Justin's Bride

by Susan Mallery

  On the heels of relief came anger. Colleen had been difficult in the past and had twisted the truth to manipulate everyone around her. But never before had she been deliberately cruel.

  “I can’t believe she said those things,” Megan said. “She’s my own sister.”

  “What does that have to do with anything?” Mrs. Dobson asked.

  “What? Oh, I’m sorry. I was thinking about something else.”

  “I’m here telling you Justin is handsome enough to tempt an old woman like me and you’re thinking... Oh, Lord, have mercy, look over there.”

  Mrs. Dobson straightened to her full height, which was about three inches shorter than Megan’s, and cleared her throat. Twin spots of pink flared hotly on her wrinkled cheeks.

  Megan turned to look at what the woman had seen, then suffered her own attack of embarrassment. Justin had entered the store without either of them noticing. He stood less than ten feet away, obviously listening. Her gaze skittered away from his and as she glanced down she saw he’d brought back her shawl and reticule.

  “Mrs. Dobson,” he said quietly.

  “Good afternoon.” The widow swept past him and returned to her desk by the front window. When she was seated, she picked up a stack of letters and stared at them as if she’d never seen any like them before.

  He moved close to where Megan stood. “We need to talk.”

  She nodded, then started toward the back of the store. When she’d ducked behind the curtain, she moved into the storage area rather than risk being with him in the close confines of her office. She stared at the canned goods she kept back there, and started counting the row of green beans. Even when she heard his boots on the wooden floor, she didn’t lose her place.

  “Megan?”

  “Yes.” Sixty cans of green beans. How many of corn? She began to count again.

  “Dammit, look at me.”

  Before she could turn toward him, or duck away, he placed his hand on her arm. Involuntarily, she raised her gaze to his face. Dark brown eyes stared at her. She was terrified of pity or disgust, but once again the stranger had returned. The high cheekbones, the square jaw and full mouth, the shape of his eyes, the dark layered hair were all familiar. But the essence of the man, his soul, was concealed. For once, she was grateful.

  “No one’s laughing,” he said.

  She could feel the heat starting to climb from her collar to her face. “Yes, well, they don’t seem to be here, do they? I’m sure Colleen exaggerated to prove her point.”

  “She lied,” he said flatly. “About everything.”

  “Not exactly. I am an old maid.” His gaze became more intense and she had to turn away. “As for the rest of it, I’m sure it’s nothing.”

  “Are you?” He placed her shawl and reticule on a shelf, then grabbed her other arm. He drew her closer and shook her gently. “Are you sure? I don’t believe that. Everything she said was a lie. Every damn word. No one is laughing. No one even knows.”

  “Mrs. Dobson knows and Mrs. Greeley suspects.”

  “And I know.”

  She felt as if he’d stripped her naked and mocked her frailties. She twisted to get away, but he didn’t release her. The burning in her eyes warned her that tears were not far behind. She struggled to keep them at bay. She wouldn’t let him know how he’d hurt her.

  “Stop struggling,” he said, holding on to her more tightly. “I do know the truth and you’re going to listen to it whether you want to or not.”

  “No! Just go away, Justin. You’ve done enough.” She pushed at his chest, but he was as immovable as the building in which they stood.

  “I haven’t begun to do anything yet. You’ve always been the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.”

  She froze. Her hands dropped to her sides. “What?”

  “When you were fifteen years old, you came to church in a white dress with a pink ribbon at the waist. Your hair was long, down to your waist, and when you walked into the building that morning, I thought you were an angel.”

  Her mouth opened but she couldn’t speak.

  “Colleen is nothing but a pinch-faced prune. She’s married to Gene Estes and she wants everyone to be as miserable as she is. She uses self-righteousness to hide the fact that she knows everyone dislikes her. As for chasing after me, if you ever kiss me like that again, I’m going to take your clothes off layer by layer, down to and including your French silk chemise and I’m going to show you exactly what goes on between a man and a woman. I don’t care if we’re alone in your house, in the store or in the middle of the road.” His dark eyes blazed with passion. “You are a beautiful, desirable woman. Apparently, the entire town of Landing is populated by fools.”

  He released her, but she couldn’t seem to find the strength to move away from him. He reached between them and took her hand, then drew it toward him and pressed it against his groin. She blushed when she felt the hard ridge of his maleness. Before she could move her fingers to discover more, he let go of her wrist and stepped away.

  “Do you understand?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she whispered. “I think so.”

  He stared hard at her mouth. “I don’t suppose you’d consider kissing me right now?”

  His words about stripping her bare and showing her the secrets between men and women filled her mind with erotic images. She didn’t know exactly what happened in the marriage bed, but she’d heard enough to picture herself in Justin’s arms, with his bare chest pressed against her exposed breasts. She should have been appalled, but instead she found herself swaying toward him.

  He closed his eyes briefly and swore. “Don’t tempt me, Megan. This afternoon you pushed me past the point of control. I’m doing my best to get it back, but I need your help.”

  Boldly she allowed her gaze to slip past the fire blazing in his eyes, past his full mouth and broad chest to his trousers, to the hardness straining against the wool. She’d done that to him. They hadn’t even been kissing or touching and he was obviously... She didn’t know exactly what he was, but it looked painful and intense.

  “Can you keep Bonnie tonight?” he asked.

  The abrupt change of subject startled her. “Yes, of course. Why?”

  He grimaced. “I feel the need to get stone-faced drunk, and I’d rather she not be around to see that.”

  Drunk? Why? “Justin—”

  “I’ve got to go.” He turned on his heel and walked out of the storeroom. She could hear his footsteps on the wooden floor of the store, then the front door opening and slamming shut.

  She stared at the place he’d been standing as if she could find the answers to her questions. Then she smiled. It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered. Not Colleen or the town or any of them. Even if it wasn’t true, Justin had made her feel pretty and feminine. She’d obviously inspired him physically. She giggled, then touched her hand to her heated cheek. Such wicked thoughts in the middle of the day.

  She picked up her shawl and reticule and took them into her office. When she sat at her desk to do paperwork, she couldn’t concentrate. Images of Justin kept showing up on her ledger pages. He’d only been back a short time, but he’d managed to win over most of the town. Colleen would continue to wage her campaign against him, as would Mrs. Greeley and some of the others, but Megan was beginning to think Justin would triumph. If two women had had the courage to walk out of her sister’s meeting, then others might not go along with Colleen, as well.

  Megan gave up her ciphering and leaned back in her chair. There had been so much fear for so long. She’d allowed her sister to dominate her life, threatening her every time she tried something Colleen didn’t approve of. It wasn’t right. And Megan had no one to blame but herself. Was she ready to stand up to her sister? Was she ready to risk her place in the town, possibly jeopardize her store?

  Did she have another choice? Since their father had died, Colleen had been the one to say what was right and acceptable.

  “It’s not as if I want to becom
e a dance-hall girl,” Megan muttered. She just wanted a little life of her own. It didn’t seem too much to ask.

  She knew her sister well enough to suspect she would be getting a visit from her in the next couple of days. Colleen would stop by to make sure she was doing well, and to explain that she said those ugly things “for your own good.”

  Megan didn’t believe that anymore. She was beginning to think her sister had never cared about her.

  A knock at her office door brought her to her feet. Had Justin returned? She quickly stepped to the threshold and pulled open the door.

  Instead of Justin’s handsome face, her brother-in-law stared down at her. His few wisps of hair swayed gently as he shook his head back and forth.

  “I don’t know what to say,” he murmured as he moved into her small office. “Colleen told me what happened. While I don’t agree with what she said, I certainly share her concerns.”

  “Thank you,” she said, forcing herself to smile. “If that’s why you stopped by—”

  “It’s not the only reason.” Gene held his dark hat in one hand. With the other, he touched her shoulder. “I came by to see you.”

  She stared up at him, not quite sure what he meant. Despite his regular features and impressively broad frame, she couldn’t believe she’d once thought him handsome. There was an edge to him, an air of coldness. He had a vicious temper. She remembered him slapping the child at the social and tried to back away. The wooden cabinets containing her records stopped her.

  “I wish you’d spoken to me, Megan. I am your minister.”

  “Of course you are,” she said brightly. “Spoken to you about what?”

  “Your needs.” He moved closer. “I should have realized a woman all alone would feel a certain...emptiness inside. I could have helped you with that.”

  She panicked. He couldn’t be saying what she thought he was saying. It didn’t make sense. He was married to her sister.

  She darted her gaze around the room, searching for an escape. He was standing between her and the only door in the room.

  “I think you might want to consider some spiritual counseling.”

  “Spiritual counseling?” She could have laughed with relief. Colleen had gotten to her more than she’d realized. She was seeing danger where it didn’t even exist. “Oh, that. I see. I’m rather busy at the moment, but it’s so kind of you to offer.”

  His hand moved from her shoulder to her neck. His thumb traced a line along her jaw and he licked his lips. “I have much to offer you, Megan. You’re a very attractive woman. Colleen can be difficult at times, as I’m sure you can imagine.” He moved closer until his bulk pressed against her. “You must be lonely. I can help with that.”

  “No!” She pushed hard against his chest. When he didn’t budge, she ducked under his arm. She turned around to face him and backed up until the door was behind her. “You’ve misjudged me and the situation, Gene. You’re my sister’s husband.” A shudder raced through her.

  He glared at her. The warmth fled his eyes leaving only anger. She’d disliked her brother-in-law before, but she’d never feared him. A cold knot formed in her stomach. “I see.”

  “I don’t think you do,” she said quickly. “I understand how I might have led you to believe...” She paused. She’d never been a very good liar, but the last thing she needed was Gene for an enemy. “I appreciate your kindness to my sister and myself. Let’s simply put this unfortunate incident behind us.”

  He began moving toward her. Megan gripped the door handle behind her, prepared to jerk it open and throw herself into the hallway. From there, people in the store would be able to hear her screams. Oh, but she didn’t want to have to do that.

  “Whore,” Gene said.

  “What?”

  “Daughter of Satan. You’ve tempted me from the path of righteousness.” He glared at her, his eyes wide, his mouth moist and disgusting. “I will call you out.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Sunday morning I’ll denounce you as the sinner you are. I’ll expose your seductive evilness before the townspeople, and they will all turn their backs on you.”

  “That doesn’t make any sense. You’re the one who started touching me.”

  “Your body is a temptation. Your hair.” Before she could move away, he snaked out his arm and grasped her bun in his hand. He jerked hard, making her yelp in pain. Several strands fell free, over her chest. He moved closer and reached for them.

  “No!” She twisted the door handle and dived into the hallway. Gene followed.

  “Colleen was right. She told me she found you in the arms of that man. I didn’t believe her, but you’re the liar, not her. I will expose your secrets to the world, Megan Bartlett.” He placed his hat on his head and started toward the back door.

  “I haven’t done anything,” Megan called after him.

  He turned toward her. “Your soul is black with sin.”

  “You don’t know that. You don’t know me at all. None of you do.” She motioned with her arm. “This entire town thinks it knows me, but you’re all wrong. You want to denounce my sin. Fine. But before Sunday, I swear I’m going to give you something worth denouncing. You’d better hurry home, Gene. If you thought Colleen was upset today, wait until she finds out what I’m going to do next.”

  He glared at her. “May God have mercy on your soul.”

  “And on yours,” she called. She balled up her fists, wanting to do something physical, but not knowing what.

  “Megan?”

  She spun toward the sound and saw Mrs. Dobson standing in the store, holding the curtain to one side.

  “I couldn’t help overhearing part of your conversation with Mr. Estes. Is there a problem?”

  “No,” Megan said automatically. “Yes,” she amended. “There’s a big problem. Gene thinks I’m a daughter of Satan.” She stared after her brother-in-law. “The worst of it is, I’ve never done one really bad thing in my whole life. I’ve been slightly wicked from time to time, but that’s all.”

  Mrs. Dobson stepped into the hallway and let the curtain fall behind her. “What happened? What did he do to you? Your hair is all loose.”

  Megan laughed. There was a slightly hysterical edge to the sound. She closed her lips tightly and covered them with her fingertips.

  “Oh, Megan.” The older woman moved closer and held out her arms. “Hush, child. You’ll be fine.”

  Megan let herself be folded into Mrs. Dobson’s embrace and pulled against the widow’s ample bosom. She started shaking and knew the tears weren’t far behind.

  “I think he wanted to kiss me,” she said, her voice shaking. “He said he understood that a woman like me has needs. It was awful.”

  “I’ve never liked that man.”

  “Me, neither. But he and Colleen are the only family I have. I don’t think either of them is ever going to speak to me again.”

  Mrs. Dobson patted her back. “That isn’t such an awful thing.”

  “I know. Except Gene is going to tell the entire town I tempted him. I’ll be ruined.” She drew back and looked at the other woman. “I wouldn’t mind so much if I’d done something bad. At least then there would be a reason.”

  “You’ve always been a good girl.” Mrs. Dobson smoothed Megan’s hair off her face.

  Megan squeezed her tight, then stepped back. “Why do I care so much what other people think?”

  “Because that’s a sensible attitude.”

  But was it? Megan wasn’t so sure anymore. She was about to get into trouble and Gene was the one who had made advances at her. At his own wife’s sister. It was appalling. She could try telling the truth, but who would believe her? Mrs. Dobson did already. Justin would. But what other citizen would take her word over the preacher’s? Sunday morning he would call her a sinner before the entire congregation and there was nothing she could do to stop him.

  “I’m ruined.”

  “Hardly that. You’ll put this behind you. In tim
e—”

  “No. I don’t want to wait. It’s not fair. It’s never been fair. I’m tired of being judged by other people’s standards and rules. I’m tired of being the one who always has to bend.”

  “Be careful, Megan. Don’t do something you’re going to regret. Don’t forget that you’re the person who has done the most judging. You judge yourself the hardest.”

  “You’re right. And for what? What insignificant sin have I committed?”

  She paced toward the back door, then turned and started the return trip. She stopped suddenly. The plan came to her fully formed. It was impetuous, foolhardy, even. She knew if she didn’t do it, she would never forgive herself. She’d promised to shock the town before Sunday. This was the best way she knew how. “Will you keep Bonnie tonight?”

  “Of course. Why?” Green eyes narrowed. “What are you planning?”

  “To sully my reputation.”

  Mrs. Dobson put a restraining hand on Megan’s forearm. “Once your good name is lost, you can never get it back.”

  “After Sunday I won’t have one, anyway. What does it matter?”

  The older woman studied her. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  “No, I don’t. Probably for the first time in my life.” Megan ducked into her office and came out holding her shawl and reticule. She paused. “I appreciate everything. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I promise.”

  Mrs. Dobson nodded. “I’ll be home tonight if you need somewhere to go.”

  Megan bent down and kissed the old woman’s papery cheek. “Thank you for understanding.”

  “I was young and impetuous, once.” She smiled, then her mouth straightened. “Be sure, Megan. Very sure.”

  “I am. I have to do this. I’m not sure why, or what I’m going to prove, but at least I can say that I’ve done one impetuous thing in my life without considering the consequences.” She draped her shawl over her shoulders and stepped into the store.

  One of the Greeleys’ boys was staring longingly at the candy display. His mother kept him on a meager allowance. Megan marched over to him and pulled out a handful of sweets from the closest jar. “Winston, all this candy can be yours if you’ll take a message to the sheriff’s office for me. Can you do that?”