“Oh, Jessica, you poor girl,” she whispered.
Cassia’s pity for Jessica Matthews grew stronger the very moment she set eyes upon the young, meek, woman who appeared to be in her seventh month of pregnancy. Jessica’s soft, delicately sculptured face reflected a mixture of fright, shame, and misery. How humiliating to make a man marry you and for all to know you’d given your virtue to someone who took it disrespectfully and only for his own fleeting gratification. There was no sanctity, honor, beauty, or love in the marriage ceremony soon to take place or in the vows that would be recited.
When Jessica and Tucker looked back upon this day, it wouldn’t be fondly with sighs of happy nostalgia. In truth, it was a sentence, something that would be a consequence lived out…caused by a night of passion. The horror of it already mirrored in Tucker’s eyes. And if Jessica did hold love deep within her heart for him, as Cassia suspected, then she would forever be hoping and praying Tucker would one day feel the same about her.
Lord, move Tucker’s heart to one day love this woman and his child, she silently prayed. It was a brief but cold glare Jessica cast her, leaving Cassia uncomfortable as she took her place beside her. It also left her to wonder if Jessica’s instant resentment toward her was a product of Tucker divulging the history they had together. Dwelling on that prospect was soon put aside as her father began the ceremony.
The mediocre-sized living room was filled to its capacity as the O’Clarity family, Doctor Sean and Sadie, Tucker and Brodie; and their two sisters, Shailyn and Betsy who made the trek from Willow Creek within the hour while riding in her husband’s police vehicle; and the rest of their family surrounded the newlywed couple. Of course, Mr. Matthews gave his daughter’s hand in marriage and the traditional vows were said.
Amanda Holmes, always prepared, made ready a small bouquet of wild flowers and roses, cut from her garden and bound with white ribbon for Jessica to hold. Mr. Matthews supplied the rings, once worn by his grandparents, his large, weather-beaten hands shaking as he handed them over. After the ceremony everyone gathered in the dinette area to toast the newlyweds with wine. Cassia helped her mother and Sadie O’Clarity serve the fruit salad, custard pie, and tea thrown together quickly for the small reception. Shailyn brought a cake, and Betsy brought cucumber and roasted pepper finger sandwiches.
Periodically Cassia caught Tucker glancing with shame and regret in her direction. Twice he attempted to take her aside to talk, but she kept on the move by spending more time in the kitchen and cleaning up after the guests. Every time Tucker tried to get her attention, Jessica’s eyes bore into her. The last thing she wanted was to make this day any harder for Tucker’s new wife. She summed up, from her medical experience; Jessica had to be tired from traveling and emotionally drained. Cassia did not need to add jealousy to the younger woman’s list.
Brodie stood beside her now, his hands full of wine glasses. “Thought you could use some help.” He placed the goblets on the counter.
“Or were you also needing an excuse to put a bit of distance between yourself and everyone else?”
He inhaled sharply. “Am I that obvious?”
“Only because I’m feeling the same,” she admitted. “Jessica’s dagger-like glances are starting to give me flesh wounds.”
He leaned against the counter, folding his muscular arms across his chest. “Not to mention being able to slice the tension. It is so thick it’s smothering.”
Before she could respond Amanda entered the room. “Mr. Matthews has an announcement to make, so leave the rest of the dishes for later and join us in the parlor.”
Now she was the one to take a deep breath. “I’ve a feeling the tension in the air is just about to get thicker.” She made her way to stand in the far corner of the parlor. Brodie followed and stood beside her.
Clayton Matthews, round and stocky, stood and looked around the room. His features were more relaxed; no doubt a great weight had been lifted from his conscience now that his daughter had been made an honorable woman. His gaze rested longer on Tucker. Under the older man’s scrutiny, Tucker squirmed a bit in his seat.
“First, I’d like to thank the O’Clarity and Holmes family for opening their hearts, homes, and on such quick notice, supplying all this food to make this wedding day for my daughter and her husband a hospitable occasion,” Mr. Matthews began.
Brodie whispered in her ear. “We weren’t given much of a choice.”
Stifling a smile, Cassia whispered, “Hush.”
“I only wish my dear wife, Gloria, were still around to also share this day.” With that said, Mr. Matthews paused to clear the emotion from his throat. “I know Gloria would want me to extend something to the newlyweds as well,” he continued. “And so, it is with great pleasure that I bestow upon my new son-in-law partnership in the small cattle ranch I own in San Francisco.”
“Saints preserve us,” Brodie whispered.
Tucker raised a defiant chin. “I already have a position with the railroad.”
Mr. Matthews forced a smile. “And I’m sure you’re excellent at your job. However, such a position has a way of taking a man away from his family too much and for too long.” He glanced lovingly over at his daughter. “And there’s no reason to leave my daughter’s side if there’s a way to make a good living close by.” He leveled his gaze once more on Tucker. “As modest as it is compared to other establishments, my ranch is quite lucrative and has made a comfortable existence for me and my family all these years. I know it will do the same for you and my daughter.”
“But I like working for the railroad,” Tucker protested.
Mr. Matthews’ smile froze upon his face. “And now you will learn to like something new, as well as having a chance to be near your wife and soon to be born child.”
Tucker swallowed hard, his face turning red, yet he said not a word.
“Poor Tucker. He looks like he’s ready to explode,” she whispered.
“I think he’s getting what he deserves,” Brodie responded quietly.
“Does your unsympathetic conclusion have anything to do with that bruise forming on your jaw?”
“Yup…and a whole lot more,” he quipped.
Did Tucker tell him about the kiss? If so, that would justify Brodie’s attitude toward his brother. And how did he feel toward her? Nervously, she bit her bottom lip and turned to look his way. “I think, after everyone leaves, we need to talk.”
He caught her gaze and nodded. “I think you’re right.”
“Now, I believe it grows late, and we should be on our way,” Mr. Matthews stated.
“I would be offerin’ me home for the night, as it would be better for Jessica, in her condition, not to be so long on the road after an already exhaustin’ day,” Sean said.
Mr. Matthews inclined his head politely. “And although I am much obliged, Doctor O’Clarity, I will have to decline. I have rented two hotel rooms in Willow Creek that will be quite comfortable. Also, with the vehicle I’ve borrowed, it should only take about thirty minutes to reach our destination. In that way, come the morning we will grab a bit of breakfast and be able to board the first train heading for Phoenix where my sister lives. She owns a large estate there and has been generous enough to let us stay with her until after the baby is born, and it is safe enough for mother and child to travel to San Francisco.”
Tucker sighed heavily, his resolve resigned, and stood. “Then I’d better go and gather my things.”
“I will drive you to your parents’ home,” Mr. Matthews offered, making his way to Jessica and helping her to stand. “And we can be on our way to Willow Creek from there.”
“Holy Mother of God,” Brodie muttered.
She arched a brow. “Yup.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Brodie found Cassia in her mother’s garden. She stood against the trunk of an old oak tree, hands behind her back, face raised to the glow of a twilight sky. As he neared where she stood, his senses filled with the heavenly floral aroma of t
he wild flowers, roses, hibiscus, oleander, and red yuccas he passed. The heady arrangement fit the scene before him—the one of a precious and beautiful woman enjoying a moment of a quiet, spring dusk.
He narrowed the space between them, and she leveled her blue eyes to meet his gaze. Gently she reached up to caress the bruise on his jaw. “Did you and Tucker fight because of me?”
He nodded. “He thought I poisoned you against him and came after me. Then when I learned he kissed you, I went after him.”
She sighed. “Please believe me when I say his advances were totally unexpected and definitely not returned.”
“I believe you.” He turned his face to nuzzle in the palm of her hand. “But no man touches my woman.”
She arched a brow. “I’m your woman?”
He nodded again. “But only if you want to be.”
“I do, very much so,” she whispered.
It was at this point he pulled her close and embraced her. She fit perfectly along the length of his body. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she closed what little gap there was between them. And as her firm, full breasts pressed against his chest, he could feel her racing heart keeping time with his. His body heated with desire as he lowered his mouth to cover hers.
Her immediate and passionate reaction drove him wild, and his senses spun. His pulse skittered alarmingly as he deepened the kiss. The air surrounding them became electrified. Slowly he dropped his hands from where they rested on the small of her back to the round of her backside. When she sighed, his male member swelled.
“You are most bold, Dr. O’Clarity,” she whispered against his mouth.
“Forgive me for taking such liberties, as I didn’t mean to offend you.” He moved his hands to rest again at her waist. Reluctantly he stepped back, allowing a bit of space between them, least she feel him also growing moist.
She buried her face against his throat. “You don’t offend me, Brodie. Besides, working in the medical field, I am quite educated as to how the male body works,” she teased. Then sighing again, she added on a more serious note, “Anyway, I know you would never do anything to hurt me.”
“Or to ever tarnish your trust,” he said. “I hold immense respect and admiration for you, Cassia. That’s exactly why I’ve spoken to your father before I came out here to speak to you.”
She looked up at him with a frown. “My father? What does he have to do with anything?”
“I asked for his blessing,” he said.
With lips still warm and moist from their union, she kissed his chin…as tender and light as the spring breeze now rustling the tree tops. “And what did you need his blessing for?” Like the welding temperature that joins metal, his body heated with a fiery desire. Before answering her, he took her mouth hungrily.
She quivered and met his kiss with savage harmony.
“Saints preserve us, woman, you melt me,” he whispered against her mouth, yearning now to taste her fully, every part of her beautiful body. Yet, he would not defile her, shame her as his brother had done to Jessica. Cassia deserved more; she deserved better. And with his body aching for the love of this woman, and his heart completely captured, he decided his next move. He brought his lips to kiss each of the lids that covered her marble-blue eyes and the tip of her perfectly shaped nose. “I asked your father’s blessing to wed you.”
“And did he give it?”
“Yes,” he said, inhaling sharply. “Now, I will ask you.” Getting down on one knee he took her hand. “Cassia Rose Holmes, I love you with every breath in my body. Will you marry me?”
“I love you too, Brodie,” she breathlessly whispered. “And yes. I will marry you.” Then she added, “When?”
He stood, pulling her closer. “Soon, my love…very, very soon.”
He drove the horse and wagon to his house alone that night. Shailyn and her family had taken his parents’ home after Tucker, his wife, and overbearing father-in-law left for Willow Creek. His mother worried that her husband had taxed himself overly much with all that had transpired throughout the day and was anxious for him to be home resting, preferably in bed. He worried as well, knowing his father would have never complained or let on to anyone if he felt ill or was tired. It was proven that doctors made horrible patients. But it was also a fact his father was still recuperating from a massive heart attack and needed to be cautious. With Sadie by Sean’s side, Brodie wasn’t too concerned for his father’s complete recovery. His mother was like a watch dog and would make sure protocol, and then some, was followed.
He appreciated the solo drive as it gave him time to rehash the passionate encounter he’d had with Cassia. Just holding her body close to his, feeling her heartbeat and pulse of life, brought thrilling sensations throughout his entire being. The anticipation for a life time of such glory filled him with an excitement he could barely contain. The solitude of the ride home helped to calm him, as his body once more swelled with the thought of her. Inhaling sharply, he shifted his thoughts to the conversation ahead, readying himself to face his parents with the news they’d soon be attending another son’s nuptials but this time for all the right reasons…love.
He lifted his gaze to the sky, allowing the night breeze to cool his face. Who would have thought through the tragedy of his father’s illness and the hurt of Dorothea Malone’s rejection, he would find himself in such a joyous place? His heart was content, his mind hopeful, and his spirit soared as he thought of the days, months, and years ahead with Cassia as his wife. She was a woman a man could be proud of, completing his very existence in an imaginable way.
To his surprise he found both his parents up, sitting at the kitchen table sipping tea. He made his way closer to the table. “I see sleep escapes you both.”
“That’s the truth of it,” his father agreed.
He took a seat beside his mother, affectionately pulling her into a brief hug. “I would say it’s been quite a day.”
“Aye, that it has,” his mother reflected. She frowned as she glanced at the bruise upon his jaw. Brodie waited for her response, but to his surprise she made no comment. Instead, she sighed and confided her thoughts on another matter. “Though me heart is at peace for the fact Tucker finally did right by Jessica, I have a feelin’ all will still not be well for them.” She shook her head. “A marriage startin’ out without love from both ends is a poor beginnin’ to be sure.”
“Aye,” his father agreed. “Me own gut says the same.”
“I’d say, ’tis Mr. Matthews mostly troublin’ me,” Sadie confessed further. “Tucker and Jessica need to work out their lives in their own way like we did.” His mother reached over to cover his father’s hand.
He noticed the loving squeeze his father returned, their eyes meeting from across the table, and he smiled. This is the sort of love and devotion he always wanted one day when he married, and with Cassia as his wife, he was sure of just such a relationship.
He cleared his throat to gain their attention. “I have some news of my own.”
Both his parents turned his way, slight frowns upon their brows.
He chuckled lightly. “Well, I assure you this news is good.”
His father’s face relaxed. “Well then, Lad, don’t be keepin’ us in suspense.”
“Aye,” his mother chimed in. “Good news would be a welcomed friend right about now.”
He took a deep breath. “Tonight, after everyone left the Holmes’s residence, I met with Reverend Holmes, to ask for his blessing, and then I met Cassia in the garden.” Before he spoke further, he searched his parents’ faces. Their gazes were intense as they listened to his words. “It was there I proposed marriage to her.” Large smiles spread across their faces and his mother’s eyes welled with happy tears. “And to my greatest joy,” he added, his own eyes growing moist, “she agreed to be my wife.”
“Saints preserve us, ’tis about time,” his father blurted out, reaching to give his oldest son’s hand a congratulatory shake.
“I’m so happy f
or ye, lad.” His mother wiped her eyes with the handkerchief she kept tucked away in her sleeve before turning to give him a hug and kiss upon the cheek. “And I have somethin’ special I’ve waited a long time to give ye.” She stood and left the room for a few moments to retrieve the something special. When she returned she held a small, gold box in her hand. Gently she placed it down upon the table, in front of him. “Here, love…’tis me dear beloved grandmother’s engagement ring. It was the only few belongin’s I took with me from Ireland, along with the tea cups and me mother-in-law’s veil. ’Twas to be given to the first son who planned to wed.”
He reached for the gold box and paused, holding it for a moment before opening the lid. He’d heard of the engagement ring, and the stipulations, even though it was coveted by both of his sisters. It was also the ring he had planned on giving to Dorothea. He frowned. “But I wasn’t the first son to wed.”
“Ye are the first o’ our sons to plan a marriage…not be forced,” his father pointed out, gesturing to the bruise upon his jaw. “I’m sure the scrap ye had with yer brother was the result o’ him takin’ marriage vows this evenin’.”
He only nodded.
“And knowin’ me grandmother as I did,” Sadie added. “I’m sure ’tis the way she meant the ring to be passed on.” She gave him a pat on the shoulder “Open the box, Lad.”
Slowly he raised the lid. There, lying in the white tissue paper, were two rings. One was his great grandmother’s engagement ring. The rose gold setting held a small, round diamond between two small pearls. He picked the ring up and fingered the leaf etchings engraved along the shank.
“That second ring ’twas what I took when we left Ireland,” his father explained. “I believe ’tis a very old piece of jewelry, Lad. ’Twas first me own grandfather’s weddin’ ring and probably goes back a wee bit farther than even that.”
The Last Bloom Page 18