"Oh yes, of course," he said, slowly settling Elizabeth on her feet, delighting in the feel of her feminine form as it brushed against him.
"Elizabeth," he said, taking her hand and gesturing toward Jake and Posey, "this is my dear friend Jake Lincoln and his wife, Posey."
Jake tipped his hat and said hello while Posey smiled widely before she began to speak at a rapid pace. "We're so glad to meet you, Elizabeth. I hope you don't mind, but Matt asked if I could be your bridesmaid. I got you some flowers." She handed a bouquet to Elizabeth while keeping a smaller one for herself. "I tried to get some roses, but Mrs. Ryan seems to be the only person in town who can grow them and when I knocked on her door this morning to ask for a few and explain about you coming all the way from St. Louis to marry Matt and everything, she just stared at me and I got scared and turned and left. Maybe she was going to say yes, but I doubt it. She’s awfully contrary. But you'll probably find that out for yourself soon enough. Anyway, I know you like roses because your letters always smelled of rose perfume. But I wasn't spying on you. Honest, I wasn't. Well, maybe there was this one thing..." she glanced up at Jake who gave her a stern look "but that got resolved. As I was saying, I work at the post office and so I noticed your letters smelled like roses."
Elizabeth just stared at Posey for a minute, which wasn't surprising. She could be a bit overwhelming, especially to strangers. Jake didn't talk much at all, but Posey made up for it.
"Thank you," Elizabeth said, holding the flowers up to her face to smell them. "And please, call me Lizzie." She looked from Posey to Matt and back to Posey. "It's what I'd like my friends here in Juniper Junction to call me."
"Well, Lizzie, I think it's high time we got ourselves over to the parsonage." Matt squeezed her hand and led the way as the foursome left the train platform and headed down Main Street toward the church. Along the way several people called out their good wishes. Those who had been waiting with him at the station made their way to Jake and Posey’s house where a small wedding party was being held for them.
Pastor Ellis opened the door before they even had a chance to knock. The pastor swept them into the parlor of his home and in a matter of moments, the deed was done. They were man and wife.
* * *
Lizzie gazed at the simple gold band on her finger. Married. To Matt Foreman. Mrs. Matthew Foreman. Mrs. Elizabeth Foreman.
No matter how you said it, she was married.
And not to the detestable man her father had selected for her. Who would ever want to be Mrs. Nevie Pettit? A shudder ran through her as she considered what might be happening back in St. Louis. One advantage of her father preventing her from having friends was that there was no one who might be able to divulge her whereabouts. The only person who knew was Minnie and Minnie would never tell.
Besides, her father would never even consider that a Pendleton would confide in the help, making it highly unlikely that he'd question any of the servants. He'd just rant and stomp around the house like an angry toddler.
Oh the scandal when the wedding was called off.
She'd been terrified when she boarded the train, certain that every set of eyes knew she was running away and wasn't supposed to be there. When each person got on, she turned her face to the window to hide from their curious stares.
As the miles passed by and they left the urban blight of St. Louis and traveled for hours and hours over the farmlands and prairies, she felt the weight of the world fall from her shoulders until by the time she arrived in Juniper Junction, she was carefree Lizzie Corwin and could barely remember Elizabeth Pendleton.
She took a moment to look around the room at the folks who had gathered to wish them well. Matt's status as a well-regarded member of the community was evidenced by the kind things people said to her about him and the respect they showed for him as well. Not that she needed reassurance that she'd done the right thing... well, maybe she did, just a little.
"Lizzie, I'm so happy for you.” Posey stood in front of her. "I'd like you to meet some of my friends," she said. "But don't worry if you don't remember everyone's name. There'll be plenty of time to get to know everyone. Did Matt tell you about the Juniper Junction Quilting Society? We meet every other week on Tuesday morning at nine o'clock. We just met this week but I'll pick you up for the next meeting and we can go together. If that's alright with you?"
Lizzie paused for a moment. She'd never had anyone who didn't know her family name or who her father was, treat her so kindly. So this is what it's like out in the world.
She felt herself choke up as she looked at Posey and the smiling young ladies with her.
"Thank you, Posey. I'm not much of a sewer, but I think the quilting society sounds marvelous."
Posey cocked her head to the side. "Huh, I've never heard of a maid who didn't know how to sew. Maybe Matt got it wrong, but I thought for sure he told me you were a lady’s maid at a fancy house in St. Louis."
Realizing her gaff, Lizzie scrambled to cover it while also chastising herself for being careless. "Well, I guess what I mean is that I've done some sewing for my mistress but I've never worked on a quilt before."
"I'm Tassie," one of the girls near Posey said, stepping forward. "I suppose we ought to make our own introductions because Posey will just keep talking if we don't." Tassie smiled at Posey in a teasing way that told Lizzie they were friends, but she could also see the truth in Tassie's statement. Posey liked to talk.
"I'm glad to meet you, Tassie. Please call me Lizzie."
There were more introductions and laughter as the other women near her age, as well as a few of the older ladies of Juniper Junction, came by to say hello and introduce themselves. By the time it was over, Lizzie's head spun with names and faces, though one thing was clear. She felt very welcome in Juniper Junction. And apparently, the quilting society was the place to be.
Matt came and stood next to her. "Ladies, how kind of you to wish us well and I am sure my bride is looking forward to getting to know all of you better, but now it's time for us to bid you all good-bye."
He took her hand and helped her to stand and as she did so, she cried out in pain and grabbed her side. The injury from earlier had not improved. All the people gathered around them started talking at once, asking if she was unwell and offering suggestions.
"I saw the way Aggie smacked you with her valise while she got on the train. I'm sure it was no accident. Goodness, was I glad to see the train pull away with those two on board," Tassie said.
"I watched until it was out of sight to make sure they didn't jump off and come back," another lady said.
"Come on." Matt put her hand in his. "Do you think you can walk a couple houses down to see Doctor Granger?"
"Yes," she said, though the pain surprised her with its intensity.
"I'd be happy to carry you," Matt said, his amber eyes holding hers in a steady gaze. She felt herself blush. Soon they would be alone. Their wedding night.
Except she had a shooting pain in her side. Just her luck.
They arrived at a tidy house with a sign outside indicating it was the home and office of Dr. Granger. Matt rapped on the door before opening and calling out.
A trim man with some gray at his temples hurried forward. “Matt! What can I do for you?”
Matt nodded to acknowledge the doctor. “This is my new bride, Lizzie.”
Doctor Granger gave her a warm smile and took her hand in his. “I’m pleased to meet you, though I’m sorry it’s under these circumstances. If the rumors around town are correct, you just arrived in town, didn’t you?”
She nodded. “We just got married.” She could hardly believe it when she said it.
Beside her, she could feel Matt’s impatience. Finally he cleared his throat and said, “Lizzie got hit in the side with a suitcase when she was getting off the train today. She’s in some pain.”
“Hit with a suitcase?” The doctor’s brows furrowed.
“Aggie and Myrtle have been sent out of town by
Mr. Conners.”
“Oh.” Doctor Granger nodded as though that made perfect sense to him.
All Lizzie cared about at the moment was the pain in her side.
The doctor guided her to an exam table while Matt stood close by watching over her possessively. She kind of liked that.
"Well, it does seem a bit bruised," Doctor Granger said, touching her gingerly over top of her dress. The doctor was quite handsome, though he was nothing compared to Matt's rugged good looks. Despite his efforts to be gentle, she still gasped at his touch.
"Yes," Lizzie replied, feeling desperate. Ever since she'd gotten Matt's first letter she'd had feelings. Stirrings. Heat and throbbing in different parts of her body whenever she looked at his letters and now that she could gaze upon him in person. Oh mercy!
Of course, she didn't dare ask the doctor about that. Her face heated just thinking about bringing up such a topic. She glanced at Matt, who had insisted on being near while the doctor examined her. She wondered if he was also thinking about their wedding night. And whether it would be curtailed.
The doctor left the room for a moment and returned with a jar that he handed to her. "This liniment should do the trick."
"Thank you, Doctor."
Doctor Granger looked at both of them, a twinkle in his eye. "I will try to put this delicately," he said and Lizzie would swear she saw him blush. "I know you just got married and all I will say about this injury is that if you give the liniment a few minutes to work, and don't overdo it, you should be able to engage in any activities that don't cause you pain.”
Lizzie bit her lip to keep from grinning. Matt had less restraint. "Thanks, Doc! What do I owe you for the visit and the liniment?"
"It's on the house. Wedding gift from me to you."
The doctor saw them out and Matt offered her his arm, supporting her as they made the journey to their house.
Chapter 4
Matt did his best to help Lizzie as they walked through town. He hated the thought of her being in pain and the idea of picking her up and carrying her the whole way home tempted him.
The doctor's words echoed in his head. He'd be lying if he said he hadn't been eager to bed his new bride. He'd been doing his best to refrain from focusing on his libido, but once he had her in his arms at the train station, he could hardly think straight. But now he gave her his full attention. His concern solely for her well-being. Her happiness and security.
"This is a pretty little town," Lizzie said as they moved along. "I think I'm going to like living here. With you."
His heart filled with happiness and he squeezed her tight.
"Oh!" She gasped and he released her immediately.
"I'm so sorry. Sweetheart, did I hurt you? What can I do?" Panic filled him and he was horrified to think he might have caused harm to his dear bride. “I can’t believe I did that after we were just at the doctor’s.”
She stopped in the street and turned to look at him, a happy smile on her face.
"What?" he said. "What is it?" Damn. Being a husband was much harder than he expected. And he'd only been at it for a few hours.
"You called me ‘sweetheart’," she said, in a wondrous whisper, her face beaming. Her gaze softened as she stared at him, right there in the middle of the afternoon on Main Street in Juniper Junction. "That's the nicest thing I've ever heard." She reached out and cupped the side of his face.
It was the first time she'd touched him like that and his breath hitched in his throat. He paused for a moment to catch his breath. "Well," he said, covering her hand with his, their eyes locked together, "you are my sweetheart."
In that moment, regardless of the commotion on the street, nothing else in the whole world mattered. Time stood still. Their souls connected and intertwined.
"You're my sweetheart too."
"Let's go home." Tenderly he lifted her into his arms, just as he’d wanted to do all along.
"Matt!" she protested with a laugh. "People are looking at us."
"They've probably never seen anyone as beautiful as you. You'd better get used to it."
She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed. Her gentle breath brushed across his neck and gave him shivers of anticipation.
It was a short walk until they arrived at the home he'd rented as soon as he'd gotten her letter accepting his proposal. A modest home by any definition, but they had their privacy. More than could be said of a boarding house.
He managed to open the door without dropping his bride and then carried her over the threshold. "Welcome home," he said, kicking the door closed. The afternoon sun cast light into the first floor and he could see Lizzie's face. He was nervous about her reaction. Though she'd been a maid, she'd lived in an opulent home, which this was not.
Setting her feet on the floor, he said, "I know it's not much, but it's ours. Well, as long as we pay the rent." He chuckled nervously, keeping his gaze fixed on her face, anxious that she find it acceptable. He'd promised to provide for her. But suddenly he saw every flaw in the house and held his breath waiting for her reaction.
* * *
Grateful for the years of training in keeping her emotions in check, Lizzie glanced about the house showing none of the shock which she felt. Never in all her eighteen years had she been inside a house this small. Truthfully, she didn't know that houses like this existed. Was this a shed? Or a joke?
No, not a joke. She could feel Matt's anxiety and knew he was concerned with her reaction.
Pausing to take a deep breath, she gave a truthful and heartfelt response. "Wherever you are is my home. And we will make this our home, together."
Matt relaxed and a loving smile slowly spread over his mouth.
She stared at his lips, and as though she'd willed him to act, he lowered his face and touched his mouth to hers, cupping her face between his palms. Her tummy fluttered and she reached up to clasp him in the same manner. This kiss, her first, took her breath away. Matt's lips were firm and coaxing, teasing and encouraging as she relaxed into the unfamiliar sensation of having a man so close, his mouth moving over hers. Her palms brushed up against the stubble of his beard which matched the stubble she felt around her mouth. It tickled. She clung to him and when that kiss ended, he gazed into her eyes and she knew that she'd live in a cave with Matt as long as they were together.
It was ludicrous and unbelievable and made no sense at all, but her heart felt full and free for the first time in her entire life.
They gazed at each other, stunned, and she wondered if he felt the same way she did.
"I know this is crazy, but maybe not any crazier than marrying someone you only know from a few letters, but I just want you to know how incredibly happy I feel right now. How grateful I am that you were brave enough to take a chance and travel all the way out here to be my bride. I promise to never give you reason to be sorry."
"I never want to give you a reason to be sorry either," Lizzie said, though guilt pricked at the back of her mind. She'd worry about that another day, this was her wedding day and she deserved to be happy and enjoy herself. She had done nothing wrong. Well, nothing too wrong.
Then her mind flashed with an image of the stack of currency hidden away in her valise. She gasped and pulled back from Matt's hold.
"My bag. Where is it? Did we leave it at the parsonage? Or the party?" Her heart pounded, but for a different reason, and she swiveled her head around in desperation.
"Hush, now. No need to worry. Jake and Posey dropped it off. It's right over here." Walking across the room to the sofa, he lifted the familiar bag. "I told you, I'll take care of things. And I will. Or I'll have a friend do it." He chuckled. "Here in Juniper Junction, especially among the fellas that work at Windy River Ranch, we all take care of each other. Now you're part of that family. And they'll take care of you too."
She blew out a relieved breath and smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to overreact."
"It's perfectly fine, sweetheart. This is a new town, new people.
New way of life. Lots for you to get used to."
That was for sure. But for now, all she wanted was to be back in her husband's arms.
Matt had the same thought because he strolled toward her with a determined look in his eyes. One that sent a shiver of anticipation through her and caused her to lick her lips in preparation for more of his decadent kisses.
Slipping his arms around her waist this time, he lowered his head and pulled her close but as he did so, a stab of pain shot through her and she cried out. He dropped his arms and jumped back as though she was a hot stove.
"My side," she explained, touching the affected area. "I'm sorry. But it hurt when you touched me like that." Embarrassed that her injury was interfering with their day again, she worried that Matt might hold it against her. She certainly held it against herself, though it was not at all her fault.
"Oh, sweetheart," Matt said, cupping her face again, "I'm so sorry. I completely forgot. I guess I was distracted by your kisses. I promised to take care of you and instead I'm causing you pain." He reached into his pocket and retrieved the liniment from the doctor. "We ought to put this on you and get you feeling better."
We ought to put this on you.
As in, he was going to touch her skin? See her without her clothes on? Lizzie's heart fluttered and she wondered if she might faint at the mere thought of Matt's work roughened hands skimming over her naked flesh. Her body heated.
She flushed and looked away. He took hold of her chin between his thumb and forefinger and turned her to face him. "We're married now. I know this is all strange and new, but you're with me, remember? We're meant to be together. We both know it." He kissed the tip of her nose. "I'll tell you what, how about if I get you a nice bath ready? I bet after being on the train you'd like a long soak in the tub. And when you’re done, I'll put the liniment on you. Won't that make you feel better?"
"Your kisses were making me feel pretty good," she said with a giggle. A daring statement for her, but when Matt grinned in response, she felt like she was floating on air.
Cowboy’s Rules: Brides of Juniper Junction, Book Three Page 3
