To Love a Stranger (Wyoming Series Book 4)

by Colleen Coble

  Still speechless, he nodded. He was afraid to say anything; the hot, clamoring words rushing through his head would crush this pale bird. But he longed to shout them. Duped. He’d been duped. What a fool he was! Jessica and Clay had been right. How could he have been so foolish? He thought he knew his Bessie, but he was obviously wrong. As he led the way down the street to Clay’s church, he couldn’t bear to look at her.

  When he realized Bessie was nearly running to keep up with his long stride, he slowed his pace and offered her his arm. The touch of her hand on his arm was loathsome to him, but he forced himself to accept it. Just what kind of woman would deceive a man the way she’d done? Contempt curled his lip, but he kept his mouth clamped shut. He didn’t dare give vent to his feelings.

  He opened the church door and ushered her into the cool interior. The calming atmosphere had an immediate effect on his temper. His breathing slowed, and he seated her in a pew and stood gazing down at her.

  She fiddled with the tassels on her reticule. “I know how this looks,” she began.

  “Do you?”

  She glanced up at his tight words. “Please, sit down. You’ll give me a crick in my neck. You’re very tall. Taller than I expected.”

  He sat beside her. “And you’re not at all as I expected you.”

  She bit her lip. “I know. You were expecting Lenore. I didn’t think to ask if she’d sent a picture of herself. When I saw your reaction, I knew she had.”

  “What on earth are you talking about?” he asked impatiently. “Who is Lenore? I don’t understand anything except the fact that you deceived me.”

  She laid a small hand on his arm, and he had to resist the impulse to shake it off. “Lenore is my sister. My baby sister. She’s twenty-one and should have known better, but she’s the one who has been writing to you, using my name. I discovered these contretemps by accident, and I have come to honor the promise made in my name.”

  He stared into her face. Had she seriously thought that she could take the place of her lovely sister? Did she think him so desperate he would marry a bride sight unseen? Why hadn’t this sister she called Lenore come? Twenty-one was of an age for marriage.

  “I know how it looks,” she said, nervously pleating the folds of her dusty, brown dress.

  “I don’t think you do,” he said slowly. “If you did, you wouldn’t have come. You would have written and explained the situation and given me the chance to set this tangle straight. Did you think that one woman was the same as the next to me?”

  “Well, you did write to the agency looking for a wife,” she began timidly.

  “Yes, but I had to have the opportunity to choose for myself,” he said hotly. “You had a picture of me, didn’t you?”

  She nodded uncertainly.

  “How would you have felt if you had arrived and found you’d married a man of fifty with gray hair and whiskers?”

  Bessie’s face whitened as his words penetrated. “I see what you mean,” she said softly. “You are displeased with my appearance.” Tears swam in her gray eyes again. “Please forgive me, Lieutenant. If I’d realized you had a picture of Lenore, I can assure you I would never have come unannounced this way.”

  He folded his arms across his chest. “I find that hard to believe, Miss Randall.” She had trapped him. Perhaps her younger sister had done it deliberately, since it was obvious this woman would never find a husband on her own. This woman had to have known what her sister was doing.

  “Mrs. Mendenhall,” she corrected softly. “We are legally wed. That is why I have come.”

  Jasper stared at her. He wanted to groan in frustration. What was he to do? How could he untangle this mess? “That may be true, but under the circumstances, we may not be wed long. I will consult an attorney as soon as I can and see just where we stand.”

  Bessie’s face paled even more, if that were possible. “You would send me home?”

  He sighed and rubbed his chin. Against his will, pity stirred his heart. Perhaps this monstrous trick was not her doing. She didn’t seem conniving enough for such a scheme. “You must be tired. Let me take you to my sister’s home. She likely has supper waiting.”

  two

  Bessie saw every knothole, every nail in the boardwalk as she followed her new husband across the fort to meet his family. New husband. What if he set the marriage aside; what if she had come all this way only to be sent back in disgrace? He had done nothing to endear himself to her, but she couldn’t bear the thought of going back to Boston. What would people think?

  Fort Bridger bustled with activity. Men tipped their hats at her as they passed on the wide boardwalk, and several women stared inquisitively at her. They seemed especially taken with her hat. It was new and the height of fashion, but Bessie wanted to fling the hat away so she could creep through town without being noticed. Did they all know Jasper was expecting a beautiful wife?

  “Jasper!”

  She turned at the sound of a feminine voice. A dark-haired young woman stepped from the nearby general store and waved her hand in their direction.

  “Miriam.” Jasper tipped his hat at the vision in blue.

  Her hat was perched atop a cluster of dark curls, and her gown, although last year’s fashion, enhanced her slim figure. Bessie smiled at her uncertainly.

  “Bessie, this is my cousin, Miriam,” Jasper said.

  Miriam tapped him on the arm with her fan. “Why do you insist on pretending we are related?” she pouted. “Jessica is my cousin only by adoption. You and I are not.”

  Jasper ignored the question. “Miriam, I’d like you to meet Bessie, my wife.”

  Miriam’s eyes widened, and she shot a venomous glare at Bessie. Then her blue eyes filled with tears, and she took a step back. She whirled and practically ran down the boardwalk.

  “She cares for you,” Bessie said. She felt sorry for the girl.

  Jasper sighed. “Perhaps, but the feeling is not mutual. She is too much like a younger sister. I never intended to hurt her, though.”

  He sounded grieved, and she realized he had a softer heart than she had imagined. Heartened, she took his arm again, and they continued down the boardwalk. Her mouth was dry at the thought of meeting his family. They would surely be just as astonished at her appearance as Jasper had been. Her heart fluttered in her chest like a frightened bird. At least he hadn’t denounced her and cast her off at first sight, but she had seen the disappointment in his eyes when he looked at her. And who could blame him? Lenore was a scarlet cardinal; she was a brown wren.

  She drew her shawl around her shoulders to ward off both the chill of the wind and the coldness of his rejection. Had she really expected he would take one look at her and forget Lenore? She blinked back tears and squared her shoulders. She might not be a beauty, but there was more to being a good wife than beauty, wasn’t there? Or was that truly the only important thing to men? She hadn’t had enough experience to know.

  Fort Bridger was an attractive place, she realized. The walk they were on led past neatly whitewashed homes with wide front porches and small yards with spring flowers poking up through the soil. Bessie liked what she saw. It was so different from Boston. They stopped outside a small, whitewashed cabin with a curl of smoke escaping from the chimney. The front stoop was barely large enough for them both to stand on.

  Jasper rapped once on the door, then pushed it open. “Jessica, we’re here.”

  The tantalizing aroma of beef stew wafted down the hall, and Bessie’s stomach rumbled hungrily. The fare had been poor on the stage route; she’d eaten mostly hard bread and bits of salt pork. Now she was suddenly ravenous, but the thought of eating in front of Jasper and his family unsettled her.

  A lovely red-haired woman hurried toward them. The gentle bulge under her skirt proclaimed the imminent arrival of a new baby. She had to be Jessica, Jasper’s sister; they both had those vivid green eyes that tilted up at the corners. Her smile was welcoming, but it seemed to hold a touch of reserve at the same time
.

  She looked at Bessie, then turned to Jasper with a question in her eyes.

  He cleared his throat. “Jessica, this is Bessie. Bessie, my sister, Jessica.”

  Jessica’s mouth dropped open, but she quickly recovered and held out her hand. “Welcome, Bessie. I always wanted a sister. I look forward to getting acquainted. Come into the kitchen. We’re about to sit down for supper, but we were waiting for you.”

  Bessie could sense the discomfort emanating from her husband. He hadn’t introduced her as his wife. She had to wonder why, when he had told Miriam. Obviously, Jessica had seen the picture of Lenore as well. Oh, why hadn’t she thought to ask Lenore if she had sent a photograph? Tears pricked the backs of her eyes, but she bit her lip and forced them away. She would take one step at a time.

  A blond giant of a man stood when they came through the door. Unlike his wife’s, his welcoming smile held no trace of surprise or wariness. Bessie warmed to him instantly.

  “So, this is my new sister! Welcome to Fort Bridger, Bessie.” His large hand enveloped hers.

  A little dark-haired girl was seated at the far end of the table. “Hello. My name is Franny. What’s yours? I’m four.”

  Bessie smiled at her in relief. She loved children. “I’m Bessie.” She wanted to tell the child she was her new aunt, but what if Jasper didn’t let her stay? “I’m very glad to meet you, Franny. I’ve heard lots about you from your Uncle Jasper.”

  She sensed Jasper’s start of surprise and realized how her words sounded. Like she had been corresponding with him. He would be convinced she had been a part of the deception. She swallowed the tears burning in the back of her throat.

  Jessica interrupted before she could continue. “Sit down. You can tell us all about yourself over supper.”

  Bessie slid reluctantly into the seat beside Franny, and Jasper sat beside her. In spite of her hunger, she didn’t know how she could force a morsel of food down with all of them looking at her.

  Clay said grace, then passed around the stew. “Have you always lived in Boston?”

  Bessie nodded. “All my life. This is very different from what I’m used to. It’s lovely, though. Even the terrain looks wild and untamed.”

  Jessica glanced at her brother. “So you two have been writing to one another over six months, Jasper says. I must say, you don’t look quite like your picture.”

  Bessie gulped and drew a deep breath. What should she say? The silence drew out for a long moment, before Jasper cleared his throat.

  “I mistakenly showed you a picture of Bessie’s sister, Lenore.” He turned to his brother-in-law and changed the subject. “Did you hear about the Sioux attack up north yesterday?”

  Bessie was glad to let the men talk while she gathered her composure. Her cheeks burned with mortification, and she could barely hold the tears at bay. She thought she had done the right thing to come, but now she would give anything to be back in her home in Boston. This tangle became worse every moment. At least Jasper had made it seem as though it was his fault about the picture. That was kind of him. She sent him a smile, and he smiled briefly before he frowned and turned away.

  She was aware of Jessica’s probing gaze all through dinner, and although it was kindly, it still discomfited her. She knew her sister-in-law was full of questions. After supper the men retired to the parlor while she helped Jessica clear away the supper dishes. Franny helped them and kept up a steady chatter. Bessie was thankful for the distraction; she dreaded more questions from Jessica.

  Just before they joined the men, Jessica put her hand on Bessie’s arm. “I don’t quite know what’s gone on in this courtship, Bessie, but I want to tell you I think you’ll be very good for Jasper.” She hesitated, then continued with a sparkle in her eyes. “I was afraid he was getting some hothouse society beauty from the East who would lead him on a merry chase. If there’s ever anything I can do to help, just ask. I’m here for you both.”

  Bessie lost the struggle against her tears. “Thank you, Jessica. I’ll do my best to be a good wife.” She struggled to stifle her sobs. What would Jasper think if he came in and saw her crying to his sister? He would despise her all the more.

  “My goodness, don’t cry. Jasper will think I’ve been asking nosy questions in here, and Clay will scold me.” She gave her a handkerchief. “Things will work out. Do your best and trust God for the rest.”

  “Thank you,” Bessie managed.

  When the women entered the parlor, Clay smiled at his wife and patted the seat beside him on the threadbare sofa. Jasper gave Bessie a stiff smile and moved over so she could join him on the settee. She sat gingerly on the edge and tried not to crowd him too much. This was the closest she had been to him since she arrived, and she felt a flush warm her cheeks.

  “I have some news for all of you,” he announced once they’d all gotten settled. “The column leaves for Fort Bowie Tuesday.”

  “No, Jasper, not so soon!” Jessica wailed. “We haven’t had enough time to get reacquainted, and Bessie and I have hardly even had a chance to talk.”

  What does he mean? Bessie wondered. Where is Fort Bowie?

  He turned toward her. “I’ve been reassigned to Fort Bowie, Arizona Territory.”

  Bessie felt the blood drain from her face, and she felt lightheaded. Apaches were in the Arizona Territory; she had heard many stories about the feared Indians. Did he expect her to go into a place like that? She wasn’t going there; she would just refuse. She could either go home or stay here until he returned. He questioned the truth of their marriage, anyway. She opened her mouth to tell him so, but Jessica beat him to it.

  “You can’t take Bessie there.”

  “Bessie came all this way for a husband. I don’t imagine she would allow me to leave her behind.”

  Was that a touch of mockery in his voice? He surely didn’t really want her to go, did he? This would be the perfect opportunity for him to get rid of her. He smiled, a slight upturn of his firm lips, but his expression decided Bessie. If this marriage had any hope at all, she had to try. She knew he still questioned her motives, but perhaps on the long trip to Arizona Territory, she would have a chance to answer his doubts.

  The candles had burned low by the time Jasper stood and announced it was time for bed. Bessie’s heavy eyelids popped open at the mention of bed. Where was she to sleep? She couldn’t share a bed with him yet. She just couldn’t. Since he questioned the marriage, he surely didn’t expect her to. Her mouth dry, she clenched her fists in the folds of her dress and frantically tried to think of an excuse.

  “I’ve put a bed in the hall for Bessie, Jasper. Are you staying at Officer’s Row for now?” Jessica asked.

  Jasper nodded. “There was no reason to request quarters for just a few days.” He laid a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Bessie breathed a sigh of relief when he turned and left the house. At least God had spared her that problem.

  “I expect you’re exhausted,” Jessica said. “Let me show you to your bed.”

  She showed Bessie to her tiny curtained-off alcove in the hall and left her alone. Bessie sat on the edge of the bed and took off her ridiculous hat. She disrobed quickly and pulled her nightgown on, glad to be alone even though lonely tears burned her eyes. She missed her large room with the familiar quilt her grandmother made. Why hadn’t she told her parents the entire story? Her father would have found some way to fix it. Instead, she had allowed herself to be swayed by her sister’s tears and her own thoughts of a husband and children. At this moment, she saw no way she and Jasper would ever have the kind of marriage she’d hoped to have. If Lenore had been here, she could have cheerfully throttled her.

  Ever since Lenore was born, Bessie had been compared to her lovely sister. Bessie longed for someone to love her, to think she was wonderful. If she had only known Jasper had seen a picture of Lenore, she would have handled this very differently. She squeezed her eyes shut and whispered a prayer. Please, Lord. Pleas
e make him love me. It was her last thought before the long trip took its toll and sleep claimed her.

  §

  She awoke to the sounds of bugles and the shouts of men. Her eyes felt gritty, and she was reluctant to leave the warmth of her bed. For a moment, she wondered where she was, until she heard a deep voice call, “Six o’clock and all’s well.”

  She was at Fort Bridger, and all was not well. Her new husband and his family would be looking her over again today. She sighed and sat up. Today was a new day, a fresh start. Lenore would have given up and gone home, but Bessie hadn’t come this far to turn tail and run. She had always stayed in the background, but this was her only opportunity to prove to herself and to Jasper that she could be a good wife. Gathering her courage, she slipped out of bed and quickly washed. She pulled on a blue chintz dress, then pushed aside the blankets that curtained off her partition.

  Her new husband sat beside the fire with Franny on his lap. Bessie could smell the aroma of coffee and fresh-made bread. For just an instant, she fantasized this was her home and Franny was her daughter. Her face burned at the thought.

  Jasper was dressed in his blue uniform, his red hair slicked down with hair tonic. Bessie thought he looked very appealing. Not handsome, exactly, but strong and competent. His broad shoulders filled out his jacket nicely, and the tenderness in his face when he looked at Franny tugged at Bessie’s heartstrings. Would he ever look at her like that?

  Jasper looked up, and his gaze locked with hers. A slight hint of color rose on his cheeks.

  He stood and sat Franny on her feet. “Run tell Mama that Bessie is ready for her breakfast.” He continued to regard her gravely for a moment. “Did you sleep well?”

  “I don’t remember,” she said with a smile.

  He grinned. “That’s a good sign.”

  They stared at one another for a long moment, then Bessie flushed and looked down. “When do we leave for Arizona Territory?”

  “Actually, the departure has been moved up. We leave tomorrow.” His green eyes searched her face. “Are you sure you want to do this, Bessie? I have to be honest. It’s a hard place to live. You seem—” He broke off and looked away.