“What about you? Shouldn’t you be in bed, or at least sitting down?”
“No, Dr. Graham was here this morning and said the swelling is almost gone. Thank goodness, I thought I might get frostbite from all the ice Martha kept packing on my leg. That or the hotel would run out of ice.”
“Let me see.”
This was Brett and he wouldn’t take no for answer, so she hoisted the hem of her skirt high enough for him to see her calf. After a few moments of his thorough scrutinizing, she asked, “Satisfied?”
“It does look good.” His eyes met hers. “You look good too.”
Her breath snagged in her lungs. The shine was back in his eyes. “So do you.”
He took her hands, both of them. “We need to talk.”
No longer needing the table for support, not with him near, she curled her fingers around his. “Yes, we do.”
He shuffled slightly and shook his head as if unsure where to start.
“I’ve missed you the past couple of days,” she said.
He shrugged. “I tried to keep my distance. Seemed like the last few times we’ve talked, I ended up putting my foot in my mouth and my teeth were getting sore.”
She shook her head, trying to hold in a giggle, but it still escaped. He was so…so charming. “You didn’t put your foot in your mouth. I’m the one who messed it all up.” Letting out a sigh, she said, “There has to be a way we can make this all work, Brett. Work for everyone. I love you. These past couple of days have made me realize that even more.”
“I love you too, Fiona.” Stepping forward, he let go of her hands to pull her into his arms.
His hug, his solid, strong, wonderful hug, filled her completely, right down to her soul, which came to life, knowing this was where she belonged. Encircled by him, loved by him.
“There is a way, Fiona,” he whispered. “If you’ll hear me out, I’ll try to explain it so it makes sense.”
A knock sounded on the door just then. More than a knock. A pounding that wouldn’t stop.
Fiona stepped back as Brett turned about and pulled open the door, and a passel of good old-fashioned disgust washed over her as Josiah barreled into the room.
Poking a finger at Brett’s chest, Josiah said, “I’m the only one ordering brides around here, Brett Blackwell.” He poked Brett again while adding, “The Betterment Committee was my idea, not yours.”
The breath Brett took made him look even taller, even broader. “What are you talking about, Josiah?”
Josiah wobbled slightly as he stepped back. “Hannah Olsen. I have it on good authority that you received a telegram informing you of her arrival.”
Fiona squeezed her hands into fists. If Josiah learned the truth behind Hannah’s arrival and her condition, he’d make the girl’s life miserable. Fearing that might be exactly what happened, she scrambled around the table to place herself between the two men. It was time for her to stand on her own two feet. In more ways than one. She was at the base of this mess and it was time she cleaned it up.
Brett, however, had moved, as well. He’d crossed the room and now opened the cupboard. Taking something out, he said, “I did. The telegram’s right here. It’s says I’m to expect Hannah Olsen midweek. What your ‘good authority’—no doubt Abigail White—forgot to mention was that this telegram was from my mother, and that my family has known Hannah all of her life.”
Ready to fight for Hannah’s secrecy as strongly as she’d fought for her own, Fiona said, “The other thing that Abigail doesn’t know is that Eric Olson died last month. Take it from me, until they live through it, no one understands a widow’s agony. How all they want to do is get away from it. From the pain. From the misery. From the memories. Brett’s mother knew he’d provide Hannah with a safe haven to adjust to Eric’s death without everyone reminding her of it on a daily basis.”
Josiah frowned and shook his head. “I wasn’t aware of that. I—Abigail…” He shrugged but then pulled on the lapels of his jacket. “I should have been informed.”
His pompous attitude tugged Fiona’s mind in another direction. He was so self-centered, so focused on who he was, that nothing else mattered to him. It blinded him to the point he didn’t even see what several others had. That she and Brett had fallen in love.
The hand Brett rested on the small of her back not only filled her with warmth, it filled her with courage. She glanced over at him and the look they shared was full of understanding and support.
Drawing a deep breath to preserve her courage, she turned to face Josiah. “I can’t marry you, Josiah. Can’t and won’t.”
“What do you mean you can’t?” he spouted, spraying spit. “Yes, you can and you will. You agreed to it.”
Fully understanding his ego meant that this had to be about him, not her, she said, “You’re a smart man, Josiah.” As he nodded, she continued, “You know I’m not the kind of wife a mayor needs. I’d rather go fishing than embroider flowers on napkins in order to impress houseguests.”
“Yes, well, you could change,” he said.
She bit her lip for a moment. “I could, but I wouldn’t expect my sons to. Rhett and Wyatt can get dirty just walking across the street. Little boys are like that. And they like to dig worms and collect bugs, and chase frogs and climb trees. They can be loud and rough, and all that would anger you. And with your busy schedule, you wouldn’t have time to see to all the things they’ll need while growing up.”
He let out a loud sigh and then planted a hand on the table. “I suspect you’re right, Fiona. I am extremely busy, and all of that would anger me.” As if understanding how shallow he sounded, he added, “Only because I am such a prominent figure and it’s expected my family will behave appropriately at all times.”
“Exactly,” she added and held in a grin at the muffled guffaw behind her. The fact he seemed to agree so readily surprised her, but it shouldn’t have. Josiah hadn’t truly wanted to marry her right from the start, she’d just been too stubborn to accept that. Or to focus on making it not happen. “I am sorry, Josiah, and will find a way to repay you the money it cost—”
“You don’t owe him anything,” Brett said. “The Betterment Committee paid for your train tickets out here. Didn’t it, Josiah?”
Josiah plopped down on the nearest chair. “Yes, but I was willing to reimburse the committee if it all turned out.” With a smirk, he added, “As you see, it didn’t. So I was smart not to use my own money.” He then held up a hand. “Before you ask, let me reassure you, just like I did every other man in town a short time ago, I did not gamble away any of the town’s money, or the committee’s. My contact in Ohio requested more money. It seems brides are harder to come by than we first thought. Shortly before Fiona contacted me, I’d sent Alfred Winsted—he’s the mayor of Bridgeport, Ohio, and we grew up together—the rest of the committee’s money, except for fifty dollars, which we needed to keep here for any additional expenses that might arise. When Fiona agreed to come, I told Alfred to pay for her passage out of that money.” Pulling on the lapel of his suit coat, he added, “But there will be six more brides, Alfred guarantees it.”
The hand Brett had on her back slid around to her side as he stepped closer beside her. “Six more?” he asked.
“Yes, we’ll get the full dozen,” Josiah said. “I gave my word to this community, and I’ll see that it happens.”
“Make it seven,” Brett said, looking down at her. “I’ll reimburse the committee for Fiona’s passage.”
“Why would you want to do that?” Josiah asked.
“Because I’m marrying her,” Brett said.
Fiona was afraid her heart would beat right out of her chest. Or that she might turn around and beg Brett to kiss her, right here in front of Josiah.
“What about that other gal you brought to town?” Josiah asked. “Don’t y
ou plan on marrying her?”
Brett shook his head while his eyes never left hers. “Hannah doesn’t need a husband, not right now, she just needs some looking after. Fiona and I will do that.”
If possible, her love for him grew tenfold. She nodded, letting him know she was in full agreement. And she wanted him to kiss her. Lord, how she wanted that. She’d missed him so much the past couple of days.
“Well,” Josiah said, pulling his jacket across his chest, “I suspect it will all work out just fine, then.” He stood and offered Brett his hand. Brett took it, and as they shook hands, Josiah said, “I must say I’m relieved. I’m a bit set in my ways and wasn’t looking forward to having a full house.” Turning slightly red in the face, he glanced at her. “No offense, Fiona.”
“None taken,” she answered, leaning a bit closer to Brett, craving his touch beyond all else.
“And I’m glad to hear you’ll be seeing to that other gal,” Josiah said. “When Abigail suggested she must be another mail-order bride, I almost had a heart attack. If I’d known the fiascos bringing single women to town would cause, I’d never have let Donald Swift convince me that it was a good idea.” He turned about. “Speaking of that, I must go see Micah at the bank. I don’t want him transferring money over for me to buy that house now, and…”
Fiona stopped listening to Josiah’s mumbling as he made his way out the door.
Brett’s eyes were once again locked with hers and knowing what was about to happen had her body tingling as an entirely feminine warmth spread throughout her system.
When his lips touched hers, nothing had ever felt more right. More perfect. And for the first time in her life, there wasn’t a single regret for her to harbor.
Looping her arms around his neck, she held on as he kissed her, and she kissed him back. Everything that had been empty inside her was suddenly so full she was overflowing with happiness. It was as if she was a completely new person. Healed from the inside out.
Brett’s lips left hers at the same time as he scooped her into his arms.
“What are you doing?” she asked as he walked around the table.
“Taking you back to bed so you are good and healed for our wedding.”
“I am good and healed,” she insisted. “Now put me down, I’m too heavy for you to be carrying around.”
“You’ll never be too heavy for me to carry,” he said, kissing her as they entered the bedroom.
He’d kicked the door shut. It was the desire inside her, the love she wanted to share with him right now that made her pull out of his kiss. “Put me down, we aren’t done talking.”
He didn’t just set her on the bed. He laid her on it and stretched out beside her. “You’re amazing,” he said softly while running a finger along the side of her face. “Letting Josiah think you couldn’t marry him for his sake.”
“I didn’t want to make him angry.” It was hard to think of others when he was touching her. It had her heart racing, and her mind. It was imagining how wonderful it would be to become his wife in every way. To be his wife every day for the rest of her life.
“We have Hannah to think of,” she managed to say.
He kissed her softly before he asked, “How did you know I planned on letting folks believe Hannah is a widow?”
She rolled onto her side so they faced each other and cupped his cheek with her hand. “Because I know you. I knew you wouldn’t stop until you found a way to take care of Hannah and to marry me at the same time. That was exactly what I wanted too, and I finally realized the only way it could happen would be for me to be open to suggestions.”
He lifted a brow. “Suggestions? I didn’t—”
“I know. Maggie did, and she can be very convincing when she has her mind set on something.”
“So can you.”
He was running a hand up and down her side and it was so enticing, her thoughts fluttered. It took determination to get them back on track. “Hannah and Eric would have been married if their families had allowed it,” she said. “They were awful to her, and she’s so scared, so heartbroken over his death. She truly does need looking after.”
* * *
Brett’s thoughts and desires grew stronger each moment he lay on the bed beside her. She was so beautiful. Her eyes held every color of the rainbow and sparkled like drops of dew catching the morning sun. He almost couldn’t believe he was this lucky. That she was going to be his wife. His to love forever.
A bout of seriousness overcame him. It wasn’t enough to quell his happiness or his desire, but enough to admit he wouldn’t shirk his other responsibilities. His mother had sent Hannah to him to take care of, to provide for, and he would. But that didn’t mean he had to marry her. “Hannah will stay here with us, as long as she needs. We have plenty of room. We’ll be the family she didn’t have back home. No one needs to know she and Eric weren’t married. It’s no one’s business, and if they think it is, they’ll answer to me. She’ll have that baby right here, and we’ll provide for her and her baby and love them just as much as we love Rhett and Wyatt and any other baby that comes into this family.”
He wiped at a tear that trickled out of her eye. “I was hoping that would be all right with you.”
Her smile was soft and sincere. “Of course it’s all right with me.”
“Will you talk to her about it with me?” he asked. “She cowers every time I walk past. I think I scare her.”
“It’s not you per se. It’s what she’s been through. How she’s been treated. She just needs time to heal, and to learn there are people who care about her.”
“You’re the perfect person to show her that,” he said. “You have more goodness and kindness inside you than anyone I’ve ever known. That’s just one of the things I love about you.”
“It’s one of the things I love about you too,” she answered softly. “I’d never have imagined I could love someone as much as I do you. It’s amazing, and so wonderful I can’t stop smiling.”
“Please don’t ever stop smiling,” he said. “The first time I met you I thought if there was one thing about you that I could change, it would be to see you smiling all the time.”
She scooted closer. “You, Brett Blackwell, are absolutely the most amazing man.”
Grasping her hip to press her tight against him, he kissed her soft lips. Not one to gloat, he figured this time he could. “I can’t wait to show you just how amazing I am.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
“I didn’t expect so many people,” Fiona said, twisting to scan the wagons parked on all sides of the church.
“No one would miss Brett Blackwell’s wedding,” Martha said.
“We just agreed to get married yesterday,” Fiona said, still in awe.
“And I spread the word as soon as you said yes,” Martha said with a laugh. She sighed then. “It’s all worked out so perfectly. It just couldn’t be better. And Brett couldn’t be marrying a more perfect, more beautiful woman than you.”
“It’s the dress,” Fiona said, referring to the gorgeous violet-colored gown that was trimmed with yards upon yards of white lace. “I can’t believe you had this hanging in your shop.”
“Well, I did, and now it’s yours.” Pausing as they neared the church steps, Martha fussed with the collar. “I am a wonderful seamstress, if I do say so myself. This fits you like a glove. Just as I knew it would.”
Martha had not only nursed her back to health, she’d become the best friend Fiona had ever had. Thinking about how fast her life had changed, Fiona shook her head. “I can’t believe that just a week ago I stepped off the train in Oak Grove, wondering if I’d made the biggest mistake of my life.”
“He might be big,” Martha said. “But he’s not a mistake.” With a wink, she nodded toward the church. “There’s your handsome groom, and two of th
e finest-looking young men this town has ever seen.”
Brett—with Wyatt on one side and Rhett on the other, all wearing matching black suits—stepped out of the church doorway. The three of them looked striking together. And proud. And happy.
“The women in the quilting club sew more than just quilts,” Martha said before she gently kissed her cheek and rushed off to scurry up the steps.
Brett walked down the steps and took her hand. “I figured the four of us would walk up the aisle together, if that’s all right with you?”
“That will be perfect,” Fiona answered, lifting the edge of her skirt. “Absolutely perfect.”
“We picked these for you, Ma,” Rhett said as she and Brett arrived on the top step.
Both boys handed her several sunflowers.
Even in their wilted state, they were the most beautiful flowers she’d ever seen. “Thank you,” she said. “They’re lovely.”
She and Brett had talked to her sons last night, and as she’d imagined, they were ecstatic about her marrying Brett rather than Josiah. But it had been later, after everyone had gone to bed, that she’d discovered just how happy it had made her sons. Especially Wyatt. He’d sneaked into her room, climbed up onto the bed and, while lying in the crook of her arm, told her how he’d prayed that she would marry Brett. In the dark, he’d whispered other things, telling her how scared and worried he’d been about their future, but how that was all gone now because he knew Brett would never let them down. He’d then talked about becoming a blacksmith, or a feed store owner, and shared a dozen other things he’d do before he’d finally dozed off.
Blinking back the tears that memory created, she knelt down and kissed both Rhett and Wyatt on the forehead. “Are you two ready?”
“This means we get to live with Brett forever, right?” Rhett asked.
Winning the Mail-order Bride & Pursued for the Viscount's Vengeance & Redeeming the Rogue Knight (9781488021725) Page 22