Beloved Texas Bride

by Ginny Sterling

  Cole looked at her hand and glanced at her smiling face. He was glad that he had accepted the invitation. Having Beth open up towards him was a bonus. Grinning at her expression of happiness, he instinctively pulled her forward to swoop in for a quick moment alone as he captured her lips. God, she was still as sweet to taste as he had imagined and was thrilled when she reached up to cup his face and caress it tenderly.

  Surprised by Cole’s quick movement, Beth eagerly fell into his arms for the swift, heated kiss in the shade of the church. She was a bit shy at the lack of privacy but quickly forgot it all as his tongue met hers. He was so very good to her and so tender. These were things to treasure and look forward to with him in her life. She softly touched his face, smoothing his rough cheek as he finally broke the kiss between them. Her eyes still closed, she gently continued her tender ministrations settling on the back of his neck as if to hold him close to her face. Oh, she liked his kisses and the way he made her feel.

  She wanted to savor the moment instead of ending it, but could hear the welcoming from the group and a few whistles teasing them. Opening her eyes so close to his, she could see the crinkling at each corner, indicating that he was pleased and smiling. She felt her own face mirror his as she heard him whisper for her alone, “There is time enough for that later.” There was a promise to his voice that made her catch her breath. She watched him exit the wagon and hold out his hands to assist her down so she didn’t muss her dress. Cole was always ever so careful with her and she liked being treated as if she were precious to him.

  As she exited the wagon, they were quickly enveloped by a small throng of people. Names and faces blurred as she smiled at each, shook hands, and was hugged by a few. For Beth, it was overwhelming to be so quickly accepted when growing up she had always been judged first by her appearance or her name by society.

  The parties her family attended had soft, lilting music that made you want to swirl about lightly. Here, everyone smiled and the music was boisterous. It made you want to fly about and stomp your feet to the quick beat. It was night and day- and she felt like she had stepped into the sunlight. They were lively and exhilarating. She felt like she fit in as she was pulled away by several ladies to help set up the large tables for luncheon.

  Glancing over her shoulder at Cole, she saw his proud smile and nod as he waved. Beth laughed joyously at his salutation. She was quickly ensconced in the ladies’ tales of their husbands, children and their lives as they each put themselves to task. One of the older ladies quickly tsked when Beth claimed she didn’t know how to cook. They all swooped in and promised recipe cards and lessons for their newest parishioner. Beth said nothing. She wasn’t sure if Cole attended and realized there was still a lot to learn about each other.

  Smiling, she set to work putting out plates, cutting breads and other items as the tables began to fill. The conversations never ended, they just swirled from one subject to another when finally settling on her. Beth smiled shyly, explaining that she had met him while traveling and had agreed to be his wife. Many of the ladies crowed with laughter at her blushing face and congratulated her on her new husband. Grinning and embarrassed at how frank the women could be away from their husbands, she silently adored the bunch and their company already.

  Cole watched as Beth was swept away by several of the ladies as he received congratulations from several men. He was clapped on the back repeatedly and hugged by several. He was repeatedly told how much he looked like his father, bringing a lump to his throat as he thought of his dad once again. Cole wished his father could have met Beth and knew he would love her as much as he did. Smiling satisfied, he watched his young bride talk and mingle with the group. She was truly lovely to watch as he admired her.

  Seventeen

  Elias Barney watched as the wagons had begun to arrive. A church social was quite quaint and very low-key compared to the social events he had attended in the past or would attend as he began his practice. He hated the heat and dirt everywhere and missed the activity of the city. Texas seemed so foreign and he wondered if Elizabeth was even worth all this trouble. The expensive train ticket he had purchased in order to quickly find her had proven to be not worth the trip. While it was faster, he would be in no hurry to return as fast and they would just travel by coach.

  Her dowry was certainly nice and was quite unexpected from her father. Modern times had practically done away with the old practice but when John Pierce had offered the money, he had accepted it graciously. A society wife, a well-established name, and money to start his practice were nothing to look down upon. He had accepted the funds and signed the contract happily without even meeting her in person. Studying her from afar had satisfied his curiosity. She would do nicely.

  When he found out she had disappeared, Elias was enraged at the childishness his betrothed had displayed. How dare she? Had she not been taught her place as of yet? Elias had received the telegram from Elizabeth’s father, read it and threw it in the fireplace that he had burning to help heat the cold Chicago apartment he kept in April.

  The funds had been spent furnishing his new office on Lake Shore Drive. He set up in the heart of the city to be close to society’s elite. He would never be considered “just a doctor” or unworthy to be in the “crème de la crème” company. Dr. Elias Barney would be desired company and famous in no time, he predicted.

  How dare some twit throw a wrench in all his plans and hard work? He would not return the funds to her father. They were gone and he was reaching the limits of his purse. Keeping up appearances was quite expensive and he had no qualms in making sure his was impeccable. He would just find the girl and drag her home with him.

  They would get married quickly so they could forgo the large wedding and it was her own fault. Elias practically rubbed his hands together thinking of how heartbroken she would be at not having a large, decorated ceremony to plan- didn’t all women want to have their moment in the sun? He also planned to show her exactly how upset he was when he took her to bed for the first time- she would know that she was his and no one else’s.

  No one took from a Barney, ever.

  Waiting patiently in the shade, he wiped his brow with a kerchief. Elias saw Elizabeth Pierce pull forward in a wagon accompanied by a man. The man from the small shop in town. He figured the shopkeeper had lied to him and assumed that the man that had interrupted had known of her whereabouts. Elias was not a stupid man and for them to assume he would go away quickly by their small deception was annoying, to say the least. Investigating, he had found that one of the prominent sons of the city had returned to take over his father’s dwindling cattle farm. Word was that the small farm was practically barren but could be recovered because it was prime property and that he had returned with an unknown woman. It did not take much to put the two together.

  Smiling maliciously, he watched as Elizabeth kissed the man she was with and was led away by several ladies. She would pay dearly for her betrayal. She was dressed as if she fit in with the lowly grouping. And if he hadn’t seen her from a distance in Indianapolis, he would have probably mistaken her.

  In Indianapolis, she had been decorated quite spectacularly. Here, she looked common, he thought with a shiver. That was okay because he knew Elizabeth cleaned up well and would make him proud to display as long as she wasn’t carrying a child. If she was, he would claim it was his and then get rid of the brat to punish her so she never ran again. Elizabeth would learn a hard lesson with him: Elias Barney was not a man to be crossed, ever.

  Cole watched Beth as she laughed with the ladies and sat with them, talking merrily. He smiled as he watched her animated face smile towards her newly acquired friends. Glad she was fitting in, he was ready to join her and spend some time together.

  Beth loved talking with the women. They were just like her and she had never realized how excluded she felt back home compared to this crowd. Things were just so different! And she loved it! The fresh air, the sun, the atmosphere and the environment were just
what she needed.

  All the ladies had gathered upon a large blanket in the shade of a massive oak tree near the church. It was wonderful to be with them, listening to them speak of their husbands and tell tales. One woman, Mary-Jo, she found out, lived a few miles down the road from her own home. Beth sat closest to her wanting to make sure that the two of them became great friends.

  She noticed Mary-Jo was expecting and quite advanced in her pregnancy. Beth hadn’t realized until Mary-Jo sat down awkwardly because the cut of her dress hid it so very well. Seeing Mary-Jo rub her stomach affectionately made her think of her time with Cole this very morning. She wondered if their intimate moments would result in her own child nine months from now. Smiling at her thoughts, Beth didn’t realize that Cole had appeared until Mary-Jo elbowed her knowingly. “I think someone wants your attention,” she said to Beth with a smile.

  Beth smiled happily at Cole, taking his hand as he helped her to her feet. Several of the ladies cooed “new love” because he had been quite the gentleman. Wasn’t he always that way with her?

  “Excuse me, girls, while I tend to my husband,” Beth teased and smiled at her new friends. Happily tucking her arm in his, she smiled at Cole’s proud grin as his hand closed over hers possessively. Oh yes, she liked this man quite a bit and would be quite happy as his wife.

  Cole was more than thrilled to have Beth claim him as her husband publicly. The wagon ride back from town had included a long conversation regarding the state’s common law marriage and what her signing her name as his own had meant. There was no backing out for his woman now. She was his and his to stay!

  “C’mon wife,” he crooned loudly for the ladies listening in. “I have an urge to have my woman in my arms. Dance with me,” Cole said as he led her over to the men playing music.

  The idea of swirling Beth around and round had just hit him and he wanted any excuse to hold her. Cole called out to play something fun for his bride as he grabbed Beth’s waist. He watched her throw back her head laughing as he started making exaggerated stomping towards her as the music blared. He tucked one arm, dragging her with him and gathered her hand. As the loud tune started, several others danced her around in the grass. Cole’s exaggerated steps gave his Beth pause for a moment till she saw the others and began swinging herself in movement with him. “I knew you had a jig in you!” he shouted over the music.

  Beth grinned in response. “Is that what this is? I knew it wasn’t a waltz,” she retorted as she grabbed her skirt, swinging it like the others were doing. “Now Cole, I thought you might have sat in ants when I saw you stomping,” she said breathlessly, teasing him. Beth yelped as Cole spun her around quickly. She wrapped her arms around his head to hang on as he twirled her wildly.

  >Holding her tight, he enjoyed having her there with him and her banter once she dropped her guard. He liked Beth a lot… but this part of her? He adored. The teasing, the smiles, the laughter got under his skin like no other had ever before. “Nah, Beth. The only thing in my pants will be you later,” he teased and kissed her laughing mouth quickly. He loved making Beth laugh.

  Elias Barney watched the two from a distance. He could not hear what was said but it was enough to see that man holding his fiancée and kissing her. It infuriated him in a way he had never felt before. Elizabeth’s smiles were for him as well as her laughs. Society did not act like this in public, but instead of looking ashamed- Elizabeth looked happy. She was supposed to be happy with him and no other.

  As the afternoon continued, Beth adored the attention she was receiving from Cole. They had sat together at the tables and he was so attentive to her. He proudly introduced her as his wife to several of the men, the names of whom she had forgotten. Each time, it sounded better and better: “This is my wife, Beth Hale.” And she felt it. She did not feel like stodgy Elizabeth Pierce. She felt like she was alive, right where she was supposed to be, and proud to be Cole Hale’s wife. So much had changed so fast, she could not have imagined how her life would turn out!

  Seeing his glass empty, Beth kissed Cole’s forehead and offered to get him another glass of the apple cider they were serving up to quench their thirst after the dancing. Stepping away from the tables set up along the front of the churchyard, she moved to the large barrel and turned the spigot. She felt hands grab her and, for a moment, she thought it might be Cole until she turned and her eyes met strange, cold ones.

  Eighteen

  Elias saw Elizabeth finally step away from the gathering and was disgusted by the display of affection his fiancée showed that other man. Oh, she would certainly learn her place and he would enjoy every second of it. As he saw her come closer to the corner of the church where he had been watching from a distance, he grabbed her quickly and slapped his hand on her mouth before she could yell.

  “Remember me?” he asked quietly. “Of course not,” Elias continued as she looked at him wide eyed. Once he saw the recognition dawn in her eyes and the fear, he smiled coldly. “That’s my girl. It’s your fiancé or don’t you recall that you are promised to someone already?”

  Elias studied her pale face, noting that she was getting a bit pink on the tip of her nose. “Elizabeth, you are expected to return home to your duties. One of which is me. I have already signed the contract with your father. It’s been announced, there is no running from me. You are to be my wife and we are leaving. You will come with me and brook no arguments or you will regret it, I promise you this,” he said with finality.

  Elias would not elaborate. He could see that her imagination would do the talking for him. Elizabeth looked terrified and she should be. He had always liked his encounters rough, but the idea of punishing her truly had appeal for him. She would be submissive and he would beat it into her if needed.

  Beth had no idea what to do. She was scared, terrified! How had he found her? Changing her name had not been enough, apparently, and when Cole had said that he had seen Elias in town, she assumed that she would be protected. Maybe she was wrong all along? No. Beth didn’t believe that of him! He had always been so good and caring of her. It didn’t matter how Elias found her. What mattered now was keeping Cole safe and away from him. She couldn’t scream because her mouth was covered by his soft hands.

  Silly thing to notice that Elias’ hands were soft as her own once were, not rough like her Cole’s hands. Beth was pressed hard up against the building as he talked. Her mind was racing! How would she get away? Would he hurt her? Would he hurt Cole? She could live with being hurt but wasn’t sure she would be able to get by if Elias hurt Cole.

  He had become so important to her.

  …”You will come with me or you will regret it, I promise you this,” she heard him say through her scattered thoughts. She had been right upon first glancing at his photo in the paper from her parents: he looked soulless. Elias Barney would be very cold to her whereas Cole was warm as melted butter. She heard a faint click as she was pressed against the wall of the church and realized it was the barrel of a gun.

  “Good,” she heard Elias say. “You understand.” Beth nodded, wishing she could just bite his hand but knowing if she did she would probably end up dead. She heard him offer to release her mouth as long as she promised not to scream.

  Nodding again, she agreed silently. Cole would find her! She could feel tears slip down her cheeks. Not wanting to give him the pleasure of knowing she was hurting inside, she turned away. What would Cole think? she thought wildly. He knew she had left home once. Would he think she ran again?

  Would he know it was Elias? Swallowing hard, she nodded. As she watched him step back, she saw the small gun pointed at her. Yes, she would have to leave with him or risk being shot by him. How could she let Cole know?

  She had nothing to leave that wouldn’t be obvious, other than his glass she had been carrying. It already lay in the grass between them and she stepped over it as she moved from the church. She wanted to scream and rage at Elias. She wanted to run, yet again. But none of those were options. She
looked away from the gun and stared at the grass, silently, as Elias led her away, clenching her upper arm. Beth could hear the laughter and talking in the background and it was making her nauseated.

  She should be there! This was wrong!

  “Hurry it up,” Elias said quietly. “I will take great pleasure in shooting you and then shooting that man you were touching earlier, harlot.” He yanked her arm forward harshly. Elizabeth needed to learn her place and he couldn’t wait to get a bit of distance between them and the group in the courtyard. Elias could practically feel his pulse racing, not from adrenaline but from excitement at the thought of taking his Elizabeth. It wouldn’t be rape if she had already lain with another man and, if not, that was fine with him as well because Elizabeth had wronged him. Punishment would be swift and he would deal it.

  Beth was led away from the churchyard, through a small grove of trees and bushes to where a horse stood. Her arm ached from Elias’ tight hold but she didn’t dare pull away. The gun was pointed directly to her side. She knew deep down that if she got on that horse, her life would be hell. “Wh..where are we going?” she stuttered quietly, scared he would just shoot her for talking. She needed time to think, time for Cole to notice she was gone.

  “We are going to Chicago. Your father gave you to me. You’re going to be my wife,” Elias hissed. “Now hush and get on the damn horse,” he said, jabbing her with the gun again.

  Beth was running out of time. If he was going to shoot her, he might as well just do it because she knew if she left with him that there would be no end to the cruelty. His eyes were dead. There would be no tender smiles between them, no laughing, no kisses. Beth felt like she was strangling from fear. She couldn’t leave Cole. “I am already married,” she confessed desperately. “I can’t leave.”