by Elle E Kay
Her eyes flew open at the sound of the door opening.
“Adeline, it’s Nate. Are you dressed?”
“Yes.”
He lit the kerosene lamp and stood over her. Her heart felt like it was doing somersaults as she stared at him. “Us being alone together in a room after dark is scandalous, Nathaniel.”
“I like the way you say my name.” He took another step toward the bed.
“Are you forgetting we’re not actually married?” She propped herself up on the headboard.
“I’m fully aware of what we are and are not.”
She cleared her throat.
He reached over and put his hand behind her neck and rubbed his thumb along the length of her neck. “What are we doing here, love?” He stroked her cheekbone with his knuckles.
“You’re the one who came into the room. Why don’t you tell me?” A nervous giggle escaped. “Why do you call me love?”
“It suits you.”
“Why?”
“Several reasons.”
“Do you care to enlighten me?”
“Not now.”
“Where will you sleep?”
“Where do you think?”
She felt warmth flood her cheeks.
“You look alluring with a healthy blush, love.”
She lowered her eyes and stared at her hands.
He took her hands in his and lifted them to his lips. “If you were my wife, I wouldn’t walk away. I would do every single one of the things I’ve been dreaming of doing to you since the moment you smashed me over the head at the river.”
Breathlessly, she asked, “And what things are those?”
“To repeat those thoughts to a woman not my own would indeed be scandalous, my love. Get some sleep. I’ll be back before sunrise with supplies, so you can freshen up for your wedding day. Then I will take my time showing you.”
He firmly shut the door behind him, leaving her gaping open-mouthed.
∞∞∞
Nate leaned against the outside of the hotel room door and wondered if he was making a mistake. He’d heard talk of a circuit riding preacher due to arrive on the stage-coach today. Would she be willing to marry him? If she wanted his continued protection, she’d have no choice. There was no way he would disappoint his father by dishonoring her. Yet, it was impossible to expect him to keep his hands off her any longer. Either she would get on that stage-coach and head back to Kansas City or she would marry him. It was a simple choice for her to make.
He sunk to the floor with his back to the door. His gut twisted at the thought she might choose to return home rather than remain with him. John Bradshaw agreed to give a full account of the heinous things they’d done to her while she was held captive. People would know she was innocent. She would be safe from everyone, but him. She should go home. There was a suitor waiting for her. The gentleman who’d paid the detectives to find her. Was she in love with James Cleveland? She would probably choose to go.
This impulsiveness was not his usual style. He raked his fingers through his hair. His feet nearly gave out under him when he stood. He’d never been given to nervousness. He knocked softly on the door.
She opened it. “What did you mean, Nathaniel?”
He held out the package. “I brought you a new dress.”
“What did you mean about my wedding day? Who do you intend for me to marry?”
“Me.”
“Why?”
“It’s necessary.”
“That’s not a reason to marry,” she said.
Nate walked past her and stared out the window. “Did you sleep well?”
“What do you think? I didn’t get another moments rest after what you said when you left here.”
“I won’t force you, Adeline.”
“You won’t?”
“If you want to go home, the stage-coach will be here shortly. I’ll put you on it.”
“You will?”
“Yes.”
“What happens if I don’t get on the coach?”
“If you choose to stay, we will be married. The circuit preacher is arriving on today’s stage-coach. The wedding will take place when he arrives.”
“Why would you marry me?”
“I told you, it’s necessary.”
“Necessary. What does that even mean?”
“I’m not sure I can answer that.”
“I wish you would’ve answered differently. I don’t want to get on that coach, but I will.”
He drew her into his arms and held her close. There was a heavy ache in his heart. He would have to let her go.
∞∞∞
Adeline leaned into his embrace. If he’d said he cared for her she’d have agreed to marry him. Her feelings for him grew stronger every minute she spent in his presence. Leaving him behind would be torturous, but she would not enter a marriage of convenience any more now than she would have before her abduction. If she was to marry him, he had to want to be with her. Not for her protection, but because he cared for her. His motives seemed noble, but she needed him to be fond of her. Maybe even grow to love her.
She’d fallen in love with him, but what did it matter if his feelings were merely protective ones. A lawman doing his job. How she wished it were different. She lifted her head and gazed into his eyes. The passion there was unmistakable. He wanted her, but he hadn’t even kissed her. He’d had numerous opportunities, but he hadn’t crossed that line. A gentleman through and through. No, she had to be deluded. If he felt any passion, he would act on it, wouldn’t he? If he wouldn’t, she would.
She stood on her tiptoes and brushed her lips across his. The contact made her insides melt like butter. Pulling back, she studied his reaction. The look in his eyes was unreadable. He grabbed the back of her head and lowered his mouth to hers. His kiss was hungry and urgent. He pulled her body close, molding it against his. After several minutes of passionate kissing. She broke free from his embrace and stepped away. “I will ask you one last time, Nathaniel. Why would you choose to marry me?”
“I need you.”
It was enough for her. “Then, yes. I will marry you.”
He reached for her again and brushed her hair from her face. “Get changed, please. We’ll be married in a few hours.”
She remained silent and he pulled her back to him. His kiss was gentler this time, his body more relaxed. “Tonight, you’ll be mine, Adeline.”
A thrill shot up her spine at the thought of having this man she’d grown to love as her own. “And you’ll be mine.”
“I suppose I will be.” He kissed her once more. “I’ll be back in fifteen minutes.” He stepped out and closed the door.
How was she to prepare for a wedding in fifteen minutes? She could barely breathe. Would ‘need’ be an adequate basis for beginning a marriage?
She’d prayed throughout the night. While she’d hoped Nathaniel’s reference to her wedding day meant he wanted to marry her, and his innuendo seemed to suggest it was the case, she hadn’t been sure. She’d considered running again, but didn’t want to leave him. Her prayers had been scattered and confused. She’d asked for clarity and direction. God had gotten her through so much pain and tragedy in the past months. He’d protected her even when she’d willed herself to die. His love was present even when she turned her face from Him. He’d known the end from the beginning and had kept her alive. Was it for this? So she could be Nathaniel Hayes' wife?
Then she remembered her scars. What would he think when he saw them? He wouldn’t want to marry a woman disfigured by scars. Would he? She had to tell him. It wasn’t fair to wait until they were wed. What if he discarded her? Tears fell unbidden. She hadn’t shed tears since the night they’d taken her from her home. God had given her the strength to avoid giving Ellis the satisfaction of seeing her cry. Yet, now the fear of rejection overwhelmed her and she couldn’t stop the flow of tears.
She sobbed. Her whole body shook with emotion and she let herself feel the pain.
∞∞∞
Nate busted into the room without knocking. “I heard you crying. What’s wrong? We don’t have to get married if you don’t want to.”
“I want to.”
“Then what is it?”
“I can’t talk about it.”
“Adeline, if I’m to be your husband, you’re going to have to tell me what has you so upset. Did I do something?”
“Yes. No.”
“Which is it?”
“I don’t know.”
“You are raving like a lunatic.”
“I know.”
“You do?”
“Yes.”
“I’m going to hold you now. Is that agreeable?”
“Yes, please.”
He pulled her into his arms and stroked his hand up and down her back. “Woman, even in an emotional state, you make me crazy with desire.”
“I thought you were ‘inured to my charms’?”
“If only I’d been speaking the truth.”
“You’re a liar, Nathaniel.”
“I’ve confessed my sins to the Lord, and asked Him to direct my steps. I’m fairly certain this marriage is His plan.” Nate kissed the top of her head.
“I hope so.”
“Me too,” Nate said.
“I must tell you something.”
“I realize the things that must’ve been done to you while you were in captivity. I’m not naive. I understand if you’re not pure. I still want to marry you.”
“I remain a virgin.”
“All those months?” His voice broke on the words. “They left you be?”
“No. I’m a virgin, but I’m far from pure and undefiled. In the early days, Ellis touched me as often as he could. I was tied up, so fighting back wasn’t a viable option, although I tried. The more I fought the happier he was, so eventually I stopped fighting. He attempted to rape me several times, but was too inebriated to succeed. I think after the third time he gave up. The others considered me Ellis’ property and left me alone.”
“I’m sorry you suffered through that, love.” He stroked her hair.
She swallowed the lump in her throat. If only he meant it when he called her ‘love’ so casually.
He continued, “You deserve a better life than I can give you, but I will try to be the husband you need.”
There it was again. Need. She did need him if she was being honest, but she wanted a marriage built on more than mutual need. She wanted to be loved.
She pulled away from him, walked over to the bed, and sat on the edge. “I must finish telling you before I lose my courage.”
“I’m listening.”
“It might be better to show you.” She reached for her hemline with the intention of lifting her skirts.
“Adeline, you don’t have to do this.”
“You need to see the scars. If you don’t see them now you’ll be shocked later and I don’t want to trap you.”
“You are not trapping me. I don’t care about scars. Except that they make me want to kill the man who caused you pain.”
“You did kill him.” She wondered if he would still make light of the scars once he saw how disfigured she was.
∞∞∞
He didn’t mention he’d seen her scars the morning he’d left for Santa Fe. It didn’t matter now, they would be married tonight and his improper conduct where she was concerned would be a thing of the past. She would be his. Scars and all.
Time had gotten away from them while she’d wept in his arms. There was no time for her to get ready and join him at the stage-coach. He hurried to meet the coach. When the man carrying a worn Bible stepped off, he nearly exploded with anticipation. Maybe he wanted this more than he was admitting to himself. A man getting married to protect a woman should not be this elated. He knew he was fooling himself. He wasn’t protecting her. He was taking her for his own.
He spotted William Pinkerton and took a deep breath. Her saving grace was here. She didn’t need to marry him. Her boss was here to save her. Was it a chance he could take? He should greet Will. He was an old-friend who had worked on several cases with him, but in this moment he would give anything to send Pinkerton back where he came from.
“Nate! I’m pleased to see you.”
“Hello, Will.”
“I came to find one of my detectives, George Nelson. He seems to have disappeared.”
“Never heard of him.”
Will pulled out a sketch and showed him. “I’ve seen him. Ellis Ricketts put a bullet in his head in the river by the Pallisade Sills.”
“Well that’s disturbing.”
“I’m also here to assist one of our female detectives, Miss Adeline McCarty. Have you seen her?”
“I have.”
“Is she well?”
“She is.”
“Would you be willing to take me to her?”
“Not yet. Give me a few hours, would you?”
“That would be agreeable. It will give me time to settle into my room.”
“Meet me at the sheriff’s office at three o’clock this afternoon.”
Nate turned to the preacher. “Would you kindly come with me, sir?”
The preacher followed Nate into the hotel. “I need you to perform a marriage, will you do that?”
“That depends on several things.”
“What things, sir?”
“You can call me Pastor Evans.”
“On what things does it depend, Pastor?”
“Are you both believers?”
“We are.”
“Is the woman willing to be married?”
Nate laughed, but deep down he wondered. “Yes. She is.”
“Is there someone who can witness the wedding?”
“I’ll get someone.” Nate walked off and grabbed a patron stumbling from the saloon.
“This is your witness?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t think this man is sober.”
“Fine. Give me one minute.”
Nate hurried back out of the hotel. “Pinkerton come here a moment, would you?”
“Sure.”
“I need you to witness a wedding.”
“Whose getting married?”
“I am.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“Well, believe it.” Nate grabbed his shoulder and led him to the preacher. “Pastor, I brought William Pinkerton to witness the wedding. He’s sober.”
“If you have the young lady stashed around here somewhere, we can get started.”
“I’ll get her. Is the hotel lobby adequate?”
“It’s perfectly acceptable. The Lord doesn’t care about the location. What matters to the Lord is that you both love Him and each other.”
The words stung as Nate thought about his growing feelings for Adeline and her lack of anything, but physical attraction for him. She’d probably only agreed to marry him because her father was gone and she didn’t want to be alone, but she would grow fond of him in time. He hurried back to the room and knocked softly on the door. “Are you ready, love?”
“I am.” She opened the door and it took all his willpower not to pull her into his arms.
“You are the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen.” He swallowed hard. “We need to get downstairs. Pastor Evans is waiting.”
∞∞∞
The preacher read a few words about charity and God’s design for marriage between a man and a woman going back to Adam and Eve. Then he asked them to repeat the vows. “Do you, Nathaniel Hayes, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love and to cherish?”
“I do,” Nate said.
“Do you, Adeline McCarty, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To honor and obey?”
Will raised an eyebrow, but didn’t interrupt.
“I do.”
“You may kiss your bride.”
Nate crushed Adeline in an embrace and kissed her gently.
Turning to Will he spoke, “Yes, this is
Adeline Hayes, my wife, your former employee.”
“Excuse me?” Adeline asked. “Former employee? Was I fired?”
“You’re a married woman now. Don’t you plan to stay home and have babies?”
“You are an insufferable close-minded cave-dweller.”
He smirked.
He saw the conflicting emotions in her eyes. “We haven’t caught Owen Glenn yet.”
“You can help me catch him, but will you please quit the agency? I don’t want you out risking your life.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“So much for your promise to ‘obey.’” His head dipped, so he could kiss her again. The preacher cleared his throat. “I’m going to excuse myself.” He lowered his voice so only Nate could hear him. “You and your bride should go home where you can be alone.”
“Thank you, Pastor Evans. I appreciate your taking the time to marry us.”
“Take care of your wife.”
Will chimed in once the preacher left the lobby. “You tricked me into witnessing my detective’s wedding.”
“No, I asked you to witness my wedding. And that’s exactly what you did.”
“You didn’t tell me you were marrying Adeline McCarty. You had to know I hadn’t met her in person.”
“I couldn’t let you get to her first. She might have decided since you were here to rescue her and take her home to her old life, she didn’t need me anymore.”
Adeline interrupted, raising her voice to be heard above the din from the nearby saloon. “So, you decided to trick me instead of offering me the opportunity to choose to marry you anyway?”
He met her gaze and pulled her a few paces away from Will. “I didn’t want to lose you.”
She kissed him again. “You wouldn’t have lost me.”
∞∞∞
“I hate to interrupt this precious moment between newlyweds, but I have news.”