by Kit Morgan
She shook her head as tears came to her eyes. “How horrible. I still can’t believe such men exist.”
A tear escaped, and Percy could fight himself no longer. Before he took another breath, he had her in his arms. “They can’t hurt you anymore, I’ll make sure of that. Do you hear me?”
She looked up at him as more tears fell. “But Percy, how can you be sure?”
He swallowed hard, then realized his mind had made itself up while he wasn’t looking. “Because you’re Mrs. Percival Blue. And no man in all of Texas is stupid enough to mess with a Blue.
*
Adele couldn’t believe it! Did he just say they were going to stay married? She shivered in his arms as she looked at him. “You mean I’m … I’m really Mrs. Blue?”
Percy hesitated for a second. “Yes, you are. I can’t stand the thought of anything happening to you, especially when I know what you’ve already been through.”
His words were comforting, but there was something missing. She frowned “So you’re only staying married to me to protect me.”
He tightened his hold on her, and she wasn’t sure what to make of it. Or his vague non-answer answer. “I’ll keep you safe, Adele.”
“By the use of your name,” she added harshly.
“The Blue name works well enough. Add the Dalton name and you’ve got a force to be reckoned with.”
She closed her eyes again. “I see.” His words rankled. True, at least now she didn’t have to worry about whether she’d still be married to him in a day or two. But instead of being elated, she was annoyed. Her dream of falling in love and getting married, the same dream most women had, was gone. She was married, but would she be in love anytime soon? Ever?
She looked up at him, and saw that he looked like she felt. Maybe he wasn’t happy about the arrangement either. “You don’t have to stay married to me just to protect me. Another man’s name would do just as well.”
His eyes flashed as he held her tighter. “No. You’re Mrs. Percival Blue, and I want you to stay that way.”
“And all that talk of an annulment the last couple of days?”
Percy sighed. “I was angry. My brother and my brother-in-law, my own flesh and blood, just dropped this on me – on us, really, and I wasn’t prepared …” He let go of her, and she shivered at the sudden lack of contact. Despite her feelings right now, his arms were still a comfort.
He went to the fireplace, took some kindling from a bucket next to it and began to arrange several pieces for a fire. “Don’t get me wrong,” he began again. “I love my family, but they can drive a person around the bend.”
“You didn’t decide to stay married because of them, did you?”
He glanced at her over his shoulder. “No.”
“Then why?”
“I told you why – to protect you. So, now we might as well make the best of it.”
Adele wrapped her arms around herself. “You don’t have to make it sound like I’m such a burden.”
“I rather consider myself the burden, not you. But we can still manage – we can do what’s expected of us.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know … you get up, you cook breakfast, I go out and work, you clean or mend, I come in for lunch, I go back out and work, you prepare what you need to, I come in for supper, then we go to sleep.”
Her face fell in disappointment. “That … that’s it? Is that all you think marriage is all about?”
He took a match from atop the hearth, struck it against his boot and lit the kindling. “No … I mean, judging from the number of children running around here, there’s obviously more, but ...” He trailed off, looked at his shoes, then strode past her to the cot. He pulled out a small trunk from underneath it and lifted the lid.
“What are you doing?” she asked nervously.
“Getting some blankets so I can bed down for the night.”
She glanced around the cabin. “You could sleep on the floor,” she suggested.
Percy looked her up and down with an odd expression on his face, and she felt a warmth in her belly. But then he stared at his shoes again. “No, I … I can’t. I really can’t.” Still looking down, he left the cabin.
*
Percy hurried from the house and out into the cold night air. He filled his lungs with it, let it out, filled them again. What he really needed was to dunk his head in the horse trough. Or a cold bath in the nearest creek. “What in Sam Hill am I doing?” he said to himself as he stomped toward the bunkhouse.
He stopped short and stared at it. If he bedded down there, the men would know something was up – why was he there and his bride sleeping in his cabin alone? Better to stick to his original plan and camp out in the open. Way out.
For Heaven’s sake, all he did was take her in his arms – and it set him on fire! Yes, Adele was pretty, no doubt about that. But he hadn’t thought of her as anything beyond that until he had her body flush against his, and then … the closeness, coupled with his protective instinct, was too much.
It wasn’t lust; he’d felt that before, though he’d been smart enough – or cautious enough – to never act on it. The thought of going to a brothel to satisfy his needs was unappealing in the extreme. So what was it that made him want Adele so badly? It was like a bolt of lightning, but he couldn’t pinpoint the source. It was definitely more, though, than just being better able to protect her with his presence and making sure she bore his name …
Percy turned back and stared at his cabin in the distance. He’d unconsciously veered away from the bunkhouse and was now less than a hundred yards from the main buildings. His body trembled with the strength of what now burned inside him.
He’d never had a woman of his own, never really desired one because he knew it would mean marriage, commitment, being tied down. But now that he had one – granted, through no fault of his own – desire roiled in him like a volcano. He’d felt that if he’d stayed any longer in the same room with Adele, he’d have to give in to it – and that would hardly be gentlemanly, especially after what she had already been through. He didn’t want to become a raving maniac and fall on her like a wolf upon its prey.
Good grief, had his brothers experienced this? If so, how had they stood it?
Sure, they were husband and wife. Sure, he could go back and take her to his bed … well, cot. (He’d definitely need to get a real bed soon.). But it wouldn’t be fair to her, and it wouldn’t be fair to himself. He wanted more – and by golly, she deserved more! Frankly, she deserved more than befuddled, guilt-ridden Percy Blue. But how was he going to get it, for either of them?
“Oh for crying out loud,” Percy grumbled as he threw the blankets on the ground. “I’m already married to her!” He put his hands on his hips and stared at his cabin. “And I don’t even know her. Heck, I’m not sure I even know me. Everything’s all backwards.” He lay down and waited for sleep or sunrise, whichever came first.
Eleven
The next few days were rough on Percy and Adele – Percy, because sleeping on the hard ground was doing a number on his back; Adele, because she was sleeping in a stranger’s house alone; and both of them, because they weren’t sure what to do about the other one. It didn’t help that there was a sudden cold snap, which was uncomfortable for both of them. Neither one had told Percy’s family about their current “arrangement,” and neither felt inclined to.
One thing that did lift Percy’s spirits was seeing Adele in the morning. He’d come into the cabin well before sunup, start a fire in the stove, get some coffee going, have a cup and leave for work. She slept through it all. She looked so peaceful, tangled up in his blankets, that he enjoyed just watching her. Besides, after all she’d been through, it was good that she was resting …
He sighed to himself as he rode home the evening of the third day. They couldn’t go on like this. Pretty soon his family would find out, and then there would be hell to pay. Besides, that day she was supposed to meet his parents. Hank
and Maggie had invited Adele and Percy over for supper, now that his father was feeling better, and the rest of the clan was coming too.
Percy groaned at the thought as he dismounted his horse outside the barn, handing the reins over to one of the hands. He turned and stared at his little cabin. Adele hadn’t done anything to spruce up the place yet – probably because every morning one or more of his female relations commandeered her for the day. At least she was learning how to cook, though her learning curve was apparently pretty steep. All she’d made for him so far was some bread (burnt), some cookies (also burnt) and soup, only slightly singed.
All in all, the last few days could not have been much worse. He almost wished she’d insisted they get the annulment – then he’d only have to put up with accusations from his family and his newfound and unrequited desire for a bride. At least this twisting in the wind would be over.
Yes, yes, he could just stay inside that night and take her, but he didn’t want that. He wanted more, and she probably did too. If he just up and bedded her one day, he knew in his heart he’d lose what he was searching for.
Percy straightened, his eyes darting toward Hank and Maggie’s place. Adele would already be there. “Searching for …,” he whispered. Why were those words familiar? He couldn’t remember. But they were significant, he could feel it …
“Ready for supper, little brother?”
Percy jumped and spun around, his gun half out of its holster.
“Whoa!” Hank said as he put up his hands. “Put that thing away! Why are you so jumpy, anyway?”
Percy relaxed and holstered the gun. “Sorry. I just … I wasn’t expecting …”
Hank crossed his arms over his chest and eyed him. “Are you and Adele getting along all right?”
“Fine. I mean, given the circumstances.”
Hank’s eyes narrowed. “Uh-huh. You’ve had her to yourself for three days now, and you’re wound up like a rattler ready to strike.”
Percy tried to stay calm, with an effort. “Hank, please mind your own business.”
Hank’s eyebrows rose in question. “All right … but understand, a man can’t help but notice when another man isn’t quite right.”
Percy’s jaw tightened. “I’m as right as rain. Excuse me …”
“Because I don’t blame you for wanting to … well, take it slowly. Maybe sweeten her up a little before …”
“Hank, exactly which part of ‘minding your own business’ is unclear to you?”
Hank frowned. “The part where I’m your brother. You are my business, Percy. And you are not in a good place right now. You can deny it, but I can tell.” He put a hand on Percy’s shoulder. To Percy, it felt like an anvil. “Deep down, you know the right thing to do, for both of you. But you need to get past your worrying and do it.” He let go and walked away toward his house.
Percy watched him for a moment and pondered his words. “Get past my worrying,” he whispered, and smiled to himself. As usual, Hank was right. He needed to just live the life he had, not work himself into a lather over what it wasn’t or should be or might be. And “the life he had” was with Adele. Kind, patient, beautiful Adele, who had already survived just about the worst that could happen to a woman, and was still standing. Adele, who had outfoxed the Beelzebubs of Beckham and was willing to wed even a worm like him.
Adele, who was waiting for him to get it together and be her husband.
“I’ll do it,” he said, new determination filling his bones. “For both of us.” He smiled again, then followed Hank to supper – and more importantly, to his bride.
*
Adele felt Percy’s eyes on her all through dinner. It was thrilling, and a little scary. What was he thinking? What was he going to do? Was he going to spend the night in their cabin, or sit out on the prairie again, stewing?
Speaking of stew, she’d managed not to overcook something for once. She hoped Percy noticed.
“This is wonderful, Adele!” Hank said. “I’m glad we’re finally getting a taste of your excellent cooking!” She blushed as he turned to Percy. “Don’t you think this is some of the best stew you’ve ever had?”
Percy’s expression was stiff. “It’s mighty fine.”
Hank looked at Adele and mouthed he loves it!
“And she made dessert too!” Maggie chimed in.
Percy’s father, on the other hand, wasn’t so easily impressed. “I think you could’ve cut the vegetables smaller. I can’t chew like I used to. Leave it to Percy to marry someone that can’t cut up food properly.”
Percy tensed at his father’s nitpicking. “Papa, she’s still learning – leave her be. Besides, you could always cut the pieces smaller yourself.”
His mother donned a tight-lipped I’m-not-going-to-intervene expression. His father glared at him. “Is she good at anything else? Has she cleaned up that pigsty of yours yet?”
Adele saw Percy’s hand under the table clench. “It’s no concern of yours, sir. Leave her be.”
His father chuckled. “At least he sticks up for you,” he told Adele, then looked her over. “Though I’m not sure why, you coming from Beckham and all –”
Percy’s fist slammed onto the table. “Enough!” Everyone jumped in their seats and stared at him. “Ever since we moved out here, you’ve done nothing but complain and make everyone’s life miserable. What happened to us in Beckham is over, Papa! Over! And everyone has moved on – all of us – except you. Give it a rest!”
Mr. Blue sat back in his chair, looking like he was preparing to return fire.
Adele hadn’t had much chance to speak with Percy’s parents, but it was obvious there was tension between them and their children. She wanted to hide underneath the table, but Percy was standing up for her, and she liked it. The least she could do was stand up – well, stay sitting up – for him.
“Those devils took it all, son. All of it!” Percy’s father cried. “If I could just get my hands on one of them, I’d show him a thing or two!”
Hank groaned and ran a hand through his hair. “Papa, Percy’s right. That ship has sailed – let it go.”
“Exactly,” Percy agreed. “My wife does not need to hear you rehash all this again.”
Adele watched with interest as Mr. Blue pressed his lips together until they started to turn white. “One day, I’ll make them pay. You’ll see. You just wait until you lose something, then we’ll see how you feel.”
Percy wasn’t having it. “Papa, we all lost, just as you did. But now we have a new life. We’re all here, safe and sound. Now can’t we just enjoy supper?” He looked at Adele and smiled. “My wife worked too hard to have us spoil it with a lot of arguing.”
Adele raised her eyes to his with a shy smile. He smiled gently back with a look of … was that … adoration? She had to swallow as her body broke out in gooseflesh, and quickly took a sip of water.
Mr. Blue stabbed at a piece of stew meat, popped it into his mouth and chewed, but said no more. Percy ignored him, keeping his eyes on Adele. The tension was still in the room, but she didn’t care – her whole body felt warm at the look he was giving her. It made her want to reach across the table to him.
“Anyone … ready for dessert?” Maggie hazarded.
Adele shivered, the moment lost, and she immediately wondered how to get that feeling back. She glanced around the table. Only Mr. Blue was still eating – everyone else appeared to be finished.
Maggie got up and disappeared into the kitchen, and Adele tried to steel her nerves. She’d made a blackberry pie, or attempted to at any rate. It wasn’t easy, and Maggie had corrected her several times while making the crust. Would Percy like it? Even if he was sleeping outside the past few nights, she still wanted to spend more time with him. And they said the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach – a way she hadn’t exactly been paving with burnt toast …
“Here we are,” Maggie announced as she brought in the pie and set it on the table.
“I’m not done wi
th my supper yet!” Mr. Blue groused.
“Go ahead and finish eating, Papa,” Percy told him, making no effort to keep the annoyance out of his voice. “By the time Maggie dishes this up, you will be.”
“Don’t tell me what I will or won’t be doing!” his father snapped.
Percy rolled his eyes toward the ceiling, took a deep breath and held it. Adele thought he looked like he was counting to ten. He let it out and smiled at her across the table. She smiled back.
They ignored the others as they ate their pie, as if they were the only two people at the table. Percy’s words of praise were the only ones to reach her; the rest were just background noise. She sighed as she looked at him, and prayed he’d spend some time talking with her as they walked back to the cabin. She didn’t know how much longer she could go on not knowing how he felt. Good Lord, he wasn’t planning to sleep outside for the rest of their marriage … was he?
Adele bit the inside of her cheek to keep back a sob. What was it going to take? She looked at him, her eyes questioning.
He looked back at her and cocked his head ever so slightly. Then he glanced around the table, finished the last bite of pie and said, “Well, I think it’s time me and the Missus head home.”
“Fine, go ahead and leave,” Mr. Blue carped as he shoved a forkful of pie into his mouth. Mrs. Blue shook her head but still said nothing. In fact, Adele noted, the woman hadn’t spoken all night. What was going on there?
“Shall we go?” Percy asked.
Adele turned to Hank and Maggie. “Thank you for a wonderful day. This is the first time I haven’t burned anything.”
“Hmph!” Mr. Blue grumbled.
Percy sighed and motioned her to get up from the table. It was obvious he wanted to leave quickly, before his father provoked him to answer back – or worse. She stood as he came around to her side of the table and took one of her hands in his. “That was a mighty fine meal, Mrs. Blue,” he told her softly.
