“You could have sold the jewels to pay the loan.” Tully studied the diamond in the ring he held up to catch the light.
Brianna shook her head. “I’d never sell them, no matter how much I needed the money. They aren’t just precious jewels. The jewels are precious because they remind me of my family.”
Tully set the jewelry on a side table and took the corsets from Brianna, placing them back in her bag. After he returned the knife to his pocket, he picked her up and settled her across his lap.
“You realize this is highly improper, especially with Mr. Thomason right downstairs working on the door,” Brianna whispered, leaning her head against Tully’s solid chest. She listened to the steady beat of his heart, grateful he knew the truth, the whole truth about everything, and still cared about her.
“As you’ve probably heard Maggie mention, I’ve never been overly concerned about what’s proper.”
Brianna grinned, although Tully couldn’t see it. Content and comfortable with his arms around her, she closed her eyes, ready to give in to her exhaustion. “I don’t think I can handle any more excitement today,” she mumbled, snuggling closer to him.
“Are you absolutely sure about that?” Tully asked in a teasing tone that made her open her eyes and turn her head to look up at him.
“What are you planning, Sheriff Barrett?”
Tully set her on the sofa then knelt in front of her, taking both of her hands in his. “This sure isn’t how I planned to do this, darlin’, with my socks sloggin’ in my wet boots from wadin’ in the river and both of us so tired we can barely think, but I don’t want to wait another minute to tell you how I feel.” He kissed the backs of both of her hands before his gaze fused to hers. Flames flickered in his hazel eyes as he smiled at her, causing dimples to pop out in his cheeks. “I love you with every single bit of my heart and then some. I’ve never felt so miserable and alone as I did the day Davis arrived and said you belonged to him. I want you to be mine, Brianna, forever and always. Will you please marry me? Be my wife and spend a lifetime telling me what a detestable, conceited, arrogant man I am?”
“Yes! Oh, yes, Tully!” she squealed with excitement. “Absolutely, yes!” She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. He lifted her in his arms and stood, swinging her around and around.
“Is everything okay up there?” Mr. Thomason called up the stairs.
“Couldn’t be better, Bill,” Tully replied. He captured Brianna’s lips with his, pouring all the passion she stirred in him into the loving exchange.
Breathless and euphoric, she smiled at him when he finally lifted his head. “Do you think we might wed soon?”
“Would tomorrow work for you?” Tully asked, kissing her again then giving her a teasing wink. “I think I might be able to wait that long to see you model those corsets we’ve talked about so much.
A blush made pink blossoms bloom in her cheeks, but she smiled. “Tomorrow would be just fine. I love you so much, Tully Barrett. More than you can possibly know. You’re the finest, gentlest man I’ve ever known and I can’t wait to be your bride.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Much to Tully’s dismay, the wedding did not take place the next day. In fact, it was almost two weeks before he stood in the church with Thane and Ian beside him, waiting for his bride to walk down the aisle.
The evening he proposed and Brianna accepted, she packed a few things in her bag and Tully escorted her to Maggie and Ian’s home where they shared the happy news of their plans to wed.
Somehow, between the time Tully kissed Brianna good night and he stopped the next morning to kiss her hello, Maggie had talked her into having a real wedding with a reception and fancy gown.
If that wasn’t bad enough, Jemma arrived in town mid-morning and joined in the plans with the help of Hattie Greenfield.
The only thing the women asked him to do was stop by the tailor’s shop to try on the new suit Brianna had ordered for him. From the many hushed conversations he’d interrupted the last few days, he assumed Brianna had a surprise or two in mind for him.
He had a few surprises of his own planned, though, and smiled as he thought of them.
At the look on his face, Thane leaned toward him with a smirk. “Do you know Jemma and Maggie bet on when you would marry Brianna?”
Tully turned to him with a disbelieving look. “You’re joshin’ me.”
“Honest truth,” Thane said, tipping his head toward Ian. “We both heard them discussing it. They wagered between August and September. Here it is the eighth day of August.”
“What can I say?” Tully grinned at his friends. “I know when it’s time to surrender to the inevitable.”
Thane and Ian laughed as Pastor Eagan moved into place beside them. The men watched Jemma then Maggie stroll down the aisle, carrying bouquets of carnations with daisies.
Dressed in a pale blue dress fit for a princess, Sammy flounced behind them tossing flower petals from a basket. Although the child argued she was much too old for the job of flower girl, she happily accepted when Brianna mentioned there would be a new dress for her to wear.
After all that transpired with Davis’ murder and the arrest of Booker Smith, Brianna wrote an article about the tiny hero who helped save the day. Not only did Bowen Packwood print it, but the story also ran in newspapers across the country.
Sammy had been so proud when Brianna shared the article with her. The little girl had cried at the last paragraph:
The actions of Miss Howe prove that it is not the size or age of a person, but the grand depths of one’s heart and the expansive breadth of one’s bravery that make a true hero. Our world would be a much better place if more souls that are selfless, like this valiant child, existed. The West has a new champion — a little girl with a heart full of love.
True to her promise, Sammy had gone to Bowen and apologized for tricking him into hiring her. He allowed her to keep the job, but told her he wouldn’t tolerate any further subterfuge. She’d gone around town and humbly asked forgiveness from anyone she’d fooled into thinking she was a boy who couldn’t speak.
Brianna and Tully made sure every person she’d stolen from received monetary compensation for their lost goods. However, since Sammy wasn’t the one who stole Brianna’s shoes, their loss remained a mystery.
Now, as the little girl stood next to Maggie, she looked up at Tully with a happy smile. He winked at her then turned his gaze to Brianna as she floated down the aisle on the arm of Edwin Greenfield.
Overwhelmed by the vision she made in the dress Maggie created for her, he drew in a sharp breath. Her small waist appeared impossibly tiny above the peplum of her gown. Rich lace dripped from the sleeves and skirt while a veil and train trailed several feet behind her down the aisle.
The bouquet of assorted roses, gathered from yards all around town, offered a subtle hint of fragrance as Brianna took her place beside him.
Heedless to what was proper, he bent down until his lips nearly touched her ear. “You are the loveliest bride I’ve ever laid eyes on, Fred. Thank you for agreeing to marry me.”
When Edwin had escorted her inside the church and they started walking down the aisle, her breath had caught in her throat. In her eyes, Tully Barrett was the most handsome man she’d ever seen as he stood near the pastor in his dark suit.
From the shoulders that looked as though they could carry the weight of the world to the long, solid legs made for standing strong, Tully was her hero, her defender, her champion, and soon to be her husband.
All her girlish dreams of falling in love fell far short of the splendid bliss of being loved by the good-looking, lighthearted sheriff.
When he took her hand in his, flashing those dimples, Brianna questioned whether her knees would continue to hold her upright for the duration of the ceremony. The husky tone of his voice as he called her Fred nearly left her undone. Weeks ago, she’d decided the teasing endearment was the sweetest word she could possibly hear.
&nbs
p; She nodded her head and the ceremony proceeded smoothly. A tear rolled down Brianna’s cheek when Tully placed her mother’s wedding ring on her finger. Although she dearly wished both her parents could be with her, she felt incredibly blessed to marry Tully, a man she loved with her whole heart.
A quiver of anticipation rolled through her when Tully lifted her veil and stared into her eyes for a moment before he claimed her lips in a tender, sweet kiss.
His deep voice rumbled near her ear as he whispered, “I love you,” then raised his head with a warm smile full of promises.
Filled with happiness, Brianna squeezed his hand and smiled in return as they faced the congregation. Together, they strolled down the street to the boarding house where the Greenfields insisted on hosting the reception in their large back yard.
As they sat at a table eating cake and drinking fruity punch with their friends, Brianna and Tully shared a smile as Jack Jordan trailed after Sammy. Aware of the boy’s interest in her, the little girl coyly glanced over her shoulder at him and tossed her hair.
“She took the news of her father’s death well,” Brianna said, leaning closer to Tully.
“Yeah, she did. She expected it, though. If I’d known he was missing, I would have asked around sooner. At least it didn’t take long to track down the information. It is unfortunate he died in a mine blast and no one knew he left a family behind. Sammy said she figured he either ran off or got himself killed.” Tully watched Sammy take Lily Jordan’s hand in hers as the two little girls giggled at something Jack said. “It’s what will happen when she loses her mother that’s got me worried.”
Brianna’s voice softened. “We’ll take her, of course.”
Tully whipped his head around and stared at his bride. “You mean you’d really take her in? I’d love to keep her, but I thought maybe you were teasing about that when you mentioned it in passing.”
“I don’t tease about such serious matters.” Brianna kissed Tully’s cheek. “When the time comes, she’ll have a home with us.”
“Have I mentioned how much I love you?” Tully slid his arm around Brianna’s shoulders and placed a moist kiss just below her ear.
She smiled and closed her eyes, savoring the touch of his lips to her skin. “Mmm. You have not made any mention of your affections for me in the last five minutes. Please feel free to continue.”
“I adore your smile, Mrs. Barrett.” Tully nibbled on her ear. “I cherish your laughter.” He kissed her neck again. “I treasure the love shining in your beautiful blue eyes.” A peck to her cheek. “I…”
“Mrs. Barrett!” A raspy voice carried across the yard as Clive Fisher hurried their direction as fast as bowed legs could carry him. “Brianna! I done brung you a weddin’ gift.”
Tully and Brianna both stood, smiling at Clive as he stopped next to their table and held out a surprisingly clean hand. In fact, it appeared as though he’d broken his rule of only one bath a year and had taken one. A hair trim and shave, along with a set of clean clothes, gave him a respectable appearance.
Sunlight glinted off the large gold nugget resting on his callused palm.
“Mr. Fisher, what’s this?” Brianna asked, taking the nugget in her hand and giving the old miner a curious glance.
“I done told you I was getting close and I was right. I hit a vein a few days ago and have been digging like a mad man every living minute of the day.” Clive grinned and pointed to the nugget in her hand. “There’s loads more where that came from. Maybe you and the sheriff will come out and see it soon.”
“We’d be happy to do that, Clive,” Tully said, taking the nugget from Brianna and examining it. “As soon as we return from our honeymoon trip, we’ll ride out to see you.”
Unaware of any plans for a trip, Brianna glanced at Tully then Clive. “I’m so glad you decided to come today, Mr. Fisher. After you told me you’d rather be dragged through the streets in your birthday suit than join us, I didn’t think we’d see you here.”
“Don’t get any ideas. I come into town to bring you that and wish you both well. Just because some of us didn’t have a happy marriage, don’t mean I can’t wish the best for the two of you.” Clive’s eyes filled with moisture and he took out a stiff new handkerchief, swiping at his nose and dabbing his eyes before stuffing it back into his pocket.
Brianna gave him an impulsive hug then stepped back. “Please stay a while, Mr. Fisher. There’s plenty of food, cake, and punch. It would make me so happy for you to stay and enjoy yourself.”
“Well…” Clive glanced around, noticed the food table, and nodded his head. “I reckon a few minutes won’t hurt.”
He ambled off in the direction of the wedding cake and Tully handed the nugget back to Brianna. “It looks like your father’s investment in Clive’s mine paid off.”
“Yes, it did. Father would be so excited if he could see this.” Brianna gave the nugget one more look then slid it into Tully’s suit coat pocket for safekeeping. She lifted her gaze to her husband’s and tilted her head. “What’s this about a honeymoon trip? You didn’t mention a thing about it to me earlier.”
“I wanted it to be a surprise. We’ll leave on tomorrow’s train for Warwick, Rhode Island. I thought you might like to go home.”
Brianna took Tully’s face in her hands and smiled with her heart in her eyes. “You silly man. Don’t you know my home is here with you, in your arms, but I can’t tell you how much it means to me to be able to show you where I grew up. I can pack the rest of my things there and you can help me decide what to do with the house and our holdings.”
“I figure we’ll be gone about two weeks. Maggie and Ian will keep an eye on Sammy and her mama while we’re gone. Our absence will also give the workers plenty of time to finish.” Tully kissed her forehead and slid his arm around her shoulders again, drawing her close.
“Workers? What workers?” Brianna asked, staring at him.
“The men I hired to add a bathroom onto our house and install running water in the kitchen.”
A squeal of excitement burst out of her and she threw her arms around his neck. “I love you, you fabulous man. Thank you for such a wonderful wedding gift.”
Tully chuckled and stood, pulling her to her feet then taking her hand in his. “That’s not your wedding gift, darlin’.”
“It’s not?” Puzzled, she followed as Tully led her out of the yard and down the street. When they reached Hotel Warshauer, he swept her into his arms and carried her inside.
Mr. Isaac greeted them as they passed through the lobby. “Congratulations on your nuptials, Mrs. Barrett.”
“Thank you, Mr. Isaac,” she said, glancing over Tully’s shoulder as he carried her up the steps to the second floor. Brianna pointed to the elevator as he maneuvered across the mezzanine. “You could have saved yourself some work.”
He grinned and turned down a hallway. “The elevator takes longer than I’m willing to wait. If you can dig your dainty little hand into my coat pocket...” His head tilted to the right, indicating which side, “you’ll find the key to our room.”
“Our room?” Brianna asked, retrieving the key.
Tully bent down and she inserted it in the lock. When it clicked, she turned the knob and he toed the door open to the hotel’s finest suite.
“I thought you might enjoy a fancy room tonight, one with a bathroom and a big tub.” Tully grinned at her. “A tub big enough for two.”
Heat burned her cheeks at his implication and she turned to glance around the well-appointed room. A basket with fruit, cheese, and bread sat on a table in front of a settee, along with a bouquet of fragrant flowers.
Tully let her slide down until her feet touched the floor. His gaze held hers as he closed the door and locked it. With unhurried movements, he removed his suit coat, vest, and tie then took off her veil.
“It’s much too warm for so many layers, Mrs. Barrett,” he said in a deep husky tone that made her tremble.
Filled with nervous anticipati
on, Brianna remained silent, uncertain what to say or do.
Tully moved behind her and placed a light kiss to the back of her neck before he reached down to undo her buttons, only to realize there weren’t any.
“How am I supposed to get you out of that thing, pretty as it is?”
Brianna lifted her left arm, revealing a row of hooks.
Tully bent his knees and planted his tongue in his cheek as his big fingers worked to undo the tiny fasteners.
At the look of pure concentration on his face, she giggled. “How are you going to put me at ease if you look so serious?”
“This is serious business, Fred.” He glanced at her and smiled, revealing those glorious dimples. Fingers fumbling, he continued to make slow progress. “Did Maggie intentionally make this hard for me?”
Another blush filled her cheeks. “No. She thought it would be easier than buttons.”
“Well, she might be wrong.” Tully considered yanking on the hooks and ruining them, but he didn’t want to upset his bride at that particular moment. “I’ve been greatly anticipating the moment when you’ll model one of those fancy corsets for me, but I might have to postpone the show.”
Embarrassed but intrigued, she gave him a questioning look, inhaling the minty aroma of his breath. “Why is that?”
“Because I’m not stopping until every speck of your clothes are on the floor.”
Her mouth rounded in an “O” as her eyes widened, shocked by his words.
Once the hooks were unfastened and he removed Brianna’s gown, he took the pins from her hair and watched the golden brown waves fall around her face.
“You are so enchantingly beautiful, Brianna.” His thumb traced across her. “I can’t quite believe you’re finally mine.”
Corsets and Cuffs: (Sweet Historical Western Romance) (Baker City Brides Book 3) Page 28