Where The Four Winds Collide

by Hildie McQueen

  "Oh yes very much so," she replied in a bright tone taking him by surprise. She slid her gaze at him under her lashes in an almost flirty fashion and he couldn't stop his eyebrows from rising.

  "Err...do you like blondes?" Peggy Ann asked getting his attention away from his wife. Adeline shot her friend an alarmed look, but remained quiet.

  "Er--I don't know I've ever thought about hair color," Jackson replied. "I'm blond."

  "No, no, no," Peggy Ann replied obviously annoyed, "I mean blonde women."

  "Peggy-Ann!" Adeline squeaked, but then remained quiet as Peggy Ann watched him with narrowed eyes in wait of his reply.

  "The only blonde woman I know is Mrs. Connor and she's not very attractive." He replied thinking of the gaunt woman who'd taught Sunday school, never once smiling.

  "Hmphf," Peggy Ann snorted, "I suppose you're right." She changed the subject abruptly. "Adeline bought some nice blue fabric to make a shirt for you, it matches your eyes."

  Adeline's cheeks flushed a rosy pink but she kept her face forward not looking at him. Jackson smiled at Peggy Ann and then spoke to Adeline. "Is that so?"

  She nodded mutely.

  They continued the rest of the way; mostly the women conversed about their plans for the winter, while Jackson tried not to stare at his wife. She'd gained weight and her coloring was better as well. He noted how tendrils escaped from their binding and flew around her face in the breeze. Even with her brow pinched in concentration, she made a pretty picture perched on the bench holding the reins.

  Once they deposited Peggy Ann and her purchases at her house, Jackson and Adeline arrived a short time later at their home. When Jackson helped Adeline carry her shopping inside, she thanked him with a shy smile and went toward the bedroom removing her coat and gloves. Jackson watched his wife wondering at her sudden change.

  Maybe the trip to town had given Peggy Ann time to talk to her or had given Adeline time to relax. He would have to ask his friend's wife if there was something he needed to thank her for.

  "I'll be back in a few minutes," He called after her and left to take the horses and carriage to the stable.

  When he returned, Adeline had barely finished storing new plates and bowls in the cupboard. She then took a step away and studied the shelf. "I hope you don't mind I bought new dishes?" She asked, giving him a nervous glance.

  "Of course not, we needed them. You decide what needs to be purchased for the house, it's your domain"

  His answer appeared to please her. "I've got water heating for a bath, I'll be a moment."

  Used to giving her privacy, Jackson sat at the table to go over correspondence she'd brought from town. "Take your time."

  He drank coffee and peered into several packages still on the table. When he found some sweet cakes, he nipped one and ate it with his coffee. Once he didn't hear Adeline stirring anymore, Jackson stood and took his cup to the washbowl and rinsed it, then made his way to the bedroom not looking forward to another night beside his wife and not able to touch her.

  The fire in the hearth gave enough light to see Adeline was not in bed as yet. Instead, she sat in a chair facing away from him.

  She stood and faced him and he noticed she wore one of the new nightgowns he'd purchased for her, the glow from the fire outlined her curves under the fabric and Jackson swallowed not able to look away.

  "Come to our bed before I fall asleep tonight Jackson," her anxious expression confused him. Was she asking him to join her in bed, but not touch her?

  "I am not sure I can lie next to you and..."

  "Oh," she interrupted him and fidgeted with the fabric of her nightgown. "I wondered if you kept your distance because you are unable to be with me after...I've been with..."

  "Is that what you think?" He interrupted her.

  Her slight shrug broke his heart. Did she think he avoided her because of what she'd been through?

  "Adeline look at me," he went to her and cupped her chin lifting her face. "I have kept my distance because I don't feel worthy of you. I let you down, I'm willing to sleep on a pallet for as long as you want me to, if it makes you feel better."

  She shifted her eyes toward the fireplace and bit her lip. "I didn't know what to think. I do know that I don't want you sleeping over there."

  "What do you want Adeline? Talk to me." Jackson ensured his voice remained soft.

  Emerald eyes rose to meet his. "I'm not sure Jackson. I'm scared of this." She motioned toward the bed. "I want to be your wife, not just in name only. I need to know if you are staying with me out of guilt."

  "No, Adeline, I am not with you because of guilt. I'm here because I want to be with you." He lowered his lips to hers brushing them lightly and almost lost his balance when she relaxed into him. Her timid fingers moved up his shoulders until finally she placed her hands behind his head holding him to her.

  They continued to kiss, Jackson wanted to take his time, and allow Adeline to set the pace. She would control how far things went between them this night.

  Lifting his head he smiled down at her and was rewarded by a view of her flushed face. She reached for his shirt and began to unbutton it, then slid it off his shoulders. Needing no further invitation, he kissed her again walking her backwards to the bed.

  Before long both were fully undressed, Jackson restrained from giving in to the strong urges to take his wife passionately and instead concentrated on her. He kissed and caressed her for a long time ensuring through his actions, she understood how much she meant to him, how he treasured her.

  She pushed him back onto the bed, he lay without moving while she explored his body in return. His reactions to her touch brought out a side of Adeline he'd not seen since the day out by the creek. Obviously he'd been moving much too slow when his feisty wife took matters in hand, letting him know she was more than ready to move forward.

  Straddling his hips, she guided him to join with her.

  Sometime later, the coolness of the room forced Jackson to get up from their bed to add wood to the fire. Adeline followed him.

  Dragging a blanket she placed it on the floor next to the hearth. "Its warmer over here isn't it?" She lay down on the blanket, her beautiful curves enhanced by the dance of the fire's flames. At the breathtaking view, he was immediately aroused again.

  "Very much so," he replied joining her.

  It was still dark when the coolness of the room finally forced Jackson to get up again. His rubbery legs barely sustained him when he carried his sleeping wife from the floor to their bed. After adding another log to the fire, he slid in next to Adeline and pulled her close. Lying in the dark, he smiled up at the ceiling.

  They still had much to discuss and work through. But at the moment, he was thankful for the sleeping woman nestled against him. Their relationship was on its way to recovery.

  One thing he was sure of, once they got past what had happened, both of them would immerge stronger. Their marriage would be fortified.

  Adeline sighed in her sleep and wrapped her graceful fingers tightly around his forearm. The action confirming she needed to feel his form next to her, to assure he remained.

  "I'm not going anywhere," he mumbled sleepily into her hair. "There is nowhere I'd rather be than here with you. I'm exactly where I need to be."

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Hunger made Heath drag himself out of bed the next day, after sleeping in longer than he'd done in a long time. The combination of being back in his own place and the long ride had worn him out.

  An hour later, refreshed after a long bath at the bathhouse and plenty of rest, he made his way to the Four Winds hotel to get a decent meal. Afterwards, he'd go visit the judge and inquire if any word was received about the gold shipment.

  When he passed by his office, Earl stuck his head from the doorway and waved. "Sherriff, you coming to work today?"

  "Not sure," he replied smiling. "I have to see if judge is willing to give up the spot." Heath chuckled at Earl's scowl.

  T
he aroma of roasted chicken made him hurry into the hotel. He stopped midstride inside the lobby at seeing a stunning young blonde woman who stood next to the reception desk. She wasn't looking in his direction, which gave him time to study her at leisure.

  "Where is the judge?" She asked the man behind the desk. "He told me Pruitt would be here today. Its past midday and neither men have yet to show their faces."

  It appeared to be his lucky day. Heath approached her ensuring an expression of nonchalance. "I'm Pruitt. How can I be of assistance?"

  Grey eyes jerked to him. The beautiful woman's gaze perused him from head to toe, and then moved back to his face. "You? " She looked to be at a loss for words, which Heath took as a good sign.

  "Why don't you join me for lunch Miss?"

  "Jessica McGuire," she replied.

  "McGuire?" Heath frowned. "The last name is familiar, but not your first."

  "Oh of course," she said already making her way to the dining room. "In the letters I only used Jessie. I prefer to be called Jessie. And you? Do you prefer Jackson or Jack?"

  Heath stumbled, tripping over his own feet almost losing his balance. Jessie McGuire stopped and gave him an irritated look.

  "I--I am not..." he started to explain. But just then the man who'd been behind the desk came up and spoke to Jessica. "Miss McGuire, would you still like me to call the judge?"

  "I--I suppose it's best," she replied studying Heath. "Don't you think we may as well get married right away?"

  "You're getting married Sheriff?" the hotel clerk's voice pitched in astonishment, but by the gleam in her eye, obviously relishing being the first to learn the gossip. "I didn't see it coming."

  Jessica studied at him, her pouty lips parted in surprise. "I thought you owned a ranch. You never said anything about being a sheriff."

  Heath took her elbow and began to guide her to a table. He looked at the hotel clerk, "Don't call the judge yet. We'll eat first then go see him ourselves."

  What was he going to do now? He'd all but forgotten about the last letter he'd sent to a Miss J. McGuire about two weeks prior to Jackson marrying Adeline.

  Heath ate in silence listening to Jessie talk. He liked the sound of her voice. It had a husky edge to it and the sound urged him to lean in closer.

  "So you see," Jessica McGuire informed him, "I wasn't expecting a second letter after the first one went unanswered for so long. "Then when a second one arrived addressed to a "J. McGuire, the postmaster and I figured it was for me. After reading in your correspondence about my letter was destroyed and illegible, I understood." She took a breath and stabbed at her meatloaf. "I wrote you to tell you I was coming, since you proposed in your letter."

  "I did?" Heath had yet to tell her who he was, since she'd monopolized the conversation and he was at a loss to what he'd do with her once she realized Jackson was already married.

  Jessie was quiet and he realized she must have said something. "I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you said." He scrambled for a reply.

  "I was telling you your last letter was quite odd. You referred to yourself in third person a couple of times."

  "Oh I supposed it was because I was helping my brother write it."

  "Why would your brother write it? Oh!" Her eyes widened and she looked to his hands, probably checking for missing fingers. Then she gave him a pitying glare. "You don't know how to read and write? Isn't it required of a sheriff?"

  Heath shoved a forkful of meat and potatoes in his mouth to avoid having to speak for a few moments. Thankfully people strolling past the window caught Jessie's attention and she watched the scene in silence while he continued to eat.

  Her blonde hair was styled in an intricate updo he'd never seen before. On top of her head a small emerald green hat with a feather jaunting from it was pinned at an awkward angle. Her well-made dress was made of a thick green fabric, which matched the material of the hat. He noted she wore no jewelry except a slender gold bangle on her wrist.

  When she met his gaze, her grey eyes were dark and with light green speckles brought out by her dress. He was shocked at the jolt of his pulse speeding.

  "Jackson Pruitt, tell me about yourself."

  Heath cleared his throat. "Miss McGuire, I'm afraid there's been a horrible misunderstanding. You see I'm not Jackson Pruitt. Jackson is my brother. "

  "Oh." Mouth open, she leaned forward and peered at him with widened eyes. But then her eyes narrowed at him. "Who are you then?"

  "I'm Heath Pruitt, Sheriff of Four Winds," he replied with a lazy smile meant to entice her. "I tried to tell you upon meeting, but once you began speaking, I found I enjoyed your conversation."

  She cocked an eyebrow at him. "You mean I talk too much and didn't give you a chance to get a word in edgewise."

  He liked her quick mind -- this woman was intelligent.

  They remained quiet when the woman returned to refill their glasses of water.

  "I have it in writing, a marriage proposal, it is legally binding," Jessica informed him as soon as they were alone again. "I don't know what kind of game you and the judge are playing, but if you don't have Jackson Pruitt here in an hour, I will go find him myself." She gave a most unladylike snort and went to stand.

  Heath covered her hand with his to keep her from doing so.

  "My brother got married about a month ago."

  "What?"

  "To be fair, he married an unconscious woman thinking it was you." He finished sure he was not making any sense.

  "What?" She hissed again. "You expect me to believe that story?" Her angry eyes flashed to his hand still covering hers. "Release my hand Sheriff, I am going to speak to the Judge. If he really is a judge and find out once and for all what is truly going on."

  She snatched her hand from under his and stood. "I'm not sure what kind of game this is, but I don't appreciate the farce, sheriff." She smoothed her skirts and stalked toward the lobby.

  Heath noticed the reception clerk watching them without disregard for pretense. He put money on the table and walked out after Jessica McGuire.

  On the sidewalk, she'd stopped at the end of the walk and looked from side to side, probably searching for a courthouse or city hall building. Four Winds had neither. Judge normally split his time between his home, the jailhouse and the hotel. Obviously he'd been avoiding the hotel today.

  When he caught up to her, he was astonished to note her eyes were shiny with unshed tears. "Miss McGuire, I'm sure we can do something to make your situation right." He told her, for some reason feeling the need to comfort her. "The judge is probably at my office, let's go there."

  He took her stiff elbow and guided her across the street.

  The judge was indeed in his office and quite at home. The man leaned back in the chair, his boots on the desk, was snoring loudly while Earl sulked by the stove pouring coffee. His face brightened at spotting him, then his eyes widened at seeing the woman at his side.

  "Good afternoon Judge," Heath spoke loudly grinning when the older man almost fell out of the chair at the start.

  Judge coughed a couple times, his bushy grey brows rising high at seeing Jessie. "Well Miss McGuire, I see you've met Sheriff Pruitt."

  Heath almost laughed at how easily the judge gave up the position of being sheriff when faced with Jessie's glare. "I'm sure he's explained why Jackson Pruitt was not present yesterday. You see it has been a huge er... misunderstanding."

  Jessie stalked to the desk and leaned over it, her pretty face tight. "So its true? You married a woman who was unconscious to a total stranger without even confirming her identity?"

  Judge's eyes flew to Heath and he cleared his throat. "Look here Miss, it was a chaotic moment. Besides, she came to and signed the papers." He added with authority, "Now if you would excuse me, I have business to tend to." He shuffled papers on the desk, which Heath knew to be nothing more than old stagecoach schedules.

  "I have business to tend to as well," Jessie pulled a folded paper out of her satchel and
slammed it over the papers the judge held, the pile landed on the desk in an untidy heap. "This is a legal binding document. A marriage proposal, and I demand you make the person who signed it stand by his word."

  The judge leaned forward and squinted at the letter. "I'm sorry ma'am, Jackson can't marry you, as I explained he's already married. We can ride out there and confirm it if you wish, meet his wife Adeline."

  "Read the signature," She told him tapping her fingernail on a spot on the paper.

  "Oh dear," the judge's wide eyes jerked to Heath.

  Jessie turned and gave him a triumphant smile. Despite not knowing what she intended, he almost smiled in return. But at the judge's pallor, his stomach sank.

  "Why are you looking at me like that?" Heath asked with stilted words.

  Judge pressed his lips together and took a breath before asking. "Did you write the letter for Jackson?"

  Heath nodded and lied. "Yes, but he signed it."

  "No he didn't," Jessica replied.

  "Why would Jackson sign it "Heath Pruitt" I know your signature and this is it." The judge informed him giving him an apologetic shrug.

  "Miss McGuire is obviously mistaken and you can't see old man," Heath neared the desk and peered at the paper. His stomach lurched when he read the signature. In his haste to mail the letter in time, he'd made a mistake.

  It was signed "Heath Allan Pruitt."

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Adeline couldn't bear the thought of getting out of bed the next morning and instead snuggled deeper under the blankets. It smelled of Jackson, and she pushed her face into the mattress and inhaled. The night before had been magical. She'd fallen asleep by the fireplace and later woken up in bed beside Jackson, she'd listened to his even breathing until sleep had taken over again.

  With a grin, she stretched and then the thought of the blonde woman back at Four Winds broke the spell of bliss surrounding her. Where was Jackson? She sprang from the bed.