Like a lightning bolt had struck her, his mother turned on his father giving him the evil eye. How would his new wife accept his very trying parents?
"Quinlan, I know, is just going to be perfect. Her letter was the best one of all he received. Not like that girl, Sally, who worked in a saloon."
The engine came to a stop and let off the steam as the bell clanged announcing the train's arrival. Will's heart felt like that engine only it couldn't discharge the pressure and would soon explode.
"Do you see her?"
"How would I know what she looks like," Will said, wishing his mother would put the brakes on her happiness.
"She's going to be beautiful," she said.
Why would a gorgeous woman become a mail-order bride? Wouldn't most women have men clamoring to marry them. Will didn't think a beauty waited him. He would settle for a nice woman who tolerated his mother, because he knew the next thing out of his mother's mouth would be why weren't they pregnant yet.
"Look over there," his father said. "That young woman looks like she's searching for someone. Do you think that's her?"
"Let's go ask," his mother said already in motion. His father clamped his hand on her shoulder and pulled her back.
"No," he said in a firm tone that meant no argument. "Will is going to introduce himself and ask if she is Miss Quinlan. Then the youngsters need a few moments of privacy before Will brings her over to us. Do you understand, Clara?"
She huffed loudly. "Yes, but hurry. I'm anxious to meet my new daughter."
Oh, the woman had gone from being just a daughter-in-law to a daughter and she had yet to be introduced.
"Wait here," Will said grateful to his father for giving him a few moments alone. As he strolled toward the woman with honey blonde hair that hung down the middle of her back, she gazed at him with the greenest eyes he'd ever seen, lashes lowered demurely. If this was Quinlan, she was nothing like what he imagined. Oh no, she was so much better.
The beautiful woman gave him a tentative smile when he walked up to her. Like a tremor from an earthquake, his insides rattled, but he didn't want to appear weak. So he stepped up to her. "Are you Quinlan Clark?"
The lady's full lips turned up in a beaming smile that reached inside his chest and squeeze his lungs. "Yes."
"Will Adams," he said, taking her trembling hand in his. Would this be where their journey began? Somehow it seemed like a monumental moment in his life.
"Nice to meet you," she said, biting her lip.
"Hopefully you had a safe journey," he said.
"Yes. Long and tiring, but very boring."
A grin spread across his face at her comment. "Were you wanting some excitement on the train?"
"Coming across the plains, I hoped I would at least see some Indians or buffalo. All we saw were tumbleweeds."
The woman had no idea what she wished for and he was thankful she'd arrived without any incidents. A tiny little thing, he would need to protect her. "Do you have a trunk?"
"Yes," she said. "The conductor said they should be unloading them soon."
Will glanced over to where his father and mother were yammering at each other and knew his father would not be able to hold his mother much longer.
"See the older couple standing over there talking rapidly?"
"Yes," she said, pushing her luscious curls off her shoulder.
"That's my parents. They wanted to be here to meet you and witness our marriage."
"Oh, how nice," she said, her voice tense.
Already he could see that she had gone from being relaxed to nervous, but then again meeting the family was always nerve-racking. And his especially.
"Before we talk to them, I must warn you, my mother can be a little overbearing. When she becomes too much, please tell me. There's not an evil bone in her body. She just gets a little too enthusiastic and sometimes doesn't think about the other person's thoughts or feelings."
Quinlan's lips drew together in a frown. "We'll both need to be patient with one another. I've not had a mother in years."
Then he realized his mom was sneakier than he ever thought. His mother had chosen her, knowing Quinlan was an orphan. This made perfect sense now—his mother would not need to share her grandchildren with any other grandparents.
Staring down at his petite wife whose full mouth and tempting lips would hit him just about right, he smiled. How lucky could one man get?
"We're not married yet and you may change your mind between here and the courthouse. Let's make a promise to one another right now, that my mother cannot come between us. If she gets to be too much, you'll say something. And I’ll give you my word, as your husband, I will do my best to keep my mother from causing problems between us."
With a tilt of her head, his bride-to-be gave him a reluctant smile. "I have a request of my own. My parents were not a good example of a loving couple. In fact, I have no idea what a happy family life is like. If I don't react like you expect me to, please be patient with me. My family fell apart when I was seven."
What had gone on in her family that caused it to break apart? Yet, he liked how she warned him up front she didn't have good role models. Now, if only he could be the understanding man she obviously needed.
"It's a promise. I'll do my best. But I'm also a man, and you, my dear bride-to-be, are absolutely stunning. We'll take it slow and get to know one another."
A sigh escaped from her full lips. Like a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders, she seemed to relax.
"Thank you."
Taking her hand, he placed it in the crook of his arm. "Now, we better go meet my parents, so my poor father can release my mother. He's been holding her back to give us some time."
Quinlan smiled at him and his heart melted. This woman would soon be his wife, which made him the luckiest man alive. Now, he had to safeguard her and not let anything happen to her, like what had happened to David.
Chapter 2
Quinlan walked toward the older couple, her heart pounding. When she married Will, she would have a family once again and that thought was terrifying in so many ways. All these years, she'd been alone with only the girls at the home.
Sneaking a quick glance at the man she would soon marry, she took in his physical traits. Coal black hair with intense, brilliant blue eyes that while talking softened. Maybe he was as scared as she was of this thing called marriage they were about to embark upon.
As they walked toward them, his mother clapped her hands together. The woman was beaming and hardly able to contain her excitement. Quinlan wasn't certain she had experienced that much emotion in her life. Yet, his father stood by quietly assessing her.
As soon as they reached the couple's side, his mother threw her arms around her. "I'm so excited to meet you. You're exactly what this family needs."
For a moment, Quinlan didn't move as the woman held her against her ample breast. Finally, she put her arms around the woman. "Nice to meet you too."
With both hands on Quinlan's arms, his mother pulled back and gazed at her from head to toe. A blush spread across Quinlan's cheeks at her obvious perusal.
"And look at you, you're so beautiful. Perfect for my Will," she said, getting all flustered. "Names. Clara Adams and this is my husband, Will's father, Howard Adams. Since you're going to be part of our family, we would just love it, if you called us Mom and Dad. You'll be our daughter and we couldn't be happier."
Stunned, Quinlan glanced between the two people, overwhelmed at the way they lovingly accepted her into their home before they even knew her. Would they still love her when they learned the truth about her upbringing?
Sure, she'd been a child, but what if the ugliness of her family life somehow had rubbed off on her? Would the two of them soon be screaming at each other like her parents?
"Quinlan Clark," she said softly glancing at Will, looking for his reaction.
He gave Quinlan a pitying expression like I tried to warn you and she looked at his father who smiled at
her. She liked the quiet gentleness about the man.
"Come on," Clara said. "I've got this all planned. Instead of going to the courthouse, the preacher is waiting on us. First, we're going to the house. I have a surprise for you."
"Mother," Will said, "what have you done?"
His mother took her by the arm and started hurrying her to a nearby buggy. "We've got to get you home. Come on, Will, you're going to like this. A wedding should be more than just a civil ceremony."
When they reached the vehicle, Clara sat in front and then laughed. "No, your place is beside your soon-to-be husband. I'll sit in the back."
Howard helped his wife into the wagon and Will placed his strong hands around her waist and lifted her effortlessly onto the seat. At the feel of his hands, she tensed, and his blue eyes seemed to twinkle with amusement at her.
Maybe he felt her stiffen at his touch. No man had ever assisted her into the wagon. No man had ever kissed or courted or even spoken to her besides the men at their church.
With a click of the reins, the horse led her to her new life. Driving through town, she took in the small community. After living in New York, this was nothing compared to where she came from. The town couldn't be more than five hundred people, she estimated. Yet here, she would start her own school and she couldn't wait to begin, though first there was a wedding to get through.
As they pulled up in front of a house, she noticed a small, but well-kempt home, much better than anything she could remember before the orphanage. The moment her feet touched the ground, Clara took hold of her hand and all but dragged her toward the house. "Will, go to the church. We'll meet you there."
"Mother," he said. "Stop."
"What?" she turned and glared at him with an irritated stare. "It's unlucky to see your bride in her wedding gown."
Quinlan's head jerked around. "A wedding dress?"
The thought of getting married in an actual gown warmed her chest and brought tears to her eyes.
"Stop, ruining the surprise," she told her son.
Will walked over to Quinlan. "Do you want me to leave you with this crazy woman?"
A loud hrrmph sound came from his mother and a nervous giggle erupted before Quinlan could stop herself. With no experience with men, she didn't know how to react to him, but she kind of liked this man who would be her husband. So far, he appeared well mannered with a touch of humor.
Was this how her father and mother had begun their relationship? Taking a deep breath, she pushed down the fear that threatened to overcome her. So much was changing. Her life was like a spinning tornado being blow all about the place.
"I'll be all right. See you at the altar."
"In exactly thirty minutes, unless the bride is late because her groom refused to leave. Now go," Clara said, waving her hands at her son. "Your father will take us in the buggy."
Will gave a sneaky smile and turned and walked down the street. Why did she have the feeling he would make their life very interesting. If only the madness she grew up with didn't erupt here.
"Come on, I thought maybe you would fit into my wedding dress. Now if you don't like it or don't want to wear it, I understand. But I would be honored if you wore my dress to marry my son."
For a second, Quinlan stared at the woman who would be her new mother-in-law. A bit on the extreme side, but what a beautiful gesture. Some of her enthusiasm bubbled up inside Quinlan and she smiled. "Well, let's go try it on. We won't know the answer until I put the gown on."
Clapping her hands gleefully, Clara cried, "Hurry, this is so exciting. If I don't live another day, I'm so happy my son is getting married. Though I do hope I stick around long enough to love on the grandbabies."
A cramp clenched Quinlan's stomach. Babies. Oh my, she could soon be pregnant and the idea terrified her. Not until she was sure this marriage would work.
Will stood at the altar with the preacher. Maybe ten people from town who knew his family were there waiting. He couldn't believe what his mother pulled together for his wedding. His father escorted his mother down to the front row and the organists began to play the wedding march.
Licking his lips nervously, an ache centered in his chest. David should be here standing at his side. David should be teasing and aggravating him and giving his mother that look that always made her laugh. His brother had been the comedian in the family, the one who kept them all together and managed his mother better than anyone.
But he was dead. And after his death, Will's life took an unexpected turn of revenge. The hole left in his heart by his brother's senseless murder could never be repaired.
David was the one who deserved someone like Quinlan. He'd been the smart one, not Will.
Just then his wife appeared in the door of the church and the sight of her took his breath away. His mother let her wear her wedding gown and it fit Quinlan to perfection. Like it had been made for her body and he couldn't imagine his mother in that small dress.
Glancing at the woman who arranged everything, she smiled at him and he mouthed, "Thank you."
No matter that her intentions had not been the most honorable. Not to mention he hadn't wanted to marry the girl, but the wedding his mother planned was more than he merited. After all, they had no idea about the years he traveled. And he hoped they never learned of his torrid past.
Quinlan seemed to float down the aisle and he stepped down to meet her, eager to begin their life together. Taking her hand, he led her onto the platform where the minister waited for them.
"You're the most beautiful bride ever," he said as he turned to the woman he didn't know. Today, he would pledge to honor her, love her in sickness and health and protect her. He had been unable to safeguard David, could he protect Quinlan? That question troubled him the most.
She smiled and he wondered if she believed in love. If the two of them could live a happy life together.
"Thank you," she whispered. "You look pretty handsome yourself."
The preacher cleared his throat to get their attention and they faced each other as he began to recite the vows.
"Dearly beloved...
Quinlan sat beside her husband in the decorated wagon. Someone tied a sign on the back saying Just Married and hung white ribbon along the side. When they came out of the church, she'd been pleasantly surprised. Still wearing the beautiful dress her mother-in-law loaned her for the wedding, she couldn't help but feel blessed.
While they were dressing, Clara made her promise that if Quinlan had a daughter, her granddaughter could wear the dress if she wanted. At the moment, it seemed like a sweet request, but all Quinlan could think about was getting through the next few hours.
After the wedding, the family held a small reception with a cake and punch. There she was introduced to countless people she would never remember. And several school age children who she would soon see in the classroom.
A crowd gathered around the wagon saying goodbye. "Are you ready?"
"Yes," she said, thinking shortly she could sleep.
"Good luck," people yelled as the wagon lurched, then they started throwing something. The first few pelts surprised her.
"What are they doing?"
"They're throwing rice. The wedding tradition is supposed to bring you good luck."
Quinlan ducked down beside her husband as they pulled away from the crowd.
"Are you tired?" he asked.
"Exhausted," she replied. The train ride, meeting Will and his parents, the wedding, and the reception were beginning to take their toll on her. She was beyond tired and they still had the night.
On their last evening together at the orphanage, the girls discussed the wedding night and what happened. Though how any of them gained the knowledge she couldn't answer. None of them had married friends. None of them ever dated. None of them had ever been married. So how did they know what went on?
"Where are we going?"
"To our home," he said.
"You don't live with your parents?"
&nbs
p; Turning to her, he laughed out loud. "Are you kidding me? Do you think I could stay beneath the same roof as my mother? The woman has a heart of gold and I love her dearly, but it’s better that we don't live together. Besides, this way we have our own home."
Biting her lip nervously, she stared into the darkness. So far Will had not shown her any indication that he was a man who would use his fists on his wife. But her father had been the nicest man ever until alcohol consumed him. Then this ugly beast came out and would ruin everything.
"How big is your home?" she asked wondering if there would be places for her to hide.
"Big enough."
"You're not being very definitive," she said.
"That's because I want it to be a surprise," he said, glancing down at her.
They had gone through the small town and were now on the dark country road. "How far out do you live?"
"Less than a mile. My idea of a home is not to have to listen to the noise from the saloon or the bath houses late at night. This way, we're right outside of town, in the quiet and peacefulness."
Where no one would hear her screams when he beat her.
The horse turned down a dark lane. "How can you see the road?"
"The horse knows where he's going. There is a bag of oats waiting for him."
Just then in the darkness, she saw a two-story structure looming in front of them. A covered porch with two rocking chairs offered an open invitation to sit and watch the stars. The place was a mansion compared to the many homes her family vacated at the first sign of eviction. "Oh my goodness. The outside looks so homey and I can't wait to see inside."
This couldn't be her life. It was too good to be true. All her life, she was known as the girl whose parents fought and lost and then fought again, until she found herself in an orphanage learning to live without them. People whispered her story behind her back.
The wagon came to a halt in front of the house and he wrapped the reins around the brake.
"Don't you need to put the horse in the barn? What about his oats?”
Lipstick and Lead Series: The Complete Box Set With a Bonus Book Page 131