The week after his wedding, he had received another post from Frank and it contained only one line: “She’s a pretty little bird, Jonah. Reminds me of your mother.”
Since then, Jonah had kept his eyes and ears open for any sign of Frank. Despite the fact that neither hide nor hair of him had been seen for years now, Frank had still managed to find out about Bianca. As the weeks passed though without any messages or signs of Frank, Jonah allowed himself to relax.
All night, Jonah had tossed and turned in his bed. That kiss was on his mind, and the woman behind it. Bianca filled a void he didn’t know had existed. A void he was reluctant to acknowledge even now. As busy as he was with the ranch, he now always made time for the meals that he used to skip, simply because it gave him an excuse to be near her.
She was refreshing. As beautiful as she was, her head was not filled with vanity like the other women he had come across in his life. She was practical to the core, but she was caring as well. He enjoyed talking to her and getting to know her. He didn’t even mind telling her about himself at times. When she had told him about her family, it took all of his might not to pull her into his arms and comfort her. He had only allowed himself to hold her hand.
He knew she was attracted to him and he wished he could act on that and make this marriage real. But he did not dare take it past the easy friendship they enjoyed. He was relieved that, even though he had behaved terribly after their kiss yesterday, she still treated him the same as she always had. He couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss and imagining what it would have been like to freely kiss her every day. At least she would be in town for the rest of the day. He told himself that out of sight would be out of mind. If only he could really believe it.
Jonah waved Bianca off as she left that morning. Once in town, Bianca carefully considered her choices. Her wardrobe was in desperate need of an update so she started there. She wanted a couple of ready-made dresses to use while the rest of her clothes could be stitched so she went to the one shop in town that boasted ready-made dresses.
She was the only person in the store when she entered it. A surprisingly young girl, who couldn’t have been much older than she, greeted her eagerly.
“Welcome, ma’am, my name is Cissy. How can I help you today?”
“Hello Cissy, please call me Bianca. I am in need of some ready-made dresses and I am going to have to get them a bit more stitched in places, is the seamstress available?”
“I am the seamstress, honey! This here is my store and I can definitely outfit you in style.”
As she spoke, Cissy brought out a tape measure and pins and led Bianca to the back room where she stripped to her chemise and stood on the pedestal while Cissy took her measurements.
Cissy was a talker and this became evident from the beginning of their conversation. Bianca learned that she was new in town and had set up shop only a month ago. Everyone here went to Madame Lenora though because she was the familiar face around town. To date, Bianca was Cissy’s first customer. She hoped that if Bianca were pleased with her services then she wouldn’t mind telling people she got her clothes from Cissy so that perhaps some brave souls would be willing to risk Madame Lenora’s wrath and visit her store.
Bianca was charmed by Cissy’s openness and warmth. When Cissy asked, unabashedly, why Bianca was still wearing styles that had gone out of fashion years before, Bianca explained to her that she was newly married and she wanted to attract her husband’s attention a little more which was why she wanted to update her clothes.
Cissy was delighted. She even offered to act as Bianca’s companion for the day so that she could get everything she needed, from underclothes to hats. Bianca accepted and the two became fast friends.
Cissy clothed Bianca in styles that suited her personality perfectly, not over the top but still alluring. Bianca was very pleased with the selection. The girl even advised her, rather frankly, on how to attract Jonah’s attention. She had been married before, when she was sixteen, but was now a widow at twenty-two as her husband had died in a freak accident involving a horse. She had enjoyed the marriage bed and when she discovered that Bianca had not, she was not a little surprised. She advised Bianca plainly.
By the time Bianca arrived home that evening, her head was spinning with all that she had learned. She was nervous to be forward with Jonah but she also knew she could not continue being a timid bird or she might lose her chance to win him over.
In her first week, quite by accident, Bianca had discovered that Jonah’s room had a window with a direct view into her own bedroom in the cottage. Since then, she had been diligent to close the curtains whenever she changed her clothes or got dressed in the morning. That night though, she was feeling emboldened by the conversation she had with Cissy. So she decided to leave the curtains open while she prepared for bed.
Jonah returned from his bath late that night. The day had been exceptionally long, as he had been making the last of the preparations to ready the fields for the coming winter. Now he was ready for bed. As he toweled his hair dry, he sat on the bed. His eyes were drawn to a flicker of light coming from the cottage. As his mind registered what he was seeing, he froze in shock.
Bianca was brushing her hair in the candlelight. She was wearing nothing more than a thin petticoat and the light from the candle illuminated her body, contouring it for his imagination. Jonah swallowed hard. He could not tear his gaze away as he watched her. He was mesmerized by her actions as she finished brushing her hair and then rubbed something, lotion he assumed, on her arms and legs. Bianca climbed into bed and blew out the candle so that the room was engulfed in darkness. Jonah sat, dumbly staring at her window for a few more minutes before snapping out of his trance.
The next morning, Bianca put on one of the dresses Cissy had created. The fit was tighter and the cut was a little lower than what she was accustomed to but she knew it flattered her very well. When Jonah walked in that morning, he was floored. Bianca could tell that he was flustered and it pleased her immensely. She had seen him watching her the previous night and his attention that day satisfied the woman in her. He didn’t say anything, but then he didn’t need to. His gaze was heated each time it settled on her. Bianca simply could not help but feel giddy.
She forced herself to act natural and carry on a conversation with Jonah. When he commented on her dress, she told him it was new and that she had thought it was time to update her wardrobe. Jonah just nodded but she knew he liked the dress. His eyes kept taking in the entire length of her appreciatively.
Jonah had a hard time making his mind work that morning. He kept thinking about the vision of her he had glimpsed the previous night. And unlike her previous outfits, the dress she had on today emphasized all of her womanly charms in a manner that he could not help but enjoy. There was nothing overt or immodest about the dress but it somehow managed to cling to her in all of the right places, emphasizing all of the right curves.
Over the next two weeks, they drew closer together and the attraction between them strengthened until it was tangible. Bianca had begun decorating the house for Christmas. For the first time since he had been without his mother, Jonah had a tree in his house. At first he had been uncomfortable but now he had to admit that he rather enjoyed it. There was a feeling of anticipation in the air. And hope. He couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so lighthearted.
When he saw the bare floor under the tree, he had felt guilty and had gone out and bought several presents for Bianca. When she saw all the beautifully packaged gifts her eyes had lit up with sheer joy.
“Are those for me?”
“Yes, ma’am, but you’re not allowed to even touch them until Christmas morning, do you hear?”
Bianca laughed with glee, “Okay, but I expect the same follow through from you mister!”
“Why? Did you buy me something too?” Jonah asked curiously.
“Mmhmm.” Bianca nodded. “I did indeed, but if I cannot peek at my presents, you cannot take a gander a
t yours, deal?” She stuck out her hand for a handshake.
“Deal.” Jonah murmured as he took her hand in his and stepped closer to her. But instead of kissing her like he so wanted to, he just stood there and stared down at her. Then he turned abruptly and left.
There was one little package that he didn’t place under the tree though. He had bought it at the spur of the moment and he was still unsure if he wanted to give it to her. He didn’t know if he wanted to take such a chance. He kept it with him wherever he went for safekeeping.
A couple days later, one week from Christmas, Bianca was in the kitchen making eggnog and hot apple cider. There was a small festival being held in town that day and Jonah said he would take her. She packed the drinks in a small thermos and placed it in a basket along with some food for them so they could enjoy the Christmas show. The little school children would be singing carols and putting on a play and there was even to be a Santa Claus who would pass out small trinkets to the people in attendance.
Snow was falling all around them as they travelled to the heart of town. Jonah had wrapped them both in cloaks and blankets to ward off the cold. Bianca still shivered as the wind swept past them and Jonah put his arm around her, pulling her closer to his side. When she huddled deeper into him and even buried her face against his shoulder, he couldn’t help but feel very content.
Bianca, for her part was also quite satisfied. More and more, Jonah was starting to display his affection, in look and touch, and Bianca was happy that they had come as far as they had. She could see them growing old together and loving each other, perhaps with a house full of children, as time marched on. It warmed her heart and she sighed appreciatively and thanked the Lord from her heart.
When they reached the town, Jonah helped her down from the carriage and then placed his arm around her waist as they walked. It seemed like the most natural thing in the world. Given the dense crowd, neither of them noticed the man that had trailed them throughout the day.
Little children ran around with mistletoes tied to sticks and tried to get as many couples to kiss as they could. When one little girl ran up behind Jonah and Bianca, dangling her mistletoe over Bianca’s head, Jonah laughed out loud. He quickly pecked Bianca on the cheek obligingly.
“No mister,” the little girl said between giggles, “you have to actually kiss her.”
Jonah looked at the little girl and then at Bianca. She merely raised her eyebrows and waited patiently.
“You shouldn’t disappoint the children, Jonah,” she said smiling.
Jonah grinned and leaned in closer. “And how about you, Mrs. Cassidy? Would you be disappointed?”
“Very much so.”
Jonah’s eyes lit up with heat at her reply. He bent his head closer and brushed her lips with his. She responded by opening up to him and he pressed in closer. He would have deepened the kiss and happily forgotten his surroundings if the giggles of the little girl didn’t bring him back to reality.
“I think we should continue that in the privacy of our own home.” Jonah whispered.
“Is that a promise?”
The only reply she got was a wink.
Bianca had trouble keeping her mind on the festivities. It kept going back to that brief kiss she desperately wanted to continue – and the promise of more from Jonah. She had been half afraid that he would pull back from her again but he kept a hold of her hand as they meandered along and found opportunities to touch her in one way or another, whether he adjusted her hat or cloak or wrapped his arm around her waist.
When they arrived home that evening, Jonah helped Bianca to her cottage. For the first time since she had first entered the house, Jonah followed her inside. For a while, they just stood staring at each other; the only light around them came from the moonlight filtering through the window. Bianca made the first move when she stepped closer to him and reached up to remove his hat. She placed it on the hook near the door and began to untie his scarf. Before she could pull it off of his shoulders, Jonah caught her hands and pressed them against his chest, drawing her even closer in the process.
He pulled her hands up and twined them around his neck while wrapping his arm around her waist. With the other hand, he lifted her chin and pressed his lips against hers. When she responded, he deepened it further and slid his fingers into her hair. After a long moment, before the kiss could go any further, he pulled his head back, breathing heavily. He rested his forehead against hers and gazed into her eyes.
“The horses,” he said between deep breaths, “their still standing in the snow.”
Bianca nodded. “You should go put them in the stall.”
“Mmm. Bianca. I…I think I am falling in love with you. You are not at all what I expected. And…I have to know if you feel anything like that for me.”
Bianca’s heart soared. She didn’t say anything. She just nodded.
Jonah smiled. “I can’t believe you are mine.” He took a deep breath and opened his mouth to continue but was cut off by the sound of the horses’ whines. Jonah laughed wryly.
“Let me go take care of those horses and then I will be back.”
Bianca grinned and nodded before watching him leave.
Smiling softly to herself, Bianca headed to her room after hanging up her cloak, hat and mittens. She stripped off her gown and slipped into the peignoir and wrapper Cissy had insisted she buy. She took her hair out of the constraining bun and unbraided it to brush it out. When she heard her bedroom door close, she turned to greet Jonah shyly.
But the man who stepped into the candlelight was not Jonah.
“Who are you? How did you get in here?”
The man laughed harshly. “The name’s Frank, darling. I see my son hasn’t mentioned me. That’s too bad. I told him what I would do to the one he loves. He must not have believed me.”
As he spoke, he drew a knife out of his pocket. Its edge glowed sharply in the small light as he advanced on her. “That was a very touching scene you shared in the foyer.”
“You were watching us?”
“Indeed I was. I’ve been trailing you since this morning when you arrived at the festival. After I saw that kiss, I came back here and waited for you.”
As he spoke, Bianca edged sideways and Frank matched her moves, circling her, as if toying with her.
“Why?”
“My son stole my wife from me and now I will steal his from him. I warned him long ago that I would.”
Sudden understanding dawned on Bianca. “You’re the reason why he’s been so hesitant to take our marriage forward.” She didn’t fully understand but she knew she was right.
The back of her legs hit the table behind her and she grasped a heavy paperweight before moving away and closer to the door.
Frank followed her but he was done talking. He lunged at Bianca with the knife but she threw the paperweight at him with all her might and it caught him on the side of the head, dazing him. Bianca didn’t wait. She pulled the door open and ran out of the bedroom and then out into the yard, screaming for Jonah along the way.
She heard Frank crash through the living room and follow her. She twisted back to look and slipped on the ice in front of her and fell. Frank was faster than he seemed and the paperweight hadn’t done much damage.
He covered the distance between him and his prey quickly. Bianca tried to scramble away from him but the ice was slippery and Frank got to her first. He turned her over and straddled her stomach. The knife glinted in his hand in the moonlight as he raised it above his head with a maniacal laugh. When he brought it down, Bianca braced herself, just as a loud boom shook the night air and Frank screamed in agony as the knife went flying and blood spurted from his hand. Another boom and Frank’s shoulder jerked and he fell back away from Bianca.
Jonah came up alongside her, shotgun to his shoulder. He pulled her up with one hand, keeping the other steadily on the trigger of the gun firmly aimed at the now bloody man. Bianca scrambled up and Jonah swept her behind him.
He slowly advanced on Frank but the man didn’t move. When Jonah stepped over him, he was surprised to see Frank looking at him with wide, glazed eyes – a dead man’s gaze. Jonah turned him over and found the knife Frank had used on Bianca lodged in his back. It must have landed hilt first in the snow when it was shot out of Frank’s hand and Frank had impaled himself on it when he fell back from the second shot.
Jonah felt nothing but relief. The shadow specter of Frank Cassidy was no longer hanging over his life like a gloom. He was free.
The next week, on Christmas morning, Jonah and Bianca sat down before the hearth and sipped on hot chocolate. They had a pile of wrapping paper flung all over the living room and both were as giddy as children as they took in their gifts. Jonah excused himself and went to his room. When he came back out, he had a small package wrapped in gold with a red bow in his hands.
Bianca looked at him curiously when he presented it to her. I bought it a month ago but I wasn’t sure if I was ready to give it to you until we went to the Christmas Festival. I had already decided that I would give it to you that morning and Frank’s demise just gave me more of a confirmation.
“I am sorry about what he put you and your mom through, Jonah. I am glad he can’t hurt you anymore.” Jonah had explained everything about Frank to her after that fateful night and Bianca was glad Jonah was finally able to move past it.
She carefully unwrapped the package and opened the small box inside. The gift inside stunned her. Jonah knelt next to her.
“I know I said when I met you that I did not want a wife, only a maid. But you changed all of that. You turned my world upside down. You are genuine and generous, practical and fun. I can’t imagine anyone else that I would rather spend the rest of my life with. We have been married for several months now but as of yet, we have not lived as husband and wife. But I love you and I want you to be mine alone. Bianca Cassidy, would you be my wife and companion from this day on for as long as God gives us breath to share?”
[2016] A Bride's Journey Page 49
