The Scarlet Wedding

by Lorana Hoopes

  “You don’t need an excuse to be close to me.” Emma sighed, enjoying the feel of his arm around her. “We’ll be getting married soon.”

  “And I can’t wait.” His brown eyes twinkled down at her. “Nor can I wait for this.” His head tilted down as his lips found hers.

  Though he had only been gone a few days, Emma’s heart sped up and her knees trembled. “Will we have to postpone the wedding so you can heal?” she asked when the kiss ended and she regained her breath.

  William shook his head. “No, the wound is almost healed, but I do need a few more days to get the house completed. However, this mission showed me the importance of family and not wasting any time.”

  Emma’s brow rose on her forehead. “Did something happen? I mean besides you getting shot?”

  A laugh escaped William’s lips and his grin grew. “A lot did and I’ll tell you about it, but can we go inside? I’d like to stretch out. I rode all day to get back to you.”

  “Of course.” Emma mentally chastised herself. How could she not realize his need for rest? “Come in, and I’ll scoop up some soup for you. The girls were getting ready for bed, but I’m sure they’d love to see you.”

  Jennie’s high-pitched squeal reached them before the front door officially opened. “William, you’re back.” She flew out of the house, a blur of white in her long nightgown, and threw her arms around William’s legs.

  “Hey Jennie.” He smiled at her and touched the top of her head. “I’m glad to see you too.”

  “What happened to your arm? Are you okay?” The fear in Jennie’s voice matched the expression in her eyes as she looked from William to Emma and back again.

  “He’s fine, Jennie, but tired. Can we let him lie down?” Emma’s voice was gentle but firm.

  “Oh, right. Come on, William. I’ll take you to the couch.” Jennie tugged his hand and led him into the house. Emma followed behind with a smile on her face. Injured or not, it was good to have William home.

  William sighed a little as he followed Jennie’s lead into the living room. It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy Emma’s family, but after the harrowing experience and riding all day, he wanted to fall into a soft bed and sleep for a day. Or two.

  “Welcome back, William,” Carrie said softly as she entered the room. Her long blonde hair was undone and fell nearly to her waist.

  “Thank you Carrie.” William collapsed onto the couch, letting the exhaustion of the last few days flow out of him.

  As Jennie sat on one side and Emma took the other, the front door flew open and Benjamin ran in followed by Samuel.

  “Can you tell us what happened now?” Benjamin’s eyes lit up as he jumped up and down at the corner of the couch. “Did you catch the bad guy?”

  “We did, Bud, but it’s been a long day. Can I give you the details tomorrow?”

  Benjamin’s face fell and his shoulders dropped. “Okay.”

  “All right everyone. Let’s get to bed and let William rest.” Emma stood and took Jennie’s hand leading her toward the bedroom. Carrie followed as Samuel led Benjamin to the other bedroom.

  William took off his boots and stretched out on the couch. He wasn’t planning to fall asleep, but as his head touched the arm of the couch and his eyes closed, darkness descended on him.

  Chapter 6

  “How are you feeling this morning?” Emma asked as William walked into the kitchen the next morning.

  “Better. I’m sorry I fell asleep on you last night before I could tell you my story. And thank you for the couch.”

  “I would have put you in Pa’s room if you hadn’t fallen asleep on the couch.” Emma poured coffee into a mug and handed it to him with a smile. “I tried to rouse you but it was no use. You were not waking.”

  William took the mug and flashed a warm smile in return. “It was a crazy few days. Shall I tell you about it now?” He pulled out a chair and sat at the table.

  “You could.” Emma sat across from him and cupped her mug, enjoying the warmth it exuded, “but you’ll probably have to retell the story when the rest of the family wakes. They’ll be wanting to hear it too.”

  “That’s okay.” William paused as he took a sip of the hot liquid. “I don’t mind telling it again.”

  Emma took a sip of her own mug of coffee flavored with milk and sugar and therefore more of a brown color than William’s stark black. She turned to him and listened as he told his story.

  “William, you are so lucky that you weren’t injured more. Please tell me you won’t do this again.”

  William smiled and took her hand. “Holden is back in custody, and while there are other outlaws I helped bring in out there, I have no plans to go chasing after them. In fact, I wanted to ask you about our wedding. After reuniting with my sister and catching up on lost time, I realized I don’t want to waste any more time. I think I can finish the house this week if Jesse will help me. Do you think you can be ready?”

  Surprise and elation filled Emma. She couldn’t wait to marry William either, but she hadn’t thought he would suggest such a short engagement. Could she be ready in that little time? “I need to bake the cake of course and get some flowers. Make sure the church is free, but I’m sure that won’t be an issue. The biggest thing will be altering the dress. I’m using the same dress I wore when I married Joseph, but I’d like to alter it some for a fresh start.”

  “You will look beautiful in whatever you wear.” William’s eyes roved over her face, “but I’m willing to wait if you need more time.”

  Emma shook her head. “No, I think with Kate’s and Carrie’s help I can be ready in a week.”

  “Good, it’s settled then.” He squeezed her hand and then their moment was broken by the entrance of the rest of her siblings.

  They bombarded William with questions, so Emma began making breakfast. As she scrambled up eggs, she could barely contain the smile that played across her lips. In less than a week, she would be married again, and she couldn’t wait.

  “Thank you again for your help,” William said as he and Jesse dismounted and tied up the horses. “There isn’t much left to finish, but with only one arm completely working, it would have taken me much longer than a week.”

  “No problem.” Jesse picked up the bucket containing the grey cement mixture from the porch and began scanning for any cracks. “Just out of curiosity though, is there a reason for such a short engagement?”

  “This incident with Holden just reminded me that we don’t know how much time we have. I don’t want to waste any of it.” William picked up a trowel and added some mixture to a small crack in the wall. Because he had the money, he had opted to build a stone house and their goal today was daubing - filling any cracks in so that the house would stay warmer come winter. After they completed filling the cracks, he only needed to finish furnishing it.

  “I can understand that.” Jesse leaned closer to the wall and applied some coating. “Will Emma be able to get everything she needs in so little time though?”

  William chuckled and raised an eyebrow. “I guess that depends on your wife as well. I’m sure Emma is over there right now getting help on whatever alterations she wants to make to her wedding dress.”

  Jesse’s laugh was full and hearty. “I guess it’s a good thing Kate picked up some sewing techniques in the last few months then. I’m sure she is enjoying helping Emma. She didn’t get to plan much for our wedding.” He stepped back and narrowed his eyes as he scanned for any remaining cracks.

  “Has it been hard for you?”

  “Has what been hard?” Jesse smoothed another area and then dropped the trowel back in the bucket.

  “Retiring. You know, giving up law enforcement.”

  Jesse ran a hand down his cheek as he thought. “Well, I wasn’t a deputy sheriff for long. Remember, I only became one to avenge Pauline’s death. After Kate and I married, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue. When Kate told me she was with child, I knew I needed to step down and return to ranching.
Not being a deputy doesn’t ensure my safety, but it gives me better odds of avoiding being shot. So, I guess to answer your question, no, it hasn’t been that hard.”

  “Did you? Avenge her death?” William leaned down to get more caulking.

  “Mostly. One guy got away. We searched for a time, but we received no information on him. I finally had to let it go.”

  “Yeah, I’ve had to do that too. I never got the last bounty.”

  “So are you having second thoughts?”

  William sighed. “Not second thoughts so much as a worry. What if I can’t do this life? I mean, I was a deputy sheriff and a Texas Ranger before I was a bounty hunter. All I know is action, and to be truthful, there was a bit of excitement the last few days that I’ve missed.”

  “No one said you had to just sit at home. I mean, I understand you have the money, but you could still work. You must, in fact, to keep this farm running. Farming is a different kind of work, but it’s still work.”

  “That is true, and I’m sure God will help me find content with my life. I promised Emma it would be the last time I went chasing outlaws.”

  A look of amusement crossed Jesse’s face and he nodded. “I have no doubt God will keep you fulfilled. Besides Emma is the kind of woman who will keep you on your toes.”

  William smiled as he pictured his flaxen haired fiancée. She was definitely a spitfire woman, but he loved that most of all about her.

  “She wants kids you know? A whole house full.”

  Jesse took off his hat and wiped sweat from his forehead. Though only late morning, the sun was beating down. He replaced his hat and regarded William a moment. “Are you not keen on the idea?”

  “It’s not that I don’t want them.” William paused as he thought about what he wanted to say, “but this life isn’t easy, and I’m not sure I can handle any more loss. You have a baby on the way. Aren’t you afraid?”

  “Maybe a little, but I can’t live my life in fear. I have to trust that God will protect my family.”

  “You’re right.” William took a step back and regarded his handiwork. “Well, I think the outside is finished. Now I just have to finish the inside.”

  “What else needs to be done?”

  William ran a hand across his chin, covered in stubble from lack of shaving. “I already made the dining table and chairs. There’s a bed as well, but I’d like a few small tables and a couch. Of course those aren’t necessary to moving in. Do you think Emma would mind if not all the furniture was finished?”

  “I think Emma will love it regardless. It will definitely be the biggest house in town.”

  “Do you think that’s a bad thing?” William didn’t want to appear ostentatious. He hadn’t even thought about the size when he had planned the house. He had just wanted something big enough to have a family in.

  “No, I think it’s what this town needs. I’ve been in plenty of other towns that have large ranch houses. We have been behind the times, but maybe seeing this will inspire others to dream bigger. I’d like to enlarge my own homestead. Perhaps you’d be amenable to helping?” Jesse punctuated his crooked smile with an eyebrow raise.

  “Of course, my friend. We should look at doing that soon with that baby on the way.”

  “It can wait until you heal completely. The last thing I want is Emma on my case about re-injuring you or making that wound worse.”

  William smiled and clapped his friend on his shoulder with his good hand. “You’re right about that. She is a good nurse, but I’d rather suffer no more injuries. How about we look at the wood in the barn and see if we have enough to make the couch? The tables can probably wait, but I’m guessing Emma would like a place to sit in the living room.”

  “Lead the way.”

  Chapter 7

  Emma smiled as she checked another item off the list. William’s wound was officially healed, she had removed the bandage last night; Carrie agreed to make the cake as she was a better baker than Emma; and William had spoken with the pastor yesterday about using the church for the wedding after church on Sunday to which he agreed. That left only flowers and the dress. She planned to take Jennie to the nearby wild Sage fields tomorrow and gather flowers to decorate with so that left only the alterations.

  She and Kate started them a few days ago, but it was taking longer than Emma had expected to get the dress looking just right. However, she was certain today they would finish it.

  With a skip in her step, Emma grabbed her sewing basket and the dress and headed out the door to Kate’s house. Jennie and Benjamin were in school and Carrie traveled into town earlier to get the few ingredients they didn’t have for the cake, so the walk was quiet this morning. Emma used the time to revisit her checklist to make sure everything was in order.

  “Morning Emma.”

  The voice stopped her feet and pulled her back to the present. Emma turned to see Carl a few feet behind her. Her good mood dissipated and she struggled to keep a smile on her face. Carl once tried to court her after Joseph died, and he hadn’t taken kindly to William stealing her affection. He had been around little since William had returned which Emma had been glad about that. Though she once enjoyed his company, the few times they had crossed paths recently had been uncomfortable and stilted.

  “Hello Carl. How are you today?” Emma tried her best to make her voice sound chipper and friendly.

  “I’m glad I ran into you.” He paused, shoved his hands into his pockets, and studied the ground a moment before meeting her eyes again. “I wanted to apologize for my behavior. I had no right to lay claim to you, and I’m sorry.”

  Emma blinked at him, unsure of what to say. She certainly hadn’t expected this turn of events.

  “I wanted to inform you I’ve been corresponding with a woman out east. She seems nice by her letters, and I’m considering bringing her out here.”

  “Like mail-order?” Emma asked.

  Carl nodded. “It worked for Jesse and Kate, so I figured perhaps it could work for me too.”

  While that wasn’t exactly how Jesse and Kate had ended up together, Emma felt no need to correct him. “That’s wonderful, Carl.” This time Emma didn’t have to feign happiness. She was glad he had found someone. He wasn’t the man for her but he deserved a good woman. “I’ll be praying that everything works out for you.”

  “Thank you.” His eyes dropped to the ground again. “Well, anyway, I just wanted to let you know that and to tell you I won’t be bothering you anymore.” He flashed an awkward wave and then turned around and walked off.

  Emma watched him go and waved when he glanced back once. Then she thanked God for answered prayers and continued to Kate’s house.

  The Jennings house was much smaller than the house William was building, but Kate had made it homey with her personal touches.

  “Come on in.” Kate smiled as she opened the door. “I just set some water to boiling to make tea.”

  “Tea sounds amazing. How are you feeling today?” Emma glanced at her friend as she sat down in Kate’s kitchen and placed her sewing bag on the floor beside her.

  “Big.” Kate chuckled as she filled two mugs with hot water. “I have already had to let out two of my dresses. I’m afraid I’ll have nothing to wear soon.”

  “We could work on a maternity dress together after we finish my wedding dress.” Emma took the tea Kate offered and blew on it, watching the steam curl into floaty wisps of air. “And after the wedding of course.”

  “That would be wonderful. I don’t feel prepared at all.” Kate looked around the small house. “I mean we don’t even have a second bedroom.”

  “Well, William told me he and Jesse plan to enlarge your homestead as soon as they finish ours.”

  “Really? That would be wonderful,” Kate’s petite shoulders heaved with a hearty sigh. “I think Jesse wants to start making a cradle, but where would we put it? The living room?”

  Emma inspected the room as she took a sip of her tea and smiled at Kate’s lack of
knowledge. “You would keep the cradle in your room for a time. The baby will be small for a good six months.”

  Kate smiled over the rim of her cup. “That is true. I’m so glad you and I became friends. You have younger siblings and can tell me all about how to raise a baby. I only had a brother and we were very close in age, so I don’t remember when he was young.”

  Emma laughed as she thought back over the years. She and Jennie were so far apart in years that she definitely remembered her as a baby. Getting into everything. Jennie had always been a little handful.

  “I ran into Carl on the way over,” Emma said, changing the subject.

  Kate’s eyes widened and her brows inched up her forehead as she took a sip of her tea. “How did that go?”.

  “Interesting. He stopped me to tell me he’s been corresponding with a woman back east. Mail-order like you. He thinks he might bring her here soon.”

  “Wow, that’s good, right?”

  “Absolutely. While I knew William was the man for me, I always felt bad about Carl. I’m delighted he’s found someone, and I hope he will be as happy as you and Jesse.”

  “Let’s just hope she’s not some outlaw using mail-order as a ruse.” Kate laughed, referencing her own crazy experience. Kate had answered a mail-order bride ad but when she’d arrived, she found out the man she was betrothed to was a criminal. She’d escaped and thankfully her path crossed with Jesse’s who, to keep her from having to go back east, offered her marriage. Their love only grew from there.

  “Let’s hope not. We’ve had enough excitement for some time.” Emma finished her tea and grabbed her bag. “Shall we move to the living room and finish this up?”

  Kate nodded and tipped her mug back, finishing the last drop. Emma stepped out of her dress and into the wedding gown. So far they had adjusted the neckline and added some lace around the bottom edge. Today, Emma hoped to add lace detailing to the sleeves. She pulled out the lace she had found at the mercantile the other day and handed it to Kate who pinned it to the dress so Emma could stitch it on after she removed the dress.