An Obsessive Bride_Family of Love Series_A Western Romance Story

by Elliee Atkinson

  “You were faster?” Mark kept his eyes on his cousin.

  Gabe looked back at him seriously. “I was faster.”

  “That’s a tragic story, Gabe,” Mark said, leaning on one elbow on the table. “But how has this made you look and feel like this right now? You look like you just found out he died.”

  Gabe pulled in a deep breath. “Those two ladies at the hotel. Agatha and Claire. They both have shown interest in me.”

  Mark grinned. “Does that come as a surprise to you? All the ladies do that to you.”

  Gabe nodded but he didn’t return Mark’s grin. Mark lost his as Gabe answered. “It’s not a good thing this time. I… I do like Claire. I want to get to know her and be around her. I want to court her. God willing, when all this is out, I’ll be able to.”

  “So you haven’t told her yet?”

  “I haven’t.”

  “Might be something you want to share with her as soon as possible.”

  Gabe nodded. “I’ll have to. Agatha sent someone to Kentucky, asking about me. I don’t know how she found out where I was from. She’s a thorough lady. And now… she’s threatening to tell everyone in town her version of events.”

  “What is her version of events?” Mark asked, frowning.

  “Whatever she can think up. All she has to say is that I murdered a man. That will be enough to cause an uproar.”

  “You shouldn’t be concerned about what the people of Wickenburg think. If they aren’t on your side once the truth is told, they weren’t your friend to begin with.”

  “Logical,” Gabe nodded. “But not comforting. I don’t want people to think badly of me. I don’t want them getting an impression about me before they meet me and find out the truth. There will always be that doubt, that hint of guilt that will follow me around forever. I killed him, yes, but I killed him to defend my good friend. And to protect myself. He was going to kill me. I’m no outlaw. I’m just a man trying to get through life without getting killed.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  SECRETS AND LIES

  SECRETS AND LIES

  Claire was disappointed her day at the festival with Gabe was ruined by Agatha’s interference. She’d been enjoying herself. She’d bought him a pretzel and stood waiting for him by the stand for nearly an hour before she realized he wasn’t coming back. He wasn’t in the hotel. He wasn’t in the streets, walking with Agatha or anyone else. He had disappeared. Agatha had, too.

  Claire tried not to think about that. She didn’t want to admit it hurt her. He was a grown man and could do what he wanted. He could spend his time with whoever pleased him the most.

  Claire slept fitfully that night, not seeing Gabe return at all. Agatha had and was in her room from the evening on. The next day was Sunday. Claire had been looking forward to going to church with Gabe, sitting next to him, enjoying the attention being with him gave her. Now, she would be going alone. She would do whatever she could to avoid his eye, if she saw him. She wasn’t about to throw herself at a man like Agatha did. If that’s the kind of attention he wanted, he could get it from her. She wasn’t going to play along.

  She got dressed quickly and pulled her hair back from her face. She stared at herself in the mirror. She wasn’t a plain woman. She was pretty enough. She had no problems with the way she looked, though she wished her ears weren’t quite so big and her eyes weren’t set so far apart. In her mind, those two flaws distorted all of her features. To others, though, she was a beautiful woman with features that were set just right in her face.

  She turned away from the mirror, slipping her feet into a pair of black slip on shoes. She walked softly to her door and poked her head out to see if anyone was about. No one was in the hallway. She hoped no one that was– at least, not Agatha or Gabe.

  She wouldn’t have minded seeing Gabe, if she was honest with herself. He had taken a large portion of her heart and she didn’t know if she would be able to get it back.

  Claire slipped through the doorway and closed it behind her. She walked quickly and quietly down the steps, relieved that no one was in the lobby. She went through the front door and turned to the right to head down the street. The church was on the corner. There were other people milling about in front of the church, enjoying the morning air and fellowshipping. She smiled, hoping to see some happy, smiling faces to change her mood. She liked Sundays. They were the most pleasant day of the week.

  She spotted a woman in front of the church with a large feathery hat on. She was talking animatedly, throwing her arms around. Those listening around her were so focused on her, they never moved their eyes and only blinked as she spoke. Claire narrowed her eyes, realizing it was Agatha who was speaking so flamboyantly. She quickened her steps and was almost to the church when a woman stepped in front of her. Claire looked up at the woman, blinking. “Oh, pardon me,” she said.

  The woman shook her head, frowning. “Miss Underwood. I’ll have you know that I will not be bringing my child to your school until you leave your position. I don’t want my girl influenced by your behavior in any way.”

  Claire stood frozen in shock. “I… I don’t know what you are talking about, Mrs.…”

  “I’m Mrs. Gentry, Michelle’s mother. I am appalled by your behavior. And you have the nerve to come to our church on Sunday? I’m sorry, I suppose this is where you belong so you can cleanse yourself.”

  Claire felt tears sting her eyes. She looked up at Agatha, who was now smiling down at her with a wicked look on her face. Rage filled Claire. She envisioned herself stomping up the stairs, grabbing Agatha by her hair and slinging her down the steps to her death.

  “I’ve done nothing wrong, Mrs. Gentry. I don’t know what you mean by my behavior. I… my behavior has been nothing but exceptional. I would never do anything to harm any of the children. I try to set a good example for them, always.”

  Mrs. Gentry laughed so sarcastically, it was like daggers slicing into Claire. “A good example? A good example? My child will not return until you are no longer at the school, Ms. Underwood. That’s all I have to say.”

  “If you keep your child out of the schoolhouse,” Claire turned to see Miss Berry approaching. Her coworker looked pale and frightened. She turned worried eyes to Claire before continuing. “You may find it hard to get her an education anywhere. She needs to stay in school and learn as much as she can. But you are free to take her out of school whenever you want. The town council will decide Miss Underwood’s fate at the school. No one else.”

  Mrs. Gentry grabbed her daughter’s hand and stomped away. Little Michelle looked at Claire with sad eyes. She waved and Claire waved back, letting her tears spill from her eyes. She turned to Miss Berry, covering her mouth with her hands. “Oh Miss Berry, what has happened? What has happened?”

  She lowered her head to Miss Berry’s shoulder. Miss Berry wrapped her slender arms around the younger woman. “Oh, Claire,” she whispered. “Things have gone haywire since last night. You might want to sit down. Come, let’s go to the café. We need to talk. They have a few tables outside we can use.”

  “I am so frightened, Miss Berry. What’s happened to my life? I was happy this morning. Not terribly happy but…”

  “It’s that woman, Agatha. The one you told me about that is obsessed with Gabe. She has been telling stories all morning long. As far as I know, she was drunk in the Horse N Saddle last night and running her mouth about Gabe. And you. I don’t know the extent or the variety of the stories she’s told but let me just say it’s not good. It’s not pleasant.”

  “Surely no one will believe her lies? That’s all she ever does is lie.”

  “Unfortunately, you can see by Mrs. Gentry’s reaction, some people believe her. And she tells a good story. She makes it sound believable. The problem she’s going to run into is that she’s telling a bunch of different stories. When those people compare what she’s told them, they will see that she’s making things up and lying about it all. However, until then, there’s nothing w
e can do. Besides, at least some of it is true. We have to keep that in mind.”

  Claire frowned.

  “That’s why they are mad at you, Claire. You didn’t tell anyone. You should have told us what he was like. That he was capable of something like that.”

  Claire’s mind whirled in confusion. “What do you mean? Capable of what? Are you talking about Gabe?”

  “Of course I am. You don’t know what I’m talking about?”

  Claire shook her head. She felt the tears coming back. This was not the kind of Sunday she wanted to have.

  “Gabe killed someone in Kentucky. He ran to Wickenburg because he knows people here.”

  Claire reeled at Miss Berry’s words. She could barely squeak out, “He… he killed someone?”

  Miss Berry nodded. “He did. It’s confirmed. He killed a man who worked for him. Agatha… well, she’s said it was for many different things, including money and a woman. But I don’t think she knows the whole truth. And he hasn’t been seen. No one has seen Gabe since he left the Horse N Saddle last night.”

  Claire shook her head again. “This can’t be happening. What is going on? I’m so confused. It can’t be true.” The shock was making her feel weak. Her knees buckled and she grabbed Miss Berry’s arm to steady herself. Miss Berry used both hands to hold Claire upright.

  “This is why I wanted you to be sitting down when we spoke. I wanted you to be able to handle it. Come, come, sit down.”

  She and Claire went to the small café at the end of the block. A young girl came out of the building and Miss Berry asked her for a glass of water. The girl disappeared back in the building. Claire lowered herself into a seat near one of the tables. Miss Berry sat across from her, reached over the table and put her hand on Claire’s. “You must stay calm, Claire. Do you want my advice or opinion?”

  Claire looked at her friend with pleading eyes. “Please tell me what you think I should do next. I’m so confused and hurt. I don’t know what to think or who to believe.”

  “I think the first thing you need to do is find Gabe and get the true story from him. If he cares for you the way I think he does, he will tell you the whole truth. He won’t leave out anything. You will see if he has remorse, if he feels guilty. You will notice the truth in his eyes and his face.”

  “How will I see those things?” Claire asked softly, trying desperately to hold in her tears.

  “You’ll see them because you love him. I have seen a change in you just in the last week. You’ve grown close to him. You are friends. That’s very important.”

  Claire sighed. “I want so much more than friendship from him, Miss Berry. How can this happen? I was hoping… praying… and now…” She covered her face with her hands. “I truly believed he felt the same way. We are so comfortable together.”

  “You need to find him, Claire. That should be your first priority. Find him. Talk to him.”

  Claire looked up from her hands through teary eyes. “I don’t even know where to look.”

  Miss Berry smiled. “I’ll give you a hint. Try his cousin’s. If he isn’t at Mark's, Mark will know where he is.”

  “I don’t know where Mark lives.”

  Miss Berry stood up, pushing the chair back with her legs. “I’ll take you to him. Come on. Clean your face. Gather yourself together. If he is there, you don’t want him seeing you like this.”

  As the two women hurried down the street away from the people at the church, Claire wiped her cheeks with her handkerchief. Miss Berry looked back over her shoulder.

  “Almost everyone has gone inside, dear. I don’t see Agatha, either.”

  “They must think horribly of me. They think I knew about Gabe.”

  “I don’t think you should think of it like that. They are the ones who don’t know about him. You know him better than anyone else here. Has he ever given you the impression he was a violent man or some kind of outlaw?”

  Claire felt sick to her stomach. “No,” she replied. “I’ve never been given that impression. Not even once. I don’t… I don’t know what to think now…”

  “You keep your mind and your opinions open until you talk to him. That’s what you need to do.”

  Claire looked at her friend smiling weakly. “You are perfect as a teacher, Miss Berry.”

  Miss Berry smiled. “I’ve heard that from my other friends, too.”

  Claire couldn’t help giggling. It was a nice feeling, considering how much her heart ached.

  “What story did you hear? About Gabe.” Claire asked. Miss Berry looked at her squarely.

  “Are you sure you want to know?”

  “I need to know what I’m talking about when I’m with Gabe. I need to know what she’s telling people.”

  The older woman nodded, looking straight ahead of her. She sighed. “I suppose you are right. I’ve heard two or three versions of what happened. He was gambling and lost a bet. He pulled out his gun and shot the man in cold blood. Most of the versions have Gabe killing the man in cold blood. Gabe doesn’t seem like the type to me. I think he should be given the benefit of the doubt until we know something more about his side. She’s also said that you were there and came here first to scope out Wickenburg for him. I think that’s one of the reasons people are mad at you. She has involved you in it. You pretended not to know each other. She’s made the two of you into outlaws and criminals.”

  “She’s going to stir up all the men in Wickenburg. They will come gunning for Gabe.” Claire’s heart pounded in her chest at the thought of the men killing Gabe in cold blood without knowing the truth, believing Agatha’s lies. It would be all her fault if Gabe was killed. Agatha would have to pay.

  Claire balled up her fists and shoved them in the folds of her dress to hide them. She was upset, angry and confused. She hoped beyond hope that Gabe was at his cousin’s. She needed his explanation.

  “Don’t worry about the men of Wickenburg,” Miss Berry replied confidently. “His cousin is one of the most prominent men here. Mark Anderson is on the town council and has been deputized in the past when need be. He and Adam Collins will get Gabe out of any trouble he might be in with the men of Wickenburg. They will know Agatha is a liar. They will stand up for Gabe and protect him. They won’t have to say much. They are highly respected here.”

  “Are you sure?” Claire sounded hopeful.

  Miss Berry nodded vigorously. “Yes. I am sure. Here we are.”

  Claire looked up at the house. “I thought he was on the edge of town.”

  “He is.” Miss Berry went up to the front door of the small cottage and pushed a small key into the lock. “This is my place. We’re going to get my wagon. We can’t possibly walk that far. We want to get there before nightfall, don’t we?”

  Claire giggled. “Yes. We do.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  THE BEST MEN IN TOWN

  THE BEST MEN IN TOWN

  Mark answered the door and took a step back immediately, holding his hand out so the ladies could come inside.

  “Mark,” Miss Berry said. “I’m sure you know why we’re here.”

  Mark nodded. “Yes, apparently there’s been much talking while the good people of Wickenburg were sleeping.” He looked at Claire. “It’s nice to see you here, Claire. I know you want to talk to Gabe.”

  “I do. Is he here?”

  “He’s here. He’s out back in the pasture with the cows, riding his horse around. I think he just wanted to think. He’s had a hard time of it with the rumors and lies that woman in town is spreading around.

  Claire felt an instant sense of relief. This man would stand up for Gabe. He wouldn’t let his cousin be destroyed or killed by Agatha’s lies.

  “So what is being said is a lie?” Claire asked. “Gabe didn’t kill someone?”

  Mark looked at her. “He will need to tell you about this himself. I can’t be the one to do it for him. You should go talk to him. I have a lot of damage control to do. I was hoping you would show up before I left.
”

  “Where are you going, Mark?” Miss Berry asked.

  “Molly and I are going to meet up with the after church people and explain the truth to them. They will listen to me. I hope they will.”

  “You know they will, Mark.” Miss Berry looked at him with a smile. “Everyone knows you and Adam are the best men in town.”

  Mark gave her a humble smile. “Thank you. Would you like to come back with us? We’ll bring you here after and you can take your wagon back.”

  Miss Berry nodded. “Yes. I’d like that very much.” She looked at Claire. “You’re going to be all right, dear. Both of you. You don’t worry now, all right? You go talk to him and find out the truth. Mark and I will take care of things in town with the people.”

  “If I see anyone approaching with firearms and torches, I’m taking off into the mountains with him,” Claire said in a half-serious tone. “Make no mistake. I won’t let him be hurt.”

  She could see by the look on Mark’s face that he had a new appreciation for her. “It sounds like you’ve already made up your mind about him,” Mark said.

  Claire pulled in a deep breath. “I suppose I have,” she said as she let it out. She could picture Gabe in the pasture, riding his horse, deep in thought. The sight of him in her mind’s eye made her weak in the knees. She collected herself quickly, consciously calming her rapidly beating heart.

  “Go on and tell him that,” Mark said, pointing with his thumb over his shoulder. “It’s you he’s been the most concerned about, you know.”

  Claire had already taken a few steps past him toward the glass doors at the back of the room that would lead her out to the pasture. She stopped and looked back at Mark. “I am?”

  He nodded. “Of course. He paced so much I thought he would wear a path in my kitchen floor. Right here.” Mark pointed from one side of the room to the other in front of the bar that provided additional counter space. “I swear I can see a path right here.”