The Sheriff's Rebellious Bride (Historical Western Romance)

by Cassidy Hanton

  Lovely.

  Geraldine could not say how her mother would react to having the Sheriff around. On the one hand, Geraldine was certain her mother would be pleased. She was sure her mother wanted Aunt Elsa's killer to be caught and brought to justice as much as she wanted it. On the other, Stephanie Laurel did not care for strangers on their land, it always made her nervous. That small display of lucidness when the Sheriff came to interview them did not count, and Geraldine feared any additional stress would only deepen her illness.

  That is a true conundrum. Geraldine wondered if she made the right decision. I did, and mother will be all right, she chose to have faith. In the end, Geraldine decided to listen to her heart and act accordingly. Aunt Elsa meant a great deal to her little family and helping Sheriff Bradway had to take precedence above everything else, including her mother's potential sentiments.

  Now I only have to tell mother that, Geraldine concluded while fluffing the pillow. Changing the sheets on the single bed was the only thing she had left to do. Straightening herself and stretching her back, she paused for a moment to catch her breath; she didn't pause in her labor since the moment she got up in the morning and she needed it.

  Looking about, Geraldine found the room up to her standards, and knew it would be to the Sheriff's liking. He is going to be quite comfortable here, was her last thought before leaving the room. She left the windows open, giving it additional time to air before he arrived, which would provide him better sleep.

  Not wasting time, Geraldine started to prepare supper for the three of them. Not counting Elsa, it was quite some time since she had to cook a meal for anyone else. Father Mathew liked to visit them when he got the time, and Jeremy stayed for dinner at least once a month when she made him help her with some manual labor, and that was about it.

  Afterward, Geraldine cleaned the entire kitchen only to realize she stalled for far too long. Do not start behaving like a craven mouse, now, she snapped at herself, since it didn't become her. Without any additional delay, Geraldine went upstairs to inform her mother they would have a house guest for the time being.

  The room was dark and quiet, just the way Geraldine left it when she settled her mother in bed after the episode she had in front of the Sheriff and Father Mathew. “Mom?” Geraldine greeted softly while entering. Her mother was fast asleep back then from the sleeping tonic she gave her, and she couldn't wake her up. “Mother, I just need a quick word with you.” Alas, it was all in vain.

  I should have known. In the morning then, Geraldine thought to herself, somewhat relieved. She had enough drama for today; it would be only fair to have a slight rest to catch her breath, because there was not a doubt in her mind, more would come.

  Leaving the house, Geraldine devoted her time to the outdoor chores. She did a little gardening before she checked the feeders for the chickens to make sure they were all topped up. Only a happy, satiated chicken will produce a fine egg, was her principle.

  With everything done, Geraldine stayed out for a moment, leaning against the porch's railing to look at the setting sun since she didn't have the opportunity to admire it often. It was quite beautiful, the way it painted the sky with all the colors of the rainbow.

  Usually, she was too cross at the sun to enjoy it; it announced she ran out of time to finish some tasks when it was setting, or that she already fell behind if it was rising.

  Not today. Today, Geraldine simply enjoyed the pretty picture it created in front of her, pretending it was just for her. Then it occurred to her. What is the matter with you, Geraldine? Normally, she wasn't this sentimental. If at all. She did not like it one bit. Geraldine had an inkling toward a certain person, someone tall, broad-shouldered, and dashing had something to do with it.

  Still, she was not about to dwell on it, firstly, because it felt nice, and secondly, because she shared no illusions about the fate of their involvement. He was just there to help catch a murderer, nothing more, nothing less. The only reason he was staying at their house was that there was no alternative lodging. Besides, Geraldine met the man only twice. so how much of an impact could he have on her life?

  Her heart gave a little tug as if it wanted to answer that question, and she ignored it as she gazed upon the sunset.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Am I interrupting?” A man's voice snapped Geraldine from her reverie, and she jumped, hitting her knee on the railing. She felt like cursing.

  “I am sorry for startling you,” Robert started apologizing immediately.

  “It is quite all right,” she waved with her hand. This kind of thing happens to me all the time, she added to herself.

  “You looked rather lost in thought for a moment, there,” the Sheriff observed. Geraldine was, and more than she realized since she did not hear him ride in at all. He simply appeared in front of her as if by some magic.

  Truly, Geraldine, you are getting sillier by the minute. “I was just admiring the view,” she replied honestly.

  “It is rather beautiful,” he replied, looking at her as he joined her on the porch and leaned against the banister.

  “I don't get a chance to admire it often,” Geraldine heard herself explaining.

  The Sheriff nodded. “I understand that. Sometimes we tend to get far too busy to get a chance to enjoy the simple things.”

  “Precisely.”

  “Maybe that is for the better.”

  “How so?” Geraldine was genuinely intrigued by what he had to say.

  “Maybe then we can appreciate them more when we do get a chance.”

  That is very well put, Geraldine mused. And she told him as much.

  He scratched the back of his head as if she embarrassed him in some way. Geraldine did not fully understand why that would be the case; she changed the subject, nevertheless. “Your room is ready. And I prepared some supper as well,” she added.

  Sheriff Bradway smiled in gratitude. It was a rather nice smile. Stop it, Geraldine. “Thank you.”

  “Just a part of our service,” she mocked formality, and he laughed even harder.

  “Good, since I was preparing to complain to the manager,” he played along.

  Getting inside, she stopped him, anticipating his next question. “If you want to freshen up, the washroom is through there.”

  A crooked smile was etched on his face, probably thinking about why he needed to wash in the first place. “That would be great. And where will I be staying?”

  “This room right here,” Geraldine showed him.

  “Perfect,” he replied with praise. Somehow Geraldine knew he would like having his room so close to the main door.

  “And I took the liberty of leaving some clean clothes for you on the bed.”

  The Sheriff looked at her wide-eyed, and for a moment she worried what would cause such a reaction. Then he started to speak, and all became clear.

  “I do not believe I could ride in a full skirt. Thank you, regardless,” he delivered that line completely straight-faced, and Geraldine wanted to laugh really hard. She rolled her eyes instead.

  “The clothes belonged to my father.”

  The Sheriff made a face of false shock. “The skirt belonged to your father?” He started petting his chin. “Mr. Laurel had a rather peculiar taste.”

  This time she had to laugh. “I assure you, they will fit you perfectly, complimenting the color of your eyes as well,” Geraldine replied, not missing a beat. It felt right to play along, so she gave herself over to it.

  Sheriff Bradway nodded approvingly. “Good. I do care about such things you know. And the eyes are my best trait.”

  Geraldine had to agree, still she remained silent. “See you in a bit,” he added theatrically. I can't wait. Oh, please, Geraldine, don't be silly. The problem with that was she couldn't help herself.

  She had a rather goofy smile on her face while setting the table when he returned. The Sheriff did a little twirl for her. His hair looked darker than his usual color of honey since it was wet. Why
do I notice such things?

  “What do you think?” He prompted since she remained silent, simply ogling him like she went daft.

  Sheriff Bradway was dressed in her father's shirt and pants. At first, while she chose and then lay those clothes for him, she thought it would be difficult for her to see them worn by another man. Surprisingly, it was much easier than she thought it would be.

  I guess it all depends on the man. “I think I would prefer a skirt on you,” she said eventually, and he pouted. That face looked rather adorable on him. “They fit you perfectly, Sheriff Bradway,” Geraldine tried again.

  “Well, thank you,” he replied combing his hair with his fingers. “It's all about the man, not the dress.”

  Geraldine was just thinking the very same thing. “Quite modest of you.”

  The Sheriff simply smiled in return, as if he was a small child caught in some kind of mischief. “Have a seat,” Geraldine offered, and he did. She moved toward the stove to make another plate.

  “You won't be joining me?” he asked, and his tone was such that it was apparent that would displease him.

  Stop it, Geraldine, that is all your fantasy, she chastised herself.

  “I will. I just want to bring some supper to Mother, first.”

  “I will wait for you, then,” he announced then added, changing the energy between them instantly. “How is your mother?”

  Geraldine shrugged. Usually, she didn't like to speak to anyone about her mother, so it surprised her to no end when actual words came out of her mouth. “I honestly do not know. She is pretty dazed thanks to the medication Dr. Gildow provided us with.”

  “I see.”

  “We shall just have to wait and see how she will fare once it completely wears off.”

  The Sheriff stood up and moved toward her. “I wouldn't presume to know anything about your situation, just know I am here if you need any kind of assistance.”

  “Thank you,” Geraldine stammered back looking at his blue eyes, before finding her voice again. “That is mighty generous of you.” Geraldine was genuinely touched by his words; they meant a great deal to her. Others offered all kinds of help to her and her mother in the past. There was always something they expected in return. Looking into the Sheriff's eyes, she was certain he meant what he said without any strings attached. It was quite refreshing, and confusing at the same time. “There's no need for that.”

  She could feel her cheeks starting to turn pink again. “I will return shortly.”

  “Take your time,” he replied, returning to his seat.

  Oh my, that was quite something, Geraldine thought.

  Geraldine managed somehow to wake her mother up and coax her to have a few bites of her dinner before returning to slumber, which Geraldine considered a great victory. “Sweet dreams, Mother,” she murmured, kissing her brow before leaving.

  Geraldine was rather affected by the Sheriff's words while she returned downstairs. Not only by the ones he said to her right before she left the kitchen, but the ones outside on the porch as well. He had a rather unique way with words that clearly reflected his view of life. Not wrong, simply different. She hadn't met a lot of men who would contemplate about beauty and such in their everyday life. Too busy making ends meet or indulging in more frivolous things, I suppose. On the other hand, maybe Geraldine simply did not know that many men to begin with.

  When she entered the kitchen, Geraldine could see that despite the fact that the Sheriff was still sitting at the table, his plate remained untouched.

  Did he hate my cooking? She panicked. “Is something wrong with your food?” First, I shower him with eggs and now I poison him? What will he think of me?

  “Oh no, everything looks delicious, I was just waiting for you.”

  Geraldine sighed in relief. “You didn't have to do that.”

  “I wanted to. It gets tedious constantly eating alone. It's quite nice to have company for a change.” Geraldine smiled, pleased with his reply more than she cared to admit, and joined him.

  They conversed about everything and nothing in particular between bites, and at times Geraldine laughed so hard she had to cover her lips with both hands or the actual food would come out of her mouth. She was certain she never laughed so hard in her entire life.

  “And then what happened?” Geraldine urged, sitting at the edge of her seat, leaning forward as if that would make her hear things better.

  The Sheriff looked at her under the lashes. “I fell off the horse,” he admitted reluctantly, and she started to laugh again. “It's not that funny,” he protested.

  “Oh, but it is.”

  “I really hurt myself, you know.”

  “Really?” Geraldine sobered up, immediately.

  “No, not really. Just my pride.”

  To even the field, Geraldine told him about her own most embarrassing moments. The way he laughed and teased her was shocking to her. She should have been angry; she wasn't. Geraldine was having too much fun for that.

  Eventually, the conversation wound down. The food was long gone yet Geraldine and Robert remained seated, talking. “Thank you for Aunt Elsa,” Geraldine blurted out at some point.

  “You really do not have to thank me,” Sheriff Bradway insisted. “It is my job.”

  “It is not a job to me,” Geraldine replied honestly, looking at the table in front of her. She could feel his hand against hers and that made her look up.

  “I know. I apologize.”

  “It's all right. I know what you meant.” Suddenly, Geraldine had troubles swallowing, she could feel the heat emitting from his hand and not in a bad way. She needed something as a distraction, so she did what was on her mind. Beside how nice his touch felt. “Do you believe you can catch him? The killer.”

  The Sheriff frowned, straightening himself in his chair, taking his hand with him. “I cannot promise that,” he started, and her heart fell. “I believe that if he left any clues, I will find them and do everything in my power to find him.”

  Geraldine took a moment to think about his words. “I guess that is more than I could ask for,” she replied, eventually.

  “Miss Geraldine, everything will be all right.”

  She certainly hoped so. “Would you care for some tea?”

  “That would be lovely,” he replied with a small smile.

  “We can drink it outside on the porch; it can be rather lovely at night.”

  He nodded. “You read my mind.”

  They didn't talk as much after that, simply enjoyed the scenery and the sounds the nature around them made. After some time, Geraldine started to yawn profusely. “You are exhausted,” the Sheriff observed.

  “I guess it is time to say my goodnights,” even though she was reluctant to do so.

  Robert scrambled up to his feet. “Yes, of course. Good night, Miss Geraldine.”

  “Good night, Sheriff.”

  Geraldine could feel his eyes on her while she moved inside, and it was not a completely bad feeling. Or at all.

  * * *

  Robert knew he was in deep trouble.

  What is the matter with you? Robert wanted to yell at himself. You can't go around making promises to people. Not even if such particular people is a lovely young lady. He was a Sheriff, not a miracle worker. Something about Geraldine was making him act in and out of the ordinary manner. He didn't like it one bit.

  She looked so sad gazing about that sunset, Robert remembered sitting on his bed. He wondered what made her look like that. What was she thinking about? Some unrequited love interest, perhaps? A part of him voiced his opinion and Robert frowned. He did not care to think about such things. Picturing Geraldine with some other man, apart from him or her father did wonders to his blood pressure. Do not go there, he warned.

  When they spoke about Elsa, it was obvious she cared a great deal about the other woman, and Robert wished there was some way he could lift all her pains and take them away.

  There is a way you fool, he reminded himself
of the obvious. You are the Sheriff, remember? His subconscious yelled at him. If he wanted to help Geraldine come to peace with what happened, all he had to do was solve Miss Potter's murder. “Right,” he murmured to himself. That was easier said than done. Yet that was precisely what he was going to do. Focus solely on the case. And not because Geraldine needed him to do so. That was his job, his duty as the Sheriff. Him being the Sheriff meant everything to him, at least it used to.

  And still does, he was adamant, and managed to sound almost completely convincing. Sighing, since he was rather tired of himself and his contradictory thoughts, he decided to do what he did best.