by Linda Ellen
Once they had cut the wedding cake and various attendees had offered toasts—via aforementioned glasses of cider—the party had gotten underway with song after song played by several of the townsmen who could play any kind of instrument. There was a banjo, a harmonica, a lively used set of spoons, a fiddle, and even old Mordecai Ellwood and his singing saw—an old hand saw and bow. With a grin as he watched him play, Finn thought, the old geezer is in fine form today.
Dottie and Dave danced by and Charise wiggled her fingers at them, prompting Finn to lean over and ask, “You rested enough, hon? I wanna get my lovely bride back out there on the floor for some more dancing and make all of Brownville’s bachelors jealous.”
She giggled and turned to place her half empty cup on the bar before taking his extended hand, and soon they were waltzing to a fair rendition of The Blue Danube. The band gamely followed that up with My Old Kentucky Home, in honor of the bride.
Charise glowed with happiness as he waltzed her around the floor. He couldn’t take his eyes off her, this amazing woman who—for some unknown reason that he couldn’t fathom but knew he would be amazed about for the rest of his life—had consented to leave her home to travel six hundred miles to be his wife. How did I get so lucky? Well, in this case, second time’s charm, he mused, thinking of the mail order “bride” named Irma that had taken his money on false pretenses.
Holding his wife’s gaze as they waltzed in perfect rhythm, he murmured, “Happy, darlin’?”
She blessed him with one of those special smiles she reserved for him alone. “Oh yes, Finn. I never dreamed I could be this happy. Deciding to marry you was the best decision I ever made,” she added with a decisive nod.
“Oh honey, you don’t know how glad I am that you did!” he answered, swinging her around one last time as the song came to an end.
She stretched up to place a warm kiss on his lips, and then whirled around to face the musicians. “Thank you for that wonderfully well-played reminder of home—well, of what used to be my home. Brownville is my home now.” Turning in a circle, she met the eyes of those around her who were smiling in acceptance. “What a wonderful, peaceful town this is. I couldn’t ask for more. Thank you all for welcoming me so joyfully.”
Everyone murmured their approval before taking up their partners again as the musicians began playing, Let me Call you Sweetheart.
Dottie and Dave walked over, and Dottie gave Charise a hug.
Just then, the bell atop the entry jingled as the door opened, and Finn glanced over to see Charlie, the telegraph operator, step in and look around the room. When he spotted Finn, he lifted a hand containing one of the telltale small, tan telegraph papers and waved it at him as he headed their way.
“Hmm, looks like Charlie’s got a wire for me,” he murmured to his wife as he released his hold on her and turned to greet the late arrival.
“Hey Finn. Sorry I’m late to your shindig. There was...a lot going on at the depot...” the man explained as Finn took the paper and read it quickly.
Smiling in amazement, he met Charise’s questioning gaze. “I can’t believe it.”
Sam walked over to join the conversation, looking over Finn’s shoulder at the paper. “Believe what, brother?”
Finn found his brother’s eyes. “Would you believe, that woman, Irma, just wired me the money she owed me. I don’t mind telling you, I thought there was no chance of ever seeing that money again. I’d chalked it up to an expensive lesson learned.”
“Wonders never cease,” Sam agreed.
Dottie and Charise exchanged glances as Dottie murmured, “I’m glad she made it right. That was terrible of her, what she did to Finn.” Charise nodded in agreement and leaned close to clasp his arm against her side in a warm show of support.
Finn made to turn and take his bride in his arms again to join the dance, but Charlie cleared his throat. “Um...there’s something else. Something that just came in on the train and I think is headed this way...”
Five pairs of eyes turned to him as Finn asked. “What’s that, Charlie?”
The man took a breath to answer just as the front door opened again, the little bell over it jangling a merry warning, and a man stepped inside. Heads turned, the music came to a halt of sour notes and the dancers swirled to a stop as his presence was felt in waves of recognition. All talking and laughter ceased. Dishes and glassware waxed quiet as everyone in the room gaped and no one moved a muscle.
Finn couldn’t believe his eyes as he recognized the newcomer looking around the room with a cool stare as if he had expected something different than what he was seeing. He wore a fine fitting gray suit with a wide string tie, his brown hair was combed smooth, and his chin whiskers were neatly clipped and short. The familiar, low-slung gun belt holstering a pair of matching pistols circled his hips, tied down in the way of a gunslinger. The uninvited guest unbuttoned his jacket and placed his hands on his hips just above the handles of the pistols as he addressed the room in general.
“What the he—” he paused for a split second as if choosing to acknowledge there were ladies in the room, “Sam Hill is goin’ on here?”
Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat, what’s gonna happen now? Making this man angry is not healthy, and not something I particularly want to do...not with all these women present...and not on my weddin’ night, for Pete’s sake!
Keeping his gaze glued to the newcomer, his mind spinning with various scenarios and ideas, Finn felt his bride move and out of the corner of his eye, saw her lean closer to Dottie and whisper, “Who is that man?”
He heard Dottie mumble in reply, “My cousin Jesse. Jesse James.”
Chapter 10
C harise couldn’t take her eyes off the stranger and her heart leaped into a furious rhythm at her friend’s words. Jesse James? The Jesse James? Good heavens...does he intend to rob us? Will he shoot us? Surely he wouldn’t with a member of his own family here...
She cut her eyes toward her friend and swallowed hard, her heart thumping, as she observed that Dottie seemed to be a bit nervous herself as she watched the imposing figure in the doorway.
Charise then sought out her husband’s profile, but he didn’t meet her questioning eyes. He kept his face set and the clamped muscle in his jaw was the only indication that he was carefully not letting his thoughts or emotions show. He merely stared at the newcomer, as if waiting to see what the man...the outlaw...would do.
Jesse James allowed his hawkish gaze to sweep the room and to Charise’s distress, he settled on her. Nervously, she swallowed again as he lowered his hands and slowly advanced with a loping, bow legged gait; all the while, the crowd was parting as if he were a cowcatcher on a locomotive, until he was standing directly in front of her. Unwittingly, his cold stare held hers and her head tilted back to maintain eye contact, as he was quite tall. That close, Charise saw that his irises were soul piercing, ice crystal blue, and they made her shiver all over as gooseflesh rose on her skin. Although his attention was focused on her, somehow, he gave the unnerving impression that he was aware of every person in the room, and what they were doing.
Finally, he allowed his eyes to sweep down her face and the rest of her body. As he stood there appraising her, Charise also took in his features, noting an oval face, a slightly pug nose, high cheekbones, dark sandy whiskers, and a very pale complexion. He wasn’t ugly, she surmised, but then, he wasn’t classically handsome like Finn, or ruggedly handsome like Sam. His face, however, was definitely what one might call...memorable.
Suddenly, he smiled as if he liked what he saw and held out a hand to her. Her eyes widened in shock as he grasped her left hand in his and she realized his were encased in leather gloves.
“I gather this is a weddin’ party, and you are the bride,” he commented, his voice deep and smooth. It didn’t seem to bother him in the least that every eye in the room was watching his every move. It was almost as if he enjoyed the attention, basked in it...felt it was his due. The thought went through her mind that he
enjoyed his celebrity status a tad too much.
Before Charise could gather her wits and answer, she felt Finn edge closer and slip a possessive arm around her shoulders as he spoke up, “That’s right, James. This is our weddin’ party, and this is my wife.”
Then, the unfathomable outlaw sliced his ice edged focus toward Finn, and gave an ever-so-slight nod of acknowledgement, apparently not a whit surprised that Finn knew who he was.
“You’re Maynard. Right? Phineas Maynard. You got a brother named Sam. You both served in the infantry under Thayer and Grant. First Regiment Nebraska Volunteers...Yankees,” he sneered, giving Charise another shiver to think that a violent outlaw knew her husband’s and brother-in-law’s names and even knew the details of their service during the war. She couldn’t know that the bandit made it a point to know particulars like that about the residents of the towns he frequented. Plus, since his cousin was married to the sheriff, he knew even more about Brownville’s township.
“That’s right,” Sam and Finn replied in unison as Sam took a step closer, to stand shoulder to shoulder with his brother.
Suddenly, the imposing man let go of Charise’s hand and turned fully toward the brothers, his gloved hands instantly moving to waist level at the ready—in what could only be interpreted as an aggressive move. The onlookers nearby gasped and Charise fought the urge to squeal in fright as everyone made to move back in heightened alarm. Finn put out a hand and firmly moved his wife behind his body.
“Hold on now, James. No need for that,” Sheriff Dave snapped, steadfast as he moved to place himself at an angle between the outlaw and the brothers.
For Heaven’s sake, what is happening? Charise released a silent scream as she grasped the back of her husband’s jacket and peeked around the edge of his upper sleeve. She had just declared that Brownville was a peaceful little town, and now this? Would there be gunplay at her wedding reception? Then the thought hit home that Jesse James, a staunch Southerner who had fought ruthlessly as a Confederate soldier, probably still felt uncomfortable, angry, or even a bit threatened by Yankees although it had been ten years since the war ended.
Dottie quickly spoke up, “It’s...it’s good to see you, Jesse. How’s your mother? And...and your wife, Zee? And how’s Frank?”
James, his eyes narrow and watchful, flickered as he looked at his cousin and gave a slow nod as if recognizing her attempt at smoothing over the situation. Seconds ticked by as heartbeats all around the room thundered, sweat broke out on palms and foreheads, and breathing quickened. Then after what seemed like an eternity of staring down the three men who had declared a united front of defense, despite the fact that none of them were armed, James seemed to relax a bit, his hands lowered to his sides, and he turned his head toward Dottie as he moved a step back.
“They’re fine, Dot. Just came from Frank’s weddin’ up in Omaha, matter of fact. Thought I’d stop off here and get me a drink in my favorite tavern in all of Nebraska and maybe spend the night.” He left the rest unsaid as he met Finn’s eyes in question.
For several seconds, Finn remained silent and still. Part of Charise’s brain was extremely proud of her husband as he stood up to the notorious outlaw, which everyone knew had killed in cold blood in the past with less provocation—if the newspaper accounts were correct. Charise could feel the tension coiled in Finn’s body from her position directly behind. Finally, he spoke up, “I bought the building six months ago, James. It’s no longer a tavern and hotel. It’s my barbershop and home now.”
One of the outlaw’s eyebrows arched and he murmured, “That right?”
Finn continued to stand, his rigid posture and wide stance the only indication of his unease. “That’s right. You’re, uh...you’re welcome to join us, if you’ve a mind to. However...I can’t offer you any liquor,” he added politely.
James stared at him silently for a few beats as if he were gauging Finn’s courage or strength, switched his gaze to Charise, and then to Finn again with a shrug of a shoulder. “No thanks. Wouldn’t wanna... intrude.”
Then, he looked into Charise’s astonished expression once more and smiled in a friendly manner, all traces of animosity gone as if magically wiped away. “Sorry to interrupt your party, Mrs. Maynard.” As he met Dottie’s eyes for a fleeting second, Charise detected a slight motion of his head before he turned on his heel and strode to the door, exiting and shutting it with a firm pull, though not a slam as she had expected.
Once the door closed, everyone in the room seemed to let out the collective breath they’d been holding. All at once, phrases were bandied about as folks murmured amongst themselves. “Can you believe that?” “Those Maynard brothers stood right up to Jesse James himself!” “I never thought I’d see the day he’d come struttin’ in like that. Ain’t he bold?” “That man’s icy blue stare could make a stone statue shake with fear!”
Finn turned and Charise went straight into his protective embrace as she felt herself begin to quiver from delayed reaction. His arms tightened warmly around her back.
“You all right?” he murmured against her temple and she answered with a nod against the satin vest of his wedding suit. Her eyes were shut, but she felt him move an arm and assumed he indicated that everyone should carry on with the party. The music slowly began again as the guests commenced their activities, some speaking quietly among themselves, with a few slowly dancing.
After a time, Charise gathered herself and stood apart from Finn, offering him a grateful smile before noticing her friend’s perplexed appearance.
“I’m so sorry about that...” Dottie began.
“Dottie...I can’t believe you’re kin to...well, to him...”
Dottie exchanged eye contact with her husband. “Well, we’re distantly related, on my mother’s side. I knew him when we were children back in Missouri when his mother married Dr. Samuel. I spent a lot of time with Jesse’s younger sisters and brothers... To be honest, however, I’ve never felt at ease around Jesse. He does have a quick temper if he gets riled...and now knowing what he’s done and...” she paused and gave a thoughtful shrug.
Charise digested all this. Then a thought occurred to her and she turned to Dave. “But...isn’t he wanted by the law? I mean...he’s an outlaw and he robs trains and banks...right? So...why didn’t you arrest him?”
That made Dave obviously ill at ease, but he straightened his string tie and stood to his full height as he answered, “It’s true he’s wanted—in Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota. But, he’s never committed a crime in Nebraska. He has lots of family in the state and...well...” he glanced around, lowering his voice. “We have an understanding that he’ll cause no trouble here. I’ve told him that if he ever commits any kind of crime anywhere in the state, or if a US marshal happened to be here with extradition papers, I’ll have to set our friendship and kinship aside and do my duty as a man of the law. He knows I mean it, too. Dang fool,” he broke off with a muttered curse. “He’s so brazen. Someday it’ll get him killed.”
The couple exchanged looks again and a silent message seemed to pass between them. Dottie turned to Charise, leaning near to give her another hug. “Congratulations on your wedding honey. It was wonderful. Everything turned out beautifully. But now I, um...I need to go and...see about...him,” she finished, before straightening in much the same way her husband had just done, as if she were preparing herself for something unpleasant, and headed for the door. Dave put on his hat, tipped it at the newlyweds, and followed her out.
Just then, Cyrus ambled up to Finn and whacked him on the sleeve. “Well doggies, never saw the like. The famous outlaw Jesse James comes to town on your weddin’ day and crashes your party. Don’t know whether that’s good luck or bad!” he cackled, scratching his head as if he were trying to figure it out. “But you can take it either way. I’d say think of it as you two ain’t gonna have one dull day of married life!” He let out another cackle and wandered away to the refreshment table.
Charise and Finn looked at on
e another, and started to laugh. Once again, the old coot had managed to cut through the bull and address the horns.
Several hours later, the tension from the unexpected visit the outlaw paid them had waned, the last of the wedding guests had finally left and Finn locked the front door. Charise was so relieved. Although the evening had been eventful, to say the least, the day had been drawn out and tiresome and she had yearned for it to be over so that she and Finn could find their new normal.
Now that the day was finished, however, Charise found herself unexpectedly nervous and shy, so she busied herself with picking up glasses and plates, deep in thought about actions that were still a bit of a mystery, but would be taking place quite soon. Would tonight go well? Would she...well...please her husband? By the same token...would he please her? And...what exactly did that entail? Oft-pondered worries and concerns rose to the forefront of her mind and she wished she had asked for more details of her two married friends.
All of a sudden, a pair of very strong arms slipped around her from the back and she stilled with a soft smile and allowed Finn to draw her back against his chest.
Closing her eyes, her lips parted as she nestled against him and breathed in his scent—a pleasant mix that was uniquely Finn and a faint lingering of the bay rum he had splashed on after his morning bath and shave. She relished his warmth as he nuzzled her cheek with his smooth lips and murmured, “I can’t believe we’re finally alone—and married. And no more trying to sleep on that blasted settee,” he added with a soft snicker as he nipped at the lobe of her ear, causing a delicious little shiver to shoot over her shoulder, down her arm and over her skin—all the way to the hidden recesses of her body. Finn’s lips roamed the area behind her ear and his hands began a decidedly husband-like exploration of private areas he had not yet dared to touch.
Finally, Finn turned Charise in his arms and his lips covered hers as she opened to him for a passionate kiss. The plates she was holding slipped onto the table, but mercifully didn’t break, as she couldn’t help but slip her arms up and around his neck, kissing him back with equal fervor. Oh, how she loved this man!