A Betting Bride

by Rebecca de Medeiros

  Nothing happened.

  "Mayor Wentworth!" Josiah snapped. "Please present yourself."

  "Agh!" With the help of a few well-meaning pushes from some of the married men standing behind him, Alec stumbled up the stairs and onto the stage. He looked as if he had been run over by a stage coach more than once.

  "There he is ladies! Alec Wentworth. Age, twenty nine years. Birthday: The second day of May. Occupation: As we all know, Alec is our mayor." Walking over to clasp Alec's arm and drag him closer to the front of the stage, Josiah frowned as he called out the statistics.

  "Boy, you smell like a brewery!" Josiah hissed furiously at the visibly intoxicated mayor, "shame on you."

  "Pro'blee cuz" Hiccup. "I drank." Hiccup. "A lot," Alec slurred in response. Shrugging his shoulders, he ignored Josiah's wrath.

  For the past two and a half days, Alec had kept a steady diet of liquor and spiced candies. He couldn't care less what Josiah thought of him. The council was forcing him to participate in this debacle or else lose his position as mayor. If Alec had half a brain, he would have told them to go hang themselves. Unfortunately for Alec, this town was in his damn blood.

  Liberty, Texas was the only place he had ever felt as if he could call home. After parting ways with the Texas Rangers, Alec had followed his good friend Mathias Sinclair back home to Liberty and had never left. Ten years had passed, and Alec had built a name in this town. He had made some good friends here, as well. He wasn't just going to walk away from all he had built. So somewhere over the past few months, Alec had formulated a plan to get out of this parson's trap. Now, if only he could remember it. The alcohol made his head feel fuzzy, and he was pretty sure Josiah had just split himself into two. Holy Moses!

  "Are you a magic man, Josiah?" Alec chuckled, a tad too loudly.

  "Hush up fool!" Josiah ordered sharply.

  Turning to the ladies anxiously awaiting for the bidding to begin, Josiah continued, "As I was saying, you will not find a more willing bridegroom here tonight."

  When Alec snorted at that blatant lie, Josiah pinched him hard.

  "Ouch! Damned it all Josiah... that hurt like a bitch," Alec cried out rubbing his arm and scowling. If there weren't two of the portly bastards standing there glaring at him, Alec would have punched him in the nose. Sadly, he was unsure which Josiah had actually done the pinching. He felt too drunk to take on both of them.

  "Ladies, start your bidding! Quickly place your names in Alec's ledger, before some lucky lady steals him away."

  The surge of feminine feet rushing toward the coveted ledger was jaw dropping. Hair was pulled, and the sounds of sharp slaps sounded as women fought like lionesses for a spot in Alec's bidding ledger. A few ladies burst into tears and more than a few unladylike curses filled the air. It had become a free for all brawl right smack dab in the center of town. Alec even had to jump back, as one hopeful lady decided to break from the rules and hurl herself atop the stage in an effort to grab him bodily.

  "Heyyy...watch the suit. I've only got three left to my name," Alec howled, angry at the impertinence. No one seemed to respect the fine cut of a sharp suit any longer.

  "Ladies...ladies, please! Calm yourselves. There are plenty of bachelors to go around for everyone. Hey! I see that Trudy Bixby, you let go of Miss Fowler's hair, young lady..." Josiah cried out.

  The council leader had lost all control of the situation, and Alec was none too happy to be stuck in the middle of this melee.

  "I'm outta here Josiah," Alec stumbled blindly down the platform stairs. Such was his haste to get away from the madness that he nearly fell flat on his face. With the help of those same well-meaning gentlemen that had helped him get up on the stage, he made it to his horse.

  In the chaos, only two ladies stood apart from the mob, Etta Howard and Serena Sinclair. For two very different reasons, they stood rooted to their spots. Etta, for her shyness and lack of self-esteem, only expecting to sign on the few spots left to her on any unwanted man's ledger. At twenty seven, most would consider Etta beyond 'on the shelf', but Serena hoped the lady would make an excellent match.

  Serena did not budge for the simple reason that it was time to get over the childish dreams she carried in her heart. Alec was not, and would never be hers, and it was time to let him go. Even saying the words to herself repeatedly, she still couldn't help but think about the first time Alec had sauntered into her life.....

  Serena had been anticipating her birthday the whole week long. It was so close to Christmas, how could she not be excited? Her brother Mathias, who was ten years older than she, had just arrived home for a short visit. Serena was positive that Mathias was more coming home to see his sweetheart Daisy Lynn, than to celebrate her yuletide birthday with her. Either way, she was excited to see him. She had not seen Mathias since he had signed up to ride with the Texas Rangers two years prior.

  She worried daily about his safety with the madness of war raging over the land. Serena prayed the fighting would be over soon. After all, Christmas was a time to celebrate life, not for men to take another's. The president of the union states had lost his own small son Willie, early in the year. Serena figured that he would have understood the grief that a family endured and ended the futility of war, but so far the fighting continued on.

  Tonight the Sinclair's were hosting a holiday party to celebrate the house they had started to build the year before Texas had decided to join in the secession. Now that it was finally finished, mama had promised Serena there would even be dancing! Now that she was turning fourteen, mama had said that she was old enough to allow a few fellas to partner her on the dance floor that her papa had set up.

  Serena hurried through dressing and braided her long hair into two neat plaits. She could not wait to get downstairs to see how all of the decorations they had made turned out. Mama had sewn a new yellow party dress for her to wear just for the occasion. Tonight would be a night to remember.

  "Welcome home son," she heard her papa say as she opened her bedroom door. Mathias was here already!

  Rushing down the stairs at full speed, her ribbons fluttering behind her; Serena barreled blindly right into his embrace. His long, strong arms instinctively wrapping around her, she felt the repeated thumping of his heart against her cheek.

  "I love you so, so much. I am so happy you are finally here! This is the best birthday present ever," Serena gushed. His big hand came to rest upon her head and gave her an awkward, yet affectionate pat.

  "Mathias, you are my hero," she informed him. Her arms tightened about his waist. He had gotten thinner over the last two years. Although he still felt muscular, Serena wondered if he had been eating well. She gave him an extra squeeze just to let him know how much she loved and missed him.

  "Thank you sweet pea, but do you think you could let go of my friend Alec, and give me an actual hug?" Mathias's deep chuckle coming from behind her echoed the laughter in the room.

  Serena froze. Her parents, a few early guests, and her brother stood laughing at her gaffe. The only person in the room not laughing besides her was the big man she was currently holding onto. Serena's head shot up, and time stood still for her.

  The most handsome man she had ever seen was holding her close to him. His wavy chestnut hair cropped at chin length. His full lips were cocked into a mischievous half smile. He looked to be about her brother's age. This was man who could make any woman swoon, especially a foolish, just turned fourteen year old girl. She was hesitant to meet his gaze but forced herself to do so. Beautiful emerald eyes filled with amusement stared back at her. She immediately let go and backed up a few steps out of his embrace.

  "Oh! Forgive me, I'm so very sorry," she stumbled over her apology. Serena knew her face must be as red as her hair.

  "Don't you worry about it Sugarplum. Best darn welcome I've had in a long while," the dazzling man winked one emerald eye at her and gently tugged on one of her braids. "But, next time you want a hug darlin', you just call me Alec, all right?"
r />   It was in that very moment; with that very wink, that Serena had fallen hopelessly, stupidly, in love with the man.

  "Serena, why aren't you signing up on the mayor's ledger?" Etta Howard asked her in a voice just above a whisper, pulling Serena from thoughts of the past.

  "Alec Wentworth and I would never make a match Etta. It is best I concentrate on finding myself a decent man to call husband," she explained. Serena did not want to admit that he had already rejected her.

  She knew that watching Alec marry would rip her heart in two. She just hoped that, by then, she would be somewhat happy in her own newly married state. Maybe one day, she would run into Alec and feel nothing but a twinge of what might have been. She would take solace in the fact that she would be surrounded by her children playing at her feet. If she ever dreamed about that night and those passionate kisses, well... her husband need not ever know.

  After the pandemonium calmed and the proceedings could finally continue, the six of the remaining seven bachelors' books were filled to the brim, as well. The city council members were filled with pride as they shook hands over the success of their brilliant plan. If a few ladies who did not have the opportunity to sign Alec's ledger shot longing looks towards the mayor as he was helped from the stage, well the remaining bachelors overlooked the obvious slight.

  The married folks decided to call it a night, dragging their little ones behind them. Single ladies without chaperones returned safely to the bosom of their family homes. Bachelors broke out liquor and music began to fill the air once again.

  In the end, Serena had only signed in two of the bachelor's books, David Harris and Tex Brody's. David she had known her whole life and was about a year older than herself. He was of medium height and had light blond curly hair. A young man with decent features, David was considered to be quite the catch. His family and hers had been friends since before Serena could remember. He now lived with his widowed mother, which tugged on Serena's heartstrings. A man, who took care of his mother, would make an excellent husband.

  Tex Brody, on the other hand was tall and thickly muscled in comparison. His light brown hair and moss green eyes were unassuming and the long scar bisecting his cheek did not detract from his appeal as far as Serena was concerned. Tex lived alone and had no family that anyone was aware of.

  Most females in town refused even to consider him, because of his past prison record. It was believed to be that Tex had killed a man. Some of the town folk shunned him while others were highly suspicious of his nature. That could possibly be the reason why his ledger had only three names signed in it.

  Serena had befriended Tex a few years back when he had come to Liberty looking for a fresh start. He had been nothing if not kind, to all around him.

  Tex often helped with whatever project the town needed. He had done right by his life by opening up the first candle store the town had ever seen. Most scoffed at the very idea as the average wife made her own candles at home. Waste of money most had said. The town soon took notice as Tex created awe inspiring works of art. His large pillar candles were almost too pretty to burn. The smaller candles he crafted were perfect to give around holidays and as gifts for weddings. He had even figured out a way to introduce dye into the wax and produce multiple colors. It was surprising to Serena, how a man with such large, beefy, hands could create such delicate pieces. The church and the society matrons in town kept him plenty deep in orders.

  Serena had picked Tex as a potential mate because she could see herself as a partner, a helpmate in his business. Besides, he really was a big softie of a man. Tex had never told her the reason he had been to prison, and she had never asked. Through his kindness to her and her family, she had discovered a quiet man whom she trusted. She figured that if he had truly killed a man, then that man had probably needed killing.

  Once home, Serena checked on her mama and papa. After she was assured they were sleeping soundly, she headed off to bed. Donning the same faded night rail that she had worn for the last decade, Serena crawled into the covers. The last few years had been hard on the Sinclair family. Papa was sick, with some type of chest complaint that kept him from daily life. His frame was so frail now that it scared Serena whenever she caught a glimpse of him without his shirt on.

  Mama was unable to handle caring for papa on her own. Working at the family's dress shop, and running the household, had become too much for her, so she relied heavily on Serena for support. Neither parent would allow Serena to ask her brother Mathias for help. They wanted to hide the fact that their money was nearly gone and the actuality that their papa may even be dying. This angered Serena, for she knew Mathias wasn't stupid. Her brother clearly could see that Papa was sick. Every time he came to town to partake in family dinners, Mathias would remark on Papa's sudden weight loss or ashy complexion. The same explanation was given each time. That George Sinclair had just over done it, and needed to lie down for a while.

  The truth of the stinky matter was; Serena's family was broke. Flat busted to be exact. It was not by personal choice that she had been wearing the same brown frocks for the past three years. The ugly brown cloth had been the only surplus the family had at the time, and with things only going from bad to worse, she was stuck with it. Sometimes, she dreamt of wearing one of the beautiful dresses that she and her mama had to sew for the likes of Trudy Bixby.

  Serena knew she needed to find a husband to help support her so that she was no longer a drain on her parents financially. In her stupidity, over the last five years Serena had turned down a passel of marriage offers from decent men, in the hopes of that "one day." The day when Alec would finally realize she was the woman for him. Serena knew that time was a factor in her decision, waiting for the men she had once turned down to ask again, was out of the question. So, in Serena's mind, the only answer was to join in on the 'bridal bid.'

  Hours of tossing and turning without a moment's rest, Serena finally frustrated threw the covers aside and walked to her window. Sliding the glass up, Serena leaned out and took a deep breath. She was tired of thinking about him, tired of wanting Alec Wentworth. Serena had no idea where Alec was this very night. He was probably as drunk as a skunk in some tawdry widow's bed. She tried not to care, not to feel hurt.

  Casting a glance to the sky, she regarded the stars and made a wish as she had done ever since she was a child. The only this time the request she would make to the heavens was much different. "Please help me find someone else to love," she begged. "Help me get over Alec and move on with my life."

  "A foolish man believes that he finds his answers at the bottom of a bottle; he is more apt to find a larger problem there."

  CHAPTER THREE

  "Hey! Hey...fancy boy. Wake up and get off of that table."

  "Guh..." groaning and holding his head, Alec tried to focus on the tiny, prune faced, battle axe that was furiously poking him on the forehead. Her withered, crooked finger inflicting more pain than it should have as she assaulted his head.

  "Get on up. I've given you fair warning, next time I'm going to get Oscar to throw you back into the garden fountain."

  A thump sounded in the distance making Alec grind his teeth. The scraping sound that followed made his ears want to jump off of his head and hide.

  "Good God, woman!" Alec snapped. Holding his aching skull, he focused on his housekeeper. "Stop poking me Mrs. Wyatt, or by all that's holy, I will fire you on the spot," he growled at her.

  "Yes, yes," Mrs. Wyatt scoffed, waving away Alec's words. "If I had a penny for every time you've threatened to fire me, I'd own this town. Now, get your filthy hide up off my clean table," she directed him.

  Hands fisted on hips, Mrs. Wyatt tossed her graying head in the direction of the doorway and called. "Oscar... Oscar, get on in here and help mayor- fancy- britches up to his room. Make sure he takes a bath." Looking down at Alec, she confided to him in a whisper, "Alec, you stink."

  "Don't wanna," Oscar mumbled in response to being summoned.

  The
petulant man that she had called out to stood hovering in the doorway. He was watching Alec as though he were the devil incarnate. His bottom lip jutted out like a cranky four year old child.

  "Now Oscar, I told you that he did not mean anything by last night," Mrs. Wyatt walked over and patted the young man on the back reassuringly.

  Oscar Wyatt was nicely put, simple. His housekeeper's son was a grown man with a child's mind. His condition was believed to have stemmed from an accident involving the birth cord at his delivery. Mrs. Wyatt had decided to raise the boy as if nothing was amiss and usually gave him chores to do to keep him out of trouble. Usually, the burly blond giant of a man was found trailing around behind Alec like a puppy, asking him questions by the wagon load. Alec never minded, for Oscar was a good hearted, normally smiling fellow. Oscar's new found reluctance to be near Alec confused him though.

  "What's the matter pal?" Alec cocked his sore head in the other man's direction, and attempted to smile which ended up as a grimace. Damn he hurt and he had only himself to blame

  "Keep him away from me, Mama!" Oscar stumbled backward and hid behind the drawing room door. Every few seconds or so, the enormous man, would peek around the corner just to make sure Alec had not pursued him.

  "What the devil is all of that about?" Turning questioning eyes toward Mrs. Wyatt, Alec waited for an explanation.

  "The devil indeed," Mrs. Wyatt huffed. "It has been three days since you've been sober. Three, count them," holding the appropriate number of digits up, just to affirm her truth, Mrs. Wyatt explained. "Last night, Oscar on his way home, found you passed out in the garden fountain. Fearful that you'd drown your fool self, Oscar tried to lift you out and drag you inside," snatching a glass from the side board, Mrs. Wyatt filled it with water from the pitcher sitting next to it.

  "Thank you ma'am," taking a sip of the cool liquid, Alec motioned for Mrs. Wyatt to continue her explanation.