***
John knocked on the door at five minutes to seven.
Cora heard his sharp intake of breath and watched his jaw drop when she opened the door and stepped out. She had worn her prettiest dress, apart from the one she planned to marry in. This one was a pale lemon color with puffed sleeves reaching to just above the elbow. The wide neckline rested on the tops of her arms revealing the rise of her breasts. It was cinched at the waist by a wide white ribbon which tied at the back in a large bow. The skirts were full, barely revealing the matching lemon slippers she wore. Her hair had been brushed until it shone then swept up at the sides and fixed in place with combs adorned with pale lemon ribbon. She’d pinched her cheeks until the right amount of pink had appeared. Her lips were full and naturally rosy. John obviously appreciated how she looked. She waited for his mouth to close and for him to speak.
“Damn, beggin’ your pardon, sweetheart. If I thought you were pretty before, now you look downright gorgeous. What on earth did I do to deserve you?”
Cora giggled, reached up and ran her fingers down the length of his scar. She frowned when he flinched and turned that side of his face from her. She gently turned his head back around.
“Don’t ever hide from me, John. Your scar doesn’t affect how I look at you or the type of man you are. I feel in my heart and I know from your actions today, you’re a good man.”
“Thank you,” he kissed her cheek. “I’ve been stared at, called ugly and deformed so often since my accident, I guess it’s affected my confidence.
Cora drew his face down to hers. She peppered his scar with tiny kisses.
“Darlin’, if you keep that up, I won’t make it until we get married. I’ll be draggin’ ya into my bed tonight. Heck, we might not even make supper.”
Cora giggled as she released him.
“I love the musical sound of your laugh. It makes me feel good to know you’re happy. I’m gonna make damn sure you stay that way.”
“I am happy, John.”
He grasped her hand and led her downstairs to the dining room and his waiting family.
Chapter Eight
The noise in the dining room carried along the hallway and Cora became increasingly nervous.
A scene of absolute chaos greeted them. Children chased each other in circles, two boys rolled around on the floor as they wrestled each other and a baby on one woman’s hip was kicking and screaming.
John squeezed her hand to give her confidence before releasing it. She felt the loss of warmth immediately. She glanced up in time to see him position two fingers in his mouth and let out an ear piercing whistle. Cora jumped and placed her hands over her ears.
Everything stopped, even the baby sat on her mother’s hip quietly now. Everyone spun towards the doorway and Cora felt the scrutiny of what felt like a hundred eyes boring into her. John’s arm circled her waist and he moved her into the room.
“Everyone, this is my bride to be, Cora. Now, she’s pretty nervous and scared about meeting y’all. She thinks she won’t measure up so, please, take it easy on her until she figures out we’re a pretty nice bunch. Introduce yourselves but don’t expect her to remember all of ya. Especially you triplets. The manager said supper will be served in about half an hour.”
Cora smiled at the curious faces who continued to study her. An older version of John approached first. He patted his son on the back. “Whoowee son, ya sure know how to pick ’em.” He lifted Cora’s hand to his lips and kissed her fingers. “You sure are a beauty. Welcome to our family. I’m sure you’ll make our son real happy.”
“Now, Josiah. Let the poor girl go and stop embarrassin’ her. Look how you’ve made your face turn beet red.” John’s mother removed Cora’s hand from her husband and held it in her own.
Cora studied the woman without being rude. She was small woman, not much taller than herself. Her black hair showed streaks of silvery grey. Her skin was as creamy and unblemished as that of a twenty year old girl. She had John’s striking blue eyes and her whole face radiated warmth.
“I’m Sarah. My husband was right when he said you’re beautiful. Please don’t be afraid of us. We’re surely loud but we don’t bite.”
Cora giggled. “Thank you for your warm welcome Mr. and Mrs. Franklin. I’m so happy to be here but John’s right, I am nervous.”
“No, no, no, that will not do.” Sarah said sternly. “If you’re to be the wife of my darling son and the mama of my grandbabies, then you’ll call us, Mama and Papa.”
“I agree,” Josiah said.
Cora couldn’t speak. Her own father had never allowed her to use the endearment – Papa. He had told her papa was for men who loved their children. Only Peter had been allowed to address him that way, for her, it was always – father.
A renegade tear escaped her eye. These people had shown her more warmth and kindness in a few minutes than she’d had in a lifetime. She felt the beginning of love!
Sarah noted the tears and became concerned. “Have I upset you? You don’t have to call us Mama and Papa unless you want to. After tomorrow, we will think of you as another daughter and we’d love for you to feel like you’re a part of the family.”
Cora buckled. She spun herself into John’s arms, burrowed her face into his chest and burst into tears.
She heard the worry in Sarah’s voice. “John?”
“She’s alright, Ma.” He patted her hand. “Cora hasn’t had much kindness in her life and I think it’s a bit overwhelmin’. She’ll be fine.”
John cradled Cora in his arms. He loved the way she felt pressed against him and he tightened his hold. His heart broke for the type of life she’d had up until now and he silently vowed to show her, every single day, she was loved and needed. Instinct insisted, he would fall deeply in love with this beautiful, sensitive woman, and he would never regret placing that Ad in the Gazette.
***
Cora pulled herself together and stepped from the warmth and comfort of John’s arms. His sisters and their husbands introduced themselves and their children.
John had been right. The men were identical and she had no idea how she would ever learn to tell them apart. All three were the same height – t
all, but not quite as tall as John. They had dark, wavy hair and brown eyes. Thankfully, they had worn different colored clothing because try as she might, she couldn’t find anything else that separated one from the other. They were indeed handsome men. But, not as handsome as my John. My John, she loved how that sounded.
John’s sisters were also identical and they could have easily passed for triplets. They were a good six inches taller than her, glossy black hair hung down their backs and their eyes, although blue like their brother’s, weren’t quite as stunning as his. All three girls were beautiful and they had extremely pretty children. While John closely resembled his father, the girls were younger versions of their mother.
Cora: Bride of South Dakota (American Mail-Order Bride 40) Page 7