In Your Arms

by Goings, Rebecca

  “I sure hope Daddy makes it back in time to walk you down the aisle. It’s already well past noon.”

  “He will. He said he would make it back today if it killed him,” Melissa murmured, wondering why her father had left the Gulch to check out a new vendor for the shop so close to her wedding day. The thought of walking down the aisle without him made her worry her bottom lip.

  “I’m sure you’re right,” Shirley said. “I’m just so jittery.”

  “Me too.”

  “But you don’t even seem happy, Lissa. You should be happy. This is your wedding day!”

  “I’m marrying Dr. Newcomb, Shirley,” Melissa said in a dry voice.

  Lowering her gaze, Shirley nodded. “True, but he’s well off. You’ll have a good life with him.”

  “I hope so.” Rubbing her belly, Melissa looked at her reflection once more. “I sure do hope so.”

  “Come on,” Shirley said, holding out her hand. “Time to get you to the church. You look beautiful.”

  Glancing down at the white gown she had on, she really did have to commend Patrice the seamstress for coming through on the dress in such short order. Melissa and Timothy had only just announced their engagement a week ago, and here they were already getting married. Delicate lace trimmed her bodice and sleeves, and small pearl buttons made a straight line down the front of the dress. It was beautiful, so why did it feel more like a shroud than a wedding gown?

  Making their way to the church arm-in-arm, Melissa and her sister gave timid smiles to the people who were just arriving for the wedding.

  “You look lovely,” the Widow Skaggs said with a admiring grin. “I’m sure your young man will approve.”

  Sighing, Melissa corrected her. “I’m marrying Dr. Newcomb, ma’am.”

  “Of course, dear,” she said, patting Melissa’s hand as she turned to walk into the chapel.

  “Let’s get you inside before Timothy sees you.” Shirley giggled, ushering Melissa through the doors of the pastor’s office where they were being allowed to freshen up. The church bell began ringing, and Melissa jumped at the sound. With each peal of the bell, her heart beat with dread.

  This was it. This was the day she would pledge her life to a man she didn’t love. She had to swallow hard to clear the bile from her throat.

  ~ * ~

  “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman…”

  Pastor Robinson droned on and on, but Melissa didn’t hear him over the blood rushing in her ears. Her father hadn’t returned although they’d held up the wedding by almost two hours waiting for him. Melissa had known she couldn’t keep everyone waiting forever. Chuck had promised to be back on time but he wasn’t, so Mr. Patrick had to walk her down the aisle in his place. Melissa hadn’t been able to help feeling like a lamb being led to the slaughter. Her tears had flowed freely as she’d marched slowly to her fate, her heart threatening to pound out of her chest.

  Her thoughts flittered sadly to Marcus, wondering where he was and what he was doing. A sharp pang of sorrow stabbed her, and a few more tears escaped her eyes. Timothy saw her tears and smiled, obviously thinking they were tears of joy.

  Determined to start their marriage off right, she tried to banish any thoughts of Marcus or her father from her mind. She was doing the right thing. The more she repeated that to herself, the more she might actually believe it someday. She refused to believe that not having her father walk her down the aisle was a bad sign.

  At the pastor’s urging, she turned and faced Timothy, holding both his hands in hers. She didn’t know how she stayed in one piece. Her entire body trembled, and it was all she could do to hold back the sobs that wanted to come. She wished she could be happy, she wished she were marrying Marcus, but it was Timothy’s kind face in front of her, and Melissa could only swallow her self pity and give him a tepid, halfhearted smile.

  Smiling as well, the pastor said, “Timothy, please repeat after me. I, Timothy Newcomb…”

  “I, Timothy Newcomb…”

  “Take you, Melissa Bloom…”

  “…take you, Melissa Bloom…”

  “To be my lawfully wedded wife.”

  “…to be my…”

  Melissa closed her eyes and ceased to listen. This wasn’t happening. She had to be dreaming! The room was whirling around her, and she took deep breaths in an effort to stop it. Upon opening her eyes, the same scene greeted her--she wasn’t dreaming. Her stomach threatened to revolt right there in the sanctuary.

  Melissa’s vows were the hardest words she ever had to speak. This was it. Oh, God, this was it!

  “Do you have the ring?” the pastor asked.

  Timothy grinned and pulled a diamond ring from his jacket pocket.

  “Repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”

  Timothy slipped it on Melissa’s finger, and it felt like a lead weight. She stared at it as if it were a poisonous snake.

  “With this ring…”

  “STOP!”

  Gasps could be heard throughout the sanctuary as everyone turned toward the rear doors at the end of the aisle. Melissa’s eyes filled with tears at the sight. It was Marcus! And right next to him grinning from ear to ear was her father. Melissa’s heart leapt into her throat.

  “Stop right there!” Marcus shouted. “Lissa isn’t marrying the old doctor. Not while I still live and breathe.”

  With long, purposeful strides, he marched up the aisle, his golden eyes piercing Melissa’s and rooting her to the spot. He looked haggard, with many days’ growth of stubble on his chin and clothing that was helplessly wrinkled. His jeans were dusty, as if he’d just ridden hard to get there, and under his eyes were dark circles, as if he hadn’t been sleeping well. He was dirty, he was worn… and he was beautiful.

  Melissa was too shocked to do anything other than stare at him with her chin on the floor. Her father was beaming, and she had no idea why. Marcus had just barged in and ruined her wedding day! Who did he think he was?

  Drinking him in, she didn’t have any time to think before he was standing in front of her. She hadn’t let go of Timothy’s hands, but Marcus took care of that himself. Glaring at the doctor, he pulled her hands free none too gently, then he yanked the diamond off her finger and held it up to the older man.

  “Lissa’s mine,” he growled.

  Dr. Newcomb timidly took the ring and stepped back at the sight of Marcus’s steely eyes.

  “Marcus, what are you--”

  Before Melissa could finish her sentence, Marcus grabbed her hand in his once more and began walking back down the aisle with her in tow. She was too shocked to resist, trotting beside him and holding her dress off the ground in order to keep up with his long strides.

  “Marcus!” she cried as he barreled down the church steps where Pete stood waiting at the bottom, regarding them with his big brown eyes. “Stop! What are you doing?”

  He didn’t answer, he simply swung up on Pete’s back and pulled her up across his lap, frilly dress and all.

  “What do you think you’re doing, Marcus McCaide?” she demanded with what little breath she had left.

  “Better hold on to me, lady,” he whispered with a grin right before he kicked Pete into a gallop.

  Seventeen

  They were riding too hard and too fast to make any sort of conversation practical. So instead, Melissa wrapped her arms around his waist and held on tight. He felt so good pressed close against her that she closed her eyes and rubbed her cheek on his shirt. She wished she could hold on to him forever.

  Why exactly had he come back? And why had he barged into her wedding and hauled her out of there before the ceremony was complete? His words to Timothy had her blushing. He’d said Lissa’s mine in a tone that had left no room for argument. What did he mean by that?

  After what seemed an eternity, Marcus finally slowed Pete to a trot. They’d reached the foothills, and he seemed to know where they were going as he urged Pete forward. The sun was low on th
e horizon when he finally brought his horse to a halt. To Melissa’s surprise, Jasper’s Creek gurgled through the hills not more than a few yards away.

  “Here we are,” Marcus said as he swung off Pete and pulled Melissa down with him.

  After such a long ride on the horse, her legs were weak and she had to clutch onto his shoulders or risk falling over. Nothing was said as she held on to him, staring hard at his chest. He didn’t seem willing to let go of her.

  “You smell like Shirley,” he whispered, making her glance up at his eyes.

  That was a mistake. She couldn’t look away.

  “Damn, you’re beautiful, sugar.” He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her.

  His lips moved against hers tentatively, as if he wasn’t sure what she’d do. But Melissa was teetering on the edge of sanity. She’d missed him so much. She wanted to feel him in her arms again. With a cry of desperation, she threw her arms around his neck and melted against him.

  Their kiss turned ravenous, tugging, teasing, tasting. Melissa rejoiced as his tongue slid into her mouth while his hands roamed up her back and through her hair. She felt tears well up in her eyes as she drew his bottom lip into her mouth, running her own tongue along the soft flesh inside as both of her hands rested on either side of his face. His stubble scratched her palms, but she didn’t care in the least. Her body thrummed with desire as she pulled him closer, whimpering into his mouth, feeling her nipples tighten as he caressed her breasts through her dress.

  What the hell was she doing?

  Pulling away from him roughly, she panted as she stared into his eyes. A fire blazed in his golden depths, and it was all she could do not to return her mouth to his. He still held her in his arms, and she shoved his shoulders to force him to let go. Once he did, she raised her hand and slapped him hard. He seemed to take it in stride, turning his head back to her, his eyes still burning. Even though her hand was stinging, she managed to slap him again.

  “How could you, Marcus? How could you!”

  She backed away from him. When he lifted his head once more, she could see his cheek was now a bright red.

  “I deserve that,” he said quietly.

  “You’re damn right! If I were stronger, I’d… I’d punch you!”

  “Go ahead, sugar. I’m not gonna stop you.” Spreading his arms away from his body, he just stood there.

  With her breath hitching in her throat, Melissa stepped close once again and hit his shoulder hard with a closed fist. Then she hit his other one. Again and again she hit his shoulders, releasing her anger but getting no response from him.

  “Why?” she yelled through her tears. “Why did you leave me? WHY?”

  Her punches were losing steam as her tears fell in torrents. Marcus wrapped his hands around hers and stepped closer, enveloping her in his warmth. Too exhausted to fight him any longer, Melissa collapsed against him and wept into his chest. She knew her body was trembling violently, but she couldn’t think beyond the man holding her.

  “I missed you so much!” she cried, her voice muffled.

  “I’m so sorry, Lissa. You can’t even imagine how sorry I am.”

  “Why did you leave?”

  “I was scared.”

  “Of what?”

  He didn’t answer, but he didn’t have to. Melissa knew already. Taking a step out of his embrace once again, she wiped her eyes.

  “You don’t have to answer that, Marcus. I know why.”

  “You do?” He looked shocked.

  Nodding, Melissa turned away and walked slowly over to where Pete had wandered off, scratching his soft nose.

  “You were afraid to tell me. You left so I could figure it out for myself.”

  “Figure what out?”

  Leaning her head on Pete’s, she whispered, “That you don’t love me. That you never loved me, and that you never could.”

  “Lissa--”

  “You thought our time together was a mistake.”

  “It was.”

  She looked at him sharply.

  “It was a mistake, Lissa. One that shouldn’t have happened without a proper wedding.”

  Melissa’s empty laughter echoed off the hills. “That’s amusing, Marcus. Really it is.”

  “I’m not laughing.”

  “Well, I was going to have a proper wedding, but you stole me away from my husband!”

  “That old man isn’t your husband!”

  “Not yet he isn’t.”

  “Not ever! You’ll be marrying me.”

  Melissa stared at him in shock. “What did you say?”

  “I think you heard me.”

  “What makes you think I’d even want you, Marcus McCaide?”

  “That kiss just a few minutes ago gave me a clue.”

  “Oh, go to Hell!”

  Lifting her skirts, Melissa marched along the shoreline of the creek. She didn’t care where she went as long as it was away from him.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” he demanded as he yanked her to a stop.

  “I don’t know. I don’t care.”

  “You’re not going anywhere until we settle this, woman.”

  “It was settled six weeks ago when you left me, Marcus!”

  “No it wasn’t. I was a coward, just like you said. I was running away, but not from my feelings for you, Lissa. From my own past.”

  “What does your past have to do with anything?”

  “I’ve killed people. Aren’t you concerned with that?”

  “I would be, Marcus, if you would just tell me!”

  He took a deep breath as he gazed at her, running his hands through his hair. The silence stretched out between them, and Melissa lowered her gaze. Shaking her head, she tried hard to fight the tears behind her eyes.

  “Goodbye, Marcus.”

  Turning away from him, she began walking once again, determined to walk all the way back to the Gulch if she had to.

  ~ * ~

  Marcus panicked. Without knowing what else to do, he called out to her. “Lissa, wait! Please!”

  She didn’t stop.

  Marcus could feel his despair welling up inside of him. Swallowing his pride and facing his fear, he fell to his knees and wept.

  “I killed a little girl, Lissa.” His voice cracked as he stared at the ground. He didn’t know if she had stopped or kept on walking, but he continued his confession regardless. “It was an accident--I didn’t mean to--but I was a sheriff. I was trying to stop a gang of bank robbers. They were shooting at me, and I had to shoot back, but one of my bullets ricocheted and hit her. Killed her instantly. She couldn’t have been more than four years old. God, Lissa, I killed a baby!”

  Covering his face with his hands, his shoulders shook as he cried at the memory.

  “Her mother was screaming--screaming so loud, and… blood was everywhere--”

  He broke off as he felt Melissa’s arms wrapping around him, pulling him close. Shuddering with relief, he pulled her down on the dirt with him and buried his face in her neck.

  “There’s more,” he croaked brokenly.

  “Tell me,” she whispered, stroking his hair. Lifting his watery eyes, he gazed into her soft green ones.

  “I killed my brother.” He heard her gasp and looked away. He tried to stand, but she held him fast.

  “Don’t hide from me, Marcus. Don’t walk away. You wanted to settle this, so settle it.”

  Biting his lip, he sighed but nodded.

  “He was caught up with that gang, and I had no idea. He was shooting at me, Lissa! He had to know it was me. I don’t know why he decided to knock over a bank in my town. I… I didn’t even know it was him until someone else pulled off the bandanna he was using for a mask.”

  Marcus broke down and sobbed as he held her.

  “Why did he do it, Lissa? Why?”

  “I don’t know,” she whispered, tears in her own eyes. “I don’t know, Marcus, but you’ve got to stop blaming yourself. Your brother made a decision that cost hi
m his life, and it was your duty as a sheriff to protect the people and uphold the law.”

  “But I killed that little girl.”

  “It was an accident. A tragic accident, yes, but an accident nonetheless. You couldn’t have known it would happen. You have to forgive yourself.”

  “I can’t…”

  “Marcus, look at me.” Melissa tilted his head up to hers.

  He felt her fingers threading through his hair, but he closed his eyes.

  “Were you afraid I’d hate you because of this?”

  “Yes,” he confessed, feeling more tears in his eyes at her gentle expression.

  “I don’t hate you. I could never hate you.” Drawing closer, Melissa gave him a few soft kisses. “I’m in love with you, and nothing can change that. If you can’t forgive yourself, then I forgive you for it, Marcus. I forgive you.”

  With his eyes wide, he crushed her to him and breathed in her sweet scent. “Oh God, Lissa, don’t leave me. Please don’t leave me. I’m so sorry for all I’ve done, but don’t leave. I can’t live without you!”

  “I’m not leaving you, Marcus.”

  “Lissa…”

  “What?”

  “Lissa, I…”

  “Tell me. Don’t be afraid.”

  Taking a deep breath, he gazed into her eyes and whispered, “I love you, sugar. I love you so damn much!”

  Eighteen

  “You love me?” Melissa stared at him in disbelief. Her vision blurred through her tears as she covered her mouth with her hand.

  “Yes, I do. I don’t know how, I don’t know when. All I know, Lissa, is I woke up a few days ago and it hit me.” Sniffling and wiping his eyes, he smiled at her. “When your father found me and told me you’d be marrying Dr. Newcomb--”

  “My father found you?”

  He nodded. “Said he’d been looking for me.”

  “He told me he was going to check out a new vendor for the shop!”

  “Guess he told you a fib then, sweetheart. He found me and knocked some sense into me.” He rubbed his jaw meaningfully.