by Kari Trumbo
"I'll be fine for a minute," she offered. It was difficult to trust anyone after what they'd been through. "Or, we can both eat together once the doctor is finished."
He relaxed his shoulders and his mouth softened as he sat down in a chair next to her. He didn't take his eyes off the doctor as the older man removed the wrap and fingered the dark bruise. May did her best not to flinch, but his probing finger found the worst spot.
Dr. Cameron frowned. "It's not broken, but a bad sprain. Yer not to walk any more than a bit, at least the next few days." He wrapped her ankle back up with a clean bandage from his bag and left, after giving more instructions to Randolph.
May wasn't sure what to say. She wasn't sure which need should be met first ... eating, sleeping, cleaning up and putting on a clean dress, or marrying the man next to her. He seemed equally perplexed by the options and they sat in silence for a few moments.
"I'm a selfish man, May." He slid out of the chair and knelt in front of her again.
"I want you more than food or anything else. I’m falling in love with you, and I want you with me for the rest of my days. Starting this minute." His eyes seemed to read her very soul. She picked up his scarred hand, and his eyes went wide as she rubbed the back of it against her cheek.
"Then I'd say you better go get a preacher before you have them send up some plates of food."
Randolph sighed, and a satisfied smile lit his eyes. He slid his arms around her and his lips claimed hers. He stopped before she wanted him to, but soon he wouldn't have to. He stood, staring at her for a minute with an appreciative eye.
"Rest for a few minutes, I'll be back with everything we need soon."
May leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes. By the end of the day, she'd have to make a new dream, because all of hers would come true.
Chapter Twelve
A week later
May bit her lip, just as nervous to meet the real Montague as she'd been to meet the impostor. Her stomach clenched as the town of Ruby came into view.
"What will he think?" May reached for the calloused comfort of Randolph's hand, so familiar to her now.
"He will think he was a fool, just as he should. But I'm glad he was. I would've spent my whole life praying for forgiveness."
May tilted her head to look at him, unsure of what he meant.
He laughed and rubbed the lines from her forehead gently. "I would've coveted my neighbor's wife."
Now it was her turn to laugh. While Montague never should have set up their meeting if he didn't want to come, and he should never have sent Randolph to do the job for him, it had worked out according to plan. The first week of their marriage had been a happy one, though mostly spent in her room, as she was still unable to walk much.
"And you sent him a telegram? This won't be a surprise?" Randolph hadn't wanted to tell his boss, since Montague had given him the order to send May away. She'd convinced him otherwise, not wanting her new husband to be fired when they were just starting out.
Randolph had already told her there were no lawyers in Ruby and he didn't want her working anyway. He wanted her home where he could see her whenever he wanted. She couldn't complain about that.
"Yes, I sent him a telegram. It said that I found a bride in Sweetwater Springs, so I would need him to have the small house ready, instead of my slot in the bunkhouse."
May felt a chill run down her spine. "You mean, you didn't tell him it was me?" Why would he keep that from his boss, hadn't he learned that lies only did harm?
"No, what good would it do? He'll understand when I introduce him to my beautiful bride. It's too late for him to do anything about it. Montague might be angry, but when forced to face the situation, he'll say nothing."
May knew that to be true. While Montague had written her letters, he wasn't the kind to face a problem head-on. Not like Randolph.
The train pulled to a stop and Randolph helped her stand with a firm hand on her elbow. She'd have trouble getting around the house on her own when they arrived home, without him there to help her all day. On the platform stood a short man, perhaps only a little over five feet tall, only just taller than May. He reminded her very much of her friend in Cutter's Creek, Ronda Sudholm. Randolph led her to him and removed his hat.
"Sir, this is my bride, May Cade."
He smiled, slightly wistful. His gray eyes meeting hers but for a moment before he glanced to Randolph. "I assume, up until a week ago, she was May Rockford?" His eyes, older than she'd expected, met hers again for confirmation, and she nodded.
"Pity. I rarely make a bad decision." He raised his eyebrows and turned away, leading them to a carriage. Randolph held one hand tightly and laid the other on her back to steady her.
"Welcome to Ruby, May. Welcome home."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kari Trumbo is a writer of Christian Historical Romance and a stay-at-home mom to four vibrant children. When she isn't writing or editing, she homeschools her children and pretends to keep up with them. Kari loves reading, listening to contemporary Christian music, singing when no one’s listening, and curling up near the wood stove when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota with her husband of twenty years, two daughters, two sons, two cats, and one hungry woodstove.
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Thank you, dear reader, for joining me on this adventure. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and that you’ll continue reading the other books in the Cutter’s Creek series.
Be sure to join my special reader list to find out when my next novel will be released. You can also get a free book at www.KariTrumbo.com.
Other Books by Kari Trumbo:
Cutter’s Creek Series:
Montana Trails
A Lily Blooms
A Penny Shines
A Carol Plays
A Ruby Glows
An Ivy Tangles
Keepsake
Western Vows Series
To Honor and Cherish
For Richer or Poorer
To Love and Comfort
Seven Brides of South Dakota
Boxed Set 1-3 plus prequel
Dreams in Deadwood
Kisses in Keystone
Love in Lead
Romance in Rapid
Sparks in Spearfish
Hearts in Hot Springs
Whispers in Wyoming
Heartstruck and Heavensent
Temptation and Tenderness
Brides of Blessings
Blessed Beyond Measure