The sewing circle gave Rachel a new lease of life, she loved the company, the gossip and the interaction. It also got her into town more often and there Rachel worked on Justin. Subtly at first. Dropping hints about her best friend and cousin and eventually just outright telling him what a good person she was. It took time but soon Nathan found he was looking forward to hearing about her and he wrote that first letter six months to the day of Rachel’s arrival. It was the first of many, and before long he was inviting Charlotte to come out with the intention of proposing marriage.
Chapter 3
Charlotte felt awful. She had got onto the train feeling as fit and as healthy as she could. Her mother and brother had seen her off, and all had been well. But as the journey went on, Charlotte felt the heavy air press down on her and make her feel like her chest was being squeezed. She felt nauseous from the rumbling and jolting of the train, and the cramped conditions were making her head spin.
She had never traveled on a train before. After this, Charlotte had no intention of going on a train ever again. Not if she was going to feel like she was squeezed into a tight box without any air.
If she had known this was how she would feel during this journey, Charlotte would never have agreed to come to Arizona. She would have stayed in New York, even if she didn’t want to stay. But she was here now, and Charlotte had to make the most of it.
That was once she could stand up without feeling dizzy. That was once she could breathe again. Taking short, sharp gasps, she tried to stand. Most of the passengers had already departed the train before she was able to muster the effort. Slowly, cautiously and gasping every step of the way, she made her way along the carriage. Suddenly a gentle hand was on her arm. A kindly faced porter came to her aid.
The porter at Canyon’s train station had taken one look at her and refused to leave her side. He had taken all her luggage out and helped her from the carriage, allowing her to sit on the luggage, so she didn’t have to stand. Closing her eyes, Charlotte took a deep breath. Cool, crisp air filled her lungs. It didn’t smell polluted or thick with smoke. It smelled good, clean, and invigorating.
Charlotte took another breath; the air was too good to not take advantage of.
She opened her eyes and saw the porter watching her in concern.
“How are you feeling now, Miss?”
To Charlotte’s surprise, she was feeling a little better. She gave him a weak smile between gasps.
“A little better, thank you.”
“Is there someone picking you up?”
“My future husband.” Charlotte huddled in her coat as the wind whipped around her. “His name’s Nathan Price. He said he would take me to his home from here.”
It was happening. Really happening. She was in Canyon about to marry a saloon owner and start a new life. Her cousin would be in town, and Charlotte could have a life that didn’t have her mother and aunt looking over her shoulder all the time.
It felt good that she could have her own life now. Even with the nausea making her stomach clench and her head swimming, making her feel faint and dizzy.
The porter hovered near her side for a moment. Then he darted out of sight. Charlotte’s head hurt too much for her to turn it to see where he had gone. There were voices just on the edge of her hearing and then someone appeared in front of her. It wasn’t the porter. Charlotte couldn’t raise her head, so she watched as the newcomer moved to kneel in front of her. Dark hair, an unshaven chin, sat beneath a handsome face with hazel eyes. The man had broad shoulders encased in a thick coat, and she felt her breath hitch again. Charlotte hadn’t seen a photograph of this man but didn’t need to ask to know who he was.
Gasping for each desperate breath, she looked at her future husband... that was if he proposed to her after this... it was Nathan Price... in the flesh.
“Charlotte?” Nathan was wide-eyed and slack-jawed. Charlotte guessed she must have looked as white as a sheet. He reached out, and long fingers touched her cheek. “My God, what’s happened?”
“Nothing’s happened.” Charlotte wished she didn’t feel so ill. The touch of his hand on her cheek felt really nice. “I just don’t travel well.”
He was handsome, even unshaven. Charlotte found she liked that look; it made him appear more masculine. She had an urge to reach up and see how soft the beard felt against her palm, but her arms were refusing to work.
“You look like you’ve been in a train wreck instead of a train ride.” Nathan’s jaw clenched. He reached forward. “Come here.”
Charlotte didn’t know what Nathan was doing until he stood, swinging her up into his arms. Charlotte squealed and grabbed onto his shoulders. The sudden movement made her head spin even more.
“What are you doing?”
“You’re not in any fit state to walk.” Nathan began to walk towards the exit. “I’m going to take you back to the saloon.”
“What about my luggage?”
“That will be taken care of.” Nathan nodded to the porter. “You’re more important right now.” Nathan’s expression was grim, his eyes showing his concern. “You’re going to rest there until you’re better.”
No one had ever carried her before, at least not for years. She had been carried around like a little girl by her father but never like this. No man would even consider carrying her like she was the most treasured person in the world. Nathan held her against his chest, his step sure as he made his way across the street from the station to the saloon. People stared at them as they went past, but Charlotte buried her face into his neck to hide her embarrassment. Nathan didn’t seem to notice them, either. He just kept going until he entered the saloon.
Charlotte didn’t look up as she heard him going up the stairs and push open a door. It wasn’t until she was being set down on something soft that Charlotte looked around. They were in a bedroom. It was beautiful. There were crisp, clean linens on the bed and a few feminine touches around the room.
Nathan knelt before her and took her hands.
“Don’t worry too much about your condition,” he said soothingly. “You’re going to rest there until you’re better.”
“But…” Charlotte stuttered. “What about everything else?”
She began to panic that this was going to stop them from getting married. If they didn’t get married because she was ill, Nathan might send her back. Charlotte didn’t want to go back. That would result in embarrassment that she wouldn’t be able to get over and Judith would hold it over her head. Who would marry her after that? Charlotte wanted this new beginning, wanted this new life more than she could say.
Nathan smiled and squeezed her hands.
“You don’t need to worry about that. You don’t need to do anything until you’re better. I’m not going to force you to do anything while you’re ill.”
That was the sweetest thing that any man had ever said to her. But Charlotte didn’t like the fact that her being ill was messing up their plans. They had almost agreed to get married as soon as Charlotte arrived. Only Nathan had been going to propose properly. He wanted to do it to her face. Still, they both knew that the wedding was to take place almost instantly. Now it was looking as if their plans were going to be delayed. Charlotte hated delays and worried that Nathan would change his mind. What man wanted a weak and sickly wife?
“I’ll be fine in a moment.”
“But you’re ill!”
“I’m feeling better.” Charlotte glanced into the mirror behind Nathan’s head and gestured at her reflection. “See? I’m not as pale as I was before.” She took Nathan’s hand and pressed it to her forehead. “And I’m not burning up. I was just travel-sick.”
Nathan hesitated. His fingers flexed against her forehead, his fingers felt cool, almost icy against her clammy skin. The sudden cold feeling of Nathan’s hand had her biting back a gasp. She hadn’t expected his hands to be so cold. Charlotte could tell she wasn’t burning up and she wasn’t sweating the way she would if she had a fever.
“If you’re sure?” Nathan said hesitantly.
“I’m sure.” Charlotte lowered his hand and gave him an embarrassed smile. “I haven’t left a good first impression, have I?”
Nathan’s mouth quirked into a smile.
“It’s certainly an interesting way to meet for the first time.”
Charlotte swallowed as her heart missed a beat. Now that her breathing had returned to normal she could take things in. Even with the beard, something she wasn’t normally keen on, Nathan was a handsome sight. She could sit all day just looking at him and not get bored.
Yet, what would he see in her now? They had seemed to get on through their letters – almost too well, in her opinion – but now they were face-to-face, and Nathan had seen her breathing difficulties first-hand. Would he want to marry someone who wasn’t physically fit? Charlotte didn’t know if she would be able to carry children in her condition but the thought of going back home as a failure terrified her.
She bit her lip.
“Do you... do you... do you still want to marry me?” she asked nervously. “Shall I go back to New York?”
Nathan shook his head. He knelt and took her hands in his, giving her a gentle smile.
“No, I want you to stay. You’re in no condition to travel, as it is. You just gave me a surprise, that’s all.” He reached out and brushed his fingers across her jaw, tickling her skin. “I made a promise, remember? I don’t break my promises.”
Charlotte knew that. She had known right at the start her husband-to-be was an honorable man. When he made a promise, he kept it. Even if he didn’t like the situation, he didn’t turn away. That he had stressed in every letter and Charlotte was grateful for it now.
She squeezed his hands and gave him a smile.
“Thank you.”
Nathan smiled back. Still, on his knees, he raised her hand to his lips. “Charlotte McCann, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Charlotte was flooded with relief. This was not quite the proposal she had hoped for, but it was more than she could expect. “Yes,” she said. “Can I just have half an hour to recover my breath?”
“You can have as long as you want.” He kissed her cheek, his beard feeling surprisingly soft against her jaw.
“A half hour should do. I promise I’m not always like this. I can look after myself, and I can take care of you.”
Nathan winked. “I know you can, but from now on I’ll take care of you.”
Charlotte didn’t doubt that at all.
It took Charlotte a little longer to recover. She and Nathan were married at the courthouse just two days later. In the meantime, she kept to her bed and was visited by the doctor. Nathan was clearly worried and was looking after her like an old mother hen.
The wedding was not as romantic as she had hoped but that did not matter. She had not been rejected, and her new life could begin.
Chapter 4
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Rachel squealed.
Charlotte laughed. Even after ten minutes since she had come to see her friend, Rachel was still behaving like an excited little girl.
“I know. It feels really strange, doesn’t it?”
She glanced towards Nathan, who was standing by the mantelpiece talking to Justin. They were half-turned away from them, speaking in low voices. Nathan had been the one to suggest they went to visit Rachel and her new husband as soon as they left the courthouse, which Charlotte had readily agreed to.
It was clear that Rachel was delighted with the idea. She had grabbed Charlotte as soon as she arrived, hugging her tightly as she gave off little squeals. Charlotte had been just as excited, much to Nathan’s surprise and amusement. Then Rachel had dragged her to a couch and made her sit down so they could talk.
Nathan had greeted Rachel warmly before moving to stand with Justin, who kept his distance. Charlotte wasn’t sure what to make of Rachel’s new husband. He was handsome, certainly, and Rachel clearly adored him by the way she kept looking at him, but he was also quiet, simply nodding in greeting at Charlotte. Charlotte guessed he was just shy and respected that; she wasn’t one to be disrespectful of others boundaries.
“How are you feeling yourself?” Rachel asked, taking her attention away from the men. “There’s a sparkle in you I haven’t seen before.”
“I’ve only been here a couple of days!”
“I know but it looks like being here is already doing you some good.”
Now she thought about it, Charlotte realized her cousin was right. She was feeling a lot better even after only a couple of days in Canyon. Even Nathan had been surprised at the change in her health, which had been appalling when she first arrived. As soon as he was sure Charlotte was well, Nathan had taken Charlotte to the courthouse to be married.
It was a whirlwind and hardly romantic, but Charlotte was happy with it. At least all they had to worry about was turning up.
“I think the change in the air is better for me.” She rubbed her chest. “I still cough a bit but not as much. And very little seems to tighten my chest and stop me breathing now.”
Back at home, Charlotte’s mother would be sympathetic for a time whenever her coughing fits started but then soon dismissed it and told her not to be dramatic. Charlotte loved her mother, but she was frustrated when it came to Charlotte’s health. Her aunt Judith, on the other hand, either told her to stop as nobody cared or she would try to pretend she was even more ill to take the attention off her. Charlotte was glad the woman didn’t live near them anymore, and with her opinions on people in the West, she wouldn’t be visiting anytime soon, if at all.
“Is Nathan looking after you?” Rachel nodded at Nathan. “He’s been pretty excited about you coming here.”
“He has?” Charlotte arched an eyebrow at her cousin. “He hasn’t shown it.”
“He’s just not one to show it, but trust me, he has been excited.”
That was true enough. Charlotte sighed and looked at her husband. He had trimmed his beard, and it was still soft. She was getting used to seeing it. Now she was beginning to hope he wouldn’t shave it off.
“He is looking after me. Maybe a little bit too much, sometimes.”
“How so?”
Charlotte made sure Nathan wasn’t paying attention before turning to Rachel and lowering her voice.
“He’s treating me like I’ve been spun out of glass. I can barely do anything without him saying I’m going to overdo it. It’s frustrating. I just want to be me without having him hovering over him.”
“And it’s frustrating you?”
“You have no idea.”
Charlotte had gotten used to people leaving her to her own devices. It was something Rachel and her had become used to as they got older. More often than not they would depend on each other and no one else if they needed help. So, to have someone hovering over her and acting as if she was so fragile felt good in one way but in another, it irked her. Nathan was being attentive, yes, but it felt a little suffocating.
“You need to tell him that.”
“I know that but have you told Justin that you’re lonely?” Charlotte shook her head when she saw Rachel’s expression fall. “You haven’t, have you?”
Rachel had confessed that she was feeling lonely because the lifestyle in Canyon was so much slower than New York. Justin tried his best, but he didn’t like crowds. Even when they went to church, he was quiet and withdrew from people. Rachel was a social butterfly and Charlotte could see she was struggling with the slow pace.
Rachel sighed and looked down at her hands.
“I love him, Charlotte. I do. I just don’t want to hurt his feelings. He tries his best but…”
“You’re still lonely.”
Rachel nodded. She looked close to miserable. Charlotte glanced towards the men. Justin was looking at his wife, and he looked pained. But he didn’t make to approach her. It was like he was too shy to approach his own wife.
Charlotte turned back to her cousi
n. An idea was starting up in her head.
“Let’s see if we can do something about that.” She grinned when she saw Rachel’s face light up. “But you’re going to have to bear with me while I sort it out.”
“Of course. But what are you up to?”
Charlotte winked.
“You’ll see.”
Chapter 5
The evening had passed pleasantly enough. Charlotte and Rachel had taken up most of the conversation, which Nathan and Justin had been happy to allow. They simply ate their meal and sat back to listen to their wives chatter away about anything and everything.
Nathan sat back, watched and admired. He was feeling pretty good about his wife and their new life together. Even after the worry and fear at the train station when Charlotte very nearly collapsed, he knew he had chosen well. Charlotte was a sweet-natured, loving woman with a ready laugh and a quick wit. Even with her ill health she didn’t let it stop her from living life to the fullest. This worried Nathan enough that he tried to stop her from doing too much. He could see it was upsetting Charlotte, but Nathan didn’t want her to make herself ill because she overworked.
It was refreshing to see his wife interacting happily with her cousin. She seemed to be showing no shortness of breath or signs of collapsing, but Nathan couldn’t be too sure.
He adored her from their letters. Meeting her had only made that adoration stronger. He feared what could happen to her and found it very hard to sit back and let her get on with her life. What would happen if she became ill again, or if, God forbid, he should lose her?
After a wonderful night, they set out for home. Charlotte sat beside him as they traveled on their wagon back to Canyon. She huddled against him and shivered. Nathan glanced across at her.
“Are you feeling all right?”
“I’m fine.” Charlotte managed a smile up at him. “Just a little cold. Stupid me, I forgot a warmer shawl.”
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