by Cyndi Raye
Dark hair stood up everywhere without rhyme or reason. Daniel chuckled at himself at the comical way he looked. Was this how everyone saw him? He reminded himself of the madman in an old classic story he read once. He found a brush on the bedside table, wetting it a bit before combing it through the mess. He went to put his glasses back on and hesitated. He looked way better without the dark monsters framing his eyes. Sliding them in a breast pocket, Daniel took the palm of his hand over his chin. Tiny whiskers stood out but he didn’t have time to shave. He never shaved until he had to so why should he start now? The bride-to-be would either have to be satisfied with the way he looked or she could get back on the train and head east.
The shrewd whistle of the train had him checking his stop watch one more time. It couldn’t be possible ten minutes had gone by already! But that was Daniel’s life, the minutes ticked away and he was never on time unless it benefited the newspaper. Realizing Miss Johnson would benefit the newspaper had him hurrying back downstairs and out the door.
There was a hustle in the air that always happened when the train pulled in. Townsfolk scurried to the depot to catch the train that only stayed no more than twenty minutes. Daniel fell in beside a couple who was leaving Wichita Falls for good. They grumbled about the dusty town, claiming it was much better in the East.
Daniel needed to interview them. “Excuse me, please. Do you have a moment to talk to me. I run the Wichita Falls newspaper and have a few questions about your stay here.”
The couple slowed down at the opportunity of an interview. “You’ll have to walk with us. We have to catch the train before it leaves.”
Daniel dug in his pocket for pen and paper. He hurdled questions as they went to the train depot, slower than usual. Most of the passengers that got off the train were already gone by the time he approached the platform. Keeping his head down, Daniel scribbled on his paper as quickly as possible.
“We must be going,” the wife announced, hurrying towards the car.
“Thanks for the interview. I didn’t get your names.”
“John and Mary Stewart,” the young man called back. “You can quote me on anything I said. Good riddance to the West!”
As Daniel wrote down the last words, he heard a dainty cough. Looking up, he realized he was no longer alone. A petite lady stood in the depot, staring at him with blazing eyes. Angry, yet curious eyes.
With a reporter’s eye, he gazed over her frame from the top of her dark, almost black hair to the tips of patent leather boots sticking out from her skirts. She dressed well, looked like she took good care of herself. When he looked back up in to those sapphire eyes, her stare was steady. She hadn’t flinched when he looked her over. “I assume you must be Miss Johnson?”
Her nod was barely audible. She was studying him with the same boldness and regard he had just done to her. Bravo! he thought. She wasn’t a shy one. She stared boldly in his hazel eyes right before she slowly let her gaze wonder down the length of him. Daniel didn’t mind a bit. His body began to wake up and remind him a woman hadn’t looked at him like this in a long, long time. If they did, he never noticed with his head in the news business day and night.
“Do you like what you see?” he asked, his low tone catching her attention. She took a step back at first before breaking out in to a big smile.
She placed a hand on her hip. “Do you want me to lie or to be honest?”
He laughed, his eyes crinkling a bit at the edges. “Honesty is the best policy.”
She smiled again, avoiding the answer. “That’s an old cliché.”
They stood there for a few more minutes, making small talk, oblivious to anyone else. The fervor going on in those blue eyes put Daniel in a frenzy. All of a sudden he had a yearning to pull her into his arms and kiss those soft lips.
The pull was so strong he almost did when she mentioned they should have her trunks moved. Daniel snapped out of the trance she was putting him in. His body was not reacting well. This was supposed to be a business arrangement. Nothing else. He had a paper to run, he couldn’t afford to be distracted.
“Leave the trunks, we have to meet at the church for our ceremony in ten minutes. May I escort you?”
The surprise on her face made him grin. “I’m not leaving my trunks behind.” With that announcement, she plopped down on the one trunk and crossed her arms. Looking up at him, she glared. “Are you laughing at me, sir?”
Daniel didn’t want to scare her off, even if he didn’t think she would scare so easily. “I’ve hired someone to get your things for you. Here he is now.” One of the young men working at the train depot pulled a horse and wagon up just in time.
“Oh!” She didn’t blush but her cheeks pinkened a bit. Daniel acted as if he didn’t notice. In a ladylike fashion, Miss Johnson picked up her skirts and stood, taking the few steps to where Daniel waited. She pointedly glared at his arm, the one he held out to her earlier. Another tiny cough got his attention.
Another grin followed as he held out his arm once again. “My pleasure, Miss Johnson. Shall we proceed to the church?”
She tilted her head to one side, clutching her hand tighter around his arm. “May as well get that part over with.”
“It won’t be that bad,” he told her, amused at the loathing in her voice. Sounding as if she were being gagged and tied and forced to marry, he shook his head. “Pretend you are having fun at least.”
A look of understanding came over her. She placed her other hand on his arm. Daniel was surprised at the instant heat coming from her gloved hands. And from him. This wasn’t supposed to happen. He couldn’t help himself as he turned and cupped her chin, brushing a thumb over her soft skin. He moved closer, his body betraying it’s own reasoning. The fervor in her eyes told him a different story all together. She didn’t relish the idea of having to get married, he realized that much. But she had passion and zeal and he could feel it in her spirit.
The thought struck him that maybe they could have it all. He looked deep in those orbs and was lost. Leaning in, he brushed her mouth with his, so softly he swore she sighed. “You fascinate me, Miss Johnson,” he said as he brushed over her mouth once again.
She pulled away. “I did not come here for this,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
“I can’t seem to help myself,” he admitted, hoping that would calm her fears. It only enraged her more.
“Mr. Ashwood, am I going to be pawned on and man-handled for the duration of my marriage to you? I distinctly agreed to a business arrangement first and foremost!”
Daniel stopped short. “Miss Johnson, your words speak a different language than your actions. If I recall,” he said, lowering his mouth to her ear, “you didn’t move away when I brushed my mouth over yours.” With that, he placed a soft kiss on her cheek and held out his other hand. “Shall we?”
He watched in amusement as she took the steps to the street, staying clear of getting too close even though her arm was in his. The bustle of her traveling dress swayed as she moved with ease through the streets of Wichita Falls. He watched as her curious eyes didn’t miss a thing. Passing the salon Daniel thought she would be fearful but that was furtherest from her mind. She walked slower, straining her neck a bit to try to see in to the saloon itself.
Daniel chuckled. It was going to be an interesting marriage for sure. He slowed when they came upon the town’s hotel. “I have to let our witnesses know we are ready. We’ll be but a minute,” he told her, allowing her to go first in to a large vestibule of the interior of the building.
A pretty woman broke out in a large smile, gliding over the floor with open arms. “Welcome to Wichita Falls,” she told Charity. “I’m Lily.” Instead of taking Charity’s outstretched hand, Lily enfolded her in a sisterly embrace.
Charity seemed surprised at first then hugged her back. When Lily introduced Ben, her husband, he hugged her as well. It was interesting to watch her. They were the closest thing to family he had. This town, this life, he was buildi
ng it together with all the people here. It made his past fade away as if he had never grown up an orphan.
Now she would become a part of this. At least he hoped she would. He had a feeling he had a fight on his hands. Charity Johnson was no pushover. She gave him a fire in his belly he wanted to claim as his own and he barely knew her for fifteen minutes.
He sucked in the sweet air the moment they left the hotel, letting it out in a long sigh.
Charity was beside him. “Want to back out?”
He leaned in, letting the warm air from his breath brush over her skin. “Not in a million years.”
He grinned when he felt her shiver.
<><>
This was not what she had planned on happening. Right before her, standing at the alter of this little church was the tall man she was about to marry. He was so horribly handsome it made her swoon. Swoon! The idea was utterly ridiculous and scandalous at the same time! When he lifted the hat from his head and faced her she got a better look at his face. A thin scar led a crooked pattern along his hairline, giving his already manly looks a dangerous appeal. Dark hair with hazel eyes that she had to look up to see stared back at her with amusement and seriousness at the same time. Was he as nervous as she? Charity had faced many men in her career without fear or trepidation. This man was a whole other story.
When he held out his hands she took them, imagining those strong hands and muscled arms around her. It was as if he could read her mind and by this simple action he was telling her everything would be okay. She blinked, looking at his chin instead of in his eyes else he would know what she was thinking. Was it wrong to have these kind of feelings for someone so suddenly. She knew the man for less than an hour!
Shuffling of feet stilled when Reverend Conners began to speak. His wife stood behind him, a small spray of flowers in her arms. The other witnesses, Lily and Ben Sloan, stood along side Ben’s brother Dawson, who seemed jittery. Charity got the feeling he had other things to do besides stand over a marriage. She wished at times she wasn’t so observant so she could pay attention to her wedding but curiosity always got the best of her.
The Reverend coughed. “Miss Johnson?”
She lifted her head to meet Daniel watching her. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
The preacher’s wife shifted behind him. Charity swore she heard a giggle but when she looked at the woman, her face was serious with eyes downcast. Although if she looked closely, the older woman’s cheek kept twitching as if she were holding back a grin.
It put Charity at ease. Obviously, she wasn’t the first bride to daydream in the middle of a ceremony.
Reverend Conner gave her the look. One that said to pay attention or the wedding was off. Even though he didn’t say those words, she took the hint and lifted her shoulders.
“If you would please repeat after me, Miss Johnson, we can continue with this holy ceremony.”
It was over before she could blink. When the preacher told Daniel he could kiss the bride, the man didn’t hesitate but took a hold of her shoulders so quickly she was flung against his strong chest. She didn’t have time to react when he dipped his head and kissed her like nobody’s business. Claps began all around them. There was such a buzzing in her ears she didn’t know where it was coming from. It was as if she were in a vortex of sounds that wouldn’t end.
This was nonsense. He couldn’t do this to her.
She pulled back and looked around, astounded. No one was paying attention to them but they were clapping and talking amongst themselves. So Charity did the only thing she could think of. She wrapped her arms around Daniel and laid a kiss on him to match the one she experienced a few seconds before.
It was powering to get such a response from him. He stilled at first, but when she deepened the kiss he placed his arms around her waist and bent her back. Her kiss backfired on her as he kissed her like he didn’t care who watched.
Just as quickly he brought her upright, breaking the spell. The others laughed and clapped as the Reverend Conners shook hands with Daniel. He patted Charity on the shoulder but she didn’t feel it one lick. The kiss had her in a state of mind as if she were walking on air.
Lily came up beside her and whispered. “Imagine what the rest of the night will be like if he’s that frisky in public.”
Charity’s eyes widened. “I, oh!” She had to get it together. “It’s not what you think,” she whispered back, leaning closer so no one else would hear. “This is a business arrangement.”
Lily laughed and gave Charity a hug. “Oh, darling, that’s what everyone says at first. Then you get to kiss and make love and it all changes. I’ve loved Ben for years, told myself he was better off without me until one day I was enlightened to the truth.”
Charity was intrigued. This could be another interesting story. “Oh? What is the truth?”
Lily smiled. “You will see, Mrs. Ashwood. Just wait and see.”
A lady in a beautiful silk gown burst through the front door of the church. “Time’s a wasting, the baby is on its way.”
“Grace!” Dawson yelled out, turning in a frenzy and running from the building.
The others stood still for a moment before everyone began talking at once and tried to rush out the front door of the church. Daniel grabbed Charity’s hand to pull her along. They let the door slam behind them as they followed the crowd to Dawson and Grace’s house across the street. Everyone gathered in the front office where Dawson conducted business. He had a land office, along with his wife, who was obviously having a baby.
As the rest of the crowd paced, Charity felt the need to do something. She looked at Ruby, who took her hand, nodding as if she knew what Charity was thinking. They went through the back door, down a few steps and in through the kitchen of the attached house. The lady in the silk dress who burst into the church had an apron tied around her waist. She was standing in front of the fire, heating a pot of water. “You two came just in time. I need some help,” she told them. “Grab those sheets and cut them in strips. Hurry.”
Charity did as she was told, jumping right in and tearing the thin sheets, piling them on the table. Soon after, the older woman gathered them up to take them in to an adjoining room. When the screams began, she ran towards the door, wanting to help. The older woman came back out, holding up her hand to keep Charity out. “It is almost over, this is the worst part.”
“Let me help. I learned a breathing technique that may help her.” She didn’t wait for an answer but opened the bedroom door to find two women in the room with Dawson’s wife.
Sweat poured down Grace’s face. She clenched her teeth so hard Charity swore she heard them chatter. She ran to the side of the bed and took the stranger’s hand. Charity began to massage it, concentrating on getting the woman to focus. “Grace, listen to me,” she told her, softly. The distressed woman looked over.
“Do I know you?”
“I’m afraid not. I’m a reporter, now married to Daniel Ashwood. But I did a story on this breathing method one time. It was amazing to see how it worked. Do exactly what I do, breath with me.”
When Charity began to breath in and then as she let it out, used tiny puffs one after the other, Grace followed. At the peak of her contractions, she would look directly at Charity and get her breathing under control. When the midwife saw how it helped, she jumped in too, giving Charity a break. The other woman filled in when the midwife got tired. They worked as a team until the sounds of a tiny infant filled the air.
His cries rent the air so loud, it drew the attention of her husband who burst through the door unable to stay away a moment longer.
“Out you go, Mr. Sloan. It isn’t proper to see her like this.”
“I will not.” Dawson leaned down and held his wife’s cheeks in his hands. “I love you.”
“Look what we have, a son.”
Dawson’s eyes widened when he heard it was a boy. Smiling, Charity tip-toed to the door, not wanting to disturb the life-changing scene in front of h
er.
Chapter 4
All eyes turned to Charity as she brushed her hands over her skirts when she entered the front office. Witnessing a baby in its infinite stage was breathtaking, short of a miracle. Someday she would put her thoughts on paper about this experience, even if it lasted but a few moments.
Daniel wrapped an arm around her waist. “You alright?” he asked, concern furrowing his brow.
She smiled up at him, glad for the strength of his arm to steady her. “I’m ready to go now.” She was glad to have him by her side as they made their way through the crowded room. He seemed to take his job as her husband seriously. Even if it were a business arrangement.
The others begged her to spill the beans but Charity refused, telling everyone the family would be along shortly to announce the birth. She wasn’t about to reveal anything, that was up to the parents.
Daniel didn’t take his arm from her as they walked down the dusty road. Charity stumbled when she looked up to see the darkened sky. Tiny clusters of stars glistened above. They seemed so close, as if she could reach up and touch one. Her hand automatically went in the air and she giggled at herself for being so spontaneous. “The sky seems so much closer here than in Chicago.”
Daniel grinned. “Trying to catch a shining star?”
“I suppose so. I have witnessed many things as a reporter in a big, bustling city but I was never a part of a tiny baby coming in to the world. I am amazed.”
He stopped in the middle of the street. “Your eyes are glistening.” Daniel stroked her smooth cheek with the back of his hand. “Your face, it shines with something tonight. It makes you look,” he brought his mouth so close to her she leaned in to listen. “It makes you so vulnerable. I want to kiss you.”
“Again?”
“If I may?”
She smiled then, her cheeks growing pinker. “You didn’t ask in the church. You just took me, right there, with everyone’s eyes on us as if no one in the room mattered.”