Bradley had to stop to clear his throat.
Mrs. Finnagan continued when it was clear he wouldn’t. “Nadine was a sweet thing, but she wasn’t suited to this life. I had my suspicions, but I never said anything. I felt bad after, because maybe I could have prevented what happened. Anyway, I was gone to town with Mr. Davidson to pick up the things we needed for the month. Aggy was feeling under the weather so Nadine stayed home to help take care of her. Bradley was out riding fences and Frank was supposed to be too, but well, someone rigged the doors and windows to the cabin so they wouldn’t open. We didn’t have glass windows, just shutters. Then they set a flame to it.”
Bradley’s ragged breathing broke her off.
“We came home to find Frank badly burned and kneeling in the dirt holding Nadine’s body. She was dead. Frank was distraught beyond consolation. Aggy was trying to pull him away, but he kept pushing her away. He was screaming about how much he’d loved Nadine and how she had been carrying his child. They had been having an affair.”
“No! Frank wasn’t in love with her! He was my husband.” Aggy had tears rolling down her face.
“Sit down Aggy.” Peter said sharply.
Mrs. McCrery sank back to her seat where she sobbed softly.
“Frank shot himself the next day.” Peter finished.
Dan spoke up. “Frank was a friend of mine. He came into town the day before he died ranting about his girl and how she had broken his heart. He told me she was pregnant and afraid her husband would find out about them. He drank a lot that night. He had talked about having a girl on the side before, but he never said who she was. He wanted to steal her away and he was thinking about it. I never believed that he killed her, he was obsessed with her.”
Mrs. McCrery sobbed. “She was a whore! Who knows how many men she was seeing?”
Dan flew across the room before Bradley could harm the woman. Dan strained to hold back the enraged man.
“She was no whore! She was lonely! That was my fault. I never blamed Frank. How could he resist her? She was like a damned angel, straight out of heaven! I won’t allow you to talk about her like that! Get the hell out! Get out!” He screamed, his face red with rage.
Mrs. McCrery stood on shaking legs, her face pale as paper. “She didn’t deserve what you were trying to give her. You are blind. This girl,” she pointed to Adele, “is the same type. She will smile and pretend to be an angel all while she is spreading her legs for someone else.” She turned to Peter, ignoring Adele’s stricken face. “Do you know that your own son has spent the night in her rooms? She is just after what she can get and you are turning me out on account of her. I have been here for fifteen years! I have given this family everything!”
“I understand why you killed Nadine, but why me?” Adele’s soft words floated through the air. No one had actually said what they all knew until that moment. The room was a quiet as a tomb.
“You don’t deserve him. He should be mine. That whore took my husband and I mean to take hers.” Mrs. McCrery stated simply.
Sherriff Tullsen cleared his throat. “I will take Mrs. McCrery and leave you folks in peace. The judge will most likely want to hear this all again when he gets into town in a few days.”
“Thanks Ike, I appreciate your time.” Peter stood and shook the sheriff’s hand.
The others sat in silence as the sound of the buggy grew faint in the distance. Then Peter took a deep breath and spoke.
“There is more to this I am afraid and I dare say it will be harder to take on some of you.”
Adele looked up into Peter’s face and saw real fear there. “What is it Peter? Whatever it is it will not change how I feel about you.”
“You may not feel that way in a few moments my dear.”
Peter pulled a folded paper from his breast pocket and handed it to Adele. “Look at that my dear and read the names aloud.”
“Adele Minnette to Peter B. Davidson.”
Gasps filled the room and Adele looked up to see Bradley’s furious face towering over her. He snatched the paper from her hands and glared at it for a moment before he tossed it into the fire.
“This is not legal and I will not stand for it.” He raged.
Adele turned to Peter who was looking into the flames as the document crackled and caught. “Peter, what is it? I don’t understand.”
Peter sighed. “My name is Peter Douglas Davidson.”
Realization hit Adele like a bucket of cool spring water and she bolted from her seat. She couldn’t speak so she just stood frozen in the middle of the room a moment before she ran. Adele did not stop until she was standing at the corral fence on the far side of the barn. Her chest burned from the exertion and her heart felt as if it might crumble in her chest. She gasped for breath but the pain would not cease. She sank to the dusty earth and let her tears fall.
She was married to Bradley. She was married to a man that hated her even as he desired her. Whatever would she do? She knew without a doubt that she couldn’t stay at the ranch. She knew that Bradley would seek to have the marriage overturned and she couldn’t stand the embarrassment of it, but she knew too that she couldn’t leave Peter. He was ill and he would need her in the coming months.
Turmoil boiled in her brain and made her sobs come with a terrible force. When two warm arms came around her she naturally assumed they belonged to Dan and she allowed him to comfort her, but when a familiar deep voice crooned in her ear she stiffened and tried to pull away.
“No you don’t, damn you. You’ve pushed me away for months and I’ve let you because you were my father’s wife, but not anymore. You are my wife Adele and I won’t let you push me away anymore.”
Bradley’s words struck Adele with a force she could not fight. Her body warmed and softened and she felt herself melting into his warmth. When his lips found hers she could not find the will to resist him so she allowed him to devour her.
“Say you’ll honor me as your husband.” Bradley pulled away and looked into Adele’s eyes. “Swear it.”
Adele was speechless. Her exhausted mind could not comprehend what was happening. Her mind whirled and her legs turned to jelly moments before her world went black.
21
Adele was floating. She felt warm strong arms around her and then a soft bed under her. Then she was alone. She needed to wake up, but she couldn’t remember why. The familiar scents of her room drifted to her and she relaxed into her bed. She drifted into the peaceful darkness once again only to be wrenched back again by the sound of a crackling fire.
She began to thrash in an effort to wake herself from the nightmare before it took hold of her, but she couldn’t. She screamed and fought, but the darkness that had seemed so peaceful only moments ago now felt oppressive and heavy.
Then he was there. She felt his arms around her as he spoke softly to her.
“Shhh, Adele, you are safe. I will never leave you. I will keep you safe. Wake up now honey. Wake up and let me show you how a man can love a woman. How a husband can love his wife.”
Adele’s eyes flew open and then shut again. She remembered now. She was in her bed and Bradley, her husband lay beside her. She heard him chuckle and peeked at him again.
“You aren’t getting out of this Adele. You are my wife. The law says so and I plan on seeing to my duties as your husband.”
Adele wanted to scream. Bradley looked as if he had been given a fine prize. The grin that split his face was the most beautiful sight she had ever seen, but he couldn’t be serious.
“Are you crazy Bradley? This can’t happen. I can’t even believe that you would be so bold.”
“Oh, honey I intend to be far bolder than this.”
Adele scoffed. “You are mad. I cannot possibly be with you in that way. Only this morning I was your father’s wife. I can’t just turn that off.”
“You aren’t turning anything off. You want me and you know it as well as I do. We don’t have to fight it anymore. There is nothing wrong with the way
we feel. We are blessed to feel it. Let me love you Adele. Let me make you my wife.”
As he said it he ran his lips over the smooth skin of her cheek and down the column of her neck. Adele couldn’t stop the desire that roared to life in her belly as his hands began to touch her. She kissed him back when his lips found hers and she didn’t protest when she felt her buttons pulled from their holes.
“Adele, tell me you’ll be mine and only mine. Swear it.”
Adele looked into Bradley’s eyes and found them damp. She wanted to take his pain. She wanted to fill the void losing Nadine had left in his heart. She did the only thing she could to help him begin to heal.
“I swear it.”
With her words Bradley pulled her close and began to love her in earnest. Before Adele could catch her breath she lay on her bed as naked as the day she was born staring at and equally bare Bradley.
“We did not speak our vows Adele, so I will speak them now. I vow to honor you as your husband. I will cherish you with all of my heart and I will protect you with all of my strength. I will spend my life insuring your happiness and my nights fulfilling your desires. I will love you until my days on earth end and then I will love you until the heavens crumble and fade. I will love you and no other, that is my vow.”
As he spoke he moved to the bed and by the time he was finished he lay upon her poised to consummate their bond.
Adele was afraid. She knew that relations between a man and wife were a duty to be endured, but she found that she was eager for Bradley. Her body was moist and she felt a strange throbbing between her legs. Would he be angry if she enjoyed their union? She knew she wasn’t supposed to like it.
He was looking at her expectantly and she suddenly realized he expected her to say her vows as well. She thought for a moment, but knew she would never be able to match his words. She felt her cheeks warm as her tongue refused to speak. She whimpered and felt his weight settle upon her a little more. She took a deep breath, but couldn’t think of the words to say.
“I don’t know what to say Bradley!”
“Adele.”
She felt her breath coming faster as he pressed against her body. She felt the liquid heat pooling in her belly and wanted to force him to continue even as she wanted to push him away. She didn’t know what to expect, but she was dying for it. She wanted nothing more than to feel him take her body, but he was as immovable as stone.
“Bradley, please.”
“I have to do this right Adele. I need this to be right for us.” Adele saw the anguish in his eyes as he spoke. “Just say what you feel Adele. There is no wrong answer here Adele. I just want to know that you will be mine.”
Then his lips met hers and the fog cleared from Adele’s mind. When their lips parted she knew what she had to say to him.
“I promise to honor you with all that I am and all that I do. I promise to stand with you when you are strong and hold you up when you are weak. I will love you with my body, heart and mind until my body is placed into the ground and beyond. I will love only you until I am nothing but a memory to this world. This I swear to you my husband.”
As she finished her words Bradley pressed his lips to hers as he pressed his hips forward and claimed her as his wife for all time.
22
Winter was passing as spring began to kiss the Texas landscape. The flowers were budding and new life began to show in everything. Bradley and Adele had grown close, but were still learning how to be man and wife. Peter grew weaker by the day and sorrow descended on the house as the end of his days drew near.
Adele sat on a small patch of grass and let the warmth of the sun dry her tears. Peter was confined to his bed and the sight of him wasting away was almost more than Adele could bear. She looked up when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Dan’s gentle smile greeted her.
“Hey there Ms. Adele. How you holding up?”
Adele smiled a sad smile. “I’m not doing so good Dan. I’m pretty sure this is going to break me in two.”
Dan sat beside her and hung his hands between his bent knees. Adele could feel the sorrow rolling off of him and it matched her own.
“It’s getting closer. You need to be prepared. Mr. Brad is going to need you.” He turned his head and gave her a smile so filled with mischief that he looked like the boy he must have been in his youth. “How long are you going to keep your secret Adel?”
Adele’s mouth dropped open. “What do you mean?”
Dan raised one brow. “Mrs. Finnegan may have mentioned something. Might bring some joy to this house. Give everyone something to look forward to.”
“I’m afraid, Dan.” Adele’s cheeks pinked at talking to Dan about such an intimate matter.
He just nodded. “I can understand that. You’re going to need to take it easy. Bradley needs to know so he can watch after you.”
“Bradley has enough on his plate right now. I don’t want to add to it.”
“Well, if I see you pulling too much, I’m going to have to speak up. I won’t watch you hurt yourself.”
“I will be careful.”
“Alright then. Mrs. Finnegan has something for you to eat. She sent me out to get you.”
“Alright. I’ll be in soon. I just need a few more minutes.”
“That’s fine. Just give it some thought.” Dan smiled and stood.
Adele watched as he made his way to the barn and disappeared inside. She closed her eyes and breathed deep. She knew Dan was right. Her news would bring some joy to the house. She pushed herself to her feet and walked slowly to the house. She sat at the table and ate as much of the broth, Mrs. Finnegan had prepared, as she could. She drank a cool glass of water and let her food settle into her stomach. It was jittery, not only from the food, but because she was going to see Peter.
After she gathered her courage she made her way to Peter’s bedside and sat in the chair that sat there. The room was dark and smelled like a sick room, which made her stomach roll. She sat and tried to keep the contents of her stomach from coming up. Peter reached out to her and she grasped his papery hand in her own.
“Are you well my dear girl?” He asked in his raspy voice.
“I am.” Adele tried to give him a beaming smile, but she knew it fell short.
“You have been crying, I can always tell you know.”
“Oh Peter, you aren’t supposed to say that to a lady!”
His chuckle was weak and ended in a cough that made Adele’s eyes prick with tears. She poured him a glass of water and helped him drink. Then she sat on the side of his bed. She picked up a book and read until the door opened and Bradley walked in.
“Hey there Darlin’, are you getting friendly with my Pa?”
Adele smiled and offered her cheek for a kiss. “I loved him first you know that.”
Peter chuckled.
“Well, Pa, I’ll give you a run for your money.”
Peter just offered a sad smile and gripped Adele’s hand tighter.
“Oh you two! I am glad you’re both here though. I have something I want to say to you both.”
Both men turned their attention to her and she suddenly felt shy. She dropped her eyes to the floor and started twisting her skirt in her hands. Peter took one hand and Bradley took the other.
Bradley lifted her chin. “What is it Darlin? You know you can tell me anything.”
“I just hope what I have to say will make you happy.”
“Well, tell me, cause I could use some joy right now.”
Adele took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and let it all out in a rush. “I’m going to have a baby.”
The room was silent and Adele was afraid to open her eyes. Then she felt herself crushed against a warm chest and lips devouring her own.
“Are you sure Darlin’? Are you really sure?”
Adele just looked at him for a moment and took in his radiant smile. “I haven’t seen the doctor, but Mrs. Finnegan is pretty certain.”
At her words Bradley let out a whoo
p that made her ears ring. He twirled her around the room and kissed her again. Then they turned to Peter to find him wearing the first real smile ha had worn in weeks.
“I am so happy for you my dear girl. You have the family you so longed for now.”
Adele saw the joy in his face and beamed at him. She rushed to him and kissed his cheek. “I am so happy here Peter. I could never have dreamed of such a wonderful life. Thank you so much.”
23
6 months later
Adele sat in the rocker on the front porch and let the sun warm her face. The bundle in her arms squirmed and she smiled down at her beautiful son cradled in her arms. She couldn’t help the tear that rolled down her face. Pete opened his eyes and smiled a dimpled grin up at her.
She pulled him close and caressed his soft skin.
“Your pa would have loved you so much. He was a great man. I am so sorry you never met him.”
She lifted her tiny child to her lips and pressed a kiss to his downy head just as Bradley stepped onto the porch.
“How are you doin’ Darlin’?”
“I’m ok Bradley.” She lifted her eyes to her husband and gave him a sad smile. “I just can’t believe he’s gone.”
“He stayed as long as he could. He got to see Pete. That was what kept him here.”
Adele watched the heartache cross Bradley’s face and the single tear that fell to the porch floor. Her heart threatened to break in her chest as she watched her strong husband grieve for his father. She knew there was nothing she could do, but she wanted to take his pain away.
Pete decided to choose that moment to let out a tiny cry. Adele and Bradley looked to their son.
“We have so much to be thankful for.”
Bradley met her eyes. “I have more than I ever thought possible. Adele you are my whole world and I love you.”
Adele stood and allowed Bradley to pull her into the warmth of his arms.
Life, Love, and Second Chances Page 9