Molly nodded when she was introduced.
“Well, as usual you don’t beat around the bush or stand on ceremony. Sit down, please. Can we get you some refreshments?”
“No, we’re fine,” said Ben.
“I’m not.” Molly’s mouth was dry as dust. Being nervous always did that to her. “I’d love something to drink. Water would be fine.”
“Very well, if you have it, I’ll have coffee,” said Ben.
“Let me call Maria.” Mal pulled the cord by the desk.
Moments later a small dark-haired woman came through the door. “You wanted something Mr. Mal?
“Yes, please. Three cups of coffee and one glass of water.”
“I’ll be back shortly.” She walked back through the door shutting it behind her.
“Now, what’s this about you actually getting married?”
CHAPTER 3
“The most famous bachelor all the Arizona Territory is finally getting married.” Mal furrowed his brows and touched his forehead. “What is the date so I can burn it into my memory? I never thought I’d actually see it happen. I thought you were full of” he looked at Lizzie and Molly, “bull dung.”
“Stop,” Lizzie swatted her husband. “Molly is Ben’s mail order bride and the woman he’s marrying tomorrow.”
Mal made choking sounds and then burst into laughter. “So, the always marriage-shy, Mr. King, is finally giving in to the wedding bug. What’s the occasion?”
“That’s easy” admitted Ben. “I see what you and Lizzie and Matt and Julia have and I want the same thing. I wanted someone who doesn’t know the extent of my wealth.”
“The extent of your wealth?” Molly jerked her head around and stared at Ben. “I thought you owned the hotel and a couple of saloons. If I recall correctly,” she counted on her fingers. “Silver Star, Silver Nugget, and Silver Lady.”
Ben crossed his arms over his chest.
Mal started laughing. “My dear Molly, Ben King owns half this town. He has controlling interests in The Bank of Tombstone, owns the Bird Cage Theater, two general stores, six saloons, three silver mines and after that I lost count. Needless to say, Ben here is the richest man in Tombstone, maybe in the entire Arizona Territory. We call him The Baron.”
“Ben have you been keeping secrets from your bride to be?” admonished Lizzie then she looked over at her husband. “We know that can only lead to trouble.”
Mal nodded. “Lizzie and I almost learned the hard way.”
“What happened?” Molly hoped hearing someone else’s difficulties would make her seem small. Who was she kidding? Tom Marlow was anything but a small problem.
“Suffice it to say, we don’t keep secrets from each other anymore.” Lizzie sat on Mal’s lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I think everyone has a secret or two. It’s the nature of being human.” Molly hoped no one noticed her flush.
Ben took her hand in his and patted it. “What secrets do you have, my dear Molly?”
She patted his hand back. “Nothing to worry your handsome head about.”
He raised one perfectly slanted eyebrow. “We’ll talk more when we get home.”
Molly nodded, but her heart raced. How much should she tell him? Should she tell him anything? Either way there were bound to be consequences.
Hope started to fuss.
Ben reached out and took Hope from Lizzie. “We should probably get back. It’s time for Hope’s dinner. So shall we see you two at ten o’clock tomorrow outside Judge Blackstone’s chambers?”
“We’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss seeing the great Ben King finally tie the knot,” said Mal.
“I’m only doing what I would have done last year, but Julia decided to be my friend instead.”
Julia? Molly came to attention, her spine stiff as a board. He’d wanted to marry Julia?
“It was very nice to meet you both,” said Molly stiffly. “See you again tomorrow.”
“You, too, Molly,” Mal took her hand and kissed the top.
He was so gallant.
“Don’t worry, Molly,” said Lizzie, seeming to understand Molly’s change of attitude. “Julia was never going to marry Ben. She was already married to Matt by proxy when she arrived in Tombstone.”
Molly swallowed hard. “If you say so. I won’t worry.” Ha! I’m already worried. Not that I expected him to love me right away, but now I wonder if he ever will.
“Come on, Molly.” Ben was at the door with a now-crying Hope. The poor baby was hungry and it would be a while before she could eat.
Molly hung back. “Lizzie, do you have anything she can eat to keep her happy on the way home?”
“Sure. I’ve got some soda crackers. Both she and Roy love the things. Be right back.”
“Shh, Little Bit. Lizzie’s getting you some crackers. You’ll be fine.” Ben swayed his body and rocked the baby, walking back and forth on the carpet.
“Our son, Roy, is sleeping. He’s just turned one, so I know what you two will go through tonight.” Mal nodded toward Ben and Hope. “She’s going to miss Mommy and be one unhappy little girl, mark my words.”
“She’s stayed overnight with me before,” said Ben. “She’ll be just fine.”
Lizzie came back with several crackers wrapped in waxed paper. She handed them to Molly.
“These should get you home.”
“Thank you. We should go.”
Ben was already walking out the library door. “See you two tomorrow.”
He didn’t stop until he reached the surrey.
Molly ran to keep up with his long strides.
He held out his hand when they reached the buggy, to aid her into the conveyance.
After she was seated she reached her arms out for Hope. Molly gave Hope a cracker and the baby was busy with it, mostly gumming it although she did have front teeth. She looked up at Molly and grinned, then went back to her cracker.
Molly laughed. She couldn’t help it. That little grin with her four teeth showing was the cutest thing she’d ever seen. The more she was around Hope the more she wanted one just like her.
She looked over to see Ben was watching her.
“She’s amazing isn’t she?”
Molly saw and heard the pure love in his words.
“Yes, she is.” She squeezed Hope a little, brought the baby back against her chest and cuddled her. “She most certainly is very special.”
They arrived back in town and went to the doctor’s office first. They walked in and heard Julia moaning, and then a baby’s cry.
Ben headed down the hall.
Molly followed with Hope.
He looked in each of the two examination rooms they passed until he reached the surgery at the back of the clinic and found Matt and Julia.
“Matt. Julia. I heard a baby cry,” he said from out in the hall. “I wanted to let you know we are back.”
“Come in Ben. Bring Hope and Molly. I’m decent.” Julia sounded tired.
The three of them walked in.
Julia was on the table, propped up by two bed pillows. She held a red, squirming and very unhappy, crying baby.
“What variety did you get?” Ben went to Julia and kissed her forehead.
She was covered with a sheet and wore a night gown.
“We have a boy. We’re going to name him Walt.”
Ben chuckled. “The old codger should be happy with that.”
“As much as it pains me to admit it, if it wasn’t for my grandfather, Julia and I wouldn’t be together.” Matt looked down at his wife and smiled.
“Are Lizzie and Mal standing up with you tomorrow?” asked Julia.
“Yes, we’ll meet them at ten o’clock outside the judge’s chambers.”
“Good, good.” Julia looked over at Molly. “Will you gentlemen leave Molly and me for a moment? Please?”
Molly stayed, but couldn’t figure out why Julia would want to talk to her.
“I can tell you’ve heard Ben wan
ted to marry me last year. I can only imagine what you must be feeling, but believe me, Ben didn’t love me. Yes, he thought he did but only friendship is between us. You and he will be making a life together. Love will come. Trust me.”
“I don’t know.” She knew. There was no chance that Ben would love her and she should get used to it. “You didn’t see him when he was talking about you. He’s still in love with you. He’d marry you in a minute if he could.”
“Molly.” Julia took Molly’s hand with one hand and held baby Walt with the other. “Give it time. Get to know each other. Love will come.”
Molly swallowed, knowing it wasn’t true, but there was nothing she could do about it. “Should you feed him.” She nodded toward the crying baby.
His little cries were getting louder.
Julia helped him find her nipple and sucked in a breath when he latched on.
“What’s the matter? Are you all right? Should I get Matthew?”
“No, I’m fine. The feeling is just not very comfortable when they first nurse. My breasts aren’t used to it, but they will be soon.”
“I hope we’ll have children, and that Ben will love them, like he loves Hope. She’s very special.”
“Hope is our baby. Ben’s and mine, because we were there for her birth. She’s my and Matthew’s daughter because we’re raising her and have adopted her, but there’s nothing that says a child can have only two parents. Ben is Hope’s third parent. But your children will be even more special because they will be a part of you and him. Just remember to give everything time.” She took Molly’s hand and squeezed it.
“I understand. Thank you Julia.”
“I want us to be friends, Molly. I want you to know that I have no designs on your husband, and he truly has no designs on me.”
Molly gave her a small smile. It was all she could manage. “I’ll do my best to remember that.”
“Good. Now we best let the boys back in here. Can you cover me up with a towel please so Walt can continue to eat?”
Molly covered her and then went to the door and called out. “Gentlemen, mother and baby are ready for visitors.”
Matt, Ben and Hope all returned. Hope stretched out her arms, showing her wish to kiss her mama, so Ben held her so she could. He straightened, and Hope grabbed the towel and pulled it off.
Julia and baby Walt were exposed.
Ben froze, his eyes widening.
Matt covered his wife up again and scolded Hope.
“We’re letting Mama feed Walt now. You get to go with Uncle Ben and Molly. They’re going to play with you…all…night…long.” The way he said it, he knew Ben was in for a long night. And that knowledge tickled him.
Hope shook her head and reached for the towel again, but Ben was quicker and turned away from Julia.
“I can see it’s time we went home. We’ll come back by tomorrow after the ceremony.” Ben shook Matt’s hand, kissed Julia on the forehead, while keeping Hope’s hands clasped with one of his and said, “Goodbye, baby Walt.”
“Bababababa,” Hope grinned.
“You think she’s trying to say baby?” Molly ran her hand over Hope’s blonde head.
“No,” laughed Julia. “That’s the extent of her vocabulary right now. Everything is babababa.”
“We’ll have to see if we can teach her to say mama before we bring her back,” said Molly.
“Good luck, and congratulations on tomorrow,” called Julia and Matt.
Ben was already out the door and headed for the surrey.
CHAPTER 4
They arrived back at the stables behind the hotel. Ben hadn’t said anything since they’d left the doctor’s office. He pulled to a stop.
The stable boy came out and held the horses.
“Give them both a good rub down, Robby.”
“Will do, boss,” said the tall, sandy-haired boy.
Ben came around and took Hope from Molly. She expected him to help her down, but he just turned and headed toward the back of the hotel.
“Ben? Ben. What’s the matter with you?” Molly struggled to climb down and then had to run to catch up.
“What did you and Julia talk about?” he snapped.
Now was not the time to lie. They needed to begin their marriage with the truth. Well mostly. The truth about this anyway.
“You.”
“Hmpft.” He jutted out his chin and kept walking.
“She was worried for me.”
He frowned. “Why would she worry about you?”
“She didn’t want me to worry about you being in love with her. She says you aren’t, that you’re just friends.”
“That’s true. I could have told you that if you’d asked. You didn’t need to ask her about it.”
I will not lose my temper. “I didn’t ask her. She brought it up with me. What you must think of me to assume that I asked her what kind of relationship she has with you. She simply wanted me to know.”
“All right. If you have any further questions, you can ask me. I won’t lie to you.” He continued walking toward the suites.
“Thank you. I won’t lie to you either. You can ask me anything and I will tell you the truth.”
“That’s as it should be between a husband and wife. Only the truth.”
“Yes, I agree.” As long as he didn’t ask about Tom Marlow, I’ll be able to keep my vow.
When they reached her room, he asked, “I apologize for my lack of manners. I should have helped you from the buggy. Are you hungry? I’ve got to feed Little Bit and if you’d like to eat now, we can.”
Molly nodded. “You’re forgiven and thank you, but actually, I’d like to unpack. I’ve got to get my dresses hung so some of the wrinkles will come out.”
“If you need anything ironed right away, bring it to the kitchen. I’ll see that the task gets done.”
“The only thing would be my dress for tomorrow. I’ll have to see what it looks like.”
“All right, I’ll see you after I feed this little one.”
Hope was done with the last of the crackers and threw it on the floor. Then she started crying.
“Got to go.” He turned and left to feed the baby.
Molly watched him leave and wondered about his abrupt change in behavior. Would she ever be able to understand the man? She unlocked her door and stepped into her room. She went to bedroom where her trunk sat at the end of the iron bed, threw her room key on the top of the bureau and opened the trunk. When she’d packed to come to Tombstone, she’d put her dresses, skirts and blouses on top and her under garments on the bottom, hoping the dresses wouldn’t get as wrinkled. The process may have worked, but it was hard to tell.
The lavender silk dress she brought to wear for her wedding tomorrow was hopelessly wrinkled. There was no way around the situation. She needed to have the garment ironed. She didn’t want to ask Ben because she didn’t want him to see the dress before tomorrow, but it couldn’t be helped if she wanted to make sure it was ready for the ceremony.
When she got to the kitchen, she saw Hope making a mess rather than eating. Every time Ben brought a bite of food to her she would grab it and smear it all over the high chair’s table.
“You’re never going to get any food in her if you continue to let her play. Here you get this ironed for me and I’ll feed Hope.”
Molly changed places with Ben. “Hope, open up and eat your mashed potatoes. Come on, now open up.”
Hope shut her mouth and reached for the spoon.
“Do you want to feed yourself? All right, here you go.” Molly gave her the spoon.
Hope played in her dinner but then she tried to put some potatoes on the spoon.
“Here, let me help.” Molly filled the spoon and then handed it to Hope.
The baby shoved it toward her mouth and actually got most of the food in before it fell off the spoon.
Hope looked up at Molly and smiled. Triumphant.
“Did you see? Ben did you see? She fed herself.”
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“I saw. You’re wonderful with her.”
She turned and saw that he was indeed watching her. There was a hunger in his eyes, which both frightened and excited her. He was as ready as she was to have a child. Seeing Julia with her baby must have affected him as it did her. Her longings increased, and her determination to marry tomorrow was fierce.
They watched Hope, who took a bite from Molly every so often and mostly played with her food. Having gotten the food to her mouth once without any help, she wasn’t interested in doing so again.
Molly kept feeding Hope until she literally turned her head and pushed away the spoon.
“Well, I guess she’s full.” Molly put down the spoon. “Where are the wash cloths?”
Ben got her a cloth from one of the drawers under the counter.
Molly went to the sink and pumped water onto the cloth, then took it back and cleaned the baby, who batted at the cloth.
Ben picked up her dress. “After Hope goes to bed, we should talk. In the mean time let me get this to the hotel housekeeper.”
“Thank you. And I agree about talking tonight. Come to my room after you get Hope down for the night.”
“I will.”
By the time she finished cleaning the baby, Ben had returned. She handed Hope to him. “Good luck. She doesn’t seem to be very sleepy.”
“She’s always like this. I’ll put her in her crib in an hour or so and she’ll cry a little and then fall right to sleep.”
“You seem to know a lot about children.”
“Remember, I was the oldest of eight. With seven younger brothers and sisters, I’ve been taking care of babies since I was five.”
“That’s right and I only have the one brother. Did I tell you about him?”
“No, I don’t remember that coming up in our correspondence.”
“He is ten years younger than I am and I don’t know him very well now, but I helped to raise him until he was about eight and I left home.”
“We’ll talk more. It’ll probably be about an hour. Just leave the connecting door unlocked.”
Mail Order Baron (The Brides of Tombstone Book 3) Page 3