by Linda Bridey
With flair, Joe knelt in front of her and produced a white ring box. Lacey watched in amazement as he opened it to reveal the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen. She stared at it and then at him when he said, “Miss Lacey Reagan, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Lacey couldn’t speak for the second time that night. She kept looking at the ring and then at Joe. She had never expected a ring or an official proposal.
“Lacey, it’s not polite to leave a fella hangin’ at a time like this,” Joe said. Her shock amused him.
“Oh! Yes! I accept,” she said.
Joe took the ring from the box and took her left hand. He put the ring on her third finger and found that he liked the way it looked on her. There was something about her wearing his ring that satisfied a possessive part of him. He’d only felt that way about his horses until that moment and he wondered why that should be.
He looked up into her dark eyes and smiled. “You make that ring look real pretty.”
“It’s beautiful. Gorgeous,” Lacey said.
Joe said, “I’m glad you like it.”
“I do.”
“C’mon now, you’re not supposed to say that until the day after tomorrow,” Joe joked.
Lacey laughed. “I love it.”
Joe said, “Good.”
He still held her hand and he placed a soft kiss on the back of it. Lacey was surprised at the gentle gesture. He turned those hazel eyes on her and Lacey couldn’t move as his hand trailed up her arm, over her shoulder and cupped the back of her head. Joe held her still as he lightly kissed her. Lacey brought a hand up and put it against his chest, intending to push him away, but Joe trapped it between his own hand and his body as he deepened the kiss.
Lacey felt how firm he was under her palm and became fascinated by the sensation. When Joe felt her resistance slip away, he released her hand, snaked an arm around her waist, and pulled her a little closer. His movements were slow and gentle. He had dealt with shy women before, but this was different. She was a woman who was afraid of being hurt physically and he wanted to show her that she had nothing to fear from him.
Lacey had never been kissed like that before. There’d been stolen kisses behind her father’s store a few times with a young man she had liked, but they’d been quick and tinged with fear. If her father had caught them, there would have been hell to pay. There was nothing hurried about Joe’s kiss, though. He made her feel as if there was all the time in the world and she remembered that her father couldn’t hurt her anymore.
Joe began pulling away, but Lacey wasn’t ready. He was surprised to feel her fingers tighten on the material of his vest, keeping him from moving away. Joe stayed where he was and let her take over. It wasn’t as if it was any hardship. She was a pretty little thing and he thought about those wifely duties they had discussed several days ago. Joe felt her hand unclench and he sensed it was time to end the kiss.
He pulled back from her and smiled. “Well, Lacey, did you enjoy that? Because I know I did.”
Lacey nodded and gave him a little smile. “Yeah. I’m glad you did, too.”
Joe nodded and rose from where he still knelt. “Well, I guess I’d better get going and let you get your rest. You and Jamie have a busy day tomorrow.”
“Ok. “ He moved away a little and Lacey became frightened. She grabbed his hand and stood. “Joe, you meant what you said about making sure no one will hurt me anymore, right?”
The fear in her eyes tore at him. “Lacey, I solemnly promise you that no one will hurt you again. They’re gonna have to go through me to do it.” He kissed her forehead and gave her hand a last squeeze. “Lock the door after me,” he said. “You’re perfectly safe here. Jolene has security. It’s one of the reasons I put you here. Goodnight, Lacy.”
“Goodnight,” Lacey said as she followed him to the door.
Joe waited to hear Lacey lock the door behind him before leaving.
Chapter Four
Lacey looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror of the dress shop in Wolf Point, the next town closest to Dawson. She’d tried on five dresses before this one and was becoming discouraged when Jamie insisted that she try another. It was a more modern style that left a good portion of the shoulders bare and yet was not overly risqué. It fit her slender figure to perfection.
Jamie looked at Lacey and said, “Honey, that dress was made for you. You look like a dream. I can’t wait for Joe to see you.”
Lacey played with the dress a little as she said, “Do you really think he’ll like it?”
“Oh yeah. He’s gonna love it,” Jamie said.
As she moved, Lacey’s ring caught the sunlight and she looked at it again. She couldn’t believe that Joe had given her something so beautiful.
Jamie followed Lacey’s eyes to the ring and smiled. “Joe has good taste in jewelry, huh?”
“I don’t know why he would get me something so expensive when it’s just an arrangement,” Lacey said.
She was trying not to let herself get carried away just because Joe had given her a ring and kissed her the night before. Keeping their deal in the front of her mind was her way of preventing that from happening.
Jamie said, “That’s the way Joe is. He loves money and he loves spending it, especially on a pretty lady.”
Lacey laughed a little. “Yes, he told me he’s not a one woman man. At least he’s honest and I don’t know that I could perform wifely duties just yet, so that’s fine with me.”
“I think you’re the most level-headed bride to be,” Jamie said. “I could never go into a marriage where both people weren’t going to be faithful.”
Lacey raised her chin. “I’m not doing this for love or because I necessarily want a husband. I just need protection and I wouldn’t mind having nice things and living in a beautiful house. Not to mention the fact that Joe has so many horses.”
Jamie laughed. “You’re marrying Joe for his horses! I should have known that would be a big reason for you agreeing to his deal.”
“The two I’ve seen are so beautiful,” Lacey said. “I can’t wait to see the other ones.”
Jamie said, “I’ve been to his place and it’s incredible. I’ll warn you, though; his pa is not a nice man. But don’t be scared of him. He’s always nice to me. It’s just Joe that he has a problem with.”
Lacey became uneasy. “Are you sure?”
Jamie said, “Have I ever steered you wrong?”
“No,” Lacey replied.
“Right. I’m not gonna start now, either.” Jamie made Lacey face her. “Lacey, you’re like a sister to me and I would never do anything that would put you in harm’s way. I promise. Joe is a good guy.”
Lacey said, “I know. I’m trying to not be scared. It’s hard, though,”
Jamie hugged her and said, “I know, but that kind of life is behind you now, just like my old life is behind me and we both have such wonderful futures ahead of us. It’s time for us to be happy.”
Lacey hugged her back. “You’re right. I’m so glad you had the courage to come here.”
Jamie pulled back and said, “Me, too. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have my Hercules.”
They laughed together and finished picking out the accessories for Lacey’s dress.
*****
Joe rode Lance out to the Samuels place that night. He wanted to talk to Jamie about Lacey. Certain things had been eating at him all day and he hadn’t been able to concentrate on much else. He decided that he needed answers. Luke and Jamie’s new place was close to being completed, but they were still living in the bunkhouse given to them.
He knocked on their door and Luke answered it. “Hi, Joe, come on in,” he said, and stepped back.
Joe entered and looked around the place. Jamie had added some feminine touches without going overboard and the effect was very homey, he thought. Jamie sat on the bed sewing something.
“Hey, Jamie girl,” Joe said with a smile.
“Hey, Joey. All set for tom
orrow?” Jamie asked.
“You bet,” Joe replied as he sat down in one of the chairs. “I have some questions about Lacey and I know you’ll give me straight answers.”
Jamie saw Joe’s serious expression and put down her sewing. “Ok. Shoot.”
“Just what the hell was her father like?” he asked.
Luke recognized the green fire in Joe’s eyes. His best friend was very angry.
Jamie sighed and said, “He is a nightmare. Her mother ran off because he was always beating her. Lacey saw all of this, and after her ma left, he started in on Lacey. Sammi and I always tried to protect her, but we couldn’t always be there.”
Joe nodded. “The day she arrived, she still had a little bit of a bruise on her cheek and a scrape on her forehead. How long has she had to deal with this kind of thing?”
“Since she was thirteen, and she’s twenty three now,” Jamie said.
“So ten years she was trapped in that kind of hell?” Joe said.
Jamie was a little leery of answering him. She’d never seen Joe angry like this. “Yes.”
Luke watched his friend closely as his hand fisted on the arm of the chair.
“Joe, did something happen?” Luke asked.
Joe leaned forward, ran a hand over his hair, and kept it at the back of his neck for a moment. It was a gesture that he made when he was angry or extremely upset about something. “I just see everything with my Mama all over again. Daddy was never physically abusive with her, but he played on her emotions all the time. I know that he’s the reason she overdosed on laudanum.”
Jamie was stunned. “She committed suicide? I didn’t know, Joe. I’m so sorry.”
Joe said, “That’s the biggest reason I hate him and want to be free of him. There are a lot others, but it’s mainly because of that. I won’t have Lacey put through that kind of thing. As soon as I shove that marriage license in his face, I’ll be moving us to the guest house. It’s plenty big enough and she’ll be away from him. I didn’t know all of this about her, but I’m glad I got her out of there.” He raised his head and looked at Jamie. “You should have just told me straight off all those weeks ago that she needed out of there that bad.”
Luke frowned at Joe. “Yeah, and what would you have said? It wasn’t until after our wedding that you decided you needed a wife. So don’t go blaming Jamie.”
Joe looked at Luke and said, “You’re right. Jamie, I’m sorry. I’m just so wound up about this. I scared the crap out of her last night. I didn’t mean to. I went back to the hotel and let myself into her room to wait for her. I figured she’d know that I would come since I’d been checking on her every night. Well, I dozed off and didn’t hear her coming up the stairs so I could meet her in the hall.”
“Next thing I knew she was coming in the room and when I stood up, I scared her really bad. I got her calmed down and apologized, but I gotta tell you, it pissed me off that someone had abused her like that and made her so afraid,” Joe told them.
Jamie said, “Oh my. She never mentioned anything to me about that. We had the best time today and she was so happy. She’s marrying you for your horses, you know.”
Joe laughed at that. “Yeah, she said she loves them. She knows horses, too, so at least we have that in common. I’m gonna teach her how to use a gun. That way, if I can’t be with her, she’ll know how to protect herself.”
Jamie shook her head. “I hope she lets you do it. Our friend Sammi is an excellent shot and really likes guns. She’s been trying to get Lacey to learn for the past several years.”
Luke smiled at that. “I didn’t know she used guns.”
“Yep. And wears pants.”
Joe laughed. “You mean she wears them for work or something?”
“Nope. All the time. Sammi hates dresses. She’s tall with quite the figure, so you can still tell she’s a woman, if you get my meaning. No one in town messes with Sammi. They know better. She’s already shot two men who tried to put their hands on her,” Jamie said. “She didn’t kill them, but she winged them pretty good.”
Joe and Luke laughed.
“Well, this Sammi sounds like a very interesting character,” Joe said, and then sobered. “I’ll convince Lacey somehow that she needs to learn how to use one. I’d feel a whole lot better if she did. I promised her I’d protect her and I will.”
Jamie went to him and gave him a hug and a kiss. “You’re a good guy, Joe, and Lacey is a good woman. You make a good couple.”
“You mean for a business deal,” Joe said.
“Right,” Jamie said, and winked at Luke to say that she didn’t really agree with Joe.
Joe stood and hugged Jamie. “Thanks for the information. See y’all in the morning.”
*****
Pastor John had wondered at the circumstances behind the secret ceremony Joe had asked him to perform, but since Joe had made a very hefty donation to the church, he’d decided not to ask questions. Joe was famous for paying people well for the things he wanted and they were happy to take that money.
“Aren’t you nervous?” Luke asked as they waited at the altar.
“No. Should I be?” Joe responded as he looked at Luke. “That tux looks great on you. You should have let me buy you one for your wedding.”
Luke rolled his eyes. “You’re gettin’ married in a few minutes and you’re worried about fashion.”
Joe fiddled with Luke’s tie. “Hold still. It’s crooked. What else would you rather I talk about?”
“How about your bride?” Luke asked. “Knock it off, Joe. It’s fine.”
“I said, stand still. I want it to be straight in the pictures,” Joe said. “I’ll talk about her when she gets here.”
Luke stopped fighting Joe. “There’s gonna be pictures?”
“Yes, sir. I want plenty of irrefutable proof of this day,” Joe said.
Luke frowned down at Joe. “I don’t like cameras.”
Joe finished with Luke’s tie and stood back looking at it. “There. Perfect. Well, maybe you don’t like cameras, but I think they must like you. A big, handsome man like yourself will show up real good.”
Luke sighed. “I guess.”
There was no time for further discussion on the subject because it was time to begin. Joe had given Lacey plenty of money to get Jamie a dress, too. Jamie walked down the aisle in a beautiful mint green dress that complemented her auburn hair and green eyes. Luke had eyes only for her as she took her place at the altar. She couldn’t take her eyes off Luke, either.
Joe’s gaze settled on Lacey and he watched with male appreciation as she walked slowly down the aisle. She was lovely in the pristine white gown. Joe’s eyes roamed over her delicate shoulders and graceful neck. She was slim, but still womanly, and would draw any man’s eye. Joe suddenly felt proud that he was marrying Lacey.
Lacey kept looking shyly at Joe as she walked. The grin he gave her told her that he did indeed approve of her appearance. She couldn’t believe how dashing he looked in his tuxedo and noticed that Luke wore one that matched. When she reached the altar, Joe held out his hands to her and she placed hers in them.
“You look stunning, darlin’,” he told her.
“Thank you. So do you,” Lacey said.
Joe smiled at her as Pastor John began the service. It was not a long ceremony and Lacey was thankful that she made it through her vows without slipping up. It was hard to concentrate when she was looking at Joe. When it was time to kiss his new wife, Joe gently tipped her chin up and gave her a soft, gentle kiss that made Lacey want more.
Luke had never seen Joe be so tender with anyone and one of his eyebrows rose. This was a new side of Joe and Luke had thought he’d seen them all. Jamie smiled at Luke as their gazes met. Pastor John congratulated them and then it was time for the pictures Joe wanted. Everyone except for Luke enjoyed having their picture taken.
There would be no reception that day, but Joe was planning on throwing a huge shindig after things had been finalized and he ha
d his inheritance. However, the four of them were going to a celebration dinner in Wolf Point. They left the church in high spirits. Once they were in Joe’s carriage, they were quickly underway.
Chapter Five
After their dinner, Joe told Lacey that they were going to stay at the hotel in Dawson that night.
“You mean you’re staying with me?” she asked.
“That’s right. It’s our wedding night,” Joe said.
Lacey became upset. “You said that we wouldn’t…until later on. I didn’t know about this.”
Joe lowered his voice and said, “Lacey, I didn’t mean it like that. I’ll sleep on the floor or in a chair. It’s just to make it look good. Understand?”
Lacey’s anxiety began to leave as he spoke, “Oh. Ok. I see.” Lacey was confused. Even as she felt relief, she felt disappointed.
Joe wasn’t quite sure what to make of her response, but he didn’t feel that the restaurant was the best place to discuss it. He kissed her forehead and led her out to the carriage. As they rode back to Dawson, there was a lot of laughing, especially because Joe made fun of Luke being camera shy.
As they drew closer to the hotel, Lacey began to get quiet. Jamie noticed and kept trying to talk to her, but Lacey was distracted. Jamie understood what was bothering her and when they got out of the carriage, she drew Lacey aside.
“Don’t be nervous, Lacey. Joe won’t do anything you don’t want him to do. You can trust him,” Jamie said.
Lacey’s cheeks were hot as she said, “But we’re not going to do that. This is just for show. We agreed that we wouldn’t until we knew each other better.”
Jamie was confused. “Oh. So why are you so upset then?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never spent a night with a man at all. What do I do?” Lacey said.
“Lacey, I know this is all so new to you, but it’ll be all right. Just trust Joe,” Jamie said.
“Ok,” Lacey said, and tried to smile.
The two couples parted and Joe led Lacey inside. Jolene was at the desk.
“Hey, Jolene. Congratulate us. We got hitched today,” Joe told her with a big grin.