Memphis

by Sara Orwig

  “John, you’re home! I thought I’d lost you, too,” she said, hugging him.

  In his peripheral vision, Caleb knew Fortune was still keeping back enough distance to have the drop on John if he tried something. Caleb felt a mixture of emotions, seeing Sophia’s joy, yet aware that his future brother-in-law wanted him dead and had done his best to achieve it.

  “Sophia, I think we need an introduction,” Caleb prompted.

  “No, we don’t,” John said coldly. “I know you’re Caleb O’Brien and you want to marry my sister. You’re an unfit man for her.”

  “John!” She moved away from him, wiping her eyes. “I love Caleb.”

  “I’ve been living in Germantown because Memphis is not the home I left and you’re not the sister I left. I know what you’re doing and I know this is not a man for our family nor a man Papa would have given his approval.”

  Sophia drew herself up and moved to Caleb’s side. “I love him. And he’s a good man and a family man, John Merrick.”

  John didn’t look at her, but stared at Caleb. “You have corrupted my sister with your wicked ways. Our father despised the railroads. You’ll not marry in this family, because I’m home now and she has to obey me as head of this family.”

  “You’ve tried—” Caleb began, but Sophia jerked away from him.

  “John!” she snapped, interrupting Caleb, standing with her hands on her hips in front of him. “You’ve been to war. I’ve run this house alone and I’ll not answer to you. You’ll not take my future and my happiness from me. I’ve waited through a war to marry him. I’ve stabbed a Yankee and been wanted for sedition. I’ll not have you come home and interfere in my life and try to make things the way they were before you left! That time is gone forever. You’ll accept my family, or you and I will no longer be family.”

  He blinked and stared at her frowning. “You’ve changed, Sophia.”

  “Yes, I’ve changed. I had to change. The war changed all of us. You’re not coming back to what you left. And I don’t oppose Caleb’s railroad. I don’t want the Weekly. I sacrificed everything for the paper, and I don’t want it. It’s yours now, but you accept the man I’ll marry or I no longer have a brother.”

  John blinked and stared at her. “You love this man so much he comes before family?”

  “Of course, I do.”

  “A man can’t change his beliefs.”

  “Then Caleb will have to take you to the sheriff for attempting to kill him. You shot his younger brother.”

  John frowned and ran his hand through his hair and suddenly Caleb felt sorry for him. He thrust out his hand. “John?”

  Looking dazed, John Merrick gazed into Caleb’s eyes. “All the time I thought I would come home to what I left behind and everything’s gone. All of Tennessee is a battleground with the dead bones of horses strewn across fields and weapons tossed aside and fortifications dug in, and everything I know burned or leveled or changed. And I thought Sophia would be the one surviving thing, the paper and our house …” His voice tapered off, and he looked at Caleb’s hand. “I shot your younger brother?”

  “It’s wasn’t serious.”

  “I don’t want to lose my sister,” John said, hesitantly shaking Caleb’s hand.

  “I wouldn’t either if I were you. Families are important. This is my brother Fortune O’Brien. Fortune, this is John Merrick.”

  He heard someone approaching and Rafferty strode up, his eyes full of curiosity as he stared at John Merrick.

  “This is my oldest brother, Rafferty O’Brien. Rafe, meet John Merrick, Sophia’s brother.”

  “You shot at Caleb?”

  “Our families have different views.” He sounded dazed and confused. “I felt he had taken my sister from me.”

  “Chantal and Amity have taken Darcy to a doctor,” Rafe said.

  “John, how could you?” Sophia cried, tears bright in her eyes, and Caleb again felt sorry for John Merrick.

  “Maybe we should leave the Merricks alone,” Caleb suggested. “We’ll see you at the house, Sophia.” He walked away, and Sophia turned to look at John, feeling anger grow as she wiped her eyes.

  “I love Caleb. He’s my life and we’ve been through so much danger and through the war and separation and you almost took him from me. You have to apologize to him and you have to mean it and if you try anything again …”

  “I can’t agree with him, because I think Papa was right about gambling and drinking. I’ve seen the ruin it can bring.”

  “I love Caleb with all my heart. You apologize to him and you’re welcome at our wedding. Otherwise, John, I don’t want to see you again,” she said firmly.

  He studied her and his eyes filled with tears. “Sophia, we’ve lost so much. I came home angry that Papa was dead and Morris and Amos killed and then I found the house burned and you marrying a man who was all Papa would have preached against. It’s not what I expected.”

  He turned and walked away, and she hurt as she stared at him; he looked so unhappy and alone. She turned around to catch up with Caleb.

  He paused beneath the tree, waiting for her and she faced him. “I hope Darcy isn’t hurt badly,” she said, concerned.

  “He isn’t. I’m sure it won’t be serious.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “You didn’t have one thing to do with it. There are a lot of adjustments to coming home and I was fortunate. I knew what I wanted and I couldn’t wait to get home and marry and start a business. Not all men have that to come back to.”

  “I can’t believe John would kill. John wasn’t violent before he went away,” she said defensively.

  “That’s something else war does. Don’t worry. I’ll be careful and I don’t think he’ll try again. You were rather clear with your opinions. Sophia, are you ever going to stop trying to protect me? I don’t know how I got away to fight Yankees without you at my side.”

  “No, I won’t stop as long as you keep causing trouble. Everywhere you go, Caleb, there’s trouble,” she teased.

  “There’s blue-eyed trouble,” he said affectionately. “One thing, you’ll never be and that’s an obedient wife. I suppose I ought to save my breath on instructions about your safety.”

  “I’m happy you’ve come to that conclusion. It took you long enough.”

  “On the other hand, maybe I should just be more firm.”

  “How firm?” she asked, wriggling her hips against him. He grinned.

  “You’re in full view of the house.”

  “Maybe we should walk down to the carriage house.”

  He chuckled. “And we’ll meet Chantal and Amity returning with Darcy. Six more days, love.”

  She frowned, looking over her shoulder. “I’m sorry John won’t be there for my wedding.”

  “It’s six days yet. Give him time to think things over.”

  “The Merricks have stubborn streaks, too,” she confessed.

  “Do they now?”

  She smiled, and he draped his arm around her and they went inside.

  By midafternoon word had circulated about Darcy’s wound.

  As Sophia came downstairs for supper, Caleb met her in the hallway. “I think my brother has lost all animosity toward your brother for the shooting. He’s enjoying himself more than he has in years with all the attention. Do you know how many pretty young ladies have come to call on him today?”

  “Caleb, I hate it that it was my brother. It wasn’t serious, but when I think what it could have been, I feel terrified and sad that John would be so filled with hate.”

  “You can’t control your brother, love.”

  She nodded and they entered the big dining room. Chantal sat at one end of the table and Sophia noticed Rafe’s hands lingering over her shoulders as she sat down. He sat to her right and they gazed into each other’s eyes. Sophia knew she would have the same kind of marriage with Caleb, and she felt fortunate. Her gaze went down the table to Fortune. He was the solemn O’Brien, always considerate, helpful to Cal
eb, yet so alone.

  Caleb carved a golden turkey and Adia passed hot dishes of yams and biscuits and dressing.

  A knock sounded at the front door and Lucius answered it, coming around the table to speak to Caleb.

  Caleb listened and looked at Sophia, and she wondered what was happening. “Tell him to come join us,” Caleb said, his gaze holding hers.

  Dressed in a plain black coat and pants, John appeared in the doorway, looking at her before his gaze shifted to Caleb.

  “I don’t want to interrupt,” he said quietly, his face flushed. “I came to offer an apology, Mister O’Brien. An apology to both of you,” he said, turning to Darcy.

  Caleb stood up. “Excuse us,” he said, crossing to John, and they left the room.

  “I think you have your brother back,” Fortune said softly.

  “I hope so,” Sophia said, hurting for John, thinking about all Caleb had done for her.

  Finally Caleb returned, pausing by her. “Your brother has gone, but he’ll be back. I think things will improve.”

  As soon as dinner was over, Caleb caught her arm as everyone left the dining room and when they were alone, he slid his arms around her waist. “Your brother will come to the wedding. He’ll adjust, Sophia. Give him time.”

  She placed her cheek against Caleb’s chest, her fingers lying against his smooth white linen shirt. “We were raised in a very strict manner and we were taught that Papa’s views were right.”

  “You changed and so will he,” Caleb said, lifting her chin to kiss her.

  “Caleb, he can have the press and the paper. I don’t want it.”

  “I told him, love. Next Friday, Sophia, you’re mine—forever.”

  Finally Sophia stood in the white satin dress she had worked on for months as she gazed up at Caleb. He wore his new black suit and dark cravat. They repeated vows, and Caleb bent his head to brush her lips lightly, gazing into her eyes with love. They left the church for the reception at his house.

  John stood to one side in the crowd and at the first opportunity, Sophia went to him.

  “I’m so glad you’re here,” she said, kissing him on the cheek.

  “I am, too, Sophia. You’re a beautiful woman now. I’m told your husband fought with Bragg and Johnston.”

  “Yes. He’s very brave and he saved me from arrest.”

  “So many changes. So many people gone. Memphis has grown to a large city. I wanted to see you marry. I’m going home now, though.”

  “You can stay,” she suggested.

  “No. I just wanted to come for a while.”

  Fortune appeared at her side as she watched John leave. “Everything all right?” he asked.

  “Better, I think. I hope John will change.”

  “I’m glad to have you for a sister-in-law, Sophia. You’re good for Caleb. He’s settled.”

  She laughed. “Great heavens! Caleb will never settle.”

  Fortune smiled. “Yes, he has. I envy you both.”

  She heard the pain in Fortune’s voice and she stood on tiptoe to brush his cheek with a kiss. “I hope you find as much happiness,” she said softly.

  “Who’s kissing my bride?”

  “She’s kissing me,” Fortune said, grinning at Caleb.

  “And I’m taking her away from you now.” Caleb held out his hand. “We’re leaving. You take care of yourself.”

  Fortune nodded and they turned away. “Where are Amity and Will?”

  “I don’t think they’re in the house right now and they’ll never miss our telling them goodbye. We’ve spoken to Rafe and Chantal, and Darcy is with his bevy of admirers and he won’t care whether we’re here or not here, so Mrs. O’Brien, let’s get out of here.”

  She rushed out to the buggy with him, Mazie standing beside it, handing Caleb a basket. “Here, Major. You take good care of him, Miss Sophia.”

  As the buggy pulled away, Sophia laughed. “Why didn’t Mazie tell you to take good care of me!”

  He grinned. “Because she knows who’s important.”

  Sophia laughed and flung her arms around his neck. “Where are we going? You haven’t told me.”

  “I want it to be a surprise.”

  In minutes they slowed at the wharf where they boarded a riverboat for New Orleans. He carried her into a large cabin and opened a bottle of champagne, bringing a glass to her.

  “I’m taking you to New Orleans for a day, and then we sail to Ireland.”

  “Ireland?” Sophia exclaimed, shock coursing over her. “What about your business? Your train and all the investors?”

  Caleb stood close unbuttoning her dress, nuzzling her ear. He smelled like woods and soap; his jaw was clean-shaven, his hands warm against her flesh.

  “The first thing I want to do,” he said softly, “is get you out of hoops and crinolines and this dress.” He kissed her throat, his hands moving over her and her pulse jumping as she felt the warm, deep ache that made her want Caleb, want his body, want all of him to be part of her.

  “Caleb, I’m Mrs. O’Brien,” she boasted.

  “I love you, Sophia. Even if you do turn my life upside down and I know I’ll never have peace and quiet.”

  “Caleb!” she protested, as the satin billowed around her ankles and he unfastened the hoop skirt and crinoline and tossed them away.

  She tugged at his cravat and slid it free, dropping it.

  “Take down your hair.”

  She gazed at him, thinking she could look at him and touch him forever.

  He pulled off his shirt and she drew a deep breath as she ran her hands over his chest, feeling the tight curls, the hard muscles. She leaned forward to kiss his chest and he inhaled deeply. “My love …” His trousers bulged, and she reached down to unbutton them and free him from constraint.

  “Turn around and let me get that corset unlaced, Sophia,” he said, kissing her nape. “You’re beautiful.” He trailed kisses to her ear, down her shoulder and back. “We’re burning this damnable garment,” he said as he tossed away the corset, and cupped her lush breasts in his hands.

  She moaned softly, wrapping her arms around him. “I want to consume you, to have you in me and part of me.”

  “I know,” he said in a husky rasp, his green eyes filled with love, a searing look that made her tremble with eagerness. “Sophia,” he whispered, leaning to kiss her, bending over her. “Ah, lass, ye’re mine forever!”

  Sophia tightened her arms, molding her body to the length of his hard frame, feeling her heart pound with joy, knowing that she was so fortunate, knowing she held the only man she would ever love.

  More from Sara Orwig...

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