“You’ll see.” He held her fast with one arm while urging Zeus into an even run. He spoke not one more word until he’d tethered the horse to the post outside the mercantile.
“Go on in and see what Mrs. Clark has for dresses. I’ll go talk to the Reverend.”
“But Gabriel . . .” She began to protest, but he cut her off.
“Don’t argue with me, woman!” he teased. “Now come on.”
He took her by the hand and half pulled her inside the store.
“Mrs. Clark?” he called, marching toward the counter. “Mrs. Clark?”
“Yes?” The middle-aged, portly woman scuttled out from the back room. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing,” he answered, “unless you don’t have any ready-made dresses.”
Mrs. Clark’s eyes narrowed slightly as she studied Gabe first and then Tess.
“What kind of a dress?” she asked, forcing a sugary smile.
“I don’t need . . .”
“A pretty one,” Gabe said with a definitive nod. “A real pretty one. And put it on my account.”
With that, he turned on his heel, shot Tess an amused wink, and strode out of the store. Both women stared after him, their mouths hanging open. Mrs. Clark was the first to regain her thoughts.
“All right then, Miss . . . ?”
“Kinley,” Tess replied. “Tess Kinley.”
“Oh!” The woman’s eyes flew open wide, her right hand resting on her bosom. “Of course, I should have known.”
In that instant, Tess’s anger flared. “What is that supposed to mean, exactly?” she demanded.
“Well,” Mrs. Clark started with a sniff, “it’s no secret you have been living out at El Cielo with those Calloway boys. So I guess it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone he wants you to look your best.”
“I beg your pardon,” Tess seethed. “But if it’s any of your business, which I assure you it is not, Gabriel and I are to be married. Now that might not mean much to you right at this moment, Mrs. Clark, but I’m sure it will when I tell him how you have treated me. The Calloways must do a fair amount of business in your store, am I right?”
“Y-yes,” the woman answered falteringly.
“Believe me, then, when I say unless you change your attitude toward me and anyone else whom you judge, all transactions between the entire Calloway family and your business will stop.” Tess’s voice grew louder and louder. “I have no problem ordering everything I need from a catalog or—better yet—taking trips into Helena to purchase the goods I need. Do I make myself clear?”
“Is there a problem out here?” Mr. Clark came out from the back room, his eyes fixed on his wife.
Tess raised her eyebrow in the other woman’s direction as well, waiting for her to answer.
“Is there a problem, Mrs. Clark?” she asked.
“N-no,” the woman answered slowly. “I was about to show Miss Kinley our selection of dresses. Right this way, dear.”
Tess smiled sweetly at Mr. Clark and followed his wife to the far counter where the ready-made clothes were kept.
“I have a selection of different styles,” Mrs. Clark said, then faltered. “And colors.”
“White will do fine, thank you very much.”
“Yes, of course.” She held up three different dresses for Tess to examine, each varying greatly from the others.
She chose a plain white satin gown, fitted at the waist, with long puffy sleeves and a full skirt. Tiny pearls edged the curved neckline and delicate ivory lace finished the hem and cuffs. She did not bother to look at veils, but opted to wear roses from the ranch in her hair. It was certainly not the dress—or the look—she would have worn if she’d ended up married to Harmon Stiles, and that was perhaps one of the reasons she loved it so much.
Mrs. Clark nodded approvingly and quickly wrapped the garment in brown paper.
“Will you be needing any . . .” She hesitated, glancing around the room for her husband. “Any pretty underthings? I have a lovely selection of lace camisoles and the like if you’d care to look.”
A genuine smile found Tess’s lips. “Thank you, Mrs. Clark, but I don’t think so. Not today, anyway. But perhaps another day.”
Mrs. Clark’s round face beamed back at her. “Yes.” She nodded. “Perhaps.”
She handed the package to Tess and followed her out of the store.
“I apologize if I offended you before,” she said, her cheeks pinking slightly. “I tend to forget what the Good Book preaches—judge not lest ye be judged. I think you’ll be a welcome addition to the town of Porter Creek.”
Tess patted the woman’s hand softly. “Thank you, Mrs. Clark, that was very kind. I look forward to seeing you again soon.”
Gabe strode up the boardwalk then, his even white teeth flashing in the sunlight.
“Congratulations, Mr. Calloway,” Mrs. Clark offered. “You’re a very lucky man.”
“Yup,” he agreed. “I am. Are you ready?”
Tess nodded, thanked Mrs. Clark again for her help, and let Gabe lift her up on Zeus’s back.
“Are we set for tomorrow?” she asked.
“One o’clock,” he grinned, “at the creek.”
“At the creek?” she repeated. “Why . . . oh, that’s lovely.”
A hint of a blush colored her cheeks as the memory of their first kiss warmed her veins.
They rode in silence for a while, secretive smiles playing against both their mouths.
“I’ll walk from here,” Tess said with a smirk as they neared the turnoff to the Langman ranch. “I’d hate to lose you this close to our wedding day.”
“No bloody way,” he snorted. “I’ll take you in. You shouldn’t . . .”
“Gabriel,” she said softly. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to antagonize Mr. Langman any more than necessary. I’d rather you be in one piece tomorrow, if it’s all the same to you.”
“But . . .”
“Hush now. Let me down, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Reluctantly, Gabe slid from the saddle and lifted her down. But he didn’t release her right away.
“Tess,” he said, his voice low and shaky. “I . . .” His slate-gray eyes glowed with an inner fire that filled her with a whole rash of emotions—love and passion, anxiety and fear.
“Tomorrow, Gabriel. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Gabe’s head lowered slowly, his hands pulling her closer. She tipped her head back and met his kiss with a gentle intensity that told him everything he needed to know.
When he finally released her, there was an aching look in his face that melted her heart into a pool of molten love.
“Tomorrow,” he rasped.
She nodded slowly, backing away from him one tiny step at a time.
“I love you, Gabriel,” she said, her eyes illuminating that very fact. “And I’ll see you tomorrow, one o’clock, at the creek.”
She watched him swallow, open his mouth to speak, and then shut it again. For a moment she thought he was going to cry, but then he turned away and climbed back on his horse. With a lightning quick wink, he shot her a dazzling smile and sent Zeus racing toward El Cielo, whooping all the while.
Chapter 29
Asking Collette to stand up for her was the easiest thing in the world. Convincing one of the Langman men to take them into town, however, proved more of a challenge—especially when they discovered the reason.
Surprisingly, it was Wyatt Langman himself who finally agreed to it. After all, he reasoned, if they all refused to saddle up and take the girls to town themselves, the cussed females would probably head out on their own again anyway, and God knew what trouble they’d find themselves in then.
“I ain’t sayin’ I approve of you marryin’ that cur dog,” he warned Tess. “But I reckon you ain’t my daughter and it don’t matter a lick what I got to say on it. Hear this, though. If’n you come to yer senses and need a place to go, you git yerself back here to us, you hear?”
�
��Thank you, Mr. Langman.” Tess smiled softly. “I don’t believe I’ll need to impose on you again, but I thank you for your concern.”
Wyatt nodded and went to hitch up the carriage. No bride deserved to ride in an open wagon on her wedding day, he explained.
Gabe was already pacing by the bridge when they rounded the corner near the creek. At the first sound of horse hooves, he and Bart both stopped and turned, the tension in their faces visibly disappearing.
Rosa and Miguel stood off to the side, under the shade of a willow. He with his hat twisting in his hands, and she looking as proud as a mother hen.
Gabe stepped up on the bridge and took the near horse by the bit.
“Wyatt,” he nodded, “I appreciate you bringing her for me.”
“I done told her what I think ’bout her marryin’ a fool like you, Calloway, but she’s got it in her head she loves you and there ain’t no convincin’ her otherwise.”
“I’m sure you tried your best.” Gabe smiled, and to his surprise, Wyatt Langman smiled back.
“Damn right I did.”
Both men walked to the side of the carriage and held out a hand for the women. Collette was the first to step out, her cornflower blue eyes sparkling—more for Bart’s benefit than anyone else’s.
Bart immediately stepped up and took her hand, ignoring the fierce glare of her father.
“You do look lovely,” he murmured to her, causing her face to pink becomingly.
Tess stepped out next, her shimmering white dress flowing around her like a cloud. Collette had secretly dashed off to El Cielo earlier and pinched a handful of coral-colored rosebuds from their bushes, and they were now arranged throughout Tess’s hair like a crown.
Gabe’s smile sent shivers up and down her spine. He was pleased, which, in turn, pleased her. She tucked her hand under his arm and walked with him to the bank of the creek, never taking her eyes off him. He was so beautiful, just looking at him hurt her eyes.
The others joined them, each one offering hugs and words of thanks that the two of them had finally found their way to each other. Reverend Boswell arrived, made his way down to the creek, and smiled warmly at Tess.
“I can’t recall a lovelier bride,” he said.
Tess flushed and Gabe grinned even more.
“Are we ready then?” asked the Reverend.
“Just a moment,” Tess said. She took Miguel by the arm and led him a short distance away, their heads tucked low.
Gabe watched them, Tess speaking softly, Miguel nodding in agreement and then looking past the small group of people to the carriage on the bridge. He spoke a few words, kissed Tess on the cheek, and strode back to stand beside his wife.
Tess, too, walked back toward the group, but then passed them by and hurried back up the slope to the bridge and Wyatt Langman. After a moment, Wyatt removed his hat, swiped his arm across his brow, and nodded briefly. Then the two of them returned to the creek.
“I’ll be givin’ Miss Tess away today,” he announced, proud as could be. “So remember that, Calloway—if anythin’ should happen to upset this little girl, you got me to answer to. Got it?”
“Yes, sir,” Gabe answered solemnly. “Thank you, sir.”
“Let us begin then,” the Reverend said, opening his Bible. “Dearly beloved . . .”
Tess looked up into Gabe’s eyes and in that instant the entire world stopped. There was no one else, there was only the two of them, standing by the creek bed pledging their love and commitment to each other for all time. Collette cried and Bart cleared his throat every time he breathed, it seemed, but Tess and Gabe stared into each other’s eyes, each knowing this was how it was meant to be. Be it fate or the good Lord himself that brought them together, it no longer mattered—they were together, bonded forever and forever, certain they were exactly where they were supposed to be.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Calloway,” Reverend Boswell said, extending his hand. “May you have a long, happy life together.”
For the first time, Tess pulled her gaze from Gabriel’s and looked down at the shiny gold band on her finger. It was real, she was married; she was Gabriel Calloway’s wife.
“Thank you, Reverend.” She ignored his hand and kissed him on his weathered cheek, making him smile. He nodded to Gabe, shook his hand, and made his good-byes. The Widow Brenner was waiting on him, he explained shyly.
Collette sniffled behind Tess. “I’m so happy for you both,” she cried. “It was a beautiful ceremony.”
“Yes, it was,” Tess agreed, her own eyes beginning to fill. “And from the looks of things, we might be having another wedding sometime soon.”
She nodded her head toward the bridge where Collette’s father was in deep conversation with Bart.
“Oh dear,” Collette sighed.
“Now now,” Tess soothed. “Nobody’s yelling, so let’s take that as a good sign.”
Even as she spoke, Bart smiled at whatever Wyatt said to him and the two men shook hands.
“You see?” Tess laughed. “Everything is going to be fine. Why don’t you go find out what’s going on?”
Collette had already lifted her skirts and was hurrying back up to the bridge.
Gabe wrapped his arm around Tess and pulled her close. She wondered if there would ever come a time when she didn’t marvel at the love she felt for this man, when her heart no longer flipped and twittered every time he touched her. She prayed not.
“Well, Mrs. Calloway,” he murmured into her hair. “Shall we go home?”
“Home,” Tess sighed. “Yes, let’s go home.”
Miguel had already brought the buggy around and now stood near Wyatt’s carriage, holding the reins.
“He insisted on bringing the wagon,” Gabe explained, “even though I told him it wasn’t necessary.”
Heat flooded Tess’s face. With lowered lashes, she smiled shyly.
“I would prefer riding home with you.” She spoke so softly Gabe had to strain to hear her.
“That’s my girl.” He laughed, hoisted her into the air, and marched off to the stand of willows to fetch Zeus. “I knew you’d see things my way.”
Rosa clicked her tongue at them but still couldn’t hide the smile that spread across her face. Gabe Calloway had found his corazon.
Tess waved to Collette, blowing kisses as they rode by.
“Save those for me,” Gabe groaned softly in her ear. “Any kisses you’re looking to give away belong to me now and no one else.”
“Yes, my love.” She snuggled back against him, basking in his strength and his tenderness.
A soft quiet fell between them as Zeus carried them toward El Cielo.
“Have I mentioned lately how much I love you?”
“No,” he answered. “As a matter of fact you haven’t.”
“I do, Gabriel. I love you more with every breath I take. Sometimes I’m almost certain my heart is going to burst right out of my body.”
“Go on,” he said, smiling against her hair.
“You make me feel safe and warm and loved and cherished and . . . I don’t think I could love you any more if I tried.”
“Try.” He reined in Zeus at the barn door and lifted Tess down. “Wait here, I’ll be right back.”
With the speed of a man in love, he tended to Zeus and had Tess back in his arms before she could think. As they walked back toward the house, hand in hand, she noticed the addition on the side of the house, just off the kitchen.
“What on earth?”
“My gift to you,” Gabe beamed. “Come have a look.”
He led her in through the kitchen, past the pantry, and through an oak door that hadn’t been there the last time Tess was. He pushed opened the door and stood back, giving her room to walk through.
“Oh my!” Tess breathed. “A real bathtub? Oh, Gabriel, you shouldn’t have done this! It’s too much!”
“No, it’s not,” he said, taking her by the hand. “And look, Bart piped it through to the kitchen so the water in
the pump’ll be hot when it gets here.”
“How on earth did he manage that?”
“Who knows?” Gabe laughed. “But leave it to Bart to come up with it.”
Tess walked around the tub slowly, running her fingers along the edge. It was huge, absolutely huge. In fact, it was big enough for two! Her cheeks burned crimson at her wicked thoughts, horrifying her more when she realized Gabe was watching her.
“Had the same thought myself,” he murmured, taking her in his arms. “But the tub can wait. Right now, I’ve got a much . . . softer . . . surprise I want to show you.”
Taking her hand again, he led her back through the kitchen and up the stairs, past the room she had occupied not so very long ago, and into his bedroom at the end of the hall. Tess’s heart careened out of control, pounding so loud she was certain it would shake the house down around them.
The room had been completely transformed. Gabe’s huge four-poster bed, once the only piece of furniture in the room, was now joined by a beautiful ornate vanity and a huge wardrobe carved from the same oak as the new door downstairs. White lace curtains hung in the window, and a beautiful blue and yellow patchwork quilt covered the bed.
A new white porcelain chamber set sat on the vanity beside a vase of heavenly smelling wild flowers. She took it all in, marveling at the changes, yet humbled by the knowledge Gabe loved her enough to do it in the first place.
“It’s beautiful,” she said, exhaling softly. A tiny shiver raced up her spine as Gabe came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her middle.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured, inhaling the sweet scent that lingered all around her.
Tess turned in his arms and gazed up lovingly. There was an eagerness in his eyes, a patient, loving eagerness she, herself, felt in her own blood.
“Are you nervous?” he asked, brushing her hair back from her cheek.
Tess shook her head. She’d heard plenty of horror stories about . . . this part of marriage . . . mostly from her mother’s lady friends who thought Tess wasn’t listening. To hear them tell, laying with a man was quite possibly the most horrible thing in the world, yet for some reason, Tess knew it would be just the opposite with Gabriel; theirs would be true love making, not anything like what the ladies spoke of.
Laura Drewry Page 24