Cathy

by Rachel Wesson

  “Exactly. Your sister is used to gentlemen, and rich ones at that. I only have the clothes I stand up in.”

  “You have far more than that. You have a full time job if you want it, a God given talent, old friends and plenty of new ones should you agree to stay.” Mary insisted.

  “What do you mean when you say her freedom is at risk?” he asked.

  “There have been some concerns raised over her parents’ accident. It appears that some family members think Cathy may have been responsible.”

  “I can’t marry someone on the wrong side of the law.”

  “But Abe, that’s the weird thing. The law hasn’t gotten involved. Not yet, anyway. It’s all speculation and rumor. Little Beaver was told the Pinkertons were on their way but why send detectives when there is no mystery? If Cathy was involved, why not just arrest her? Why dope her with drugs or threaten her with an asylum?”

  “Who did that?” Abe asked, horrified someone would try to harm a defenseless young girl. Someone like his Pa would do it.

  “We believe it was her adoptive father’s nephew. He told Cathy her father wanted them to get married. It was news to Cathy. He is also her guardian.”

  “So he has complete control over her unless she is married to someone else?”

  “Yes. We believe as she is over eighteen the marriage would be legal here, but whether that was the case in New York, we don’t know.”

  “But she lives here. And if it stops that man from hurting her, I guess I should marry her. Only if you are sure there is nobody else suitable.”

  The women shook their heads. All seemed to be in agreement that there was only one candidate – him.

  Oh, what the heck. He’d agree to marry her only to keep her safe. It wasn’t a lot to ask and people had done things for him before. It was time to return the favor.

  “Okay. I’ll do it.”

  The wedding was arranged for the following day. They had to hurry as Cathy had to be married before her guardian arrived with the Pinkertons. Father Molloy conducted the ceremony.

  “Cathy, you look beautiful. Try to smile. Abe O’Malley is a nice man,” Mary said, hugging her sister. “I know it’s all happening very quickly. We haven’t even sat down together for a chat but we must protect you. Abe can do that.”

  “But I don’t know him.”

  “No, but I didn’t know Davy and look how happy we are. Abe is caring and smart. He is very talented, too. You will have a good life together.

  “Mary, I don’t know anything about how to be a wife. I have never made a bed. I don’t cook, clean or do any of the stuff a wife is supposed to do.”

  “I’ll help you with that stuff. Abe knows where you came from. He will be patient.

  “And what about the other stuff. You know…” Cathy didn’t know where to look. She hoped her sister would pick up on what she was trying to say without her having to spell it out. Mama had told her she would tell her everything she needed to know before she got married. But Mama died and she hadn’t a clue about how you got pregnant or had a baby or anything.

  Mary colored slightly, a pink blush on her cheeks. “Give it time and that will be just fine, too.”

  Cathy wasn’t sure what would be fine, but her sister wasn’t about to elaborate. She smoothed down the sides of the dress again. If she didn’t go ahead, Archibald would insist she accompany him back to New York. This time he would put her in the asylum just as he threatened if she wasn’t hanged for murder first. Her only chance was getting married and having the protection of a husband. That would at least save her from Archibald.

  She walked up the aisle her arm on Davy Sullivan’s arm. He seemed like a nice man, everything about him agreeing with what Mary had said in her letters. She didn’t know him very well but he had agreed to give her away. She saw Abe standing at the altar but he seemed a million miles away. She smiled at him but he didn’t seem to notice. Heart hammering, she thanked Davy and turned to the stranger who would become her husband.

  Abe stood in the church with Mick at his side. Despite Mick’s chatter about different members of the Clover Springs community, Abe’s mind focused on his last wedding. They hadn’t been madly in love but had known each other since they were children. He’d grown up with Sally and everyone assumed they’d get married. They’d been happy together and thrilled when their baby girl had been born. But then the pox came and everything changed. He had made vows to his wife and here less than a year after her death, he was about to marry someone else. How could he do this to her memory now? Marrying a stranger. She’d understand he was doing it to protect the girl. He smiled despite himself. Sally wouldn’t have cared about the reasons. She’d been jealous of any girl he’d spent time with, even his baby sister Cara. Now wasn’t the time to be thinking ill of his dead wife.

  He glanced quickly at his bride. She looked pretty, but most brides looked beautiful on their wedding day. She wasn’t the best looking woman he had seen. She looked so scared, her hands were shaking. He took her hand in his in a bid to reassure her all would be okay and she jumped a mile. He released it quickly.

  Father Molloy said the service. The words just rattled over his head.

  “You may now kiss the bride.

  Abe leant over and dropped a kiss on his bride’s cheek. Her skin was so soft. She smelled good, too, a hint of lavender mixing with her natural scent. His body reacted to her presence although his mind told him she was off limits.

  Chapter 19

  The celebration meal after the wedding was an unusual affair. The ladies had out-done themselves. The food on display looked delicious but he couldn’t eat a morsel. His new bride obviously felt the same way as she didn’t eat anything, either. She kept jumping as if terrified something would happen.

  “Cathy, would you like to take a walk for a few minutes. I’d like to talk with you.”

  He wished she didn’t look so scared. He wasn’t going to hurt her. He offered her his arm, feeling her shake as she took it. He led her outside, away from the crowd, and walked a little bit. When he knew they were out of earshot, he stopped.

  “Cathy, we haven’t had a chance to talk much. I just wanted you to know I won’t ever raise a hand to ya. I don’t hold with hitting women.”

  Her eyes opened wider, if that was at all possible. He couldn’t help noticing their unusual color. He’d thought they were green but now in the starlight, they looked blue like the river.

  “Cathy, can you try not to be so scared?”

  “I’m sorry. I…it’s just I…well, I never had a husband before.”

  Was that why she was scared? She thought he was going to demand his rights?

  He drew her closer to put his arm around her to help ward off the cold. She looked up at him, reminding him of a doe he once tried to shoot. His pa had whipped him for not pulling the trigger, but he couldn’t kill such a beautiful creature. Not when she was staring at him.

  He coughed, dispelling the memory. He put a finger under her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes.

  “Cathy, I swear I will never force you to do anything. Our marriage is in name only. Doc Erin asked me to protect you and that is what I aim to do.”

  Was it his imagination or was that a flicker of disappointment in her eyes? It was gone as quick as it came.

  He kissed her lightly on the tip of her nose. “Come on, wife, let’s go back inside and at least pretend we are happy.”

  Cathy moved her head and took his arm, but not before he saw the sadness in her eyes once more. He wished more than anything he could get rid of it.

  “Abe, I think its best if you and Cathy came to stay on the ranch. My-sister-in law is rather anxious.”

  That was the understatement of the century, Abe thought, but he didn’t voice his opinion.

  “What about Gary? He’s been good to me and I promised to help him with the new house.” Abe didn’t want to seem ungrateful. Hopefully using Gary as an excuse would help his brother-in-law not to take offense.

/>   “I’ve asked a few of my men to help him. I think it’s best if you and Cathy were to move out of town. Away from everyone, but particularly those who cannot keep their noses out of other people’s business.” Abe followed Davy’s gaze to Charlie Staunton and Mrs. Shaw. They seemed to be enjoying themselves, although who had invited them was anyone’s guess. That group was certainly not part of Mick and Erin’s crowd.

  “Not only would it give you two a chance to get to know one another, but also my wife and her sister will have time together. It means a lot to both of them.”

  Abe nodded. Who was he to say no to one of the wealthiest men in town?

  “I heard you are a skilled carpenter. Paul Kelley is a master of woodcraft. He is married to one of the teachers you met, Laura. They live out on the ranch. Paul would be happy for you to work with him. He has too much work at the moment and with the new hotel and restaurant coming, that’s not likely to change.

  “I don’t need charity, Mr. Sullivan. I pay my own way.”

  “I know that, Abe, and can you call me Davy. I still look for my pa when anyone addresses me as Mr. O’Sullivan, God rest his soul. We are family now.”

  Abe shook the man’s hand. Family? That was rich. He’d only met Davy a few times but he probably knew him better than he did his wife. What had he done?

  “Cookie is looking forward to having you around, too. Says he wants to catch up with all that is happening in Noelle.”

  Abe nodded. Cookie had gotten back from Noelle a day or so ago. He hadn’t had time to catch up with his friend. “Where will we live? I’d rather not share your house, too.”

  Davy laughed before hitting him hard on the back. “To be honest, that makes me happy. The idea of living with family isn’t appealing to me, either. There’s a small house on the ranch. Paul, Laura and a couple of the men are tidying it up right now, getting it ready for when you come out.”

  “You knew I’d say yes.” Abe wasn’t sure he liked that.

  “We were hoping you’d say yes. Little Beaver lives nearby so he can reassure the sheriff Cathy won’t run away.”

  “Cathy won’t go anywhere. She has to prove her innocence first.” Abe couldn’t help but voice his protectiveness of Cathy.

  Chapter 20

  Cathy pinched herself – she must be dreaming. Here she was married to a man she barely knew, surrounded by people most of whom she had never met. She closed her eyes, missing her Mama and Papa. Mama had spoken so many times about what her wedding would be like. She would host it at a Fifth Avenue Hotel and the guest list would read like a who’s who of New York. There would be champagne and caviar, her dress would be made in Paris from the finest of silks and satins. Papa would buy her a beautiful house near the beach, but most of the time they would live in a mansion near her parents.

  “Cathy, are you all right? You are a bit pale.”

  “I am fine. Thank you, Doc.”

  “It’s a lot to take in. I came from New York almost two years ago. It is very different here but give these people a chance. The majority of them are kind and considerate and will do their best to help you.”

  “Mrs. Shaw and Mrs. Kelley have already paid their respects.” Cathy stopped speaking at the look of distaste on the doctor’s face.

  “Keep well away from those troublemakers. They may appear like innocent ladies but neither adjective is appropriate for that pair.”

  Cathy didn’t argue. They’d seemed nice to her, but then she was hardly a good judge of character. She had trusted Archibald completely. But Papa had, too. Papa always said you could trust blood more than anything. But then he’d forgotten Archibald wasn’t her real cousin. Papa always forgot Cathy was adopted. He treated her like a real daughter. He should have been here to walk me down the aisle. She brushed away a tear. If Papa was here she wouldn’t be in Clover Springs.

  “Cathy, would you like to go now? Seems your sister and her husband have arranged a new home for us.”

  “For us, you mean just the two of us?”

  “Yes. A house on their ranch. It means you get to see Mary and her children every day. And Ben. He seems to like you.”

  Was her new husband teasing her? She looked into his eyes. They seemed to be smiling at her. She wished she knew him better. Was he always this kind or was this his people face? Would he turn into a monster behind closed doors?

  “Are you ready?”

  As ready as she would ever be. She took his hand and held on tight as he said goodbye on their behalf.

  “Wait. You forgot to throw the bouquet. That’s tradition.”

  Cathy clutched the flowers in her spare hand. She let the group of ladies gather together before pitching them over her head. The crowd started laughing. She turned quickly to make sure she hadn’t hit anyone. Mrs. Grey was holding the flowers, her face a picture of embarrassment.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean…” Cathy started to apologize, but her apology was cut off by the teasing going on around her.

  “Poor Mrs. Grey, she is never going to live this down. Come on, Mrs. O’Malley. Let’s go home.”

  Cathy blinked at her new name before picking up her skirt in one hand and holding her husband’s hand as she walked to the wagon. Instead of helping her in, he lifted her as if she weighed nothing at all. He held her closer than she believed necessary, but it was pleasant. He smelled of ferns and something woody. Her pulse beat faster as his breath caught the side of her ear. It was almost as if he kissed her lightly but she must have imagined it. He tucked a rug around her before going around to the other side of the wagon and climbing in.

  “Are we waiting for the others?”

  “Cookie rode ahead to start the fire, but I think we will leave the others to the party. I don’t really want them coming to our new house with us. I’d rather do that as just the two of us. Do you mind?”

  Cathy shook her head. She didn’t mind, not really. In fact, she was kind of excited. Her new husband was proving to be kind and thoughtful. Maybe this marriage could work out for real.

  Cookie was waiting for them as the wagon pulled into the ranch. He congratulated Cathy and gave Abe a big hug. Then he said he’d mind the wagon and pointed them in the direction of a small wooden house with smoke billowing out of the chimney.

  “Lit the fire to keep you warm. Mrs. Higgins dropped over a basket of food to save you cooking tonight. Nice to meet ya, Mrs. O’Malley. See you in the morning.”

  And he was gone, leaving Cathy and Abe standing outside their new home. Abe opened the door and Cathy was about to walk through when he surprised her by picking her up.

  “Can’t have you walking into your new home. It’s traditional for the man to carry his bride over the threshold.”

  Cathy buried her face in his neck, her soft skin feeling nice against his. She smelled so good, her soft warm body next to his was playing havoc with his thoughts. He let her down rather abruptly, hoping she wouldn’t notice his reaction to her nearness. Her eyes opened wider as she looked around.

  “Looks right nice, doesn’t it?” He said.

  “But it’s so small? Where is the bathroom and the bedrooms?”

  He looked at his bride, wondering what she had expected. This wasn’t New York.

  “The necessary is out the back, I guess. I should go and look. The bedroom will be through that door, I imagine.”

  He pointed at a door before leaving to explore the outside.

  Cathy took off her hat and placed it on the table. She opened the door which led into a large bedroom, dominated by a big double bed. Her bag was sitting on the bed with her nightdress laid out on one pillow. She blushed. Mary must have set things up for her or else it was their housekeeper, Mrs. Higgins. She looked around the room. The quilted cover matched the curtains, making it look very cozy. There was a small dresser, on top of which was one picture frame. She picked it up to see a picture of her sister’s wedding day. Mary looked just as nervous as she had today. There was a note under it.

  That day was the s
tart of something special. Allow yourself to find happiness. Mary x

  She folded the note up and put it in her pocket. Not that she didn’t want Abe to read it, but she didn’t want to put pressure on him. She knew he had married her to protect her from Archibald. He could no longer decide whether she ended up in an asylum—although she wasn't sure how the marriage would protect her from the law.

  Chapter 21

  Abe came in, bringing the cold with him. He shut the door behind him just as she came out of the bedroom. There was only one. Where was he going to sleep? He didn’t expect them to share the same bed, did he? She couldn’t meet his eyes.

  “The necessary is out the back a little way. I can show you if you like. Before you get undressed. Its cold out there.”

  Embarrassed like she had never been before, Cathy nodded. She followed him to the outhouse.

  “You can go back inside now. I will be fine.”

  “If you‘re sure?”

  She was certain she didn’t want him standing outside and waiting for her. She would rather face a grizzly bear than that. Did they have grizzlies out here? Oh, why had she agreed to this wedding?

  “Cathy?”

  “Please. I will be fine.”

  He walked back to the house. She ran after him just as soon as she was finished, not wanting to be outside alone. She washed her hands at the sink as he started to unpack the basket Mrs. Higgins had left.

  “I stayed in the bunkhouse with Cookie when I first got here. Mrs. Higgins is a wonderful cook. Are you hungry?”

  She was. The smells coming from the basket made her stomach growl.

  “Sure sounds like you are.”

  “Abe!”