by Renee Ryan
Tiny sparks of joy danced along Megan’s skin. “You…you did?”
He flipped open the lid. “Actually,” he said, looking a bit sheepish. “I acquired it two years ago, in anticipation of today.”
Megan placed her hand over her heart. “You bought my ring two years ago?”
“Well, I made an offer for it that long ago.”
She lowered her gaze and caught her breath at the sheer beauty of the rather large, perfectly round sapphire surrounded by what looked like hundreds of tiny diamonds.
“It took me two full years to pay it off.”
“Oh, Logan, it’s perfect.” She lifted her gaze back to his.
“The color of this particular stone reminds me of your eyes when you’re happy. I promise I’ll make you happy.”
Bella sighed again. Several of the men cleared their throats. Mattie blew her nose, louder than before.
Ignoring them all, Megan stared at her groom. Oh, she knew she was looking at him with stars in her eyes, but she couldn’t help herself. Logan had bought her a beautiful ring. Two years ago. “I…I didn’t get a ring for you.”
“It’s all right, my love.” He cupped her cheek. “This was all a bit sudden.”
“Not to worry. One will do for now.” Pastor Beau plucked the ring from the box with deft fingers. “Whenever you get a ring for Logan, I’ll bless it then.”
Grateful for the promise, Megan nodded. “Thank you.”
Smiling his pastor smile, the reverend placed the ring on his Bible and continued the ceremony. “Bless, O Lord, this ring to be a sign of the vows by which this man and this woman have bound themselves to each other: through Jesus Christ our Lord.” He handed the sapphire to Logan. “Amen.”
Holding her hand gently in his, Logan slid the ring onto Megan’s finger and then nodded in satisfaction. “It fits.”
Despite her promise to avoid any more crying today, the back of her eyelids stung with unshed tears. She parted her lips to speak, to say something, anything, but nothing came out.
“Megan,” Logan began, rubbing her finger absently as he repeated the words Pastor Beau said first. “I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Still too choked with emotion to speak, Megan busied herself with admiring her new ring. Unfortunately, a rogue tear slipped free. Several more threatened.
Blinking rapidly, Megan kept her gaze averted. She didn’t dare look at Logan just yet, or the rest of her tears would surely break free.
Thankfully, Pastor Beau proceeded with the conclusion of the ceremony. “Now that Logan and Megan have given themselves to each other, I pronounce that they are husband and wife.”
Bella clapped her hands excitedly.
“Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder.”
The entire room responded in unison. “Amen.”
Chapter Ten
Standing on the planked sidewalk just outside the jailhouse, Logan spoke softly with the three men who’d been kind enough to witness his marriage. He held himself at ease, with his heavy wool coat closed against the biting wind.
When the topic turned to child rearing, Logan could only summon up a halfhearted smile. Although he definitely wanted children with Megan, that wasn’t the first thing on his mind. Getting his new bride to a safe haven, now that was another matter entirely.
Needing a moment alone, he casually broke away from the group.
Mired in what the Bible had to say about child rearing, Shane and Beau continued conversing with one another, completely forgetting Logan had ever been a part of their discussion. Just as well. He had nothing to add.
Trey slid him a knowing look and what might have been a sly smile, but he didn’t try to stop Logan from leaving their friendly huddle.
Grimacing, Logan moved closer to the rail. While Megan changed into something more suitable for their journey, he mentally considered the best, fastest route to his parents’ ranch.
But no matter how hard he focused, his mind kept shifting to the fact that Megan was his wife now—his wife.
Logan had been waiting for this day for five long years. His future was finally set, no more wondering. No more waiting. Now he and Megan could get on with the business of living their lives together as husband and wife.
Except…
There was still the matter of Kincaid’s murder, not to mention Megan’s memory loss hanging over them. And no matter how happy Logan was to be married to Megan at last, there was a shadow of darkness cloaking this day.
A killer was on the loose, possibly gunning for his new bride at this very moment. He had to close his eyes to fight back a surge of anger.
Leaning forward, he scanned the bustling activity before him with a trained eye. Horse-drawn carriages, women herding their well-behaved children and men hustling about their daily business created an idyllic scene, one that spoke of a prairie boomtown on the cusp of becoming a bustling, modern-day city.
Although Logan didn’t sense any immediate danger, he was impatient to leave Denver. Looking past the mountains in the distance, he tried to see into the future and couldn’t. With all the thinking he’d done about his wedding day, he hadn’t focused much on his marriage.
Now the future stood before him as a blurry shroud of unanswered questions.
How many children would he and Megan have? Where would they live? Near his family’s ranch? Or in Denver, close to Charity House?
Perhaps somewhere else entirely?
So engrossed with his thoughts, Logan didn’t hear Trey’s approach. “Congratulations, my friend.” Trey slapped him on the back. “Megan is a fine woman. She’ll make you a good wife.”
But would he make her a decent husband?
The question was something he wasn’t sure he wanted to explore. Not now, at any rate. “God has blessed me tenfold.”
Beau chose that moment to break away from Shane and join them. He no longer looked like a pastor, but a friend. “Your patience and trust in the Lord has paid off. Or as my lovely wife likes to say, good things come to those who wait.”
Yes, the Lord had finally rewarded Logan’s patience. With a few surprises added to the mix. “Megan’s more beautiful than I remember,” he said, his breath growing tight in his chest. “And far more talented than I ever realized.”
Trey’s mouth curved into a smile. “So you’ve seen the walls she painted in Charity House.”
“I have.” Logan felt a line of worry creasing his brow. Megan was an artist, a romantic through and through. Logan was neither.
A soundless whisper of doubt gripped him and his heart constricted with alarm.
He’d always thought he and Megan were well suited. But now…
He wasn’t sure.
As though reading his mind, Beau clasped his shoulder with an encouraging grip. “Megan’s still the same woman you once knew. The fact that she’s discovered a hidden talent doesn’t change who she is at the core.”
A skeptical glare was Logan’s only reply.
Unmoved, Beau chuckled. “You and Megan are well suited. Have a little faith.”
Faith. Such a simple word and yet so hard to put into action when he’d just married a woman he didn’t know as well as he’d always thought.
At least some good had come from his discovery of Megan’s artistic talent. An idea had formed that just might help unlock her memories.
Or so he hoped.
There was one person who might know.
Logan searched for Shane, found him leaning against the jailhouse wall. The man certainly knew how to fade into the background when no one was looking.
Needing him front and center, Logan gestured Shane forward.
The good doctor pushed away from the wall.
“I’d like to know your honest opinion. Will Megan regain her memory? Or is there a chance the loss is permanent?”
“I believe she’ll
eventually remember everything, given time.”
Logan didn’t like Shane’s answer. He’d have preferred a more concrete promise. “But you can’t say when?”
“No. I can’t.”
“I might have an idea to help speed up the process.”
Shane lifted an eyebrow. “Go on.”
“I stopped by the mercantile this afternoon and purchased a sketchbook. I figure if Megan starts drawing, maybe she will…that somehow the act of putting pictures on a page might…that it might…” He let his words trail off, not sure how to proceed. Now that he’d spoken his idea aloud Logan couldn’t say what he hoped to accomplish. Precisely.
Nevertheless, he began again. “I don’t know much about art but I thought maybe something will come back to her as she starts to draw.”
Shane remained silent for an endless moment, making Logan wonder if the man had heard a word he’d said. But then he nodded his head and smiled. “I think what you suggest makes perfect sense. In fact—” he looked off in the distance, his eyebrows drawn together in concentration “—it’s really quite brilliant.”
Relief flowed through Logan. “Then you think it might work?”
“Maybe, yes. Maybe, no. There’s no guarantee the act of drawing in and of itself will bring back her memory,” Shane warned with an apology in his voice. “But it might be exactly what Megan needs to relax her mind enough to allow her thoughts to flow freely. I’d say it’s worth a try.”
At this point, Logan was desperate for anything. “Thanks. I’ll give her the sketchbook tonight.”
Beau moved forward and shook Logan’s hand. “In the meantime, I’ll pray for you both. May you have a safe journey and may God go with you.”
Logan blew out a slow breath. “I appreciate your prayers, Beau.”
“We’ll all pray for you,” Shane added.
Trey pulled Logan into a quick bear hug then stepped back. Way back, as though the friendly gesture left him uncomfortable. “Godspeed, my friend.”
Touched by the show of friendship from all three men, Logan struggled for words. He was saved from responding when Megan exited the jail.
Thankful for the interruption, Logan studied his new bride. She wore a simple, light pink dress with a long row of buttons running down the front bodice. Her hair hung in long, loose curls past her shoulders, making her look more like the girl he remembered.
But then she stepped forward, flattened her palm against his heart and gave him a woman’s smile.
His mind wiped clean of all thought, smooth as glass.
This new Megan, this thoroughly adult version of the girl he’d loved for years, completely mesmerized him.
He wanted to pull her against him, wanted to hold her close and protect her from everything bad in the world.
Especially the “bad” gunning for her now. “We should be on our way.”
She held her smile in place as though sensing the new power she had over him. “I’m ready.”
He took her small reticule and other bag, her only two pieces of luggage and more than likely not her own. The contents of both cases were probably borrowed, as well. Wishing there’d been time for her to gather a few of her own things, but knowing they couldn’t risk a stop at Charity House now, Logan directed his new bride toward the wagon he’d purchased from the livery stable.
A twinge of panic shot through him when her steps faltered. She righted herself, lifted her chin giving him a clear view of the angry wound at her throat. In that moment, Logan couldn’t stop the notion from forming in his head that he wasn’t escorting his new wife to safety.
He was taking her straight into the heart of danger.
Megan hunched her shoulders against the brisk wind and moved slowly toward the rickety wagon Logan had just indicated. They certainly weren’t traveling in style. But perhaps that was for the best. They’d attract less notice this way.
She took another careful step and grimaced. Having stood on her ankle far too long this afternoon, it now ached with a constant, throbbing pain. Nevertheless, she was determined to walk to the wagon on her own. She’d already received too much pampering in one day, enough to last a lifetime.
“Megan, wait.” Bella stopped her midstride with a light touch to her arm. “You’re going to need this.” She whipped off her cloak with a flourish.
Balancing most of her weight on her uninjured ankle, Megan stared at the bulky garment in Bella’s hand, unable to stop a wistful sigh from slipping past her lips. The black cloak was made of very fine wool and had a bejeweled collar that must have cost a fortune.
The beautiful garment would look ridiculous on Megan, and certainly had no place on a cattle ranch.
“Go on.” Bella waved the cloak in the air between them. “Take it. You’ll need something to cover you once you leave the streets of Denver.”
Yes, Megan would definitely need something to keep her warm in the open air. But a blanket would do just fine. And besides, she’d already received too much from her friend. She would never be able to repay the debt. “Thank you for offering, but I can’t possibly take your cloak.”
“Oh, but you can.” Bella’s amber eyes filled with a stubborn look Megan knew well. “And you will.”
Knowing the battle was already lost, Megan found herself nearly relenting. But not completely. “I’ll be fine with a blanket.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, the wind slapped her in the face. Logan returned to her side at that exact moment when she started shivering.
He frowned, but didn’t comment directly on her reaction to the cold. Instead, he took the cloak from Bella with a quick word of thanks and then wrapped the heavy wool around Megan’s shoulders.
There’d been no arguing. No cajoling. He’d simply taken charge. The competent way he commanded every situation had been what had initially attracted her to him.
But now as he pulled the cloak closed at her neck, apprehension slammed through her. Megan wasn’t sure she wanted Logan taking over her life so completely. She was used to taking care of her own needs, ruthlessly so. No one could hurt her if she didn’t rely on them. At least, that had been her motto before today. There was comfort in knowing she was a giver rather than a taker.
She opened her mouth to tell Logan she could take care of herself, but then he smiled sweetly at her, almost shyly and gathered her close. The next instant, he covered her mouth with his in a brief kiss.
Well, all right, yes. Maybe she did want him to take charge. At least until she was feeling more like herself.
She stepped back and tilted her head to keep her gaze level with his. For a moment, for just this one single moment, Megan allowed herself to drown in his gaze.
His face was all rugged planes and sharp angles. There were times when the light caught him just right and she actually found herself slightly afraid of him.
But now, out in the open with several of their friends standing beside them, somehow all that hard, masculine beauty made him more approachable. Appealing even. And very, very handsome.
Megan drew in a quick breath. She was suddenly aware of her new husband with a sharp-edged clarity that made her feel completely exposed. And very, very female.
A ball of nervousness dropped in her stomach but instead of dwelling on her new condition, Megan spun to face Bella. “Thank you for loaning me your precious cloak. And for…well, everything.”
“Oh, Megan.” Bella yanked her into a bone-rattling hug. “I’ll miss you so much.”
To Megan’s dismay, tears threatened. Again. Really, this penchant for crying was so unlike her. “I’ll miss you more.”
Laughing at that, they pulled apart.
“Please, my friend, stay safe,” Bella said. “And whatever you do, don’t take any unnecessary risks.” The last was directed at Logan.
“No, ma’am. I won’t.”
“Good, good. May God go with you. And… Oh, I hate goodbyes.” Bella dabbed at her eyes and, sniffling, rushed to stand next to her husband.
> Mattie pecked Megan on the cheek then gave a dramatic flick of her wrist. “Now stop your dawdling and get out of here.”
Smiling at the very real emotion she heard in Mattie’s voice, Megan hugged her mother’s friend then said a quick goodbye to the rest of their group.
With a solemn look in his eyes, Logan silently assisted her into the wagon. Settling her skirts around her, Megan placed her feet on the footrest and lowered her gaze to her hands. If she looked at Bella, or even Mattie, she knew she would cry. And maybe never stop once she started.
What was wrong with her? She really needed to get a handle on her emotions.
This was supposed to be a happy day. Her wedding day.
Logan joined her in the front seat, then leaned forward and pulled the hood of her cloak over her head. “Ready?”
“Ready.”
Winking at her, he picked up the reins and released the brake lever.
In the next beat, they were off.
A block into their journey Megan’s heart started a fast, painful drumming. She chalked it up to the anticipation that had been building inside her for five long years. This was the next step in her life.
Her very own new beginning.
No matter what happened in the coming days, she would always be Logan’s wife. They’d said their vows in front of witnesses and were pledged to one another in the name of the Lord. Nothing could take him away from her now.
Stopping the wagon to let a mother and her three children pass, Logan reached out and laid his hand over hers. Megan rotated her wrist until their palms met. Her racing heartbeat slowed to a steady tap, tap, tap.
Oh, yes, she thought. No matter what may come, I will always be this man’s wife.
Chapter Eleven
Logan didn’t mind putting in long hours on the trail—when he was in pursuit of an outlaw. But this, this clipping along at a snail’s pace while seated in a rickety old wagon was not his idea of a favorable experience for anyone. Especially not for his new bride.