Thom folded his arms over his chest and leaned one shoulder against a sturdy bookshelf, probably happy this didn’t involve him.
“It’s no bluff, Mrs. Brown,” Hunter said. “If you remember, you caught us kissing in this very spot. Our feelings have been growing for some time.” Tabitha glanced up into his face.
Roberta’s chin angled. “I remember it well, Mr. Wade. I also remember Tabitha slapped you a good one. And you said she had no part in it. Are you pressuring her in some way? Pushing yourself on her to get your hands on your second business in Logan Meadows in an unscrupulous way?”
“Aunt Roberta!” Tabitha gasped. “Please think before you speak. Once your words are out, it’s impossible to call them back.”
“I don’t want to call them back.”
Frank held up a hand. “Stay calm, everyone. I think Tabitha is plenty capable of sorting this out without any help from us. And that means you, Marigold. And you, Roberta. I say we give her and Hunter some private time to talk. We’ll go over to Hannah’s house and wait there until they’re through.” His gaze traced between Tabitha and Hunter. “When they’re ready, they can come over and let us know what they’ve decided.”
“Thank you, Uncle,” Tabitha said. “I appreciate your confidence in me.”
The door opened again and Gabe and Julia stepped through the door, totally unaware of the dilemma playing out in the shop. They must have felt the tension in the air, because their smiles ebbed away.
“We saw everyone inside and thought you were open,” Gabe said. “Should we come back later?”
“No!” Tabitha practically shouted, releasing Hunter’s hand and hurrying over to the young couple.
“Fine,” Frank said. “Let’s go.” He took both his sisters by the arm, ushering them toward the door. “Once you’re ready, we’ll have a calm, collected conversation.”
Hunter watched them leave. The store felt quiet. Tabitha’s voice filtered into his thoughts as she questioned her customers about what they were looking for. He ambled closer, seeing her in a whole new light. Was he crazy, agreeing to marry her? His heart said not at all.
“Have you heard from Jake?” Tabitha asked, looking at Gabe as Julia fingered her way through a picture book of animal sketches. “I’ve been wondering. Daisy looks a little lost with him gone.”
“Just a telegram a few days ago. He’s met his father, who is very sick. Jake’s not sure how long he’ll hold on.”
“I’ll take this.” Julia handed the book back to Tabitha. “Can you please hold it for me? I don’t want Nell to see it before her birthday. As you all know, she really likes animals—as well as horses.”
That was an extravagant gift, Hunter thought.
“Nell has done a lot for me,” she explained, as if she knew what the others must be thinking. “Mr. Axelrose too. They took me on when I had nowhere else to go. Gave me a job”—she glanced at Gabe and smiled—“and a future. I’m indebted.”
“Of course I can.” Tabitha said quickly.
She nervously glanced at Hunter as Julia pulled the sides of her coat together, preparing to leave. Soon they would be all alone. And they had some decisions to make. He understood her reaching for straws after the scene her mother created, but them jumping into marriage might not be the best avenue of escape. He wouldn’t lie to himself and say he wasn’t tempted. He just wondered how long it would be until they killed each other.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
The bells sounded as Gabe and Julia closed the door. Self-conscious of what was about to transpire, Tabitha watched them go as silence prevailed in the room. Gathering her courage, she turned to the tall, broad-of-chest wagon master standing only a few feet away.
“How did it go?” she asked, needing to start out slowly.
“Go?”
“The concert? Dichelle? Did the town’s ladies love her?”
Hunter shifted his weight, a smile growing on his lips. “Sure. She has a way of winning everyone over.” His eyes narrowed momentarily when he noticed Dichelle’s unfinished painting leaning against the back wall.
“I hope you didn’t rush out on my account.”
Hunter came closer, reached out, and took her hands into his own. “Of course I rushed on your account. We have important business to discuss. I can’t think of anything more pressing than that.”
“Business?”
“You know what I mean.”
She held his gaze. “I guess I do. Hunter, I can’t possibly explain why I blurted out that we were getting married. I’m sorry. A buzzing began in my head and I just couldn’t stand to hear her say those things one more time. You were right there and I—”
“You’re right, I was right there, so you don’t have to explain the whole thing to me. She’s lucky that’s all you did. What if you told her the truth? We weren’t getting married, but that you aren’t going back to New York? How would—”
“You don’t know her the way I do. She’ll never give up. She’ll make my life miserable. If she said she won’t leave without me, she won’t. She’ll end up staying here for years. I’m not leaving, and she can’t possibly stay.”
His hands on hers were growing all the more warm. She dropped them, and took a step away. Why can’t a marriage with Hunter work? I’ve been thinking about him every moment of every day. He makes my blood thrum through my veins.
“Dichelle and I had a talk.”
His eyebrow peaked.
“She shared some of the things that you’ve shared with her. How you delivered a baby, for starters. I was hoping you might help me out now.”
His lips pulled up mischievously. “Getting married is a mighty big help.”
“I agree. But it would only be a business arrangement. We’re both business people, right?”
His smile ebbed away.
The thought of leaving Logan Meadows sliced her through. She’d miss so many people. Hunter the most of all. “Logan Meadows is now my home. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I feel sad saying this, but my life has been so peaceful since moving here. My mother isn’t the easiest person to live with. As much as I wish she could change, and accept me for who I am, she won’t. I know that from past experience.”
He searched her eyes as if he could see her heart. “Logan Meadows is now my home, too,” he slowly said. “I’m not going anywhere. Do you agree with your mother, that I’m an uncouth heathen with no real education?”
Tabitha couldn’t stop a small smile. “She didn’t quite say all that.”
“Close enough. She plans to either haul you with her back to New York, or remain here—and make your life miserable. I’m not going to change my ways, Miss Hoity-Toity. Can you live with that?”
“Miss who?”
His crooked grin was back. “Miss Hoity-Toity. Your nickname.”
His voice had turned soft.
“I can. I like who you are. If you agree to marry me, all I have is one stipulation.”
His frown was back. “I’m the one who should be making the rules since you roped me into your problems. What now?”
“The marriage will be in name only. In case one of us has second thoughts.” You have second thoughts. “A person can get an annulment for up to two years if they haven’t consummated the marriage. I have two bedrooms upstairs that will work fine. We can sign a paper with our intentions and seal it, so the reverend will know we had this planned from the beginning and why. I’m sure he won’t like it, but sometimes extreme circumstances call for drastic measures. What do you think?”
“How do you know all that . . . about two years? You sure?”
“I read it once.”
“You read about annulments?”
“I read about everything.”
He nodded. “That I can believe. Another thing you can believe is I’m not going to wait for two years for you to decide if I’m a keeper or you’re throwing me back into the stream.” He’d pulled back and his face had gone serious. Even with him staring bullets through
her, she was beginning to feel giddy. This might actually work.
“No, I wouldn’t expect you to. Does the sound of a month, or whenever my mother leaves, whichever comes first, sound acceptable to you? You’re free to do as you please after that, and I promise I won’t try to influence you either way.”
He rubbed his chin and gave her a good looking over—long enough to make her face flame with heat. “That sounds fair enough. What if one of us wants an annulment, but the other decides they don’t? What happens then?”
“I guess we cross that stream when we get to it,” she said. Was she really going to go through with this?
“Fine then. Should we go tell your family the news?”
“I think we should,” she replied. “The sooner the better.” When he took her hand in his and headed for the door, the realization of what they were contemplating hit her full force. A business agreement instead of a marriage? She just might lose her heart in such a deal and regret it for the rest of her life.
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
Reverend Wilbrand cleared his throat calling everyone to attention. Hunter stood next to Tabitha at the altar of the small church, ready to become Tabitha’s husband. He’d had the whole night to wrap his head around what was happening. When they’d first met, he’d had the distinct impression she thought him beneath her, and yesterday she’d made it perfectly clear that today was nothing more than a business arrangement. One to correct as soon as her mother went home to New York.
Glancing over his shoulder, he took in the few people in the two front pews. Tabitha’s mother, her aunt, her uncle, and Markus. Thom stood next to him and Hannah next to his bride-to-be. On the other pew, the groom’s side, sat Violet, a sentimental grin pulling her face.
“Are we ready?” the reverend asked.
Hunter and Tabitha both nodded. Her mother hadn’t stopped crying since they broke the news yesterday. The woman had talked faster than an auctioneer, trying to change their minds, but Tabitha was having none of that, which made him proud of her gumption, even if he was a bit put out. They had set their course, and now they would see it through.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we’re gathered today to witness the marriage of Hunter Wade to Tabitha Canterbury. First Corinthians says that love is patient and kind. It’s not jealous, not pompous, not inflated, not rude. It doesn’t seek its own interest, is not quick-tempered, it doesn’t brood over injury, it doesn’t rejoice over wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” He searched both of their faces. “Love never fails. If you both keep this simple scripture in mind, this will be a long, prosperous marriage.”
Hunter snuck a glimpse at Tabitha, who in turn glanced at him. Did she feel the weight of those words as well?
“If anyone here is in opposition to this marriage, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”
The reverend waited so long, Hunter wondered if the man was waiting for Tabitha’s mother to voice her objection. A soft sob was his only reply.
“Get on with it!” Violet huffed.
“Hunter, do you take Tabitha to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold from this day forward as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“Tabitha, do you take Hunter to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward as long as you both shall live?”
Hunter felt her quiver. He waited.
“I do.”
That’s it. He had a wife! She may think this a business agreement, but she was still his wife. What would Thorp have thought of their shenanigans? He’d not like it at all.
“Do you have a ring?”
Hunter shook his head. “Sorry, I don’t.”
“Fine then,” Wilbrand said. “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Ignoring the hostility he felt drilling into his back, Hunter gathered Miss Hoity-Toity into his arms and kissed her soundly. A strange feeling of belonging began to register. This was his wife, and Logan Meadows was his town, not just some place he was passing through. It was heady, and happy, making him kiss her much longer than he probably should have.
Mrs. Hollyhock whooped loudly, bringing Hunter to his senses. When he let Tabitha go, her cheeks were two scalding red patches.
With a hand to their shoulders, Wilbrand turned them to face their guests. “I present you, Mr. and Mrs. Hunter Wade.”
Thom grasped his hand in congratulations. From the corner of his eye he saw Hannah envelop Tabitha in a hug. “Short, sweet, and beautiful, Tabitha,” he heard her friend whisper.
Frank Lloyd came forward with Violet at his side. Behind him came the sisters.
“Congratulations,” Frank said, and seemed to sincerely mean his words.
Holding Marigold’s arm as if the woman were too weak to stand on her own, Roberta watched silently until all the chatter faded away. “Everyone is invited back to Hannah’s house for a late lunch.” She released Mrs. Canterbury’s arm and pulled her kerchief from her bag, then patted her brow. “Marigold and I will go set things out. Be along when you’re ready.”
Tabitha’s mother followed Roberta out the door without one word to her daughter. Hunter had seen her kind many times on the wagon train. Couldn’t see past the noses on their faces if it went against their belief. Sour as week-old milk. Disgusting.
Tabitha hid her feelings well, but her mother’s attitude hurt her. Her usually soft lips were a stiff pink line. Couldn’t the shrew have been nice for one minute of one day?
Lifting Tabitha’s hand, he kissed the back. She looked up at him in question. “Sorry I didn’t have a ring.”
“That’s all right. I hardly expected you to.”
“Let’s give Mother and Aunt Marigold a few moments to get the food out,” Hannah suggested. “I don’t know about you, but it feels nice to have someone else doing the preparations for once. Let’s take a walk down Main Street. This has all happened so quickly, I’m sure the announcement will take most by surprise.”
“I don’t know.” Tabitha fingered the lace on the front of her soft blue dress. “Hunter has the big show tonight. He must have things that need doing at the Bright Nugget.”
“Everything is in order. We made sure of that yesterday.”
“That settles it,” Thom said. “Let’s get a move on. I’m hungry.”
A few minutes later, after the four of them had said their goodbyes to the reverend, and the small group had descended the slight hill, Tabitha felt much like Cinderella the night of the ball. Hunter’s arm was strong beneath her fingers. She was his wife, as well as his business partner, and spinster no more. Feeling too shy to glance up into his face, she kept her gaze trained ahead on the path. Thank goodness Hannah and Thom were doing most of the talking.
On the boardwalk, they stopped to wait for Frank and Violet, who were bringing up the rear.
“You young’uns go on,” Violet said, with a sniff and a nod. She’d had ahold of Frank’s arm as they’d come down the slight rise. “I have things ta do.” She glanced at Tabitha. “It was a ceremony fittin’ a princess, dearie. I’m so happy.”
“You sure, Violet?” She let go of Hunter’s arm to close the distance between them.
“I’m sure. It’s time fer my nap. You all go on.”
“We’ll walk you,” Hunter quickly said.
“Oh, pooh. I don’t need no escort. You all go on now.”
“I’m not going for lunch either, Violet,” Frank said. “And I don’t get out of the bank near enough. I’ll walk you back to the Red Rooster. Think of it as doing me a favor by helping my constitution. And then these young’uns, as you call them, can go celebrate the day away.”
Violet straightened her spectacles with a shaky hand. “When ya put it like that, then fine.”
Uncle Frank leaned in and kissed Tabitha’s cheek. “I’m so happy you picked Logan Meadows to make your home. You brought a sense of excitement to tow
n when you arrived, with your shop and your books, and it hasn’t let up since. And now you’ve gone and tied the knot. I know you won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Congratulations.”
His words brought a soft cozy glow. The words and acceptances she wished she felt from her mother and the rest of her family. At least Uncle Frank was on her side. “Thank you, Uncle. Your words mean the world to me.” She chanced a look at Hunter, who was watching the exchange.
He smiled, seemingly pleased by what her uncle had just said. “She’s not going anywhere now, Frank. I’ll make sure of that.”
This was all so new—and strange. Hunter was her husband—in a business sort of way. That thought pricked the bubble of happiness she’d been experiencing for the last hour. She could so easily forget he’d just done this to help her with her mother. Remembering that would be the true challenge.
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
Hunter watched from the back wall of the Bright Nugget, a sea of men in front of him, waiting impatiently for Dichelle to take her final bow. The crowd of men pushed back on him in the standing-room-only saloon. Even though this was his and Kendall’s big moment, all Hunter had been able to think about all night was Tabitha. After the ceremony, they’d spent time with her mother and aunt at the small, quiet reception, struggling to make small talk as her mother looked down her nose at him disdainfully. After about an hour of torture, he and Tabitha had gone to his apartment and collected his few belongings, bringing them over to the bookstore.
Tonight was his wedding night, but he’d not be sharing a bed with Tabitha. She’d shown him to the guest room. It had been less than a day, and he was already confused about what he should do and how he should act when it came to her.
“You done good, Wade,” Albert said, squeezing in at his side. “I’ve never seen this many men in here at one time. Pretty amazing. And everyone is on their best behavior.”
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