by Danni Roan
“Rosa,” he tried but she turned away. “Rosa,” he pressed. “It doesn’t matter where you came from, or who your parents were. You’re part of Needful and you’re important to all of us.” He felt his heart turn over with his last words. He had almost said she was important to him.
“You say this and yet you have done nothing but try to make me like my mother.”
“No!” Dan yelped then settled as Christina started to sniffle. “No,” he repeated softly his hands stroking Christina’s back. “I never. I didn’t. You miss understood.”
Rosa raised a sculpted brow. “You say this, but how many times did you tell me you would give me a house, pay for my keep?”
“I meant that for just what it was.” Dan handed Christina to her mother and stood, his ankle protesting. “Raul was my friend. He worked for me. I felt responsible. If I had known what he had done, I would have helped.”
Rosa wrapped her daughter in her arms and gazed up at the Mayor of Needful. “Raul was not your responsibility. What he did was not your fault. He made a foolish decision and paid for it.”
Dan turned kneeling before the woman his eyes serious. “But you shouldn’t have to pay for his mistake. That’s why I wanted to help.” His heart twisted as he gazed at her beautiful face, and he had to admit that he wanted Rosa. Was he any better than her father for his deception? “I’ll do whatever it takes to give you the life you want Rosa. You shouldn’t have to worry about how you will provide for Christina. Let me help.”
“I think I have no choice in the matter now,” Rosa said meeting his eyes boldly. “You have told my father that you are marrying me. I hope he does not call your bluff.”
Dan nodded slowly, silently hoping that the man did.
***
“Dan don’t you think this is getting out of hand?” Spencer asked as he rode along with his brother a few days later. “Juan Xavier has hired William to ride to Dallas for supplies and some of his men left yesterday riding hard for the border with a list of things he wants from back home. He’s already invested money into this wedding. You know, the wedding you and Rosa have no plans on following through with.”
Dan pulled the bandana from his neck wiping his face and neck with it as his horse pranced nervously under him. “I know, I know,” he grumbled. “But what am I supposed to do. If I tell the man, it’s all a farce he’ll drag Rosa and Christina back to Mexico with him.”
“Not if she doesn’t want to go,” Spencer said his blue eyes taking on a steely glint. “I’m still the law here, and if a citizen of this town doesn’t want to leave, I won’t let anyone take them against their will.”
“I know that,” Dan agreed retying the bandana and turning his horse back toward town. “But you just saw that Hernandez’ men don’t seem inclined to go anywhere without his say so, and that could cause a lot of trouble for Needful.”
“So you’re just going to go along with this even if it means you have to marry Rosa?”
Dan nodded feeling the heat rise up his neck and hoping his brother thought it was from the unseasonable weather. Summer was waning but the heat had returned full force over the little town.
Spencer tipped his head studying his younger brother from under the brim of his hat. He was starting to suspect that what Daliah had said was true, and that Dan would willingly walk the aisle even for a chance at a fake marriage.
“Besides,” Dan said as they ambled back toward town. “The worst thing that can happen is Brandon performs a fake wedding, and when Juan Xavier is gone, we’ll just break it up again.”
Spencer pulled in a deep breath of hot air letting it out slowly. “This has got to be about the dumbest idea you have ever had. All my life, I’ve been reminded that you’re the sensible, level headed one, but I’m starting to suspect you’ve lost your mind.”
Dan chuckled reaching over to pat his brother on the shoulder. They had just ridden out to check on the Hernandez camp where the idle cowboys had settled while they waited on their boss. “Don’t worry Spence, if worse comes to worse you can always arrest me and throw me into jail for being a fool.” Dan kicked his leggy roan into a gallop kicking up the dust in the road with a hearty laugh as Spencer raced to catch up.
Chapter 17
“Olive what am I supposed to do?” Rosa said as she stood on a stool letting Olive and the other Hampton women fit the fancy dress her father had sent for. It was long and a deep golden white that shimmered in the sun pouring through the window of the parlor.
“We’ve been over this before,” Olive said pulling at the waistline and pinning it to fit Rosa’s slim waist. “You can either tell you father the truth, marry Dan, or go back to Mexico. Either way we’ll stand by you.”
Rosa groaned then yelped as a pin pricked her. How had she gotten into this mess? Everything was out of control, but she didn’t know how she would ever be able to stand up to her father. He was a man who was used to having his own way, and he had the money and the power to get it. She thought of Spencer’s report of the hard men camped outside the town and didn’t want to cause unrest in Needful.
Juan Xavier had always been an ambitious man. He had married well merging his father’s business interest with his father-in-law’s ranch and horse breeding operation. No matter how much he did for her, no matter how much he told her that he had married her mother after his wife had died, she could not forgive him for his disregard for what was right, and the shame he had laid on his children.
“Arabela, would you see if you can find Mayor Dan?” Olive asked as she pushed the last pin into the dress and began to help Rosa out of the beautiful gown. “I think he and Rosa need to talk.”
Rosa groaned stepping into her simple calico dress once more and letting Ellen button it up the back. She felt lost, adrift in a sea of confusion and doubt. Why couldn’t her father just go home? Why couldn’t he leave her alone with her daughter and friends?
“I’ll fetch tea,” Shililiah said with a grin, dragging her long copper gold braid over one shoulder, her fingers lingering on the cool satin of the wedding dress. “I think you need it,” she added patting Rosa on a shoulder as she slumped into a chair covering her eyes with her hand.
Rosa leaned her head back against the cushion of the chair listening to the bustle and rattle of the other women around her as they gathered up the gown, placed something on a table and shuffled out leaving the room in silence.
“Dios Christos,” Rosa whispered in her native tongue. “Show me the way.”
***
Dan stepped into the room his eyes falling on Rosa and he drank her in. Her head was tipped back exposing the smooth line of her throat and he swallowed pushing thoughts of kissing her from his mind. The woman’s eyes were closed and she looked weary, drained of the usual fire that seemed to burn at her core.
“Rosa,” he whispered waiting for her to respond and smiling when she cracked one eye open to look at him.
“Go away,” Rosa said closing her eye. “I want to be alone.”
Dan chuckled pleased to see she was still able to snap at him. He knew that this charade was wearing her down. “I don’t think so,” his voice was warm and light and his smile widened when she sat up to glare at him. “Olive sent for me and I’m not going back out there until she thinks I’ve done whatever it is she thinks I should do.”
“Fine,” Rosa said leaning forward and pouring herself a cup of tea from the pot that had been placed on the small table before her. “What do you want?”
You. The thought zipped through Dan’s mind making him jump, but he covered his mistake by taking a chair and looking at the teapot.
Rosa sat her cup down pouring a second one and handing it to him. “I did not know you liked tea.”
“I don’t,” Dan grinned. “But it gives me something to do.”
Rosa’s sharp bark of laughter settled his nerves and together they shared a moment of joy in the midst of chaos.
“Why are you here?” Rosa asked growing serious once more. �
�I thought a man was not supposed to see the bride before the wedding.”
Dan chuckled, a sound between a bark and a groan. “That’s just on the wedding day,” he said. “Rosa whatever you want I’ll do it.” The cowboy’s words tumbled over each other in a rush. “I don’t care if we have to go through with this wedding to convince your father you’ll be all right. I can always pay Brandon to do a fake wedding, and then once your father is gone you can come back to the Hampton House, or you can have that house I promised. You don’t need to worry about anything ever again.”
Rosa’s laugh was bitter but she met his eyes. “I do not think that is how life works Mr. Gaines. There are always cares one way or another. I am too tired to fight my father anymore, and I do not want to drag this out any more. If you will talk to the preacher I say we go through with the wedding, and when my father and his vaqueros leave, we will return to our own lives.”
Dan nodded. “Don’t you worry about a thing. This will all work out the way it should, you’ll see.” He reached across the table to place his hand on hers.
Rosa felt the warmth from Dan’s hand travel up her arm and her heart softened toward the man. She was tired of fighting, tired of always being strong. His touch was gentle, demanding nothing of her, and she was grateful for the small connection. She only hoped that when the time came she could trust him to play his part and convince her father that they were truly wed, so that he would return to Mexico and leave her and Christina alone. Olive kept insisting he was honorable and would do the right thing. She hoped her friend was right.
“Thank you,” she whispered returning Dan’s squeeze. “Only a few more days and you will be free once more.”
Dan nodded slowly studying Rosa’s face. She looked sad and he wondered if she would miss him once this whole mess was over. It was going to be tough explaining the break up to his men as only Spencer and a few others knew that he and Rosa were not truly engaged. The town was gearing up for a big celebration and a chance to see their mayor married in style. There hadn’t been this much excitement since the Fourth of July, and he couldn’t ruin everyone’s fun let alone risk the chance that Rosa’s father would find out the whole thing was staged to get him to leave town.
“I guess I’ll see you at the church on Sunday then,” Dan said rising and releasing her hand reluctantly. “I’m sure you’ll make a beautiful bride.”
Rosa looked up surprised by Mayor Dan’s words. They were kind and he seemed to have meant every one of them. Perhaps it was a fake wedding, but his words reminded her that she was a woman. Raul had often told her how beautiful and special she was, and it felt good to hear it again.
“I will do my best,” she said lowering her eyes.
Dan slipped out the side door of the Hampton House leaving Rosa alone with her thoughts. Daliah had taken Christina while Olive and the other women helped with her fitting. Juan Xavier had ordered a large wedding dinner and invited the whole town to the festivities. This whole thing was completely out of control.
Perhaps it would be fun dressing the part of a bride and wearing a fancy gown. Rosa’s wedding to Raul had been simple with no fan-fair or friends. They had said their ‘I-dos’ before the priest and started out on their own leaving behind everything they had ever known.
This wedding was not real, but instead of a day that would change everything it would allow things to stay the same. She and Christina would be allowed to stay in Needful surrounded by people she loved. Friends who were more like family. It wasn’t easy being a mother alone in the world, but here at the Hampton House and in Needful as a whole she felt that she belonged.
For a moment, her mind flashed back to a time not long ago when her wicked brother-in-law had kidnapped her and Ruth. The men of the town had ridden to their rescue without a second thought, not resting until they had brought them both safely home and seen justice done for the Rivera gang.
Rosa brushed her fingers over her lips, remembered Dan Gaines and his response to finding her. He had swept her into his arms, lifting her off the ground and kissed her as a feeling of joy and relief washed over her.
Rosa grinned remembering how she had pulled her hand free cuffing the man so hard he had nearly dropped her. Something inside pinched and she felt a moment of guilt for her behavior. Perhaps he had simply been overcome with relief at finding them. Her lips tingled with remembrance of the moment and a warm ripple that had nothing to do with anger rolled down her spine.
Rosa sat up straighter, her eyes going wide as her fingers lingered on her lips. If she married Daniel Gaines would he kiss her in the church for all to see?
***
Rosa felt herself tremble as Olive laced up her corset tying it tight as Arabela and Shi lifted the elegant gown preparing to slip it over her head. Rosa closed her eyes trying to choke back the fear and nervousness that assaulted her senses.
“You stop that,” Olive growled into her ear. “Dan isn’t going to mistreat you or take advantage. He’s a good man even if you don’t know it. Have I steered you wrong yet?”
“No,” Rosa’s voice was a tiny squeak, and she let the tension slip from her shoulders. If anything went wrong, she knew that Olive and Orville, the whole family really, would take her back and protect her. It was just so hard to trust.
“You’re going to your own wedding not the gallows,” Olive continued and Rosa felt her lips twitch as the Hampton women slipped the golden gown over her head. It was a beautiful dress, and she still couldn’t believe that she was wearing such a thing.
The satin rippled like water in a long cascade down her back, the train widening slightly from the skirt that fell to just above her slippered feet. Gold embossed stitching picked out the dropped waist and etched the scooped neckline, and she tugged at it trying to cover the glimpse of cleavage it revealed.
“It is too low,” she said her eyes following the row of pearl buttons that ended at the point of the dropped waist.
“It is not,” Olive laughed. “Now stop fidgeting and let us get you ready. You look beautiful.”
Rosa looked up into Olive’s dark eyes shocked at the woman’s words. “Me?”
“Yes you,” Olive said her eyes softening as she smiled. “You are a beautiful woman Rosa you should enjoy this day. Even if you and Dan don’t stay married, you can enjoy the day. Let us make a fuss over you. Make your father believe that you are happy and loved.”
“Well you are,” Ellen spoke up. Ellen was the quietest of the three Hampton daughters-in-law. “We love you,” she finished with a smile.
Rosa felt her throat close with emotion and a bright tear trembled on her cheek. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything,” Arabela looked down at her. The woman was tall, stately, and her raven black hair glistened in the light that shone through the window. “We are your friends, your family. Make today wonderful.” A rare smile graced the woman’s face and Rosa sighed.
“I will do my best,” Rosa agreed.
“And don’t let that temper of yours get the better of you either,” Shililiah grinned. “I know men can be infuriating sometimes, but today you need to get along and make everyone believe that Dan is your dream come true. You can fight with him later,” she added with a laugh.
The tension that had hung in the room seemed to snap and Rosa’s laugh mingled with the others.
“Besides,” Arabela added, one brow raised in a haughty glance. “You don’t want to have a real fight until you know you can enjoy the making up.”
Rosa covered her mouth surprised at the other woman’s words but nodded. There was so much more to the dark haired woman than most people realized. Arabela seemed aloof, unapproachable even. Rosa hoped that over time they might truly become friends. Had it only been this winter that the Hampton boys had arrived in Needful with their families?
Olive placed a veil on Rosa’s head attaching it carefully to her hair with ivory combs. Shi had done something to Rosa’s lush locks earlier, and she was ca
reful not to move while Olive secured the veil for fear of making a mess of the whole thing.
“There, now you can look.” Olive pulled the cover off of a long mirror and Rosa gaped. She looked like some sort of Spanish princess with the high crown of satin roses that held the long veil on her head.
“Is that really me?” Rosa shifted forward in a rustle of satin pulling the long straight sleeves forward so that the gold stitching on the cuff touched her hand.
None of it seemed real. It was as if Rosa were walking through a dream or living in a fairytale. A smile spread across her face and she lifted her chin regally. She would take Olive’s advice. She would embrace the day and live one moment as a princess from a story book.
“I am ready,” she said twisting her body and letting the dress twirl around her in an ocean of satin and lace. “Let us go.”
Chapter 18
“Stop fidgeting,” Spencer said as he straightened his brother’s string tie. “You’d think this was a real wedding the way you. I wasn’t this nervous when I married Daliah.”
Dan chuckled remembering his brother’s wedding. A day he had never believed he would see again.
“What ya nervous for Uncle Dan,” Chad asked smoothing his own dress jacket with pride. “Pa married Daliah and look at how good that went. What could go wrong with you marryin’ Rosa? You even get a daughter in the mix just like Daliah got me.”
Dan grinned at his nephew brushing the boy’s pale hair from his eyes. “Let’s just say I didn’t expect this to happen this way.”
“I like Rosa,” Chad continued. “Daliah says she has a good heart and a lot of love to share.”
Dan raised his brows looking at his brother who only shrugged. “Daliah has her own notions about this whole thing.”
Dan squinted knowing there was more that his brother hadn’t said. “I don’t suppose you’d like to enlighten me?”
