The glowering faces disproved that hope. He looked back at the mayor and Banker Strong. Again, something prickled his lawman senses. Could it be the odd grin of satisfaction that briefly flashed across Ledbetter’s face?
Hiram prodded him, voicing the accusation again. “Well, what do you have to say? Are you going to hide the poor woman? I’d think an honest sheriff would do right by her, especially after using a victim the way you did.”
Several of the group voiced agreement. It was enough to make a man want to slink away.
Squaring his shoulders, Fred summoned up his stern sheriff’s tone. “Why in the Sam Hill do you think I touched that woman? I saved her from being used that way. Don’t you remember that?”
The banker didn’t back down. In fact, he moved to stand close to Fred. Shaking a finger in the sheriff’s face, he snorted.
“The whole town knows she spent that night after you rescued her in your room above the jail. And, just look at how she follows you around town. Desperate. She’s desperate to marry you. A good girl like her would do just that after being used.”
He eyed the crowd. “I can just imagine the promises he made to her. Why else would she pursue him?”
Strong paused a moment for his words to sink in before answering his own question. As slick as a patent medicine salesman, he coaxed the crowd. “I’ll tell you why she’s chasing after him. The woman wants to keep her baby and make a decent life for the little one.”
Fred couldn’t deny that Lilah did want a good life for Blossom. He’d never made promises, but the woman was desperate to turn his mind to marriage. All of that was true. How to defend against this slander?
Suddenly, a new face appeared in the group. Murphy’s donkey-laugh brayed above the muttering of the men. “I saw him today, hurrying that poor Miss Levitt out of town. He sure looked angry when he caught sight of the baby she had hidden in a basket.”
Stinson spoke up then. “That so, Murphy? You been spying on the sheriff?”
That support came unexpectedly. Fred appreciated someone else questioning the man and waited for the would-be drunk’s answer.
“Nah. I just happen to see and hear things.” He looked over his shoulder at the banker before growling, “I heard the sheriff admit he feels guilty about shooting Sheriff Redmond. Who knows if our sheriff really was a bad guy like Sittig claims?”
“Shut up!” The command drew all eyes to James Strong. The man’s face was nearly purple and rage had him jumping up and down with hands fisted. At the sight, several in the crowd took large steps backward.
The man nearest him, Rex Martin softly spoke to Fred. “Sheriff, is there any possibility you and the girl could make a go of it? I, for one, think a married man seems more settled and trustworthy.”
When Fred opened his mouth to protest, Rex held up a hand. “Now, just hear me out. Doing the decent thing doesn’t name you guilty of these insinuations. It only shows that you can appreciate a hardworking, lovely woman and want to care for a fatherless baby.”
He looked to the men nearby. “Am I right, fellas?” Several muttered their agreement.
Fred finally spoke up. “I didn’t do a blasted thing wrong, you all know. Marrying up with her looks forced now, even if I’d been thinking ‘long those lines.”
Stinson snorted. “Better marry her before Murphy does. He must be interested if he’s been watchin’ her.”
Eyes only briefly glanced at Murphy’s scowling face. The men swiftly flashed their gazes back to the sheriff, pinning Fred to the spot. He fixed his own attention on Rex, ignoring the men around them.
“You know that I had to save Carlene Strong when I shot Redmond. Still, I don’t know how anyone kills another person and doesn’t feel bad ‘bout it. Unless you don’t have a conscience like Mrs. Olson.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Fred saw several men nod at his reference to the murderous mercantile owner. She’d killed her husband last Christmas and had been responsible for the illegal alcohol activities in the area.
Rex reached up and laid a hand on the younger man’s shoulder. “We’re not listening to Murphy’s slander. It’s the Levitt woman and your own future happiness we’re seeing to right now.”
Giving the men around him a sweeping glance, Rex’s voice spoke coaxingly. “We’re happy with our sheriff, aren’t we fellas? We only want to see him more settled and stop that little gal’s chasing him.”
At the sound of the crowd’s agreement, Ledbetter sputtered with alarm. “Now, wait a minute. We’re not holding an election here in the street. You men hold off until Saturday. Everyone can vote after the rally.”
The mayor pointed a finger at his sheriff. “Sittig there doesn’t need to marry anyone. The deeds done and nothing he will do can change it.”
There it was again. That prickle that something wasn’t like Fred expected.
Rex Martin took his hand down from Fred’s shoulder. Shrugging, he added one last reason to marry Lilah. “At least you won’t have to take any risk by sending away for a mail-order bride, like your brothers. Seems like you have a guaranteed good wife.”
Finally, Fred spoke. “Just came back from my brother’s. I was talking marriage out there since I don’t want to let the perfect woman for me get away.”
A cheer sounded from the crowd. Many voices cheering at once for his upcoming marriage. He hadn’t lied to them. Myra had been talking marriage.
Men moved forward to slap him on the back, asking for details. He only shrugged, studying the mayor and the banker. Strong frowned when he saw that he’d lost the interest of the crowd. No surprise there.
What drew Fred’s eye was the almost feral expression on Ledbetter’s face. He met Fred’s gaze with narrowed, calculating eyes. Before this terrible year, Fred might have backed down or shivered at that look. Now, he stared back until the other man looked away first, leaving Fred to wonder whether the timid lawyer persona was an act.
Chapter 6
The Wedding
“So, will you come out to the farm with me, Reverend Nillson?”
The long moment of silence alarmed Fred. He’d explained the situation to the man. Certainly, the minister could see the need to marry. Why didn’t he say something?
The older man harrumphed. When he finally spoke, tight lines stayed around his mouth. “You haven’t done anything wrong to warrant a hurried wedding. I worry that you are using something sacred as a convenience.”
Stammering out a denial, Fred frantically fought to form a convincing argument. “She’s been through a trauma, Reverend. A family will be the healing tonic she needs. I’m sure of it.”
The older man leaned back in his desk chair and nodded. “That’s fine, my boy. A husband needs to provide for and protect his wife.”
The man’s light blue eyes suddenly pinned Fred with an accusing glare. “You are dealing with a woman’s feelings here. A husband vows to love. Will you do that, as a part of your ‘healing tonic’, as you called it?”
“I—I don’t—” Fred stuttered before breaking off his words, tipping his head down to think. He definitely felt more for Lilah than Carl had for Merrilee when they married. The same went for Holder and Myra.
This minister had married his brothers and their mail-order wives knowing no love existed between them. Why was the old preacher making such a fuss now?
He felt what his mother had called his “mulish look” tighten his face. Ready to confront the man, he almost opened his mouth to tell the minister what he thought of this love talk.
Almost. Reverend Nillson had been nothing but honorable and caring to the people of Idyll Wood and the surrounding area. He must have a good reason.
Fred’s face relaxed. He raised his head to see the old man watching him with a fatherly look that spoke of caring and concern. Something in Fred’s retelling of the situation definitely disturbed Reverend Nillson. Well, he’d never know if he didn’t ask the older man.
“What has you hesitating, Reverend? You married both
of my brothers without love present.”
Quickly, without thought, the other man shook his head. Vehemently, the minister protested. “No, that’s not true. Both were committed to making a marriage with their mail-order brides and needed the women.”
Leaning forward in his chair, the man’s mouth turned downward as he studied the brawny sheriff. “I’m not sure you believe you need anyone. This seems to be about her needing you and not the other way around.”
Fred arched an eyebrow at that. “Is that so bad?”
The pastor gave a clipped nod. “Yes, she’ll spend her life beholden to you for marrying her. That’s not the way a woman should have to live.”
Those words struck him dumb. Fred opened his mouth, but it gaped without words coming out. Realizing how accurate the minister’s observation was, he closed it and sat silent and contemplative.
Why did he wrap his arm around Lilah on the sofa? What caused him to care enough about her to plan for her to talk with Myra?
Large, soulful brown eyes came to mind. Eyes that stared back at him across a café table the first day they’d met. He’d been so drawn to her that he asked her to lunch, something out of character for him.
Fred had never used brutal force with a criminal. Not until that night when he broke into the brothel room and saw the man ready to abuse Lilah. Red rage pumped through him at the sight. He might have killed the man if his deputy hadn’t pulled him away from the crumpled figure.
“When I look at her, I see goodness and a delicate beauty that makes me want to guard it.”
The preacher nodded. “Yes, you’ve told me about the need to protect her.”
Grimacing, Fred tried again. “No, I’m not saying this right. German men don’t talk about feelings.”
Nillson snorted. “Well, you’re one German man who had better start if you want to marry the girl.”
Jumping up from his chair, Fred walked to the bookshelves that lined one wall, floor to ceiling. He studied titles that spoke of the ministers intelligence. It went against Fred’s grain to talk about such things, but he did it anyhow.
Groaning, he ran a hand through his wavy blond hair and faced the older man. “She draws me like no other person. A crazy urge to be with her has had me running from her each time she’d pursued me. I want to be tender with her. It’s why I didn’t yell at her or be nasty when she’s been obviously pursuing me.”
Holding up his hands in defeat, Fred asked three words. “Is that love?”
The reverend smiled. “It’s a good enough start. You have to promise to tell her kind things. Things that show how much you need her. You don’t have to speak of emotions, but you must show her appreciation. It will keep her from being obligated to you through the years.”
Absurdly eager to marry—something he would have scoffed at that morning if anyone suggested it—Fred nodded his agreement. “I will remember, Reverend.”
At the old man’s sudden sigh, Fred asked, “So, you are going to marry us?”
The concerned expression remained on the minister’s face. “Yes, if Miss Levitt agrees.”
Lilah shook her head. “No, this isn’t what I wanted.”
She watched Fred’s mouth gape, his eyes wide. She’d shocked him. Good! It was some emotion from him, finally.
Chirping, she spoke to the man. “I came to town to—” At a tsk from Myra, she stopped.
That woman’s lips became a narrow line as she wagged a finger at Lilah. “Remember what I said about that voice. No matter what your teacher told you, it is not attractive.”
Clearing her throat, Lilah started again. Myra was giving her permission to be herself, to see if Fred would respond to plain Lilah Levitt.
This time she addressed Fred in her normal, lower voice. “It was hard to return knowing the man who sent me to that brothel was still on the loose. Still, I came here because I sensed something between us from the first luncheon in the café. You were so attentive and caring the night you rescued me.” When she stopped, Lilah studied Fred. He smiled warmly.
Is that because I used my normal voice or what I said?
“What’s your smile about?” She pushed, wanting an answer to the question she asked in her mind.
Fred shrugged but shifted closer to her on the sofa. He sneaked an arm behind her shoulders and smiled again. “I like your voice, I guess.”
Squeezing her gently, he whispered for her ears only. “I like remembering that lunch, too. Something in me must have known how much I need you.”
The resistance that had been mustered with great difficulty melted away when he said that. For a man that shied away from any talk of emotions, that was close to a declaration of affection. She recognized that.
“Yes, I’ll marry him, Reverend Nillson.”
After that, the family gathered around the couple. Myra played Blest Be the Ties That Bind on the parlor organ as Holder escorted the bride to his brother. Lilah noticed the twins gripped hands and chattered softly to each other.
Such adorable girls and soon they’d be part of her family! She’d have a family that actually cared about her. A glow started deep inside Lilah at the thought.
She knew it was unfair. After all, her stepmother and father provided her with what she’d needed as a child. Their lives had been too full of social obligations to worry about a girl who had a governess to care for her.
When she’d left home the first time, her father had noticed immediately and sent a detective after her. She needed to remember that. It showed his measure of love she supposed. He didn’t do well at expressing any emotion.
Like Fred. That thought had her stumbling before she reached her groom. Did she love Fred because he reminded her of Father?
With wide eyes, she looked at her intended. His smile faded and worry wrinkled his brow as he watched her. When he took a step toward her, she held up a hand to stop him.
His concern was enough to assure her. He wasn’t like her father. Fred simply was the man meant for her and they were blessed to meet.
Holder took the hand that gripped his arm and placed it in Fred’s. Fred’s older brother didn’t smile, lines of worry furrowing the skin between his eyes. He did whisper, “God bless you both,” before stepping away to stand by the twins.
Lilah stood in a dress borrowed from Myra and pledged herself to the man she loved. The column in the paper flitted through her mind. It had said to show Fred how much he needed her. Odd that he’d spoken of need, also.
Please, dear Lord, let him feel more than need for me.
The preacher’s use of her name broke into her silent worry. “And do you, Lilah Louise Levitt, take this man to be your husband? To love and obey him and keep yourself only to him for as long as you both live?”
This was the moment she’d longed for since the day she’d met Fred. Her kidnapping had been a roadblock only. Here she was with him, standing before the minister. Why did she hesitate?
A soft mewling cry from Blossom drew her eyes to the cradle by the sofa. Johanna moved to pick up the baby, shushing her gently.
Love at first sight. She’d felt it for Blossom. A different kind of love from what she had for Fred. Still, it was another reason to say the words.
“I do.”
Chapter 7
The Visitor
Lilah stayed on the farm while Fred headed back into town. She needed help learning to care for—not to mention feeding—their little Rose Blossom. Also, it was his night to tend the jail and patrol the town.
Not exactly the wedding night any healthy young man anticipated. He’d kissed Lilah when Reverend Nillson declared them man and wife, feeling her answering desire. The rightness of holding this woman close made leaving her at Holder’s more difficult.
Before he left, Holder whispered an encouraging promise. “I’ll have the old cabin out back cleaned and ready for tomorrow night. Carl and I each started our marriages there. Now’s your turn.” His lascivious chuckle revealed exactly what he expected Fred to do in the ca
bin with Lilah.
Red-faced, Fred gave a brief nod. “I’d appreciate it. Thanks.”
A nagging suspicion drove him as he rode his horse back to town. He needed to send a telegram to the prison. Halderson was serving time for his part in Carlene Strong’s kidnapping, along with others who had named him when they were freed from the brothel. Maybe if confronted with the name, he’d finally break his silence and speak about the man in charge of the scheme to lure these young women.
With a new owner at the hotel, Fred knew it was no longer being used to trap women who came to work there. Still, either he or one of his two deputies hovered near the depot each day as the train arrived, watching for young women traveling alone. It was a very weak action in this fight. Whoever had planned this money-making plot could be using another small town now.
Also, he was no longer confident that Hansen would step in to prevent a woman from being taken against her will. The man had sided with Strong. His surliness blossomed into outright hatred with the election. It had Fred wondering if the man had some personal grudge against him.
His thoughts wandered back to Lilah. A man did a lot of thinking while on the back of a horse, and something was becoming clear to Fred. He didn’t mind this marriage.
That didn’t make sense. He had been all but forced to do it. This morning, he didn’t plan to marry. For goodness sakes, he’d never even courted a girl!
But if he had looked for a girl to court, Lilah fit the image of what he would want. Sweet, energetic, and determined. Her elfin face had a delicate, lovely bone structure, and she had slim curves in all the right places.
Her personality traits reminded him of his mother. She put up with so much misery from his father and remained loving and positive. No wonder he found himself drawn to Lilah.
At the livery, Fred handed the horse over to Mr. Stinson. The man eyed him with a gleam of speculation.
“Just put away the preacher’s team. He didn’t say much. Only that he went to your brother’s farm.”
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