by Sara Jolene
“Who is he?”
Sophia was sitting silent at his feet. He wasn’t sure what she was seeing and what she wasn’t. Could she see the shadowy figure that Tecu called Death?
“My uncle,” she said plainly.
“He hit her.”
Otto’s head moved so fast it hurt his neck. Mrs. Sanderson lifted the thing she’d been holding. It was a shovel.
“You did this?” Otto asked her softly.
She nodded. “He hit her. No more.”
Tecu smiled. “I like her,” he said as he pointed to Mrs. Sanderson. He looked Otto full in the face. “Finish this.”
Otto nodded as Tecu disappeared then turned to Mrs. Sanderson. “He won’t hit her anymore,” he confirmed.
Chapter Twelve
Sophia couldn’t remember being more excited for anything in her entire life. Julianne, Beatrice, and Millie had helped to get everything ready. They’d cooked and baked and sewn for days in preparation. They’d invited pretty much everyone in town, except for Archibald and his cronies. She didn’t care who came and who didn’t … either way, Otto would be her husband in a few short hours.
Millie had helped her to make some adjustments to one of her dresses. She wanted it to be fresher looking for the wedding, something she hadn’t worn before. She’d been thrilled with the result, even if Millie had had to do most of the work. Sophia’s skills were improving, though. She’d learned how to do most basic stitches, and most of them were even coming out straight.
Beatrice had helped her to learn a few staple recipes so that she always had something to fall back on. Julianne had helped her with Mrs. Sanderson and the cabin. They’d had a lot to do in a short time, but when they all pulled together, it got done. Sophia was even further indebted to them for all their generosity.
Moving Mrs. Sanderson and their things from the cabin had proven to be less emotional than Sophia had expected it to be. She suspected that had something to do with the fact that Mrs. Sanderson had shoveled Sophia’s uncle to death in the yard. She hadn’t been able to shake anything from that night. She remembered every word, every touch; she even remembered how the scent of the air had changed.
When she was young, she’d thought about her uncle’s death a lot, because that whole time, she’d thought it would be her only way to freedom. There had always been a part of her that knew she wouldn’t be able to rid herself of his controlling influence while he was still breathing. She tried to take comfort in the fact that she’d tried everything she knew how to do, and that in the end, though it wasn’t enough, it wasn’t her fault. She was not responsible for his death.
That night had been the most horrible of her life, and she’d been through a lot. When her parents had passed away, she hadn’t been there. She hadn’t seen them. With her uncle … it had been different. Otto being there had helped. His presence calmed her in a way that nothing else could.
After settling her and Mrs. Sanderson in the house that evening, he’d ridden back to Creede to fetch the sheriff. Sophia hadn’t talked to him other than the night they’d been freed from the root cellar. She wasn’t sure she liked him. He seemed more suspicious of her than he was of her uncle. There was something untrustworthy about him. He had asked her if her uncle had tried to make contact with her since she’d been there, and though her answer was no, it had gotten her thinking. All the small things that had been happening, all the strange noises she’d been hearing, she had to wonder how long he’d been in town.
She’d let the sheriff know that she wasn’t even sure how the man had found her. When she’d left, she’d only written in her note that she wouldn’t be returning and that no one should look for her. He’d obviously not listened. She felt sick at the thought of what he wanted, but she was grateful for all her new friends. They’d been there for her in every way she’d needed since she’d arrived in Creede. She sighed—she needed to find a way to repay them all.
Sophia twisted her hair into a loose knot at the base of her neck. She let just a few tendrils down to frame her face. She took a few deep breaths, washing the negative thoughts from her mind. Today was her wedding day, and she wasn’t going to let her old life interfere with her new one. She’d been able to accept that it was a part of who she was now. It had helped to shape the woman she had become. But she didn’t have to dwell on it.
She exhaled and brought herself to the present. She wished that she had some flowers to wear in her hair but settled for wrapping pieces in bits of the lace they’d added to her dress.
She smiled to herself, thinking about how her life was going to be now. She’d be a wife, and she was realizing quickly that she wanted to be a mother. Taking care of Mrs. Sanderson was difficult at times, the woman was crotchety and even downright mean in moments, but in others, she was risking her life to save Sophia’s.
She’d never seen the old woman outside of the house. Sophia hadn’t even been sure she’d be able to walk the stairs on her own if needed, but that night Mrs. Sanderson had shown her that she had more secrets than she’d thought possible. She was more adventurous than Sophia had thought. Stronger, too.
She’d been thinking a lot the last few days about her past and wondering what happened to Mr. Sanderson. She’d also wondered why a lone woman would stay out in that cabin alone for so many years. Why would she have not come into town? She’d had Willie and a few others that would check in on her and do an odd job here or there, but no one ever saw her in town.
Sophia shook herself from her musings and finished dressing. Not more than a moment after she’d secured the final button did Millie knock softly on the door, letting her know they were ready for her.
Sophia hugged her friend. “I owe you all so much. Thank you.”
Millie squeezed her quickly before letting her go. “Time to get married.”
The two ladies smiled at each other as they left the room and headed to the main part of the church where Callum and Otto were waiting.
Sophia couldn’t stop the tears. She was happier than ever, and she wasn’t hiding it. She took a deep breath as she stood in front of Otto and he took her hands. Reverend Bing started with a prayer before proceeding with their vows. Sophia felt every word etching their way into her soul as she said them. She meant every single thing she said, and she planned to honor and cherish the man before her every single second that she was able.
Once Otto had said his piece, Sophia’s breath caught as their eyes met. She’d dreamed many times of this moment. She was almost desperate to feel his lips against hers.
Reverend Bing announced that they were man and wife, and it felt like a barrier—one she hadn’t known existed—lifted. Otto pulled on her hands, tugging her to him as he leaned forward. Sophia closed her eyes, but only after seeing the hunger in her husband’s. She exhaled softly through barely parted lips as Otto’s lips pressed gently to hers. The kiss was soft, sweet, and brief. Otto pulled away long before Sophia was ready for him to. She opened her eyes slowly and caught him staring at her. He winked.
Sophia felt a blush creep across her cheeks. She’d been worried about their first kiss being in such a public place, but Otto had known just how to handle it. She’d found the one man she would always be able to trust. The people who had traveled to the church to celebrate with them clapped their congratulations, and as Sophia and Otto turned to leave, they began to talk amongst themselves.
Otto all but dragged Sophia outside before pulling her behind the building and into his arms. Sophia’s already warm body heated quickly with her husband’s arms around her.
“I thought maybe I’d bring you out here and kiss you properly.” He winked at her again. “Now that there’s no one watching.”
Sophia felt herself flush and smile but didn’t have a chance to respond as Otto’s lips once again came to hers. Her head got fuzzy as their lips parted and Otto deepened the kiss, using his hold on her waist to pull her more tightly against him. Sophia melted against him and offered up every emotion she’d had recen
tly. She let them fall between them. She wanted Otto to know everything. She needed him to know how much she loved him, how he’d saved her from herself.
“Now that’s how it’s done.”
Sophia pulled back fast and tried to scream, but it got caught in her throat. There was a strange man in full tribal garb standing too close to them with a silly grin on his face.
Otto calmed her down. He held her tightly, reminding her that he was there, that she wasn’t alone. “You can see him?”
Sophia looked at her husband. She was utterly puzzled by his response to a stranger spying on them. “Of course I can see him. If he got any closer, he’d be touching both of us!” She pulled back a little, trying to see Otto’s face. Was he serious? Had he been drinking or something?
His face was a mask of surprise. He turned to the man. “She can see you? How can she see you?”
Tecu shrugged. “Because you want her to. Whatever walls you had put up to keep people out, you must have let them go. She can see me because you can see me.” The man got Sophia’s attention. “I’m Tecu. Let me be the first to congratulate you, Mrs. Clay.”
Sophia didn’t know what to say. This was the oddest conversation she’d ever been a part of. “Umm …” She trailed off, looking between Otto and Tecu. “Thank you,” she finally said.
“Otto, my assignment is completed. I’ve come to say goodbye.”
Otto looked at Sophia. There was a happiness behind the sadness in his eyes. Sophia hoped that the previous was for her. Otto didn’t say anything. He simply nodded, and when Sophia looked back to say farewell for him, the man was gone.
Otto wasn’t sure how to explain to his new bride who Tecu was and why he’d disappeared so quickly. He saw her turn to the man, to say what he wasn’t sure, but the words were right there on her lips. He could almost see them leaving her mouth. When she turned back to him, confusion written all over her face, he did the only thing he could think to do. He leaned forward and captured her mouth in a kiss deeper and hungrier than the one before.
He’d been waiting a long time to be able to feel her against him, to move his lips against hers and show her that he wanted to make her his in every way. Sophia’s grasp on his shoulders tightened and Otto pulled away, leaving her breathless and him tormented.
“Who was that?” she asked as soon as she gained a semblance of composure.
Otto shrugged. He’d decided to take it lightly and act like it was completely normal. “I guess you’d call him my guardian angel. Though he’s been kind of guarding you, too.”
Sophia’s pink cheeks made her eyes look even bigger than they usually did. It was an affect that he quite liked. He needed to remember to kiss her as often as possible so they’d stay that way. He smiled as the confused look returned to her face.
“Guardian angel?”
He nodded.
“He’s how you knew where Archie took me?” Her bright eyes were fixed on his. He nodded. “And how you knew to come back to the cabin the other night?”
He nodded again. He searched her gaze for some sign of fear or anything alarming. He found nothing.
“I wish I’d known.”
A veil of sadness settled over her. Otto couldn’t have that. This was their wedding day. He wanted his bride happy. His new job was making her happy for the rest of his days.
“Why are you sad?”
Sophia shook her head. “It’s silly.”
Otto shook his head in response. “What is it?”
“I just … I just feel like I should find a way to thank him.” The mist that sometimes took over her eyes returned. “All these people I have to thank, that I’m indebted to for making my life better. For you! And I didn’t even get a chance to tell him thank you.”
Otto brought her against him in a strong embrace. “Tecu and everyone else know that you’re thankful and grateful. I think the best way to repay each of them is to pass the kindness along. Show them that you learned from their example.”
Sophia looked up at him, and in that briefest of moments, Otto had never felt so full, so happy, and so hopeful in all his life.
“I love you, Mrs. Clay.”
Sophia smiled widely. “And I you, Mr. Clay.”
Epilogue
Sophia was sitting in a small workspace she’d created for herself at the livery. She’d completely taken over the organization of everything. Married life had been amazing so far. She and Otto had fallen into a rhythm of working and living together. They often took Ash and Marigold out in the evenings to ride the trails, and Mrs. Sanderson had even perked up. She was reading more but also doing light chores around the house. It was all going perfectly well, except that the cabin remained empty. She and Otto would check on it when they’d ride into Bachelor, or occasionally when they’d be out in the evenings, but she really hoped to see someone using it.
Hearing voices, she got up from her chair and went to the door where she discovered Otto greeting a gentlemen she’d not seen before. Otto must have sensed her being there, because he turned immediately to her with a large smile. “Sophia. This is Doctor James Thomas. He’s just arrived after a long journey and is looking for a place to house his horse.”
Sophia smiled. “Good afternoon, Doctor. What brings you to our little derelict town of Creede?”
The doctor laughed, and Sophia noticed that it reached all the way to his dark blue eyes. “Same as anyone, I suppose.” He turned his attention to Otto. “I’m looking for a new start. Any chance this town is in need of a doctor?”
Sophia reached for her husband’s hand and squeezed it. “As a matter of fact, we could use a doctor, Mr. Thomas. And I think we’ve got the perfect place for you to have your office.”
Also by Sara Jolene
Mail Order Majesty
A Brides of Beckham Book
Clover Lake Grooms Book 1
The Miner
Clover Lake Grooms Book 2
The Hunter
Clover Lake Grooms Book 3
Get all the news of New Releases First
Newsletter Sign up
About the Author
Sara lives in upstate New York with her husband, two children, and two chocolate labs. She has a borderline unhealthy obsession with all things relevant to Irish folklore, Gilmore Girls, and 16th century Britain. Oh, and in her spare time can be found either in a kayak or anywhere in the woods. She holds BA degrees in both English and history, has a profound love of nature, and a deep passion for books. Writing allows her to weave her interests and experiences into new worlds, and she is excited to share those stories with her readers.
www.sarajolene.com
What’s Next for Cowboys and Angels
Have a blast hanging out in Creede, Colorado?
There’s more where that came from click below for sneak peek of what’s next in the
Cowboys and Angels Series.
SNEAK PEEK