His gaze stopped on her. His eyes widened as they drifted from her ivory slippered feet to her hips, then her waist, her bust and finally her face. Their eyes locked, causing the jolt of electricity to flow through Faith and stab her right in the heart.
* * *
Faith looked so beautiful in the ivory dress that it took Jax’s breath away. Maisie had done a good job. The dress fit like a glove. It accentuated her tiny waist which Jax’s palms now itched to encircle. The bodice was cut lower than her day dresses. It was still demure, but made Jax realize he hadn’t fully appreciated his new wife’s figure in those dowdy old dresses she wore. He made a mental note to make sure she went dress shopping to pick out suitable clothes that she liked for everyday wear.
His gaze drifted upward, noticing his grandmother’s cameo at her neck. Since his mother died, the only other woman who had worn it was Mary. He should have felt a prickle of betrayal, but somehow, the cameo looked like it had been made for Faith’s neck. He hardly had time to give it a thought, though, as he was distracted by the way it highlighted how long and graceful her neck was, the hollow of which suddenly seemed incredibly … kissable.
His gaze flicked up to her face and their eyes locked. A coil of warmth settled in Jax’s stomach, his heart beat kicking up a notch. As he had expected, the color of the dress enhanced Faith’s pale complexion, giving it a luminous glow like the petals of a white rose in moonlight.
Her golden blonde hair framed her delicate face perfectly and he had to resist the urge to reach out and tuck one of the silky loose tendrils behind her ear. Her flushed cheeks added a hint of color, but it was her eyes that had him mesmerized. In the late afternoon light, they appeared more of a pale blue than usual, reminding him of the reflection of the creek on a cloudless summer day.
“You look good.” Was that the best he could do? He felt like a stumbling schoolboy and reminded himself that the last thing he had wanted was a beautiful wife. But looking at Faith, he could barely remember why.
“Thanks.” Her tone was uncertain as her gaze flicked out to the buggy. “Is it a far ride?”
“No. But too far to walk.” Jax wondered why she would ask. “Is something wrong with the buggy?”
“No, it’s just that I’m not too fond of horses. There was an accident when I was a child and…” Faith’s voice trailed off as she glanced out the window again. “Anyway, sometimes one has to face their fears, don’t they?”
Her words struck a chord in Jax’s heart. He knew she was talking about her fear of the horse, but in his mind, he thought of his own fear. His fear of loving someone and having them taken away. The truth was, while he loved horses, he wasn’t that keen on buggies. He, too, had an accident in his past, a terrible tragedy that had ruined his life.
Or had it? Maybe his life could be salvaged if he could face his fears. Maybe Faith was the person to help him.
He held out his hand to her. “That’s okay. I’m not that keen on buggies. Perhaps we’ll face our fear together?”
She looked at him quizzically, then placed her tiny hand in his. He curled his fingers around it, his large hand swallowing hers. He could feel her tremble as he led her outside to the buggy. Robertson stood beside it, attentive as usual.
Jax’s stomach twisted as they helped Faith into the buggy. Perhaps it was a good thing she was afraid of the horse. He wouldn’t have to worry about her taking it out on her own. He wouldn’t have to endure the news of a fatal accident—an accident that would be his fault for not paying close enough attention to his wife.
When she was settled in the back seat, he climbed in beside her and Robertson hopped into the front driver's seat and urged Buttercup forward. Jax noticed the color had drained from Faith’s cheeks and he grabbed her hand once again. “Don’t worry, Robinson is a good driver and Buttercup is a gentle horse. You never need to worry about taking the buggy on your own. Robertson will be available to drive you wherever you need to go.”
Faith nodded. “Thank you. That’s very generous.”
They rode the rest of the way in silence with Faith’s hand tucked between both of Jax’s. Her subtle lavender scent swirled over toward him, driving him to distraction. He sat calmly beside her on the hard seat, but inside, his mind was whirling with indecision.
He couldn’t deny he was starting to have feelings for Faith. Those very feelings felt like a betrayal of Mary. But now he was married to Faith. They lived in the same house. They would be going out in public together. And he wondered just how long he would be able to keep his feelings in check.
He snuck a sideways glance at her. Something told him he'd better rein it in and it didn’t have anything to do with Mary. Faith was truly beautiful, and if his suspicions were correct, she was smart, too. She was no dowdy woman of mediocre intelligence as her letters had claimed. Was that truly how she saw herself, or did she lie?
And if she did lie, why?
Chapter 11
Faith watched the passing scenery as the buggy ambled forward. She was glad they weren’t going fast and she realized it was probably for her benefit. Maybe for Jax’s, too? She idly wondered about his accident.
Had he been injured as a child like she had?
It was a shame that she couldn’t enjoy the summer evening. It was dusk and the sun setting behind the mountains colored the clouds with bright pinks and oranges. Birds chirped their nighttime songs. The air had a light breeze that smelled of sweet flowers.
But she couldn’t enjoy it, not only because she was nervous about being in the buggy but now she was also nervous about the party. What would people expect of her? What did Jax expect of her?
She realized she didn’t even know what his business need for a wife was. Should she asked him, or would he expect her to not be concerned with business dealings? She remembered he had requested a dowdy, homebody wife of mediocre intelligence. And she had answered that she was. A woman like that probably wouldn’t care about her husband’s business. Best not to say a word.
But how long could she pretend that she was something she wasn’t? Things were changing and it wasn’t for the better. The unwanted flutterings and attraction she felt when Jax was in the room only served to confuse her. And now with her hand sandwiched in between his, she could barely even think. But she had to think, she had to put a plan in place for the party because this might be the perfect opportunity to find out more about the location of his gold mine.
If she could find out who his close friends were at this party, she might have another way to try to discover where the mine was.
She hadn’t found any map in any of the other books in the library. She was sure now that the one Jax had taken from her probably had the map, but by now he had likely hidden it somewhere else or destroyed the book.
So, the only way she would be able to discover its whereabouts was either by someone telling her or by following Jax on one of his nightly excursions. And it wouldn’t be prudent for a woman to be out at night alone in this wild territory.
She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. She had spent precious little time in his presence since her arrival, but tonight he had been a kind, attentive husband. Was it all an act? Maybe he was warming up before the party where he would have to make it look like they were a ‘real’ husband and wife?
That must be it, Faith decided. She didn’t want to think of him as a kind husband, the ‘Prince Charming’ she’d thought Charles had been. She’d fallen for that before, and look where it had gotten her.
The buggy pulled up in front of a large wooden house. Unlike Wild Heart Ranch, which was on one level, this house had three floors. Lanterns were set on the stones on either side of the front door. The windows glowed with welcoming yellow light and laughter bubbled out from inside.
Robertson eased Buttercup to a stop. Jax jumped out of the buggy and came to her side to help her down.
“We’ll be a few hours,” Jax said. Did his hands linger on her waist a little longer than necessary, or was Faith
imagining it? But then he’d tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and started toward the house, talking over his shoulder to Robertson. “Go ahead and get some supper if you want.”
Robertson nodded and clicked his tongue, a signal that Buttercup knew well. They pulled away just as a plump woman came running out the front door.
“Jackson Blackburn! Why, is this your bride?” She stuck her hand out toward Faith. “Welcome. It’s so lovely to meet you. I’m Emily Eastham.”
Faith shook the woman’s hand. “Faith Blackburn. Nice to meet you as well.”
Emily’s eyes shifted toward the retreating buggy. “You came in the buggy? Why, I never thought … well, never mind.” She squeezed Jax’s face between her palms and kissed him on the cheek, then turned to Faith. “I’ve known your husband since he was a little boy. He’s a good man, no matter what they say about him.”
“Now, Emmy,” Jax started, but Emily just laughed, linked her arms through theirs and started toward the house. “Come in, come in. I think the whole town is here.”
She swept them toward the house and within seconds, Faith was inside, listening to the clinking of glasses and the din of conversation. The main room was large, and nicely decorated. She could tell the Easthams had money. Probably one of the people Jax was trying to impress for his business venture.
The room was crowded. Faith could see couples, single men and even if a few single women mingling, talking and laughing. Their outfits ranged from expensive to lovingly worn.
The furniture had been cleared from the middle of the room and a row of hard pine chairs sat against one wall. Tables lined the length of the wall and she could see they were filled with trays and dishes overflowing with food. On the far wall, the doors were thrown open revealing the sky, lighter in blue where the sun was setting behind the mountains and darker up above where two bright stars had already made their appearance.
The smell of meat and beans spiced the air. In the corner, two men with fiddles started warming up. Would there be music? Faith was surprised. There were many places to listen to music in Boston, but she hadn’t expected anything so civilized out here. Maybe Colorado wasn’t so bad after all.
“Herbert!” Emily yelled through the crowd, gesturing to a tall man with a salt-and-pepper beard, waving him over. She leaned in towards Jax. “Herbert has been eager to meet your new wife. He seems more … agreeable about—” She cast a glance around the room and then lowered her voice. “You know.”
Faith gave Jax a curious glance. Was the woman talking about something to do with the gold mine? Jax looked as if he might say something, but then Herbert was there taking her hand in his and the moment was lost.
“So, this is your lovely bride? Why have you been hiding her?” Herbert drew Faith to him and kissed her cheek. “I’m Herbert Eastham, the owner of Eastham Bank.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Faith said as he released her hands and clapped Jax on the shoulders. “Well, boy, I have to say I had my doubts about you changing your ways. But Emily has been a big supporter of yours. Looks like she was right. You got a right proper missus now. Of course, I should have known to listen to Emily. She usually is right. And you know what they say.” He gave Jax a conspiratorial wink. “If the wife is happy, the trail is easy.”
Jax laughed and took Faith’s hand, tucking it in the crook of his elbow. “Well, I plan to listen to mine.”
The statement earned an approving smile from Herbert before his attention was pulled away. Faith felt a prickle of excitement that had nothing to do with being so close to Jax. Well, almost nothing. Herbert Eastham owned the bank and it was obvious Jax was looking for Herbert’s approval for his mysterious venture. That’s why he’d needed a wife.
Apparently, Faith had passed the test. Jax seemed pleased and Faith was just about to ask him what that was all about when a regal-looking woman with gray hair grabbed Jax by the arms.
“Why, Jackson Blackburn, shame on you for not inviting me to the wedding!” The woman enveloped Jax in a smothering hug. Then she turned to Faith and stuck her hand out. “I’m Bessie Mae Devlin. Practically kin to our boy Jax, here”
Faith shook her hand. “I’m Faith. Nice to make your acquaintance.”
Bessie Mae took Faith's hand and then pulled her into an embrace. “There’s no need to be so formal. We’re practically related now. Jax and my grandson Ryder have been best friends since they were knee-high to a grasshopper. Oh, I could tell you stories about those two boys … and the ladies in their wilder days. Well, I can see Jax has finally chosen himself a good one.”
“So this is where you ran off to, Gram.” A handsome man appeared at Bessie Mae’s side. He looked to be about the same age as Jax, and almost as handsome with a relaxed, carefree way about him.
Bessie Mae rolled her eyes. “Speak of the devil.”
Ryder Devlin cast an appraising glance at Faith, then raised his left brow at Jax. He took Faith’s hand in his, his gray eyes sparkling with a devilish gleam as he bent down and brushed his lips across the top of her knuckles. “I thought he was never going to introduce us. I’m Ryder Devlin, Jax’s best friend.”
Faith smiled up at Ryder. Jax’s best friend would surely be privy to information about the gold mine and, by the way he was flirting, she might be able to use her feminine wiles to pry some of that information out of him. If she could even remember how to use them.
Faith’s spirits rose a notch. She knew she was getting closer. If she paid attention, someone might let useful information slip right here at the party. They already had, considering Herbert Eastham’s reference. It was obvious the banker was in on Jax’s business reasons for needing a wife and Faith was sure those were connected to the gold mine.
But why would Jax need money from the bank? Jax was already rich. Maybe a gold mine took more wealth than Jax had available.
Faith wasn’t normally one to flirt with men, but if it advanced her cause, she could do it. And it would be easy with Ryder. His sandy hair, tanned skin and boyish charm was a stark contrast to Jax’s darker good looks but no less devastating.
She could only imagine the string of broken hearts the two of them must have left in those ‘wilder days’ Bessie Mae had alluded to. She left her hand in his and fluttered her lashes.
“Well, I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Devlin. Any friend of Jax’s is a friend of mine. Maybe you can fill me in on some of those stories your grandmother was talking about.”
Jax scowled at them, wrapping his arm around Faith’s shoulders and pulling her gently away from Ryder. “Never mind that. Don’t you have business elsewhere, Ryder?”
Ryder grinned and crossed his arms over his chest. “Business? Maybe. All of the town officers are here. Did you introduce Faith to Eastham?”
“I did.”
“Then most of the work is done. I hear Sanders is getting ready to approve the licenses and permits, so we just need one more person on our side.”
Faith’s forehead creased. What did he mean by that?
Bessie Mae’s glance flicked from Ryder to Jax. She reached in and pulled Faith out from Jax’s grasp.
“All this talk about business is boring. Let me take Faith and introduce her to some of the ladies around town. I’m sure they will be delighted to meet her.” She wheezed out the last word, then let out a rough, raspy cough.
Ryder’s face drew into a mask of concern at the sound. “Gram, are you okay?”
Bessie Mae waved her hand. “Yes. Just allergies my dear. Nothing to worry about.”
“Make sure you stay inside, then. I’m sure Faith will love meeting the other women, especially after the way Jax has been keeping her all to himself at Wild Heart Ranch. She must be starved for stimulating conversation.” Ryder nodded to Faith, then took Jax by the elbow. “We have something important to discuss, anyway.”
Bessie Mae took Faith by the elbow, propelling her in the opposite direction. Faith cast one backward glance at Jax and Ryder, a feeling of trepidation niggling at the
back of her mind. By the way they were talking, it sounded like they were worried about some sort of town council approving something.
Could it be the claim for the mine?
Dread squeezed Faith’s heart. If Jax was about to put in an official claim on the gold mine, that would mean everything about it could become public—including its location. Then Lefty’s plan, which she assumed was to steal the gold or jump Jax’s claim, would fall apart. And then Lefty wouldn’t need her anymore.
If that happened, would he let her off with Charles’s debt paid, or would he make her sisters suffer because she'd failed to get him the information on time?
Chapter 12
Bessie Mae led Faith to a knot of women who stood in the corner. Old friends, Faith guessed from their body language and easy laughter. She felt a pang of loneliness knowing she wouldn’t have enough time in Goldwater Creek to establish friendships. But then she reminded herself that she didn’t want to stay in this desolate place. She much preferred the hustle and bustle of Boston.
The circle opened and four pairs of curious eyes assessed Faith.
“Everyone, this is Faith Blackburn, Jackson’s wife.” Bessie Mae indicated the women in the circle in turn. “This is Sally Preston, Rosie Jarvis, Darcy McGuire and Lena Ford.”
Sally, a petite blonde, turned to Faith, grabbing her into a hug which was difficult considering the woman was very pregnant. “Welcome, Faith. I’m so glad Jax has found someone. He’s been so troubled.”
Troubled?
Bessie Mae must have noticed Faith’s curious look. “That’s all in the past now.” She waved her arms as if to shoo away the past which made Faith even more curious about what the heck Sally had meant. “Sally is pregnant with her fifth and it looks to be any day now.”
Faith (Goldwater Creek Mail-Order Brides 1) Page 6
