Although not as large as Bear, Joel Stone was a tall man and very handsome. How nice all her new friends acted for her special day. She smiled at Lucy and Martha as they all but danced ahead, tossing petals in their wake.
Then she spotted Bear, her Tobias, standing at the front with the preacher and the sheriff. How handsome Bear looked today in his black suit and white shirt. And how nervous. But he smiled at her and she floated up the aisle.
At last her dream of her own home and husband would come true. Soon her furniture would arrive. Her new life would be filled with tangible happy memories of her grandparents while she made happier ones with her husband, Erna, and her new friends.
A chill crept down her spine. She’d almost forgotten William and David. Any day now William would arrive and cause trouble. She had no doubt Bear would protect her, aided by Joel Stone and the sheriff. Would William’s accusations cause her new friends to shun her? She focused on Bear, refusing to let anything mar this day.
At the front of the church, Joel transferred her hand to Bear’s arm. Rosalyn took her bouquet.
Lucy’s stage whisper might as well have been a shout, “Papa, did you see what a good flower girl I was this time?”
Titters rippled through the sanctuary, muffling Joel’s reply to his daughter. Tabitha’s gaze met Bear’s and they shared smiles.
James spoke clearly as he looked over the crowd. “We are gathered here this day to unite this man and this woman in the bonds of holy matrimony . . . :”
Tabitha clung to Bear. Surprised a giant trembled, she couldn’t have said which of them shook more. She tried to listen to James, but her thoughts raced in a dozen directions.
“Do you Tabitha Elizabeth Masterson take this man to be. . .”
She nodded, and then remembered she needed to speak. “I do.”
“Do you, Tobias Andrew Baldwin, take this woman to be . . . “
Bear looked into her eyes. “I do.”
James smiled at them. “Then by the power invested in me, I pronounce you man and wife—“
The church door banged open. “Stop this wedding.” William rushed forward waving a paper. “This woman is betrothed to me and I have the contract here. She’s also wanted for stealing furniture and household goods from her brother’s home.”
No, how could this be happening? Her lovely wedding day ruined in front of all her new friends. Bear and Erna embarrassed.
Joel and his brothers Zach and Micah stood and faced William.
Together, Joel and Zach said, “Weldon Fisher?”
At the same time, Micah said, “Walter Forrest?”
William stopped and his eyes widened. He paled and turned as if ready to run for the exit. The Stone brothers rushed to grab him.
Joel reached their target first and latched on to his arm. “Butch, arrest this man. He’s a War criminal who led Fisher’s Raiders across the South.”
Micah grabbed William’s other arm. “He and his father and their men robbed a train and killed the guards. Got away with a fortune.”
William struggled to free himself. “You’re crazy. I’m William Forsythe. I came to take this woman back to Boston. I have paperwork to put that harlot in jail.”
Bear stormed down the aisle and lifted William off the floor by his lapels. “Don’t speak about my wife in those terms. Don’t speak her name ever again. Don’t speak about her at all.” He threw William to the floor. “She told me about you and the way you tried to assault her so she’d marry you.”
People gasped.
Micah stood over William. “Where’s your father? Did he come here with you?”
“You won’t find him.” He stood and pointed at Tabitha. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll keep your mouth shut. He knows where you are now.”
Tabitha stood firm. She was safe from William now and from his family. “His parents live in Medford, Massachusetts near Boston.” She glared at William. “You won’t have the chance to try and force yourself on me ever again.”
He shook his forefinger at her. “We’re engaged. I’ll sue you for breach of contract.”
She stomped her foot. “Stop saying we’re engaged. I told you I would never marry you. I’d be better off in the asylum my brother threatened me with than married to a lecherous lout like you. And now I find out you’re the criminal I always suspected you to be.”
“Miss Touch-me-not, I should have taught you a few things before the wedding. You’re bound to be frigid, you prissy bitch.”
Bear reached for William. “You lousy piece of—“ He let fly a fist that sent William sliding along the aisle toward the exit.
Butch brought out handcuffs and stepped between Bear and William. “I’ll take him to jail. You and Tabitha go ahead with your celebration. Joel and I already discussed this man. I’ll soon have him and his claims sorted out, and file the new charges against him.”
Micah watched the handcuffs go on. “Don’t forget his father. That man was the mastermind who planned the robbery.”
Zach stepped aside so Butch could lead the prisoner to jail. “His father was one of the raiders, too.”
William shouted “My family would have ruled smuggling with that shipping company. Tabitha, you bitch, this is your fault. You won’t get away with this.”
Butch drew his gun. “This is a house of worship. We Texans don’t take kindly to men disrespecting our women or our churches. You talk like that again, and I’ll shoot you.” He glanced over his shoulder and winked as he shoved his prisoner out the door.
Joel raised his hands to quiet the chattering guests. “Everyone’s invited to our house for the wedding reception.”
Several offered their congratulations but most hurried from the sanctuary. Were they rushing away from her or merely eager for refreshments? She thought they hastened away from a tarnished woman.
Humiliation shattered Tabitha and she sank onto the front pew and covered her eyes with her hands. Could she ever show her face in Radford Crossing again? And what had she done to Bear? He must hate her now. And Erna, what must she think?
Bear cupped her face. “Aw, honey, don’t cry. You know I don’t know what to say to a crying woman.”
She pulled away and dipped her head, too embarrassed to look at him. “How can I face you and your friends after what just happened? I so wanted to be a good wife, and already I’ve shamed you in public.”
He pulled her to stand and cradled her against his chest. “You did nothing of the sort. That man shamed himself and deserves whatever the law gives him.”
His strong hands slid in soothing circles on her back. “Imagine, him being one of the Fishers. I’ve read about all the people his raiders killed and the homes they looted and burned. And the women they attacked. You told me he was dishonest, but turns out he’s even worse than you suspected.”
“I didn’t dream he’d done all those things the Stone brothers mentioned. How frightening to think to think David wanted me to marry that man.”
Erna put an arm around each of them. “You’re sure lucky to have escaped that one, daughter.”
Daughter? What a sweet word. Tabitha wiped her eyes and peered at her new mother-in-law. “You’ll still accept me as your daughter-in-law? You’re not too angry with me?”
“Oh, Tabitha, I said ‘daughter’ because that’s what you are now. I’m proud of both my sons, but I’ve always wanted a girl. Beau lives so far away I hardly get to see his wife. I’m thankful you and Bear will be where I see you every day.”
Bear hugged Tabitha again and then released her. He caressed her hair and gazed into her eyes. He smiled at her and kissed the tip of her nose. “Now I’ve calmed down, I see this is the most entertaining thing that’s happened around here since Rosalyn first moved to town.”
Tabitha couldn’t hide her surprise. “Rosalyn? But she’s so elegant and kind. I can’t imagine her causing problems.”
“She didn’t, not any more than you were responsible for William’s actions. But believe me
, we had a lot of distractions from people against her.”
Erna chuckled. “Got downright lively around here for a while, but life settled down pretty fast.”
“You think people might accept me, even after what’s happened?”
“I’m sure of it.” He grasped her hand and smiled. “Mrs. Baldwin, don’t you agree we should go to our reception and greet our guests?”
Hope for the future bubbled forth in laughter. “Yes, Mr. Baldwin, I think we should.”
Epilogue
Ten months later
Bear entered the cabin and unbuttoned his coat. “Looks like we’re in for more snow.” He hung the coat on a peg by the door.
Tabitha looked up from her knitting but stopped the needles. She still had to concentrate or she’d miss stitches. “Any news from town?”
“Usual gossip.” He chuckled. “Of all things, Miss Castleberry answered a mail-order bride ad and is moving to Montana.”
“Cold time of year to go north.”
Bear handed Tabitha an envelope. “Collected the mail. This one’s for you.”
“That looks like David’s handwriting.” She opened the seal and scanned the pages.
“That awful Bertha took everything valuable and sailed for France.”
Tabitha rocked, hardly able to believe what she read. “She admitted to David that she and William wanted access to the shipping company for smuggling just as I’d written him. She tried to convince David to use American Atlantic Shipping with her for the same nefarious purposes. She guaranteed they’d make a fortune.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh my word. After she left, David learned Bertha was actually married to William. David’s marriage wasn’t legal.”
“Well, I’ll be a son of a gun. You were right to suspect her. And after her so-called brother-cum-husband and his father intended to use American Atlantic Shipping to smuggle stolen goods, she tried to do the same without them.”
“I can’t help feeling sorry for David. He’s apologized for the way he treated me. He’s had to sell half interest in the company to replace the capital Bertha spent and stole and he mismanaged.”
“Honey, remember he threatened to lock you in an asylum and he accused you of stealing your own inheritance.”
She smiled at him. “But now that I know how powerful lovemaking is, I understand how Bertha controlled him.”
His blue eyes twinkled. “You saying I control you? I thought it was the other way around.”
She tilted her head and considered. “I don’t mean you try to control me, just that being with you is powerful. I can see how an inexperienced man could fall prey to a woman who knew how to use her wiles on him.”
He laughed and removed the yarn and needles from her hands. “That’s what happened to me. You certainly know how to use your wiles.” He leaned near. “Why don’t we go to our room and you show me how you control me?”
Tabitha glanced toward the kitchen. “Shhh. Tobias Andrew Baldwin, you are scandalous.”
As if she couldn’t hear them, Erna hummed as she busily worked dough for bread. Tabitha sighed, wishing her breads turned out as well as her mother-in-law’s. At least she’d mastered the other chores expected of a ranch wife.
Her husband lifted her into his arms and then settled into what had been her grandfather’s upholstered armchair. “Then why don’t you tell me again how much you love me.”
She nuzzled her head against his shoulder. “You know I do, more than I ever dreamed possible.”
“I love you, Tabitha Elizabeth Baldwin. More than I ever dreamed possible.” He slid his hand to her rounded abdomen. “And I’ll love our baby and be a good father.”
Their babe chose that instant to kick. Tabitha covered her husband’s hand with hers. “Soon, Tobias. Only a couple more weeks and you can hold our baby.”
“I don’t have to wait, my love. Now I can hold you both. My precious treasures for all time.”
Author’s Note
Dear Readers,
If you’d like to know about other releases, contests, giveaways, and other events, please sign up for my newsletter here.
Thank you for reading my book. If you enjoyed this story, please leave a review wherever you purchased the book. You’ll be helping me and I’ll appreciate your effort. So will prospective readers.
Best wishes,
Caroline
More from Caroline Clemmons
Caroline’s western historical titles:
The Most Unsuitable Wife, Kincaids book one
The Most Unsuitable Husband, Kincaids book two
The Most Unsuitable Courtship, Kincaids book three
Gabe Kincaid, Kincaids book four, Amazon bestseller
Brazos Bride, Award winning Men of Stone Mountain Texas book one
Buy the Audiobook here
High Stakes Bride, Men of Stone Mountain Texas book two
Buy the Audiobook here
Bluebonnet Bride, Men of Stone Mountain Texas book three
Tabitha’s Journey, a Stone Mountain Texas mail-order bride novella
Stone Mountain Reunion, a Stone Mountain Texas short story
Stone Mountain Christmas, a Stone Mountain Texas novella
Winter Bride, a Stone Mountain romance
The Texan’s Irish Bride, McClintocks book one
O’Neill’s Texas Bride, McClintocks book two
Save Your Heart For Me, a sensual western adventure novella
Happy Is The Bride, a sweet humorous wedding novella
Long Way Home, a sweet Civil War adventure novella
Caroline’s Time Travel
Out Of The Blue, 1845 Irish lass comes forward to today
Caroline’s Contemporary Titles
Be My Guest, mildly sensual
Snowfires, sensual
Home Sweet Texas Home, Texas Home book one, sweet
Caroline’s Mysteries:
Almost Home, a Link Dixon mystery
Death In The Garden, a Heather Cameron cozy mystery
Take Advantage of Bargain Boxed Sets:
Wild Western Women: Kirsten Osbourne, Callie Hutton, Caroline Clemmons, Sylvia McDaniel, and Merry Farmer
Mail-Oder Tangle: Linked books are Mail-Order Promise by Caroline Clemmons and Mail-Order Ruckus by Jacquie Rogers
Hearts and Flowers: Save Your Heart For Me, Happy Is The Bride, and
Long Way Home
10 Timeless Heroes, time travels include Out Of The Blue and novels by
Sky Purington, Skhye Moncreif, Donna Michaels, Beth Trissel, P. L. Parker, L. L. Muir, Linda LaRoque, and Nancy Lee Badger
Antholgoy
Rawhide and Roses, anthology of fifteen 2,000 word short stories by various western historical authors
TRAIL BLAZE
By
Merry Farmer
Trail Blaze
By Merry Farmer
Chapter One
Along the Oregon Trail, 1858
It didn’t matter how many times her fellow passengers marveled over the relative speed and convenience of stagecoach travel, Darcy Howsam was done with it. For weeks she’d been rattling on over the prairie, racing toward the frontier and the future that she had pinned all of her hopes on. Stagecoach was the fastest way to travel—why, an intrepid adventurer could make it from St. Louis to San Francisco by stagecoach in a month—but it was far from the most comfortable.
“No need to fidget, dearie,” the older woman squashed against Darcy, Mrs. Folsom, told her with a long-suffering smile. “We’re almost there.”
“Are we?”
Darcy heaved a sigh and looked around the woman to see out the stagecoach window. The prairie had barely changed for the past two weeks. Everything around them was flat grassland, dotted by the occasional military outpost or new farm. The West was the land of opportunity. Anyone who wanted to pull up their roots and make a name and a life for themselves in the vast, fertile land had done exactly what Darcy herself was doing for more than a decade now. West was the di
rection of hope, the direction of promise.
Darcy pressed the letter she’d been carrying every step of her journey tighter between her sweating hands. West was her last hope. Mr. Conrad Huber was her last hope.
“If you don’t stop wringing that poor letter, you’re bound to destroy it,” Mrs. Folsom sighed. “You’ve been fiddling with it since we left St. Louis.” The older woman’s voice betrayed just how irksome she found Darcy’s fiddling.
“Sorry,” Darcy said, pressing the letter flat to her lap.
It was a challenge to resist reading the letter over and over. It contained the words that had changed her life. Ever since her parents and siblings had died in an epidemic, leaving her completely on her own, Darcy’s fortunes had sunk. She’d done her best to seek employment in a shop at home in Maryland, and when that failed, as a servant in a grand house. But something always seemed to go wrong. The shop-owner had gone out of business, and the lady of the house where she had become a maid didn’t like the way her husband looked at Darcy. Darcy didn’t like it either.
It was the leering looks of Mr. Tavener that had instilled in her the need to flee and given her an idea of how she could go. For more than a decade, men had been going west to seek their fortunes. Men. Not women. Wives were in demand on the furthest edges of the frontier. Darcy had sought out newspaper advertisements of men seeking wives to join them in places like California, the Oregon Territory, or the Nebraska Territory. She’d answered an advertisement from Mr. Huber, who said he needed a woman who could cook and clean for him in California. He’d replied to her inquiry, telling her to come and sending her the money for passage as far as Ft. Laramie.
That letter and the money it had contained was the different between a life of disgrace and moral danger for Darcy and the chance to build something new. Of course she would hold and read and press it to her heart as frequently as she could.
“Ft. Laramie,” the stagecoach driver called from his perch on the driver’s seat. “Ft. Laramie ahead.”
His voice was muffled through the stagecoach walls, but the weary travelers hummed and sighed with relief nonetheless.
Wild Western Women Ride Again: Western Historical Romance Boxed Set Page 41