by Gold, Ciara
The room became quiet. All eyes fell upon her.
She sighed. “He doesn’t object, but regardless, I will no longer be able to lead you.”
Stunned silence met her statement. After a moment, the women erupted.
“No!”
“We need you.”
“How will we manage without you?”
“You can’t just stop.”
Kaitlin’s hands waved up and down, a signal for the women to give her the floor again. When their protests died down, Kaitlin replied, “I am not the movement. You are the movement. Our voice is a combined effort. Abigail, didn’t you lead a protest march just last week?”
“Yes. Against Kracht and his saloon again.”
“I wasn’t there, and you were able to proceed without me. As much as I’ve enjoyed working with all of you, I find that my priorities have changed a little. But...I won’t abandon you. My strength is in writing speeches. I was never as good at delivering them as Abigail, but I can still write for you. I can draft articles for our newsletter, and I can arrange speeches for Abigail to deliver.” She spread her arms wide. “See, I’m not totally quitting the cause.”
“But what about the big election? We’ll need you there for that.”
The Governor’s election was in two weeks, slated for early October. With everything that had happened to her in the past two weeks, she’d forgotten about the big day. The suffragists had been preparing speeches and handing out pamphlets. Of course, she wanted to be there for the election. She and Bryce would just have to wait before moving to the ranch. She worried her bottom lip, wondering what Bryce would say about her involvement at the election. She squared her shoulders against such thoughts. It didn’t matter what he thought. She was committed to this event, and that was that.
“I wouldn’t miss that day for anything. I’ll be there.”
Thirty Five
Bryce left the assayer’s office in a huff. The man either couldn’t or wouldn’t tell him anything pertaining to James Latham. Such information was confidential. The man didn’t seem to understand James was dead, and therefore no reason to keep such information confidential existed.
“Mr. Stanton,” Emma greeted from across the boardwalk.
“Emma. You look mighty fetching today.”
“Why, thank you. You were always very generous with your compliments. Did I hear a rumor that you were getting married?”
Bryce gave her a quizzical look. “Rumors sure travel fast around here. Miss Kanatzer and I have only been back to Denver since yesterday, but yes, Katy agreed to be my wife.”
She laid her hand gently on his forearm and squeezed. “Congratulations are in order then. I hope you’ll see fit to send us an invitation.”
Bryce was no novice when it came to dealing with the opposite sex. Women seemed to gravitate to him. For all his popularity, he’d never been inclined to marry any of them. Even when he’d decided he needed a wife, he’d been wary with his affections as evidenced by his relationship with Emma. Kaitlin was the exception. There was nothing cautious about the way he pursued his Katy.
He glanced at Emma’s hand on his arm. Was she flirting with him? Odd. She’d made it clear upon their first meeting that she was spoken for. In fact, her fiancé was a very powerful man in Denver. Now, she batted her eyes, used alluring tones, and gave off the impression she wanted Bryce’s unqualified attentions.
She lifted her hand from his arm and smiled. “I best be on my way. I’m to meet Farley for lunch.”
Bryce tipped his hat, thinking their meeting was at an end, when Emma’s heel caught in one of the grooves between the boards, and she stumbled. “Oh!”
Catching her was an automatic response. When she tried to walk, though, her ankle gave in, and she cried out in pain.
Bryce frowned. Contrived or real, Bryce had no recourse but to offer assistance. “Let me help you.”
“Thank you.” She leaned heavily upon Bryce, and her heavy floral scent bombarded his senses. It was nothing like the soft, subtle scent Kaitlin wore.
From there, he began to make other comparisons. Where Katy was voluptuously round, Emma’s figure was rather on the skinny side. Katy’s beauty stemmed from an inner strength of character. While Emma could turn the head of any man with a single look, she lacked substance.
He guided her to the bench. “Here you go, Emma. Sit here and rest a bit.”
“Sit with me?” She patted a space next to her.
Bryce didn’t know how to answer. He didn’t want to be rude, but he also didn’t want to give her the wrong idea. “I think maybe I ought to go and fetch a doctor instead.”
“No...no that won’t be necessary. I just need to rest for a minute like you said. It would please me though if you kept me company until the throbbing goes away.”
Bryce tilted his John B. back and peered at her. His own foot throbbed in sympathy. Instead of accepting her offer to sit, he leaned against a post. “Guess I could do that.”
An awkward silence followed until Emma tried to engage him again in conversation. This time she was a little more direct in her flirtations. “Bryce? Was it true you considered asking for my hand in marriage?”
“Ah, Emma.” He scratched his forehead. “It doesn’t rightly matter now. The wind is blowin’ in a different direction.”
“But, if you had a chance to change things?”
“I’m happy with the way things happened.” His mouth curved in a generous smile. “Katy’s goin’ to make a perfect wife.”
“She’s quite charming. I can see where you might be smitten with her, but if things don’t work out, I want you to know I’ll always be here for you.”
“Miss Emma, I’m not sure what you’re leading to. You’re fixin’ to hook up with Farley, and I’m promised to Kaitlin. If you’re offerin’ friendship, I’m mighty obliged. A man can’t never have too many friends, but if you’re offerin’ something else, I have to decline.”
“I think you’ve misunderstood me, Bryce.” She batted her green eyes. “Of course I’m offering friendship.”
Bryce took off his Stetson and twirled it between his fingers, stroking the stiff felt as he worried over her words. They were said with a little too much honey, and he couldn’t help but wonder at her game.
“How’s your foot now?”
She lifted her skirt enough to show him her trim ankle. Gingerly, she tested her weight upon it. “It seems much better. Thank you.”
She held out her hand. Reluctantly, Bryce offered her his hand and gently pulled her to her feet. “Can I walk you somewhere?”
“I’d like that. And, Bryce, my really good friends call me Em.”
~ * ~
Leave Denver or else.
Kaitlin stared at the familiar words, her emotions dark and turbulent. The pencil mark was heavy and dark upon her whitewashed walls. She clutched her neckline, feeling defiled. In her bedroom, beside her shelf of dolls, the vandalism served to remind her of her vulnerability. More distressing, the perpetrator had crept into her house while she entertained the ladies. She’d been blissfully unaware of the evil inside her own home.
“Kaitlin! Katy, where are you?” Bryce called from downstairs.
In accordance with her wishes, he’d taken lodging at a hotel and only came over in the evenings to take her to supper. Should she let him see this latest violation? It would only upset him and make him want to move in again. But keeping it from him would anger him more.
Would having him move in again be so bad?
Yes. She needed this time to adjust to the idea of marriage. Besides, she didn’t much care for the smothering way he hovered over her when he thought she was in danger.
Quickly, she retreated from the room, closing the door behind her. Taking a deep breath, she steadied her nerves and started toward the stairway. She met him on the steps, and he smiled. Nervously, she returned his simple greeting.
“How did your meetin’ go?” he asked politely.
She allowed him
to take her arm and provide an escort into the parlor. “Well enough. Only twelve ladies showed up out of our normal group of thirty. I guess that’s to be expected. Anyway, they took the news of my leaving rather well.”
“That’s good.”
“I...I promised them I’d attend the rally the morning of Election Day.” The quiver in her voice caused him to frown. Hopefully he would attribute it to her acknowledgment of possible danger with regards to attending this event.
“No.”
“No?” His highhandedness sparked her temper.
“The entire city will probably be there. And let’s face it. Your message isn’t exactly a popular one. Those folks are liable to get violent with your group.”
“That’s a chance I’m willing to take. We need to be heard. Besides, our current governor supports our views, and we want to support him.” She placed her hands on his shoulders and pleaded with her eyes. “I need to do this. One last time.”
“I’ll think about it.”
The stubborn man had no intention of giving his permission, but then she didn’t need his blessing. Not yet anyway.
She shoved him away and glared. “There’s no thinking to be done, Bryce. I’m going. End of story.”
Thirty Six
The day proved perfect for a wedding. With only a light covering of snow on the ground, the temperatures were pleasantly bearable.
The gathering of people inside the church numbered more than Kaitlin had expected. Nervously, she paced the small anteroom. Sarge smiled encouragement to her.
“I never thought to see this day, Katy,” he said.
“You still might not,” she grumbled.
“Cold feet?”
“Frigid.”
“You’ve got a good man. Don’t back out now and ruin the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”
Sighing heavily, she plopped down on a chair, crushing the delicate lace on her dress. Together, she and Maggie had fashioned two dresses in the week before the wedding. Maggie’s ceremony was planned after the big election, which gave Maggie time to spend helping Kaitlin plan and execute her wedding. Where possible, the two women duplicated plans, thus saving on valuable time.
“Did you ever love Mother?” She shot him a furtive glance.
Sarge looked away. “I fell in love with that woman the minute I laid eyes upon her. Such a pretty thing. It wasn’t long into the marriage I realized I didn’t love her but the image of her. The best kind of love is the kind that grows slowly, I reckon.”
He swung back to face her. “Just cuz I had a bad marriage doesn’t mean you will. In my business, you learn to judge a man quickly. Bryce Stanton seems honorable and forthright. He’ll do right by you, I’m thinking.”
“I know he will, but I—I’m worried I won’t live up to his expectations. I’ve never been very conventional.”
“Ah, Katy. The man loves you. He knows exactly what he’s getting.”
“I hope you’re right.” She sighed.
Charley came roaring around the corner, her face bright with excitement. “They’re ready for you. Bryce told me to come fetch you.”
“Charley, settle down. You’re going to ruin your pretty dress and hair.”
Charley immediately quit bouncing, chagrined by the rebuke. “It’s just that I’ve never been in no wedding before.”
“Here, let me adjust your ribbon.”
“I hope I get to marry someone as handsome and rich as Bryce.”
“There,” Kaitlin replied, satisfied with Charley’s ribbon. “Handsome, yes. Bryce is very handsome, but I don’t think he’s all that rich. He’s a cowboy after all, and they don’t make much money.”
Charley frowned at her. “He’s richer than most of the cowpokes what came to visit my mom. He just don’t like to brag about it much.”
“If you’re ready, Katy. I think we best be walking down the aisle,” Sarge said.
Kaitlin placed her hand upon his forearm, steeling herself against the coming event. Charley positioned herself in front of them. Maggie rushed around the corner at the last minute and took her place behind Charley. At Charley’s appearance in the doorway, the organist began to play. Slowly, Charley walked around the corner of the alcove and paused before walking down the aisle. Maggie waited the appropriate distance and followed.
As Sarge was about to lead Kaitlin forward, she made him stop. “Sarge?”
He peered down at her, his gray eyes moist with emotion. “Hmm?”
“I never told you I love you. I was always so mad at you all the time, it was hard for me to express those words. But now...Now, I’ve been able to put things into perspective. We both made mistakes. I’d like to think this is the beginning of a second chance for us.”
Sarge couldn’t reply at first. He grabbed her in a bear hug and squeezed. Her veil went askew. She didn’t care. He pulled away, his eyes gleaming with unshed tears.
“I never thought to hear those words from you. I love you, too, Katydid. Now, let’s get you married.”
She beamed at his pet name for her, thinking she’d never hear him use the nickname again. Suddenly, things seemed much brighter.
Her attention drifted to the altar and her eyes widened. Bryce took her breath with his handsome attire. Dressed in black pants, brochette vest, black string tie and a black frock coat, Bryce looked every bit like the wealthy rancher Charley had painted him to be. The dark clothes set off his brown eyes and blond hair, making him appear both debonair and mysterious at the same time.
The walk down the aisle proved to be the shortest and longest of her life. Short because she found herself standing next to Bryce within minutes. Long because doubts continued to flood her thoughts. The small pouch she’d attached to her petticoat brushed against her thigh. Inside the silken sack was a piece of bread, a piece of wood, a small square of cloth and a silver dollar. The tradition meant a bounty of food, a place to live, clothing to spare and prosperity to the lucky couple.
Keeping her gaze focused on Reverend Barker, she allowed Sarge to place her next to Bryce. Nervous, she faced her groom. Gently, he gathered her trembling hands in his. Her breath caught. He tried to give her an encouraging smile.
Reverend Barker opened his Bible and asked Bryce the appropriate questions. Bryce said, “I do” in a very crisp, firm voice. When the preacher recited the questions meant for her, she faltered.
In a fierce whisper, she murmured, “You were supposed to take out the part about obey.”
The good Reverend looked momentarily embarrassed. “These are the vows set forth in the Good Book. I can’t just rewrite them.”
“You can and you will or I won’t say my ‘I do’s’.”
“Mr. Stanton?”
“Just do as she says, Reverend.”
Reverend Barker cleared his throat, clearly unhappy with this change in procedure. “Do you, Kaitlin Marie Kanatzer, take this man, Bryce Kenneth Stanton, as your lawfully wedded husband, to love, cherish and honor until death do you part.”
She heaved a sigh of relief. She could handle the word honor a whole lot better than the word obey. “I do.”
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Bryce pulled her to him, his gaze steady and unflinching. The kiss he bestowed upon her wasn’t the passionate, heated kiss they’d shared before, but he’d put enough warmth and promise in the touch of his lips to make her forget their audience.
When the kiss went longer than customary, a tittering crowd alerted Kaitlin to the impropriety of the moment. Slowly they pulled away, both sheepish as they faced the congregation.
“Food and drink’s been set up in the large meeting room. You’re all invited to help us celebrate this happy occasion,” Bryce announced. A chorus of cheers erupted, the mood festive.
Bryce and Kaitlin were bombarded by well-wishers wanting to shake their hands or kiss the bride. Kaitlin suffered through the revelry, wishing it were all over. The entire wedding from planning to the actual e
vent had been emotionally taxing. It hadn’t helped any to find more notes hidden inside her house. Between keeping the threatening messages a secret from Bryce and preparing for this day, Kaitlin was physically and emotionally drained.
“Oh, Kaitlin,” Maggie said. “I hope my wedding is just as beautiful.”
“Don’t cry, Maggie. You’ll have me in tears if you do.”
Maggie wiped at her eyes and sniffed. “All right. No tears. Come on. There’s a feast waiting for everyone in the meeting room. I’ve prepared all your favorites.”
“You’re too good to me, Maggie. Who’s going to cook your meal on your wedding day? You know I can’t handle that chore well.”
“Don’t worry over it. Sady’s gonna do it. She’s my assistant at the restaurant.”
“Lead the way,” Bryce replied.
With his arm possessively wrapped around Kaitlin, he escorted her to the room. Maggie had boasted with good reason. The variety of foods laid out provided an overwhelming display. Kaitlin wished she had the appetite to enjoy the bounty before her. Nervousness robbed her of the desire to eat.
“Looks like Maggie outdid herself,” Bryce said, sampling a bite of fried chicken.
“She’s a great cook and organizer. I couldn’t have done this without her help.”
She started forward, intent on visiting with the guests that clamored toward the food. He pulled her back.
“Not so fast, Mrs. Stanton.” He licked his fingers and grinned. “I haven’t seen you in two days. I reckon I like havin’ you close by my side.”
“But our guests,” she protested.
“Can wait. I can’t.” He pulled her even closer. A calloused finger stroked her cheek. “White satin becomes you. Have I told you how beautiful you are?”
“And you never lie?”
“Yep. I never lie. To me, you are beautiful. I think I must be the luckiest cowpoke around to have roped in a filly like you.”
Kaitlin felt her skin grow warm. “You don’t regret having to marry me?”
“Hell, no!”
“Bryce, no cussing in church,” she admonished.
