“All right. I’ll get back to my unpacking.”
“We’ll walk with you.”
When they reached her room, she put her key in the door and turned the lock.
Ben looked at Hope. “Say goodnight to Molly.”
Hope kissed Molly on the cheek and then made kissy noises when Molly pulled back. It was so darn cute, Molly couldn’t help but smile. She gave Hope a good night kiss on her forehead.
“See you soon,” she said to Ben and went into the room. She shut the door and leaned against it for a moment. Why did her stomach do flips when she saw him with Hope? What was it about men and babies that made her feel all soft inside?
She pushed away from the door and walked to the bedroom and her still mostly-full steamer trunk.
* * *
“Molly. Molly.”
“Hmm.” She tried to open one eye, so tired. Strong arms picked her up. “Ben?”
“Yes.”
She lifted her arms around his neck, the sensation of being carried was strange but she liked it. “I’m so tired. I fell asleep.”
“So I see.” She heard rather than saw the smile in his voice.
“Are you putting me to bed?”
“Yes, I appear to be putting both of my girls to bed tonight.”
“I’m sorry. Give me a little bit and I’ll wake up.”
“No. Go back to sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Okay.” She snuggled into his warmth. He smelled so good, she could smell his scent forever and never get tired of it. Sandalwood and him. Mostly him
Ben laid her on the bed and then removed her shoes.
She turned over on to her side when he covered her with the blanket from the foot of the bed.
“Goodnight, sweet Molly.”
“Goodnight, my Ben.”
He shook his head and chuckled. Her Ben. Well he supposed he was, just as she was his Molly. Or at least they would be, after the ceremony tomorrow. He’d wanted to talk to her tonight, but Hope had taken much longer to put down than he’d anticipated. When she was finally settled, the time was nearly ten o’clock.
He was tired. Molly must have been exhausted. She’d been on the stagecoach for hours and then went with him visiting, meeting his friends, driving out to see Lizzie and Mal. She’d had a very full day and they never did eat supper. He could go without a meal but he’d make sure she ate, he didn’t want her losing any of those delicious curves.
Ben went back to his room and got her lavender dress. The pressed garment had been delivered to him when they couldn’t get a response from Molly. The dress was a pretty one. She’d be lovely wearing it and he liked the style with the high collar and lace down the front. He saw enough of low-cut dresses on the girls who worked in his saloons and brothels. Ben wanted to be the only one who saw Molly’s assets. Even through her conservative dress he could tell she was fine figured. She was full bosomed and with a tiny waist that he didn’t think was all corset. He’d find out tomorrow night. He had every intention of working hard to get his wife pregnant, starting with their wedding night.
Troubling though was the thought she was hiding something. She’d been thinking very hard about something when they were together at Lizzie’s. Something that made her frown. Some secret. He didn’t like secrets. At least secrets from him. He had a couple of secrets he wasn’t ready to share, like the fact that three of his businesses were brothels. He knew having secrets could hurt and he didn’t want to see Molly hurt so he would tell her at some point down the road, but now was not the time.
* * *
Molly awoke and stretched. She’d been exhausted, and remembered lying down on the sofa for just a little nap until Ben came in. But here she was in bed. Then she remembered, Ben took off her shoes and covered her with the blanket from the foot of the bed. That was very sweet of him.
After looking around, she saw her dress hanging on the closet door. The garment was pressed and as fresh looking as the day she’d picked it up at the dressmakers. Sitting upright, she checked the pin watch on her chest. Eight o’clock. If she was going to have a bath and get breakfast before her wedding she’d better get going.
She went to the front desk and asked to have a bath sent to her room.
“Sure thing Miss McGregor. I’ll have it sent up as soon as the water is hot. That’ll be about fifteen minutes.”
“That’s fine, have them go in and get it ready. I’m getting some breakfast. I missed dinner last night and find I’m feeling famished this morning.”
“I’ll do that. It’ll be in your room, hot and ready when you get back.”
“Thank you so much.”
“Anything for Mr. King’s bride.”
She smiled and glanced down, totally unused to such service. But she could get used to being treated like a queen. If it felt this good to be Mr. King’s bride she could only imagine what it would feel like to be his wife.
Molly made her way to the dining room. The tables were rather crowded this morning, so she went through to the kitchen. She didn’t want anything big for breakfast, anyway.
Sadie was presiding over the kitchen staff, but saw her come in.
“Miss Molly. Ain’t you getting married this morning?”
“Yes, Sadie but I’m hungry. I haven’t had anything since your delicious fried chicken yesterday. I ended up sleeping right through dinner.”
“You just sit yourself down there and I’ll fix your breakfast myself. What would you like?”
“How about a couple of fried eggs and toast, with a cup of coffee? I need to be awake for my wedding in a few hours.”
“Sure thing. Coming right up.”
Sadie hurried off to the stove and commandeered a burner from one of her cooks. She was back in just a few minutes with two eggs, basted to perfection, two slices of buttered toast and a cup of dark, black coffee.
Molly dipped her toast into one of the egg yolks, put it in her mouth and chewed.
“Mmm. Sadie, this is perfectly cooked. The yolk is soft and the white cooked through. How do you do it?”
“The secret is to baste them one at a time.”
She swallowed the delicious food. “How did you know I like my eggs like this?”
“Maybe because I like mine that way, too.” Ben walked over and sat next to her.
“Well, good morning. You like your eggs basted? That’s a good thing because I think it’s the only way to serve eggs. They’re one of my favorite foods. I could eat them for every meal.”
“Me, too. I guess I just discovered what we’ll be eating at home.”
Molly laughed. “I’m glad you have a sense of humor about it. I can cook but I’m not a chef like Sadie.”
“I’m not worried about it. I likely won’t be home to eat most of the time except breakfast anyway.”
He was leaving her alone? Molly raised her eyebrow. “What will you do at night that you won’t be home for dinner?”
“I have lots of businesses to run, and sometimes that takes me out in the night. I’ll visit the Birdcage or one of the saloons to see that everything is running well during the busiest times, not just the slow.”
“Oh, I see.” Molly put down her toast.
He furrowed his eyebrows. “What do you see, Molly, that would put you off a breakfast you were just enjoying so much?”
“I see that I’m going to be alone most of the time. The arrangement appears to be that except for breakfast and sleeping, you’ll be gone.”
“More than likely, that will be true, for several nights each week anyway. How is that a problem?”
He really didn’t seem to understand.
“I just assumed we’d” she waved her hand between them, “be spending more time together. Getting to know each other, talking about how our day went over dinner. Things like that.”
He frowned a little. “I’m sorry if your vision of our marriage is different than what I envision. I don’t remember talking about it in our letters, I suppose we should have.”
<
br /> “Yes, we probably should have, but we’ll work it out. That’s what marriage is all about, being able to work through things together. Right?”
He reached over, put his hand on top of hers and gave a little squeeze. “That’s a good outlook on marriage. I like it.”
Molly smiled and looked at their hands, his on top of hers. “Thank you for taking care of me last night. I must have been more tired than I thought.”
“You seemed fairly exhausted. You didn’t awaken, not really. As soon as I said you could go back to sleep, you were out. I’m not sure you even opened your eyes when I moved you to the bedroom.”
She shook her head a little. “Probably not. Yesterday was a very long day for me and I suppose today will be just as long. I really need to go get ready.” She rose from the table. “I’ll meet you in the lobby at nine-thirty. Will that be enough time?”
“Yes, but you’d better hurry.”
“I will.” She yawned and lifted a hand to cover her mouth. “Oh, pardon me. I must still be tired from the trip. My bath will wake me up.”
Her bath had the opposite effect. She leaned back to rest in the hot water and fell asleep within moments. She awoke to strong arms lifting her from the tub.
“Ben. Oh my, goodness.” Heart pounding at their positions. She turned toward him, so he saw her side, not her front. “I’m late aren’t I? Oh, dear. Please put me down and close your eyes so I can get to the bedroom. It’ll only take me a few minutes. I already did my hair, unless I messed it up. Oh, goodness, what you must think of me.”
“Shh, everything is fine.” He didn’t move to let her down. “I sent a note to the judge that we might be a little late and the boy will stay and let Lizzie and Mal know, too.”
She sagged against him, her mortification complete.
“Well, you can let me down now and I’ll go get dressed.”
“I find I like you in my arms, especially when you’re naked.”
It was only then she noticed that it was his warm skin, not a shirt that she felt against her. He’d removed his suit coat and shirt so they wouldn’t get wet. He was so strong. His arms well-defined muscles held her easily.
He let her slide down his body as he released her. When she reached the floor she felt his erection hard against her belly.
“We’d better get married in a hurry or I’m going to make you mine before we say our vows.”
She looked up at him and was breathing hard. “I agree. Close your eyes.”
“All right they’re closed.”
She hurried to the bedroom.
When she looked back before she entered, she saw his eyes were closed. He’d kept his word to her.
Hope was on the floor and squealed with delight and started crawling toward Molly. “Babababa”
Ben’s eyes popped open, and widened when he saw she was still in the room. She saw them darken with desire before he bent to pick up Hope but his gaze stayed on Molly, trapping her in its fierceness. Only when he finally looked down at the baby did Molly scoot into the bedroom to dress.
CHAPTER 5
Molly ran to the bureau where she grabbed her bloomers and chemise. In the interest of time, she decided against the corset. Her dress buttoned down the front and was very fitted, so even without the corset, she’d have shape. Besides, her figure was just fine, even if she was a little fleshier than was de rigueur. Her bosom was full and high, her waist small and her hips generous.
She finished with the last button on the lavender dress and put on the matching hat with dyed-to-match feathers. She took the amethyst ear bobs and a plain gold band from her jewelry pouch. The ear bobs finished her ensemble. Checking for the last time in the mirror, she saw her color was high. She had no need to pinch her cheeks or bite her lips. She took the gold ring and put it in the pocket of her dress she’d had them put in for just this occasion.
She stopped and took several deep breaths to slow her racing heart. Taking a final deep breath she walked out to the living room.
“I’m ready.”
Ben turned from the settee where he’d set Hope down to play, apparently in an attempt to keep her clean.
She kept him busy, making sure she didn’t fall off.
“You look lovely, especially for getting ready in a matter of minutes.”
“I can be fast when I have to be. Something I learned when I left my old job as a secretary at the bank.”
“Well, you learned well. Shall we go?”
“Yes. Let’s get this done. Hope, are you ready to be in a wedding?” Molly tickled the baby’s stomach.
Hope giggled.
“You seem anxious.” Ben adjusted Hope in his arms.
She smiled and let out a breath. “I am nervous and when I’m nervous I find that facing what is bothering me, head-on is the best thing to do.”
“That’s a reasonable approach.”
“I would hope I’m sensible in all my endeavors.”
Ben carried Hope and Molly walked by their side. The three of them proceeded down the boardwalk without talking. The day was sunny and the air hot. Hotter than she was used to and she felt the sweat between her breasts. She ignored the sensation. They walked like that until they reached the new courthouse and found Judge Blackstone’s chamber. The place was easy to spot since Lizzie and Mal were standing outside.
Lizzie held a baby about the same age as Hope.
I hope you don’t mind that we brought Roy,” said Lizzie.
Mal added, “Atina, Lizzie’s mother wasn’t feeling well this morning, and we didn’t think it was a good idea to leave Roy for her to watch. She needs her rest.”
“No, not at all,” said Ben. “The babies can keep each other company on the floor while the vows are said. Then we can all go back to the hotel for refreshments. I’m having a little celebration set up in my suite.” Ben looked at Molly. “I thought you would want to have a reception after the wedding.”
Molly smiled. “I think that’s wonderful and very thoughtful. By that time my stomach will have settled and I’ll be hungry again.”
“You have a good appetite. I like that,” said Ben. “Even though I may not be home that often for dinner, it’s not fun to take a meal with someone who only wants to eat the vegetables.”
Molly raised an eyebrow. “You’ll never have that problem with me.”
The clerk, a tall, wiry man with unmanageable red hair, came into the room. “The judge is ready for you now.”
They filed into the room, ladies first.
“Ben, glad to see you.” Judge Blackstone rose from behind his desk and came around to the front. “Let’s get this started shall we. I have a courtroom full of people waiting.”
“Where do you want us?” Ben set Hope on the floor next to Roy. Lizzie, bless her, had brought some toys for them to play with.
“I want you and Mal on my left, Miss McGregor and Lizzie on my right.”
They lined up where he indicated.
“Good. Now let’s begin. Do you, Benjamin Franklin King, take this woman, Molly Estelle McGregor, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, through sickness and health, for richer or for poorer, to love and cherish as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.” Ben’s deep baritone resonated throughout the small chamber.
“Repeat after me, with this ring I thee wed.”
“With this ring I thee wed.” Ben put a lovely diamond and silver band on her finger.
“Now, Miss McGregor, your turn. Do you Molly Estelle McGregor, take this man, Benjamin Franklin King, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, through sickness and health, for richer or for poorer, to love, cherish and obey as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.” Molly’s voice was soft but clear.
“Repeat after me, with this ring I thee wed.”
Molly pulled the plain gold band from her pocket and shoved it just past the second knuckle on Ben’s finger. She clasped his hand in hers. “You’re much larger than I a
nticipated, but with this ring I thee wed.”
“Then by the power vested in me by the City of Tombstone, Cochise County, and the Territory of Arizona, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Ben placed his hands on either side of her face, bent down, and kissed her very gently. Then he pressed his tongue against her lips.
Her eyes flew open but she let him in and he gave her another of those kisses that curled her toes. Were all his kisses like these? She sure hoped so. She didn’t mind the idea of curled toes at all.
* * *
Tom Marlow tracked the woman he planned to kill to the backwater town of Tombstone. What kind of name was that for a town? He’d heard a silver boom occurred here. More silver than a man could ever want. But he didn’t want silver, he wanted revenge.
She’d sent him to prison and he’d still be there if not for some blind dumb luck. He’d happened to be on the right prison wagon with the right criminals. They had planned an escape and he got to be a part of it. He’d managed to get to his stash. The one the police never found. Plenty of money to get by on until he could set himself up somewhere. San Francisco, maybe.
But first she was here. Came as a mail order bride. That made sense. She wasn’t attractive to most men, not with her plain blonde hair. He had to admit her eyes were nice. A rich blue, like the first iris of spring.
What she looked like didn’t matter. Molly McGregor would pay for what she did to him. Pay with everything she had.
* * *
After the ceremony, everyone returned to the Tombstone Hotel to celebrate. It was eleven o’clock in the morning, and Sadie out did herself with the spread of finger foods of all kinds, fried chicken, small sandwiches made from slices of roast beef or turkey and potato salad. For dessert she made apple pie, peach cobbler and chocolate cake. Something for everyone.
Molly’s eyes widened when she saw all the food. “Oh my, there’s enough food here for an army.”
“No, by the time we finish eating, there will be just enough to sustain you for your festivities tonight.” Mal winked at Ben.
“Oh!” Molly looked away, hoping no one saw her redden.
Mail Order Baron (The Brides of Tombstone Book 3) Page 4