The Lassoed by Marriage Romance Collection

by Bell, Angela; Breidenbach, Angela; Carter, Lisa

  Slipping a small book from his jacket pocket, Pastor Glass nodded toward Noah. “Take your bride’s hand and join me at the altar. Your brother will bear witness.”

  Molly fixed her eyes to his. Did he see a trace of fear? He reached out his hand. Her lips trembled into a hesitant smile. Sadness veiled her lovely eyes. Slowly, she raised her hand and rested it in his. He closed his fingers around her silky skin. “It will be all right.”

  Doubt etched her face. He wished his words held more conviction. How could they when he believed in his heart nothing was right about this situation?

  Turning, Noah led them to the railing in front of the pulpit.

  Seth’s boot heels scuffed behind. “Better make this quick. The train leaves in five minutes.”

  Noah stepped to Molly’s right. Pastor Glass cleared his throat. “We are gathered together today to join Noah Manning and Molly Callahan in holy matrimony.” He continued by reciting scripture. Noah stole a glance a Molly. Her eyes were fixed to Pastor Glass’s face. Her full lips mouthing each word of the scripture being read.

  How proud Mrs. Callahan would be of her little Molly knowing her scriptures by heart. Sadness tugged at Noah’s heart. Mrs. Callahan wouldn’t be proud of Cass if what Seth said was true. What had turned Cass to the wrong side of the law? Grief? Greed?

  “Noah.”

  His name started him back into the moment. He looked at the pastor.

  “Please take your bride’s hands in yours.”

  Noah clasped Molly’s long fingers in his hands, once again, amazed at the silkiness of her skin.

  “Noah, do you take Molly as your lawfully wedded wife?”

  “I do.” He cringed at the reluctance in his voice. Molly didn’t seem to notice.

  “Molly, do you take Noah as your lawfully wedded husband?”

  “I do.” Molly’s affirmation clipped out. She glared at Seth instead of looking lovingly into her groom’s eyes.

  “I pronounce you man and wife.”

  The pages of the pastor’s book thumped together.

  “Congratulations.” Seth wacked Noah on the back. His grin stretched from ear to ear. Once again, he’d managed to get his way. “I didn’t think you had it in you.”

  Anger swelled in Noah’s chest at Seth’s implication of his cowardice. His family would never understand his choice to lay aside his gun belt.

  The train whistle blew.

  “We’d best go, Preacher. Molly.” Seth tipped his hat, turned, and walked down the aisle. When he reached the door, he paused. “I’m sure I’ll see you at the next stop.”

  “Good luck with your appointment and your marriage.” Pastor Glass shook Noah’s hand and hurried out of the Emmanuel.

  Noah raked his fingers through his hair and blew out a deep breath. The air remained thick with tension, even with Seth and Pastor Glass’s departure. What should he do now? He looked around. “Did you have a bag?”

  Molly pursed her lips and shook her head.

  “So all you have…”

  “Yes. All I have is the dress on my back and the shoes on my feet.” Molly spat out the words and fisted her hands to her hips. Defiance shone from her pretty blue eyes.

  “I’m sorry.” Noah looked around. Lord, I need some help here.

  A sudden jerk of the chapel railcar knocked them off balance. Noah grasped the altar banister to steady himself just before Molly thumped against his chest. Instinctively he wrapped his free arm around her to keep her steady. Her small frame snug against his warmed him with comfort.

  The emotion reeled him. He squeezed the altar rail harder. He’d always found his comfort in God’s Word, not the human touch.

  His gaze captured Molly’s when he felt a soft pressure on his chest.

  “You can let go of me now.” Molly quirked a brow but never broke eye contact.

  Noah released his hold. Molly righted herself and moved away, taking her warmth with her.

  She smoothed down her dress and looked around the chapel. “Where are the living quarters?”

  Of course, he needed to show Molly her new home.

  “Behind this door.” Noah released his grip on the altar and stepped toward the etched-glass door.

  The train chugged with an even rhythm, making it easier to walk. Noah opened the door, stepping aside to allow Molly to enter.

  The efficient design of the living quarters provided all the necessities for daily living. He walked into the rectangular kitchen. Molly stood between the wooden table and the small cast-iron cookstove, both bolted to the floor. Her gaze roamed every inch of the area.

  “There is a small sink behind you.” Noah moved to the opposite side of the table while Molly turned around. “The cupboards have a latch.” Noah pressed the latch edge down and opened a cupboard. “And a built-in ledge to keep items in place.”

  Molly nodded her head, eyes wide.

  “As you can see, this cupboard was built for the dishes. The one in the corner beside you is the pantry.”

  Molly turned to see where his finger pointed and looked back at him, her face as blank as a new school slate.

  “You may change it to suit your needs.”

  Molly nodded so he knew she’d heard him. She seemed to have lost her voice.

  Her gaze continued to dart around the room, always lingering on something past his shoulder. Noah allowed her to familiarize herself with her new home. It was compact and surely better than her past living conditions. Finally her eyes met his.

  “Where are the sleeping quarters?”

  Noah heard the trepidation in her whispered question.

  She thought he expected her to be his wife in every way. Noah’s heart thundered in his chest. They might be married in God’s eyes, but they held no love for each other in their hearts. Noah believed coupling involved love.

  Thankfully, this chapel car was designed for a single preacher. Noah stepped to a curtain-drawn door and slid the brocade drape to the side, revealing two bunk-style beds. “You don’t have to worry, Molly. I don’t have that wifely expectation of you.”

  Chapter 3

  Absently, Molly glided her fingers over the smooth wood of the pulpit while her eyes remained fixed on the organ. Once she reached it, she caressed the outer plains of the intricately carved instrument with her palms. Slipping onto the bolted-down bench in front of it, Molly rested her fingers on the ivory keys. She sighed and pushed down on the keys, reveling in the melodic note. She hadn’t played an organ since Cass removed her from their home.

  Her finger missed a key. A sour note mourned through the chapel, and her heart twisted. Why had he left her at the saloon for all of those years when he was still alive?

  She opened a hymnbook to a random page. Could she remember how to play the organ after plunking out bawdy songs on the upright piano? She shivered, remembering the hungry looks of the men when she sang the suggestive words.

  Closing her eyes, she thanked her Lord those days were behind her and that He’d led her to Noah, an honorable man who didn’t take advantage of a woman. A fair man, unlike Seth, who knew a Callahan couldn’t be an outlaw. Had bad men kidnapped Cass and forced him into a life of crime? Is that why he never came back to get her?

  Molly opened her eyes, studied the music, and poised her fingers. Taking a deep breath, she began to play “Amazing Grace.” The tone of the instrument soothed her frazzled nerves and chased her unanswered questions from her mind.

  This was the first time since Seth and two of his deputies stormed the saloon and threatened to arrest the owner if he didn’t release her into their custody, that she could catch her breath. Two days ago, she thought she’d been freed. Then Seth handcuffed her and headed out to find Noah. Now, she was married. A fact that should have filled her heart with joy instead of sorrow. Would her loveless marriage prove to be another type of prison?

  Her finger hit a wrong key, souring the song’s tune the same way her thoughts were affecting her heart’s disposition.

  She wa
s married to a man who didn’t love her, didn’t want her because of her past. Shame engulfed every fiber of her being until it stung her eyes. How fitting she’d chosen to practice “Amazing Grace.” Sucking in a ragged breath, Molly played the chorus before adding her voice to the music.

  She sang low so she didn’t disturb Noah, who retreated to his desk to work on a sermon after a lunch of bread slathered with jelly and a tall glass of milk. When she finished the song hope filtered into her heart like sunbeams through a stained-glass window, lifting it with joy.

  Opening her eyes, she gasped. Heat burned her cheeks. Noah sat in the pew in front of the organ. His brown eyes held a faraway look.

  Flustered, Molly fisted her hands and rested them in her lap. “I’m sorry if I interrupted your sermon time.”

  “Don’t be sorry. That was wonderful. You sound like your mother when you sing.”

  Molly smiled. The memory of her mother’s voice comforted her during many a long night.

  “Do you remember her favorite?”

  “ ‘In the Sweet By and By.’ ” Molly sang the title. “I don’t remember how to play the music, though.”

  “It’s in the hymnal. You can practice.” Noah smiled, a genuine smile that created gentle crinkles in the corners of his eyes. Her brother’s cute friend had grown into a handsome man. Her heart fluttered and her cheeks warmed.

  “Forgive me. I wasn’t criticizing.”

  Relief settled Molly’s pattering heart at Noah’s mistake of her blush.

  Noah ran his fingers through his hair before leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. “I’m at quite a loss here, Molly. A lot has happened today. Things I don’t understand.”

  Molly nodded.

  The click-clack of the train rolling along the track filled the silent tension. Molly hadn’t understood anything that had happened since her parents died.

  “I know you have questions, too. I’m assured in my heart God will reveal the answer in His own good time.” Noah’s eyes locked to hers.

  She saw his confusion over their current circumstances, but she also saw compassion. “May I tell you something?”

  “Of course.” Noah nodded for her to continue.

  Molly rose, rounded the altar, and sat down a seat away from Noah. She turned so she faced him. “I remember Mama’s favorite hymn and her voice because I hear it when I sing.”

  Noah’s gentle smile returned.

  Allowing her gaze to roam Noah’s face, Molly wondered if he’d think less of her with her admission. Her stomach clenched. “I have trouble remembering Mama and Daddy’s faces.” Even though her voice shook, she continued. “And their touch.” She closed her eyes. “Scents, though, like lilacs and peppermint…” She stopped, inhaled, and opened her eyes. “They bring me comfort.”

  “I’m not surprised.” Noah reached out and clasped her hands. “Your mama wore lilac water and your father enjoyed peppermint sticks.” Noah chuckled. “Your mama couldn’t control her fiery red curls, any more than you can.”

  Noah released her hand and twirled a stray wisp of her hair around his finger. “You used to help her bake bread and hang clothes on the line.” Noah freed his finger from her ringlet. He raised his brows in question.

  She shook her head.

  “Your daddy had the heartiest laugh of anyone in Rosebud County.”

  Molly wanted to remember. Noah was trying so hard to help her remember. It was no use. “I’m afraid my memories have faded.”

  “Well, you have been in a trying situation. Perhaps that is why you are having trouble recollecting your loved ones.”

  Cass was one of her loved ones, too. Him she could still picture, young, slender, and reckless. He inherited her daddy’s coloring, light hair.

  Smiling, she squeezed Noah’s hand. “Talking to you is good medicine for me. I was thinking about Cass and remembered people said I favored Mama and Cass favored Daddy.”

  “That’s right.” Noah didn’t return her smile.

  She didn’t let it stop her joy of voicing her memories. “The last time I saw Cass he was a boy. I supposed he’s a grown man like you now.”

  Noah clenched his teeth. He didn’t want to tarnish Molly’s image of her brother. Yet, if what Seth said was true, Cass wasn’t the person Molly recollected.

  He’d planned to ask Molly if she had any notion as to why Cass abandoned her at a saloon. Had Cass befriended someone who led him away from God’s narrow path?

  Pulling his hand free of Molly’s, frustration forced him to his feet. He stepped past Molly and paced down the center aisle. It’d do him no good to question Molly if she couldn’t remember her happier times. Yet it was information Noah needed in order to defend his pulpit appointment on the chapel car, Emmanuel. What would the council think when Pastor Glass reported the situation back to them? Although the seasoned pastor seemed unbothered by the fact he performed a sacred marriage ceremony to a loveless couple.

  Noah turned to pace back toward the altar. Molly stood at the end of the pew, hands fisted to her hips.

  “You’re unhappy with me because I think fondly of my brother? Let me tell you, Noah Manning, I don’t believe Seth. Cass was raised better. He’d never steal.”

  Molly’s feistiness hitched Noah’s heart, urging him to tell her how pretty she looked riled up. The corner of his mouth twitched, threatening to release joyous laughter. He managed to tamp his bemusement down to a chuckle but couldn’t stop his wide smile.

  His merriment was met with a hard stare. “I find none of this amusing. Your brother is trying to besmirch my brother’s good name.”

  Noah sobered. He walked to Molly and grasped her shoulders. Draw her close. He shook the thought from his mind. “Neither of us can know what is true. I’ve been out of touch with Rosebud County for a long time, and so have you.”

  Molly drew a deep breath. With its release, her features softened. Her blue eyes searched his face. “You are right.”

  “We need to turn our situation over to God. He will provide the answers to us.” Noah smoothed his hands down Molly’s arms and clasped her hands. She bowed her head, and Noah began to pray.

  Echoing his “Amen,” Molly pulled her hands free.

  “You say a nice prayer, Pastor Manning. I look forward to your sermons.”

  His heart somersaulted at her compliment, which forced a wide smile to his lips.

  A flush jumped to Molly’s cheeks, and her full lips turned up in a shy smile before she cast her gaze downward. She brushed her hands against the front of her threadbare dress.

  It was apparent Molly had altered the dress to fit the best she could. What had Cass been thinking leaving her there? Did he have any idea the trials she’d face?

  Noah planned to do right by Molly. Although the marriage was of convenience, he’d provide for her.

  “As soon as the train stops and the chapel car is secured to the spur track, we’ll walk into town and purchase you a new dress and other necessary clothing. Tonight you’ll have to use one of my shirts as a nightgown.”

  Molly lifted her eyes and opened her mouth. Noah set his lips in a firm line and shook his head. He didn’t want to hear her protest.

  “You are my wife and will dress accordingly. Besides, I want you to assist me with services. You’ll play the organ and lead the singing. As I’m sure you remember, I can’t carry a tune.”

  A sparkle of merriment danced through her eyes before she giggled. “Will you mouth the words with the congregation the way the schoolmarm taught you so you didn’t ruin our school program?”

  Finally, the joy-filled girl he remembered from his past. He’d take all of her teasing if it meant that pretty look stayed fixed to her face.

  Chapter 4

  The fragrance of frying bacon woke Molly. For a moment her heart raced in panic until she realized her surroundings. Pushing aside the drape that covered the sleeping quarter’s door, Molly peeked into the kitchen area. Noah stood beside the stove poking a fork into a fr
y pan.

  The fabric swished as she pushed it aside and jumped from the lower bunk. “That is my job.” Hands fisted on her hips, she waited for Noah to turn.

  When he did, his bright expression changed. Tenderness edged the planes of his face. His brown eyes smoldered with emotion. Molly gasped. She crossed her arms over her body. She’d forgotten she was wearing one of Noah’s shirts. Although it fell past her knees, her ankles and bare feet were exposed.

  She backed into the sleeping area. Eyes locked to Noah’s, drinking in the appreciation he emoted as she drew the curtain closed.

  Stop that. Molly chided herself. She had always liked Noah, but she shouldn’t like the admiration in his eyes. No, couldn’t like it. He’d told her they’d never consummate their marriage. Sadness tugged at her heart. She must be happy with his friendship.

  Once dressed, Molly made a less spectacular entrance to the kitchen, only to find Noah finishing his breakfast.

  “I left bacon and eggs in the skillet on the warming shelf.” The chairs legs scraped against the wooden floor when Noah stood. His eyes riveted to the empty plate on the table.

  “The train should pull into town within the hour. I’ll need to work with the conductor to get the chapel car safely on the spur track. You were sleeping soundly, so I didn’t wake you.”

  Noah stepped over to his desk area and removed a hat from a wall peg. His choice surprised Molly, a black cowboy hat similar to the brown one Seth wore as marshal. Noah hesitated by the door. He studied the brim on his hat.

  “From this point on, the kitchen duties are your responsibilities. When the train pulls into the depot, you need to disembark so the chapel car can be moved. It’s too rough of a ride to stay inside. Please make sure the cupboards are secured.”

  Thumping the hat on his head, he nodded curtly in her direction and exited the kitchen.

  Molly stared at the man’s face etched in the glass of the door for a few minutes after Noah left. Had she embarrassed Noah when she’d burst into the kitchen? It’d been so long since she’d lived as a family.